A stunning drive through the French Alps up to the Frejus tunnel. Very little traffic around so we made good progress. The mountains are fabulous. We noted that all of the passes across were closed, so there was no option but to take the very expensive tunnel. There has been a lot of snow this year, and it will be late before the passes are open.
The tunnel is 13 km long. The tunnel’s wikipedia entry is here. It costs in the region of 55 euros to use it in a VW camper van. There’s no doubt it’s the quickest way to cross.
While the Alps themselves are magnificent, it always seems to us that the towns along the route have a sort of grim feel to them. It’s probably because they are very grey, being comprised generally utilitarian low buildings with little architectural interest built of the local stone. It doesn’t help that the road is elevated above most of the settlements, therefore when passing you are looking down on to drab roofs.
Our plan (such as it was) had been to find somewhere within striking distance of Turin. We thought we might take public transport into the city. However, we couldn’t locate a site that we thought was OK.
So Turino will have to wait for our visit. I understand that property prices soared on the news that we couldn’t make it there this year.