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.ÌýI did this route again a couple of weeks ago, but found the roadworks on the Dunkirk-Lil

Tue, 07/28/2009 - 09:32

ÌýI 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.Ìý[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],Ìýfrom Calais, I almost always drive up towards Dunkirk and then head East towards Luxembourg.ÌýÌýÌýThe 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.Ìý Its useful for deciding where to fill up.ÌýNote - in Luxembourg, [where I always fill up - its worth the minor detour from Cal

    Thu, 07/02/2009 - 05:32

    Terrible accident in Viareggio.Ìý

    Tue, 06/30/2009 - 04:50

    .ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýI heard this today on Radio 4.ÌýÌýI 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

    .ÌýÌýÌýI'm considering handing over ownership of my ½ûÂþÌìÌà Holiday Home to my kids.ÌýDoes 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 0ÌýÌýÌýÌý.

    Thu, 06/18/2009 - 18:08

    Comments posted

    Wed, 06/01/2011 - 13:39

    "Ìýa minor niggle I have with the planners is that they calculate journey time on the assumption that you can (and want to) travel exactly on the speed limit for the whole of your route." Almost without exception, for us [allowing for meal and loo stops etc] we average 50mph on a longish run [Its a bit more on the dash back to the ferry - but that's because we try and stay as long as possible in Italy]

    Answer to: Residence
    Tue, 05/31/2011 - 04:33

    "as I don't really want to get into the ½ûÂþÌìÌà Income Tax system should I deregister here as a Resident?" From the varied [and conflicting?]Ìýreplies given here - it seems obvious to me that you should seek expert [½ûÂþÌìÌÃ] advice to ensure [hopefully] that you 'stay legal' and achieve your aim on not paying ½ûÂþÌìÌà Tax Good Luck

    Answer to: Residence
    Sun, 05/29/2011 - 08:40

    "I have residency in England & Italy, no-one seems to notice" They may, when you pop your clogs!

    Fri, 05/27/2011 - 12:28

    " ......Ìý entering Luxembourg the first service station was packed, should have figured there was a reason - the second service station just before you leave Lux and go into Belgium was closed ........" Petrol prices are fixed in Luxembourg - so you don't have to stick to the motorway services The LuxembourgUK site states "Please note that the price of petrol (/gasoline if you prefer) is the same across the country, as it is fixed by government decree, and hence there's no difference in cost whether you get your fuel at a tiny petrol station in the middle of nowhere, or on the motorway. ". "

    Thu, 05/26/2011 - 11:09

    Ìý"I have a particular interest in the actual dates as I am going to Bavaria for Christmas and New year this year so therefore I was thinking that I would be able to go via Switzerland on the way THERE (Dec 6th ish), but my vignette would NOT be valid on the way BACK (Jan 6th ish) ?" The Swiss Travel Centre website states;- "The Swiss Motorway vignettes are valid for multiple re-entries into Switzerland. The vignette is valid between 1st December of the previous year and 31st January of the following year (printed on the vignette). If taking a trailer or a caravan, you will need to purchase an extra vignette"

    Wed, 05/25/2011 - 14:07

    "if you are through tunnel by 6am you will be at Mulhouse by lunchtime about 7hrs drive , its about 4hrs from Mulhouse to get through switzerland with no major hold ups" I think he said he gets to the tunnel about 6am - so allow for getting out the other end at [worst case, but include time difference] 8am - So Mulhouse about 3pm, or 4pm depending on stops and trafficÌý I wouldn't then go another 4 hrs - you'd be so knac**red you'd need half a week of your time in Italy to recoverÌý [and that's assuming you start from Dover - if you've driven down any distance to DoverÌýthe tiredness gets worse]

    Wed, 05/25/2011 - 10:15

    "ÌýI asume with the increase it will cost 28.50 from the station nr Basel " Don't think so - its the GB Pound Ìýprice that has gone up - not the Euro PriceÌý [at least, thats howÌýI read the email]

    Wed, 05/25/2011 - 10:12

    "Need to decide where to stop for the night; Not keen on Switzerland prices, especially as two rooms or a triple so its France (Mulhouse area) or carry on through the Gotthard and get to a hotel nr Lugano but just into Italy. Some say it will be worth pushing on and get to Italy while still light, others say its is too far. Just didnt want to get to Mulhouse and be kicking around with time to spare. Would appreciate your thoughts (getting Eurotunnel at around 6am)" Ìý Mulhouse seems the better option, rather than blasting on through Switzerland - if you go to the Accor website there are plenty of options around Mulhouse

    Mon, 05/23/2011 - 12:47

    "I assume the one that we have (should we choose to use it) still 'works'?" Yes - as long as its for 2011 - it should remain valid to end of Jan 2012

    Thu, 05/19/2011 - 04:52

    So they do .........