Calais to Malcesine Routes

Posted on 24/10/2023 20:44 by Dave Nicholson

We have two ‘preferred’ routes to northern Italy. The first is Calais (Eurotunnel) to Belgium (south of Brussels via Namur) to Luxembourg (Remich) then Saabrucken, Stuttgart and Ulm (via A8) then Fussen, Imst (Fern Pass), Innsbruck. Brenner auto route towards Bressanone (Brixon) but we leave the auto route before Bressanone onto the SS49 to Dobbiaco. Then the SS51 through Cortina de Ampezzo to Conegliano where we pick up the A28 to Portogruaro. We’re always heading for Bibione which is NE Italy equidistant from Venice and Trieste.

The alternative route and quickest one, but one that’s not as scenic in our opinion, is from Remich back into France then Basel, Gottard Tunnel (try not to use the tunnel at the weekend) down to Milan then the A4 to Portogruaro. The motorway around Milan is always busy and it’s a bit of a lottery as to how long the delays are. The A4 is one of the busiest motorways in Europe but providing there are no accidents the traffic moves quickly and much of it is three lanes now.

As DK has said, Punta Sabbione is on the eastern side of Venice so not ideal if you’re coming from the south or south east towards Venice. Al Bateo is next door to Camping Miramare and is more suitable for motorhomes unless you have a small/medium sized caravan or a motor-mover.

Where are you planning to go to in norther Italy?

 

Posted on 25/10/2023 10:32 by Forest Gate

Thanks for replying and the information.

We’re thinking of Peschiera del Garda on the southern end of Lake Garda either in June or September. We would have around 15 days in total and would like to spend about a week at Lake Garda.
Thinking of this area mainly as we can do boat trips on the lake to Malcesine, Limone etc and train to Venice and Milan but I have also been considering a the possibility of a site near Venice.

As for the route, rather her than tunnels; eg: Mont Blanc, Gotthard etc I was thinking it might be more interesting, (although longer), to go over a pass instead, at least one way with maybe a tunnel the other. 

At the moment I’m thinking Calais, Metz, Nancy, Gotthard Pass for the outbound or similar, but am open to advice and/or other suggestions. 

Posted on 25/10/2023 11:06 by eurortraveller

Forest Gate, I sympathise with you for your shortage of time. Your planned route is sound, but I fear you will miss a lot of interesting things along the way.

Perhaps on another journey that same way you can fit in the Art Nouveau display in Nancy, a wander around Strasbourg and Colmar, eat tarte flambée in Alsace, spend a day in the French railway museum at Mulhouse, idle around  Lucerne and its lake, and see all the Alpine scenery in Switzerland.

But I’m an odd man out on here in thinking Lake Garda is over rated - and overcrowded.

Cheers !  Have a great time