Our Tour – The Italian Adventurer

Our Tour of Italy encompassed 33 nights away, and evolved as follows. Blue items are links to sites and aires where we stayed. Some sites have not been reviewed again as we have stayed there previously and nothing had changed! Other links provide our comments and thoughts of a location etc

Day 1, from home to the Channel Tunnel terminal and onward to Calais. Time to stock up with beers and wines, before heading to Gravelines for a night on the aire. The aire costs seven euro per night.

Day 2, from Gravelines to the motorway. Taking in a small amount of diesel at E LeClerc just off the A25 motorway. We marched on through Belgium, passing Mons, Charleroi and Arlon, taking us to Luxembourg where the motorhome was filled to the neck with cheap diesel and we paused for lunch. The reason only a bit of diesel was added in France is simple – why fill up at 1.05 euro when you will be filling up at 0.97 euro a bit later? We added just enough in France to get us to Luxembourg. From Luxembourg, southwards to Charmes and a night on the aire, again seven euro per night, but with hook up, fresh water and toilet facilities.

Day 3, from Charmes a short drive to another aire, this time at Chavanne sur L’Etang. Another night at seven euro with hook up, water and waste and toilet facilities.

Day 4, heading towards Switzerland, we filled the tank to the absolute maximum at E LeClerc at Altkirch. Over the Swiss border at Mulhouse/Basel, where we purchased the toll/vignette. On then towards The Rhein Falls. Alas the motorhome parking area was full so we parked in the coach bay for lunch, after bribing the attendant with chilled drinks.

Our tour features a visit to the Rhine Falls in Switzerland

We returned to the motorhome parking area later in the day, where we subsequently stayed the night. Off then to explore the River and take a boat trip.

Day 5, some challengng driving today over mountain passes with spectacular scenery, ready for our night-stop at Camping Pemont, Livigno. We filled with diesel at just 84 cents per litre and stocked up on duty-free!

Our tour enjoyed low-priced diesel in Livigno

Day 6, southwards via the Bernina Pass and the Passo del Aprica, seeing  us in Italy. Passing Lake Iseo, we headed for Manerba del Garda and Camping il Faro for a three night stay and some rest and relaxation!

Day 9 – restock on groceries and the short journey to our favourite site, Camping Cappuccini for a seven night stay. So many days out from here and so much food and drink!

Day 16 – to Orio al Serio airport to drop off my friend and then single manned to Lake Maggiore and a four night stop at Camping Eden.

Day 19, collected my friend from Malpensa airport and due to late inward aircraft (!), returned to Camping Eden for the night.

Day 20, running toll-free as far as Bologna, via the SS9, southwards then on the motorway to the spa town of Chianciano Terme and night at the free camperstop.

Day 21, to Rome and two nights at Camping Happy Village, with a trip into Rome the next day. For those visiting Rome, this itinerary may assist.

Day 23, southwards to Pompei and six nights at the Fortuna Village, with excursions of all kinds, using Pompei as a base. The trip to Sorrento cost us 1.80 euro each way, whilst Vesuvius……

Day 29, northwards to Orvieto and a night stop on the sosta, time spent exploring this beautiful town. Take time to explore the cathedral and the “underground”.

Day 30, northwards to Chianciano Terme, a free night on the sosta. Later, a five course Tuscan meal, with wine at sherry at the Hotel President.

Day 31, a long drive, but toll-free via Siena and then towards Florence, the A1 motorway and eventually to Switzerland and a night on a hotel car park.

Day 32, from Bellinzona, over the St Gotthard Pass in fantastic clear weather conditions and stunning scenery. Omwards to Basel/Mulhouse and the border, before adding a splash of diesel at E LeClerc, just off the motorway. Only a splash, as we were due at Luxembourg the next day. A short leg then to the Camping Municipal at Obernai.

Our tour – the last stop!

Day 33, a long drive, passing Saverne and then through Chateau Salins, towards Metz, Luxembourg where we refueled to the brim, and then retracing our steps towards Calais. The van was fill to the brim once more with cheap French diesel and also with cheap beer and wine! A night at the Cite Europe on the motorhome parking area.

At the end of our tour – the trolley is loaded!

Day 34 – to Folkestone and home.

Miles on tour: 3357

Fuel used: 126 gallons, 26.5 mpg