Italian Lakes - which tunnel??

Why the Tunnels? The quickest way is Calais, Reims, Strasbourg, Basel then through Switzerland and the St. Gottard tunnel. Highly recommend Lake Maggiore so if you go through Switzerland, Locarno is at the top of the Lake. A few miles down and you are in Cannobio . Stunning. I think the cost of two vignettes would probably be less than the extra French tolls and tunnel fees.

I wouldn’t stay in the UK before crossing, cross late and stay in France (various options). Make your way to Alsace then Maggiore is a day from Obernai or Colmar.

We did the Mont Blanc tunnel in reverse (ie north-bound) this September.  I can recommend these 3 sites (all are on ACSI):

http://www.campingcovelo.com

http://www.lazybee.it

https://www.rivesdusoleil.com/en/

They are an easy day's run apart from each other.  Lake Iseo is nice. In our experience none of the Italian Lakes is great for walking or if you have a dog, but Camping Covelo is excellent and there are some nice bike rides from it.

We were plasantly surprised by the Aosta area of Italy (where Lazy Bee  is). Some great walking in the area and Aosta itself is very pleasant.

Only hassle on the route was going round Milan, where the motorways were chaotic - thank goodness we had a good Satnav!  The Mont Blanc tunnel itself was very straightforward.

PS: this site below is in the Italian Dolomites and on the way to/from the Italian Lakes  to Austria.  A little expensive but very good:

http://www.toblachersee.com/en/

Agree with hitchglitch better route via Switzerland depends where you start from of course but the Mont Blanc Tunnel is expensive especially if you do a return trip the same way, personally we would not use it again. The tunnel and approach are easy enough plenty of sites in the Chamonix area not far from the tunnel entrance. The tolls on the Italian side seemed expensive but we went to Genoa. 

Thanks H, we will be coming from Zeebrugge as using the Hull crossing. So it will be Belgium, Luxembourg (maybe) then we were thinking of going down to Annecy. However we are flexible so your suggestion of staying at Obernai or Colmar would work too, then drop down to Basel and through Switzerland.

Ideally we like to do a circular trip hence our thought of Annecy and either of the tunnels rather than St. Gottard as we hope to be coming back through Austria and along Bavaria into Colmar (possibly) then up into Luxembourg/ Mosel area before getting ferry back from Zeebrugge. 

Biggest job will be missing the hordes at the end of May/June so aiming to be away from the lakes by then.

TG

If you decide to use the Tunnel de Frejus at Jean de Maurienne there is this rather nice Municipal http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/camping_municipal_des_grand_cols.htm

Allows you to get through the tunnel early the next day. Easy stroll into the town with a supermarket. Frejus is very expensive but no problem with a caravan and the climb up the the tunnel is, from memory, quite gentle. Bit steeper on the Italian side but you will be going downhill!!!

David

Thanks DK, still looking at all options, just wanted to know what other's do and why?  

We once went through Switzerland many years ago when we lived in Germany, we were travelling to Spain on that occasion.

Might be nice to spend a few days on the way through Switzerland, have heard that it is very expensive there though but with a good shop before and acsi sites we should manage 

Thanks to those who have replied please keep the suggestions coming, areas we should visit etc and sites. All good info welcome.

TG

We only used the Tunnel de Frejus because the Mont Cenis Pass was closed, I was keen to give that a try, not sure Margaret was We only took that route as we were heading for Lake Maggiore and then Como and Garda in turn. Have you thought about the Simplon Pass if you are going through Switzerland? I have not done it but I think others on her have, especially if Maggiore was going to be your first stop?

David

Thanks DK for the suggestion will get OH to look at that.

Could someone tell me if I am wrong but looking at the info on C&MC it says that we will need 2 vignettes to take a car/caravan through Switzerland. Would that not work out more expensive than just getting the tunnel one way. It looks like Mont Blanc is around 58.80€ and Freus 59.80€  one way .

You are correct. A vignette for car and caravan required for Switzerland.

That's one of the reasons we went Belgium, Luxembourg (cheap fuel), Germany, Fernpass into Austria, Brenner pass into Italy and Lake Garda/Lake Iseo. Perhaps another option for you and cheap too. Enjoy.

Yes but no, Tammy. The Frejus tunnel price is for a one way journey. The Swiss vignettes will cover  a return journey.

If money and time are an issue  then go straight across Belgium,  Germany and Austria - it's cheaper and quicker. But  If you lwant to see stunning scenery then go via Chamonix and the Mont Blanc tunnel,  and pause on the Italian side to get up into the Gran Paradiso national park - which hardly ever gets a mention on here. I am envious !