Advice Please European Tour - Best APPs Websites for Excellent Verified Sites

[datadezign]

Advice Please European Tour - Best APPs Websites for Excellent Verified Sites

Motorhome: Hymer MLi 580

We are planning our first ever European tour after just over 5 years of touring in the UK. Hopefully this year, but if not then definitely next year. I now refer to I and not we, as my wife is happy for me to do all the planning Anyway I have started collated a library of information for the ‘what’s needed’, the do’s and don’t’s etc for starters, and will also be looking at various routes and Itineraries for the trip.

Our tour would be for a period of up to the maximum 3 months (within 180 days) so as to maximise our touring route, and to see as many countries in Europe as possible, narrowing down the likes and dislikes for a more focused future tour to fewer countries that then may become favourites.

I have read, and listened to much advice; some say plan, some say just go and don’t bother planning to much. I would consider either, however and although we have stopped at ‘all types of’ sites in the UK, from pub stopovers, to exclusive sites, I am concerned about taking the same approach to touring around Europe, especially when language and hence understanding could present additional issues in resolving any problems. I believe, especially with our first tour, is to find higher end, verified sites, with mostly excellent reviews, to help give comfort with our first tour.

One of my questions is, can anyone kindly recommend a website or app that that focuses on these type of sites, with excellent reviews. Of course I do realise as with any reviews, there will always be a mix, with some negative, which is often expected, as long as the majority are good. (Can’t please all)!!

Any suggested routes, itineraries and any other advice would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation,

John

 

[Spriddler]

You're going to get/have got replies split between this and your duplicate post here:

Tour Guide Wanted - Advice Please European Tour - Best APPs Websites for Excellent Verified Sites

Advice Please European Tour - Best APPs Websites for Excellent Verified Sites Motorhome: Hymer MLi 580 We are planning our first ever European tour after just over 5 years of touring in the UK. Hopefully this year, but if not then definitely next year. I now refer to I and not we, as my wife...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[datadezign]

Of course appreciate that, as had been unsure which category to place this in. Would appreciate advise as to which is the best category from any other regular uses, perhaps I can then close the incorrect one down.

 

[datadezign]

Assume Spriddler you have no advise to give on my post?

 

[PhilandMena]

This may help.

Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award winning database about France. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. It’s almost Toll free (more on that a little later) and almost all duel carriageway from start to finish with the exception of about 100 K. This route is great for motorhomes small, medium and large. Note: (HGV’s are not allowed on French roads, Sunday’s, so plan your journey over a weekend if possible).

https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm

Fuel & Toll costs. For a class 2 Motorhome. Calais – Irun. Toll = €153.80 Fuel €158.11 Based on 1083 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr. 3.5T motor-home). N10 Calais - Irun. Using partial Toll = Toll €11.50. Fuel €154.17 Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr

Tolls: Avoid the toll road from Calais to Abbeville and save 13.20 Euros. The non-toll route is quite scenic and fairly straight forward, between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Abbeville.

At Abbeville, join the A28 and cross the river Sein at Rouen. We take the second exit immediately after crossing the bridge (about 50 m past the first exit at the end of the bridge), swing down and under the bridge you have just crossed and continue on this road and join the A13 motorway until the N154 which takes you down to Evreux. (Note: there are a number of different options for getting through Rouen and no doubt other members will have their own preferences. We find this very straight forward on both outward and return legs). Approaching Tours on the D910 join the A10 toll road at Jct. 19 and exit at Jct. 23. This will take you through the city via the toll road, (€1.80). At Jct. 23 take the exit lane for Montbazon which returns you to the D910. (Reverse for the return leg). That’s the last toll to pay until you hit the bottom of the A63 after Bordeaux.

To save toll fares on the A63 south of Bordeaux please read the route recommendations in the above link. Do not come off the A63 near the bottom as all roads will be heavily congested and it’s worth paying the last few tolls. (From Jct 6 €8.90 in total). This route is also recommended during winter, due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, which means little to no problems with ice and or snow, unlike using the A75 to cross the Massif Central. Although the A75 is quickly cleared, it is advisable to have winter tyres fitted and there may be some small delays due to snow ploughs clearing this route.

If heading to the Mediterranean side of Spain, it’s worth taking the N121-A to Pamplona after crossing the Spanish boarder on the A63 at Irun. It’s clearly sign posted (Large white sign) about 300 m after passing through the last toll booth and crossing the river. Also near here, cheap fuel with easy access (https://www.fuelflash.eu/en/alcampo...rcial-txingudi-zona-araso_b_-ventas-80-33301/) and shopping opportunities. You will find more details in this link for the N121-A and how to navigate Spain toll free.

https://about-spain.net/travel/no-tolls.htm
If you decide to pay Tolls in order to save time getting to Spain, your best route options are in this link.

https://about-france.com/tourism/routes-to-spain.htm

Should you choose to plan your own routes anywhere in Europe and also establish Toll costs, (or toll free costs) use this link. Under route options, select caravan then select toll roads. Toll costs for a class 2 motorhome will be calculated for the whole journey. You can also choose Non toll routes and other options. This is currently one of the best online free route planers.

https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

As for stop overs on routes, you can’t go wrong using the App below which is free but I would recommend getting the paid version for about £6.00 which you can then use off line. You will find numerous places to stop along the above route and I have deliberately not made any recommendations so drivers can make their own choices. This app is also brilliant for finding other places too and highly rated by many users.


https://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app



A popular app/website. Used by many and worth taking out the small subscription. Loads of up to date reviews here too.

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/


There is another popular app/website that is used which you may also find useful if you’re doing a lot of wilding and looking for free overnight stops. It too is used by many motor homers in Europe. Get the paid version to use off line for around £9.00

https://www.park4night.com/

One of the best off line MAP ‘App’ and used by many. It also includes a sat-nav function which is quite good and can also be used off line. Again, many motor homers use this, especially in Morocco.

Broken Link Removed.

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[15edward]

Do you prefer “higher end“ sites?
what are higher end sites? More expensive? Or with bells and whistles like pools and bars?

 

[15edward]

Camping in France for Beginners: Everything you Need to Know

Everything you need to know about camping in France for beginners. Read our guide and start planning your first French camping holiday today!

www.campsited.com

 

[15edward]

CAMPINGS MUNICIPAUX FRANCE I Retrouvez les Campings Municipaux en France sur cartes

www.camping-municipal.org

we’ve had some splendid experiences of municipal campsites. Small, friendly and usually well placed. As well as very reasonably priced!

 

[royandsharont]

I personally like to plan and have a general direction of where we are initially heading. Many do but I have good friends who just can’t plan ahead like that

If you go on a Dutch company discount scheme site you can find tons of information about all manner of sites throughout Europe. The site information has lots of details about all types of facilities available and the site reviews often gives additional info such as ease of access to public transport, shops, leisure pursuits etc

You can then choose to join their discount scheme for off peak holidays or not. The company is called ACSI and their website is HERE and the section to view the campsites is called ACSI Eurocampings HERE.

This is the only main one not mentioned above and the discount scheme is used literally by 1000’s campers from all nations. Others don’t like staying on campsites for a variety of reasons so don’t use it, we do.

As for route it just depends where you are heading. I tend to have a final destination area, unless I find somewhere on the way we really like and stay longer out of our 60 night tours. Then I plot a rough route using a very old Microsoft Auto Route.

I then estimate a days travelling and plot campsites in that area, before and after too, using the ACSI scheme I belong to so I have somewhere to stay along the route, depending how far I had got that day.

Then find campsites in the areas I really want to visit & then decide when I get there where I will stay and for how long. These are location specific and not necessarily ACSI or any particular type of sites, the location is the be all and end all.

Actual route taken is finally decided from large scale maps and using Tom Tom but telling it which way I want to go, disabling intelligent routes.

Be prepared to change plans, we once sat in rain at Lake Garda for much of 2 weeks, and forecast for more, so moved almost due west to Perpignan, 600 miles over 2 days drive to dry weather and stayed for 25 nights as it was good an area for us. Nothing planned that way but it’s is easy to change like that in a Motorhome. Meant we could visit Paris on our way home during our 40th wedding anniversary, nice

Above all enjoy

 

[datadezign]

Hi PhilandMenna,

And everyone else that has took the time to reply. Thank you very much for your time and advise given very much appreciated and Phil and Menna for the extremely comprehensive info offered

It’s not so much high end, as well kept sites, that are friendly, and are relaxed yet strict, sufficiently enough not to allow disrespectful people to disrupt others enjoyment. We have stayed on many small independent CL sites with very little or no facilities, which are great, and the most important thing is that the site owners do not, or try not to allow noisy and disrespectful people. We are out going people and certainly like a few drinks and a party every now and again, but we always try and respect others. As said we’ve stayed on very small sites, in paddocks with NO facilities, pub car parks. We’ve also stayed at some lovely and very exclusive sites, fully serviced. So we are very flexible, but don’t want rowdy loud mouth and disrespectful people, that walk across your pitch, and have no or very little regard for others.

To follow on, so as we don’t appear to be old fuddy duddies, far from, as I consider we are quite gregarious. I also use to tour around the country and part of Europe in a glam rock band, so far from a fuddy duddy!!

Hope that’s makes sense, as you where we stand?

Thanks again to everyone and please keep the posts coming with any further advice, sites, itineraries, you can kindly offer.

Thanks again John

PS if anyone needs the schematics for the same van we have, a Hymer MLi580, then please message me and I will gladly provide a copy. It has taken me over 2 years to obtain after pestering both dealers and Hymer direct, but finally my insistence has paid off

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[Lenny HB]

I have read, and listened to much advice; some say plan, some say just go and don’t bother planning to much. I would consider either, however and although we have stopped at ‘all types of’ sites in the UK, from pub stopovers, to exclusive sites, I am concerned about taking the same approach to touring around Europe, especially when language and hence understanding could present additional issues in resolving any problems.

If you can cope with the UK you will find mainland Europe an absolute doddle. Its nothing like the UK you are made to feel welcome so easy to use a Motorhome over there always fairly easy to find a stop for the night.
We never plan just have a rough idea of where we might want to end up.

Links to some of my trips in my signature but don't expect camp sites we hardly ever use them.

 

[datadezign]

Thank you Roy and Sharon

Yes that makes sense and yes understand that some people can’t plan ahead. We do, but sometimes that is my problem, as I have done this throughout my business life and still can’t let go with planning almost down to the last final detail. I/ we retired leaving our daughters to run our business over 7 years ago, best thing we ever did, but still can’t help planning!! I do though. However I also enjoy getting up most mornings when not away and not planning anything, and make the decision then, so yes get that to. So Roy, Sharon will take your idea on board. I suppose it was the thought of planning our first trip around Europe, knowing that most had been pre planned and hence, allowing that more chilled experience when we set out and knowing what initial sites we would be stopping at, safe, well looked after sites and of course friendly ….. almost a little like a package, all inclusive holiday….. and then to start winging it!!!!

 

[Dobby 2]

Like Lenny above the only thing we ever book is the ferry crossing. If you book you have to be there! We like the flexibility of being able to stay or move as we please. In 2019 I drove to Croatia never booked anything and never had a problem. We have an ACSI membership which gives you discounted rates in certain sites and gives good detail as to facilities etc. You could also use the apps park4night and searchforsites. They both require a small subscription. WIth orders from 'her who must be obeyed' I have to go where the big golden orb doth shine and sometimes that requires additional flexibility so.........Don't hassle yourself with all that planning "just do it"
Whatever you choose to do best wishes.

 

[Lenny HB]

Like Lenny above the only thing we ever book is the ferry crossing. If you book you have to be there! We like the flexibility of being able to stay or move as we please. In 2019 I drove to Croatia never booked anything and never had a problem.

Our first trip in our first Motorhome we were heading for the German Baltic Coast. Weather was looking like rubbish so we turned right at Belgium and ended up in Slovenia.

 

[datadezign]

Thank you Lenny, I do very much like the get up and go idea and must break away from the business planning itinerary thing!! Promise will try better next time

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[datadezign]

Ooh and Dobby, sorry these alias login names are strange to reply to so never no what are people’s real names

 

[datadezign]

Oh here’s Lenny now!! That’s what I really truly fancy!! The big problem is getting my Missey’s of the sofa! She loves to go,
But I always have to do the planning, which in total honesty i love to do, but whenever after only two weeks at home and crawling up the walls have to persuade her that we don’t have to stay at home for very family occasion, birthdays,
Anniversary’s, Mother’s Day, dads day, another day, blah blah can’t go away because of!!!!!!!

 

[datadezign]

Oh by the way my name is John!!

 

[Dobby 2]

Oh here’s Lenny now!! That’s what I really truly fancy!! The big problem is getting my Missey’s of the sofa! She loves to go,
But I always have to do the planning, which in total honesty i love to do, but whenever after only two weeks at home and crawling up the walls have to persuade her that we don’t have to stay at home for very family occasion, birthdays,
Anniversary’s, Mother’s Day, dads day, another day, blah blah can’t go away because of!!!!!!!

(Keith) You can always Facetime, Zoom ,video call from wherever you are. Tie her up (gently) throw her in the motorhome and go

 

[Tombola]

Thank you Lenny, I do very much like the get up and go idea and must break away from the business planning itinerary thing!! Promise will try better next time

Well, if its any consolation I too have been planning a bit too much for years, still am but Im heading off thursday, decided/booked it just 2 days ago
tunnel booked
ahc Almost done
French Sworn Health Statement done
API done
passport checked (only 6 months left surprised)
just my headlight deflectors to fit

and thats it, when I get there Ill find somewhere with the help of the experienced folk on MHF, then plan from there