We are looking at an escorted Scandinavian tour with the Camping and Caravanning Club next year and have just collected a brochure from the Show at the NEC, but would appreciate hints and tips from those that have done it, particularly with car/caravan. We have a 7.49m caravan and my OH has driven us to many other countries in Europe, but wonder if the routes are reasonably accessible.
Whilst we are not expecting blazing heat during June to mid-July, is it likely to be very wet?
I'm sure there will be many queries as we delve further into our planned trip, but thanks in anticipation of constructive suggestions.
------------- LynniB
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
What's the plan please? Is it to drive 2000 miles to North Cape from the nearest Dutch ferryport and 2000 miles back again? Or to fly in and piick up a rented Motorhome on arrival?
Upon reading the OP's post, one would assume they are taking their own caravan.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
I think that is a hard ask for an escorted tour. You are looking at 1500 miles one way either through Norway or via Sweden. The problem with a tour of that length is the pace. Some may be more up to long slow journeys others may not want to drive so far.
I haven't been by caravan. I did a UK cruise to Honningsvag and the North Cape and did a little research of town/cities en route. The roads along the fjords are spectacular but are narrow and slow so driving distances will be a lot less than this country or even further south in Europe so plan for a lot less MPH. Weather is variable and I remember being advised to use layers of clothing. We never experienced anything really cold but had some damp cloudy days. Remember in June there is no darkness and it is a strange feeling taking a photo at midnight in sunshine.
Culture is very different to UK there are restaurants, lots of sea food, but coffee culture hasn't reached there yet. In fact in Honningsvag we saw a coffee sign so went in. Asked for a coffee and were given a cup and spoon and directed to a table with a pump pot and tin of Nescafe. Of all the beauty of the country that is one of the events that always comes to mind. Be prepared for cost, that coffee was the equivalent of £4 and don't even think about a beer unless you can bear the shock. We didn't need to eat out but that too is expensive.
Anyway and this is just my opinion. I wouldn't stop you going but if it was me and with my experience I wouldn't go with a group I would go solo.
Hope if you go you enjoy it
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Thanks, HarryB, for your useful observations which will give us further food for thought.
The trip is planned as a special holiday to celebrate forty years of marriage so we would like it to be memorable for all the right reasons. I was thinking that on an escorted tour with experienced leaders/guides the planning, booking, communication, etc would be done for us, we would be with interesting like-minded fellow travellers, and our caravan as a familiar base for sleeping, meal preparation and relaxation (we do not enjoy hotels, flying, and the idea of cruising on a floating skyscraper leaves me cold).
The itinerary (which is on the C&CC website) does include some stopovers of up to four nights in some locations to allow for exploration solo as well as some excursions by coach with guides, or simply chilling out. I think it unlikely that we would take our awning in view of this type of schedule and travel light, including plenty of outdoor clothing to layer up or keep dry as you suggest. We would miss the cafe culture we so love in France but no doubt there would be different culinary delights to compensate!
We have been to Norway in July and had lovely sunshine. Moved to Sweden, got quite a bit of rain and then sun and showers in Denmark. Overall, the weather was slightly better than we expected. Well worth going and I would think the escorted trip would be lovely for a special trip. We did find coffee shops in Mandal and Laerdal in Norway and apart from them did not eat out in Norway mainly because we were never camped near any.
There is a guy on the CMC forum who is Norwegian, but lives in Scotland now, and he has been back home with his twin axle caravan so he might be able to help.
David
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I agree with the "floating skyscraper" comment. But we loved the Hurtigruten - the Norwegian Coastal Voyage (aka post boat). Their ships vary in size (older ones are smaller) but none are huge because they sail through narrow channels, they're just big ferries. No cruise entertainment, no pressure to take excursions (they're available if you want) and a ship leaves Bergen every day of the week. 34 ports if you do the full 12 day trip, up to Kirkenes on the Russian border (further east than Istanbul) & back. I'd go every year if I could, but it was the highlight of my 50th birthday year.
Friends of ours have been on a CCC Escorted Tour through Spain and Portugal and enjoyed it very much. They too did a lot of miles, but thought the pace was just right for them, and allowed plenty of time for 'free time' to do things themselves. They also liked the fact that there were tour leaders to organise the activities and felt they learned a lot more than trying to do it themselves.
They were 'second time in Europe' caravanners when they did the escorted tour. The previous year they'd done a 'rally' with the CCC and enjoyed that very much too.
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: Scandinavia and North Cape escorted tour
via mobile 17/10/2019 at 8:02pm
