Driving To Italy
 

Has anyone driven right accross France to northern Italy? We are thinking of driving from the port of Boulougne to Lucca stopping half way into France. Has anyone done this route? Did they find it difficult.

Thanks

Short answer: Sure. It is not difficult.

Longer answer: are you thinking to rent a car in France and then return it in Italy? Expect to pay a drop charge of $300-400 (or more?) for the privilege of doing this. Moreover, many people are astonished by the 154 tunnels (yes, 154, not a typo between Nice and Livorno. Its' tunnel, bridge-tunnel-bridge-tunnel over and over again. The geography there is like a stack of rock plates turned on edged, like in a dish drainer, and to build the highway, they just drilled one tunnel after another, and built bridges to connect the holes. Not the kind of sea-edge drive you might expect.

Not difficult. Just very different.

Best wishes,

Rex

Thanks Rex. We are actually driving from England so are intending to take our own car all the way. We have driven a lot in the various regions of France but what you say about all of those tunnels is fascinating. I must admit to being a little worried now about congestion. The thought of being held up in a tunnel in Italy in August is not a good one.

Buzzy

Most of these tunnels, are, of course, short - - 400 meters, for example; you see the other end often as you enter them. Congestion? I wouldn't expect it.

Its a long drive in 2 days, we have many guests stop by here in Asti as a second break en-route from England to Tuscany,the first being in Burgundy, but I suppose if you are starting in Boulogne and not having to take the ferry, that will save a few hours and so it is do-able, and you can stop closer to Italy, or in Val d'Aosta or Val di Susa, depending on which tunnel you choose (Monte Bianco is a bit quicker). Just don't speed through the tunnels, cameras and instant fines on the other side. The tunnels around Genoa are lie threading a needle, but its not that bad, wouldn't want to do them if I was tired though.

Since you said "stopping somewhere halfway in France", I assumed that you would take the autoroute du Soleil, and approach via Nice. But you could go via Switzerland, as noted above. what month are you proposing to do this?

Thanks Rex

We will be travelling in August. Looking to spend 3 weeks in Italy and a couple of days either side driving there and back from our home in England. We are looking at staying in the Garfagnanna area.

Buzzy