European site suggestions

As others have said, 5 weeks is not a long time to visit all these countries and Nice is certainly the odd one out. If you’re new to towing in Europe you would not enjoy the coastal route from Italy to France so perhaps do Nice another time? Are you looking for a sightseeing holiday or a relaxing one? We travel to Italy every year and our preferred route there  is Calais, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy. Returning  Austria, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, Calais.. If you’re using Switzerland merely to reach Italy then Caping Gottardo near Faido is a good stopover. If you’re looking for a relaxing holiday on the Adriatic coast with lots of cycling routes then Camping Capalonga in Bibione is arguably the best site along that coast but in July and August you will need to prebook now. You will also be more comfortable with Aircon in your ‘van. If you give us more info on what sort of holiday you’re looking for we can give you a few more suggestions. What ever you decide I’m sure you will enjoy it.

I will come back and comment about towing on the continent in general.  It is very easy! Once you have mastered the first couple of roundabouts you will be fine; I have a saying 'bum in drain' when driving over there, this used to amuse the kids many many years ago.  Sadly, the Route Nationals in France are now a minefield with roundabouts and speed bumps everywhere and changing speed limits (there are speed cameras everywhere!); a real pain!!   Unless you have the white tag your passenger will get a little fed up with stretching to insert your card in the payment booth - they are all card payment in France.  However, with over 50 yrs of driving on the continent, and living there,  I have found it to be a a much more pleasant experience than in UK; there is less traffic, lane discipline is much better.  You can set your cruise control to match the HGVs and just relax you are unlikely to come across a 40mph centre lane hogger.  The service stations put ours to shame, ok in Italy they can be a bit tight!  And in France and Germany there are also lots of additional stopping places with tables etc (space and climate!). As everywhere, fuel is more expensive on the motorways.  Once you get used to the road signage navigation is simple (but we all use sat navs don't we!).  A quick word about sat navs; by all means set it to the fastest route BUT have a look at your map to check you are not been routed down a gravel road past lovely villas in Tuscany to save 15 ks on the motorway,  and don't use it to navigate you from Sorrento to Gargano in Italy or you may be taken through some very dubious areas of Naples stick to the autoroutes!!!  Both have happened to us in the past!!  In general we do about 250 miles a day; drive for 2 hours then coffee, another 2 hours then lunch then a further 2 hours before a night stop.  I am no spring chicken but find this schedule fine giving time to wonder around a village in the evening.  Oh, I also try to fill up with fuel (the car that is) in the evening so I start the day with a full tank.  At the lunch stop we check sites  about 100 miles ahead and I would phone ahead to check availability if travelling in Jul; a good test of your linguistic skills and useful to have prepared a few relevant phrases (but  sites, even the small ones, tend to have an English speaker).  

So Kev and Claire have a great trip.  Do your planning but don't delay too long making your reservations.  

Thanks so much for your help and reply, much appeciated.