Independent Trip to Austria
We've been back from Spain for a week and are ready for another trip [once we get our arthritic 2004 Swift Charisma back from Service].
We're looking at Camping Grubhof in Austria [same site as on the European Tour but at a different time of year and allowing a leisurely arrival schedule to allow sightseeing stops en route] and staying about 2 1/2 weeks on site, with about a week either side for en route stops.
Has anyone done this trip or similar and do you have any tips on what to see/what to avoid etc, please?
Steve & Elaine
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The reviews (on UKCampsite as well as on here) for the Grubhof campsite say it all - no one has a bad word to say about it. One tip which stands out is to research German school holidays carefully and choose your time to visit.
Whether you spend all your 18 days of Austria time on that one site is a decision for you - personally there are other parts of the country I would want to visit as well, but I have always been a restless tourer.
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Over the years we have toured in Austria quite a lot, sometimes as the main destination and sometimes en route to Italy. In 2016 seven week trip where we toured all round Austria. We tend only to stay between 3 and 5 days on anyone site. I am not familiar with Camping Grubhof but mainly used sites in the ACSI Book. If it's of any value to you I have a blog here which might give a few pointers.
David
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Thanks, David and Eurotraveller for the information. We will have a drive of about 1200 miles each way, so we will probably explore the region and do plenty of walking to help me regain fitness after a heart attack 6 weeks ago.
There again, we may change plans and move sites. Much will depend on what delights we uncover around Salzburg
Steve & Elaine
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I am sorry to hear of such a recent heart attack. In the circumstances might you consider the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) - it would almost halve your driving distances.
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It’s certainly a beautiful area. Konigsee is a must to visit too with a trip on the electric ferries that take you around the lake. The Bayern Pfingsten (Whitsun) holidays start on 30th May for two weeks this year so the area will be particularly busy then but if you avoid these dates and early August your stay will be more relaxing. If you’re planning to drive via Munich then Fridays are best avoided. There will be no heavy vehicles on the roads during the weekends but Sundays are busy with day trippers. If the weather in Austria proves to be inclement then drive south for an hour and you’ll invariably find the weather changes dramatically and for the better as soon as you cross the Italian border. There will be no need to per-book sites in either Austria or Italy if you avoid the above dates. Enjoy.
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I think Northern Italy should be avoided at the moment although if the situation has cleared up by the time you go then fine.
We found Salzburg too touristy for our liking but we did enjoy Berchtesgaden. Plenty of walking and hills. If you want a change from hills then try the lakeside at Chiemsee, not far into Germany from where you'll be. Plenty of good flat cycling around the lake.
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There is a lot to see in Austria, especially with a MH I would have thought a multi centre holiday would be ideal.
18 nights....maybe 4 or 5 sites.
We usually take the Hull-Rotterdam route if heading through Germany, but Harwich to the Hook is also good, and less expensive
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Hi there, we did a 3 week trip to s.germany and Austria last june. Stayed lech Camping Augsburg using club site night vouchers great site lots of friendly Dutch we then had 10 days in Camping alpen Mark near Innsbruck, fantastic site clean showers etc lovely restaurant and a swimming pool great after 30° days. Booked via acsi and 20 euros per night all in, a bargain. Please note you need to book beforehand it's very popular. One point to note there are massive road works South of Stuttgart for a new high speed rail link, long queues and the rastplatz are very busy difficult to park an outfit,because of artics resting up! Also more roadworks are on the Munich ring road. All this just for info, have a good trip.
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Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Lots of food for thought! The Newcastle ferries have very limited availability for our proposed dates and it's less messy for us to do a short sea crossing and then strike out towards Austria, limiting the daily mileage to [ideally] 175 each day. 4 days travel should get us to Grubhof, and we'll be looking to use Camping Lech and similar sites en route, possibly taking an extra night for sightseeing in any area takes our fancy.
We're hoping to be able to do lots of walking. I have 3 Stents now and am looking forward to unimpeded wanderings in local villages and places like Salzburg.
Steve & Elaine
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The couple of times we have visited Salzburg we have stayed at Camping Nord Sam which is on the outskirts of the City with a bus service from outside the gate and a SPAR supermarket just along the road.
David
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A quick question re Austrian vignettes. We will be towing a caravan and the combined weight of car and caravan will be around 2850kg. Will we just need 1 vignette for the car and van or will each need its own vignette? I have emailed the Austrian managing company but have received an automated email indicating that they are snowed under and may take some time to respond.
Steve
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In Austria you only need one for the towing vehicle, providing that vehicle is under 3500kgs which covers most likely tow cars. Motorhomes up to 3500kgs also only need the standard vignette however those over 3500kgs require a Go Box if they intend to use the motorway system. Vignettes are available from service stations before you reach the Austrian border or if you prefer they can be ordered via Tolltickets but you will pay a small premium.
David
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The Toll Company have replied. The good news is that a digital vignette is available; the bad news is that it only becomes valid 18 days after purchase because of the 14 days withdrawal period under the European Consumer Protection Directive and the ability to cancel by post as well as by email, so the former method carries a 3 day arrival or posting period.
And finally, the digital Vignette is only available to EU countries and the Austrians seem to take the view that there is no Transitional Period protection for the UK. So, it will be a paper version purchase or a digital vignette at the first ASFINAG Toll Station, with no cancellation period applicable. So much for being prepared well in advance!
Steve
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Steve, you only need a vignette for motorways and expressways in Austria - there are maps on line showing which they are - but you don't need a vignette to get to Camping Grubhof from the German border.
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The vignette is widely available at garages in Germany as you approach the Austrian border so just get one then. That is what we do. Details are widely available in the O'Seas touring section and on the net; it is quite simple. And yes only one required in Austria, unlike in Switzerland where it is one for the car and AND one for the caravan!
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We stayed at some great sites on our way and in Austria and can't recommend the Gros Glockner too highly. My blog on our holiday might give you a few ideas https://jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/austria-2013/
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My reply has just evaporated, so apologies if this produces a double reply!
Thanks for all the replies and advice.; I'm beginning to get a feel for the 'do's and don'ts' now. just need to buckle down and decide on the best route, which campsites to book, and where we might want to spend an extra night or two en route. So that's the weekend homework set, then.
Steve
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Steve. I do not think you have said when you are going. If out of season (not Jul/Aug) many of us do not book thus giving total flexibility to our trip. You may wish to join ACSI (See Club Shop), this gives you access to many sites all over Europe at discounted prices and/or the Club o'seas guides. In this o'seas section of CT you will see various alternative routes to Austria discussed (via France/Switzerland or Belgium/Germany This latter is the route we usually use and is toll free!!). If you go the no booking plan the trick is to find your site before 4 pm and you should have no problem. We drive the 3 x 2 hr stint method - 2hrs coffee, 2 hrs lunch (and look in book for site for night/few days) then 2 hrs to a site this way you can get 250 miles approx a day without wearing yourself out. We have never had a problem finding a site.
It's a long way from Fife to the channel ports, towing I would say 2 days. You may wish to use a more northern crossing as suggested earlier but we have never used it so can't comment. We are lucky living fairly close to Portsmouth, Newhaven or Dover. The crossing we use is governed by our destination so if going to Germany/Austria, as we are in May, we use Dover/Calais. If you have Tesco points you can use them on the Tunnel. If going via Dover we usually get an afternoon crossing and then stay at a site within 20 miles of Calais, there are a number in ACSI. There is a shortage of sites on the route through Belgium until past Namur.
Enjoy your planning, it is part of the holiday!
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Thanks, Comeyras.
We're looking at late May/early June. I towed the [new to us] caravan in November 2019 and took 2 overnight stops down to Newhaven [age discount 20%] for the Dieppe crossing and did the same for the return trip last week. I used to live in Worthing, but moving to Scotland was caused by love ... [or heartburn...] so it's about 500 miles extra driving each way, but it is part of the holiday.
We've become a wee bit blasé about holidaying in France, and the proposed trip to Austria will make us start to think again about the routes and where to stay etc. Good for the grey cells!
Steve & Elaine
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Steve
Going in May/June I would look to joining ACSI. If you are going to use the Belgium/Germany route it is best to use a Dover crossing (or Hull - Rotterdam) as from Calais/Ostend you turn North and then East avoiding toll roads. Be advised that a number of German states have a holiday 2 - 13 June and during this period the Italian Lakes and Croatia are particularly busy the Garda area especially. It will effect us too as we are planning to go to Austria/Switzerland and the Moselle but do not plan to book ahead. If Lutz, our German resident expert, reads this he may wish to add further comment on the Whit holiday.
If using Dover in your situation I would recommend that you stay at a site near the port and then get an early (ish) crossing the following morning; the Club site has 'ferry' pitches and I think reception stays open reasonably late but always advisable to give them an ETA. There are also a number of small sites in the area, we once used the Drum Inn at Stamford North TN25 6DN (01303 812125), it's only a few minutes from the port/Tunnel, they accept arrivals until late eve and you can leave early in the morning; the young owners serve a good meal and pint.
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FWIW ....
A spectacular country & landscape.
You have the great advantage of being able to use your tow car solo for trips out. Can highly recommend a full day trip out crossing over the Gros Glockner very high Alpine toll road - as said just spectacular views and truly lasting memories. Select the best day for clear weather and have high altitude warm clothing to hand if intend walking onto the Glacier.
We overnighted en-route at a very handy Augsberg area site in S.Germany en-route.
Much enjoyed a family run site at Irschen (ACSI) for part of trip.
Picture left is my outfit at the summit coffee stop of the 5km Felbertauern tunnel - elevation 1.650m (5,413ft) !
Enjoy - we will return again there soon.
M
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Having been out of action for a few days I have only just picked up on this itinerary .
It mirrors our holiday in August and heading for the same site.
For information my it plans are as follows:
Harwich to Hook of Holland. Overnight in Rotterdam - St Goar 238 miles, 5 nights - Rothenburg (Romantische Strasse) 179 miles, 5 nights - Lofer (Grubhof) 237 miles, 10/14 nights
Return: Lindau 191 miles 5 nights - Colmar 140 miles 7 nights, Valkenburg 270 miles 3 nights - Delft 140 3 nights
That's the plan but subject to changes as all the best plans are
Stena day return was £194.80
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Thanks, comeyras.
We spent a very lazy morning piecing the route together, and are pretty much settled now. Just need to speak to the Club on Monday to finalise arrangements re ferries and campsite vouchers etc.
We plan to take 2 overnight stays down to Dover [Mepham Fell, Grange over Sands & Wythall] and then take a 4am Dover to Calais crossing, allowing plenty of time for stops. From the ferry, push on to Chalons en Champagne, about 180 miles and take an overnight stop plus the following day for sightseeing and a wee rest.
Then Camping Seasonova, Saverne [ACSI] for an overnight stop before pushing on to Camping Bella Augusta [ACSI], Augsburg. Then, either put in a final overnight stop or push on to Grubhof for 17 days of walking and swimming and sightseeing. Pretty much a straight reversal for the return journey, but leaving the option to add a couple of extra days for sightseeing.
Steve & Elaine
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Thanks, Harry.
Most of our en route days will be kept to around 180 miles maximum to take account of our inability to just 'get up and go' in the morning, and also to allow for traffic holdups.
We are quite new to caravanning and this will be our first time in Austria/Germany so we are anxious to get everything arranged well in advance. But, we may well end up tweaking the plans [throw a couple of bikes on the roof of the car?].
Ferry fares with DFDS were quoted at about £300, but the Club are about £100 cheaper with the Campsite Voucher package. I need to find out more on Monday.
Steve & Elaine
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We have been to Austria a few times, I cannot help but feel that you will be missing out on a lot by staying so long at only one site.
Whatever you decide, personally I would take only the minimum number of site vouchers to get the saving on the ferry, then use ACSI for other sites.
I would also never contemplate a 4am ferry, I value my sleep too much!
When going from Dover we usually take a 10am or later crossing, still allows plenty of time to make good progress that day.
From Fife I would head down the A1, there are several sites en route that offer good stopovers. From Glasgow, if heading to Dover, we usually have our last stop at Ferry Meadows, then head to Black Horse Farm. Plenty of time after arrival to visit the nearby Lidl store for any last minute shopping for stuff you may not find "over there"
We used to do Ferry Meadows in one day from here, but it would be a very long day, something we avoid these days. Barnard Castle could be a good stopover, or maybe Thirsk.
Having had a triple heart bypass nearly 5 years back, I take things fairly easy these days.
No need to be anxious and arrange absolutely everything in advance, you are going low season and there will be plenty of availability on sites
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So at the moment it's Goodbye Italy and Austria may perhaps be next.
Planning, and certainly booking, at the moment seems pointless.
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