The Camping Forum

[martinedwards]

OK, background.

My wife & I were both Duke of Ed hillwalking instructors in our youth, so camping holds no fears (though nowadays I just take a goretex bivi rather than be bothered with a tent in the hills)

We have an elderly caravan that is good for the odd night within 50 miles, but the idea of taking it on ferries and onto foreign roads is a big no-no.

We have considered the idea of a newER caravan but I'm still paranoid about the wheels coming off 1000 miles from home......

the last two years we've driven down through Scotland & England to stay in houses in France so it's not the DRIVE that I'm worried about, just the drive with a caravan.

This year we WERE going to fly to Nice & stay in a Keycamp Mobile home in Frejus, but child #4 came down with chickenpox 36 hours before flight time

SO!!

we're now thinking about 2010.

Oh yeah, we're both teachers so we're off from around the 6th of July til the 20th August or so, and have 4 kids (and live near Belfast)

our options are

try keycamp again, flying to the south of France.
buy a big tent , and load the trailer with bikes & roofbox with clothes, and work our way down as far South as we get, staying on campsites and moving when we get bored.
buy a new caravan and head to the far South & West of Ireland, hoping to find some decent weather.

so the big question!!

French Campsites.

are they GENERALLY quiet or rowdy all night?

anyone recommend good sites either between Calais & Provence or along the west coast?

Thanks for any comeback!!

Martin

[Admin]

Hi and welcome,

Which port would you sail from and to? helps working out the midway point for the stop over that you no dobt would need for the south..

Personally i find campsites in europe better than those in the uk noise wise. but it will depend on location. as with the uk coastal sites tend to be rowdy.

With regards to the caravan and wheel falling off. we met a lovely british couple and their children last year in the black forrest. The had a huge caravan towed behind a 4x4 they had been on site for 3 weeks but were then travling down to the south of france for another 3 weeks (i think they were teachers also) I only remember it because he spoke about the extended journey time as was going around the alps rather than cutting through.

If your looking at new/newish model i dont think you would have anything to worry about? Much like your car as long as serviced and checked out before any long trip should be ok.

The problem tent side with travling so far into france or any other part of europe is that its hard work. especially as you say moving on as you get bored. we did 5 stops last year in 3 weeks we ended up dropping the 5th in favour of a hotel for two nights lol!

However we are more prepared this year after adding a small instant 4 birth pop up for quick over night stops, ok so we have to take two tents. but the pop up is very small space and up in no time. actually its up quicker than the time it takes the electric pump to inflate the beds

I would consider both your options.. plus and minus points for both discuss with family and take it from that.. but i would go with europe tho, although never been to irland we will do at some point. but for the length of trip you are planning you have so many options. down south its not to much effort to dip into italy for a bit and prehaps a swift break in or the foot of the alps on the way back.. amazing time to be had. (can i come? lol)

Cheers

Andy

[katelharris]

You should definitely head to Europe for the summer. My boyfriend and I did a 10 day trip last year in June with a tent. I agree it was a bit of a pain to keep putting the tent up and taking it down and it was hot, so it was quite hard work at times. The idea of pop up tents for the odd night stops is excellent.

We left from Calais, heading for Tuscany. Although in the end we didn't make it to Italy, but to Spain instead.

The best campsite we found was pure heaven. Its in a small wine village called Santenay, near Beaune, which is near Dijon (about 5 hours' drive from Calais). Its right on the Grand Vins route and the scenery was spectacular. The website is: http://www.campingsantenay.com/.

It was very quiet at night, although it wasn't the school holidays. There is a big swimming pool attached to the campsite.

Have a fantastic time!!

Kate

[Admin]

You should definitely head to Europe for the summer. My boyfriend and I did a 10 day trip last year in June with a tent. I agree it was a bit of a pain to keep putting the tent up and taking it down and it was hot, so it was quite hard work at times. The idea of pop up tents for the odd night stops is excellent.

We left from Calais, heading for Tuscany. Although in the end we didn't make it to Italy, but to Spain instead.

The best campsite we found was pure heaven. Its in a small wine village called Santenay, near Beaune, which is near Dijon (about 5 hours' drive from Calais). Its right on the Grand Vins route and the scenery was spectacular. The website is: http://www.campingsantenay.com/.

It was very quiet at night, although it wasn't the school holidays. There is a big swimming pool attached to the campsite.

Have a fantastic time!!

Kate

Nice one!

I have been looking for a good pitch around Dijon as a good rest point on the way back from italy. Although were not sure thats what we will do this year.. we will at some point. so noted that down thanks.

Oh and welcome to the forum