Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Father and Son Italia trip

We’ve promised ourselves an epic Father and Son road trip and the time has finally come. I’ve checked my insurance, all okay anywhere in Europe, I can add him on too for not a lot. We’ve booked the overnight ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam for the last week of April returning two weeks later, my thinking that the drive from NE Scotland to Newcastle is actually quite nice and that takes care of the bed for the night in both directions, £950 return by the way for bigger space and low entry car, window cabin, dinner and breakfast both ways for the both of us.
The rest of the trip is open to suggestions, nothing else is set in stone, we intend having a scenic drive all the way to ultimately the Modena area from where we’ll visit Milan and Venice as well as the Ferrari factory. So, what must we absolutely avoid and what would be a must do/see?

Italian lakes and the Splügen Pass which will take you to the northern end of Lake Como.

Ewan, when I went a few years ago I stayed in desenzano on the south shore of lake garda. Its a great place to stay because there is a railway station, you can leave the car at the hotel and get the train to milan , verona, venice etc.

David Byrne

Hotel Lenno in Lenno,Lake Como is very nice & the ferry pier is right by the entrance so you can ride the ferries around the lake. The Fluela pass is stunning after it stop at The Hotel Stocker Vittorio Veneto, 42, 39027 San Valentino Alla Muta BZ, Italy & then you can go via the Stelvio to Lake Isio & on to Como or Garda.

We came back from Modena via Spoleto & then the Brenner (though we took smaller passes) . The Sud Tirol is stunning & Umbria is far less busy than Tuscany.

My vote would be to ensure you take in Col de la Bonette, which is the highest paved route across the Alps.

It is definitely 'the scenic route' but, in my opinion, worth it. Once at the top, the final section, which is a loop around Cime de la Bonette, is optional and you can chose to follow the road down the other side but if you are up for it, I would do the final stretch to the viewing point.

The recommendations for the passes and areas are all very tempting. But I would also work out a plan B. Some of the high Alpine passes could still be closed at the end of April. I've seen some of them still closed at the end of May, depending on the weather. At least check before setting off. Otherwise...what could be better than a father and son trip to Italy? Just in case Venice is very crowded with tourists (Corona is over and half of China will also be in Venice) I can warmly recommend Padova as a city near Venice as an alternative destination. Yes, and as has already been said, South Tyrol is a wonderful region and also the area between Stelvio, Madonna di Campiglio and Lago di Iseo is great for driving.

HI, if the hotel is Albergo Lenno then just a word of caution, I bent a seat bolt going into their underground car park even after taking the luggage off and without the missus on board. Should have cut the extra length off the bolts.

I have driven to and through Italy several times in the +8. First time in 1985 to an 4S Italian Mog Meeting at Monza. Took it down to Sicily and Malta in 2022. I will PM you

Yes that is the one. I'd forgotten that fun, we drove in empty apart from me to the underground car park on the advice of the reception. But once your in you don't need the Mog till you leave because of the ferries.

The San Bernard pass not tunnel is also fun.

We were in Modena last year and went on a tour of the Pagani factory, which has a small museum and a a guided tour of the assembly area. Ferrari museum in Maranello was OK but not outstanding. Alfa museum in Milan however was a surprise and very good.