First time abroad
Thinking of taking the van for a first trip abroad in September- considering Normandy as I have been a lot camping or staying in Gites In the region. Just wondering how easy it is to do solo? Am happy solo in the UK- but any tips welcome! Lived in France
for a while so language and driving car not an issue... But some concerns about towing. I get more holiday than the OH so a week away to myself might be good...!
Any thoughts welcome!
Comments
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It's easy! However, be aware that in September many French sites will start to close down - it's a very short season in France.
Towing solo is easy enough - but the toll barriers on the autoroute are challenging if you're on your own, so think about getting a 'tag' which takes you through the toll barriers withot stopping to pay, and at intervals you get a bill for what you've been charged. Fuel is cheaper, roads are less crowded, and you don't need to book campsites in advance so touring is much easier. You don't need to decide on sites months in advance, but can just go as you please. Setting up (if you have an awning) may take longer, so decide whether you need the awning or not. Site facilities in France are at worst basic but generally acceptable, and at the best fantastic - so if you use site facilities you'll minimise aquaroll filling and wastemaster emptying.
In September, solo, you should be able to find campsites at a very reasonable rate. Check out the sort of sites you fancy, and have a look at costs on their website, then decide if it might be worth getting an ACSI card (www.campingcard.co.uk). I would doubt that solo it would be much advantage, but you never know.
French sites don't have a problem with single visitors, such as you might experience on British sites, and if the weather is good there should be other people around, but there's no doubt that September can be quiet, and site facilities may well start closing down on some sites. The ACSI website above may help you find sites which are open - and if they're open there are likely to be other people there. You'll have no problem finding places to eat, solo - and as you speak French you should have few problems, if any!!!
Enjoy your holiday!
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Thanks ValDa... Much appreciated. I already have a Sanef tag as I drive often to France for work (and to Switzerland) and setting up my porch awning always seems to be quicker solo than with help! Glad to hear that the sites might be welcoming for solos...
I have had some odd receptions on CC sites before (but not CL'a...!). Sites I am looking at seem to end September/early October.Another question- Red Pennant seems remarkably expensive for a week... makes me wonder if there are alternatives- my car has full European cover as its fairly new- wonder if extending that (if possible through Renault) to cover the van abroad would be sensible-
or should I just swallow the cost of Red Pennant?!0 -
Mark - insurance depends very much on what you want it to cover. If you are absolutely certain that you would need the van to be repatriated in (almost) every circumstance, then go for Red Pennant. If you think 'well I'll just get a mate/brother/parent/go
back myself to pick it up' then you'll need less cover. Red Pennant is very much the Gold Standard and lesser policies don't offer the same protection, but some people don't need 'belt and braces'.We can no longer use Red Pennant because we store our caravan in France, and Red Pennant is 'home to home' cover - so we use alternatives (but haven't had to actually use them). You need to decide what you want to cover and then make sure that whatever
you choose it covers those scenarios.0 -
Sensible advice, I will see if my Renault cover can be extended to European cover, as it gives full breakdown cover to the van within the uk,...
looking forward to taking my van across- will be different to my normal french trips! If that works then late autumn in Amsterdam while I am there for an event might be fun rather than flying out for a few days-make a week of it!
thanks for the info again
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Two points although you have doubtless already considered them. Driving solo on the "wrong" side of the road makes overtaking well nigh impossible except on dual carriageways. Yorkshire to Normandy just for a week doesn't look very cost-effective.
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