Summer 2014, is it with the caravan?

[paul_5132583]

Hi,After travelling firstly to the French Alps in April and back again to Vias in July, we have decided to try somthing different next summer, possibly an all inclusive to Turkey for a change? Just seen Val's NEC ferry codes which I have used for the last 4 years, which basically kicked off the following summers search and eventual holiday booking. So it seems strange this year that we are not following the familiar route. To be honest next year there will be only three of us, and the thought of the distance together with the mounting costs, has persuaded me for at least next summer to try something different, so the caravan will be confined to the odd week and mostly weekends away in the UK (South East) .Who else is leaving the caravan at home next summer, and if so what are your plans/destinations, and out of interest do you expect to spend any less or more money? I mention the money because last year I reckon I could have managed the Maldives in what I eventually spent overall. However, its not about the money more the time and distance to get anywhere for my annual 2 week break, shame the Med's so far away by road.Regards Paul.

 

[ValA.]

Hi Paul, having done Turkey several times, it's a good choice of holiday destination but be prepared for the heat if you're going in July again. It was VERY hot each time we've been there - and we've holidayed there in May, June and October. We love the heat and October was the best, May was OK, but on some days in June it was too hot even to venture outside the shady areas around the hotel pool. Nights were stifling, so book somewhere with air-conditioning!
We don't spend a fortune on our French holidays. This year we had four weeks away in May/June, and then another four weeks in late August/September. Campsite fees for each holiday worked out around £10 per night, using a combination of cheap Camping Cheques, an ACSI card and 7 nights for the price of 6 offers. Fuel was the most expensive item each holiday - at around £450 (we did 2600 miles) - and our food/living costs were little more than they would be at home. We pay no autoroute tolls (or perhaps 10 euros at the most to avoid some cities) and bring back some wine which is (still) cheaper than we'd pay at home. I doubt that total costs for each holiday (including the wine we brought back) would have covered the cost of two weeks all-inclusive in Turkey.
I'll keep to my caravan holidays, thanks, and even the 'extortionate' price of £78.00 return for the ferry next year

won't put us off booking our ferries again for 2014.

 

[otherclive]

We love Turkey and as well as holidaying at a small family run hotel near Olu Deniz we have toured the west, central and eastern areas right up to the Iranian and Iraqi borders; absolutely amazing. This year the van stayed at home and we spent solo time touring Spain but with some 6 weeks total in UK, including Wales, Dorset, Leices,Northumberland and the Dales. Next year the van will stay in UK as we have arranged a solo trip in late Spring to Indian some national parks and hope to join up with a couple of friends who were on course with me nearly 40 years ago. But the van will still get used as well!!

When looking at the true costs you also need to take account of all the costs included in owning a van, and a suitable tow car. If we didnt have the van we would nout have the XC 70 and run a smaller car. As it is we run three cars and the last to leave the stable would be the Pajero which I absolutely love despite it being thirsty. But heck caravanning is an enjoyable hobby so why speculate on what ifs?

 

[Merlin53]

Hi Paul, having done Turkey several times, it's a good choice of holiday destination but be prepared for the heat if you're going in July again. It was VERY hot each time we've been there - and we've holidayed there in May, June and October. We love the heat and October was the best, May was OK, but on some days in June it was too hot even to venture outside the shady areas around the hotel pool. Nights were stifling, so book somewhere with air-conditioning!
We don't spend a fortune on our French holidays. This year we had four weeks away in May/June, and then another four weeks in late August/September. Campsite fees for each holiday worked out around £10 per night, using a combination of cheap Camping Cheques, an ACSI card and 7 nights for the price of 6 offers. Fuel was the most expensive item each holiday - at around £450 (we did 2600 miles) - and our food/living costs were little more than they would be at home. We pay no autoroute tolls (or perhaps 10 euros at the most to avoid some cities) and bring back some wine which is (still) cheaper than we'd pay at home. I doubt that total costs for each holiday (including the wine we brought back) would have covered the cost of two weeks all-inclusive in Turkey.
I'll keep to my caravan holidays, thanks, and even the 'extortionate' price of £78.00 return for the ferry next year

won't put us off booking our ferries again for 2014.

Hi Val,
Where did you get the cross channel price of £78.00 for 2014 from?

 

[JonnyG]

horse's for course's comes to mind, as the in laws go away regular to C/C type cheap options, which is all fine but summer or main holiday? well for me its location location location that comes to mind with added facilities ect ect.. last few years we have used booking.com to scout for apartments or residences in area's that interest us. you could look at hotels and b&b and is it gites in france? the last two years we have spend above lake garda tignale and tremonsine with fantastic views of the lake as you are 400 metres above it and can see at least 20 miles[ i know this as sermione peninsular is 18 miles as the crows fly] 1 weeks apartment or residence has cost us 350 Euro's with all the benefits of decent and cheap resturants bars on site all that health spa type stuff ect ect.. i dont like flying so Vals code info gets us across the water cheap we now even pay £10 upgrade on the 8am crossing so to get on and off first and have a lounge to relax in or sleep with free drinks..we use booking.com to break the journey up too this year we stayed in namur belguim nice place but we have stayed at trier, hidelbourg [germany] strassbuorg , colmar [ france] ect ect cheaply to look around nice towns and relax.before carrying on. of course with out the caravan on its easy to de tour and of course fuel prices are less because of the difference in mpg, my mondeo would average 27 to 30 mpg at best towing 50 to 55 mpg when not, indeed i got 59.8 mpg this year from namur to lake garda some 575 miles.
holidays are all about personal preferances, and there all worth a try. my motto is 2 good weeks away is better than 4 watching the purse strings, but that doesnt mean going over the top nor penny pinching, hope to try turkey one day but i do like to get off the tourist routes too so my own transport is always needed.....

 

[ValA.]

The DFDS code ENEC13 offers sailings for £39.00 each way for a small car and small caravan, or £49.00 for longer vans. There are various other supplements which might apply depending on your dates and times, but it is possible to get a crossing for £78.00 return.
See the post about DFDS code for further details.

 

[emmerson]

We had two weeks in August/September staying with friends in Sweden, and very nice it was too.Being a pampered guest is something I could get used to,and we do have a week in a 5* hotel every year too, but I still want my 9 or 10 weeks in UK, and two or three months in Europe, with the caravan every year as well. Freedom is all!!!!