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I am seeking some wisdom and recommendations to make a dream come reality.  I have lots of experience camping: tent and trailertent,CombiCamp. 

 If someone was wanting to travel in Europe, two months.  What would you recommend.  would you rent a car and bring some gear(tent) ?  Rent a car and trailer tent?  I gather it is more expensive to stay in campsites that have campsites already set-up.  Where would you fly to and depart from?  Is it cheaper to rent in England and travel to europe or rent gear there?  Where would you travel?  Daughter lived in Lyon last year and would like to go back. 

Anything else Ishould think about that I have not asked.

 Thanking you in advance?

It might be worth at least looking at the brochures for companies like Eurocamp or Canvas holidays, etc. Out of peak season their prices aren't too bad especially as sometimes they do offers of a free week here and there for long term holidays. Don't forget that the brochure prices also include channel crossing from the UK, so you would need to get a quote excluding the ferry costs.

The main advantage of these kinds of companies for someone coming in from overseas is that everything is provided except bedding, so you would only need to pack this and clothes. If you're hiring a car, this also means you don't need to pay for such a large vehicle to carry stuff around in.  And if you're travelling for a couple of months you won't feel like you're having to 'rough it' for such a long time as you would have the benefit of fridge/freezer, decent cooker, proper beds, proper furniture etc.

You also have the support of couriers should you have any problems, which can be an important issue if you're a long way from home! You are also usually provided with comprehensive local information and a variety of maps and route planners to help you find your way around.

Even if you decide not to go this route, the brochures would at least give you some idea of what facilities are available at certain campsites and in particular areas.

If you are going to travel Europe, and you want to see as much as possible you MUST travel light. Forget a trailer tent, or a camper van, or frame tent. Buy a small dome tent, sleeping bags and as few basics as you can manage with. You will be able to take these items on an aircraft with you  as baggage if you decide to fly.

You will change your mind so many times as to where you want to visit, how long you  want to stay  as you move from country to country and area to arae. You must have the freedom to up and go whenever you wish, so travel light, it`s the best way.

Good luck, Claire

For two months it would be possibly cheapest to buy most of your kit here or in France. I`m sure once you decide where to start one of us could come up with a good dealer nearby where you could order and pay (by credit card) for basic kit, then pop in to pick it up when you arrive. Personally speaking I would be happy to pay £100 or so for a tent that I was going to use for eight weeks, then donate it to the local charity shop. Only £12 per week after all...has to be cheaper than renting!

It would be far cheaper to rent cars on each side of the Channel and go on the ferry as a foot passenger....probably the saving there would pay for a considerable proportion of your kit!

I don`t know about specific camping equipment stores in France, but I do know that the sports megastore Decathlon carry a huge range of camping gear. Friends of mine decided to extend a holiday inFrance a few years back and went to Decathlon...bought a whole basic camping outfit for not a lot.

If I were you I`d write a list of what you thought you might need for the trip and try to decide which of the items you already have that you could carry back and forwards on the plane. Then cost out from a camping store here how much it would be to buy the rest. Things like cooking utensils, coolboxes and such are cheap to buy in most major supermarkets.

Hire a car, and pick up other things as you go along. On your last night of your holiday hold a garage/yard sale and see what you can make back on it money-wise.