You have already chosen your route down, to see your particular interests, but here is an alternative if you want to reverse it.
Alsace is wonderful in September/October as they pick the vines.
We took this route into Italy last time:
Tunnel to Calais, (as above, Dover to Dunkirk may be cheaper, and less driving in France) then E40 into Belgium towards Bruges, then Brussels.
Free motorways in Belgium, but the worst drivers in Europe!
Taking care around Brussels (We got lost after taking the wrong exit) follow the E411/E25 to Luxemburg. Fill up here - Lux was the cheapest fuel in Europe then.
E21 to Metz and Nancy, (Free Mway) then N59 to Colmar - very pleasant, but slower route through the Vosges mountains. We stopped over three nights in Colmar.
After Colmar, take the E25 towards Mulhouse, but to avoid Basle, turn off at the Mulhouse junction on A36 across the Rhine to Germany. Turn South on E35.
Take the turn off just before Basel to Lorrach (route 98) and continue into Switzerland that way. It's a good road all the way - mainly dual carriageway - and it only took 10 minutes to 'do the checks' to enter Switzerland and 15 to leave. You end up on the Swiss motorway about 1km East of the turn to Lucerne.
Go towards Basle, but quickly take the E25 to Lucerne.
At Lucerne follow E35 for Lugano which takes you over the St Gotthard Pass – or the tunnel if its foggy – Pass is a superb route.
Carry on to Lugano, Bellinzona and Como.
Route is toll free until Italy, but you need a Swiss Motorway vignette, which you can get online from:
switzerlandtravelcentre.com/en/gbr/tours/motorway-vignette
Or you can get one at the border.
We have spent many holidays in Italy - mainly Tuscany, and this year had decided to take all of October. But we are both now in our seventies, and I am type two diabetic, so we are too shy to try it.
Maybe next year.
I'll just have to enjoy your trip vicariously.
All the very best.
8o)
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