Touring abroad
hi been caravaning for 16 years but have never been abroad we are looking into going to Spain for the new year 2018 but need lots of advice and possibly following experience tourers for our first time
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Touring abroad is far easier than touring in the UK
Unless travelling in peak season there will be no need to book.
No need to pay on arrival or decide exactly how long you wish to stay.
No pegs to pitch to ( which for many CC members may be hard to manage)
Your biggest difficulty will be understanding the cooking instructions on the food you buy
Why do you think that you would need your hand holding? Trying to follow another outfit on the road will just increase your stress levels tenfold.
Just go for it - preferably in 2017.
Oliver T
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As above; lots of us had to do it for the first time once , some longer ago than others.
Years ago friends of ours followed us on their first ever trip to France; after 4 days they were almost telling us what to do.....bit of an exaggeration, but you get my drift. Following someone, or being followed, isn't that easy either from experience.
The club do escorted tours to various places, but at a far higher cost than you can do it yourself.
Once you decide on your crossing, time of year, length of time away etc, and post those, there will be more specific answers to any questions you may have, but it really isn't difficult.
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agree with all of the above....
you live in Kent....take a short hop to France, have a bit of a poke around for a week, see how you get on.....driving, communicating, shopping, fuel, and of course camping.....
youll probably not come back....
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The only fear i had are our first trip a few years ago was driving on the wrong side of the road. There are generally slight curves on the approach to traffic islands making it almost impossible to forget which way to turn. After a few mins it becomes almost natural.
One of the great things is the aires, where you can stop for a break / picnic area.
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Friends of ours (who had also never caravanned abroad) did a first trip to Spain in January last year, but they went on a rally with 'the other club'. It didn't cost much more than doing it themselves, but the details were organised for them and they felt that helped them tremendously. They have booked to go again this January, again with 'the other club'.
The Caravan Club offers organised tours which you can book and may offer similar 'rallies' where you don't need the services of a tour host, and guided tours arranged for you. I'm sure if they do someone will point you in the right direction as to where to find out the details of such rallies.
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buddywaller have a look at my website here you might get a few ideas and tips from it if you need any help please ask will be glad to help. Though we have been to Spain with the caravan once we use to travel to our timeshare by car so familiar with Spain and routes there.
DianneT
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I have been crossing the channel every year for the best part of 60 years - camping with parents, Caravanning and now motorhome. Very few bad experiences during that time and in recent years no disruption from strikes, bad weather or migrants. Never seen any migrants when using the tunnel except three years ago one chap walking down the middle of the A26 trying to get a lift. Towing the caravan we broke down at Dover a couple of years ago - AA arrived, we got back home, got the car fixed and returned to Dover next day to continue our trip.
There is nothing quite as exciting as approaching the channel ports knowing that you will shortly be in mainland Europe and all that it has to offer. Now that's what I call touring.
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Buddy Waller, I wouldn't make midwinter your first trip - a spring or summer practice will give you an idea of how things work over there. It's very easy. Just don't expect Club style sites.
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