Escorted trips

The last thing you want is a convoy. It makes concentrating on your driving even harder as you are distracted by trying to keep up/ watch for the outfit following. A bunch of nose to tail outfits won't endear you to the other motorists either.

The last thing you want is a convoy. It makes concentrating on your driving even harder as you are distracted by trying to keep up/ watch for the outfit following. A bunch of nose to tail outfits won't endear you to the other motorists either.

Write your comments here...Not if you were in the Merchant Navy & in the North Atlantic 75 yearso ago CY . 

The first time we took a caravan to France hubby had only been abroad once before on a coach trip so not only had not towed but not driven. One of these tours, as stated, only starts at the first site so you still have the 'ordeal' of getting on the ferry and the first drive to your first destination on your own. We went Plymouth/Roscoff that first time to save as much driving over in France as possible. If I were going to day for the first time I would spend the extra money on the Portsmouth/Cherbourg crossing as the roads are quieter than around Calais, rather than on a conducted tour, and have my first stop on the Cherbourg peninsula. It is so much easier than you expect doing the whole French experience and when you have found that out for yourselves you can venture further. If that take two days or a week it is up to you.

Hello

We have hosted many C.C. Tours including First Timers and the idea of a convoy is a total "NoNo".  It is very dangerous and what happens if someone becomes detached and lost.

All participants on First Timers Tours are notified that they should NOT convoy but they do receive really excellent directions and all the necessary info. needed to make their first journey abroad as stressfree as possible.  They maybe arrive on site a little stressed but by the end of their stay most can't wait to get away abroad on their own.  It is an excellent introduction to touring in Europe.   

Most of these participants are in the older age groups and really enjoy having their hands held for the first time. It has given us great pleasure to meet up with a number of them on other sites as they spread their wings and enjoy Europe.

I think if it takes an organised trip to get you to go over the water to europe then go for it. I am interested to hear that most people go it alone after their first trip.

Interested to hear how these trips work for motorhomers in terms of trips away from site

My first solo trip to France after a long break from towing - I packed a tent on a trip to visit my brother - with two overnight stops planned - when I got to Dieppe I just imagined I had the caravan on the back and travelled that way!  I was planning not to put the tent up if the weather was unkind but both nights were great fun - I did miss the caravn's luxury though!  The next trip was with the caravan and there have been a few since.  I think we have to do what we are comfortable with - but I had a lot of encouragement from other "campers" telling me I could do it!  That helped a lot!  Going a little out of my comfort zone was very good for morale too. 

We have always done our own thing but having recieved the Escorted Europe Tours brochure (a month at least ago!) my wife wants me to consider doing one but...having a week on our own in France first, then joining a 'tour' and then having a final week on our own before returning to UK as she was so impressed by what was on offer and potentially with a bit of company. So whats wrong with me missus!!

Blue Van Man.  Most tours have a mixture of caravanners and motorhomes. If the motor homers are on a First Timers Tour they will be encouraged to go off site even if it is just to do some shopping or get fuel. Caravanners can also help out with transport but the purpose of the Tour is to get the drivers all to get as much practice as possible and to build confidence. The excursions on most of the tours have coaches arranged for everyone and this means that a lunch with a glass of wine can be enjoyed.

We are hoping to host the two Loire Tours in June from 13 th June at Les Saules followed by Bois du Bardelet on 29th June and would love to meet up with anyone at either of these sites.

Hi Marz, I am sure you will be perfect hosts, but....

An 8 night stay at Bois de Bardelet  is looking like £160, but the 8 night organised tour at the same site is £549. Yes? 

So for the extra £389 we would get a welcome drink and a farewell meal, plus a coach trip, a visit to a castle, and a boat ride. Yes? 

If my arithmetic is right then I think that's dear. Sorry. 

OK so it sounds like the tours are mainly geared to/patronised by first timers. I can see that could provide experience and training benefits as well as the social aspect. I appreciate also that they may be of particular interest to the "more mature" client.  In my past life I never attended a course or training without coming away with something important that I had learned. So they have a place but not for me as my next trip planned is to the far North of Norway via the Baltic states.