We often do Germany (from Newcastle, though the ferry price has rocketed). Its a beautiful country and aaabsolutely the best for catering for motorhomers with many free stelplatz, often in town centre. Get the book Bordatlass - stelplatz.
Never been to Germany
- Thread starter Otter Spotter
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- Jan 17, 2014
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Sorry suavecarve no email received try again if you wish to rod(at)vwbooks.co.uk
suavecarve
LIFE MEMBER
That should have worked and you have editor facilities. Also opened it up to be able to found via my name but ill close that option once I know you have it
Cheers
I recommend the Hartz mountains.
Cella
Heide park. For kids
Pullman city. Cowboy re-enactments ask for OAP Tickets half price
Basically anywhere is good.
Cella
Heide park. For kids
Pullman city. Cowboy re-enactments ask for OAP Tickets half price
Basically anywhere is good.
We like to do some different stuff whist we are away, so visit places some people consider odd, such as the Michelin museum at Clermont-Ferrand. So whilst ware not really that bothered about cars, as we were around Munich (2017) we decided to visit the Audi car factory and museum at Inglolstadt. We turned up in the MH but couldn’t find anywhere to park, so the nice lady on the ticket office reception opened a special spot for us.
What a place this is. People come from all over to pick up their cars direct from the factory. We talked to some Americans who were picking up something fabulous, driving it around Europe for a couple of weeks then importing it as second hand into the US which was cheaper than buying it there, even with flights and a holiday thrown in.
The factory tour is absolutely amazing. Cars on assembly lines everywhere, cars whizzing over your head, robots and people. It’s staggering what man can design and it’s a wonderful manufacturing ballet.
We had our lunch in the poshest “canteen. Top quality food that really would have graced the finest restaurant. I can’t remember what it cost, but it was heavily subsidised for all and cheap.
As you would imagine they have a car showroom as well. We stuck our obviously not buyers heads in through the door to be cheerily invited to have a good look around and sit in whichever cars we wanted.
The museum itself was really interesting, with loads of classic and historic cars.
What a fantastic day out. We normally get rubbish weather when we’re in Germany, so it’s never really had our full attention. Maybe next year?
Here’s a couple of pictures of us being not that bothered about cars.
What a place this is. People come from all over to pick up their cars direct from the factory. We talked to some Americans who were picking up something fabulous, driving it around Europe for a couple of weeks then importing it as second hand into the US which was cheaper than buying it there, even with flights and a holiday thrown in.
The factory tour is absolutely amazing. Cars on assembly lines everywhere, cars whizzing over your head, robots and people. It’s staggering what man can design and it’s a wonderful manufacturing ballet.
We had our lunch in the poshest “canteen. Top quality food that really would have graced the finest restaurant. I can’t remember what it cost, but it was heavily subsidised for all and cheap.
As you would imagine they have a car showroom as well. We stuck our obviously not buyers heads in through the door to be cheerily invited to have a good look around and sit in whichever cars we wanted.
The museum itself was really interesting, with loads of classic and historic cars.
What a fantastic day out. We normally get rubbish weather when we’re in Germany, so it’s never really had our full attention. Maybe next year?
Here’s a couple of pictures of us being not that bothered about cars.
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Try Kayserberg large aire close to medieval town Colmar closest large city.
- Jan 17, 2014
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It’s a very odd experience We did it last year.
Chipster
LIFE MEMBER
Yes all great places to visit for a petrol head. In addition to the aforementioned we’ve managed to pull in Porsche and the fascinating Unimog museum. Just got BMW and Mercedes to tick off
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The Alsace is brilliant all year round. They have some great Christmas Markets. Ignore the larger well known ones, most towns have their own. Verdun is a great stop off if you are interested in WW1.
OP
OP
One thing I haven’t mentioned is that the only overseas driving I have done was a Motorhome in New Zealand and drive same as us, so unsure how I would cope on ‘wrong side of road’ ? What driving rules do I need to watch for which are different to UK?
We didnt find too many problems when we used to go to Europe. Useful to have your co-driver really watching out when you set off - to make sure you are on the right, to help with overtaking, because you dont have the visibility. Traffic islands just need thinking about, to remember which way round you go.
Whether we would want to do it now, not having done it for about 8 years, and now that bit older (69 & 70) I'm not sure.
ceejayt
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- Aug 12, 2015
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Just take it steady and you will be fine. You will be surprised how quickly you drop into it. Setting off first thing or under stress is where you will make a mistake.
So don’t stress
Plenty of speed cameras with no allowance speed limit changes very frequent if you have traffic in front of you it will always show you what's what just be aware if no other traffic about drivers side to the pavement
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Once you work out which side of rd you are on, roundabouts feel weird. But having driven thousands of miles mainly in france but also spain, Italy, andora, Germany Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Luxembourg. All have slight differences, speed limits, read up a bit about individual quirks. But in general its easy peasey. Apart from Belgium, and andorra rds are better, with less traffic. Just avoid Paris peripheries, it's a nightmare.
- Dec 19, 2020
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Last time I drove round the Periphique was about 30 odd years ago with a caravan. Just myself and two daughters, 10 & 12. From memory it is a lot easier than the Francilliene which I did with a solo car about ten years ago.
glenn2926
Free Member
Not much really, obviously they go around roundabouts the other way and our lane (the slow one) is on the right. I have driven quite extensively over seas and honestly after half an hour you won’t even think about it.
The only time you need to really concentrate is when turning right out of a side road onto a major road and there’s no other traffic . This is when it’s very easy to find yourself driving on the left. Hmm, it can get very exiting very quickly. Don’t ask me how I know.
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suavecarve
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This is also true for us.Beware looking for the town of Ausfahrt , we saw frequent signs leading there but never found it
I was looking for this town on a map for ages.
All roads lead to Ausfahrt
And three point turns had a knack of catching me out for driving on the "Wrong" side. First couple of years just concentrate on the first junction of the day and it is absolutely natural. First time over there it takes about half hour of concentration then you ll wonder what the fuss was about
Lived in Germany for many years working for the MOD in Nordrhein Westfalen. I'd say that Germany is possibly the most motorhome friendly country I've been to. We are off back there next Wednesday for a week but will stay at a Stellplatz in the town we lived in and possibly a few other places as well.
When were you planning on going? If you go between November - April you really should make sure you have winter tyres or at least M+S tyres, especially if you go south. Having said that the weather in winter can be pretty fierce anywhere in Germany. I would not worry about driving on the right, you'll soon get used to it. The only thing I would say to watch out for is that pedestrians and cyclists rule, (quite rightly) so when you are turning off a road, left or right, pedestrians/cyclists crossing the road you are turning into will have right of way.
As well as the 'scenic' spots, the big cities (Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Hannover etc.) also cater for motorhomes, with plenty of stellplatz/campsites scattered around, usually with good transport links.
If you have bikes, take them, it's a cyclists heaven. Cycle paths on pretty much all but the smallest roads.
BTW if you are going soon, then check out the Covid arrangements for transit countries. France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany all require you to fill in a Passenger Locator Form at the moment, even if just transiting. If you are double vaccinated then its relatively simple but time consuming.
gute Reise!
When were you planning on going? If you go between November - April you really should make sure you have winter tyres or at least M+S tyres, especially if you go south. Having said that the weather in winter can be pretty fierce anywhere in Germany. I would not worry about driving on the right, you'll soon get used to it. The only thing I would say to watch out for is that pedestrians and cyclists rule, (quite rightly) so when you are turning off a road, left or right, pedestrians/cyclists crossing the road you are turning into will have right of way.
As well as the 'scenic' spots, the big cities (Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Hannover etc.) also cater for motorhomes, with plenty of stellplatz/campsites scattered around, usually with good transport links.
If you have bikes, take them, it's a cyclists heaven. Cycle paths on pretty much all but the smallest roads.
BTW if you are going soon, then check out the Covid arrangements for transit countries. France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany all require you to fill in a Passenger Locator Form at the moment, even if just transiting. If you are double vaccinated then its relatively simple but time consuming.
gute Reise!
suavecarve
LIFE MEMBER
That is one hell of a first post.
Welcome
Thanks, like to be helpful if I can!
We've done two 6 week tours of Germany using the Harwich - Hook of Holland ferry which is great if travelling with pets as they can stay in the van, it's about a 6 hour ferry crossing. Plenty overnight places to spend the night close to the port on arrival.
On our first trip we had never toured abroad so were a little nervous. After a couple of nights we felt completely relaxed and confident. We used Stelplatz 90% of the time and never had a bad experience. Like most stop overs some were better than others but none were bad or felt unsafe. Apart from the small water/waste fee all were free.
On the first Stelplatz we stayed at a uniformed man knocked on our door, thinking the worst I very carefully opened the door, it was a tour guide welcoming us with a gift bag which contained a map, pen, beer glass and vouchers for discounts at restaurants. What a welcome !
Don't ignore the former East Germany especially the Baltic coast, totally different feel but very scenic.
On our first trip we had never toured abroad so were a little nervous. After a couple of nights we felt completely relaxed and confident. We used Stelplatz 90% of the time and never had a bad experience. Like most stop overs some were better than others but none were bad or felt unsafe. Apart from the small water/waste fee all were free.
On the first Stelplatz we stayed at a uniformed man knocked on our door, thinking the worst I very carefully opened the door, it was a tour guide welcoming us with a gift bag which contained a map, pen, beer glass and vouchers for discounts at restaurants. What a welcome !
Don't ignore the former East Germany especially the Baltic coast, totally different feel but very scenic.
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glenn2926
Free Member
Thanks for that post. I do really fancy going up North along the Baltic coast. You’ve set me thinking now.
Do try to visit Binz and the surrounding area in the north east, stunning area and town with lovely walks and coastline.
Regarding the PLF for European countries I've had a confirmation from the Belgian health authority that you do not need to fill in a PLF, for Belgium if you stay for less than 48 hours, so long as you are 2 x vaccinated.
- May 23, 2013
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Can you share the confirmation as that is not what is on the Government website.
Who has to fill in this questionnaire?
This form has to be completed by:- all persons travelling to Belgium, except:
- if you stay in Belgium for less than 48 hours
- if you were abroad for less than 48 hours
- Are you traveling to Belgium by plane or boat? Then you must always fill in the PLF, even if you are staying in Belgium for less than 48 hours or were abroad for less than 48 hours.
- Are you travelling by train or bus from a country outside the EU or Schengen area? Then you must always fill in the PLF, even if you are staying in Belgium for less than 48 hours or were abroad for less than 48 hours.
- If you have stayed in a very high-risk country for the past 14 days, you need to fill in the PLF at all times, regardless of the length of your stay.
Keep the kerb on your right at all times. Unless you have a lhd
beware of crossing a dual carriageway. Stop and think. Better a toot from the car behind than a car hitting you in the side. If in doubt let someone overtake you then watch what they do and follow them.
safe driving folks
beware of crossing a dual carriageway. Stop and think. Better a toot from the car behind than a car hitting you in the side. If in doubt let someone overtake you then watch what they do and follow them.
safe driving folks
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