alan h's activity

Questions Asked

My place is between Lakes Orta and Maggiore, and I have used Flybe in the past to fly from Birmingham to Milan Malpensa.Looking for flights in Sept/Oct, I was disappointed at the high costs - so went to the Easyjet site to look at the Luton to Tur

Thu, 08/20/2009 - 04:27

I have often advocated swinging up through Belgium when travelling from UK to Italy, on the grounds of the cheap petrol in Luxembourg and toll free motorways.I did this route again a couple of weeks ago, but found the roadworks on the Dunkirk-Lil

Tue, 07/28/2009 - 09:32

I thought it might help people not break the law [or get caught breaking it] to some info on speed cameras they might come across in driving down to Italy.[This really applies to people like me who don’t have a sat-nav that tells them all the in

Sat, 07/04/2009 - 11:03

When driving to Italy, [Lake Maggiore area],from Calais, I almost always drive up towards Dunkirk and then head East towards Luxembourg.The reasons for doing so is simple:-

    Fri, 07/03/2009 - 12:52

    If you are driving down to Italy, this regularly updated AA site gives you the latest info on fuel prices across Europe. Its useful for deciding where to fill up.Note - in Luxembourg, [where I always fill up - its worth the minor detour from Cal

    Thu, 07/02/2009 - 05:32

    Terrible accident in Viareggio.

    Tue, 06/30/2009 - 04:50

    .I heard this today on Radio 4.I take it you already know of tough and bough and cough and dough?Others may stumble, but not you,On hiccough, thorough, lough** and through.Well done!

    Sat, 06/20/2009 - 16:58

    .I'm considering handing over ownership of my Holiday Home to my kids.Does anyone know

    • How easy this is to do, and how costly?
    • Whether this can be done in the UK - or do I have to do it in Italy?
    Fri, 06/19/2009 - 04:54

    Egypt 1 - Italy 0.

    Thu, 06/18/2009 - 18:08

    Comments posted

    Sat, 05/30/2015 - 10:53

    You don’t say where you are flying from, but assuming the UKWhy not fly to Nice and start from there? Also – do you really need a car? You could use trains for much of the trip – and they are much cheaper than in the UK. For train times, I use http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?newrequest=yes&protocol=http:&NICE - Spend a couple of days there – or more if you want to do Cannes and Antibes. All can be visited by train, and it goes along the coast, giving great views. Little need for a carThen catch a train to Levanto [or similar] from Nice – a great days sightseeing on the train. A pleasant day trip along the Ligurian Riviera, before going inland a bit.The Cinque Terre is best ‘done’ by a combination of the local trains and walking the coastal path. Road access is ‘limited’. There are 3 paths, the coastal one which is flat [and crowded with Americans “doing the 5 Cities”], a middle one, not too steep, less crowded, and reasonably easy to walk, and the upper path – steep in places, but empty of people, and with great views out to sea .[Once had a week’s walking holiday in the area – marvellous!]Then by train [again] to Naples, and on by local train to Sorrento [total about 7 hrs]. We stayed at Hotel Il Nido, just outside of Sorrento - Lovely place and great views – try his home made Limoncello!!!! When we were there [a few years ago now] the owner ran a minibus service for residents, so they could go to/from Sorrento free of charge.The Amalfi coast is well served by buses, and you can also walk the ‘Pathway of the Gods’, an old mule track on the top of the cliffs [hard work getting up to, and down from, it.] I wouldn’t drive the coast road – you’ll be too busy watching the road and other drivers to appreciate the scenery. A day trip to Capri is worth it – the pathway around the island is well worth doingThat’s probably the best part of 2-3 weeks of your holiday sorted. Then Naples to Florence is just over 2 hours by train – a car there would be a pain o park etc etc, but you could hire one to explore the countryside thereThen back to Nice by train

    Tue, 05/26/2015 - 06:52

    For Milan - this may assist[Furniture is towards the bottom of page]Also -

    Sun, 05/17/2015 - 16:39

    Well .........................................................Do you mean 'autonomo' rather than 'autonimo'?If you do, it means an independent CH system, i.e. you control it

    Sun, 05/17/2015 - 07:52

    Well ........................................Remember that US electrical appliances run on 110V at 60Hz, and European Voltage is 230V at 50Hz - so electrical appliances don't readily 'transfer' to Europe from the USAlso - remember to get European chargers for phones etc as soon as you arrive [if not on-line before] - so you don't find yourself isolated due to flat batteries.

    Sat, 05/09/2015 - 16:41

    Well ......................."................... The English owner has assured us that this man has no rights over the land ..................."Get him to confirm via a lawyer that this is correct - otherwise you could be in trouble later

    Fri, 05/08/2015 - 06:35

    Well .................................................The answer is probably Yes. But it probably varies from Comune to ComuneIf the staircase is out of sight from the road/neighbours, you could probably do it yourself, [but this could create problems when it comes to selling the property in the future]I'd use a local builder and geometra, as they will know how to 'manage the Comune'.Keep the locals happy and most problems disapper

    Tue, 03/31/2015 - 10:03

    Careful - You Cannot Transfer Car Tax Sally posted;-

    • "Car Details: 2006, UK registered, .......... Will have 6months UK tax, .........

    Under the new rules, following the ending of Tax Discs, it is no longer possible to sell a car 'with car tax'. Re-registering the car automatically cancels the Car Tax and a refund is given to the 'seller'.The new owner must pay the DVLA for a new Car Taxsee;-

    Sat, 03/21/2015 - 06:30

    Talk to a local [and I stress 'local'] Geometra.He will advise on;-

    • what can be done
    • What the local Comune will, and [more importantly] will not permit
    • what approximate costs will be - so you can decide whether its worth doing - I'd add 20% - 30% for contingencies
    • how long it will take to do the work [I'd add 20% for timescales]- NOTE - you will be restricted on what you can do yourselves, as most work will require certiification by a 'competent person', i.e certificated tradesmen such as builders, plumbers, electricians etc etc.

    Personally, I'd think long and hard about 'doing up' a place, especially one without water and electric.Now the Euro is weak against the pound, I'd look at something more 'habitable, and make an offer about 30% below asking price [it worked for me]Good Luck

    Mon, 03/16/2015 - 10:45

    Well ......................................Don't know what one would cost, but remember that you cannot buy a car until you are registered as a 'Resident'

    Tue, 03/03/2015 - 14:46

    Well .................................This may help -