Advice please

Marlands
Marlands Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited January 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We bought our motorhome in october last year and are hoping to take her to Switzerland in March. It will be our first trip and any tips, advice or recommedations would be really appreciated. We haven't booked anything as yet. 

Comments

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #2

    Have you not been out in it in the UK yet?  if not I would advise that you do so on more than one occasion to get used to how everything works, where you want to store things etc. I haven't been to Switzerland at that time of year but I would expect snowWink some
    of the passes might be closed, are you looking at going skiing, or is it just a holiday, will sites be open then.  Hopefully some one will be along soon to help out with some of those questions.

  • Marlands
    Marlands Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited January 2016 #3

    We have been using it for days out and have had one over night stay up to now. It is just a holiday somewhere we've long wanted to go,we won't be skiing. Will need to do some investigating ha ha. Thanks for answering.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #4

    I would echo Tammygirl's advice to get out in the UK for several trips, however short, to try out your motorhome from the driving point of view and use of the habitation side too.  Don't forget to check your payload and ensure that you load within the limits,
    they are not always as large as you think and what you take weighs more than you would expect too.
    Surprised

    Hopefully someone with some knowledge of Switzerland at the time of year you want.  We've only managed France once, it was great, because of various committments.

  • Marlands
    Marlands Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited January 2016 #5

    Thanks Bakers2, we are hoping to use it some more between now and then. Will need to check the payloads though as you say Surprised  This destination might need a rethink ha ha. Have 2 weeks off from 21 march though.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #6

    Not sure destinations needs a rethink but I think the time of year to visit might
    Wink

  • Marlands
    Marlands Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited January 2016 #7

    ha ha yeah you could be right ... maybe go somewhere closer to home in March. Any ideas? Sticking Tongue Out

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #8

    Now that depends on weather conditions Wink.  It could be wonderful springlike weather - on the other hand ................  That said we've always
    enjoyed a week away towards the end of the month, if I can get that week nabbed in the holiday diary before anyone else.
    Wink  This year we will be away visiting our daughter in New Zealand until 2/3rds through March.  I will also add that every visit we have over there
    we leave TERRIBLE weather here, including being on one of the last planes out of Heathrow in February two or three years ago
    Surprised

  • Marlands
    Marlands Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited January 2016 #9

    Very true! This trip could be more tricky than first thought. Best get out thinking caps on Winking. Thanks for the advise x

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #10

    I'm sure you'll have a great time, there are some great sites out there.  Decide whether you want town or country/seaside and go from there???  The planning is almost as good as the holiday
    Wink  If the weather is inclement there are some good deals on 'Great Days Out' part of the website - might be worth checking that out too as you
    do your planning Laughing

  • Marlands
    Marlands Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited January 2016 #11

    I'm sure we will and thanks so much for your advise. Can't plan the weather so just have to make the best of whatever it does ha Winking.
    Still finding our way around website ... it's all new to us. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #12

    Marlands

    Going that early, especially to Switzerland its possible that you could encounter snow. I am sure the main roads would be fine but you might want to investigate how this might affect your journey and what extra equipment you might need. Been through Switzerland
    a few times but only spent one holiday there. We liked this
    site     at Frutigen which is on the way up towards the Kandersteg Tunnel. We also liked this

    site     at Morges on Lac Leman. Good luck with your decision.

    David

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #13

    Thanks Bakers2, we are hoping to use it some more between now and then. Will need to check the payloads though as you say Surprised 
    This destination might need a rethink ha ha. Have 2 weeks off from 21 march though.

    Wherever you decide to go, bear in mind that Easter falls within that period: some sites may be booked up for (part of) that period.  

    Switzerland could be a bit early, as has already been said, and if you have just 2 weeks, it would also mean a lot of driving in that time.  We'e been to Switzerland just the once, but that was in mid June.  Even then the Simplon Pass still had a pile of
    snow either side of the road near and at the top; the mountains also still had snow at the tops.  It's my guess that in March some passes may not be open.  From a practical point of view, you would need snow chains in case conditions warrant the use of them.

    Good luck with the decision!

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #14

    I'm sure we will and thanks so much for your advise. Can't plan the weather so just have to make the best of whatever it does ha Winking.
    Still finding our way around website ... it's all new to us. 

    You'll find plenty of helpful advice on here as you've discovered, so ask away if you don't understand something or ways of doing things (there is no one method as you'll find out
    Wink)  You're right that you can't plan the weather but you can make contingency plans - the beauty of this hobby is that you know what you'll be
    staying in and you will be able to take a good selction of clothing Laughing

  • Dave Nicholson
    Dave Nicholson Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited January 2016 #15

    As stated by others above, you will need snow chains and a large supply of gas unless you have re-fillable bottles. Many sites will be open but the electricity suppy to the pitches will be metered and restricted so gas is the best option for heating. We've stayed in Switzerland a number of times in mid April and it's often well below zero during the night. However, the scenery is often at its best at that time of the year.

  • IanBHawkes
    IanBHawkes Forum Participant Posts: 212
    100 Comments
    edited January 2016 #16

    I have no doubt I will be corrected on here, but I am sure you will need winter tyres fitted at that time of year. How about trying the Netherlands, the bulb fields should be about ready and the country is a nice place to visit for a first timer as they
    nearly all speak English.

  • Marlands
    Marlands Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited January 2016 #17

    Thanks everyone, quite a lot to think about Surprised  For a first proper trip we might be being rather optimistic, especially given
    the time of year ha. Might put Switzerland off until later in the year. We now have our thinking caps on so any ideas or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again everyone Happy

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