Hi all I’m off on Monday for my first ever MH trip to Europe

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Claris

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Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
 
Claris said:
Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
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You will love it. Not too ambitious as long as you have plenty of time to stop and explore a bit. Especially in south of France, best bits often inland.
 
Anything is possible in a motorhome but how long have you got to do this ?
Your not in a race and you will pass some amazing places
Safe Travels
Mike
 
You have a be plan and as long as you have the time and flexibility for some changes when you come across something you want to explore more or less then it is likely that you will have a good time
 
How long have you got ?

(We did 3,000 miles in 9 weeks)

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britney spears have fun GIF
 
One thing you will find out is how easy Motorhoming is across the channel, you won't want to use the van in the UK again.
As said best parts of southern France are inland.

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If it’s your first time abroad remember to carry sufficient gas for your trip , as you cannot exchange U.K. cylinders anywhere in Europe
Alternatively consider a refillable lpg system which allows you to top up at many service stations
 
Neil S said:
If it’s your first time abroad remember to carry sufficient gas for your trip , as you cannot exchange U.K. cylinders anywhere in Europe
Alternatively consider a refillable lpg system which allows you to top up at many service stations
Click to expand...
Have gaslow, so will make sure it’s topped up. I have 8 weeks give or take, before my return ferry, but could do the whole 90 days, as nothing to return for !!

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Claris said:
Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
Click to expand...
Lucky you, (y) make the most of it as the first is always the best, new things ,new places, you will never forget it, do what you like on the day, have a rough plan by all means but don't be afraid to change it at a minute's notice.
 
Claris said:
I have 8 weeks give or take, before my return ferry, but could do the whole 90 days, as nothing to return for !!
Click to expand...
Your route is about 4,000 km's
That is doable in 8 weeks, 500km per week.

Keep in mind it's high season until at least mid August, so I'd be inclined to book a few camp sites on your way to Spain

15th of August is Assumption Day, the last European bank holiday. Every campsite, Aire and off street parking area in Europe will be full. So make sure you know where you are that weekend before you go, otherwise it will be a lorry park on a motorway.

If you are a paid up member, you will find some files on this site you can download that give the route down to Spain avoiding £180 quids worth of French road tolls (and the infamous roof stripping Rouen Tunnels).

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Claris said:
Have gaslow, so will make sure it’s topped up. I have 8 weeks give or take, before my return ferry, but could do the whole 90 days, as nothing to return for !!
Click to expand...
Brilliant, you will love it...enjoy
 
Claris said:
Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
Click to expand...
Have a great time
 
MarionK said:
Just don't miss Briancon, it's a lovely, lovely place.
Click to expand...
If I remember correctly there's a nice campsite in walking distance of the town.

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Hi Claris
You will love it ENJOY!!
I presume you have a good satnav
Are you using campsites or Aires.
Camper contact app is a good source of Aires
Also park for night app
Practice putting GPS co.ords in your sat nav as it helps find Aires easier
 
Expect the Med coast to be BUSY! Collioure is very nice if you want a bit of coast. Provence is lovely.

It will be HOT
 
Stay off the auto-routes unless you need to be somewhere quickly, then you'll see much more although don't be surprised at the apparently empty towns and villages you pass through. Certainly at the beginning of your trip try to get parked up straight after lunch as aires, sites etc can get crammed. Then spend the afternoon exploring wherever you are. Better to start out and stop early than get stressed trying to find somewhere to stopover - although in 12 years of touring we've never not found somewhere we're happy to stay.

As it's your first trip use an aide-memoir of some kind to remind you to DRIVE ON THE RIGHT when you start off in the morning - it's very easy to get it wrong......! Big piece of card or something on the steering wheel.

Enjoy!
 
If you are staying off the motorways as has been suggested then be mindful of the local speed limits. They change quickly have little logic to their application and there appears to be little tolerance over the limits.
So while you are enjoying the scenery keep one eye on the speedo.
 
Some really excellent advice from others on here. Echoing TerryL get to aires early but also remember that if an aire is full, there’ll be another either in the same town or in the next one. So just move on amd don’t despair. Have fun.

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