 | Home > Expedition & Overland > Trip to Switzerland 2016 help |
 
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069  
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Nice camp sites in chamonix, or on the lake at Morges enroute to Italy
A really nice lake side hotel in Nyon (Switzerlands fastest town) |
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12th May 2015 9:28pm |
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| CLCraig Member Since: 05 Aug 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 104  
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Thank you shall take a look. Things to do whilst there would be very useful as well. Been gathering as much information as I can now as it will be my first time driving outside the UK not worried just want to be prepared.
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12th May 2015 9:39pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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Make sure you have European breakdown cover
Update your sat nav Buy paper map book of Europe You can get transponders to fit in your windscreen to pass thru the French motorway barriers and they send you a bill but does not cost more .. Search on the forum for more details Take warning triangles, headlight beam adjusters, gb stickers or on number plate - check aa site for requirements DO NOT SPEED IN SWITZERLAND Get some Swiss CHFs .. They have banks/tils on the motorway service stations You can buy a Swiss motorway license for 40-50chfs .. You must have one to drive on the Swiss motorways In Italy .. Beep your horn a lot and join in with the locals |
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12th May 2015 9:46pm |
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| CLCraig Member Since: 05 Aug 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 104
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Backs up what I've read so far thank you. Join on with the locals hahaha love it.
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12th May 2015 10:20pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816 
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I will complete bpman's recommendations..... DO CERTAINLY NOT SPEED IN FRANCE!!!! In addition to the numerous fixed cameras in certain areas, the French gendarmerie are masters in setting up mobile speed cameras, often hand held, behind unsuspicious bridges, and before you know it, you have a gendarme on a motorcycle on your tail. And, .......... they have a strong preference for selecting foreign registration plates for this, as they will collect from you on the spot a minimum fine of €90.00 in cash. Otherwise, hope the weather will be good everywhere you will go. 
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation. http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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13th May 2015 4:03am |
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| Kitoper Member Since: 07 Dec 2012 Location: Geneva Posts: 204
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I would recommend the Lauterbrunnen valley http://mylauterbrunnen.com/ - very Swiss and very beautiful. home to the Trummelbach falls, Gimmelwald, Wengen (first super G) Shilthorn (007 Her Majesty's Secret Service) and departure points for the Eiger trail and mountain, the Jungfrau and the Monch mountains.
Many other beautiful places in Switzerland but this one is my favourite. Give us a heads-up when you come on down. |
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13th May 2015 6:55am |
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| AndyS Member Since: 18 Aug 2012 Location: London Posts: 595 
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I drove down to Chamonix a couple of years back and found it a lot cheaper to plod along at 60mph. We went down the French toll roads towards Lyon before branching off east and going through the Rhone valley (I think). Anyway, the route isn't important, the point is the toll roads take the direct route and you can travel faster but it costs a fair few E's to use them. Second, fuel on the toll road is more expensive, you might want to come off the toll road and buy fuel in the surrounding villages. Next time, I might avoid the toll roads all together and plod it down the regular roads (I think that route goes further east, through Luxembourg).
The first bit of toll road, from Calais down past Paris is dead boring, even more boring than Norfolk. It gets better as you get towards the Alps (this is part of our trip: HERE). I'd try to get a day trip to take in the Stelvio pass. Closer to Switzerland you have the Nufenen Pass, Furka Pass and Oberalp Pass, all worth a detour. |
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13th May 2015 9:09am |
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| strang Member Since: 16 May 2012 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 1380 
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I have driven both my Defender and my Series One to Switzerland and the scenery is stunning - absolutely stunning. Hopeing to go back again soon.
Some mates did the same trip as me, but also did the Italien Alps too - so if you are a bit bored one eveneing, have a shufty at this film - its in 8 parts, but shows some of the scenery off. PART 1 - Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond..... |
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13th May 2015 12:05pm |
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| CLCraig Member Since: 05 Aug 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 104
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Looks stunning thank you for all your suggestions. I remember seeing the Stelvio Pass on top gear and always dreamt of driving it. Are the speed limits reduced for defenders like here in the UK?
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13th May 2015 12:45pm |
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| 130dreamer Member Since: 29 Feb 2008 Location: Romford Posts: 100 |
Have just done a very similar trip in the 130.
Took a late-ish Eurotunnel and stayed in St Quentin before driving down to Lake Como via Switzerland. You can buy the vignette to use their major roads at the customs check as you enter Switzerland. We went via San Bernardino and through the Tunnel but the traffic was pretty bad. The passes were still closed with the winter snows. We camped on Lake Como for a few nights, followed by a few days in Tuscany, on our way back we stayed on Lake Maggiore. We camped in Cannobio at 'Camping Residence' which was very well kept with good facilities however it was close to the road which was noisy. Other sites 'Camping Riviera' and 'Camping Paradis' were further away from the road and appeared quieter. All sites had pitches facing the lake but unsurprisingly these were very popular. Camping Riviera was well shaded with trees, the others had less cover. If camping is not part of your plans Cannero Riviera had some nice hotels but no idea on price. We drove back from Lake Maggiore via the Simplon pass which was stunning and then took the car train from Visp to Kandersteg (Goppenstein tunnel) and drove from Kandersteg past Basel into the parc des ballons des Vosges and camped there for a night. We could of continued to Paris had we not got side tracked with a stop at the thermal spas and pools at Brigabad! (This is just before Visp and a great place to relax for an hour or three). Can't comment much on the Paris element. The last time I drove the 130 in Paris I was towing a large trailer full of camping kit, a car full of Explorer Scouts and in convey with two other land rovers. When they went the wrong way and decided to make a U turn in a Parisian street they found it hilarious watching me try to do the same with the trailer in tow. Vowed not to drive in Paris again! That said there is a very good value hotel near the Eifel Tower, 'Hotel Cadran' but I don't know about parking for it. If you want more details on our trip drop me a PM, we went in Easter of this year. |
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13th May 2015 2:00pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5804  
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In essence, much of what everyone else has said. You'll find if Maggiore is your main destination, that unless you specifically choose a route that goes towards Paris/French Alps you will be pushed East by your SatNav shortly after Reims. It'll push you towards Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, through Eastern Switzerland and into Italy. Switzerland will be beautiful, full stop, but the first 2/3rds can be pretty tedious. So if you want to stop in Paris, Geneva or the French Alps (Chamonix etc) then you'll need to plan it that way. Note, Paris is getting super strict on Diesels and maybe even more so by next year. Further it is an effing nightmare parking a 110 or any 2m+ Defender in a secure location. I found only one car park in the whole of Paris to accommodate my 110, I shall find the link and pass it on if you are interested? Re the French Alps, it is all amazing, but can get seriously busy. The number of towns you should (must) visit are endless, as are the number of tourists. I would simply suggest taking your time, seeing where the guide books take you and if possible avoiding the obvious routes. Having said that, and entirely contradicting myself, do consider doing some of the Routes Des Grandes Alpes. In essence a route covering all the main high passes between the French side of Geneva and the Côte d'Azur, it is stunning although in August can be chock full of tourists, mostly in Campers. If you are going this time of year (April/May), some high passes may still be blocked with snow, indeed anything above 2000m there is a high risk, so take note from local signs. But if you can do them, do. The tunnels are all expensive (Mont Blanc, Saint Bernard, Frejus etc), the passes free and of course, stunning. You can legally park overnight anywhere in France, carpark, road side etc, without the need to stay in a campsite or have a licence, just be sensible (not a motorway), don't hack off the locals (park over their driveway) and don't take the  (staying for 3 months). Some councils (Chamonix certainly) are trying to be stricter about where overnight campers/caravans/4x4s/converted transits with stoves (mostly the last one) park. But most communes you can park for free, publicly, and then if clever either have a shower-in-a-can, use the local baths or pop to a motorway geared for Artic drivers. On the subject of which, avoid filling up as they are prohibitively expensive. Use standard stations or supermarkets. Currently it's about £1 a litre. Cheaper in Switzerland historically, but with the Chf strength, not sure anymore. Italy is cheaper than both for most things, bust.
Food wise, by supplies in larger supermarkets, they're cheapest. If you want a nice meal, look for the lunch menus. You'll often get a cracking three-course meal, perhaps from a Michelin starred restaurant if it takes your fancy, for between 12 and 20€ (not including wine). For evening meals I strongly advise getting on-line in any towns you plan to stop in and checking reviews, as if Chamonix is anything to go by, the town centre, obvious tourist spots are s**t and over-priced. If you want tips on Chamonix, Megeve, Saint Gervais and Les Contamines specifically, don't hesitate to ask. Indeed, I have many friends in Annecy, Morzine, Val d'Isere, Meribel etc who could also help. Final thought, don't forget that if you are focusing on Maggiore that you are only an hour's or so from Milan, another hour or so to Turin (great town) and under half a day all in to the Italian Riveria/Liguria (Portofino, Finale etc), gorgeous. So perhaps, on your route home rather than doing the obvious and taking the Mont Blanc tunnel to Chamonix, head down to Turin, use one of the passes into France - Tarentaise, and then loop back up towards Chamonix/Geneva via Annecy, Albertville etc. just a thought. Whatever, you'll love it. And as EricVV and BPMan point out, the local Five-0 will be out in force and aiming at tourists. They are everywhere and extremely cunning. Gendarmes in camo is not unheard of. The saving grace is that currently there is still no agreement between France/Italy and the UK, so if you are caught by any fixed site cameras you will unlikely see the fine. But handheld, chase cars or spot checks at Peages and expect a large, on the spot, cash fine. You will be taken to a cashpoint if you do not have the money (90€ fixed minimum in France) or else they will impound the car. As a general point for everyone (I.e. Those who might be travelling in a car that can get close to 100mph) the days of just fining you heavily if you hit the magic 100mph/160kmh, are long gone. They are now fining you, plus taking your licence (and either you leave your car or someone else drives it home), banning you from driving on French territory for 3 moths (although you will have your licence returned so can still drive in the UK) and possibly following up with an extra fine in court. You will NOT be given the option to keep your licence, drive home and contest the fine like in the UK. Gendarmes are like Judge Dredd, they are the Law. Beware. Motorways are the obvious danger so remember the following trick. If you are stopped by a chase car/bike, be contrite, pay up, there is little you can do. If lucky, they may (and I stress may) just fine you. If, however, you see Gendarmes stopping drivers at Peages and asking to see your 'average speed' (obviously they can calculate it from booth to booth) get rid of your ticket. They will not know your average speed and you merely have to pay the maximum for your type of vehicle (by maximum, this means the furthest Peage you could have joined from. Finally, in France they are required to notify you if there is a fixed camera ahead. It is a large brown panel and must be within 1km of the camera. As such, drop to the speed limit and you'll be fine. But generally be careful. Drink driving, speeding a deaths all went up last year, so there is a huge push by authorities to catch people out. Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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13th May 2015 3:39pm |
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| CLCraig Member Since: 05 Aug 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 104
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^ I can't tell you helpful and interesting what you have taken the time to write is. It has certainly given me many ideas as where to go. Maybe avoid Paris for this trip. I shall be extra careful with the speed. Thank you again
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13th May 2015 4:44pm |
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| Andy RV Member Since: 26 Apr 2014 Location: Somewhere Posts: 64
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Great choice choosing to stay at Lake Maggiore, I camped on the shore for a couple of nights in 2012 and would certainly return.
My visit was part of a road trip, from Lake Maggiore I went onto Chamonix via the Simplon Pass for a night then onto Annecy for a further two nights. Chamonix is a fantastic little town with a great range of attractions, the Aiguille du Midi is top of the list and certainly worth a visit! Annecy is the most beautiful town I've ever visited and is certainly worth considering! |
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26th May 2015 8:56pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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No is the answer.
But after the proza about the french gendarmes written by Le Grenadier, do not speed in France 
I could add to his story, give you concrete experiences of outright criminal behaviour by the Gendarmerie de Sallanches, an area near Megeve/Chamonix where you may be passing through. Actually, compared with the French, the Swiss Police are merely pragmatic and correct. But speeding ain't cheap if they catch you. Not sure if it has been said in this thread, so this may be a repeat. In Switzerland it is the law now to drive in daylight conditions at all times with either DRL, or if you don't have those, with your headlights on. And headlights are not your parking lights.  In Geneva you will not easily get a fine for not doing that, in other parts of Switzerland they are less forgiving, the fine for this luckily is the minimum fine of chf 40,00 only.
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation. http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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27th May 2015 3:47am |
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