Fail to plan....
....then you must plan to fail.
Please be easy on us - we're new to this adventure, but....
We have so many questions....like: which is the preferred travel insurance for 3 - 6 month trips in Europe (a minefield - the insurance that is, not.....never mind!), toll charges and how best to pay - or should we just avoid? Money changing - should I use a prepay card or take cash - or both/neither? Tools and spare parts and accessories suggestions (its the engineer in me...), plastic or glass (wine does taste much better out of a glass, answered that one!). Mifi - is it any good? Best card games for two, recipes (one can't live on BBQ sardines alone!), music, phone apps (especially for walking/trekking abroad). Van security options for the prepaid/cash/passports. Sorry, but the list goes on and on and on....you get the drift!
Any help or advice would be most welcome.
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I'm sure you'll have lots of questions and we will do our best to answer them all but you might be better to put specific questions in specific sections as they're more likely to be seen by those who can answer.
Best of luck with it all.
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Welcome to the MadHouse, and may you thoroughly enjoy your days, weeks, months out there touring !!
Jill's advice is spot on, browse the whole of the Club's website & you'll pick up lots of info which can help, even in the area of framing & posting your queries !!
Have FUN !!
Brian
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Hi Ferns Dad, Buy a copy of Touring France from Club HQ, follow the advice it contains, book your nearest ferry from Plymouth and go and look round. But don't overplan.
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If you go to the Overseas Touring section on this forum you will find some threads at the top called "Sticky". Look into a couple of these as they explain things like Prepaid toll Passes, Emission zones, etc.etc.
Insurance wise you will find the club will offer extended periods. They used to be able to cover you for 6 months. Don't actually know whether they still do. Difficult one to answer for home insurance but there are threads that have covered this before. Start a thread and you will receive advice but try to start threads in the right section so that it will be seen by those who may have some knowledge of the topic.
Don't forget breakdown cover and personal insurance. You will be better served asking for answers bit by bit, that is starting various posts rather than one catch all.
Lastly, enjoy it because it's fun (mostly).
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Thanks for the replies - there's a lot to take in, explore, learn and understand. Not simply a case of buying a van and taking off, more a steep learning curve for a simple tent dweller
I'll certainly look through all the threads and sections here and work on the stuff we need. Cheers, peeps.
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Hi FD. I’d do my research thematically.
The vehicle. What legal documents do I need to take? Are they backed up on tablet. Best breakdown ins. My Comfort includes breakdown at a sensible price. Do I have/need a spare wheel, can I change the wheel if needed, jack, breaker bar etc. I also carry a tow rope and grip mats and i’ve needed them. Then there is all the legal equipment you need to take, yellow jackets, first aid kit, bulbs, headlamp diverter things. You might want to think about the crit air stickers for emission zones in France & Germany, more restrictive emissions zones are being added over time. And whether we will need an international driving permit post brexit. Watch your overall weights. Well worth visiting a weighbridge when you are all kitted up so you know.
Then navigation, maps, some books possibly, Sat nav and site apps, searchforsites is pretty good but requires a modest annual subscription. For WiFi we just use our phone data and tether our devices. We should still be able to do that post brexit.
Security, small under seat safe, steering lock etc. We also do the same with some cash and Halifax Clarity card. Good first aid kit. Think about whether to take the spare vehicle keys and how to keep them secure. Security is also ensuring you have the right medical insurances, the European health card E111 may not work after brexit, so medical insurance with repatriation is a must in my view.
I also did a lot of planning and frankly I think we overthought the whole adventure. Providing your sensible you’ll be fine, & won’t starve. Can’t help you with games, but watching people struggle with awnings while drinking wine, beer or a g&t is the best game
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Can’t help you with games, but watching people struggle with awnings while drinking wine, beer or a g&t is the best game
This made me laugh. One year we pulled into a site in mid France. It was over 30° and the sun was shining. We decided to put the awning up. Had a bit of a problem with it but after about 45 minutes it was up and we were drenched in sweat, literally. Directly opposite us a Dutch couple had actually pulled 2 chairs out and were watching us get a good lather up. A sort of Awning Porn.
Well we were right miffed when we finished and Anglo-Dutch relations could have taken a turn for the worst when they disappeared inside their van and came out with a cold bottle of Pineau de Charentes (a sort of brandy appertif) and 2 extra glasses for us. Came over with their chairs and we had a great blather. They were really nice.
Ferns Dad - If you don't already know the Dutch are great tourers, really nice but quite direct no beating about the bush type of people. Just a typical day touring abroad.
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We set off in 1972, hitched the caravan, loaded 3 children in the car and went over from Dover. No phones, no internet, no route finders, no bank cards, no advance booking - just a road atlas, a site guide, and some travellers cheques. It seemed easy enough, so the next year we all went to Italy. We have done it in much the same way ever since, but are now coming towards the end of the road.
I think that these days people have got such an overload of information - from forums, Facebook, websites and reviews that it all seems there is so much to learn before you go. . There isn't really. You just pick it up as you go along.
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Lots of great advice has been given. We were in the same position as you 12 months ago, when we set off our first 3 month tour.
Money we always carried approx 100 in cash + Revolut prepaid card but also a Starling bank account which is brilliant (have a google) no transaction charges, Mastercard exchange rates. Most fuel stations especially in France are card in machine jobs - don't try using a prepaid card in them. pid Toll charges with Starling card never had a problem. Carry a bit more cash in the Netherlands as Visa & Mastercard are not quite as widely accepted. Took a decent tool set but parts are just as widely available as in the UK in fact often more so. European breakdown cover for any unforeseen emergency.
We just booked the first 3 nights on a site within an hours drive from the port then just stopped where we fancied, mainly dependent on weather decide which way to go - you only have to drive for an hour to be somewhere completely different, its all new when you have just started. Bought a ACSI card & got Camper Contact app on the phone. Outside of July & August you really do not need to book, so why put pressure on yourselves to get somewhere. Definitely glass for the wine glasses, if you get as far South as Gruissan I recommend the 2 euro a litre Rose at the Cooperative.
We didn't take any extra food with apart fromTea Bags - all part of the fun shopping abroad in the Supermarkets & markets.
MIfi we got a Huawei device with a 3 prepaid sim.
Join Motorhome Fun Forum, the best £15 we have spent, saved me many times that amount in advice & help.
Most important enjoy yourselves.
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And take a breath,
its all very confusing when you start but try and get out and about as much as you can in the UK first. That way you will know what you will need to take and what you can do without.I won't repeat what others have already said as its all good advice, what I will say is do it in small bites, don't try to do the marathon until you can do the 100 yards
Touring over there is sooooooo much easier than in this country especially since you have a MH. Spring and Autumn or the best time to go as the sites are not busy and you have a great choice (if you don't like it move on to another, that is accepted as normal)
Most of all have fun, don't try to over complicate things.
If you are new to France then you might like to avoid the toll section of the motorways and enjoy the countryside as you move around, however if you are time limited and wish to use them then I would look at getting a Toll tag, there are quite a few to pick from but it does make it a lot easier to access the toll booths. I hated having to lean out of the window with card/cash in hand, OH didn't like having to get so close to the very high concrete kerbs. We now have a toll tag and just drive through the 30km lane (not doing 30km) the barrier lifts before you get to it and off you go.
We also have a prepaid card (Caxton) we've had it for years and like it, money is transferred from out current account to the Caxton card as and when we need cash. We also carry credit cards, we each have a different one just in case, debit card but we try not to use it. If you go for a prepaid card don't use it for fuel, use a credit card instead.
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Much useful advice here already.
Just to agree that ACSI was great in France for us last May. Discounted sites, ability to say no if you arrived and didn't like the look (as we did with a couple) and some real gems.
Mifi - yes, very useful. On-site WiFi varied widely. In some places neither works, of course. Enjoy the peace!
Michelin camping guide - won't bother buying it again.
Decent maps + ACSI + C&MC guide to France, definitely.
Don't always trust the SatNav
Ours tried to take us through a 2m square railway tunnel on a narrow lane, others will have similar stories.Be prepared to change the plan, either due to weather or just enjoying where you are.
We found that a bit of searching for local "Bio" shops brought much better food our way than supermarkets.No idea how good your French is, quite probably better than ours, but making the best of it to speak in French to site staff and in shops was very helpful.
Take it easy - have fun!
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Don't turn left off the Roscoff ferry or you will be in the drink! It's a steep learning curve but finding out about Aires and ACSI will help you realise you don't have to plan and book meticulously. Off season France - i.e not July and August is a joy for free travellers. Make some wonderful memories!
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Lots of good advice above. Can only add - look at getting the appropriate ‘stickers’ in case you travel in/through ‘clean air’ zones/areas. Enjoy your time away wherever you travel.
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The internet certainly allows 'micro' planning. Biggest plus is the ability to zoom in with Google Earth and street view, although in Germany coverage seems to be restricted to major cities. I would echo the advice to just go with the flow.
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The French really appreciate an attempt at their language even if they take over in their barely understandable English - but do try! There are so many ways to learn a little to get by. Please and thank you are good starting points as well as the equivalent to Ladies and Gents although many washrooms are unisex! I met several English people who were a bit red in the face for not knowing the difference between Hommes and Femmes! Have a great holiday and come back to tell us about it!
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We have plenty of experience in France having camped there for over 20 years, mostly near Royan, (St Augustine, Logis de Breuil site) which is delightful, and twice in the Vendee, both times near disaster, but that's two separate stories both weather related, one involves a tornado....!
We also loooove Portugal, the people, the food, the wine, the coasts, beaches, the history and the weather are just right up there with the very best. We get by in France with passable French and I'm learning Portuguese slowly (hugely challenging language!) but 80% of them speak wonderful English anyway, putting us to shame!!
Once again thanks for all the tips and hints - we have travel plans and they are very flexible, except for our Dutch visit which has a time constraint - as I said, we will blog/vlog our journeys when the reason for visiting Tilburg will be revealed. (A little bit of intrigue for you??)
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Hi FD, a bit late arriving and you have a great deal of advice and suggestions already so here are just a few more.
Insurance-we have used both the clubs and other providers but in 2017 opened a Nationwide Flex Plus account and now rely on that but our trips are not as long as yours. I was paying more-some pre-existing medical conditions-for just personal travel insurance than I now pay per year for the account and get both medical and breakdown insurance plus other benefits. Our car is still covered for recovery, including when towing, by the manufacturer.
Money-linked to that we used to use a Caxton Card but now use the card that comes with the account above and make free cash withdrawals. We only use the card to make a purchase if unavoidable, such as fuel, when travelling, at un-staffed filling stations.
Tolls and spares-just very basic but my one indispensable item is pump pliers. I also carry a couple of small 'kits' with screwdrivers pliers etc.I also always keep a roll of duct tape in the van.
Glass, glass and glass! Over the years we have adapted to the requirements of holidays in a smallish box but some things are just not worth the saving in weight!
MI-fi-nearly got one a few years ago but Three could not deliver in time. We use the Three network and also have an i-boost system and this is OK for us.
Bets game etc- we carry a variety but these are for the use in the main of the grandchildren with Monopoly-Cornish version-being the most used but by far the one thing used by all, and the most fun, is UNO! In France last year nine of us from 5 to 70 had some great laughs. NOTE- the use of the glasses mentioned above does assist with the enjoyment!
Food-we use a Cadac and it is pretty versatile but last time in France a guy recommended using it to cook pizzas. I assumed he used a pizza stone but no, just get it hot-lid on-then it takes just a few minutes for a lovely crispy pizza that cost just a couple of Euros at the supermarket.
Security-in a word none that we don't employ at home which amounts to being careful when withdrawing and spending cash and keeping the amount reasonable. This does for us depend on the availability of cash machines wit the normal pattern being to withdraw the amount needed for the 'big shop' at the supermarket to void carrying it.
General items for touring are road atlas of Europe, club site guides and ACSI guide/card. I also take out a subscription so I can download a daily paper and we have a satellite dish which we will use, if a signal can be found, to watch news and the TDF if away in July.
Have a great time and when back home will wonder what it was that you were concerned about!!
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