Booking Overseas Sites
hello everyone,
Can I ask if booking through the club for overseas sites is the best way for newbies like ourselves, as we are new to motorhoming and have never ventured abroad in a motorhome and don’t want to get stuck with nowhere to stay and with my husband being disabled a site with facilities would be best for us, but I notice that some are quite expensive.
What do you all think about paying upfront with the club and if things change where do you stand?
Thinking of going to Ireland first and perhaps later to France, Germany and Belgium etc.
Any suggestions please would be a great help.
Thank you.
Comments
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jspur, do whatever you feel comfortable with. Out of seasons you shouldn’t have to book any sites, use the Acsi card for discounts. Just be aware that there are still a lot of sites in Germany (for instance) that don’t accept credit cards.
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The only time I would book is if I was going to a popular area in high season and wanted a particular site. The Med. is a good example and best avoided. Many people start off by booking as they want the confidence of knowing that a pitch is secured, however, once you are on the site it can be difficult to get a refund if you want to move on, although we have done it.
A motorhome is more flexible for touring than a caravan and it would be a pity to negate this flexibility by booking. A good plan is to travel with the intent of reaching a specific site by mid-afternoon but have a plan B if it happens to be full. It rarely will be on the continent (not sure about Ireland).
ACSI (as mentioned) is great if you are travelling out of season and we wouldn’t be without it. Generally excellent sites and they all have user reviews on the “app” so a good check.
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It’s around 15 years since we went to Ireland but even back then we found some sites would fill up at weekends. I would certainly book the first couple of stops and any sites I wanted at weekends.
As for paying up front and things changing, it depends what things. The booking T&Cs should answer your question.
Enjoy your travels.
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You don't say at what time of year you are travelling. As already mentioned, outside of peak season on the continent, there is no need to book. I've never been to Ireland, but as TW says, sites fill up at weekends, so best to book to ensure a pitch.
But you have more choice than just those sites which you can book via this club. Again, I've never booked any sites abroad via this club, but I would imagine that, if things change, you'd have to contact them first. Which, during weekends and evenings, will be difficult, as they only work office hours. Booking direct with a site means you can contact them directly in case of changes.
Have a look on the internet at the areas you want to visit, then look for sites in those areas, and take it from there.
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Pricing sites in or out of high season (as a rough guide 7th July - 26th August) requires some investigation as when booking sites with CAMC will give you discounted Ferry crossings on some routes e.g Brittany Ferries. The alternative is to investigate pricing of sites via the ACSI Card, this is also available via the CAMC but you can see the sites prices and dates on www.campingcard.co.uk, ferries can still be booked via the club.
However as a beginner there is nothing like arriving on the continent in the knowledge you are booked into a site which in most cases is of a good standard and staff on the site will generally be helpful. Generally the CAMC pitches are of a good size and position and if you do have a problem a phone call to the club can always be made.
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Hi jspur. , If you are going to France and Western Europe outside the six week summer peak I suggest you just book your first night, and maybe even the second, but then use your mobile phone to call the next site on the previous evening. Continue making those phone calls until you give up because you discover that it's so rarely needed. But take advice from others about Ireland.
Please look beyond the Clu's Venture Abroad booklet. Those sites tend to be expensive, but the other sites invariably have good facilities too.
I hope you have a great time. Good wishes.
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Years ago, we never used to book, and there is often no need to book out of the main holiday season. However, my experience is that in certain areas/ sites especially in Italy and Germany, some of the pitches are on the small side, so if you have, even a moderately large caravan, personally I would at least contact the site and let them know you want a large pitch or to discuss your requirements. I appreciate that many have not found a problem. I guess we do tend to go in the main season, or just immediately before.
David
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Many of us regulars tend not to book but we have usually had years of experience and are often aware of possible Plan B places to stop. If you are in the least concerned I would suggest booking for your first trip. It may not represent the best value but I suspect certainty would trump that. Even those of us that advocate not booking usually started out by booking to get started. Your first trip will give you a lot of confidence and an understanding of what it is like to use your motorhome in Europe. After your first trip you will be in a much better position to judge for yourself whether advance booking has any advantage. Enjoy your trip however you organise it.
David
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Agree with virtually everything above.
We tend to book the ferry/Eurotunnel through the Club and often the first and last site as we do have fixed dates of travel. Everything in between is up for grabs but some of the fun of a holiday is in the planning - where do I want to go, what is there and what possible sites are at each destination?
Enjoy your travels
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We have only been a couple of times and are returning this year in June. We always books sites in advance (probably because in the UK we need to). However I feel more secure that I will turn up and there will be room even out of the main season.
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