Advice please on travelling to Europe (Belgium)

[Revolvor]

For my 70th Birthday, my children clubbed together and gave me a ticket to go to the Belgium F1 Grand Prix, in Spa. We have a three-day pass, and tickets for the covered stand at Eau Rouge. I’m super excited! My son is coming with me.

I have never taken my MH to Europe, though I’ve driven cars and a campervan there when I was younger and more carefree, but always booked a ferry.

We plan to take the Tunnel on Thursday 27th August and return on the 1st September (Bank Holiday Monday)

I’d appreciate some advice on the following:

Tunnel

• How far ahead should I need to book, bearing in mind it’s the bank Holiday Weekend?
• There are various ticket options – which one do you usually use?
• Do I have to book for specific times on both journeys?

Breakdown & Recovery

• I have UK Breakdown cover with Green Flag, through the CMH Club, and also UK Breakdown from my MH Insurance – Caravan Guard.
• I have been quoted £124 for one week’s European Breakdown and Personal Travel Insurance from Red Pennant, via the CMH Club site. Is this a reasonable price?

MH Insurance

I’m just going to ask for European Insurance to be included. It’s annoying that I think I have to pay for a year, but my Insurance expires in October.

Campsite

Already booked

Vehicle

Headlight Deflectors, Spare Bulbs, High Vis Jackets, Warning Triangles
Don't use a DashCam in Belgium!!


Is there anything else I should have thought of?

Cheers, John

 

[Figaro]

Tunnel : book asap, prices only rise closer you get. The cost is dependant upon the time of day of travel in bands. You book a specific time departure. Book as a camper van, return travel.

Breakdown : seems a lot, I`d get other quotes

Vehicle : That should cover it

Other : Appointment with your dentist on return to refit lost fillings on Belgium`s terrible bumpy roads.

I`m well jealous, I`d love to go to Spa !

 

[David and Sally]

Take wet gear. The Ardennes can be very wet. Lovely area and Spa is a great track.

 

[Riverbankannie]

We find Eurotunnel travel insurance very competitive as you only pay per day away. They do combined travel and breakdown. Have a look here

European Insurance - LeShuttle

Comprehensive cover for every type of travel with LeShuttle.

www.eurotunnel.com

 

[Vic]

As stated above re teeth. Until you have actually experienced Belguim roads, you cannot understand or believe how bad they are and I have been to Latvia!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Revolvor]

As stated above re teeth. Until you have actually experienced Belguim roads, you cannot understand or believe how bad they are and I have been to Latvia!

A few years ago, I drove from UK to Gambia. In Senegal, the roads were so pot-holed that all traffic drove along the dirt either side of the tarmac!

 

[Revolvor]

As stated above re teeth. Until you have actually experienced Belguim roads, you cannot understand or believe how bad they are and I have been to Latvia!

In the 80s, I was involved with certifying a Mobile Workshop, on the back of a 4-Tonne truck, for use supporting the Rapier Anti Aircraft System. I spent many hours trying to break things while driving round an MoD Vehicle Test Track.

There were numerous sections simulating the worst roads in the world. I suppose the fact that the cobbled road section was known as Belgium Pavé should have been a clue!!

 

[Wanders from Glos]

If you collect Tesco Vouchers you can use put them towards the cost of the tunnel, or even the whole thing. There is something very satisfying about arriving in Europe free. We intend to travel at a similar time, but given the issue with CORVID-19 we are holding off booking the tunnel at the moment.

The tip about insurance looks interesting.

 

[TUCANO]

Ear defenders, the noise is something to be heard, or not

 

[Spriddler]

Book the tunnel as early as you can. If it's anything like the ferries it will also be packed with sports cars and event goers.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Revolvor]

We find Eurotunnel travel insurance very competitive as you only pay per day away. They do combined travel and breakdown. Have a look here

European Insurance - LeShuttle

Comprehensive cover for every type of travel with LeShuttle.

www.eurotunnel.com

Thank you - good advice. I have just booked the tickets and included their insurance

Book the tunnel as early as you can. If it's anything like the ferries it will also be packed with sports cars and event goers.

You are right there!!! All Cheaper Tickets are FULLY BOOKED for Monday. We are going to extend another day and come back on the Tuesday which saves a lot of money.

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice.

One last question - I would like to stay within about an hour's drive of Calais on Monday night, in order to catch a train on Tuesday morning. Does anyone have any suggestions for any good Aires near the French/Belgium border?

 

[Paul Wilkins]

Take wet gear. The Ardennes can be very wet. Lovely area and Spa is a great track.

Amen to that.. I went to the F1 GP one year. It hosed it down just before the start of the race...

 

[Dave Scadding]

Hi we traveled to Austria for Christmas in Moho. Booked one way train ticket day before we left and booked return day before we returned no problems even at busy Christmas and NY period. £140.00 each way. Make sure you have enough space in front of you when traveling down the train! You don’t want to be stuck between carriages? You don’t need breathalyser but will need GB sticker even if you have Euro style plates. If you have fully comp insurance in UK that will only cover you third party in EU. Most camp sites have 16a blue EHU but would suggest taking a 2pin converter just in case. We had no problem with drinking water but only used it for tea and washing. Then when returned to UK flushed system with Puraclean. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Itsmcb]

Hi we traveled to Austria for Christmas in Moho. Booked one way train ticket day before we left and booked return day before we returned no problems even at busy Christmas and NY period. £140.00 each way. Make sure you have enough space in front of you when traveling down the train! You don’t want to be stuck between carriages? You don’t need breathalyser but will need GB sticker even if you have Euro style plates. If you have fully comp insurance in UK that will only cover you third party in EU. Most camp sites have 16a blue EHU but would suggest taking a 2pin converter just in case. We had no problem with drinking water but only used it for tea and washing. Then when returned to UK flushed system with Puraclean. Enjoy your trip.

A quick comment on the above, if you don't have a return booked you may not be covered by your travel insurance !

 

[suavecarve]

Thank you - good advice. I have just booked the tickets and included their insurance



You are right there!!! All Cheaper Tickets are FULLY BOOKED for Monday. We are going to extend another day and come back on the Tuesday which saves a lot of money.

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice.

One last question - I would like to stay within about an hour's drive of Calais on Monday night, in order to catch a train on Tuesday morning. Does anyone have any suggestions for any good Aires near the French/Belgium border?

In order to catch a train Tuesday morning the main consideration for where to stay is Lille or Brussels dependant upon which way you go. You can guarantee a traffic jam at either of those places so passing them at the right time of day is relatively important.
Bergues is a good aire (no facilities and free) and a nice walk round the town. Half hour from the tunnel.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ukfetchfan]

FRESH MILK ALERT - Whenever we go into Belgium we stock up on fresh milk as it is very difficult to find there in their Supermarkets- plenty of UHT-type milks - but we both like to drink a lot of fresh milk - on breakfast cereals, in hot drinks and a nice cold glassful too!

 

[Speve]

Grave lines there are two or three in the same area we use the one by the rowing course no facilities and out of the way and no migrants trying to load up.?

 

[MacroMad]

you cannot understand or believe how bad they are and I have been to Latvia!

Belgium and Roads ? Have you ever travelled Bratislava to Prague ? now that is what you would call a scary journey. Surprised that anything was still screwed or bolted on.

 

[Vic]

Actually, yes I have. Totally agree. My dad was Latvian. When his family went shopping in their car they went in pairs. One to do the shopping, the other remained in the car to make sure it was still there.
Pick pocketed in Prague and the Chech roads incredibly slippery when wet. Sold a very nice chilli vodka in a petrol station. That would explain an awful lot.