Righty -oh - here are some tips from the Squirrels!!
1. Take a spare car key on a separate keyring
2. If you know where you're headed, plan your route. There are some excellent websites which show you where, for example, the French speed detectors are (of course, there are mobile ones, too!) Browse this forum and you'll find the link.
3.Take a dictionary. My French is passable, but last year we wanted a ball of string - they don't teach you things like that at school!
4. There's also a little dictionary of French 'foodie' terms; last year, I had bavette, which was a casserole (delicious) but my dictionary translated it as 'flap'!! I didn't like the thought of having eaten 'flap', but now I know it's beef flank!! The dictionary is on the caravan, but if anyone wants the ISBN number, I'll haul myself out to get it! It's a must for shopping and eating out! (posted as a separate post!!)
5. Have fun! Take off your watch and let the world go by!
Squirrel
Post last edited on 04/06/2005 21:59:21
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
If your itinerary allows you the time, forget the autoroutes, and use the "N" and "D" roads, you'll see so much more of interest on your journey, places to stop for refreshment, a bit of shopping etc., and get a good idea how the provincial French live.
Bring Heinz baked beans with you. They're £1 a tin in France if you can get them.
Sign up to www.call1899.co.uk and add the numbers of people you want to call to the authorised list. Ring them, then get them to ring you via using 1899 and the call will cost you 1 pence per minute.
Use Nationwide credit and debit cards to avoid transactions fees.
Watch out for speeding and seatbelts - they were very hot on this last year!
Agree re teabags (that applies to all foreign holidays doesn't it) but take very little else unless you have a particular, can't do without favourite product.
Relax, get into the French way of life
When travelling through towns, follow 'Autres or Tout Directions' until you see the name or route you need to take
Use RAC, AA or via Michelin to print off routes - put in starting and ending points and they will do the rest
Don't under-estimate the distances and time - it's can be a long way back to the ferry port (says he who missed the ferry at Dieppe one year after spending too long in a hypermarket !)
Make sure you close any clips on your roofbox (says he who had one come open at 80mph last year!).
Don't take too many clothes - kids don't have to have clean kit on each day
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
My top tip would be don't plan ahead. First time in France was planned with military precision. We saw everything we planned to see - most of it was crap. Second time we booked the boat and didn't plan anything. We saw stuff we didn't know existed, and it was briliant. When eating out, don't worry about what you are eating - it will be superb - I had a delicious snack in a pub just outside Clermont Ferrand (sp). When I got home I looked it up and it turned out to be rare horse mixed with a nearly raw egg. I thought I was going to barf when I read the description, but then I remembered how good it was.
open every conversation with your best attempt at bonjour. The locals will ask you in perfect english is you don't speak French. If you open with parle vous anglais, they will sneer at you and claim 'non'.
most importantly, always try the local wine - you need at least two bottles to get a decent appreciation
Take some vac-packed bacon and some frozen sausages (well wrapped in the cool box!!).(sorry if you're veggies) We also like halloumi cheese grilled on the barbe and have never seen that in France. Jams are wonderful over there, but if you like marmalade or marmite, take that with you, too - you have got a large trailer? LOL!
Did I see you were headed for Bordeaux? I stayed at a site at Arcachon a few years ago - lovely area. The dune is well worth a visit and driving over the bridge in Bordeaux is an experience in itself. Great vineyards, too!
Remember that even the biggest Hypermarkets close at 1 on Sundays and you will not find anywhere to shop! (Can you spot the voice of experience here? )
Fully agree regarding only taking tea bags....French food and wine are sooooo good!
Beach toys, bats, balls etc can be bought very cheaply in France, save yourself the greif of packing them.
Make an effort at using French, even it is only Bonjour, life is much nicer if you do.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: TOP TIPS for FRANCE
)
