UK to Italy
 

Hello,
I'm planning to cycle to Italy from Calais in July. Currently looking up routes and I've decided that I want to go through the Swiss alps. Looked at some routes through/over, but really want to keep to lanes and other Non-major roads - or to at least avoid as much traffic as possible and get spectacular views. Any Ideas here?

Also, any thoughts on specific places to visit on that general route line? Any must see's?

Cheers,
Theo

Check out this site for the EuroVelo 5 route, which will take you exactly where you want to go. Here's a map.

Eurovelo 5
 

Hi Theo
I'm the person who is behind the www.eurovelo5.com blog (and the map that Chris in Switzerland quotes in his reply). Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. When do you plan to set off and from where? Like you, my aim is to avoid the major raods and hopefully take in some spectacular scenery....
Good luck with the planning
Best wishes
Andrew
apsykes@hotmail.com

Hi all
I did it! Cycled UK to Brinidisi in the south of Italy last summer and have now written about the whole thing in a book. Great, comic adventure :) Loved every minute of it, even when poor Reggie (my bike) was giving me grief. It's called Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie. Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.
Cheers
Andrew

Hi Theo,
I cycled from Maastricht the south of Holland to Athens Greece in 2005 and made a few other tours since. If you plan to cycle over the Apls I would suggest the Splugen pass (google it) a bit more quiet, very scenic and not as difficult as some of the others.
cheers