Overseas touring help
hi , we are new to our motorhome and are still learning but we would really like to go to france or spain as a first trip but it is daunting and we dont know where to start,ideally we would like to find someone who is going there in september 2019 so we can book same place and follow them over ,once we have been once it should be ok to do it ourselves after, is this something we could do ??? appreciate any help or guidence with this thanks
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I can’t help you personally, Buckos, but I’d suggest looking through the overseas section of this forum and in the Overseas Holidays tab at the head of this page where you can find into such as this -
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/useful-information/first-time-abroad/
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hi Buckos, it may seem a bit daunting but, honestly, it isn't...in September you won't need to book. which makes things far easier than at home.
you can go where you like, change your mind, no commitment to the site on length of stay etc...
het an ACSI discount card and guide book and you'll be camping for around €15-17 a night.
i guess that as its your first time, you might not know about aires (town and country stopping places) or might be a bit wary, not being a 'site', but they give you total flexibility to just pull in, in just about every French town, village or city.....usually for free.
i also guess you might be a bit apprehensive de the French language, but in most towns/sites you will get by..
the thing is, where any 'companion' might go, might not be what you want to do, so convoys (especially with strangers) might not work very well...
my advice, be brave....book your ferry, take it slowly, find a site close to the port (50km) and have a glass of wine....
wander round the town, have another glass...and a meal...
.then perhaps go another 50km to get accustomed to the driving and repeat.....now you are touring just like everyone else.....
there you are.....easy....
good luck and enjoy...you'll love it and wonder what you were worried about.
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Buckos
If you really feel you can't face it solo for the first time abroad there are quite a few "escorted" tours available from both Clubs and also some private companies. The problem is that they can be relatively expensive compared to doing your own thing and of course they may not go where you want to. How long do you intend going for? If its only a couple of weeks probably DD's suggestion is worth thinking about. If you are going for a longer period its just going to be a steep learning curve but if it goes well you will be completely emboldened for your next trip. At least if its next September you have lots of time to research and there are plenty of people on here who can answer your question and give advice.
David
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You have almost a full year to learn a little (or a lot) of French, which will help you, even if it's only to book into a site or order a meal or understand road signs etc. We found it opened "doors".
Driving is strange at first but just remember that on ordinary roads the driver should be nearest the kerb.
Look in on the Overseas section of this forum and ask away if you want to know about anything, be it sites or travelling or insurance etc.
Be brave, they don't bite, well only if you get between them and their lunch.
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Wise choice ! We went in convoy with long standing friends once and it wasn't easy.
They wanted to go slower than us, or faster, wanted to drive shorter daily distances, or longer, needed fewer toilet stops, or more, needed a long midday rest, and had a very different idea of overnight stops. It must be much more of a problem going with strangers.
But yes, as Wherenext said, , learn to speak a little of the language before you go. Good luck.
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Lots of good advice to follow above but I remember my first times and it was daunting especially with two young children and for this reason we did book the sites in advance through the Club. It was reassuring to know that your pitches were booked and that the sites had been checked.
However, having said that there are thousands of sites out there and are highly visible on the internet, complete with photographs and reviews.
Think of an area, enjoy doing a bit of research and choose towns, places of interest etc you wish to see and see what sites are in the area. Open up a spread sheet if you wish and put your possibilities down.
Foreign touring is to be enjoyed and roads to tend to be easier - just avoid Rouen (my nemesis) first time out!
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If it helps there is less traffic on the roads in France on Sundays. The only thing I feel may be daunting about travelling there in 2019 will be getting correct documentation (passports etc)should the current situation change. Good luck & enjoy.
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