Route advice driving to Italy

[rendo]

I'm sure there are a few of you who made this journey either by car/van/bike in the past, so any advice is most welcome.

Family holiday booked to garfagnana area of Italy (just over the hill from Bologna) and planning to drive. still to decide on which port Newcastle or Hull, which gives the option of arriving at Amsterdam or Zeebrugge. Does any particular route offer a better drive at the other side. My rough route plan is to head strasbourg, basel, Milan etc. Planning on stopping overnight in Basel (about half-way) at roadside hotel (Etap or likewise)
There is the other option of dover-calais but the drive through europe looks longer and drive this side isn't very enjoyable either, but the missus isn't very good on boats.

Any advice/tips on route is most welcome.
Not sure if i'll make a day trip to Borgo Panigale, but stopping on the return at Lake Como for a bit, so may well make the trip to Mandello del Lario.

Ta, in advance

 

[Spud Raver]

Gun it through Germany on the autobahns and see the amazing scenery in Switzerland!

 

[rockjock620]

Give them the car and the shatnav, you take the bike, meet them there. As said, scoot through Germany and hit the Alps as soon as you can. Your face will ache from grinning.

 

[Adi]

The lazy way is to catch the motorrail from Paris down to the south of France and cross into Italy. Or ferry to Zeebrugge and then the motorrail which runs from Holland to near Pisa.