caravan verus foreign hols

[jayne2]

4 years ago bought caravan because of elderly dog, pined for us last time we left it in kennels, thought buy caravan, doggie come too, husband said we can still have foreign hols after dog's gone. dog sadly passed, and he finally had spanish holiday planned; day started up at 2am, hour to airport, waiting in airport, shops shut, bored stiff, on plane, cramped conditions, out other end, hours travel to hotel, week away, weather ok, hotel room fine, return trip same as out going, left spain, home at 5pm, husband tired, says never again!!! caravan's best every time. we all learn to appreciate the life, some it takes a little longer than others.

 

[Berty3]

Thats my bigest gripe, I hate airports!

Berty.......

 

[BigAl1]

Hi Jayne

Why not enjoy the best of both worlds? Take your caravan to Spain.

 

[jayne2]

thought about it, whats best option, ferry or road, is there any difference in time or cost???

 

[raymond3]

thought about it, whats best option, ferry or road, is there any difference in time or cost???

hi jayne, generally we find road is cheaper ferry to north spain cost more but is easier on the body ,being the sole driver,and having time to spare,we take routes through france and avoid m/ways except around larger cities ie,lyon,where tolls dont apply.france is an amazing place for a wide variety of scenery which you miss bombing down to the south on the m/ways,it depends on time available in the end though.try it and enjoy! ray

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Do not forget this one in response to the eco-warriors who holiday abroad, a UK (or even european) caravan holiday regardless of tow vehicle is more eco friendly than jetting off to Marakesh etc.

Off - setting is complete tosh, it is like giving money to the RSPCA before you set off on your latest fox hunt - it is there to ease the conscience of those that feel guilty about it.

Holidaying in the UK also puts money back into the UK economy regardless of where the barman comes from (seems to be Poland all the time at the moment).

 

[Colinn]

What you say definitely strikes a chord with us - but you shouldn't worry that it took too long to come to your conclusion. We were much the same. You need to experience a few foreign "ordeals" to appreciate just how easy going, relaxing and stress-free caravaning is (well, most of the time!) The biggest plus for us though is that the money we have blown previously in two "here-today-gone-tomorrow" weeks abroad now serves us for seven months a year made up of five nine day holidays and loads of weekends in between. That's what I call holidaying, and with retirement beckoning, we're hoping it will get even better!

 

[BeemerMal]

Jayne...we have done both, driving through France and the Ferry Portsmouth to Bilbao.

It is cheaper to drive down but we don't think there is much in it really. By the time you pay out for extra fuel + tolls (unless you use the N roads) and at the very least 2 overnight stops from eg; Calais to Northern Spain the costs are not much different. Personally we prefer the Bilbao route, arriving in Spain after a restful overnight crossing. Our trip this year (off next week, can't wait) has cost us

 

[John_374224558]

Have just done it.

We hadn't flown anywhere for nearly 5 years and we took the family on a one off trip out to Florida. Trouble with one off trips is that we want to go again!

When we booked it last autumn, there was a deal going where we got a cheap upgrade to first class (we travelled with First Choice) and what a brilliant investment that was- air filled leather seats on the plane, loads of legroom, bigger choice of menus on the plane, free bar, upgraded entertainment, priority check ins at both airports therefore no long queues, priority baggage reclaim, use of the executive lounge at Orlando airport again with free bar, free nibblies, computer suite if you wanted to go online, a sega games room for the kids and proper armchair seating and flatscreen TV's, so no sitting around in the departure lounge.

Next time we travel long haul, we will haggle the upgrade into the package somehow.

Oh yes, America itself was spotless, good exchange rate meant things were good value, plenty to do out there even apart from the theme parks, and smashing people. Good job the petrol was cheap as well as we had a 5.7 litre Chrysler, mind you what a brilliant towcar thet would make over here if you could afford the fuel bills.

Still looking forward to hooking the van up soon and getting away.

 

[VIP2006]

many years ago, my wife son and I found camping by accident (sister loaned us the Gear) and after a couple of weeks in scotland we were hooked, and have had this kind of holiday every year since my son was 5 (approx 40 years)

over these years we have "upgraded" to caravans and as our careers blosommed we ventured abroad and also had continental holidays during the winter months when the long cold, damp and miserable weather prevailed.

now due to ill-health (both of us) and the very high insurance costs experienced we have took the decision to revisit the UK and for the last 3/4 years have just done that. With the UK becoming a living museum and with every area vying for tourists it is not an unpleasant situation to be in.

we are members of the CC and mainly use the main sites together with a few CL's mainly in North Yorkhire and Nortumberland. We do not caravan during Bank Holidays, not because of full sites but because there is no pleasure being out in congested everthing. We also take 12 weeks away, (2 weeks at a time) and try to avoid weekends as much possible, to allow the working members more access to the sites.

I must admit that even at 71 yrs of age can get excited and the old andrenalin going when its time to pull away and a sinking feeling when its time to come home. Caravanning coupled with the very good people you meet at the sites, and my hobby of landscape photography keeps me and my wife and long may it last. Great Hobby and if everyone keeps calm and safe then there is room for everybody. Regards

 

[yvonne6]

Jayne friends of ours who now caravan spent Approx