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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To drive to italy in one day?

172 replies

Whattheuh · 13/06/2015 22:02

Most of the threads I be seen people plan to do it in a few days,but we don't have that much time and money to stop overnight a lot.we were thinking of leaving very early and hopefully arrive by that evening.anyone done that?

OP posts:
Maryz · 13/06/2015 23:32

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Loletta · 13/06/2015 23:33

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Greythorne · 13/06/2015 23:34

Agree with Annunziata, don't assume you will be able to pull over and find a hotel.

We travelled through France in August once and struggled to find a hotel on spec. Very demoralizing it is too driving from F1 to Ibis and on again because they are full at 3am with alarmed children in the back.

Loletta · 13/06/2015 23:34

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Fatmomma99 · 13/06/2015 23:37

Cocktail - it took you 2 days to get to the vendee? Seriously??? We've been several times, it's never taken us that long.

Whattheuh, this time a year ago my DD went to Florence on a coach trip (so speed limited). It took them 27 hours, but they had two drivers.

It's a hell of a task. Agree with PP who said take a tent and camp!

InanimateCarbonRod · 13/06/2015 23:40

We drove from Milan to Dublin. We left Milan at 6am and drove non stop to Calais then chunnel to Folkestone. Drove from Folkestone to Hollyhead and got the 2am crossing and arrived in Dublin at 6am . It's a loooooong trip. Subsequent trips have a stopover in Lille as it's really tough otherwise.

Branleuse · 13/06/2015 23:41

You should probably listen to everyones advice tbh.

A stressful extended journey like that can take a day or two to get over, and you still haveto do it on the way back.

If youre really stuck for time, can you not do somewhere closer, like mid france?

Happfeet2911 · 13/06/2015 23:42

Perfectly doable without children if you are prepared to share the driving, with kids don't even try!

TurnOverTheTv · 13/06/2015 23:44

But where are you leaving from???
Glasgow is a bit different to Dover. All these people trying to help and you still haven't told them!

Maryz · 13/06/2015 23:51

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Maryz · 13/06/2015 23:51

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Greythorne · 13/06/2015 23:57

OP - have you been offered a villa with pool free of charge by a kind Italian relative for the duration of your holiday?

If not, just book a nice campsite / gîte in France and stay there for your holiday!

Seems madness to voluntarily drive all the way to Italy to save money on flights.

Spadequeen · 14/06/2015 00:02

We drove to Italy last year, we stayed in France camping for a couple of days but I would never do it again, too far, even with sharing the driving.

I'd also avoid the Mont Blanc tunnel, very hard work

cestlavielife · 14/06/2015 00:09

If you drive thru night while dc sleep who will be running around with excited children on arrival ?

What about toilet stops will one of you stay in car with sleeping children while the other goes in dark car park to toilet ?

Plan proper overnight stop overs .

contractor6 · 14/06/2015 06:40

Id be questioning this driving without kids, with kids no way. Drove back from Geneva two years ago in the day, was 8 hours and exhausting.

CycleChic · 14/06/2015 06:50

Do the drive overnight, not during the day. we drive from Edinburgh to France most years. it's knackering and I like to plan a rest day at home the day after (plus a quiet day the day we arrive plus the day after ) but totally doable.

Coconutty · 14/06/2015 06:57

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shushpenfold · 14/06/2015 06:57

I don;t think the OP is getting the answers she wants on here!

OP everyone has said that your timeline and budget (and probability of having to sleep in the car anyway as it's August and there will be no vacancies) are not realistic, likely hideous journeys for you and the kids AND vastly unsafe. Why are you not listening?

Stitchintime1 · 14/06/2015 07:03

I'd get the train.

undoubtedly · 14/06/2015 07:03

I've driven to the Alps before now and easily paid €150 on tolls from Calais.

blondegirl73 · 14/06/2015 07:08

Genuinely can't imagine anything worse to start a holiday. Go somewhere closer, get the train or fly.

undoubtedly · 14/06/2015 07:19

There must be cheap flights available surely?

chrome100 · 14/06/2015 07:21

Can't you get the train? I did Italy to Yorkshire on the train. A few changes but about 16 hours in total. It was nice. I read 2 books!

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 14/06/2015 07:31

We've done Valencia in one day, it wasn't much fun! Northern Italy perfectly doable.

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 14/06/2015 07:32

But that was with no children. Definitely not with young children. And yes, tolls through France are very expensive.

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