Differences between "here" and 'there'
Comments
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R2B said quote :- " so the italian, French & Spanish groups of Children I have encountered in Chester, York & Hull were obviously Brits speaking fluent French, Italian & Spanish as they ran riot pushing & jostling fellow visitors".
Has he never heard the expression " When in Rome do as the Romans do."
Those French, Italian and Spanish children were most likely just being respectful to England by temporarily modelling their behavior on native children in the English towns and cities.
However as we are talking about caravan holidays both here and abroad on this thread, how did R2B know that the continental kids were from a camping site. ?????
K
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When we grew up we spent our holidays both on UK campsites and European campsites. I have great memories of both types of holidays and I think whether you love touring overseas or prefer to holiday in the UK is totally down to individual choice. For me personally I love both equally and am glad that I have been lucky enough to do both.
Memorable holidays include staying in our trailer tent in Italy. We visited Florence and Pizza. The food was amazing too! I was 16 and an age where I could really appreciate the sites and culture. We also has a wonderful beach family holiday at Valras Plage and a mountain holiday in Switzerland. Both were wonderful trips and I feel privileged that we were able to experience these types of holidays as a family in our trailer tent.
Saying that, I have had equally incredible memories of trips in the trailer tent in the UK. Walking Hadrian's Wall, sunny days on the beach in St Ives, walking up Snowdon. So many fantastic trips, too many to mention here.
I guess one thing we all have in common is that being able to stay in our caravans, motorhomes, trailer tents or tents gives us the freedom to enjoy different experiences and explore new places, wherever you decide to go.
I would say, if there's anyone tempted to experience touring overseas but not feeling confident about doing so, have a look at The Caravan Club's European tours, particularly the First Time Abroad Normandy and First Time Abroad Brittany tours. This is a great way to get started, having the support of The Club but also time to explore by yourself if you wish to do so.
Wherever you decide to go - enjoy and let us know how you get on.
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R2B said quote :- " so the italian, French & Spanish groups of Children I have encountered in Chester, York & Hull were obviously Brits speaking fluent French, Italian & Spanish as they ran riot pushing & jostling fellow visitors".
Has he never heard the expression " When in Rome do as the Romans do."
Those French, Italian and Spanish children were most likely just being respectful to England by temporarily modelling their behavior on native children in the English towns and cities.
However as we are talking about caravan holidays both here and abroad on this thread, how did R2B know that the continental kids were from a camping site. ?????
K
Before this very worthwhile thread is taken any further adrift, might I observe that childten (youngsters) are children (youngsters) the world over - it's part of their job desription to push boundaries and the notion that European children are any better behaved than English (maybe I should say Scottish) does not hold up to any sort of inspection!
Back on track, I think some of the more interesting comments have made good points about travelling on the continent being a good option if you have the time and relatively few home commitments to tie you down. Unfortunately for us at the moment we can nly really be away for a fortnight at most at any one time. So w take avantage of those tiems to see parts of this country in the van and travel to Europe on hotel holdays, hiring a car so that we can get around as much as possible - best of both worlds really!
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Husky, you asked for the differences. The main difference you'll notice is arrival time. Most sites allow you to turn up before 12. Many small sites close for lunch. I've turned up at 12.02 at Municipal run site only to find it closed until 14.00. Otherwise you can turn up at 11 or whenever. It would appear that you'll be doing this out of high season so some of the small sites may seem a little unkempt. Other differences can be sanitary facilities. We've had wonderful ones which would shame CC sites and ones where we've ended up using our own! These sites in France, which I assume you'll probably be heading as you only have a week, are nearly all individual unlike the standardised format you are used to over here. We started off by being disappointed as they appeared to be below the standard of sites we encountered over here but gradually you change your expectations and enjoy being able to pitch anywhere and whichever way you want. If you don't like the sanitary use your own. BTW these facs aren't closed for cleaning, which we find better. If going to Holland or Germany then you may have to leave any car in a car parking area not with your van(seldom but some do) or not move your MH during your stay so check. These countries sometimes have no movement of vehicles during the quiet time between 1 and 3 mostly. Take your time and go with an open mind.
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I can't understand these posts of UK v Europe and which is better. Neither in my view is better or worse. They're just different. I really enjoy travelling around both areas and using 5* sites or simple CLs or Municipal
sites. Is there some rule that you can't enjoy both? This year I'll enjoy Germany, last year we had a fantastic time in the Lakes and Northumberland etc. Too much point scoring on here.0 -
We very much like caravaning abroad and in this country, but have never looked at Europe as a cheap option. Some of the claims made on CT seemed a little extreme to me, so I did some checking back in our records.Two years ago we spent just over 6 weeks (44 days) in France. I added up all the extras that we would not have spent if we stayed in the UK (Red Pennant, auto route and ferry) and it came to £500, and that was with a very good ferry deal. Now I know these charges are not going to go up markedly if you stay 3 months but neither will they go down much if you stay less than 6 weeks. Either way for our 44 night stay this works out at £11.36 a day. Now I probably saved about £100 on fuel over this country, so this comes down to £9.00 a day. This may well represent a saving on what I would have paid for campsites in the UK, but not a major one, and that is based on a 6 week stay.
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I haven't yet gone abroad with my caravan but have spent time camping, I love it, they seem to have a pace and outlook that I can adjust to very easily. I would suggest give it a go not because its cheaper or better but just because its something different,
if you don't like it least you will know. Wouldn't let only having a week available put me off, twelve miles from the port and you will soon eat up the miles on the other side. Can't wait til my daughters a little older and were in a position to head over
for a holiday.0 -
Some people want to camp in a field in quiet solitude some want to travel. Both can be done here or in Europe. I have spent the best part of 50 years travelling around the UK and for for 30 of those years touring Europe. There is no answer as to which is
best but, for me, staying just in the UK does not extend my horizons. I want to see many of the beautiful places in Europe, I want to remember the first time I stood on a beach on the Golfe of St Tropez and had warm sea water lap against my toes. I love that
journey by ferry from Punta Sabbioni to San Marco where the whole vista of Venice opens out before you. That first trip over the Brenner Pass bringing back memories of the old black and white film "Legend of the Glass Mountain" Even the stark reality of
Bergan Belsen is different. You can't quanify these things in terms of costs. The reality is that if you can't afford something you have to be happy doing something else. The UK has a varied landscape but Europe has an even more varied one. I don't go for
the people as I don't speak any Continetal language well enough to converse properly in converstaion and you can get instances of indifference as you can in the UK but equally you can get acts of kindness as well. If people are happy just to explore the UK
all power to them but if you are curious about Europe give it a try.David
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We go abroad some years and stay at home others. Basically we have travelled round most of the UK. Europe gives us new places to go and is more of an adventure.
Generally the sites are more relaxed but it is the new places to see and the different people we meet that is the main reason for going.
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Husky as other have said its differant in that the roads are quieter, the sites less busy (apart from peak) prices are lower and people friendlier. I know volvoman9 says the Dutch are the best english speakers and are generally friendlier than the French,
agreed the Dutch do speak very good english, the French however are very friendly. We lived in Germany for 20 years and used to holiday in Spain and Italy for the summer holidays with the children. In those days we used to go through France
as fast as we could didn't like it, didn't like the French. Oh how that has changed we love France now and find the French very helpful and friendly.With us living in Scotland for us to holiday in the south of england is around 550 miles further if we want to go down to the tip of cornwall, so we look at what is going to be the best holiday experiance for us. The weather does play a BIG part in our holidays,
with France there is always somewhere nice and if like last September it was pretty awful then you can go a bit further south and reach very good weather in a short amount of time in Spain. We do love the UK and there is many places that we haven't visited
but and its a big BUT we have lots of time to do so, fortunately we have good health at the moment but that might not always be the case, as we get older (now mid 60's) we might find it difficult to get insurance, we might not like the distances we currently
travel. That is the time when we can then concentrate more on the UK, but if prices keep increasing like they have this year then it will be CL's not sites I'm afraid.i am currently in Spain (Lanzarote) and have just met a charming French lady (probably a widow, around 70+ yrs old) at the bar of our hotel....on her own and had just had a joke in french with one of the barmen.....which gave away her french roots...
so we got chatting, totally in French - really good for me.....) about where she lived (Marsielles, spending nine weeks!! at our AI hotel...to get better weather...) and where she, and i, spent our holidays.....
she found it totally charming that someone would chat to her in french amongst all the english speaking waiters and the holiday makers....
french folk.....charming, totally.........sorry peter, you have it wrong......it just takes a bit of effort.....cant wait for our next trip.....
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Once you have your motorhome, HD, you’ll notice a big difference. Not only will you be able to cover greater distances in frequent hops and comparative ease, but you’ll find it so much easier to relax and go as you please with the minimum
of forward planning. Motorhomes are granted a privileged status, with cheap stopovers close to many of the places you’d like to visit. But, whilst you’re already enjoying it over here, why bother?In a way, it’s a bit like going to Scotland, but without the ferry or midges. Further to travel, different scenery, language, currency… Do it when you’ve got bored and need the change. It’s all too easy to take what you already have for granted.
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If Huskydog is planning on a motorhome, then he would also be able to take advantage of the Aires de Service Camping Car, Stellplatz, and similar in other countries. These are specifically for motorhomes, usually in towns and villages, and have a variety
That, together with the number of available sites, and the more tolerant attitude to 'wild camping' in some areas, probably makes motorhoming much easier in Europe than it is over here. (Not being a motorhome this is an opinion not a fact (?
of available facilities. Some have showers and loos, others have hook up, water and waste disposal. Some are paid for, some are free. Some are in beautiful settings alongside beaches, or rivers and could be a destination in their own right, others are like
tarmac car parks, but provide an ideal overnight stop.
)
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Husky,it is more about travelling rather than arriving.With an MH you are able to respond to serendipity en route whereas with a caravan you are far less flexible."Over there " offers a wider range of places to see and people to meet.I speak French and
a bit of German but no Spanish unfortunately-something for me to rectify.Being able to chat to people we meet in their own tongue is a great icebreaker and we learn quite a lot about how our European neighbours see things slightly differently from us Our
chats confirm some of our views and challenge others but we are never bored by "same old same old".0 -
k, yes it's more about the traveling and seeing the views , we aim to change the way we " holiday" ,by only staying 1 or2 nights at one place , by stopping at places of interest or what takes our fancy
I also think that if you are going to visit a particular country ,it's worth learning a few phrases of the language ,to try out in the local shops, all part of learning.......
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I visit France often but not in my motorhome. I am not at all saying you shouldn't go into Europe but I really do feel that a lot of the comments above, and one or two in particular, are rather unfair on our own country by implying that everything is much
rosier in Europe - especially in France which gets much of the coverage. They seem to be very much borne out of the grass is greener concept. On the whole it isn't. Somethings are better some are not. If you are content exploring your own country then don't
feel pressurised into anything different.I only travel in the UK in my motorhome because I am continually surprised by so much that is wonderful and beautiful on our own land. It's a bit sad that our own people are so ready to knock it.
As for planning ahead and booking, I always do that wherever I go. I can't bare the notion of not being sure where I will be sleeping that night. It's a matter of being organised.
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As for planning ahead and booking, I always do that wherever I go. I can't bare the notion of not being sure where I will be sleeping that night. It's a matter of being organised.
I used to be like that as I like to be organised I find it less stressful. Since we retired however we have spent more time vanning across the water and now find it very easy to relax about not having something booked for the holiday. I always look in
the books to see where we might spend the night while travelling but it is fairly relaxed and could change if we see something else on the way.That is one of the things that is differant between here and over there, a more relaxed way of holidaying.
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Husky Dog it may not be economical to take the van unless you want to try it, but I can recommend a site in Iper, it's about one and a half hours from Dunkirk and a 10 minuete walk through parkland to the town and the Menin Gate, it's called Jeugdstadion fully serviced pitches, cycle hire and a sports stadium next door. The difference is in culture and seing and doing something you dont normally do
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HD, bearing in mind AD's post above re planning/commitment etc...I would catagorically say that its more 'difficult' for (say) a french couple to tour first time in the uk than it is for (say) you to do the reverse....
they have to cope with our crowded roads, crowded sites, formal arrival times, generally pre-book, limited 'stopovers' for MHs, the weather....and of course....the language...all elements that youll find 'easier' over there...
if they dont speak english, you arent likely to get many wardens communicating in french.....or less likely German or Spanish...
...whereas, most of the sites you might visit will have an english speaker amongst their (many) staff.....
time to get on with it.....do a week's recce....youll be keen to get back there.....
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Why does it matter where we take our holidays. Everybody has preferences but many of us have holidays on the continent AND the UK.
On this thread and others there seems to be a down on those who caravan on the continent . Is this a Little Englander attitude suspicious of Jonny Foreigner ?. I dont know no doubt somebody will elucidate.
Personally I enjoy holidaying in Europe including the UK and dont see what all the fuss on this forum is about.
K
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Why does it matter where we take our holidays. Everybody has preferences but many of us have holidays on the continent AND the UK.
On this thread and others there seems to be a down on those who caravan on the continent
. Is this a Little Englander attitude suspicious of Jonny Foreigner ?. I dont know no doubt somebody will elucidate.Personally I enjoy holidaying in Europe including the UK and dont see what all the fuss on this forum is about.
K
That's very odd, K. I haven't read right through this thread, but I've always had the impression that where there is an "I look down on him" attitude it's from those who think folk who only tour in the UK are the ones missing out!
But I do agree with you, there is no "better" or "best" way of holidaying - each to their own. Like you, we enjoy touring in the UK but we also enjoy holidaying overseas in Europe and beyond - we just choose not to use the caravan for those trips!
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That is one of the things that is differant between here and over there, a more relaxed way of holidaying.
In relation to the sites TG I would agree entirely. We have only rarely booked anything and have never had a problem of getting a suitable site, even in high season. The sites themselves are also generally more relaxed. On one we stayed years ago some of
the campers, who came every year, organised a lamb roast over a wood fire. A great time was had by all. However, in relation to other things I find it a lot more stressful. Driving on the other side of the road, particularly with the van, I find particularly
draining. The differences of road signs, rules and road layout add to this. Then there is the worry, at the back of ones mind about breaking down, I rarely think about it in the UK. Silly I know, but there it is. So yes we love going abroad, but from a personal
overall perspective, I would not say I have a more relaxed time.0 -
With the van only twice. With a camping trailer, more times than I care to remember. However, I can't say I don't find towing in this country stressful (have been doing it for 11 years) it is just that on the wrong side of the road, it is even more so.
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