PaulAbroad replied on 13/09/2023 12:25
Posted on 13/09/2023 12:25
We've been caravanning abroad for 40+years covering the majority of European countries, but this year something has changed.
When the kids were small we had to holiday during August but rarely, if ever, booked ahead but it was rarely a problem finding a pitch, although it was obviously busy. When we were able to delay until September things were so much more relaxed with plenty of pitches to choose from at any site.
This year the enjoyment has been somewhat curtailed with lots of ringing around required and many sites being full. Some sites that do offer a pitch shove you in a tight spot somewhere just to do you a favour. We started at Orleans, then Lyon, both very busy but some availability. Moving down to Cote d'azur (yes I know it's popular) everywhere is rammed and we ended up in a site's 'waiting room' area for three nights. Moving over the border into Italy... same problem with outfits being packed in like sardines.
So onto Annecy, surely there would be plenty of availability? Nope, full signs everywhere but we were squeezed into a pitch on yet another rammed site. Ten minutes later and we wouldn't have even had that. I can't believe this is happening in September.
So... is it the case that the pandemic saw such huge increases in campervan/motorhome ownership - not many caravans about - there just isn't the capacity any longer? Looks like a big rethink is required for future holidays. Booking ahead the whole holiday? Never done that and don't intend to. Just find places that aren't as popular? Well of course there's a reason places are popular...
I'd be interested in the experiences and observations of others.
PaulAbroad
Caravanner