½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

"I advise those of you who transfer money for the mortgage payment, by way of greater security, to transfer amounts to 20% higher than the installment loan that is due,"ÌýYou'd need to send 25% extra so that the needed amount remains.ÌýÌýi.e.ÌýÌýÌý E125-20% = E100

As I understand it, [from postings elswher on the net];-ÌýFrom 1st February ALL transfers to ½ûÂþÌìÌà bank accounts from outside ItalyÌýare subject to a 20% witholding tax. The bank will deduct the 20% and send it to the GovernmentThis is all about tax due on investments abroad.To reclaim the money, assuming it was not the result of an investment abroad, you must reclaim it on your next ½ûÂþÌìÌà tax return.You can also make an 'autodichiarazione' at your bank regarding the 'ritenute d'ingresso' to declare it is not money from investments abroad and the bank will no longer deduct the 20%.Ìý [UK Pension payments, for example]ÌýÌý

Because of the dog, and also in preparation for avoiding the 100 SF charge for the Motorway Vignette in Switzerland next year, we are looking at a new route down to North West italy [Lake Maggiore/Lake OrtaÌýarea]We are planning 3 night stops on the journey to cut down the daily in-car time for the dog to approx 5 hours a day max.Ìý We enjoy a leisurely drive down and back anyway, its part of the holidayRoute may well be;-

• Day 1ÌýÌýÌýÌýEurotunnel and first stop near Lille Englos, at the Holiday Inn express - we've had good stays there before, and ther is plenty of space to walk the dog
• Day 2ÌýÌýÌý Lille to Epinal area
• Day 3ÌýÌýÌý Epinal to Sion in Switzerland - posssibly the Ibis there.Ìý The route will be cross country to Pontalier in France [avoiding Besancon]Ìýthen into and throughÌýSwitzerland on non motorway roads.Ìý The lakeside road from Lausanne is a most enjoyable drive, and it goes onÌýthrough to Sion
• Day 4ÌýÌýÌý Sion to our place near Lake Orta- only 2 or 3 hours drive

Ìý

• Return Jouney will probably follow the same route and stops

Distance wise this isn't much longer than more direct routes we usually take, but it will add a 2 or 3 hours to the overall journey time because of Days 3 and 4ÌýAnyone got any comments?Ìý Ìý[but not about the need for 3 stops overnight, that's a 'given' for us]Ìý

"ÌýDid you say there's a Thai restauarant not far from the Ibis?"Not me - the Ibis is out by the airport.Ìý Having used it once, I won't be going there againÌý [Room was damp etc etc].Ìý You need a car to get into town for good restaurants

"anybody out there dusting down their roadmaps to Italy?"ÌýYes - starting planningÌý leisurely drive down with our dog.Ìý First time with a pet, so changes to route/times required.Ìý Will be using Eurotunnel rather than Ferry - dog will stay in car with us, not put in cage on ferry, and will spend 3 nights on way down [and back] to reduce time in car each day

"wow, what's happened to it mag...a sad demise"It's not what it was - but things usully go quiet at the start of the year'.Ìý I think the heady days of lots of postings are gone [both here and elsewhere], but I expect it will pick up later on.ÌýHowever, I'm not a fan of this new formatÌý[The "other place" is also pretty quiet (but not as quiet as here)Ìý- It does have some interesting things on, but it's a lot about ex-pats wanting to vote in the UK and Yanks saying Knox must be innocent because she is American.]

"Hellooooo, anybody there?"Yes - this any good?ÌýÌý

Try this for infoÌý

Try ½ûÂþÌìÌà Yellow pagesÌýÌýÌý

Try;-ÌýÌý