First Time Trip Abroad - Help Needed

I think, to give any meaningful suggestions, we ought to know the following-

What month(s) are you going?

How long are you going for?

Where in the UK are you travelling from?

Let us have the answers and I'm sure you will get lots of good advice.

As far as the choice between ferry and tunnel are concerned, the tunnel is certainly the quickest but is considerably more expensive than the ferry. We consider the ferry crossing as part of the holiday, as we do the journey down through France. 

To Lake Garda as a first trip is a long way, over 1,100km (700 miles) from Calais. If it was me I would take three days to get there plus another day to get to Dover / Folkestone (I live in Derbyshire which is another 225 miles on the journey). Remember that whatever the distance and time to get there will be the same coming back !

We have not been abroad for a while but when we did we tended to always use the Tunnel rather than the ferry because its quick and quite straightforward. It obviously depends on where you originate your journey in the UK. So if you live in Hampshire or Devon/Cornwall it makes little sense to drive all the way to the Tunnel? Perhaps another consideration is that if you are travelling some way in the UK before getting to Dover the ferry crossing does allow the opportunity to have a meal on board before arriving in France.

As to route to Lake Garda, everyone has their own ideas. For us it was down through France to around Verdun/Metz for an overnight. Into Germany the next day with an overnight before crossing into Austria at Reutte then heading over the Fern and Brenner passes which will neatly drop you down at the far corner of Lake Garda. Depends on how much of a rush you are in but we would usually stay in Germany for a few days en route.

David

Definitely the tunnel for convenience despite us living in Cumbria. I’d second the route described by DK. We’ve travelled that way for decades now but we leave the Brenner pass near its peak and go to the Adriatic coast via Dobbiaco. The Brenner pass is vey convenient for Garda. Motorways in France to Metz are normally deserted but are expensive so you may also consider the route through Belgium and into Luxemburg then Germany. The A8 near Stuttgart is peppered with roadworks and can be very slow. Unfortunately these are not due to be completed until 2026!. The Via Michelin App is good for up to date delays on roads in Europe.

Garda will be extremely busy in August. Let us have the answers to the above questions and we can give you more info.

I still think a big fold out paper map on the kitchen table is a good way of route planning.  But start your route planning from home - how many hours is it to Folkestone ? - what time do you land in France ? add an hour for change of time - and how  far do you want to go in the rest of that day.?  

Choose a site at that point from whichever site guide or app you have bought -  and frankly almost any site will do for a simple overnight stop.

But it’s over 800 miles from Calais and you are towing a caravan. Don’t underestimate the distances or the summer traffic.

Do come back with questions if you wish. 

We do need to know at what time of the year you will be travelling.  But let us assume it is out of peak season.  We went on a trip to Italy in May/June and stayed at Cissano on Lake Garda for a week on the way back, we have stayed in the Lake Garda area many times.  Italy is our favourite country to visit.  Like others you are underestimating the time it will take you to get there, a common mistake by first timers.  We find 250 - 300 miles a day is about right- some do more.  So my recommendations/experience.

We do not book overnight stops just stopping when we have had enough.  Fill up at the Tesco near J10 on the M20. saves hastle the next morning in France. Going to Italy we get a mid/late afternoon tunnel crossing (Tesco points if you have them reduce the cost) and stay at one of the sites near Calais for the first night (see the ACSI book).  Up early the next day and drive using motorways via Belgium to Luxembourg.  Next day to Bavaria.  Then an overnight  in Austria (usually Imst) and then arrive at Garda area  the following day.  We tend to use the Landeck/Reichen Pass route into Italy this saves you getting a Vignette for Austria.  Using the Brenner you could probably save a day arriving at Garda on the third day.  There are plenty of sites in Luxembourg, fewer between Ulm and the Austrian border so don't leave it too late to stop.  This year we were surprised how busy it was in the Garda area in June as on previous visits it was much quieter.  Another point to bear in mind is that there is a school holiday in Bavaria (Pentecost) in the first half of June next year when they travel en masse over the Alps to Italy (Lake Garda!).  So May would be a good time to go and the weather should be perfect - in June this year it was baking hot (that right AlanandJean? Regards by the way, we are off to inland Provence in 2 weeks)

Re the comment about the roadworks on the A8 between Stuttgart and Ulm; yes, there are plenty but fingers crossed you will not be delayed too much.  On our way south in May the A8 was closed (a land slip I think) and the unmarked diversion took us 3 hours!  On the way back we were fine.

In summary.  If travelling out of peak season join ACSI.  Give yourself an extra day at least; if time stay in Bavaria for a day or two it is stunning.  Avoid the German Pentecost holiday.  If travelling in July and August, as above BUT good luck and pre book your sites.  Pitches in Italy tend to be smaller than you may be used to 80sqm if your lucky is not unusual.  Get a continental round pin adaptor for your EHU connector, some sites still are still 2 pin; easily available on Amazon or accessory shops. Other than in Luxembourg we found fuel costs similar in most countries - off the Autobahns of course.  Get your insurances etc organised - medical, recovery, Global Health Card (free).  Make sure your car insurance covers fully comp for Europe - most do, and that your caravan is also insured for Europe. A Credit Card with no extra charges for o'seas use is pretty much essential  - Nationwide, Halifax, JaJa (yes, the ex Post Office one which I have) are among the issuers.  We take some euros but hardly use them as nearly everything goes on the Card (OK I will pay cash for a coffee/beer!).  Check passport expiry dates and renew in good time if they are due to expire.

Enjoy your planning, all part of the fun but don't over plan.  Come back if you have any questions.

Thank you for your response it is very helpful

We are thinking of going Mid June 2023, we want to spend a full week at Lake Garda and was thinking of travelling over two days both there and back

We are in Chelmsford , Essex so probably 2 hrs drive

 Great advise

We want to have a full week in Garda and will probably take 2/3 days travelling either side .

Did you book the sites up in advance ?

Thanks Dave

We are looking to travel mid June 2023

Will probably look to take the motorway routes would seem to be worth the expense.

Did you pre book sites on travelling down ?

Great advise Thank you !

Especially comment about maybe looking at May instead of June.

Planning has started so all advise has been noted 

Just seen your latest post.  It's a long way to go for max a week in Garda; a 3 week trip would be much more fun if you can manage it.  As you will be clashing with the German holiday  I would book my site on Garda in advance but not for en route.  As you live in Chelmsford I would change my advice and get a very early tunnel and bash on to Luxembourg on day 1 not stopping in the Calais area and then use the Brenner (you pay an additional toll!!)  getting a 10 day Austrian Vignette which would cover both ways; you can get them at any garage near the Austrian border.  Our last trip was for 6 weeks so we had plenty of time. 

PS just seen your very latest.  May would be a much better time for you to go.  In the new year join ACSI for 2023 - not now as you would get a 2022 card!!!