First time Abroad

Hi.  Just done four months around Europe and thought that some people that are a bit nervous to take the plunge will have a go. Never towed abroad before so we hooked up and went. It was great and we are looking to do another next year.

We have a Hyundi Santa FE and a Lexon 640. Covered about 5000 miles,  We left on Widnes Cheshire 28March and drove to Folkestone. The weather was wet and very windy so we were down to about 40 mph on the motorway. First hick up was the Dartford Crossing. Didn’t know there was a charge so we had to stop at the next services and pay on the phone. That done we carried on to Euro Tunnel and boarded the train. A lot easier than we thought.

Arrived in Calais and stayed two nights on Camping Bal about 15 kilometres away. They have about 20 pitches and one room with a shower toilet and sink. It is a hotel so you can get meals if you want. Next day did some shopping and filled the car up.

Next stop Prumtel Camping, Oberweis for 8 nights. Lovely site next to the river Prum, Toilets and showers top notch. Restaurant excellent. Because of the wet weather the pitch was very muddy and as they said there was no other we just put the van on the edge of the pitch. The site filled up next morning as it was Easter but there were still empty pitches. First lesson electric was metered ant did not realize we were being charged. It was cold and windy so we had the heating on most of the time. When we left we were charged 150 euros for electric. (ouch! Won’t get caught again) Other than that the site and area was very good.

Next stop Camping Waldpark, Hohenstadt for three nights. Nice little site with red squirrels playing in the grass, and only 14 euros a night. Facilities where warm and clean, free wi fi and a nice little restaurant.

On to Grunensee International. Wertach for eight nights. Had a great pitch all on our own by the lake, next day went out and when we returned we had a German motor home pitched two foot from our van, the site was empty can only surmise they felt lonely. Electric fine now we have learnt about supply in Germany. The site and facilities where very good and the area is outstanding. Just a pity we were a bit early in the year for all the attractions.

Next stop Camping Natter see, Innsbruck for eight days. I can only say this must be one of the best sites we have ever been on. Views are fantastic all around, staff are very friendly. And the best toilet and shower block bar none. They have a free bus runs every thirty minutes into Innsbruck free to campers and guided walks free if you want them. The area is stunning. Was sorry to leave at the end of the week.

On to Camping Vierhaler, Pffarwarfen. Five days, nice little site with friendly owners. Site was clean and toilets where clean but paid for showers. Just chilled out and had a look at the area. Nice castle down the road. Where Eagles Dare used the location.

Next stop Camping Jodl, Ossiach. Five nights. Beautiful site pitched on the side of the lake. Met Dianne T and her husband John. Got lots of advice of Dianne before we left home on the internet. Had a great time and they showed us places that we would never have found? Sadly this site is closing at the end of this season. We were shopping in a big D.I.Y place where they had a big camping department and had some great portable tables for the van. Only after we left wish we had bought one. Seen nothing as good in England.

Into Italy Camping Sa Savio seven nights. Next lesson Autobahns in Italy charge by the axle, so with a TA we were charged the same as an artic. Michelin Maps didn’t tell me that. Great site fifteen minute walk to the village where you buy wine from a pump about 1.80 euros a litre, and the bus to Punta Sabbioni stops here where you get the ferry to Venice. You can get tickets for the bus and ferries at the site for the same price as everywhere else. Venice is fantastic but very busy. And toilets are few if you can find them and 1.50 euro per visit. Met a few couples on site Fay and Tom. Doug and Carole. That go they every year. Later on in France met a couple and when we got talking about where we had been they said did you come across Doug and Carol. Small world. If you need any caravan bits there is a great dealer up the road.

Next Camping Fontanelle, Lake Garda, eight nights. Nice site and a good base for visiting most of the villages around the lake. You could walk along the side of the lake where there where bars and resteraunts but they shut the gate into the site at 10pm. The Wi-Fi was free but you got a ticket for one day for one device from reception. You could do this every day and get two or three separate passes a day.

 Next Camping Kursal, Purugia, seven nights. The lady said we have saved you a pitch by the lake. She must have thought 7.8 meter van normal. I have driven attics for forty years but without my mover I would never have got in or out. The site was compact but very nice .saw otters and snakes in the lake. The area was nice and the villages on top of the hills where great.

Next Camping Sant Antonio,  Vico Equence.  8 nights. Very compact site, no pitches as such just pitch where you can fit. Open your sky light and pick fresh lemons. The road down to the site is a bit scary at first, three hair pin bends and I met the local bus. A concrete mixer and a waggon, just my luck. The entrance to the site is right on a marina where you get the ferry to Capri beautiful,  but a rip off. The site owner will take you up to the station where you get trains to .Pompeo. Sorrento, Naples. All for about 7 euros return for two. Walk back to the site when you return about 20 mins downhill. One night we got a pizza on site for 9 euros delivered to your van by the site manager Jono, the biggest and best tasting we have ever had.

Heading back up now ,Camping Tiber. Rome.6 nights. Very big site with lots of trees. Shuttle bus on site to the station 1.5 euro and 6 euro return to Rome for two on the train. Went three times seen it all now. Very big site and this was the only site that would not honour ACSI rates because we had booked in advance. In hindsight we should have forfeited our deposit and just booked in. Would have been about 50 euros cheaper than what we paid.

Next Camping Girasole club. Florence. 11 days. Top class site with two water parks and all the bits. Bit pricey but nice. Plenty of trips on coaches of the site. We did Florence, Pisa  Lucca and Salerno. All very good and don’t think that they charge for kids on them.

On to Camping Covelo, Lake Ieso. 5 days. What a find pitched on the lake and when you arrive they give you a glass of wine or coffee while they check your pitch is ok. All very helpful and a nice. The restraint serves good food very reasonable with a lake view. Twenty mins walk to town and the lake ferries unlike Garda you can pay a price and sail all day. We liked the villages and towns better than Garda.

Good bye Italy, Into France Coin Tranquil. Les Abrets. 7 days, nice site in the country side. Good area for sightseeing . Grenoble. Annecy, Chambery, all within an hour. Restraint nice and they have theme nights. Unisex toilets and shower rooms but ok after the first couple of times. You get used to it.

Next Chateau da Poinsouze. Gueret. Lovely big site. Very empty and not much in the area. A rest on the way to the Vendee. Just chilled and had a lovely pool to ourselves.

On to Camping Brunelles Vendee. Three weeks here. Very busy site with all the whistles and bells.

The Vendee is a beautiful area with loads to do and see. One main attraction was Puy du Fou, Do not miss it if you are in the area, All the towns and villages are great.

Three weeks gone and had to leave stopped on a Municipal site on the way north in a place called Gace on the A28. Lovely hedged grass pitches 16amp toilets and showers old but clean and loads of hot water. Arrived about 4pm and pitched up as per the sign. The lady turned up about 8pm 6euros a night. Could not believe it. Stayed for two nights. It was better than a lot of sites we have paid £20 plus for.

In summing up it was great experience and we are doing it again next year. We booked a lot of the sites through cc because we were worried first time but would not book any next time providing it is low season  which would save a lot of money.

I would like to say thanks to Dianne t. and David Klyne who both gave us great advice before we went.