Need to plan EPIC Motorhome journeys? These 10 suggestions make it simpler

Planning a Campervan or Motorhome journey? Confused about route planning, how to decide on the place to go and all the opposite issues it is advisable know/ organise? Right here’s every little thing it is advisable know to make your motorhome journeys successful.

Travelling in a motorhome, RV or camper is certainly one of my completely favorite things- and I LOVE planning my subsequent motorhome journeys. There are such a lot of unbelievable locations to go, see and discover.

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Planning Motorhome Journeys

I do know everybody studying this has completely different necessities. A few of you’ll be able to solely journey at school holidays (man, I do NOT miss these days).

Lots of you’ve just a few weeks vacation from work and wish to profit from them. And a few of you’ve as a lot time as you like- however can’t determine the place to go or plan a route.

But, regardless of these apparent variations in scenario, there are MANY similarities on the steps it is advisable take while you plan a street journey with a motorhome or camper. And that’s what we’re going to stroll by way of in the present day.

Earlier than we begin, be sure you seize your FREE printable street journey planner– you’ll discover it extremely helpful so you can begin organising your journey and protecting every little thing in a single easy-to-find place. Additionally, if you happen to don’t have already got your individual automobile, why not ebook a camper, RV or motorhome rental for the journey.

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Planning a Motorhome Street Journey – the place to begin?

Consider it or not, I get requested this query a LOT. You aren’t alone in your overwhelm. Simply the fundamental query of WHERE to go will be too sophisticated for a lot of, particularly in the event that they’ve by no means deliberate a motorhome journey earlier than.

NOTE: For the convenience of writing, I’m going to fake you’re planning a visit from the UK to Europe, BUT these steps can simply be utilized to any and ALL motorhome journeys, wherever on the planet.

When you’ve answered these questions, it is best to have a tough concept on the radius of the realm you’ll be able to attain in your time frame- assuming you’ve a timeframe in fact!

Instance vacation spot route planning in Europe

For example, let’s fake we’re planning a visit to Germany for subsequent April. Now we have two weeks (Easter College Holidays) and we’re completely satisfied to drive on motorways/ toll roads after which take again roads to discover the realm as soon as we arrive. 

We wish to see castles, ruins and a few waterfalls. And we most positively wish to go to a international nation.

With these parameters, most of Western Europe is open to us. One different standards (criterion??) we’ve is we wish to go someplace we haven’t been to earlier than. 

So we assess our choices, have a superb look on Instagram and Pinterest and determine to go to Germany, with particular deal with the Black Forest and Bavaria in Southern Germany. 

It might simply have been Holland, France, Austria, Northern Germany, Belgium or Denmark… all of these match inside our parameters. In the long run, generally you simply have to select one!

In case you ARE planning a motorhome journey to Europe, don’t overlook to seize your FREE Europe journey guidelines– it comprises EVERYTHING it is advisable convey!

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Motorhome Journeys planning- slim the choices

Okay, so that you’ve picked a tough space or nation. Superior! Now let’s slim it down just a little for you.

As soon as we’ve selected a tough space/ vacation spot, we begin researching particular issues to do/ see as soon as we’re there. Actually, I Google “Greatest issues to do in_______ (on this case, Southern Germany)” 

Invariably 100 million outcomes shall be returned, however every little thing you want will usually be on the primary web page of Google. One thing like a Tripadvisor ‘Better of’ Board or a Vacationer Data web site is ideal to get you began. 

The opposite place to look is Pinterest. Significantly, it’s BRILLIANT for locating itineraries, concepts and funky locations to see. (You may comply with me on Pinterest right here)

This gives you an inventory of locations you wish to go to in your journey. They may very well be well-known, like these unbelievable historic websites in France, stunning (just like the Dolomites- completely price a visit to the Dolomites with a motorhome, FYI) otherwise you would possibly wish to discover the warmest locations in Spain to go to within the winter.

No matter your purpose, hold that in thoughts while you’re searching for locations to go to. There’s no particular variety of locations it is advisable find- simply educate your self on the very best issues to do in that area so that you don’t miss out AND so we are able to begin planning a route very quickly.

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WHY are you visiting?

One other factor to keep in mind is WHY are you visiting Europe (or wherever you’re heading)?

In our instance, we’re going to Germany to discover and see some historical past, some unbelievable German castles, nice for bike rides within the Black Forest.

For you, it’d merely be as straightforward as “I’ve by no means been there earlier than” or “I just like the wine/ meals/ climate and I wish to return.” 

There doesn’t should be a critical and spectacular purpose to go wherever. In spite of everything, it (hopefully!) isn’t going to be your final motorhome or campervan journey to Europe– there’ll be many extra to take pleasure in!

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WHEN are you planning your campervan or motorhome journey?

Being pressured to journey throughout faculty holidays is hard and much from ideally suited.  In case you can keep away from that point interval, I extremely advocate it.

Nevertheless, I do know many individuals are caught inside these constraints, so take into consideration your WHEN and contemplate that you could be have to ebook issues prematurely and have rather less flexibility than you would possibly exterior excessive season.

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HOW would you like your Motorhome vacation to go?

If you’re going within the coronary heart of August, will probably be helpful so that you can determine at this stage the way you need your motorhome vacation to go. 

• Do you wish to keep at a campsite which has a great deal of actions for the youngsters to do, or a seashore/ playground/ children membership? 

• Would you favor an grownup solely campsite with a restaurant so you’ll be able to chill out and don’t have to cook dinner?

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Motorhome campsites in Europe

The rationale that is vital to determine early is the motorhome campsites in Europe get busy! They will get booked up VERY early- particularly those with a seashore/ pool/ children membership/ surf faculty. 

If you wish to keep on certainly one of these campsites for per week/ two-week European break, it is advisable choose your dates, choose your home and ebook it asap. 

Then determine how lengthy it is going to take you to drive your motorhome to the campsite from the ferry/ tunnel, and ebook that up too. (Unsure if the ferry or tunnel is finest? See beneath)

That’s you (practically!) achieved. Fortunate you- and that is likely one of the causes campsites are SO popular- they’re straightforward, every little thing is laid on for you and it doesn’t take a lot planning so long as it’s achieved properly prematurely.

Nevertheless, if you happen to don’t have children or wish to use aires and transfer places often, issues can nonetheless be wanting a bit extra sophisticated.

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Route Planning for a Europe motorhome or camper journey

Hopefully, your Google search may have created an inventory of locations you wish to go to. I prefer to plot these right into a Google Map, both on a laptop computer or my cellphone.

I add all of the Locations of Curiosity in as I discover them, after which I begin to see a tough route and itinerary creating.

I like Google Maps as a result of it’s straightforward and it retains all my concepts organised so I can discover them once more, however you’ll be able to simply as simply use a paper map, a printout or perhaps a checklist on the again of an envelope! No matter works for you.

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Utilizing Google Maps for route planning a European motorhome journey

I exploit the map to indicate me how far aside locations are. From there, I can estimate how lengthy it’d take to drive between them. I attempt to give myself not more than 4/5 hours driving per day (until I wish to do some lengthy driving days to get to an space, resembling after I visited Norway with my motorhome.)

One factor I’ll say is that though we attempt to make a plan, we’re fairly versatile in our timeline too. 

Which is sweet, as we regularly find yourself in locations that we didn’t imply to, just like the time we set off to Norfolk and ended up street tripping in Cornwall…

I enable myself time for chilling within the van on a wet day, or discovering a spot that I didn’t even know existed and going to go to that- resembling Tre Cime di Laveredo within the Dolomites (completely price a go to if you happen to’re passing- it’s probably the most spectacular locations I’ve ever stayed with my motorhome.)

At the least each 3/4 days I’ve a ‘no driving the motorhome’ day, so I be sure that to allocate a day or two for enjoyable or catching up with work.

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Taking a Motorhome to Europe from the UK

 In case you stay within the UK or on another island, it is advisable discover a manner off it!

From the UK, there are two predominant choices to take your Motorhome to Europe from the UK- a ferry and the Channel Tunnel. Each have their execs and cons however it primarily comes all the way down to value, time and pets. (After all, if you happen to’re flying someplace to rent a motorhome in Europe, then, in fact, you’ll fly!) 

• In case you don’t wish to go away your pet within the motorhome for hours on their very own as you undertake a ferry crossing, then the tunnel is the one choice (until you get a number of the ferries the place pets are allowed within the cabins, just like the Portsmouth to Caen ferry.)

• In case you don’t wish to drive all the best way to the Tunnel from wherever you reside, the ferry is the one choice.

• The tunnel is usually MUCH cheaper- particularly in summer season. You may also use Tesco membership card vouchers to cut back the price additional, or purchase a frequent traveller pack which is properly well worth the cash if you happen to’re going to do 3/4 journeys a 12 months. In case you’re a member of the CAMC (Tenting and Motorhome Membership), they provide reductions for members for the tunnel.

Learn our indepth information into Ferry vs EuroTunnel right here

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Issues to convey

Earlier than you allow, be sure you have the suitable equipment.

You want your :

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Europe motorhome journey planning- extra issues to contemplate

So, you’re doing properly!

You’ve selected the place, when, for the way lengthy and the way you’re going to get there. 

The climate/ time of 12 months

The subsequent factor i have a look at is the climate. For instance, it might be pointless doing the journey I wish to do in Germany in the course of winter after they expertise excessive snowfall- many roads are closed within the mountains throughout winter. You additionally want further equipment, like snowchains and winter tyres.

One in all my favorite instances to discover fashionable locations is Autumn- there are such a lot of areas the place Autumn in Europe is magical– altering leaves, beautiful surroundings, fewer folks however nonetheless heat. Europe in October is unquestionably top-of-the-line instances to discover, however then I’ve additionally loved some fantastic journeys in winter- particularly when attempting to discover the Northern Lights or visiting a number of the greatest Christmas markets in Europe.

Additionally, be sure you test the climate per week or so earlier than you go and produce applicable clothes. I all the time advocate taking one thing heat even if you happen to’re happening a sunny holiday- or when you find yourself climbing Mont Blanc, you’ll freeze identical to I did!

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Discovering in a single day locations as you go

There are a few choices for in a single day stops for motorhomes in Europe. I normally use aires or wild tenting spots. Some international locations in Europe make wild tenting very troublesome (like Italy and Slovenia), whereas others are far more tolerant. 

Rather a lot additionally depends upon WHERE you’re inside the country- the French Riviera is likely one of the worst locations for wild tenting in France, however there are many campsites within the space, whereas taking a motorhome to the French Alps is wild tenting heaven.

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Motorhome trips- remaining tricks to make life simpler

CONGRATULATIONS!

I hope you’re feeling a lot happier with your self and your upcoming camper or motorhome journeys.

A few remaining issues to recollect to test/ type out earlier than you go:

• Is your automobile street authorized? Do you’ve insurance coverage, MOT and your driving licence/ paperwork? Bear in mind to take all of the important paperwork with you, alongside along with your passports.

• Do you’ve the security tools required by every nation you may be DRIVING THROUGH, not simply the ultimate one you’re visiting?

• Be sure to have fuel and presumably an adaptor on your fuel bottle if it’s refillable. (Do NOT overlook this like I’ve achieved!! If it is advisable, that is discover motorhome fuel in Europe)

• In case you have a drone, test the principles and necessities for every nation you would possibly fly in. Ideally, print them out so you’ll be able to bear in mind.

• Pack some straightforward meals to organize for the primary night time. I’m an enormous believer in consuming native meals. It’s certainly one of my favorite components about travelling. BUT, while you’ve been driving all day and all you’ve seen are service stations, one thing straightforward, hearty and acquainted is a superb consolation as you compromise in to your epic motorhome journey. Listed here are some nice straightforward street journey meal concepts.

• While we’re as regards to meals, be ready for youths who don’t share your pleasure for the native delicacies. Most youngsters, together with mine (when she was youthful abd travelled within the motorhome), like one thing acquainted. My daughter was a very fussy eater and, sadly, she would reasonably not eat than eat one thing she doesn’t actually like. So, so as to make life simpler and fewer tense, I attempted to verify there was meals on board I do know that she’s going to eat. Little issues like this make a motorhome street journey much more enjoyable – for all of the household!

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And that’s it. Nothing troublesome however the first (second, third, seventh and eleventh) motorhome journey (to wherever!) can take loads of planning and you may simply really feel out of your consolation zone.

Bear in mind, it’s purported to be enjoyable. You’re purported to look ahead to it. If you end up dreading it, determine methods to make issues simpler for your self – or change the plan solely. 

Additionally, it’s regular to be nervous- even in any case this time touring Europe in my motorhome, I’m usually nervous as I set out, questioning the place I’ll find yourself and what I’ve forgotten. That’s why this Europe motorhome journey guidelines is so useful- it means that you can bear in mind these foolish stuff you’d in any other case have forgotten!

To verify your street journey goes in addition to attainable, right here can also be an inventory of issues NOT to do in your roadtrip.

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