Comments on: Don’t hold your breath in the Gotthard Tunnel!

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:26:21 +0000

Thanks Davide. I think that’s answered Steve’s question. Good luck with your tour, Steve.

Ciao

By: Davide

Davide — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 09:48:21 +0000

The road inside the tunnel is perfect for motorcycles, and they are allowed in, and the air is foul. The pass above is much nicer, though you cant speed because its so windy and it is 10 km longer, but after going over the top, I’m never going through again!!(except for winter).

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 13:48:27 +0000

Hi Steve,

As far as we remember the road surface is fine but we never saw any motorcycles. V seems to think that they advised you to keep your windows closed and, if that’s the case, they may not let motor cycles through.

It is particularly bad down there, even with the windows closed and would take too long to drive through to ‘hold your breath’. My guess is that motor cycles aren’t let through that particular tunnel (and it’s probably the case with the other long tunnels).

Perhaps someone else knows for certain?

By: steve

steve — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 12:29:12 +0000

Can anyone tell me if the road surface is OK for motorcycles. Planning an extended tout next year.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 18:35:35 +0000

As you probably know, the mallards are still there!

The trip over the pass sounds a lot better than the tunnel. I especially like the idea of the old stagecoach, the coachmen blowing the horn and, particular, the ‘fat kind old Germans abroad’ which really made me laugh. I can picture them now…..

Thanks. I’ll try that next time I have to go.

By: corpodibacco

corpodibacco — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 18:16:40 +0000

no, the “germani reali” are the typical ducks, you know: where the male has a green head and the female is all brownish like a sparrow. I didn’t know the English name. I figured it should have something “german” in it also in English, since the name is so peculiar in Italian (wait I checked on the vocabulary, zanichelli says it’s the “mallard”, good to know)

you can get the upper road of the San Gottardo from the freeway, just before the tunnel. There usually is a sign that says if the road is not blocked by the snow. It should say “passo” or something. And if you then stopover for a while when you’re at the top, you can be lucky and get to see the old swiss post stagecoach, drawn by horses, which nowadays rides that road only as a touristic attraction. The coachmen blow the horn when they are at the top, and the fat kind old Germans aboard smile and wave their hands.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:15:22 +0000

You are right about the San Gottardo Tunnel. It is terrible. However, to hold your breath for that long would be impossible. I like the idea of going over the top. Next time we drive I shall be asking you for directions. Are germani reali goldfish or something else?

By: corpodibacco

corpodibacco — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:30:08 +0000

I never heard of such a thing. But it’s never too late to catch a superstition.
And I know for sure it would be a good thing to hold the breath under the San Gottardo tunnel because it is really sickening down there. If a car isn’t perfectly sealed in a matter of minutes it turns into a gas chamber. I always advice anyone to take the upper old road if it’s not winter. It’s very beautiful and not that longer as one could think.
Giardini pubblici is lovely anyway. My grandpa used to take us there every sunday when I was a little kid. Lots of memories. There was the same little train to ride, and almost the same carousels. And a strikingly similar pony to ride with. And the germani reali in the pond, and the museum of natural history that was my favorite museum of all. etc.