Once you’re near Colmar, it depends how much time you’ve got to get to Lake Garda. If we’ve got time we head through Switzerland via Basel heading along to Zurich on the motorway and then towards Bad Ragaz and Lanquart where we turn off the motorway and head towards Davos. Then just in the town turn off and head over the pass to Susch then up the valley to Zernez, where there’s a nice but expensive campsite with stunning views. Then head out over the next pass to Mustair and into Italy to follow down the valley all the way to Bolzano. From Bolzano it’s just a trip down the autostrada either to the bottom of the lake heading towards Peschierra del Gardo or head down the east side of the lake via the various towns. It’s a much easier drive on the east rather than the west side.
Alternatively from Basel head to Lucerne, Altdorf and Andermatt, there’s another expensive campsite here hidden away in the town, but with super warm facilities then continue down to Bellinzola, Lugano, Como and Milan, all on motorway. Italian motorway tolls are cheap compared to France. From the Milan ring road it’s a quick trip to Brescia and Peschierra.
We like Peschierra and the campsites near by. There’s good access by bus or train to Verona and Venice and the lake ferries are good for getting around the lake and visiting the various towns and villages.
We use the motorways through Switzerland, it’s about 35 SF for a vignette for up to 3.5 t or about the same for a 10 day pass for over 3.5 tonnes, much less hassle than Austria, although I can get through Austria without needing a go box.
If you go north of Lac Leman, the road is very busy and through lots of towns and villages, the route south of the lake is mainly motorway.
Happy travelling alan
