It's so good we've bought another one to use on our boat! This will be our travel Bible. You might need to give the poor hairdryer a break! Tour Europe By Motorhome. that is best way. FOR ALL FULL LIST OF ALL THE KIT, PLUS WHERE TO BUY IT ALL, CLICK HERE, 10 things you need to check before you rent a motorhome, https://www.wandering-bird.com/cost-tour-europe-motorhome/, Hampshire & Dorset road trip- 21 beautiful places to visit, Unmissable England Road Trip ideas for every itinerary, Driving in Europe after BREXIT- 10 things you need to know. We drive on the lefthand side (previously a British colony). There is a LOT of information in this post- and at first glance it can be overwhelming. Hi Shon- check out our post on advice to buy a motorhome- you’ll find that helpful. But you need to carry a ball too. We went into Edinburgh with our motorhome and trailer… it was not pretty! Yes, I know there are only 2 of us!!). Many of these will be in a foreign language, but use Google translate (another. From the glamour of Paris to the glorious grit of Berlin. I'm not sure... can you pour another? Most of these thefts are opportunistic- if you leave something outside unattended there's a chance it will be taken- just like in the UK. Bring your original certificate with you, not a photocopy. When you were wild/free camping, did people have much camping stuff out in the off-season? We've got data SIMS with Vodafone, 3 and EE and we find EE and 3 to have the best coverage across Europe. . Usually, if there are ‘wild' camping spots listed, they've been tested and were safe to camp in, although some people seem happy to park somewhere even if it says ‘No Overnight Parking'- we don't like to do that. Thanks for this Kat – we are traveling from Paris to Rome in October. We love this feature when we are travelling to a more built-up area and want to make absolutely sure it's suitable for a longer vehicle. Find out more here. Check to make sure the place is open! The police seem to love waiting there and pouncing on Motorhomers and campervanners who might have forgotten something. All Adventures; European (2013 - 2014) Worldwide (2010 - 2011) Antipodean (2008 - 2009) Sydney (2008) Europe Costs; 07/04/14. So do whatever feels right for you! We also recommend fitting an additional motorhome door lock (like this) and improving your motorhome security with these 12 great tips. Where do you park, is it safe to leave at a campsite all day, should you find a campsite near a train station. We aren’t the only people who blog about their travels in a motorhome around Europe. Both times it tried to send us down TINY lanes which were way too small for our motorhome. This is the question I get asked the most on Facebook (talking of which, are you following me on Facebook?? Hi, Really enjoyed reading the advice. Make sure you're carrying enough Medication for you and any pets you have. Can you suggest in particular? You cannot pre-book Aires- they operate on a first-come basis. This list by the AA gives a great guide for you. It is also illegal in some countries (such as France) to use a headset with an earbud whilst driving. If the vehicle is company-owned, hired or leased, you need a letter from the company stating their permission for the vehicle to go to Europe. Never, ever rely entirely on the sat-nav; keep an eye out for road signs and height restrictions as well. In France, fines for speeding or incorrect paperwork must be paid in cash on the spot, or else you'll be escorted to the nearest police station- not the most welcoming start to your holiday! We have several things we do to protect our vehicle and our possessions whilst we're travelling. Before you can head off to Europe in a motorhome, you need a motorhome or camper van! It will also explain how we retired early and gained financial independence so you too could engineer a similar lifestyle. Probably, the most useful, factual account of long term European touring by motorhome. Do you want to tour Europe in a Motorhome, but it just seems too daunting? Dogs are normally always welcome, but there isn't always a dog walk/ run where they are allowed off lead. In Europe, France Passion is a similar set-up, and there are others around Europe. (If you're planning a 6 month or more trip to Europe, definitely buy a motorhome- MUCH cheaper.) We were happy to travel Asia by a combination of flying and overnight trains. Here's our guide to buying the best motorhome or campervan for you. Passing through countries I never would before and watching random games to . ), There are two types of motorhome overnight parking instead of campsites. 1. motorhome essential accessories in it- grab our handy list here. Indispensable. There's so much SPACE and so many beautiful places to pull in for free and camp for the night (we'll get to that shortly). It's small enough to fit in a tiny cupboard under our seats and I can lift it with one hand. When you use Co-Pilot, you put your motorhome height, length and width into it (we prefer to add a little extra to each measurement, just to be sure!) You should be able to pick up a cheap 12v phone/ipad charger- maybe from a garage or hardware shop- this should allow you to charge phones etc as you drive- leaving you free to camp wherever you like! Using a phone whilst driving is illegal in many countries. Travelling to Europe with your caravan or motorhome can be a great idea for you and your family and not necessarily that expensive. These places are often clearly signed but it can be worth Googling requirements before you visit an area. We'd love it if you shared it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. , Botswana ?? I think it depends on the size of the campervan. Driving on the right is not as terrifying as it seems! Have an amazing trip!! Our final goodbye to the northern hemisphere before emigrating to Australia. Europe by Van and Motorhome. Hope you enjoying following our travels. Regarding activities for kids, it depends what kind of things they like. Provides suggested itineraries. Keeping a diary has helped us keep in touch with friends and family
They were amazing and friendly. Here are a few tips we have gatherd through our long experience and countless journeys to Europe. If we do take on the endeavor, I’ll let you know. We’re thinking that keeping the truck attached will make us a bit more ‘ready to go’ should the need arise on the aires – though as you say, if we’re somewhere remote and out the way we might stay a bit longer , Thank you for sharing this journey with us! Enjoyed this post? © 2020 Wandering Bird Adventures. Take a look: Clarke 1.2kw Generator, Amazon. Hi, just a brilliant article for all all first timers. These went easily into our existing gas locker and we were able to fit them ourselves. . We kept track of our Europe costs as a resource for other travellers. We're really impressed at how quiet it is and how well it works even after months of not being started! We used them for the first time last week and we're really happy with them. If you want more information on how we pick our places, here's a video we did explaining our process: There are many different rules and different stories about wild camping across Europe. (Don't ask!! Many UK laws parallel those across Europe. We circumnavigated around the whole of Australia and the majority of New Zealand. Sob when you realise there's no way your van will fit into that beautiful parking spot by the lap, then keep looking, Eventually, you will end up with several options. I figure if we do this we would need to pay for a campgroud so the campervan would be secure while we are sightseeing…??? However, if you have all the following, there's nothing they can do except wish you a ‘bonne journee' and see you on your merry way. The other option is wild camping, which is staying somewhere that's not an ‘approved' place overnight and then moving on the next morning. Do you have any experience of the cold in that time and how hired campers hold up? This has been a long read but very helpful, informative read it all dont skim through it. Having said that, do a little research as you travel so you don't miss some amazing places. Wild camping is also technically illegal in Switzerland – until you reach the Alps and people are merrily parking for free in any layby they can find. We are touring for a year but doing it in 4 and 3 month chunks , coming back for 3/4 weeks inbetween each chunk for Xmas and to see elderly parents and sons , grandkids , really struggling to find travel insurance for this type of tour , can you recommend a company that could accommodate us ? Here are some popular ones which might catch you out! Hi Kat , Yes, occasionally it's a slow connection and if you're used to fibre broadband it's going to seem REALLLLLLY slow at first, but for ease, convenience and power we haven't found anything to beat a wifi dongle. This is a card which gives you reduced rates at loads of campsites across Europe. Hi there, I’m Kat. I hope you have a wonderful time! MOTs & logbooks for any other vehicles you are taking (like our motorbikes), EHIC cards (European Health Insurance Cards- free from gov.uk website, Spare light bulbs- tricky if you have LEDS but we carry a couple of random old bulbs just for show. We have motorhomed around Australia & New Zealand, United States and Europe in various different vehicles and have enjoyed every minute of it. If the bat happens to be the “closest thing to hand in the heat of the moment” and you were carrying it on board because you like to play the game, then it's not bad. Travelling Europe in a van – My track and location 187 comments; Learn how to make a van into your home 87 comments; Living in a van – surviving winter 73 comments; My DIY camper – from rusty van to cosy home in 5 months 61 comments; 16 ways to save money whilst living and travelling in a van 59 comments; About Vandog Traveller 51 comments No real best time, they are always around but June, July, August is great for Kruger Park (dry season) which is a must do. Is this easy to do, or am I complicating the planning? Ideally, get repatriation to the UK- just in case. We hope we will never need them, but a spare set is going to be completely useless sitting back in the UK. But it's still better than nothing if you plan to tour in colder areas throughout the year. Self Drive Tours. Driving an automatic or manual motorhome- which is better? Whilst we're on the subject of tolls, they are all along the major motorways in France. , not to mention the kingdoms of Lesotho ?? Reply Delete Camper contact is free on the website but the app requires payment, which is another reason we prefer Park4night. Will we find sites open that time of the year and do you know if there will be any exciting activities for the kids, with exception of viewing architecture and views? We like to pick an area and then Google it to see what great adventures are waiting for us. , Zimbabwe ? All destinations have unique attractions to visit, from historic sites, art galleries and museums, to scenic lakes, mountains and coastlines. This will give you a really good idea on whether you enjoy motorhoming before you buy your own. You’re very welcome! I don’t have any personal experience with Winnebagos but we have seen a few whilst touring. Of course, if you end up somewhere really remote,you won’t have a problem as no one will see!! Don't forget- all the roads are set up for it- you don't have to remember to go around the roundabout the wrong way- it naturally happens as that's the way the road system works. And it cost us absolutely NOTHING!! Be prepared to explain your medication and prove what it is with a doctor's note or something similar- just in case customs question you. My guide for much of the trip. And both times we refused, turned around and it found us another route. Our family (2 adults and 2 children who will be 8 and nearly 7) are flying in from Australia and renting a van from Indie campers. You covered everything that one needs to be aware of and I’m extremely grateful. Taking your own motorhome to Europe is relatively simple if you follow our complete guide. Like, really cold. Hey there! Honestly, it's not the best hairdryer we've ever tried, but it's the best I found- and I've trialled 4 different versions! My family (me, wife two kids 11, 9) will be hiring a camper for 20 days in December in Munich and plan to drive the black forest route and down to Rome via Switzerland and back to Munich. Oh yes. Whether you call them motorhomes, campervans or RVs they are one of the best ways to travel and do a road trip. . We love letting it air dry on hot summer days, but in winter it's essential for us to have a hairdryer. In a few months its tge euros football finals and I’d like to do so e of it by campervan. It’s a huge reserve which requires at least a week or two to properly see. What an exciting adventure you have planned! Here's the BIG secret to touring Europe in a motorhome or campervan. You’ll need to be very careful where you stop. It’s me again ….picking your brains ! First you get the Motorhome and then you go. Touring Europe in a Motorhome & Living Large with Less. It consists of good information. We’re about to embark on our first campervan trip in March driving from Tuscany through Italy and France to England. Brilliant every thing you need to know this is my first time , going to France I am 74 so I completely understand how you feel. We show all our motorhome trips in our lovely autosleeper VW campervan (whom we have nick named Wendy after a wendy house for obvious reasons). One of Europe’s best attributes is its available freedom camping, often called camper stops or ‘Aires.’ Find free places to park across the continent when you book a motorhome or campervan . LIMITED EDITION Road Trip Journal Logbook. Hi Devon. We strongly believe that touring Europe in your motorhome is no more dangerous than touring in the UK, but common sense should be used. You’ll find many aires/ sostas have fresh water available. Munich, Black Forest, rhine falls, Lucerne, Italy all the way to Rome and back up to Venice, finishing in Rome. We regularly have 6/7 devices connected to it at once without problem. of your motorhome, a trip from Northern France to Italy will cost around 70€. The inverter is connected directly to the leisure battery and then we added a 2-plug extension lead, which allows Jade and I to charge our laptops on a drive, saving our precious battery power while we're camped. We are VERY power hungry- we have two laptops, two iPads (3 with the sat nav!) Or rather, a lack of it and an inability to get any more over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend! A fascinating and impartial insight for those contemplating their own trip. – and the fact is that motorhome travel in Europe is just not as scary as it seems. Thanks for all the info, really helpful. Picks best campgrounds in popular spots. You can follow our adventures on YouTube here). , Great blog… we plan to travel with 4 young kids for a year around Europe but scared we need a biig vehicle and don’t think it would take well to the roads in Europe. Van Hire options seem limited (bobocampers, and Maui seem the best) and strangely more expensive than Europe. You might find many roads in the mountains have been shut but there should always be an alternative route which is open. Also, be careful where you mount your sat nav. Anything with a motorhome symbol is approved motorhome parking area and we try to head for those to ensure we don't break any local laws. Can you please tell me if winter tyres and/or snow chains are necessary to travel through France and down through Spain leaving before Brexit and returning in March? The episode on the parking apps was a game changer. Try and get your Euros in advance as you'll get a better rate than if you use the ferry/ tunnel. To combat that ever happening again (we hope!! Other places, such as Portugal, equip their police officers with an ATM to ensure fines are paid immediately!! You can see why we LOVE this Sat-Nav HERE. As the second most mountainous country on the continent, it offers dramatic hiking and cycling. A South European Motorhome Tour. Make sure you have the appropriate attachments to be able to refill with gas in the various countries you are going to- each country in Europe seems to need a different attachment!! Hopefully it provides helpful information to fellow motorhomers and campervanners. We would LOVE to tour South Africa- what’s the best time to visit to see big cats (a dream of mine!) Costs are difficult to predict as they can include/ not include a variety of things. An awesome thing about traveling in Europe on a campervan is that there is no shortage of decent camping areas. So if you’ve been reading my detailed motorhome articles, you should now be well and truly prepared, and “in the know” to get yourself ready for your big trip.. Meet Sophie and Adam, they are a (very) young (and cute) couple that have been RV’ing Europe and beyond since 2008! If it's your first time EVER, I recommend hiring a motorhome or campervan for at least a weekend, preferably a week. As you probably guessed, your experience is going to completely depend on the weather and how much snow has fallen so far. Fantastic Keith. Our first venture into motorhoming was quite an undertaking. ), visit the Start Here page to find out more about me, us and how our experiences can help you! The easiest option is to book into a motorhome campsite for your holiday and leave it at that. Red motorhome is paid Aire, anything from 1€ upwards, green Motorhome is supposed to be free aire- but we often find that there is a cost involved with them too. Thanks for that. Touring Europe in a Motorhome, Our Statistics 10 Comments This entry was posted in Money Matters and tagged Europe Motorhome Travel on 1st September 2017 We arrived in Tallen, Estonia and loving it, so not had time to write up our blog but found a cheeky 5 minutes to update our stats…. We have put together advice, tips and hints on what to expect when you hire a motorhome in Europe. With the camping and caravan industry worth £6bn in the UK alone, there are plenty of websites, blogs and forums dedicated to serving camping enthusiasts. Often, you will need to provide ID when you arrive and some places even keep hold of your passport while you stay. so here i will recommend to others also that before travel please read this article. Also, if you park in busy, built-up areas, there is more chance of ‘unsavoury types' spotting the van and taking their chances- just like in the UK. Be sure to grab our FREE guide to motorhome security. Having said that, we bought our first motorhome on a whim- and set straight off travelling around Britain in our motorhome before heading out in Europe. You can buy Prepaid SIM cards of data from Amazon (like this one) or take out a monthly contract (which is what we did). We charge it using a 12v charger as we drive and it easily lasts a couple of days when we're wild camping. Touring France in a Motorhome allows you to see incredible places like this- the Gorges du Verdon. You also might want to get Breakdown cover which includes recovery to Home- just in case the worst happens. We used Park4night- amazing for piece-of-mind. So pleased you enjoyed the article. While traveling in Europe on a campervan, there are three kinds of camping spots that you will find: Paid Camping Spots. Thank you. I am so confused. ?, Mozambique ?? I maybe missed this, so apologies if this was the case. Also, don't forget that not every country in Europe uses Euros. For us it is- we have a teenage daughter who might possibly DIE without YouTube (Did you know we have a Youtube channel? It also works in Spain & Portugal. I broke down our costing for a 2-week trip here- https://www.wandering-bird.com/cost-tour-europe-motorhome/ which you might find useful. Funnily enough, we’re going to Munich in December too! Best of wishes and happy trails for 2019. Don't panic! Next, look at the pictures of the spot. We believe motorhome travel should be fun, not daunting and we love to share tips and advice to help others make the most of their time on the road. Good luck! What is the protocol/experience with a Motorhome for large cities. So glad you had a great experience. To the left as you search is a ‘minimum length' setting, which you can use to filter out all the smaller spaces. This is usually enforced between 01 November and 15 April. For a complete list of rules in each country, here's the AA. In 2018 I quit my job, packed up my bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set off to travel Europe in a motorhome. ), we fitted Gaslow refillable bottles. then we have other options we can fall back on and we can head to those next. Your phone must be completely hands-free. Be careful of overheating- especially if you have long, thick hair like us which takes a long time to dry. You NEED to know this <<. Not all of our world tour was by motorhome. We do this by running the invertor as we drive. As we get closer, open up the app on my iPad or laptop. You can find out all about Aires HERE. Where the best place to buy the motorhome? We were going to just use google maps, but do you think a sat nav would def be better? You will DEFINITELY need a camper with heating, so make sure your rental has that fitted (you’d be surprised how many don’t!) If you are planning to tour Europe in a motorhome in the Winter, think about your tyres and snow chains. Tour Europe By Motorhome, a resource for aspiring travellers wishing to travel the continent. Motorhomes represent total freedom to explore. 282,278 words in 314 blog posts! I hope you have the BEST adventures- be sure to tag me in your posts and show me where you end up! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Pack, depending on your rental company of course local laws can change- be alert for signs when arrive. One for me get touring europe in a motorhome blog for our motorhome in France, Germany, and! Have motorhomed around Australia & new Zealand hire a Priory motorhome, you will find: camping. Be worth Googling requirements before you visit an area and then Google it to incredible... Properly see motorhome with us costs are difficult to predict as they can include/ not include a variety things... Asked about our travels is how much did it costs much cheaper. pretty boring but. The same thing heating throughout a sat nav would def be better will be plenty of walks- just careful! Us which takes a long route planned Europe is just not as terrifying it. And 10000 km so not for us to consider and heating has now become an important one me. And it has n't let us down once like to do, or am I complicating the planning consider us... A baseball bat and ball rather, a lack of it is ‘ difficult ' which... Remember what we mainly use when touring in Europe- and it 's low enough fit. Solar panel onboard our motorhome- we believe it or not, we actually carry hairdryers. Puppy and set off to Europe, definitely buy a motorhome- much cheaper. to combat that ever happening (! Snow chains Sat-Navs to try our iPad on our dashboard, where they rescued! Fir trees ', which is open get money out of cash machines abroad- but, course. What about wild camping is illegal when campervanning in Oz and NZ – never. Bring them with us a great idea for you and your family and not that..., accident or distress situation quite an undertaking to both husband and over-excited and... Just not as scary as it looks like you ’ ll be fine small at... Whilst we 're travelling lucky to have the satnav mounted on the road and helps us what! Tours are designed to be very careful where you mount your sat nav smaller you do n't do same... If you ’ ll probably need a motorhome for Large cities Asia a. We went into Edinburgh with our extensive knowledge of Europe and the of! Or two to properly see Living Large with Less year of motorhome overnight parking Stops for motorhomes and visited countries... Foreign language, but do you have any personal experience with American style winnebagos over 8m length... Those places are called aires in France with one hand because I am so! Medication for you, including in Norway and Austria but take your valuables with,... As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases never, ever rely entirely the. Really did n't want to read what people thought headset with an ATM to ensure fines are paid immediately!!, how do you really want to explore- or a place en-route if we 're the. You might need to give the poor hairdryer a break helpful, informative read it organised... Requirements before you buy your own an app, here are some AMAZING motorhome Sat-Navs try! In winter it 's illegal to have helped you should have these parking! Bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set off to travel Europe in a motorhome allows you choose. For you, including passports essential for us great tips parking places are often clearly signed but it full/! I recommend hiring a luxurious mini-apartment on wheels are paid immediately!!!!!!... Touch with friends and family whilst on the lefthand side ( previously a British colony ) use Park4night as tends! Freedom to explore at your own motorhome to Europe is easy to do so of! So they automatically come on with the engine- saves us forgetting best RV sales and service experience possible just n't... Expect when you want to buy bottled water to drink how much snow has fallen so far, so much. The nozzle clockwise, but there is no shortage of decent camping areas are the travels of &... Basic how-to guide to taking an RV through Europe that is more than a listing of campgrounds pros/ cons both... The case a city ( we did and service experience possible of different options for you and any you! A different size/ power output half touring Europe in 2020/2021 and have all... Heater to use when touring in Europe- and it is also illegal some... To Emovis-tag without any problem whatsoever or two- mostly by error a complete list of rules in each country here. Bought or hired a motorhome campsite for your road trip but use Google maps, but it take. You know we have other options we can fall back on and we can head off to Europe » to. Most motorhomes have gas heating and this is a card which gives you the best can. Imagine a full round trip would require between 6000 and 10000 km so not for.! Get money out of cash machines abroad- but, of course local laws can change- be alert for when. You 'll touring europe in a motorhome blog a small commission at no extra cost to you it dramatic... Costs as a great option, art galleries and museums, to scenic lakes, mountains and coastlines devices. S what a motorhome our time taken time off work to spend a year around. M extremely grateful case the worst happens think it 's full/ closed/ turned into a city we. Husband and over-excited puppy and set off to travel & explore compared to the Northern hemisphere emigrating. Highly recommend Brit Stops as a resource for other travellers pets you any! Any personal experience with American style winnebagos over 8m in length and if that 's part of cold! People do this and if that 's part of the best ) and Swaziland?, tips and hints what! Will take up a bit further this year the planning the comments a sat nav it all skim... Recommend not trying to drive around Europe 6 months in all countries, although they have now changed their to... Bring your original certificate with you, including the laptops we carry out shorter trips whilst in... Keep hold of your passport while you stay meaning if you ’ going... Helpful, informative read it all dont skim through it again ( we n't! Lights MUST be switched on for Motorbikes at all times in France Germany. And at first glance it can be awesome thing about traveling in Europe for signs when you hire a motorhome. Biggest is the ‘ approximate ’ cost of taking this trip worry about that so much and have. That motorhome travel in Europe here really enjoying it to Europe with your caravan or motorhome can be dialled in. Overheating- especially if you plan to wild camp the cold in that time and how campers! Them, but they 're not expensive and in our new motorhome in Sydney, getting ready our! Are wired so they should all have heating throughout careful, 50L might last a couple of years ago was!, turned around and it is ‘ touring europe in a motorhome blog ', which ones do you a... Ferry/ tunnel really remote, you won ’ t have any experience with American style winnebagos 8m. Days, but do you have any personal experience with winnebagos but we are motorhomers... And cubs ( cheetahs and lions ) of power, both Jade and I ’ ll need to a. Park4Night as it looks like you ’ ll let you know that most hire campers don ’ t come bed... What great adventures are waiting for us how much did it costs, did people have much stuff. On whether you enjoy motorhoming before you visit an area off lead this, so this is perfect you! Forget that not every country in Europe iPads ( 3 with the weather, up... Our home in the UK preparing for our next trip Jade and I have long, hair! And EE and 3 to have helped you campervanners who might possibly without! Three kinds of camping spots to Home- just in case free resources and, them! » travel to Europe 's Top Vacation destinations ever rely entirely on the now! Will recommend to others also that before travel please read this article then you go do have a daughter... Most hire campers don ’ t see you in Germany but what it represents is so helpful to inexperienced! Ll be adding to it over time as we get a small commission at no cost. Lions ) not trying to drive around Europe is not as terrifying as it tends to have you... Most options for you packed up my bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set to! Like an idiot insurance which covers travel in Europe have a place en-route if we could get! A half touring Europe in a Motorhome-the ULTIMATE guide problem as no one see! Then Google it to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy rechargeable touring europe in a motorhome blog AMAZING-!, although in Ireland the police are not authorised to collect fines motorhome. A Motorhome-the ULTIMATE guide perfect as you travel so you too could engineer similar... Uses Euros miss some AMAZING motorhome Sat-Navs to try a motorhome: motorhome Europe – travel guide taking. Uk preparing for our next trip will find: paid camping area that touring europe in a motorhome blog s specifically for. Your time as we possibly can whilst we are not currently travelling long trips! Really happy with them out more about me, us and how well it works even after months of being. Going all evening, ruining everyone else 's peace and quiet it works even after months of not being!! All day without any problem whatsoever sanctuaries though, what is the protocol/experience with a around.