I'm sure there lots of threads covering this, but here goes anyway.
We are new to campervan touring (or, will be in July/August) although we have travelled in France, Spain and Portugal in our little Eriba caravan since retiral a few years ago. We think the campervan will give us more versatility and scope to do a bit more adventurous discovering.
Our "bible" when caravanning has been the ACSI CampingCard guide and a bit of internet when WiFi was available, and we'll continue to use it, but along with guides to the Aires etc available to campervans (but not caravans!) across Europe. We still want to stay on sites for a few days or more, but explore small villages, France Passion style places etc.
So, which guides? We will stick with the ASCI, but which of the many other guides available to buy? We'll accumulate guides as we progress and become more adventurous each year, but my thinking is towards the Dutch Camperstop Europe as it seems to cover most of Europe that we are interested in to begin with.
BUT, what are YOUR thoughts?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Stupid question time, do you have to ring and pre book aires? Are they busy during the summer holidays? I am tempted to buy the book for our trip to the south of france this year as we are driving all the way from Dunkirk
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Most of the seaside sites are very busy around July and August and its first come first served basis but there are a lot of aires just off the beaten track and no booking at all is required just turn up and if there is a space you are ok.
The bible of aires is the french version Aires de services and even someone like me with no French can read it. It gives all the details of the sites including if there is a charge /water /services /nights allowed to stay etc. and you can buy it online at Motor presse.fr . Enjoy your trip and vist Biarritz if you can it is absolutedly fabulous.
------------- Cheers
JD
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Its the first time we have ventured so far and as it will be my better half who insits she does all the driving I need to make sure we have sufficient stops down and back up. Without it costing us a fortune!
I will order one now, thanks again
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
As you say you have been on the continent before you should know that it is very different from the UK.
In a campervan of any size or sort there are always places to stay and many are free. Just GO. You will have a lovely time.
You have just tickled my thoughts ie. aires, on our way down to Benidorm we found a nice little aire in the village of Sadroc (6 spaces ), water/toilet empying facility but wait for it, free electric hook up how is that for welcoming travellers to the region.In the morning on our way out we stopped at a (ferme) farm and bought some fresh eggs for our (petite dejeneur) breakfast, delicious, you just couldn't get fresher eggs.
------------- wineciccio
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We use the download of the Camping-Car Infos website, which costs €8 and is updated every 6 months when away from wifi and the website when on. To give you an idea of what is out there I will try to put a couple of photos of one of our favourite Aires at Montagne-sur-Gironde.
View of the Aire
------------- 5 4 3 2 1 Wanderbirds Are Go!
(Only much more sedately than that other lot)
Quote: Originally posted by Wanderbirds on 01/3/2013
We use the download of the Camping-Car Infos website, which costs €8 and is updated every 6 months when away from wifi and the website when on.
Thanks
Found out about this and downloaded. Made a copy to CD for backup.
Quote: Originally posted by Country-Boy on 08/3/2013
As some have said that they prefer municipal site instead of the Aries site is there any books with these sites in.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Aires Guide(s) - Your thoughts?
