December trip to Italy
 

It just kept giving …
Having driven many times previously across Europe from various ports (and tunnel) into France and the Netherlands down to central eastern Italy have for the last few times elected to leave from Harwich to Hook of Holland, through Germany, Austria and Italy. It works for us – but have never done the trip in a seventeen year old Rover 75 CDT. Below is an account of the trip all done without satnav starting Friday 30 November which some may find interesting.

Left Hereford early Friday afternoon for drive to Harwich Stenaline ferry terminal, top up with diesel for a full tank at Morrison’s very close by. Embarked ferry about 21.00, tasty dinner then retire to comfy cabin for a good nights sleep. The ferries are huge, very well equipped and staffed.
Disembarked about 8.00, and a relatively quick passport check and drove a short distance to near Rotterdam to have breakfast with some Dutch friends. Back on the road at 10.45 along the Dutch A12 before dropping down on to the A73 seamlessly becoming the German A61. The Rover effortlessly covered the kilometres cruising between 110km to 130km before bearing left onto the A6 toward Nuremburg.

First hold up of the day where traffic was reduced to two lanes due to massive roadworks not helped by a broken down truck. Daylight now starting to fade as we sped on toward Nuremburg 140km distant. Off at exit 57 to Roth which is a short cut and thankful relief from the A6, dark now, another 10km before entering the small town of Allersberg and hotel. Due to breakfast stop, arrived a bit later than usual – around 18.30. Quick brush-up at hotel and a visit to the very traditional Goldener Löwe pub for a hot meal.
Sunday morning and breakfast at 8.00, and back on road after filling with diesel which was only three quarters empty. Impressive. Diesel incidentally was 1.51€. a litre. Quite pricey for non autobahn garage.

From Allersberg it is a very short hop onto the A9 toward Munich. This time heavy rain and lots of spray, which does not deter German drivers belting past at quite ridiculous speeds. Being Sunday, most big trucks are not allowed to travel which is helpful. Around Munich on the A99 before joining the A8 toward Salzburg. Stopped for coffee and purchase of a Austrian Vignette (9€ sticker) which is required to travel on Austrian roads and a small top up for a full tank again. Exit onto the A93 to Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass. Rain stopped and weather improved. Mountain tops had snow but not much. Constant reminders about having winter tyres (fitted) or carry snow chains for November 15 to April 15.

Stopped for a spot of lunch near the Brenner Pass at Nössblach. See photo. Some lying snow, then about 6C. App Altimeter said we were 990m high.
Through Austrian toll booth (9€) to use the A13 Brenner autobahn and finally into Italy which they number the A22. All with no barriers or border controls. Through the Italian toll booths (who do charge tolls on virtually all autoroutes).
Then the long slog down to Modena. From previous experience we know it would not be possible to arrive home before dark during December, so stop at a hotel outside Modena arriving at 17.30. It was disappointing on this occasion to find their restaurant was closed which we were not aware of, but the staff helpfully offered to get a couple of pizzas delivered, which they did, enjoyed with a glass of local wine. So Italian!

Monday 3 December, left at 9.15 not finding the heavy traffic expected and back onto to the A1 to Bologna then the A14 to Ancona passing along the rebuilt road after the fuel tanker/truck collision exploded in August this year.

Zipped down very quiet A14 before exiting at Senigallia and the 35km inland road to home near the village of Poggio San Marcello.
Again the Rover was so comfortable and excelled at the sheer amount of luggage and stuff carried, plus its average fuel consumption was impressive. Cruise control was used a few times. I did not know it, but I found by holding in the IPK display button when viewing consumption it would then reset it and then showed a constantly updating display. On level roads doing about 70mph it was showing 60-63mpg. How accurate that is I don’t know but seems pretty good. An all over average of 53mpg was good.

Christmas coming and then we’ll repeat the journey back before Brexit makes it any more complicated and expensive!

Distances: Hereford to Harwich, 240 miles (384km)
Hoek of Holland to Allersberg, Germany 471 miles (753km)
Allersberg to Formigne/Modena, Italy 416 miles (670km)
Formigne to Poggio San Marcello, Italy 164 miles (263km) 1291 miles total) 2070km


This morning spotted an Arden green 75...

You are quite right about Trentino. In Austria signs are of German language, or Brenner. However, once in Italy it becomes Brennero, but many place names German/Austrian linkage. It is all seamless though thanks to Schengen. It is quite a marvel you can drive on one piece of continuous tarmac all the way from the channel to any where in Europe and elsewhere.

My 75 has visited Germany twice going via Stena from Harwich to Hook of Holland and will be 17 on New Years Eve. Can't think of a better car to do such trips in. Yes, they are not young cars, but with the right TLC, they will reward you many times over. I wouldn't hesitate to use my 75 to do that trip again, and I probably will. The fact he is a 1.8 bothers me not.

Thank you, I hoped others would enjoy it. I wrote it because SO many others – English AND foreign all say "how do you drive on the other side of the road!" Well, it really is no problem at all. Perhaps roundabouts are initially perplexing and you have to keep your wits about as Italians especially regard directional inidcators as a manufacturers optional fitment and as for parking … !!
Also the road surface conditions in many smaller roads are terrible, far worse than even UK potholes, so am treating the Rover with greater empathy when driving here.
Leaving the EU will almost certainly bring much more expense, delay and complication. Driving through EU countries without a single border stop is so easy and very envious of EU drivers nipping in and out of each others country. However, I can also see that to be a problem for many in UK, hence, Brexit. It might be even more complicated if we as Brits drive our LHD Fiat to UK??

If you are used to driving a RHD car on UK roads, it is probably easier to drive it in Europe then it is to drive a LHD car in Europe, this is what I found recently. The reason being, you are sitting on the right hand side of the car, the kerb side and so it is easy to judge the edge of the road. In a LHD you wont be able to see the kerb when you are close to it and you are not used to it.You are already used to positioning the car to deal with obstacles on the left

macafee2

Hi David, and indeed a very Happy New Year to you and everyone for that matter.
I know what you mean about Italians. When visiting Rome a few years back we had great difficulty (on foot) crossing a wide road junction. They don't stop for zebra crossings but we noticed if a Nun crossed they all stopped. So next time, follow a Nun!
Also try taking a Taxi, how they squeeze at break neck speed through the smallest of spaces and still avoiding the zillions of scooters is amazing. The taxi from Central station to the Vatican was great fun but frightening at the same time.
Ray

Very interesting and a good read-----:icon_lol:

Adjusting to being on the opposite side of the road soon registers for most folk. The danger time being when you stop for fuel and pull back on to the main road from a garage.---:shocked:
Myself, having a LHD car, a RHD car and a motorbike all used at different times here in France or back in the UK can take a minute or two to adjust my brain.
Sometimes on the nearside or offside or in the middle of the road makes you think.

Friends pulled out of a Garage in their Ford and had a head on collision with a French car. Just cuts and bruises. No bones broken. The car was a write off though.

Son in law and daughter on a motorbike missed our turn off. Turned around, rode straight into a car coming the other way. Spent all of their holiday in hospital where my son in law had one testicle removed where it had been crushed against the fuel tank.--:shocked::shocked::shocked:

September 2019 update
 

An update to my 'December trip to Italy' post which seemed to have been read quite a bit, here is the return report.

Wednesday, 'Rodrigo' was driven back to Britain from Italy after taking it out there last year. No problems during the long stay while in Italy other than the exhaust shield coming loose which was fixed at an Italian Bosch garage for free! Much amusement at the steering wheel being 'on the wrong side'. We left fully loaded at 4am Monday morning, driving from near Ancona, Le Marche, Italy, to avoid the morning traffic through Bologna onto the A22, up through the Brenner Pass in the Alps into Austria and then into Germany staying at a small hotel in the village of Allersberg just of the A9 autobahn about 15km south of Nuremberg. Arrived at about 4pm. Good time for rest and meal with some German acquaintances we met when travelling last year.

Left refreshed Tuesday morning and onto the A6 toward Heilbronn before merging onto the A61 toward the Netherlands. The A61 which passes Cologne and Koblenz becomes the Dutch A73 (how seamless it all is, no borders, checks etc – wonderful!) before eventually joining the A12 to the Hook of Holland and the Stenaline ferry terminal.
Absolutely dreadful weather in places, with the car getting drenched at various times during the drive totalling 1771km (1,100mls).

Fast check-in and through to Customs. Again quick and efficient but had to ask if the Dutch had any guidance on what might happen after Brexit. They could not say much, except be prepared for a much longer time spent getting checked, being asked more questions and more intensive vehicle checks – Oh joy!

The Stena Hollandica is a lovely ferry frequently used before and the standard of cabin, meals and experience onboard is excellent.
The ferry departs at 10pm arriving at Harwich for disembarkation around 7am. Welcome to Britain and grey rainy skies. Refuelled at Morrisons just outside the terminal and on our way home. The A120/A12 to the M25 is a miserable road and the M25 even worse with traffic unfortunately very very slow with much start stopping due to a broken down truck until we could reach the M40 and welcome stop at the Beaconsfield services for a Wetherspoons full English breakfast.
Leaving the services, a warning light came up for a sidelight bulb failure!

Onward to Oxford, the A40 and eventually to home in Hereford 1303 miles in total. Diesel fuel consumption was pretty good considering the 70/80+ mph speeds for long periods worked out around a reasonable 53mpg. The only tolls were Italy 40€ and Austria 18€ as currently Germany and Netherlands do not charge passenger vehicles a toll which is helpful in keeping costs down.

Just need to replace the failed bulb and give the car a good clean! Never saw another 75 or MG across the entire continent until spotting a grey facelift near Gloucester! That trip will be repeated again next year, whether we will do that trip again in the Rover is uncertain for all manner of reasons, but it truly demonstrated it's tremendous capability of doing so. Next week, a service and MOT …
I didn't get to take many photos, but 4 are attached. From February on the seafront at Senigallia by the Adriatic, evening shot outside a Restaurant, Up on a ramp having the exhaust shield attended too and finally in Austria at Munster Sud for a 'comfort stop'.

Another trip under Covid...
 

Since the posting for general interest a travel tale of a trip to/from Italy which is a regular occurrence, Covid-19 has changed everything and travel (rightly so) been restricted. However, flying is a big problem, so reverted back to using the car for ‘bubble’ safety and distancing. With the world in travel turmoil, I thought I’d share how driving across Europe in recent weeks has been.

Since doing the Italy/UK trip in the Rover, 2018 and flying over to UK in March 2020 then getting trapped due to the first lockdown and two return flights cancelled, we finally made it back the end of July – but had to fly into Verona airport, a good 4 hour drive home in a Hertz Panda.

After Covid restrictions were eased we needed to return again. After all the airport hassles, decided to drive over, but this time in our Fiat Croma diesel. Done that trip many times before and considered it a much safer way to travel and reliable than air. Left early on 23rd October to drive through Alps to Germany, with no problems entering Austria enroute and were waved through a German border control. An overnight stop at our favourite hotel in Allersberg, south of Nuremberg just off the A9 where restaurants were still open albeit quieter than normal. Masks and precautions being observed. We were the only hotel guests, but still given a warm welcome.

Next day on to the Netherlands and Hook of Holland for overnight ferry to Harwich. No border controls between Germany. With barely any waiting, we were directed to board. Here we had a temperature check taken and then in the lift to the cabins. There were definitely very few cars or vans and not so many trucks either. One restaurant was closed and the usual self-serve one was table service only. A surreal feeling as there were so few passengers with acres of dining space to choose from. Food this time to be honest was for the money not that good, and decided not to bother with breakfast there and then.

For the first time ever, the sea crossing was bad, much slamming of waves could be heard and felt so not much sleep enjoyed. In the morning came an announcement that there would be a delay as the bow doors could not be opened!
Meanwhile there were TV screens asking everyone to complete UK Gov. passenger locator forms online with dire consequences if not done. Hurried tapping on the phone and forms submitted and ready to show at Passport control.
Thirty minutes later and we were told to go to the car decks. In fact we were on a truck deck as there were so few vehicles. Sat in car, then told to reverse up the ship around to the opposite side, then drive up a narrow ramp to the usual car decks and out the other end. Interesting.

Finally at Passport control, bearing in mind the car is LHD and has Italian plates, might, just might raise an eyebrow? Not a bit. Passports handed back and a cheery “Enjoy your trip”. Very surprised at the lack of any questions or checks.
It was Sunday, so easy traffic from Harwich on A12 to M25 and then M40 toward Herefordshire. Stopped at Wetherspoons at M40 Beaconsfield services. Usually a nice full English could be trusted here, but alas not this time, standards had slipped and what with various anti Covid measures in place took the ambience out of it.
Arrived in Hereford by 11.30am

Of course what happened next was the 2nd lockdown. As a consequence all plans cancelled, including getting the Rover MOT’d and serviced already a month late. Being on SORN, little point getting him taxed either, so apart from a couple of covert runs out on quiet rural roads to top the battery up when there was an odd dry day he was covered up and stowed away. Battery has an isolator switch fitted, as there is no electricity available which has proved invaluable. (Thanks sewerman).

After having flights cancelled (still waiting for refund Lufthansa) we thought it better to book a one way ferry and get a return when possible. The Channel Tunnel was considered but the distance to Folkestone or Harwich is virtually the same. Arrival is in France and then a drive into Belgium both having a really bad time with Covid, plus only having a 35 minute stop on the train before having to drive another 750km did not give any chance of rest, so practicality ruled and booked Stenaline from Harwich again. (The thought of Brexit hold-ups especially in Kent was another consideration for leaving).

Sunday 6th December was the date, leaving at 2.30pm to drive to Harwich. Being Sunday, traffic was not too bad but still more than expected. Most of the journey was of course in darkness and arrived at a desolate ferry terminal at 7.30. Boarding is said to be 8.30 but was told it would be 9.30pm. Time came and were directed onboard after a vehicle check of sorts. No interest in the fully laden boot with mince pies and other British goodies, no they wanted the bonnet open! A quick cheery inspection and off we went. Interestingly, there were several more cars on board this time.
After the previous trip we went prepared and as the Comfort Class cabin comes equipped with a kettle, tea/coffee/cups etc and a stocked help yourself mini-bar fridge, took a supply of Pot Noodles, rolls and Pot porridge for breakfast too. No need to leave the cabin and watching the pennies saved a bit too.
Ferry sailed at 11pm on calm seas thank goodness.

Very quick disembarkation on Monday morning, other than Dutch passport control, no other checks and that was it. 8.12am in the dark again onto the A20 heading for Rotterdam. A20 merges onto A12 through the Dutch countryside (though traffic was unexpectedly heavy what with the so called lockdown and did experience a long delay near Utrecht. The Dutch A12 seamlessly becomes the German A3, again no controls whatsoever. For safety we did not stop in the Netherlands, especially this time. The German autobahns are pretty good and have many simple rest areas some with toilets which is all that is needed meaning we could keep our distance from anyone. Actual service areas were open only for basic needs, all dining/sitting areas were closed.

Arrival at the same Allersberg Hotel was by about 5pm, but this time were told that no restaurants or bars were open due to their ‘light lockdown’. No problem, out came more Pot Noodles! It is essential to take a travel kettle as very few Continental hotels have hot drink making facilities in rooms. Our host did provide a hot breakfast for us which was tasty and filled our thermos with hot water!

Leaving around 9am and rejoining the A9 toward Munich, is only 136km away and the A99 ring road to then join the A8 toward Salzburg. Quick stop at service area to buy an Austrian Vignette sticker. It’s a 10€ tax for using Austrian autobahns.
Exited the A8 onto A93 toward Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass to Italy. There is a marvellous website run by the Austrian highway authorities – ASFINAG, where road live image webcams can be viewed, an excellent way of seeing exactly what’s happening on the road, particularly from a weather point of view. Very heavy snowfall had already happened but snowploughs had been busy and the road was clear. https://www.asfinag.at/traffic/webca...tive=favorites

Upward into the Alps and the traffic really thinned out as snow thickened but the road was clean and dry, temperature was down to 0c so kept speed down. Through the Austrian toll booths for the A13, another 10€ but it does help pay to maintain a very difficult road. Much clings to the mountainside on cantilevered sections. (If you have ever seen the second Jason Bourne film there is a brief scene showing the road).
Finally, the Italian border was reached followed by the Italian toll booths. We have a Telepass gadget so can pass through the barriers without stopping. Interestingly as it’s linked to the car’s number plate, other plates can be added, which was done when taking the Rover on UK plates across which also worked. Handy.
Snow gradually disappeared as the A13 which had become the Italian A22 descended towards Modena, though we had booked a Best Western hotel close to Modena. By now it was around 4.30pm and dark.

Another good night (including more Pot Pasta – as the restaurant was closed) allowed us to leave at 8am refreshed to make tracks for the A1 toward Bologna, switching over to the A14 autostrada toward Ancona – our exit point for going inland 35km and home which we reached by 11am. Good to find all was well and check things out in daylight. A sunny day too. Total door to door distance covered 2100km (1,312mls)

The Croma was unloaded in the afternoon which never ceases to amaze how much stuff can be carried. For those who may wonder what the hell is a Croma, it is the largest Fiat made and launched in 2005. It was sold in UK, but typically Fiat not knowing how to market the car and peoples perceptions that Fiat can make small cars like the 500 and Panda, did not really sell. Only about 1400 or less by now exist in UK. In 2008 it was given a facelift (needed as the nose design was very bland), however, despite reasonable sales in Italy they pulled the plug on it by 2010. The MkII Croma is now 12+ years old and it’s diesel 1.9 16v motor has proved very good. It does have a timing chain unlike the Rover diesel which has now been replaced twice as it’s just done over 240,000+Kms (150,000mls). They can be picked up for probably about the same as a good nick Rover 75.
Can’t wait to get back next year for the 75 to be MOT’d as it will celebrate it’s 20th birthday and get it back on the road. Just maybe do it all over again in the Rover …

Some images: Google map screen grab showing route – one of many options but this one is very easy.
A photo taken at Hopwood service M42 area about 5 years ago when using both the Croma and Rover for some reason! Car dimensions are similar except the Croma is 7 inches higher than a 75.
Screen grab of one of the Austrian webcam shots, near the Brenner.
Ray

Great series of posts.--This last post must be one of the longest ever in the life of the forum.--Well done.-:bowdown:


Quote:---It does have a timing chain unlike the Rover diesel which has now been replaced twice

PS. Do you mean BELT ???

Thanks, yes I did get a bit carried away. Glad you got to the end! ... and yes I should have said belt.
Thanks
Ray

"Holland is a country where you need a guardian angel. Also Italy."


What do you mean? we are completly innocencent/harmles :icon_lol:
Cant compare us with these lawless Italiens!:shocked:

Unless you mean in-town driving with all the bicycles comming from everywhere? :laugh:

You'd better blame bl52krz for that quote I'm afraid. Always find the Dutch really nice people and know several here in Italy. Going for lunch with two on Sunday.
Dutch roads (the ones I know of anyway) are usually VERY busy, multiple lanes 'RING' signs etc. Have to say Dutch roundabouts can be challenging. When the Westerleeplein roundabout was 'improved' ... wow!