Gap Year First time in Europe in Caravan
We are planning to tour northern Europe for the first 6 Months and if all goes well, southern Europe for the rest of the Year.
We have a route but not set in stone and want to be as flexible as possible. The only thing that is required, we need to be back in the UK for July/ August before we set out again for southern Europe.
For the first leg of our tour, we are heading to Germany, ( Black Forest Area ) and then on to Austria. stopping off numerous places on the way. ( no more then 2/3 hours between sites)
Can anyone recommend any sites or a good way of selecting sites. We have the Camping Club card which gives us a good selection of sites at reasonable prices, but would really appreciate any advice and recommendations
Thank you
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Get yourselves an ACSI card for cheaper campsites out of season and look at their website on here where the sites are listed, when they take the ACSI card, and most importantly what others think of the site. Their reports will often tell you about narrow access or other drawbacks that the owners' website doesn't. Also the website ukcamping has a foreign section where people review sites that they have stayed on.
We stayed at Nattersee near Innsbruck and Sportcamp Woferglut near Zell am Zee both of which I recommend.
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Chris and Yvonne, Where do you plan to be in January, February, November, and December of your year? Apart from in Spain those are the more difficult parts of your plan.
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Thank you for your replies and the link. I will follow up with interest,
Thanks again
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ET raises a very valid point, it can get damn cold (and icy/snowy) in a lot of Europe during this time....
pals of ours did their first ever long trip in their MH spending the winter in southern Italy and Sicily, where it (weather) was reasonably pleasant.
Southern Greece might be another option....
add these to Spain/Portugal and theyre the only three areas that are far enough south to get 'reasonable, pleasant' climate during the colder months.
good luck.
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Never guaranteed though. Look at the current weather map for Europe.
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We have twice had a "senior gap years" in Europe, the first when we were brand new to caravaning. We learned a lot as we went, but most important learn was the ACSI card for off season camping. It pays for itself within a week. Easiest way to get it is from Vicarious Books. If you are away in December they will post it abroad for you, to a pre-arranged campsite.
Useful too to read other blogs to pick up tips and ideas. David Klyne's and Dianne's have already been mentioned. A must is the one for Margaret and Barry Williamson (aka MagBaz Travels) who have been on the road for 22 years now. Their website is crammed with reviews, tips and suggestions for virtually every country in Europe. And of course I have to send you to our own blogs here.
Finally, be flexible, watch the weather, and remember you are living abroad, you are not on holiday! Eating out every night, coffee and a bun every morning, a beer every afternoon, you will soon be broke!!
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My apologies for not getting back. we have been very busy getting ready our house to rent out.
We have been planning to be down as far south as possible during the Winter months, Although We have not given to much thought as we have only been looking at the first 6 months and see how it goes. ET and Boleroboy has highlighted that Nov to Feb could be an issue. Can anyone recommend where people go for the winter months. We did think of flying home for the Christmas period, which would mean storing the caravan for a week in Spain or somewhere similar..
Again thanks for the replays.
Chris
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My apologies for not getting back. we have been very busy getting ready our house to rent out.
We have been planning to be down as far south as possible during the Winter months, Although We have not given to much thought as we have only been looking at the first 6 months and see how it goes. ET and Boleroboy has highlighted that Nov to Feb could be an issue. Can anyone recommend where people go for the winter months. We did think of flying home for the Christmas period, which would mean storing the caravan for a week in Spain or somewhere similar..
Again thanks for the replays.
Chris
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I just want to say thank you for the links that had been sent with the replays, We have found them very helpful.
You never know we may meet on the way
All the best
Chris & Yvonne
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many folk 'overwinter' on the Costas.....forums like Motorhome fun and Motorhome facts will give plenty of infor, along with the blogs that have been hightlighted....
we will (should) be off next week, driving down through western france and into spain arriving at the coast nr Valencia....
no real plan, just to be away and to be a bit warmer than here (although quite pleasant at the mo....).
Almeria area looks to have a warm microclimate (who doesnt) and temps are pretty good all year.....some move on to Portugal/Algarve but can be a bit windy at times....
i see you have a caravan, whereas we have a MH. so you might have to be on the look out for more open sites as ypu cross france, spain or wherever, rather thwn just pulling in and using aires as we will....
good luck, enjoy...
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