Hi we're thinking about our summer hols. First time self driving, we like theme parks, beaches plenty to do. I'm considering two options.
Option 1,Calais to dover down to the south of france for 7 days then on two spain near port adventura, stopping near paris on way back.
Option 2, Newcastle to amsterdam to switzerland stop about 5 days then down to a beach south of france/italy (any suggestions?), then stopping near europa park on way back.
Budget is an issue as we're going last week of Aug considering camping cheques. What I would like is to get to a hot beach, but be able to stop off somewhere nice on way. We will be going for about 18 days, any suggestions advice very welcome!
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Dover to Calais or to Dunkerqe would be my preferred ferry route, especially if you say budget is an issue - the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam is very expensive. There may be ferry offers coming up as a result of the Caravan Show - or at least a lot of people are hoping so.
Cambrils Park in Spain is near to Port Aventure, is a super site in itself, and takes Camping Cheques from the lst September. However, in eighteen days, and for a first time, I'd say you're cramming in quite a lot by trying to combine it with a stay in the south of France.
We generally have 17 days - and have done Cambrils Park several times, but not tried to add another option. We generally have two overnight stops on the way down, and two on the way back, leaving 12 or 13 nights on site. We have done it with just one overnight stop, once, but would never ever do it that way again. We tend to stop about half way down France - Nevers or Salbris area, and then try to get to the Mediterranean area around Grau du Roi or Agde for the second night. Coming back we tend to stay in Millau for a night, and then again half way through France, before a last night at Chateau du Gandspette near Calais/Dunkerque.
There are some lovely places to overnight on the way down, you can arrive mid to late afternoon, and just chill out, perhaps talk a walk into a village, or just relax outside the caravan and enjoy rural France, hopefully in the sun!
thanks, thought I was prob trying to cram too much in. I've price up the ferry to amsterdam and its quite reasonable, it is more expensive but will save us quite a few hours, and petrol as we live near newcastle. I just wish we lived further south!
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Hope you have checked your mileages. Calais to south of france is going to be over 700 miles. So from calais 2 days. Depends where in south of france but on down to Cambrils Spain is probably over 400 miles a full day. Going back 3 days to get to calais unless you are going to do "top Gear" type daily mileages. Certainly if you are towing it will take 3.
Thats to Calais. Don't know where you live in UK
Driving all day is not listed in your "likes". I think youneed to plan a bit more detail and see how much time you really want to spend travelling. Nice places when you get there though!
Switzerland is lovely, but to only do it as part of an 18 day trip for 5 days would be quite expensive, as you have to buy a vignette for driving over there. Doesn't matter whether you are there for 5 days, 5 weeks or 5 months, the cost of the vignette is the same, as it is valid for a year.
You don't say in your profile whether you have a tent, caravan or motorhome. If you have a caravan, then in Switzerland you would have to pay for the caravan as well as for the car.
I'd stick with staying in France, the south is quite do-able in 18 days, albeit quite a bit of driving, but still giving you near enough a fortnight down there.
Or you could take pot luck, drive as far as you need and when you hit sun and good weather, stay put if you like the area!
You mentioned theme parks. Le Puy Du Fou in Vendée is an experience many of us here would highly recommend. Vendée beaches good too! Lots of other things to do in the area. Last week in August is after the main French holidays so prices start to come down and its not so crowded.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Debbie - the Norfolk Lines Promotion code mentioned earlier has now been 'circulated' - it's TEF05 - and can offer a return crossing for car and caravan for £49.00. Now that is cheap - and definitely worth looking at.
It might fit your bill to travel to the Languedoc region, SW France - not so crowded as some parts of the South of France, but plenty of sandy beaches, and near enough to Spain if you want to go to Barcelona for a few days.
The drive down is straightforward, and the N road going south runs parallel with the motorway along much of the Rhone, so it saves money as well!
Loads of places to stop off on the way too... Avignon, Orange, Pont du Gard.
Agree that to take in Switzerland would be too much.
The vignette is for the Motorways there - you don't need one if you don't use them!
Quote: Originally posted by allie sommerville on 24/2/2010
Agree that to take in Switzerland would be too much.
The vignette is for the Motorways there - you don't need one if you don't use them!
But as the majority of roads leading into Switzerland are via motorway, you get caught as soon as you enter!
------------- Ina
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
thanks for the replies. South West France could be a possibiloty. How long does it take to drive their? Any suggestions for campsites? Thank you all so much!
Quote: Originally posted by allie sommerville on 24/2/2010Agree that to take in Switzerland would be too much.
The vignette is for the Motorways there - you don't need one if you don't use them!
But as the majority of roads leading into Switzerland are via motorway, you get caught as soon as you enter!
It's easy enough not to get onto them though!
They try to con you into buying one ... though having said that, if you're planning to cross mountains, you save on fuel by taking the Autoroute (with vignette) anyway.
If you arrive on the border past Pontarlier, it's straightforward getting on the blue roads (non-motorway) from there - dir. Orbe, Vallorbe.
Quote: Originally posted by debbiej74 on 24/2/2010
thanks for the replies. South West France could be a possibiloty. How long does it take to drive their? Any suggestions for campsites? Thank you all so much!
Sorry - can't say exactly how long as we took it in stages!
There is an excellent one across the river at Avignon, Les Trois Rois if I remember correctly.
Little ferry takes you across to the city near the famous 'pont'.
There are plenty of sites along the Rhone, so you shouldn't have any problem.
Quote: Originally posted by debbiej74 on 24/2/2010
thanks for the replies. South West France could be a possibiloty. How long does it take to drive their? Any suggestions for campsites? Thank you all so much!
The coastal area around Bordeaux is a good place for a beach holiday. Nice beaches & loads of campsites. Its an easy 2 day drive from Calais without using toll roads.
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: options/advice for newbie?
