Touring in Europe site book

Steve Welsh
Steve Welsh Forum Participant Posts: 22
edited September 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We are currently in Holland and have been using the clubs site book, purchased in the summer and 2016 issue. I believed that buying a 2016 book to replace my old 2005 was a good investment and would be helpful, not so. Many of the reports are dated five
of six years ago. Today we have traveled up to a site listed in the book but the €23 in 2009 turned out to be €42 and it is like being in a car park. it is now owned by Eurocamp, hence the price. I feel very disappointed in the club for selling a book dated
2016 only to find that many of the reports were done 5 or 6 years ago.

Comments

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #2

    It's only as good as the members reviews and unfortunately I don't suppose that many people want to fill in a site report and post it off. We have also discovered large sites not listed. I am afraid that we are also guilty of not doing reviews so I can't
    complain  

    About time the Club embraced modern technology but having said that, even ACSI feedback is limited on their website. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,868 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #3

    I agree with Hitchglitch that it's about time the European Guides came into the digital world so that reviews could be done online. However I do think the onus is on the individual to do some prior research regarding pricing because a) the price quoted could
    have been for a different  season and b) prices are bound to have gone up. Had no idea Eurocamp actually owned campsites.

    David

     

  • DianneT
    DianneT Forum Participant Posts: 521
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #4

    When we first went to Europe we used the CC Site Book and did do some reviews but it was a chore so I never bothered again.  I do the ACSI reviews and always read them too if going to a new site.

    DianneT 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,395 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #5

    Same as Dianne, used to do them but it is a chore, it needs to be made much simpler and easier to provide feedback.

    peedee

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited September 2016 #6

    A photo and a couple of sentences sent on a smartphone would take no time at all if the club were set up to receive them  

    Could even be a template set up 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited September 2016 #7
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited September 2016 #8

    Printed material will always be out of date but the Site books are mega useful when touring as at least you know there are x number of sites in a certain area rather than turn up and hope. I certainly haven't got roaming on my phone to check everywhere every
    time we move.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Club Member Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #9

    I did consider getting new Club guides but decided that as I have not looked at them for ages due to there being so many other sources of info that I would not bother. I only look at them to get a feel for number of sites in  new place,usually as stop overs.

    I have only sent in one review to the Club,a couple to Camping Cheques a long time ago and more recently to ACSI. I do admire those on here that create such good reviews and have looked at a few, DKs especially.

     

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #10

    Printed material will always be out of date but the Site books are mega useful when touring as at least you know there are x number of sites in a certain area rather than turn up and hope. I certainly haven't got roaming on my phone to check everywhere every
    time we move.

    It's free on some networks now. 

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #11

    We are at La Fleche - the description  in the Club book is accurate and the price in the ACSI book is accurate. Belt and braces!

     

  • JimE
    JimE Club Member Posts: 353 ✭
    100 Comments Photogenic
    edited September 2016 #12

    I agree with Hitchglitch that it's about time the European Guides came into the digital world so that reviews could be done online. However I do think the onus is on the individual to do some prior research regarding pricing because a) the price quoted could
    have been for a different  season and b) prices are bound to have gone up. Had no idea Eurocamp actually owned campsites.

    David

     

    Unfortunately it would appear that selling paper copies of site guides is a nice little earner for CC, so don't hold your breath for a digital guide anytime soon.

    Like you I wish CC would embrace the digital age but until then, it's ACSI and Campercontact for me.

  • Millerman39
    Millerman39 Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited September 2016 #13

    We are currently in Holland and have been using the clubs site book, purchased in the summer and 2016 issue. I believed that buying a 2016 book to replace my old 2005 was a good investment and would be helpful, not so. Many of the reports are dated five
    of six years ago. Today we have traveled up to a site listed in the book but the €23 in 2009 turned out to be €42 and it is like being in a car park. it is now owned by Eurocamp, hence the price. I feel very disappointed in the club for selling a book dated
    2016 only to find that many of the reports were done 5 or 6 years ago.

    Write your comments here...I agree with you. We bought the 'Touring France' + 2 others when we went away in July / Aug. Like you we were surprised & disappointed that sites / prices as far back as 2009 were being quoted. We decided to take the 2015 prices
    quoted as our main benchmark & added 50% for the time of year we were going (high season). In 3 (out of 5)sites even this was not enough. I know books like these have to be printed probably 12 months before they are on sale, but we were on our way to 1 site
    when a local told us it had closed 3 years earlier. The only benefit, as someone has already pointed out, is they give you an idea of sites in a particular area but I don't tnink we shall be using them much in future Sad 
    Yes we hve reported the closure Innocent

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited September 2016 #14
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  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,689 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #15

    These days we tend to research and book before we go on holiday - even in Europe. I know you can do it without booking, but it's just our preference.  We tend to take the CC guide and Alan Rogers as a back up, but always check prices before we book.

    David  

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,395 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #16

    The DG reported at the last AMM that an overseas travel App is supposed to be on its way, what exactly its functionality will be we will have to wait and see but it would be good to have something like the ACSI Europe App.

    peedee

  • WanderingHans
    WanderingHans Forum Participant Posts: 134
    edited September 2016 #17

    I have to admit, we bought these books when planning our first euro trip and didn't use them once.  The out of date info is one thing but deciphering the shorthand was a chore too.  I guess it gets easier with practice!   But the idea of filling in a form
    and posting it off is rather laughable in these days.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #18

    I agree with Hitchglitch that it's about time the European Guides came into the digital world so that reviews could be done online. However I do think the onus is on the individual to do some prior research regarding pricing because a) the price quoted could
    have been for a different  season and b) prices are bound to have gone up. Had no idea Eurocamp actually owned campsites.

    David

     

    Unfortunately it would appear that selling paper copies of site guides is a nice little earner for CC, so don't hold your breath for a digital guide anytime soon.

    Like you I wish CC would embrace the digital age but until then, it's ACSI and Campercontact for me.

    I am no luddite and am posting this whilst sat outside the van in Croatia but when we are on the move I dont want to be forced to get internet access  every time we want to check for a site in the area we find ourselves.with the last reported date its a
    clear indication as to the accuracy  of the information .

    The ACSI app. works off-line including maps and site reviews. It's very well thought through and once you have used it you would never bother with the books. I am sure that this is part of the reason for acsi's success.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,868 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #19

    There is an online form to provide information or updates to sites in the European Guides
    here

    When I mentioned digital further up the thread there are a number of ways this can be achived. It could be online, it could be in the form of an App or it could be in the form of a DVD similar to what ACSI already has. The ACSI app is fine if you are trying
    to find a campsite near to you but I am not sure I would use it for planning further ahead.

    David

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #20

    There is an online form to provide information or updates to sites in the European Guides
    here

    When I mentioned digital further up the thread there are a number of ways this can be achived. It could be online, it could be in the form of an App or it could be in the form of a DVD similar to what ACSI already has. The ACSI app is fine if you are trying
    to find a campsite near to you but I am not sure I would use it for planning further ahead.

    David

    Wasn't aware of the David but it is only a "short form" report for sites where there are no significant changes. It would be difficult for the Club to replicate the ACSI app. because of course the original site description is provided by ACSI. We do find
    the ACSI app. useful for route planning but it can be limiting. The Club's book has many more sites.

  • Hoddy
    Hoddy Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited September 2016 #21

    Use this link for all site forms: http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/be-inspired/brochures-and-guides/overseas-touring-guides/site-report-forms

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #22

    Use this link for all site forms: http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/be-inspired/brochures-and-guides/overseas-touring-guides/site-report-forms

    This link was posted earlier and as I said you can only do the short form on line where there are very few changes.  Full reports and missing entries require a posted report. 

  • Hoddy
    Hoddy Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited September 2016 #23

    Scroll down for full report form.

  • pegwr33
    pegwr33 Forum Participant Posts: 39
    edited September 2016 #24

    I wonder if other CC members have had the same thought as me. When I visit a site, I take photographs so that not only do I have a record of where I have been, but also something tangible to show to others who are seeking recommendations (or not) on various
    sites. Has the Club ever thought of publishing these pictures on its website, as some CL's are quite tardy in supplying images?

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