UK v Abroad ?

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.

.WhereNext, fantastic.... Reminds me of when my old Dad took all of us off to Spain in a converted butchers van back in 1966. General Franco ruled and we crossed the French & Spanish borders with armed soldiers at the frontiers. Memories to many to share but never forgotten. Love your post. Thanks. 

Started my foreign caravan hols in 1976(age20!!) stayed on a penpals farm in bavaria for 3 months (my german improved) and spent the next 15 years touring and working abroad. (not in the same van!!) trust me touring aboad now is no different to touring in the UK Just cheaper once you get there, but dont forget compared to the uk Germany, France, Spain are huge!!

We went abroad with a tent before doing it with a caravan so we had some practice driving solo first. Our first trips with a caravan were from Portsmouth to Brittany which is probably easier than Calais when you get off.

Driving on the right is in fact no problem when you land as you are very aware of the need to do this. If it is to become a problem it ia probably a few days later when you become accustomed to it and it is then you can get it wrong but it tends to be in quiet spots where you cannot see other vehicles. On the whole though it should not be a problem.

Why should you go is not easy as it depends on what interests you have, it does help you see how others live, can help childrens education or it might just be you fancy a change.

We went abroad with a tent before doing it with a caravan so we had some practice driving solo first. Our first trips with a caravan were from Portsmouth to Brittany which is probably easier than Calais when you get off.

Driving on the right is in fact no problem when you land as you are very aware of the need to do this. If it is to become a problem it ia probably a few days later when you become accustomed to it and it is then you can get it wrong but it tends to be in quiet spots where you cannot see other vehicles. On the whole though it should not be a problem.

Why should you go is not easy as it depends on what interests you have, it does help you see how others live, can help childrens education or it might just be you fancy a change.

thanks Wildwood, much appreciated

We're very new to this game and despite having our caravan only a couple of weeks we have visited 4 sites so far and we're off again next week for a week but we're keeping local (Norfolk) and getting used to everything.

I just wondered how long you left it before making your first long trip and have you ventured abroad ?

If so where did you go and how long had you been caravanning before you made that move?

I am feeling happy to stay in the UK for the foreseeable as I think there are so many brilliant places to visit.

I think it depends whether you are working or retired. Many of us on here have made the transition. When we first had our van we managed about 4/5 weeks away a year. Unfortunately we worked in retailing so weekends were always at a premium. It must have been 4/5 years before we ventured abroad and have not looked back since. We have travelled in France/Germany/Holland/Austria/Switzerland/Italy and Spain. We now spend longer abroad, anywhere between six and nine weeks depending on circumstances. 

As its new to you perhaps spend the first year in the UK and then think about going abroad. We have had the advantage of visiting a lot of places in the UK although still more to go but we do like our overseas trips. Many of our trips are recorded here Caravantravels You will also find many site reviews on my website with photographs of both the UK and Abroad if it helps.

David

We're very new to this game and despite having our caravan only a couple of weeks we have visited 4 sites so far and we're off again next week for a week but we're keeping local (Norfolk) and getting used to everything.

I just wondered how long you left it before making your first long trip and have you ventured abroad ?

If so where did you go and how long had you been caravanning before you made that move?

I am feeling happy to stay in the UK for the foreseeable as I think there are so many brilliant places to visit.

I think it depends whether you are working or retired. Many of us on here have made the transition. When we first had our van we managed about 4/5 weeks away a year. Unfortunately we worked in retailing so weekends were always at a premium. It must have been 4/5 years before we ventured abroad and have not looked back since. We have travelled in France/Germany/Holland/Austria/Switzerland/Italy and Spain. We now spend longer abroad, anywhere between six and nine weeks depending on circumstances. 

As its new to you perhaps spend the first year in the UK and then think about going abroad. We have had the advantage of visiting a lot of places in the UK although still more to go but we do like our overseas trips. Many of our trips are recorded here Caravantravels You will also find many site reviews on my website with photographs of both the UK and Abroad if it helps.

David

.Wow, David, you have been busy. Just had a look at your web site and there's plenty there for me to refer back to ! Marvellous. Noticed that you transitioned to a Motorhome. Wondered how you find it compared to the caravan. I sense the travelling abroad is perhaps easier and more comfortable in a Motorhome ?. Thanks for sharing.

We just piled three children into the car in 1972 and went exploring down the Normandy coast from Calais to Mont St Michel and back. Our fourth child arrived in 1973 and in 1974 we went to Italy, and  I think we have only missed out one year since then. We rarely had fixed destinations and hardly ever made reservations. After we retired we started travelling South East Asia on buses and trains in the same sort of way  Some people are more cautious than we are. Travelling in that way is a personality thing. 

Starbys

A caravan is a good idea if you spend at least aweek on site but we were finding that we were moving on after two or three days so we felt that suited a motorhome. With a caravan you have the advantage of using of the car which we don't so as a result we are always looking for sites near to towns. Also as we have got older we find a motorhome far less hassle that a caravan to be honest. There are still elements of caravanning that we miss but I doubt there is any going back.

David

Caravan or MH both have benefits over each other but neither stop you doing what you want. This year we went Holland Germany Austria (Innsbruck) Italy (Pisa,Florence,Rome, Naples,Sorrento, Capri) then into the heel of Italy before coming back the other side via Rimini to Austria (Salzberg) Germany and home, just a little meander which we loved. We had a mix of site seeing and then just chilling, roll on next year for our annual 8/10 week trip. 

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

Write your comments here...Woodhall Spa is very nice - I stayed there last year with a friend who wanted to do some RAF stuff - she had a ball!  That was a CC&C site and I dont' usually caravan that close to home!  The Nature Reserves are worth a visit especially Donna Nook in November/December  when you can virtually touch the new born seals But DON'T if you value your fingers!  Then there are the Great Houses and Castles like Belvoir, Belton, Grimsthorpe and so on.  Lovely sandy beaches - and a couple of kiss me quick seaside resorts!  I live very near the Market Rasen site which closes in November.  The wolds are very pretty and towns like Louth and Horncastle well worth a visit - as of course is the beautiful city of Lincoln!