If your bored - help me plan a holiday :)

EdinburghGary said:
I want to get some half decent weather, see some nice landmarks and sights, eat out, go shopping with my wife, enjoy some time at a beech or two. And not fly ;) I am driving through an inability to step foot on a plane, stupid, I know :cuckoo:

I appreciate all the comments re too much driving, perhaps what I do is try and get to a good location within 3 days, spend a week at it, and then drive home again. As opposed to driving the whole time.

3 days driving to, for example Rome or Barcelona, have a weeks holiday, and then the drive home.

I am just not exactly sure as to where I should be heading - Spain or Italy, and am really trying to make my mind up. If I leave on thursday after work I will be in London for a nights shuteye. I can then be in Paris early afternoon for maybe an overnight. Its the next step I am unsure about.

G.
Click to expand...

Gary

Rather than trying to do the length of Italy and back again, I'd suggest exploring a small part of it. Remember that if you have a week "there", you will lose some of that time pootling between one place of interest and another.

Let's look at this sanely :)

You have Venice on your list, so will obviously want to spend a day there. Why not stay at Padua (about 12 miles west) and (a) see Padua as well and (b) take the train into Venice? Padua is a fantastic medieval and renaissance city in its own right with plenty to see and do, including a huge cathedral (http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=basilica padua&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi) patrolled by the Vatican's Swiss Guard. I know this. They physically chucked me out in 1981. Technically it's part of the Vatican, not in Italy. Not many people know that. Also the Scrovegni Chapel (http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&resnum=0&q=scrovegni chapel&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi) - incredibly important in the history of European art.

The other place I would certainly suggest is Ravenna. Ravenna was the capital of the western Roman Empire under Justinian and its churches are a bit of Byzantium in the west (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=ravenna+churches&btnG=Search+Images)

Where else? Well your day on the beach could be at Rimini - the old city is as quaint and medieval as you could hope for. See this site and scroll down for a pic of the beach - http://www.visitrimini.com/ :) The place has a fair air of 20s and 30s faded elegance from the Fascist era - away from the rather tatty modern resort that is. From Rimini, how about a trip to San Marino? (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=san+marino&btnG=Search+Images). It's technically independent of Italy, produces its own currency and stamps and generally votes for the UK in Eurovision!

If you didn't fancy Rimini, then head down to Pescara instead for the beachy bit (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=pescara&btnG=Search+Images).

From there, consider Urbino. (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=urbino&btnG=Search+Images). The ducal palace is one of the architectural glories of Europe and stuffed with Renaissance Art. Small town, beautifully preserved and slightly off the beaten track. Well worth at least a day.

OK, we have 6 days so far. I could suggest some more (let me know if you want to) but I'm conscious that you will need time to drive between these places.

I could suggest a second day in Venice, with day 2 being spent visiting the islands by boat. The little island of Torcello (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=torcello&btnG=Search+Images) was the original heart of Venice and has its earliest (Byzantine) cathdral. Murano is where the glass comes from (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=murano+glass&btnG=Search+Images) and Burano is just very picturesque (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=burano&btnG=Search+Images).

How are we doing so far?
 
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woadrage said:
Gary

Rather than trying to do the length of Italy and back again, I'd suggest exploring a small part of it. Remember that if you have a week "there", you will lose some of that time pootling between one place of interest and another.

Let's look at this sanely :)

You have Venice on your list, so will obviously want to spend a day there. Why not stay at Padua (about 12 miles west) and (a) see Padua as well and (b) take the train into Venice? Padua is a fantastic medieval and renaissance city in its own right with plenty to see and do, including a huge cathedral (http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=basilica padua&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi) patrolled by the Vatican's Swiss Guard. I know this. They physically chucked me out in 1981. Technically it's part of the Vatican, not in Italy. Not many people know that. Also the Scrovegni Chapel (http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&resnum=0&q=scrovegni chapel&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi) - incredibly important in the history of European art.

The other place I would certainly suggest is Ravenna. Ravenna was the capital of the western Roman Empire under Justinian and its churches are a bit of Byzantium in the west (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=ravenna+churches&btnG=Search+Images)

Where else? Well your day on the beach could be at Rimini - the old city is as quaint and medieval as you could hope for. See this site and scroll down for a pic of the beach - http://www.visitrimini.com/ :) The place has a fair air of 20s and 30s faded elegance from the Fascist era - away from the rather tatty modern resort that is. From Rimini, how about a trip to San Marino? (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=san+marino&btnG=Search+Images). It's technically independent of Italy, produces its own currency and stamps and generally votes for the UK in Eurovision!

If you didn't fancy Rimini, then head down to Pescara instead for the beachy bit (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=pescara&btnG=Search+Images).

From there, consider Urbino. (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=urbino&btnG=Search+Images). The ducal palace is one of the architectural glories of Europe and stuffed with Renaissance Art. Small town, beautifully preserved and slightly off the beaten track. Well worth at least a day.

OK, we have 6 days so far. I could suggest some more (let me know if you want to) but I'm conscious that you will need time to drive between these places.

I could suggest a second day in Venice, with day 2 being spent visiting the islands by boat. The little island of Torcello (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=torcello&btnG=Search+Images) was the original heart of Venice and has its earliest (Byzantine) cathdral. Murano is where the glass comes from (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=murano+glass&btnG=Search+Images) and Burano is just very picturesque (http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&q=burano&btnG=Search+Images).

How are we doing so far?
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This is insanely useful, thank you so much for taking the time to help!!! Wow, lots to read now :)

Gary.
 
So...... how's the research going?

Is Italy still in front? Can Spain catch up?

:thumbs:
 
Hi gary

I have driven to the alps (and even the Costa Blanca :eek:) from Inverness on a number of occasions. Here's what I do;

Set of early for Dover without accommodation or Ferry booked. If you get to Dover in good time cross over and stay in a F1 (www.hotelformule1.com) or similar. The alps are now only a half day away.

The main route to Italy is via the Mont Blanc tunnels and is a good place to stop although if taking that route I would stay at Annecy - just plain lovely!!

Or take some of those great alpine roads www.alpineroads.com. Your car was made for them!!

I have stayed in Tuscany and can recommend Lucca as a great city to base yourself with trips into the mountains to Barga or the coast at Viareggio. Florence is a day trip and a tog heaven.

I find it hard to get past the alps though - mountains!!!:love:

:thumbs:
 
HIMUPNORTH said:
Hi gary

I have driven to the alps (and even the Costa Blanca :eek:) from Inverness on a number of occasions. Here's what I do;

Set of early for Dover without accommodation or Ferry booked. If you get to Dover in good time cross over and stay in a F1 (www.hotelformule1.com) or similar. The alps are now only a half day away.

The main route to Italy is via the Mont Blanc tunnels and is a good place to stop although if taking that route I would stay at Annecy - just plain lovely!!

Or take some of those great alpine roads www.alpineroads.com. Your car was made for them!!

I have stayed in Tuscany and can recommend Lucca as a great city to base yourself with trips into the mountains to Barga or the coast at Viareggio. Florence is a day trip and a tog heaven.

I find it hard to get past the alps though - mountains!!!:love:

:thumbs:
Click to expand...

Glad to see it's doable :D I won't be taking the Lotus sadly, Campervan so I can take all the kit and Claire has a "few" home comforts....you know, straightners, hair dryers etc :)

Looking forward to whatever we do!!

Gary.
 
EdinburghGary said:
Claire is really keen on spain :)

Still in decision mode, before we actually plan it. Campervan arrives in a few days, cant wait.

Gary.
Click to expand...

Well, I can imagine that if Claire is keen on Spain and you think you are still in decision mode then we'll get some extra beers in!! :wave:

Seriously though, I hope you have a great time wherever you go - I hadn't realised the camper was going to be a new addition, I had assumed that you were well practiced at that sort of adventure :eek:

Cheers,

Neil
 
Hi Gary, just a couple of points about your new campervan. Be careful when going into car parks at supermarkets etc. The barriers are really low and you can't get a campervan under them. Don't drive it like your Lotus, you really do need to go slower, and above all, don't break the speed limit, the police are really keen on catching tourists in campervans.
I don't think the idea of sleeping in the back whilst one of you is driving is a good idea. We tried it in the days before anyone thought about seat belts. It's almost impossible to lie on the beds, evertime you turn a corner, and there are plenty of bends in the Alps, you land on the floor.:bang::bonk:
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
Hi Gary, just a couple of points about your new campervan. Be careful when going into car parks at supermarkets etc. The barriers are really low and you can't get a campervan under them. Don't drive it like your Lotus, you really do need to go slower, and above all, don't break the speed limit, the police are really keen on catching tourists in campervans.
I don't think the idea of sleeping in the back whilst one of you is driving is a good idea. We tried it in the days before anyone thought about seat belts. It's almost impossible to lie on the beds, evertime you turn a corner, and there are plenty of bends in the Alps, you land on the floor.:bang::bonk:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips, I like my Scenic 7 seater on two wheels at corners, so sleeping is out for sure then :D

Gary.
 
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