Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravanning and Camping Abroad
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: First time driving from manchester- Spain
Page:  1  2 Post Reply Post New Topic
25/4/2014 at 12:34am
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
View Kelper's Profile View Profile   Reply to Kelper Reply   Quote Kelper Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   7948
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 93
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 8  
Site Reviews 2022: 9  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 8  
Site Reviews 2018: 6  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 50
Site Nights 2022: 49
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 52
Site Nights 2018: 53

You know your kids best ... if you believe they'll be OK with long drives ... then fine. We drove our daughter long miles when she was very young without any real problems ... so, who knows.
So long as you are aware that you will be carbound for many hours ... hey, it's your decision ... but, as you have heard, many others would find it a daunting prospect.
Our daughter, when six, was frightened of some of the DLP rides ... we did it in one day ... quite enough for us!!


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


25/4/2014 at 5:45am
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
View Val A's Profile View Profile   Reply to Val A Reply   Quote Val A Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2004

Diamond Member
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

I must admit, our first camping holiday in France was with a six month old - to St Leon sur Vezere in the Dordogne - but we stayed overnight with an Aunt in Kent, and then again in a hotel in Le Mans. That was tiring enough (though it didn't put us going again every year since) and I had no other children to deal with.

All French fuel prices can be found on this French Government website  so you can look for the cheapest fuel wherever you make your overnight stops.

Good luck anyway.  At least you have some suggestion, now, of routes and costs.  Just one other thing, though, have a look at the Bison Fute website for a calendar of days when traffic can be very heavy (black on the calendar, or red) - and try to avoid travelling on those days.



25/4/2014 at 6:29am
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Nowt.
View exessexmum's Profile View Profile   Reply to exessexmum Reply   Quote exessexmum Quote  
Joined: 14/12/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2974

Site Reviews Total: 10
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

Well, you've obviously thought about it.
Your revised budget looks reasonable, you need to seriously upgrade your food/spends costs in DLP though, as food is very expensive and you can't take food in as they search your bags. Yes, you can sneak some bits and bobs in, but not food for 8! Also, there is a constant stream of shops selling clothing and toys for kids, photo souvenirs and so on and with 2 Disney mad kids, it will be hard to be constantly saying "no". I'd say you need to at least double your budget for those days, and that will be tight. Without staying on one of the site hotels, you won't get any fastpasses so be prepared to spend a huge amount of time, queueing, in very high temperatures.

What we did, when we had littlies, was go to DLP off season. We went in February, when they do their kids go free deal, for under 7's. We stayed in the site hotels, at very reasonably costs, with Eurostar thrown in, and one year we got free dining too. There were hardly any queues, you didn't fight to get character autographs and photos and it was a much more pleasant experience. It was cold (in fact we had a bit of snow) but it made it more magical, to be honest, and we wrapped the kids up in ski suits and had lots of hot chocolate. All the rides were still open and lots of them were walk ons, so you could go round and round.

-------------
Amanda


25/4/2014 at 9:29am
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
View Kelper's Profile View Profile   Reply to Kelper Reply   Quote Kelper Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   7948
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 93
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 8  
Site Reviews 2022: 9  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 8  
Site Reviews 2018: 6  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 50
Site Nights 2022: 49
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 52
Site Nights 2018: 53

Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 25/4/2014
Just one other thing, though, have a look at the Bison Fute website for a calendar of days when traffic can be very heavy (black on the calendar, or red) - and try to avoid travelling on those days.





Brilliant site ... thank, Val!


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


25/4/2014 at 9:44am
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
View Val A's Profile View Profile   Reply to Val A Reply   Quote Val A Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2004

Diamond Member
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

No problem - we used to use the Bison Fute 'recommended routes' for many years, following the little signs religiously - and my sons used to 'spot' the next sign - which kept them interested. I suppose it also lead to us starting to use non-toll roads - realising we could get to places nearly as fast without spending a fortune.  In those days they used to have 'stalls' at roadside services where they handed out maps and information leaflets - one of which contained a printed calendar.  Of course this was in the pre-internet days!


Advertisement



25/4/2014 at 9:45am
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman
View sunshinetours's Profile View Profile   Reply to sunshinetours Reply   Quote sunshinetours Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2946

Site Reviews Total: 18
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

Hi sounds like you have thought it through financially (love the tip about couriering luggage!) and aI agree with Essexmum above as to costs whilst in DLP and if in high season also the queues, part of why I suggest doing another time as a separate trip when offers are on.

We have done long trips with our kids (Essex area to LA Rochelle area in same day for instance) a few times and they were fine, but you are taking twice that sort of distance each way so a considerable amount of travelling time and as said only you know your kids well enough

If money isn't the problem then flying for me in that situation every time personally


25/4/2014 at 10:40am
 Location: Ireland
 Outfit: Tabbert da Vinci
View irishma's Profile View Profile   Reply to irishma Reply   Quote irishma Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   95

Site Reviews Total: 3
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

Several Belgian and Dutch couples on the site we go to in Palamos do the journey in one go. Also a Yorkshire couple leave at about 6pm, he drives thru the night, get the ferry & spend a night then in Dover. But these are couples who have been doing it for years, know the roads and the aires and generally don't have children.

We tried to do it last year going back to Cherbourg. However between thunderstorms and electric cable accident (a piece of metal on the autoroute sheared the cable between car and caravan), we only made it to the ferry with an hour to spare. Never again!


-------------
Shirley


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

  Prev       Next

Jump To Page:  1  2

Quick Links - All Forums - Caravanning and Camping Abroad - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














7185 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


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder