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Hi we're thinking about our summer hols.  First time self driving, we like theme parks, beaches plenty to do.  I'm considering two options.

Option 1,Calais to dover down to the south of france for 7 days then on two spain near port adventura, stopping near paris on way back.

Option 2, Newcastle to amsterdam to switzerland stop about 5 days then down to a beach south of france/italy (any suggestions?), then stopping near europa park on way back.

Budget is an issue as we're going last week of Aug considering camping cheques.  What I would like is to get to a hot beach, but be able to stop off somewhere nice on way.  We will be going for about 18 days, any suggestions advice very welcome!

Dover to Calais or to Dunkerqe would be my preferred ferry route, especially if you say budget is an issue - the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam is very expensive.  There may be ferry offers coming up as a result of the Caravan Show - or at least a lot of people are hoping so.  

Cambrils Park in Spain is near to Port Aventure, is a super site in itself, and takes Camping Cheques from the lst September.  However, in eighteen days, and for a first time, I'd say you're cramming in quite a lot by trying to combine it with a stay in the south of France.

We generally have 17 days - and have done Cambrils Park several times, but not tried to add another option.  We generally have two overnight stops on the way down, and two on the way back, leaving 12 or 13 nights on site.  We have done it with just one overnight stop, once, but would never ever do it that way again.   We tend to stop about half way down France - Nevers or Salbris area, and then try to get to the Mediterranean area around Grau du Roi or Agde for the second night.  Coming back we tend to stay in Millau for a night, and then again half way through France, before a last night at Chateau du Gandspette near Calais/Dunkerque.

There are some lovely places to overnight on the way down, you can arrive mid to late afternoon, and just chill out, perhaps talk a walk into a village, or just relax outside the caravan and enjoy rural France, hopefully in the sun!

Too much for 18 days I'd suggest.  Take your time, reduce the driving and plan after talking through.

Use this link to find the sort of campsite you like http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/county.asp?region=France

Camping cheques would seem to be your answer.  All singing/dancing sites at a reasonable price.

Hope you have checked your mileages. Calais to south of france is going to be over 700 miles. So from calais 2 days. Depends where in south of france but on down to Cambrils Spain is probably over 400 miles a full day. Going back 3 days to get to calais unless you are going to do "top Gear" type daily mileages. Certainly if you are towing it will take 3.

Thats to Calais. Don't know where you live in UK

Driving all day is not listed in your "likes". I think youneed to plan a bit more detail and see how much time you really want to spend travelling. Nice places when you get there though!

Quote: Originally posted by allie sommerville on 24/2/2010

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Agree that to take in Switzerland would be too much.
The vignette is for the Motorways there - you don't need one if you don't use them!

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Quote: Originally posted by Ina on 24/2/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by allie sommerville on 24/2/2010Agree that to take in Switzerland would be too much.

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The vignette is for the Motorways there - you don't need one if you don't use them!

But as the majority of roads leading into Switzerland are via motorway, you get caught as soon as you enter!

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Quote: Originally posted by debbiej74 on 24/2/2010

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thanks for the replies.  South West France could be a possibiloty.  How long does it take to drive their?  Any suggestions for campsites?  Thank you all so much!

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Quote: Originally posted by debbiej74 on 24/2/2010

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thanks for the replies.  South West France could be a possibiloty.  How long does it take to drive their?  Any suggestions for campsites?  Thank you all so much!

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