Touring abroad 'virgins' need experienced company

[Jacqueline_374450476]

I would love my husband to agree to take our caravan (and dog?) to the continent for an extended holiday during the winter months but he is very nervous of taking the plunge.

It occurred to us that there may be experienced tourers out there who would welcome some company and show us the ropes? We are a retired couple self 54; himself 64.

 

[Powderblue]

Look on the Caravan Club website. It tells you all you need to know about touring abroad for the first time. The Travel Service brochure also shows some dates in either France or Holland for a 7 day 'package' tour where there is the service of a holiday leader all through the holiday as well as other things going on. See page 160/1 of the Travel Service brochure for more info. Thinking of doing it ourselves!

 

[George_374396015]

Hi, we are going touring in Spain and Portugal this autumn, September to November, with dog. But we are alsovirgins so cannot help much, sorry.geo

 

[ValA.]

Everyone has to do it for the first time - and honestly it isn't complicated at all. Camping in Europe is so much easier than in Britain. For example, there are more sites, even quite small villages often have a municipal site, and outside very peak season you don't need to book.

Why not squeeze in a week or so in late August, or early September, when you will find many more sites open than during the winter, and test the water for yourselves? Having done a short trip then you can work out where you want to go and start researching routes and sites. After all you want to make this trip your own, not a tag along to someone else's holiday.

On some other forums there are long postings with advice for first-timers and if you read some of these you'll be very reassured.

 

[Guest]

The main problem for most people making the first trip to Europe is getting to their UK ferry port and the UK traffic.

Once you have got off the ferry in France the roads are clearer and far easier to travel on than in the UK as there is less taffic. Even driving on the 'wrong side' of the road is preferable to many UK caravanners compared to tackling the narrow roads of Cornwall or Wales or the like in the UK.

Most European sites will have somebody that speaks English, if you have any questions there are plenty of cheap phone deals for calling abroad so just call the sites you choose and ask what you want to know when planning your trip.

 

[Brian_374234561]

sept07 - bought our first caravan, never towed before and bought a huge 6 berth 'van. me, wife 3 kids. July 08 - 7 UK holidays under our belt and off to France for 16nights, the worst part was getting to Portsmouth! French roads are brilliant, the parks are ace and the weather is better (depending on where you're going of course!). My advice, is just do it, you'll love it. we're going back again in July for 2 weeks again and cant wait ! good luck

 

[anotherDavid]

I would go along with Vals sugestion and recomend a trial run of 3 or 4 weeks first.Anything less might seem a chore given the distances involved. I would also think twice about the winter tour. The best sites are often full and there is no guarantee of good weather. I am in Spain now and the weather is good, the site almost empty and we are paying 11 euros a night for a double size fully serviced pitch.I would strongly recomend the spring months April to end of June and you will have no problems and no need to book.

Give it a try and you wont regret it

Dave

 

[Jacqueline_374450476]

I would go along with Vals sugestion and recomend a trial run of 3 or 4 weeks first.Anything less might seem a chore given the distances involved. I would also think twice about the winter tour. The best sites are often full and there is no guarantee of good weather. I am in Spain now and the weather is good, the site almost empty and we are paying 11 euros a night for a double size fully serviced pitch.I would strongly recomend the spring months April to end of June and you will have no problems and no need to book.

Give it a try and you wont regret it

Dave

Thank you all for your advice which we have read with interest.

We are CC members and will take Chris's advice re their help.

We have taken the caravan to the Isle of Wight so are not daunted by the ferry trip; my OH would be doing the driving 'on the other side' he has driven abroad years ago for his work but is more concerned about possible language problems so Euro, thank you for your reassurance on that point.

We live on the west coast of Wales and prefer not to go in the summer months as it is glorious here anyway and from April to the end of Sept we are very busy with our garden so only use the van for weekend trips or to accommodate visitors.

Anyway, we will continue to gather information and hopefully get going this winter.

 

[david_374246190]

I would go along with Vals sugestion and recomend a trial run of 3 or 4 weeks first.Anything less might seem a chore given the distances involved. I would also think twice about the winter tour. The best sites are often full and there is no guarantee of good weather. I am in Spain now and the weather is good, the site almost empty and we are paying 11 euros a night for a double size fully serviced pitch.I would strongly recomend the spring months April to end of June and you will have no problems and no need to book.

Give it a try and you wont regret it

Dave

Bearing in mind time of year you are travelling (winter months) i would suggest a good camping site book that details all year round opening.French sites are plentiful in summer but in winter not so. Caravan club book is good investment..... lasts for years ........ All year sites are marked at side of entry. Hope you can do it.