Aires, not that impressed really... (1 Viewer)

[sdc77]

Acsi is a scheme that allows you fixed cut price pitches at campsites that are members off peak .. you buy the book and card and present the card on arrival. Valid one year at a time.

 

[Photo4x4]

Ah thanks. Do you have to join to use them?

KH

 

[mariner]

Acsi is a scheme that allows you fixed cut price pitches at campsites that are members off peak .. you buy the book and card and present the card on arrival. Valid one year at a time.

Which IMO stupidly, has it's new issue every December, just when the main users are hundreds, if not thousands of miles away, from their postal address.
They have even stopped sending the replacement to a campsite of your choice, so not much in the way of joined up thinking from ACSI.

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[mariner]

Ah thanks. Do you have to join to use them?

KH

You buy the Books and the card is attached.

 

[Minxy]

Having just come back from nearly 6 weeks in Belgium/Italy/France we haven't needed to use a campsite once, using aires or just nice places we found to stop for the night. Some of them were just car parks but usually nice nonetheless, some much more than that in lovely settings. We usually arrive around 6pm onwards so I tend to sit out in my chair with the dogs mooching around or slobbing out in the sunshine whilst hubby tootles around inside the van doing various bits and bobs/dinner (he does most of the cooking ... got him well trained ), we don't spread stuff out everywhere, put out the awning and treat them like campsites - we use them as a stopping place for the night. If we can get next or near to some grass all the better as the dogs love it and can potter around pretty much freely within close proximity of the van (can't do that on a campsite).

There have been some aires we have arrived at and then decided not to stay, usually because they are not in a good place (ie too close to the railway, noisy road ... or bonging church!) or we just don't like the 'feel' of them - probably okay but hubby is a bit over cautious at times so easier to move on than have a 'discussion'! Our last aire was a case of location over space/amenity - we stopped at the free aire one on the edge of Wissant as it was our last night before coming home and convenient for the chunnel - we usually go to Cite Europe but timewise there was only about 4 mins difference to get there so we thought we'd give it a go ... it was packed when we got there at just before 4.00 pm! We managed to find a small spot at the end near the road but then moved to the side of the fencing at the back, not an official spot but not a problem as the roadway there is very wide for the coaches to get round but more than enough space even with us and a few other campers along there. It was as we expected though - being so close to Calais there were a few British using it as their last port of call before home so was bound to get full however it still didn't stop some greedy Belgians hogging an extra bay for their chairs and a dog pen! You can be sure that if we had NOT been able to park I'd have had a word with them, or shifted their stuff if they hadn't been there!

We did meet a couple of funster couples there who had their table and chairs out in a 'large' area, drinking wine and gin ... a disgusting display and could easily have given us all a bad name ... at least until they offered us drinks ... plus the 'funster area' was in a corner near one of their vans so no spot clogging taking place and for once wasn't 'roudy'!

We use general car parks, or just nice places we find as we go along ... so it doesn't even have to be an 'official' aire, just somewhere near where we want to be, or enroute, but that is a safe place to stop and doesn't cause any issues for the 'neighbours' etc. We sometimes like to stop and chill out for the day but mostly just need somewhere to spend the evening/overnight.

We have only had to pay for 1 night's stop and that was at Venice - they only have one car park for MHs and it's charged for in 12 hour chunks - the first 12 hours being €21, then €16 for each subsequent 12 hours, so it cost us €37 for one night! We did however get free electric (only in the main MH parking bit so if you end up in the general parking you've had it) and water and it's quite pleasant and fairly quiet though a bit of a walk into Venice* itself so our electric bikes were useful to get us to the 'tourist' areas and saved a 20 minute walk each way. [*We arrived after lunch so had a lovely poddle during the late afternoon/early evening followed by an unintended shower as the heavens opened with a massive thunder storm and we we got well and truly soaked; were able to recover overnight before another poddle during the morning and found we could skirt round on the 'outskirts' on our bikes to get virtually to the main square which saved a LOT of walking - it is a massive area, not the 'village' type place we imagined it to be!]

As for the 'All the aires' books - they are NOT remotely comprehensive and are very misleading having that title! They provide a gentle and easy to use way to experience aires for the uninitiated but that's all IMV, you can't beat the foreign language aires books and POIs plus apps - the campercontact one was brilliant especially as hubby had downloaded the pictures/reviews bit to use offline (costs about €4 but well worth every cent) so we could see what others thought about the one we were thinking of using and hopefully see a picture too - the reviews are often in Dutch/another language but you can get the gist of them and also they have a rating system so that gives a good indication too of what they're like. We found the campercontact POIs had quite a few aires which weren't even in the foreign books too so was more comprehensive.

 

[Allanm]

Laundry facilities in campsites? We use automatic launderettes in places like Super U and the like. Usually as we are travelling between Aires

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[Manic]

I know that I'm going to sound like a right idiot now, but I'll ask anyway!

What exactly is an ASCI site?

KH

ACSI is a Dutch run campsite listing and if you join the club you then get discounts on the campsites in the book. They have inspectors that travel around checking the sites, some sites can be listed and not be in the discount scheme.

 

[glenn2926]

Can you tell me the full name for the campercontact app as when I look on App Store it is not recognised.
Thanks Glenn.

 

[Robert Clark]

Ah thanks. Do you have to join to use them?

KH

No you don't

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[Robert Clark]

Can you tell me the full name for the campercontact app as when I look on App Store it is not recognised.
Thanks Glenn.

Search online for the desktop version then follow the link to the App Store
Buy the full version as the free one only has sample sites

 

[Lenny HB]

We are big fans of Aires in France always use Aires or wild don't really like sites.
As for ACSI have found it a waste of time, tried it a few years ago and it saved us 1 Euro on a site, tried again this year as with more time away might use the occasional site. In Greece at the moment and actually on a site for one night we have been wilding but need to do some washing couldn't find a lunderett anywhere, so whent to an ACSI, price same with or without ACSI so whats the point.

 

[sedge]

Ah thanks. Do you have to join to use them?

KH

We happened to stay on one site that cost us 18 Euros - there wasn't an aire in the vicinity that we could find, at the time, so easier to go to this site even though it was the top price. Anyway, an Irish couple pulled in not long after us. They paid 34 Euros for the night instead !!

So - you could say, you only have to use one site for one night, and it's paid for itself!

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[glenn2926]

Search online for the desktop version then follow the link to the App Store
Buy the full version as the free one only has sample sites

Thanks for that. Now bought and off line maps downloaded. Isn't this site fantastic? Here I am in Port Grimaud reading MHF and up pops campercontact in a thread. So I thinks to myself, I should get that. Into the App Store, nothing. So back on here, ask the question and immediately someone sorts me out. What a place. By the way it was 29 degrees C today. What's the weather like in UK? Should we start heading North or give it another 5 or 6 weeks down here?

 

[Chockswahay]

Sat here as I am in the Aire at Pont Aven, packed in like sardines, I find all this rather amusing....

We are in the middle of a tour of Brittany and have only used Aires and only intend to. For us, touring is the big adventure. If we wanted to spend all day loafing around in the van we don't have to come all the way to France to do that, we could do that on the drive at home!

I neither defend nor advocate the use of Aires for everyone. For us however they are a fantastic resource that allows us to travel widely without advance planning and keep the costs down to a sensible level.

Since we spend most of our day out walking, cycling and sightseeing, the few hours in the van in a 'car park' early evening onwards suits us just fine, and for rest of the night we are asleep!

I believe it is a matter of time and perspective. If you only have a few weeks a year then Aires might not offer the most relaxing holiday. However if (like us) you like to tour as much as possible, then there simply is not the time to hang around in campsites. Also budget plays a large part when touring. If we were to spend an average of 15 Euro every night for 2 or 3 months the cost would soon mount up!

Now then, after the sun comes up and the rain has stopped. we are off into town for a look around. Might spend some of the money we have not had to spend on a campsite on some nice fresh Breton Crepes!! ...... ah yes, there's always a bright side!

A Biento !

 

[Robert Clark]

Thanks for that. Now bought and off line maps downloaded. Isn't this site fantastic? Here I am in Port Grimaud reading MHF and up pops campercontact in a thread. So I thinks to myself, I should get that. Into the App Store, nothing. So back on here, ask the question and immediately someone sorts me out. What a place. By the way it was 29 degrees C today. What's the weather like in UK? Should we start heading North or give it another 5 or 6 weeks down here?

Now you're a Campercontact convert there is a little trick you might like to try.
In the App all if the reviews are in the language of the reviewer, however once you've found a site in the app, quickly switch to the desktop version, enter the sitecode, and read all the reviews in English!
Regards

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[sdc77]

We're smiling at this too.. we're sat on the edge of the med on an asci site not packed in like sardines. Able to come and go to explore as we wish and in the evening relax by the van or the pool and socialise. We'll be heading north shortly and will almost certainly use aires all the way back. Well use the money were saving to eat out

 

[Chockswahay]

Now you're a Campercontact convert there is a little trick you might like to try.
In the App all if the reviews are in the language of the reviewer, however once you've found a site in the app, quickly switch to the desktop version, enter the sitecode, and read all the reviews in English!
Regards

Thanks Robert, that makes using the app much more productive

 

[snowdrops]

You are seeking opinions but have already decided Aires are not for you so whatever opinions you get they probably won't change your view of Aires.

I would say that the book you refer to should be renamed, "Some of the Aires on France" because there are a hell of a lot of delightful ones that's are not in it. Some prefer Aires, some prefer campsites. I think for long term touring campsites would be too expensive for us. Being way four months of the year just wouldn't be possible without Aires.

Personal choice really.

Yes I have already decided by now that it's not an option for us down south and that's where we are most of the time. HOwever, thread was because I was interested in how others perceived them, not to change my mind I find it an interesting topic.

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[snowdrops]

Don't want to start an argument for once but in my opinion if you are going to just stay in campsites there's not much point in having a motorhome , might just as well go by car or plane or even train and rent a static or even , God forbid , a package holiday in an hotel, save all the hassle and expense of running two vehicles , to us the motorhome is the holiday , living in it , useing our own toilet and shower, and all our own cooking with local stuff purchased off the markets, in way out country places , not your usual holiday places, and never except to do the washing and stuff useing campsites where loads of other people are all useing the same facilities

Why ? What's wrong with a lovely comfortable bed, your own sink etc ? Lovely awning wound out and sitting outside enjoying sun, sea views and a pool ? How does that equate to a package holiday ? Part of what I love is bumbling down to the loo blocks or hand washing laundry listening to cicadas and having it dry in an hour or 2. We live in the campervan and it takes us off as and when. We stay anything from 1 night to 3 and move on when we feel like. Really not understanding how this is same as booking 2 weeks in a room ? :/ We too buy our own produce from the local shops and cook outside etc.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I think one of the big differences is how you use your MH. If you're someone that likes to spend a lot of time sat around outside it then aires probably aren't for you and a campsite will give you what you want.
We don't really do that much, preferring to explore and visit bars and restaurants wherever we might be staying. We usually spend more time away from the van than in or around it so I really don't see the point in us wasting money on campsites for "facilities" and space we don't want and wouldn't use. Sitting by a pool, even for 10 minutes, is my idea of hell so I would actively avoid somewhere that had one.
Saying that, on our last trip we stayed on 9 aires and 2 Stellplatzes and were able to have chairs outside or use benches that were already there on 9 of them. The only ones that we didn't were Chamonix and Gravelines although there's no reason why we couldn't have done if we had wanted to. We cooked outside at half of them as well.

 

[Lenny HB]

Sat here as I am in the Aire at Pont Aven, packed in like sardines, I find all this rather amusing....

We are in the middle of a tour of Brittany and have only used Aires and only intend to. For us, touring is the big adventure. If we wanted to spend all day loafing around in the van we don't have to come all the way to France to do that, we could do that on the drive at home!

I neither defend nor advocate the use of Aires for everyone. For us however they are a fantastic resource that allows us to travel widely without advance planning and keep the costs down to a sensible level.

Since we spend most of our day out walking, cycling and sightseeing, the few hours in the van in a 'car park' early evening onwards suits us just fine, and for rest of the night we are asleep!

I believe it is a matter of time and perspective. If you only have a few weeks a year then Aires might not offer the most relaxing holiday. However if (like us) you like to tour as much as possible, then there simply is not the time to hang around in campsites. Also budget plays a large part when touring. If we were to spend an average of 15 Euro every night for 2 or 3 months the cost would soon mount up!

Now then, after the sun comes up and the rain has stopped. we are off into town for a look around. Might spend some of the money we have not had to spend on a campsite on some nice fresh Breton Crepes!! ...... ah yes, there's always a bright side!

A Biento !

Excellent summing up exactly the way we think of Aires & now we have finaly taken retirement we will be spending more time away.

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[Photo4x4]

Is there not more chance of getting 'gassed' at an aire?




KH

 

[Armytwowheels]

Is there not more chance of getting 'gassed' at an aire?




KH

Stop it you!

 

[Armytwowheels]

Which IMO stupidly, has it's new issue every December, just when the main users are hundreds, if not thousands of miles away, from their postal address.
They have even stopped sending the replacement to a campsite of your choice, so not much in the way of joined up thinking from ACSI.

Yep, cannot argue with this. I just don't get that a scheme designed for out of 'main season' travel is not available until the middle of the out of 'main season' season.....if you get my drift.

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[Lenny HB]

Is there not more chance of getting 'gassed' at an aire?




KH

Probably, due to more disposable income left for beer & Wine.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Now you're a Campercontact convert there is a little trick you might like to try.
In the App all if the reviews are in the language of the reviewer, however once you've found a site in the app, quickly switch to the desktop version, enter the sitecode, and read all the reviews in English!
Regards

Hey Robert, just checked this out on my iPad but cannot find where you switch to the desktop version, are you using a proper PC?

 

[Judge Mental]

Is there not more chance of getting 'gassed' at an aire?




KH

Indeedy......thieves can just climb from window to window without touching the ground...

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[Judge Mental]

Hey Robert, just checked this out on my iPad but cannot find where you switch to the desktop version, are you using a proper PC?

Interesting..... On PC reviews automatically translate. On android it don't. ( last time I looked)

Edit:

OK while I get the green flag in corner to swap to desktop version it don't work on phone....

 

[Armytwowheels]

Just found it, there is a link on the info page, so if you have good internet connection you could have the full site running along side the app. Useful to know. Thanks.

 

[mariner]

I don't get it, you drive from Aire to Aire and seemingly never stay anywhere for more than one or two nights, so your either driving or your in the Aire!

Do you actually ever see anything, other than through your cab window?

Do you get home a "Whiter Shade of Pale" than when you left?

Should be some good Daily Quiz results today, it's all about what you can see through a window.

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