The motorways in Italy are toll, maybe that's why they seem well maintained.... The non motorway roads are very ropey, and the roadside shrines/ floral tributes are much higher than we see here (we never used to see any). I've driven on those mountain roads like at the beginning and end of The Italian Job - not for the faint-hearted, and you need total concentration on the hairpin bends and have to resort to the old PARP before the blind bend much favoured by the locals. By and large, they drive well in Italy, but they get bored easily and roads are poorly signed and designed. They've only embraced the concept of the roundabout in recent years. The wooden beaded seat cover comes into its own over there- the avoidance of a sweaty back is a must if you want to avoid the "Guardate quel stupido ****ero inglese" type comments.
Pre 2008 I use to go on scooter rally all over the uk , also Holland Belgium Germany france. Since 2008 only been on trips in uk but been all over Cleethorpes is just a cheep trip that girlfriend picked....grrr Though as I say I am off to Romania as main holiday this year Loved northumbria tour last year Love the.lake district but wish I had gone when younger as I would have gone off track and up the high ground. Cheers everyone. Every days a good.one even the 7 days in cleethorpes will be fun.
When you going filey? There's a big scooter rally weekend in July. Whoops maybe it's a surprise for you!!!
I can help you Vancouver way and a bit of Alberta as I used to live in BC, juts let me know and I can give you a few tips.
Been to Verona too, liked it a lot. Went to an opera at the Verona coliseum and it was actually spectacular (was only going for the Mrs).
I spent a summer at Schuswap Lake, was incredible. My cousin lives in Salmon Arm which is also really nice. Spent a lot of summers and a couple of Christmas' in Mission as my Grandma lived there until she died (she lived on Jasper Ave., just off the Lougheed). My aunt and uncle still live there just off Japser Ave.
Saw Simple Minds there in 1988(?) when they recorded that live concert video there. Also got given a ticket for Sting there (yawn) but paid money to see Miles Davis.
They were preparing to stage Aida the week after we left. From the props it looked as though it was going to be a massive show. Looked to be bigger than one we saw at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 90's. My wife posted a photo of her sitting alone on the top steps of the empty arena a couple of years ago.
If you need any tips when in Canada let me know, ive lived in Calgary and Edmonton, at the moment im working in the Vancouver area but ive worked all over Western Canada! Think i read somewhere that you be here in August/September? shame you will miss the hockey but you may be able to sample the CFL or go see a proper football game, plenty of teams to chose from. The drive from Vancouver to Calgary via Banff is fantastic, the park is celebrating 150 years this year so plenty of things going on, you normally have to pay if your stopping in the national park but this year you can apply for a free pass!
We are doing this area in August too, at present just have flight into Seattle and out of Calgary booked and all the bits in the middle yet to be arranged but my thinking is a few nights Seattle then train to Vancouver for a couple of nights then one way car hire via Jasper and Bannf before driving to the airport on the day of our return flight. Any observations/comments/suggestions would be most appreciated.
A bit to early to recomend events but you should try and do the Glacier Skywalk Jasper National Park, depending on what way you drive and how long you have there are some amazing hikes/walks to do, pay a visit to the Fairmont Chateau hotel in Lake Louise if you can, its worth ia visit even if your not going to stay there. msg me closer to the time and ill give you a more detail suggestions!
Yes they are City Man along with some of those in France and Spain, but the level of tolls to finance the building, and maintenance, of these fantastic roads must be considerable. And I agree that the level of concentration needed on those mountain roads has to be high, but from an architectural and construction point of view those roads are amazing structures.
