Member Since: 08 Jan 2018
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 82
Off road Summer drive in Southern France Northern Italy
I am planning a drive around Europe type holiday this summer in my new to me D4.
Im hoping to take in some of the mountain tracks between Tende - Southern France and Genoa - Northern Italy.
Does anybody have any experience of these tracks?
Is there anything i should be aware of?
Anybody with any routes or tracks in that area?
Ive been looking for information on how I can be sure im legally allowed to drive a track such as the sign posts we would see here for our BOATs?
Click image to enlarge
Good bye untrusted p38
Hello 15my Disco 4
Not forgotten you disco2!
10th Jan 2018 9:18 am
ty-george
Member Since: 08 Jan 2018
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 82
Anybody even driven to Italy?Good bye untrusted p38
Hello 15my Disco 4
Not forgotten you disco2!
12th Jan 2018 11:03 pm
fisherman
Member Since: 16 Jan 2007
Location: Hornchurch Essex
Posts: 1789
I have. I've done it a couple of times recently whilst towing my caravan so no trails only roads. I have done the Alps route for a short distance with the caravan but my wife is not a fan of narrow mountain roads and Italian drivers when the caravan is on the back. I have to agree but then I would wouldn't I.
Year before last I went via the South of France to just beyond Genoa on the coast, turned diagonally North East through Asti and up to Lake Iseo. Worth going just for the lake, fanatastico!!! Caravan was right up against the lake and the camp site restaurant was excellent for a site jobbie. I continued East to Aquileia and then down through Slovenia and into Croatia. I didn't do anything remotely like off road in all the time I was away (5 weeks) so can't help you regards that element.
Lake Iseo in Italy. Marvellous!FFRR 2017 4.4SDV8 Autobiography. Cost so much I must be mad!
D4 HSE 2012 Like a second wife, more expensive but goes better! I almost cried this time!
D3 HSE 2006 (Almost 8 years together, true love)
Land Cruiser VX 1994 11 years together, wife cried when I p/ex'd for my D3
13th Jan 2018 8:30 am
ty-george
Member Since: 08 Jan 2018
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 82
Thanks for your reply. Looks like a fantastic spot! We plan to visit lake Garda, have you been here? Is ine preferable oer the other? Lake Garda looks like it might be a busy place?Good bye untrusted p38
Hello 15my Disco 4
Not forgotten you disco2!
13th Jan 2018 8:49 am
F4BUP
Member Since: 01 Jan 2018
Location: Bath
Posts: 44
We ride from Gent to Nice across the Alps tracks basically in s straight line. A lot of narrow stone tracks but the D4 will it. A little mundane in a car though so I take the Ktm and get a pace up! Google Map can give you a good insight.
13th Jan 2018 9:08 am
fisherman
Member Since: 16 Jan 2007
Location: Hornchurch Essex
Posts: 1789
I’ve done both as a caravanner and both are stunning. Lake Garda is busier with lots of tourists. We stayed at Camping Europa near Bardelino which was a bit tight but had a nice walk along the lake to the town. Bardelino was a hub of activity with bars and restaurants shoulder to shoulder. On the opposite ( West) side we stayed at Camping La Cà. Again pretty tight but that’s what movers are for. Stayed right on the lake and found an amazing restaurant in Salo called Osteria di Mezzo (osteriadimezzo.it). Nightmare to find but oh so worth it. Tiramisu is a bucket list thing! The five course taster is well worth doing.
Lake Iseo is a fair bit quieter but really has a Wow!!! Factor. We stayed at Camping Covelo. Book well in advance and get a lakeside pitch. You have to have movers and a good battery to pitch up but it’s easy enough. I did it with my brand new Vanmaster while some Dutch neighbours plied my wife with cold beer to keep her calm. No problems at all. Car has to be parked in a car park the other side of the railway line due to space. Not a problem and the trains don’t bother anyone as there are very few it seems. The views are mind blowing and sitting at their nice on site restaurant looking at the sun going down is a religeous experience for an atheist like myself. I’ll post some pics in a mo but they’re on my laptop.FFRR 2017 4.4SDV8 Autobiography. Cost so much I must be mad!
D4 HSE 2012 Like a second wife, more expensive but goes better! I almost cried this time!
D3 HSE 2006 (Almost 8 years together, true love)
Land Cruiser VX 1994 11 years together, wife cried when I p/ex'd for my D3
13th Jan 2018 9:43 am
fisherman
Member Since: 16 Jan 2007
Location: Hornchurch Essex
Posts: 1789
All Lake Iseo
Watching the sunset from the restaurant. The sunset isn't captured in the image.
Lake Iseo, the view was perfect with a large beer or red wine.
A slightly better impression of the sunset.
The view from the pitch during the day. Can't beat the shade of a tree when roasting.FFRR 2017 4.4SDV8 Autobiography. Cost so much I must be mad!
D4 HSE 2012 Like a second wife, more expensive but goes better! I almost cried this time!
D3 HSE 2006 (Almost 8 years together, true love)
Land Cruiser VX 1994 11 years together, wife cried when I p/ex'd for my D3
13th Jan 2018 12:06 pm
fisherman
Member Since: 16 Jan 2007
Location: Hornchurch Essex
Posts: 1789
Camping La Ca on the south west side of Garda
Pitched lakeside.
Great views but a very dusty overused pitch.
The position of the site means you have a very steep roadway in/out. Not a problem for the D4 with 2500kg hanging off the back.FFRR 2017 4.4SDV8 Autobiography. Cost so much I must be mad!
D4 HSE 2012 Like a second wife, more expensive but goes better! I almost cried this time!
D3 HSE 2006 (Almost 8 years together, true love)
Land Cruiser VX 1994 11 years together, wife cried when I p/ex'd for my D3
13th Jan 2018 12:14 pm
fisherman
Member Since: 16 Jan 2007
Location: Hornchurch Essex
Posts: 1789
Camping Europa nr Bardolino
Very tight for space, My old Swift van furthest away.
Lazise is nice.
Lazise is good for a lunchtime stroll.FFRR 2017 4.4SDV8 Autobiography. Cost so much I must be mad!
D4 HSE 2012 Like a second wife, more expensive but goes better! I almost cried this time!
D3 HSE 2006 (Almost 8 years together, true love)
Land Cruiser VX 1994 11 years together, wife cried when I p/ex'd for my D3
13th Jan 2018 12:21 pm
ty-george
Member Since: 08 Jan 2018
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 82
Great pictures very jelous!
We were hoping to have a caravan by now but money hasn't allowed so far! Appreciate your comments about the Garda being busier, something id like to avoid really!Good bye untrusted p38
Hello 15my Disco 4
Not forgotten you disco2!
14th Jan 2018 11:00 am
ty-george
Member Since: 08 Jan 2018
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 82
F4BUP do you have any routes, maps, co ordinates of any trails worth taking a look at? how did you find the routes? How in Italy can you stay on the correct side of the law? Are their signposts like our Byway signs etc?Good bye untrusted p38
Hello 15my Disco 4
Not forgotten you disco2!
14th Jan 2018 11:03 am
F4BUP
Member Since: 01 Jan 2018
Location: Bath
Posts: 44
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