First time abroad

jspur
jspur Forum Participant Posts: 12
edited June 2019 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

i am sorry if this has been asked before, but how far in advance can you book sites abroad  as it seems that it only goes to December this year when I try and search the club site.

also would you recommend booking in advance all sites or just booking first one?

we are going to travel through France to Spain, don’t know exact route yet and as it will be our first trip abroad with motorhome, we are worried about getting there and cannot get a further site booked.

my husband is disabled so we prefer sites to stay on.

thanks 

Comments

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #2

    what time of year are you going? and any particular areas you wish to visit?

    booking miles in advance might give some peace of mind at the outset but will dictate where you go, your route and your timetable...this is the antithesis to touring 'over there' where changing direction on a whim or lingering (or moving on) in an area (especially in a motorhome) is such an advantage.

    also, is there a need to specifically use the club for site selection? they 'cover' only the tip of an enormous iceberg of wonderful sites.

    at most times of the year you won't need to book at all (except for perhaps the very most popular places/sites) so perhaps no need to worry too much at this stage?

    have a look at getting an ACSI card for some great discounted camping.

    perhaps a little more info on time and route (and crossing?) might help others give some extra advice.

    good luck.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #3

    Hello Jspur, you are thinking further ahead than I have ever done, but in view of the anxiety you are expressing - and if you have already decided on a single final destination - then you may be happier to make a reservation there now - by direct contact with that campsite rather than waiting for the Club to book for you. If you intend to tour it's a different story. 

    If you are intending to book a winter ferry from Portsmouth to Spain then those timetables should be out sometime in July. But if you are intending to drive across France in mid winter then your journey may be be weather dependent, and your overnight stops may turn out to be unpredictable if it snows - so don't try to pre book those. 

     I also join BB in wishing you good fortune. 

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited June 2019 #4

    It is definitely reassuring to book ahead if this is your first time abroad but depending on time of year and destinations this may not be necessary. On occasions we have used the internet extensively to research sites  and booked ahead directly with camp sites. I tend to avoid most Club sponsored sites abroad as many of them seem to be all singing/all dancing ones with water parks/slides/children's clubs etc when all I want is peace and quiet. 

    Enjoy your research and have a good trip. 

  • Kontikiboy
    Kontikiboy Forum Participant Posts: 304
    100 Comments
    edited June 2019 #5

    Hi jspur, the timing of your trip is key to any advice we give.   For instance, during the Winter and early Spring, most of the popular sites along the Costas will be fully booked, up until mid-March.   I booked my site for next January when I was on site this February and they were running out of pitches then.     I think this is the only time of year when it is absolutely necessary to book in advance, although last Autumn I was touring through France to Spain without booking and found a lot of sites in Spain were near full.      Let’s have your proposed dates and a rough idea of where you want to head for and then you will get lots of good advice.

    BillC

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