Message posted by baywatcher on 27 November 2008 at 5:58pm - IP Logged
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baywatcher
Hi Jim,
There was no snow around the Brenner Pass just a sprinkling of dirty snow from last winter on the tops of the mountains. Maybe a different story in April though. We lived in Germany north and south for 15 years and although we carried snow chains we never used them even when we went skiing in Bavaria/Austria border the local authorities clear the roads 24/7 before they get blocked.
It is law to carry snow chains even if you never use them.
Regards Denise
PS. Steve make sure you buy your Vignette before you enter Austria we saw many police stopping people and even walking around car parks checking.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 27 November 2008 at 6:22pm - IP Logged
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Hi Jim, we will be carrying the compulsory snow chains. As I understand it the weather can be unpredictable and it may snow hence the number of skiers who make their way there each Winter but I'll be doing weather checks the night before in Koblenz, Germany and as Denise said the motorways are cleared regularly. If the weather turns then we may be forced to stay another night in Austria which sounds ok to me and the wife.
Steve
Message posted by Jimmy H on 27 November 2008 at 8:09pm - IP Logged
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Jimmy H
"Whatever system you choose, according to experts the most important is to practice mounting before leaving on winter vacation. After all, mounting can be rather stressful and often takes place in unpleasant conditions."
I cut the above from a German website which I think was referring to "mounting" snowchains, however thank you all for your information, I have a large rear wheel drive automatic MPV and will wait until early April.
The alternative I thought of to avoid the Alps was to go round the Riviera from Cannes to somewhere like Genoa, although it would probably take a long time.
Jim
Message posted by heathermac on 27 November 2008 at 10:47pm - IP Logged
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We made the journey from Zeebrugge to Venice many times for the Corfu ferry before coming to stay. Always came over in Dec and back in Jan through the Gotthard tunnel in Switzerland.Although we did see snow on some journeys the motorways were always clear.The snow on one journey was 2mts high at the side of the road but the road was completely clear.I think you would only need snow chains if going on to some of the sky resorts in the mountains using some of the minor routes.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 28 November 2008 at 10:29am - IP Logged
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We have driven from Calais to Venice around 15 times now and never seen snow before other than at the side of the road. This time the snow actually fell very fast while we were on the motorway and it settled about 3 inches deep before they had time to clear it. There were so many cars skidding off the road and couldn't get up the hills that at times the road was almost blocked but being 4 wheel drive we continued slowly through and managed to get out of it eventually. I don't really understand why people think they can still drive at 100 KPH on snow and ice.
Message posted by Bob and Wendy (Uncle Bob) on 29 November 2008 at 2:39am - IP Logged
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Bob and Wendy
Hi Jim.
Take a look at our prefered route at your planned departure time (April)
Calais-Reims-Chamonix (stop overnight)-Mont blanc Tunnel-Milan-Venice.
Sometimes we make an additional stop between Calais and Chamonix, it depends on the timings.
Chamonix to Venice is an easy 6-7hrs run, especially as the motorway round Milan and on to Breccia is now finished. We prefer not to stop overnight in italy, so we cant make the afternoon Minoan ferry. The Anek leaves early evening.
This route costs more in tolls through France, but the only heavy traffic you'll meet is in Italy.
We use much the same route on our return but divert into switzerland to visit with friends in the autumn.
TIP from THOSE in the KNOW. When buying snow chains, choose the most expensive/robust ones you can find, the others come loose and wreck your brake disks and hydraulic hoses.
Bob.
Message posted by Jimmy H on 29 November 2008 at 3:18pm - IP Logged
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Jimmy H
Thanks for that Bob, I've never taken that route but have done the St. Gothard tunnel way and had horrendous holdups at Milan, does this new motorway do away with that problem?
We usually (twice a year) go via Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Insbruck and Brenner, we don't like tunnels and tolls. We have an old dog and have to take our time so usually stop over in hotels in Belgium, Germany and somewhere near Venice.
Jim
Message posted by nuffstrong on 11 December 2008 at 2:05pm - IP Logged
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Well I booked the crossing from Hull to Zeebrugge 23rd November and I am still awaiting confirmation from P&O Ferries 18 days later.
At the time off booking I was given a booking reference but told it may take up to a fortnight to send the confirmation. Efficient eh ?
So I rang customer services today using my Skype phone which registers the cost and guess what I was introduced to the press 1, 2 or 3 then hold and and listen to some music scam.
I checked the counter on Skype and I was being charged 29.5p a minute for the privelige of chasing up their inefficiency so I hung up and emailed them. Good job we're not in a hurry!
Thought I'd let you people know because P&O so far seem to have glitches throughout their systems.
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