Message Forums

could any one give us any information . me and my family are fairy new to moterhoming but plan to visit europe very soon. the plan is to visit france and italy via the swiss alps. we are hoping to leave with a full route plan staying at various camp sites along the way. wondered if any of you had already done this and could share your tips. we have a sat nav but have only used this on family outings and have no clue how to use it abroad. any help would be apreciated many thanks.

Welcome to the 'Abroad' bit of UKCS.

There's a really good thread in the 'pinned' section (above these posts) for 'Continental First Timers' and it will tell you a lot of what you need to know.  When you've read it through (and there is a lot of it) then ask away, and someone will be glad to answer  all your questions. 

I can't help at all with the SatNav question - we still use a map, and prefer it that way - but I'm sure someone else can.

Most of Europe is 'camping orientated' - apart from really peak season you can actually 'tour' without needing to plan and book months in advance.  It really does bring back the old spirit of touring, following the weather, or your inclinations, or the recommendations of someone you might have met yesterday!  Roads are generally more caravan friendly, there are more places for 'comfort stops', and generally less traffic, especially in France.

We're caravanners, and did our first 'Grand Tour' in 1994 - and have been back twice every year since, and sometimes more than twice!  We just planned well, booked nothing, and had a fabulous time.  Our first trip was Chateau du Ganspette near Calais, a site that I can no longer find, just north of Dijon, Village des Meuniers near Macon in Burgundy, a site near Remoulins/Avignon, a lovely site at Brousse le Villaret in the Languedoc, Aqua Viva in the Dordogne, and back to Chateau du Ganspette, all over the course of a two week holiday with a thirteen year old and an eight year old, who also had a fabulous time. 

Go for it - like most of us on here, you'll have a great time, and will soon be posting your own recommendations to help other newcomers to Europe and this website!

We are also caravanners and have been going to France for quite a few years now in the summer and also done Luxembourg for Christmas. Hopefully France this Christmas!

Never be afraid to ask any question here - I still do and am eternally grateful for people like Val A, Tentz, Ina, etc,etc, etc..... for all their input on various threads.Quite often my question is answered in somebody elses thread so you will ned to read throough this section quite thoroughly.

Best advice for Europe - go and enjoy it. You won't regret it. Truthfully - get decent breakdown and health insurance - the rest is easy.

Les

You can use your satnav if it has European Mapping, alot sold in UK only have UK and Ireland.

We have one(on my wife's PDA) but did not use it this year, map, ACSI and CC Europe books did the job!

your really going to love it !!! so much better for camping than over here and easier to travel...just ask any question you want on here..you will get lots of advice... and ValA is one of the best!!

We always use our phone based tomtom satnav, I couldn't manage without it, even though I do take an atlas just to get the large view of the roads. As mentioned 1st thing is to know if it actually has western europe maps on it???