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For a change from the regular France/Spain/Portugal "runs" we have thoughts of travelling down to Croatia this Spring/early Summer inspired by all we have read on the Forums. As this will be new territory for us can the knowledgeable members help with advice on best route, please ?
We run an 8m twin-axle MH with a Smart on (trailer)-tow, so the rig is about 12M long - and 5500Kg. The "chief executive" is averse to l..o..n..g tunnels - and steep mountain passes (comes from living in a flat part of the Country !), so I need to avoid wherever possible (shame about the Alps !).
Would it be best to head down through Germany, Austria and Italy or would a gentle "swerve" through (East, Central, South-East) France and then across Italy fit the bill ?
I dunno about the best route because I have only been there once. If you haven't read my report on last years visit which is at CaravanTravels_Croatia then have a look at that. That is quite a big outfit you have and with towing, tunnel and road tolls are going to be significant! However you should have no trouble with my outgoing route and you will only incur tolls crossing Austria until you get to Croatia. There are no really steep gradients. However, there is a tunnel on this route and with the size of your outfit I think at least one tunnel is going to be hard to avoid unless you go well south to get into Italy. For more information about crossing Austria have a look at the my web page on Austria. The route back was a little steeper and again there was one toll tunnel, but I would not put it beyond your outfit.
At least I hope that gives you information on one route?????
peedee
______________________________________________________________ The best journeys are not always in straight lines
For an account of our journeys click >here< (Last updated 1st March 2012)
Looking at a map you could go via Begium, Germany to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria and then take the E533 to Innsbruck and then the Brenner Pass into Italy and Lake Garda. Don't think you will encounter any tunnels this way but I have never been up the Brenner Pass which is a major costly toll highway into Italy.
More food for thought?
peedee
______________________________________________________________ The best journeys are not always in straight lines
For an account of our journeys click >here< (Last updated 1st March 2012)
The two longest tunnels are in Switzerland - The Seelisberg Tunnel at 11km and the Gotthard Road Tunnel at 17km.
To avoid these, and stay toll free as long as possible, I suggest
Dover - Calais - Dunkerque - Lille - Tournai - Mons - Arlon - Luxembourg - Thionville - Strasbourg.
Then a choice - Strasbourg and into Germany - Augsberg, Munich, towards Austria and Innsbruck, into Italy via the Brenner and the A22. Bypass Garda - after seeing us and dropping off a Warburtons and some mint jelly, then the A4 towards Venice and Trieste. Onwards to Slovenia and Croatia.
The other choice, from Strasbourg, south to Swirzerland and the border at Basle, onwards to Zurich Airport and St Margereten, enter Austria at Widnau and then signed as Innsbruck. From Innsbruck, as above via the Brenner to Italy.
There are various other options available - so, please let me know
1) Your total number of days available
2) Your journey times.
Thanks
Russell
______________________________________________________________ Our long trip around Europe - blog now online at www.swift-kontiki.co.uk
Peedee, Don and Russell - many thanks for your swift responses and the information and links provided - plenty of light reading for the weekend and more food for thought !
Peedee: I'm going to be "nosing" into your other travel pages now to see where else to visit along the way !
Don: I hadn't thought to look at Barrie's website, thanks for the reminder, must be dozing-off. I've put a seperate post on about extending the Croatia run down to Greece; the possible return journey being inspired by your own travel info !
Russell; I don't see the Warburtons lasting, so maybe just the mint jelly !!
In answer to your questions -
1) timescale will be late April to end-June, sightseeing along the way, so no rush, really !
2) Now we've slowed down into MH mode, we tend to average 100-200 miles/day when travelling, but will rush through 300+ if in a hurry (like back across Spain in rainy late October, Cadiz to Biarritz via Madrid in 3 days). However, Toby the Yorkie likes his walks and breaks from travelling so the mileage tends to be 150-200, every other day.
Hello,
I would recommend France to Strasbourg, then through Germany (Stuttgart, Munich to Salzburg (Austria), Villach, Karawanken Tunnel, Slovenia, Croatia. On this way you have three tunnels (Tauren, Katchberg in Austria - about 6 miles each and Karawanken Tunnel between Austria and Slovenia (7864 metres long). I don't know the exact prices but it should not be too much. I live 10 miles from the Karawanken Tunnel in a beautiful place called Bled - you can come for a cup of coffee www.bled.si
Cilka
Hi to you,landcruiser.my wife and I are also going to croatia for the first time in May- July. We have a kontiki 669 with a Goldwing 1000 trike on a trailer (my wife uses a wheelchair so this allows us to go where we want as it fits on the back) Keep your eyes on as I will and you never know we might just bump into each other. A very Big thanks to all the people who replied too. this has now given me other options re our routes.
We were thinking of going down via France (stopping en route as and when we like) possibly stopping for a week or so around St Tropez before going to Porec but,as we are both retired (due to a bad R.T.A.) we are in no rush and will take our time. Last year we did Spain Jan to April this year its time for something different.
To Cilka, we have been told about Camping Bled so i think that we will have a few days there.Just to check it out you understand and to have a few drinks to be sociable.Anyway thanks to all once again,Tommy.
If you go from Basle to Zurich, make a break at a place called Schaffhausen. It is where there River Rhine drops 50 mteres. The waterfalls are brilliant - if not noisy - and you can travel on a boat right up the the falls.
Also, call at Tittissee - the worlds largest weather vain clock thing - and good cheap food at the Best Western Hotel.
Russell
______________________________________________________________ Our long trip around Europe - blog now online at www.swift-kontiki.co.uk
Metblue and Brian, you are very welcome - do contact me when you come. We love travelling by our MH too and I always like to meet people and share the experience. I used to be a tour guide here in Bled and in Porec as well so I hope I can give you some info.
We have too campsites here - one on the shore of Lake Bled and the other on the shore of Lake Sobec - both of them very good.
As for the route - I forgot to mention in my previous post that the route I suggested is definitely the fastest and the cheapest. Tolls are paid in France, German motorways are toll-free, in Austria you buy a vignette (valid for 10 days, 30 days or a year) and the two tunnels are paid separately. Then the Karawanken Tunnel is paid, the motorway in Slovenia and the motorway in Croatia, but they are definitely cheaper than the Italian and Swiss motorways and tunnels. There are no steep passes but you will be able to enjoy the views of the Alps in Austria and in Slovenia. If there is anything you are interested in, do let me know. You can also send me an e-mail evropabl@s5.net
Cilka
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