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HI to you all  thinking of touring france and then onto spain next year. We have never done it before and feeling rather nervous but excited at the same time lol. Can any of you mad campers out there give us any words of wisdom to help us in our quest. There is also another family going along with us THANKYOU

Hi

Don't know about words of wisdom but would definately say "Go for it" we did and have been to France the last two years and never looked back the roads are great and the sites are great. Can't say about Spain but have booked there for 07 so hoping its just as good if not better!!

Depends what car you're using - but if you use viamichelin website, or mappy.com you can put in your arrival port, your chosen campsite - or the point you want to cross the border into Spain, and details of your car, and it will calculate approximately your petrol costs (at today's prices) - plus how much you might have to pay in autoroute tolls if you choose to use the autoroute.

Petrol prices are generally cheaper in France, though not by as much as they once were.  Stock up on petrol (or diesel) when at the supermarket - most large french supermarkets have their own petrol station, and it costs a lot less - but don't do it with the van on the back because getting in and out of some of them can be tricky.

Don't be nervous - every one of us has done it the first time - and every one will probably tell you how easy it was.  There are less cars on the road, you soon get used to driving on the 'wrong' side (in fact it feels like it's the 'right' side within half an hour) and everywhere is more caravan friendly - there are loads of places to stop, even on the ordinary roads, where you'll see signs with a picnic table.  Sometimes they even have toilet blocks.  All the autoroutes have two types of service areas - large ones with petrol, restaurants, and playgrounds, and smaller ones called 'aires' which just have a toilet block and picnic area, plus plenty of parking.  Some of them are in spectacular locations (try the one at the Viaduct de Garabit or the 'Aire de Volcans' if you're going down the A75). 

Get yourself some good maps and spend time looking at them and working out your chosen routes, so that anyone who might be driving is familiar with where you're heading that day - and most of all enjoy your holiday.

Thanks for your in depth reply very helpfull

Petrol / Diesel is even cheaper in Spain, if thats any help, Both France and Spain are way cheaper than UK.

As a rule petrol/diesel is cheaper in the Supermarkets in France and can be 20c dearer on the motorway services.

Credit Cards tend not to work in the 24 hour automated stations in France, so bear this in mind too.

In Spain, especially on the Motorways, they tell you the prices for the next 4 services so you can decide which is cheaper and use it.

Viamichelin or similiar will tell you roughly what your fuel costs will be.

Joe

Fiona.

That sounds a fabulous trip, you must have the team pretty well drilled to put the tent up and down so often! Couple of Q's, why did you start and finish in Holland? (just being nosey really!) Also, Salou? where did you camp, and verdict? its in our plan for next year.

Clare

hi loukell

stop thinking of the money and enjoy the experience lol

LOL very funny jue are you paying for it all when we go

One very important point when camping abroad

Never pre-book a site, we have been all over Europe and admittedly have been turned away (one site in Germany, but that was over the course of a 3 week holiday) On the other hand in the UK do book as just went away for the weekend, without booking and it was our 5th attempt before we got onto a site.

Take the Allen Rodger guide to camping with you, gives details of sites, costs etc, and lets you pick and choose.

Petrol /Diesel is considerably cheaper in Spain than France (even cheaper in Andorra if you go that way)

Enjoy your trip, the best thing is to go without any plan, make it up as you go, that is the joy of camping, the French and Spanish are very helpful. and will acomodate you.

For the trip down, if you want to get there quickly, use the French motorways, they are very good, also very convienient for stopping the night at one of the Ayres (free as well)

Have fun, if you want any more specific info just ask, have been to Spain several times with no issues.