Advertisement
Message Forums |
|
Topic: 1st timers camping in Spain and France
|
|
15/8/2012 at 9:20pm
Location: Leeds Outfit: Vango Icarus 500 (with front canopy)
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 15/8/2012 Standard Member
Forum Posts: 4
Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Just to say a big thank you to all who post help and advice . I've spent the last year reading the messages on here in prep for our first camping trip on the continent.
We are a family of 5 (OH, 6, 4 & 2 year old).
The plan was to cross via the tunnel. Spend 2 days travelling down through France to Camping Las Dunas (pre booked for 24 July) on the Bay of Roses in Spain. Then after a week in Spain travel back up to France and camp on the coast in Agde or cross over to the west coast for a week. Then head to Disneyland Paris for the final 3 days of the 3 week adventure. Maybe a little over ambitious for our first trip!
In reality the trip to Spain was great stopping over in Bourges and millau (the viaduct and swimming with the kids in the Tarn was an experience in itself). Las Dunas was fantastic if you want that sort of campsite. The kids loved it, played with other kids from NL, B, F, DK, D etc. The site itself was clean, well run and had everything you needed. The weather was fantastic. A great start so far. France was different. Very busy on the coast near Agde. No availability on the coast (we must have tried all the sites - next time we will book). Ended up on a site 10 km inland from Agde. Turned out to be perfect. Easy drive to the beach and away from the commercialism of the coastal resorts. After several days we moved further inland/along coast to Avignon. Great site and brilliant pool complex for our little ones. Then drive north up the Rhone valley. Stopover in Beaune before heading to the camp 25 mins from Disney.
Reading the advice on this site was essential. Thank you to you all. The main points I've realised from our adventure:
1. France is a really big country to drive through - don't be too ambitious with the journey
2. The heat in July/Aug was extreme in Spain and France - the kids coped better than me and the OH
3. Have somewhere booked rather than just thinking you an tip up and get a pitch on the coast in France (especially with small kids)
4. It is difficult to find French hotels for stopovers that do family rooms like premier inn/travelodge in UK. They tend to have a double with a single bed over the top of it.
5. Still don't understand which lane of the toll (peage) to go in. Just followed other cars!
6. Didn't worry about electric amps on the sites. Just used common sense and unplugged equipment rather than having everything plugged in at once
7. Don't assume credit cards will work in petrol station pay at pump machines - sometimes did, other times didn't
8. The wind in Avignon was extreme - apparently normal as it blows down the Rhone valley
9. The electric cool box packs in the heat - hire a fridge on the site if you can!
10. Disneyland was fantastic. Kids had a ball, but it's spend, spend, spend!!!
Next year we are planning on going back to Las Dunas and maybe we will make it to the west coast of France this time.
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
15/8/2012 at 10:25pm
Location: West - North Yorkshire Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 19/10/2004 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 18741
Site Reviews Total: | 30 |
|
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 4 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
It's good to hear that you managed, even in peak season! I think one bit of advice is that if you're loooking for near the coast, in peak season, you need to book. If you don't mind inland then even in peak season there is no need to book.
(4) French non-chain hotels can be more accommodating for families. You'll often find Logis de France with family rooms, and sometimes at not much more than a budget chain.
(5) Look at the overhead signs - Man with cap is manned booth - with no height restrictions.
(7) You were unlucky - our credit cards and debit cards work everywhere, it's years since we had a problem. Sometimes prepaid cards don't though.
(8) There isn't always a wind in Avignon! If there is it's usually the Mistral. Sometimes it's very still and calm.
(9) Get a better coolbox/proper three way fridge - there was (sorry edited in later) one for sale on here for £25, which is less than the hire cost of a fridge. We bought ours about ten years ago for the same amount.
Enjoy next year!!!
Post last edited on 16/08/2012 06:41:54
|
15/8/2012 at 10:50pm
Location: Northants Outfit: Swift Corniche
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/12/2010 Gold Member
Forum Posts: 220
Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 15/8/2012
It's good to hear that you managed, even in peak season! I think one bit of advice is that if you're loooking for near the coast, in peak season, you need to book. If you don't mind inland then even in peak season there is no need to book.
(4) French non-chain hotels can be more accommodating for families. You'll often find Logis de France with family rooms, and sometimes at not much more than a budget chain.
(5) Look at the overhead signs - Man with cap is manned booth - with no height restrictions.
(7) You were unlucky - our credit cards and debit cards work everywhere. Sometimes prepaid cards don't though.
(8) There isn't always a wind in Avignon! Sometimes it's very still and calm.
(9) Get a better coolbox/proper three way fridge - there's one for sale on here for £25, less than the hire cost. We bought ours about ten years ago for the same amount.
Enjoy next year"
Where is the fridge for £25..... can not find it
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
16/8/2012 at 7:26am
Location: West - North Yorkshire Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 19/10/2004 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 18741
Site Reviews Total: | 30 |
|
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 4 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Try the Logis de France website for hotels - we booked one this year on our route south, which was as cheap as a chain, had a swimming pool, and did a great three course evening meal for 9 euros. It was 'brown' and characterful, but run by a lovely friendly family, and was a nice place to stay.
Looking around Millau there are several at 40 euros upwards.
Re the fridge, it's worth looking on here and on 'selling' websites, but we bought ours after putting a 'Wanted' ad on our local supermarket noticeboard. It's done sterling service for both us and our friends for years (they borrow it). We though it had packed up last year, but standing it upside down for 24 hours, and then the right way up, put it right again! We can even make a tray of ice cubes which is absolutely great for quickly chilling the wine!
Post last edited on 16/08/2012 07:32:09
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
|
|
8835 Visitors online !
Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite
[Message Forums]
[Caravan Sites & Camping]
[Company Listings]
[Features / Advice]
[Virtual Brochure]
[Shop!]
[Reception]
[Competitions]
[Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]
[Event Diary]
[Contact Us]
[Tent Reviews]
Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024
|
Advertisement
|
|
|