camping trip through France/Spain/Italy advice please! (1 Viewer)

lisalou222

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Apr 6, 2010
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Hi,
In July i will be going through Europe for 18 days in my motorhome. We will be stopping first at Disneyland Paris, ive heard this is a massive place, and as i now know i can stay overnight at the park (thanks to you guys giving me all the info i need!) so will probably stay there for 2 days/1 night. So any tips/info from there onward would be gratefully received.
I love the sea/beach, so a coastal route would be good for us.
We are on a budget, but am abit concerned about freeparking in a strange land. I have taken a campervan to Spain for 4 months, 10 years ago now, and stayed in the mountain regions near Alicante, but feel abit more vunerable with 2 children, so maybe cheap campsites, or safe freeparking would be ideal???
And what about hook up?? what adapters do i need for foreign hook up?
Were undecided where to go exactly, Ive never been to Italy, so quite fancy that! but do love Spain.
Any tips gratefully received,
Bye for now,
Lisa.
:thumb:
 

allie sommerville

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Hi Lisa :Smile:

Italy is campsite heaven! You shouldn't have any problems finding good ones near the coast, though we found some of them a bit pricey.

Getting there though from France will involve going through a tunnel - you might not want to try the mountain passes :Eeek:
Probably the Grande St Bernard will be your best bet, though this involves yet more cost.

I can let you know the places we stayed if you wish, but have to consult my 'diary' first!
 

hilldweller

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Hi,
In July i will be going through Europe for 18 days in my motorhome.
Lisa.
:thumb:

18 days is not long and some taken up with Disney.

You could just make northern Italy, say Maggiore, but it's so good it needs longer.

Spain, no chance. Unless you want your "holiday" to be driving 300 miles every day.

France is *huge* you may as well stay in France this time. I suggest you head through Le Mans to St Nazaire and to La Baule, the best beach in France and chill out for a few days. You stand a chance of having a holiday then.

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lebesset

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you must be mad ....what you suggest is the headless chicken syndrome , as brian hints

to begin with france is chaos for a month from 14th july , the roads south look like the M1 down to one lane on a monday morning , every camp site on the med is HEAVING

you might get to n.italy as brian says , but that will not be much different

my advice if you want to take the kids to disney is to do so , then just head for normandy/brittany ....everywhere will be super busy , but at least you won't have to spend all the time on the road with fractious kids in the back ...even if you don't want a holiday maybe they would like one

in other words , just like brian says
 

evans88

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That trip reminds me of the people next to us on a campsite in France last year. I noticed that they ran everywhere and were not exactly in the best of shape. They told me they only had two days on the site as they were on their way to Northern Spain, Portugal, Southern Spain the South of France and Switzerland before heading for home. They said they were in a hurry because their holiday was only for 3 weeks. The bloke was thoroughly cheesed off but said they had to keep moving because his wife/partner said she would only go in the motorhome if they kept moving.

So relaxation is not for everyone although to me that kind of schedule and that being planned by the OP is not my idea of a holiday.
 

hilldweller

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The bloke was thoroughly cheesed off but said they had to keep moving because his wife/partner said she would only go in the motorhome if they kept moving.

So relaxation is not for everyone although to me that kind of schedule and that being planned by the OP is not my idea of a holiday.

Sounds like that man needs to buy a pair of trousers.

To be fair, the OP here did not say she wanted to do all those countries. It's all too easy to think "I've got a motorhome - I can go anywhere". BTDTGTTS. The reality dawns sooner or later and hopefully sooner because she's got the good sense to ask here.

It was only a few months ago someone asked about a weekend in the south of France. Sense prevailed there too.

Italy is a wonderful place but add in two young children who don't notice these things and my grand plan for La Baule is good, give or take the time of year.

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dav

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From disney I wold hit Dole in one stint then Italy the next day have a few days on the coast then Rome . Its a hike but if you do a couple of big stints you can have some quality time. Italy and Spain dont really work in the one trip of that duration. You would be best doing Tuscany , Rome , Florence then the Lakes and back through Switzerland

good luck
 
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lisalou222

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Thanks very much for all your replies. We did originally plan for a much longer break, but other halfs boss wont let him have the desired time :Sad:
Ive driven through France many times, but not had a good look round, so its looking likely we will stay there! So, is northern France worth touring???? Which coastal places have the best beaches?
 

PenelopePitstop

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We did France last August and the only place we booked was Parc Verger for the Funsters meet! :Smile:

Apart from that we had no problem getting wherever we wanted - we had our 11yr old grandson with us and he had a great time ( thanks to haganap and blisters and tick59 and bryan and suzy!!) :thumb::thumb::thumb:

Just go for it and don't try to drive too far each day - France is great in the summer - you could get down to the Pyrenees in the time you have - wouldn't try France or Spain though - maybe too far with kids!

Even when it's busy on mainland Europe it's still more relaxed than UK!! Anywhere is!!!:ROFLMAO:

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Wintonian

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So, is northern France worth touring???? Which coastal places have the best beaches?

Brittany, if you don't know it well, will probably surprise you. It is one of the most "Camping Car" friendly places to go to. There are no toll roads. There are so many free parking spots for overnight stays of one or two nights provided by towns and villages - most with water facilities and some with electricity for a couple of Euros per day.

The North coast has many lovely beaches, as does the south coast. Lac de Guerledan near Mur de Bretagne has man-made beaches which are safe for children, as well as paths to walk and ride through the forest around the lake.

Leaving the Morbihan, head for La Roche Bernard where, just before the Pont de Morbihan over the river Villaine, there is a very nice Aire where you can spend a night (as we did last Saturday night). Then cross the bridge and head towards Guerande. Visit the wonderful fortified mediaeval town before continuing towards La Baule, which is just a few kilometres away, with its wide expanse of beautiful beaches. La Baule is rather expensive, and not really a kid's place. It is the "Cote d'Azur" of Brittany. Worth a visit to see the fabulous hotels, apartments and houses. Then head for St Nazaire. Cross the enormous and spectacular St Nazaire bridge crossing the Loire and head for Pornic, a beautiful little port where you might be able to find a parking spot - if it is not a really busy day. Last Monday, being Easter, the town was heaving with local visitors. Cars, Camper Vans, motorcycles - everything was there. The beautiful blue skies brought everyone out! It would not, normally, be so crowded.

Then continue down the coast road towards Les Sable d'Olonnes. Along the way you will find beautiful small seaside towns with lovely beaches which the kids will love. Rocky outcrops protruding from the gently sloping sand always being fascinating for children. There are many camp sites in this area and many free overnight "wild camping" spots. Les Sables d'Olonne is an interesting place to visit (it is the base for the famous 'Vendée Globe' round the world yacht race).

To put this in perspective, we did this route last weekend, starting from Pontivy late Saturday afternoon, spending the night at the Morbihan bridge and Sunday night at a parking area at Bretignolles-sur-mer, returning home late Monday night.

You should find the roads are MUCH less crowded than other parts of France, and the short distances between places of interest means that you won't drive the kids crazy with boredom! :Smile:

Brittany is often referred to as being like Cornwall - as it was 40 years ago!

If you need any more info PM or Skype me. I'll be happy to help.

(BTW, as you guessed, you will need an adaptor for hook-up. An adaptor fitted with a European plug is all you need. You should be able to get one at any accessory shop in the UK for 5 or 6 pounds.)
 
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JonB

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Having lived in France for the past 8 years, I can thouroughly recommend touring here. I do not have first hand experience of camping here, but know that there are so many interesting places worth a visit. We are based in the Poitou Charentes, near La Rochelle, it has the second sunniest climate in France after the Cote d'Azur, it is a very popular area for tourists for this reason and also for the accessibility to the UK (St. Malo to here, about 3,5 hours.) Depending on what you are seeking from a holiday, ie beaches, vin yards, chateaux or something different you will most certainly find it here. If you need any further info or advice on this region or any thing else then please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

Jon
 

dav

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I have fount the north to be unpredictable and wet weather is common, I would hit the Vendee which should improve your chances of sun. The Area arround St Jean De Monts is worth a look. Great wine cellars

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I thoroughly agree with Dav..try The Vendee..we did it last year and the year before and still found lots of great places to stay...St Jean de Monts is good there is a huge aire just South of the town right on the beach it's free too it's a massive aires room for at least 100 M/Homes..the gendarmes come round frequently too

The Vendee in general is mine and Dawn's favourite place had we not sold the van and emigrated to Tenerife we would have been planning the vendee again this year..give the I'll de Re a try too just a bit expensive going over the bridge but a fabulous area..as is the I'll de Oleron
If you need any BUMF for the I'll de Re just PM me and I'll email it to you...Happy Trails
 

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