UK v Abroad ?

Starbys I think its all been said really - there are some wonderful places in the UK - I have visited many and actually further than Land'sEnd to John O'Groats having visited the Shetland Islands and Orkneys and Outer Hebrides (my favourite I think).  But Europe is definitely worth visiting - but as someone else said don't try to cram too much in too little time.  I did that about 20 years ago - bad idea!  The lack of traffic and clear roads most without potholes make for very relaxed caravanning - and the ACSI network means masses of sites at reasonable rates off peak I really appreciate not having to book as I like to pick and choose - if its raining I may move on - if I like it especially I may stay. Its getting difficult to do that these days in the UK. 

Starbys I think its all been said really - there are some wonderful places in the UK - I have visited many and actually further than Land'sEnd to John O'Groats having visited the Shetland Islands and Orkneys and Outer Hebrides (my favourite I think).  But Europe is definitely worth visiting - but as someone else said don't try to cram too much in too little time.  I did that about 20 years ago - bad idea!  The lack of traffic and clear roads most without potholes make for very relaxed caravanning - and the ACSI network means masses of sites at reasonable rates off peak I really appreciate not having to book as I like to pick and choose - if its raining I may move on - if I like it especially I may stay. Its getting difficult to do that these days in the UK. 

Thanks Pippah45.

much appreciated. As you are from Lincolnshire I wondered if you could recommend anywhere in your County ? I have heard Woodhall Spa is nice

Hawthorn Farm ,Sutton On Sea is a nice site

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I took up caravanning specifically to tour abroad, we had some UK experience with my parents but didn't consider investing in our own until whilst on a package we saw a Spanish beach shore site . We had what could be carried in a suitcase and they had all their toys BBQs surf boards etc etc and we realised foreign holidays and caravanning was not  mutually exclusive . We caravanned in the UK for the first year (lack of funds) and have been abroad every time since and leaving for trip 46 shortly.

I would endorse what others have said about having sufficient  time, we only once went for less than 3 weeks (1 week in  Holland) and these days a minimum of 6, so if you can get the time I would start straight away there is nothing to be gained by waiting and its so much easier than the UK.

BTW I would take issue with the comments about Spain, ok its not that green away from the North West Coast (because thats where it rains)  but has wonderful scenery vast open spaces, fabulous cities and wild life 

You might find something of interest here and David Klyne also has an extensive website.

A comment thread here......thanks Another, Deleted User User

BTW I would take issue with the comments about Spain, ok its not that green away from the North West Coast (because thats where it rains)  but has wonderful scenery vast open spaces, fabulous cities and wild life 

I totally agree with you David, we were amazed and delighted by how green Spain is, totally blown away with the scenery in Northern Spain, even the drive through the middle of Spain where it is less green has a beauty of its own. The Costa's while typical seaside beach holiday is only a very short distance from the hills that run just about the whole length of that side of Spain. Sitting on a site in Spain with the beach/sea in front of you and the hills behind doesn't get much better.

Hitchglitch, Spain is no further to go than Italy, now you have a M/H give it a try especially the border between France and Spain, the views are out of this world.

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Had to laugh reading Starbys opening post. How naive we were when we bought our first caravan. Had a 2 day trial run to a local CC site, a week in Norfolk to gauge "long" distance travelling then our next trip was to Eastern Austria near the Hungarian border, prior to Austria joining EU and when Hungary still had armed border patrols. No fear, long days travelling to get there as we were still working. Hardly any German language, no trip advisors and definitely no UK visitors. You would have thought we had two heads!

Over the next 20 yeaars we toured all over France, Holland, Spain, Germany etc. Retiring 15 years ago meant we could stay longer and appreciated it more. Learnt French and German to a reasonable level BUT we always made sure we had at least 1 holiday of length, usually autumn, in the UK as it really does have some very special places.

This year we've been to the Baltci coast in Germany and Poland, toured bits of the Netherlands and next week will explore various bits of France and Spain but I doubt we'll see anywhere more beautiful than when we had a 10 day break in the Northern Lake District.

So Starbys, you pays your money and takes your choice and to be honest I don't think you could possibly pick wrong. Adventures abroad are nothing to fear and if you choose the UK it will be great. Having a caravan or motorhome just lets you go wherever the urge takes you. Enjoy it.