Tam &Toby do Europe ...Take two

[Podney]

That's the bit I don't understand though . Why is it a money pit?
I can't see any beauty in it. I mean some parts of Spain weren't that scenic but it was warm and sunny lol so can see why folk go

Maybe coz it’s nearer to very large populations and has lots of very affluent towns that have historically been upmarket,and frequented by the rich and famous.....................and now YOU,who I’m sure now fall into the same category!

 

[Northernraider]

Maybe coz it’s nearer to very large populations and has lots of very affluent towns that have historically been upmarket,and frequented by the rich and famous.....................and now YOU,who I’m sure now fall into the same category!

Ha ha yeah right

 

[ALI G]

Maybe it's because in conparison the French part of the med is alot smaller than the Spanish med and alot more populated

 

[Grianan]

Tam, do not know what weathers like just now but there’s some lovely towns along the Canal du Midi (Moissac) and the Cevennes and Tarn regions are beautiful ... the Camargue is very flat but head north into Provence ...

 

[Val 3 dogs]

What is with this fixation you and so many men seem to have with the coast :the Carmargue I can understand it is famous for it's HORSES and flamingoes and Saintes-Maries-de la-Mer, where Saint Sarah the patron saint of Romanies, feast day is celebrated on May 24th, (so you are too early), Monte Carlo for the motor racing and casino's
That's all I know about the med coast in the South of France, but I do know there are lots of lovely quaint little old villages inland,with wineries, cafés and wonderful patisseries.
I'm sure if you move away from the coast and tourist centres you would find a lot to interest and maybe even delight you.

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[chaser]

Carmargue also good for flies

 

[Val 3 dogs]

I don't know if "France Passion" is available on line but it has hundreds, maybe thousands of interesting, free sropovers throughout France, well worth a look Tam

 

[Northernraider]

What is with this fixation you and so many men seem to have with the coast :the Carmargue I can understand it is famous for it's HORSES and flamingoes and Saintes-Maries-de la-Mer, where Saint Sarah the patron saint of Romanies, feast day is celebrated on May 24th, (so you are too early), Monte Carlo for the motor racing and casino's
That's all I know about the med coast in the South of France, but I do know there are lots of lovely quaint little old villages inland,with wineries, cafés and wonderful patisseries.
I'm sure if you move away from the coast and tourist centres you would find a lot to interest and maybe even delight you.

Possibly but I want heat and the further inland you go the colder it gets. Frost on my skylights this morning lol.

I dunno I'm just not overly enamoured with France...I didn't think much of it on route through middle to spain in January, I didn't think much of the West coast returning home last September.....I think the Germans must have bombed all the nice bits lots.

I like mountains , architecture , dramatic coastlines , quaint villages and history.
And if none of those at least sunshine so I can soak up the sun.

I liked soain. ..most of it.
The north bored me a bit

I liked the Pyrenees but since then it's been a bit meh.

Italy I'm hoping will be different .....I really hope so.

 

[Lenny HB]

Saintes-Maries-de la-Mer

Love the place but won't suit Tam, 5 Aires but you have to pay for them.
The eastern end of the Camargue just down from Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône you can wild on beach.
Marseille is best avoided these days, full of immigrants very high crime rate, I wouldn't leave your van anywhere near the place.

As others have said head inland in Provence, stunning countryside, fabulous place.

Or head a bit further north to the Massive Central, loads of free Aires & wild spots great walking country. You like mountains so it's a must do, fabulous ridge walks and quite easy to get up to them.

Although France is a lot more expensive now it's still Motorhome heaven providing you avoid the Côte d'Azur which is where you appear to be heading for.

 

[Northernraider]

Love the place but won't suit Tam, 5 Aires but you have to pay for them.
The eastern end of the Camargue just down from Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône you can wild on beach.
Marseille is best avoided these days, full of immigrants very high crime rate, I wouldn't leave your van anywhere near the place.

As others have said head inland in Provence, stunning countryside, fabulous place.

Or head a bit further north to the Massive Central, loads of free Aires & wild spots great walking country. You like mountains so it's a must do, fabulous ridge walks and quite easy to get up to them.

Although France is a lot more expensive now it's still Motorhome heaven providing you avoid the Côte d'Azur which is where you appear to be heading for.

Ha ha I'm heading for Italy I just happen to be driving through France and would like to have seen something on route. I was told the coast from nice to Monte Carlo was nice hence not heading too far north .

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[chaser]

I don't know if "France Passion" is available on line but it has hundreds, maybe thousands of interesting, free sropovers throughout France, well worth a look Tam

None down south, believe me we've got it

 

[Northernraider]

None down south, believe me we've got it

I've no problem finding free stopover

They just ain't interesting lol

 

[scousebird]

Antibes is very nice if you can park anywhere. Old walled town with lots of bars & restaurants (we haven't been there since 2000 so don't shoot me if it's changed) and a nice harbour. Wasn't impressed with Cannes but Nice was nice and we loved Monaco.

 

[Val 3 dogs]

I hope you won't be disappointed in Italy too Tam. It is centuries since I was there but driving was a nightmare ( I was a passenger in a 7.5ton horsebox back then), there were loads of starving stray dogs and off -road round every corner in the countryside was a 'domestic ' rubbish tip, hence loads of flies, a fair few of which bit!
Rome obviously had some impressive historic buildings ,not dis-similar to Spain there were a lot of large guard dogs shut behind high wire fences and most of them barked all night. That was a long time ago, it may/may not be different now but I prefer Spain and the Spanish people.

 

[Lenny HB]

Getting confusing now with your travel thread spilling over into the French speed camera thread.
I thought I was replying on here but I wasn't.

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[spitfire]

Antibes is very nice if you can park anywhere. Old walled town with lots of bars & restaurants (we haven't been there since 2000 so don't shoot me if it's changed) and a nice harbour. Wasn't impressed with Cannes but Nice was nice and we loved Monaco.

Also love Nice even though not fond of the south of France !

 

[Teuchter]

Love the place but won't suit Tam, 5 Aires but you have to pay for them.
The eastern end of the Camargue just down from Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône you can wild on beach.
Marseille is best avoided these days, full of immigrants very high crime rate, I wouldn't leave your van anywhere near the place.

As others have said head inland in Provence, stunning countryside, fabulous place.

Or head a bit further north to the Massive Central, loads of free Aires & wild spots great walking country. You like mountains so it's a must do, fabulous ridge walks and quite easy to get up to them.

Although France is a lot more expensive now it's still Motorhome heaven providing you avoid the Côte d'Azur which is where you appear to be heading for.

We love St Maries-de-la-Mer too - good walking, cycling & beaches and great wee town. Loved seeing "the running of the bulls" there last year

 

[Val 3 dogs]

Oh yes, while I remember, in Italy the cops pulled you up (for no apparent reason) to check the vehicle and contents (me and the horse ) whilst all the time waving and gesticulating, what I would call sub -machine guns . They then argued and waved the machine guns even more because they didn't believe I (a mere female )was the rider of the horse. B**** male chauvinist pigs! Huh Italy, you can keep it. It's the only place that I didn't want to return to when and if I had more time and money!

 

[Four of us]

ha I'm heading for Italy I just happen to be driving through France and would like to have seen something on route. I was told the coast from nice to Monte Carlo was nice hence not heading too far north .

That bit of the coast road is stunning and worth the drive....but before you get there why not visit the Camargue which is really interesting, and then detour inland slightly to Arles and Avignon, which are both worth a visit. You can then drive through Provence heading East which is lovely, and then drop back down to the coast .

Someone mentioned the Gorge du Verdon .....its fantastic and well worth a detour.

There's a lot to see but it all looks so much better in the sun and you're still a bit early to guarantee that. We were there in May and it was lovely..

 

[Podney]

That bit of the coast road is stunning and worth the drive....but before you get there why not visit the Camargue which is really interesting, and then detour inland slightly to Arles and Avignon, which are both worth a visit. You can then drive through Provence heading East which is lovely, and then drop back down to the coast .

Someone mentioned the Gorge du Verdon .....its fantastic and well worth a detour.

There's a lot to see but it all looks so much better in the sun and you're still a bit early to guarantee that. We were there in May and it was lovely..

What he said....spot on!

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[Langtoftlad]

Not motorhoming, and a fair while ago but I have pleasant memories of Aix En Provence

 

[Northernraider]

That bit of the coast road is stunning and worth the drive....but before you get there why not visit the Camargue which is really interesting, and then detour inland slightly to Arles and Avignon, which are both worth a visit. You can then drive through Provence heading East which is lovely, and then drop back down to the coast .

Someone mentioned the Gorge du Verdon .....its fantastic and well worth a detour.

There's a lot to see but it all looks so much better in the sun and you're still a bit early to guarantee that. We were there in May and it was lovely..

I'm already passed the camargue I'm 20 miles west of marseille

 

[Clarky]

Drive over the hill from where you are to Carro.
Lovely little fishing village with an aire right beside the sea.
There are lovely views out to sea towards Marseille with lots of ships going in and out of the ports.
Two minus’s though. The aire costs €7 (including water and dump) and, because of the Mistral, it can be windy.
Nice spot though.

Richard.

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm already passed the camargue I'm 20 miles west of marseille

Go back the, well worth it & you've got all year.

 

[ianthebuilder]

I'm already passed the camargue I'm 20 miles west of marseille

I was told that I have family in Marseille!!

Never met em, never knew em!

I’ve heard it’s a bit of a tip!! Lol.

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[TM59]

Will be interested what you make of Italy? Not to late to save yourself some money and head back to Spain.

 

[Northernraider]

Absolutely peeing it down this morning and has been since 6.30 when it woke me up.
Weather forecast is for rain and wind all day today
I really wish I'd stayed in Spain another month. All you seasoned European travellers should have told me the weather's shit over here lol.

 

[Scotch mist]

Absolutely peeing it down this morning and has been since 6.30 when it woke me up.
Weather forecast is for rain and wind all day today
I really wish I'd stayed in Spain another month. All you seasoned European travellers should have told me the weather's shit over here lol.

The rain should make you feel at home

 

[Northernraider]

The rain should make you feel at home

I dinnae want to feel at home lol.
It's crap with two dogs

 

[shawn&emma]

Absolutely peeing it down this morning and has been since 6.30 when it woke me up.
Weather forecast is for rain and wind all day today
I really wish I'd stayed in Spain another month. All you seasoned European travellers should have told me the weather's shit over here lol.

Not sure about Spain and the coast but the much needed rain has finally arrived in central Portugal, had snow on the mountains. Forcast to stay wet for at least the next ten days. Went from shorts and t shirt Tuesday to two fleeces and woolly hat by Thursday.

Will be interested on your take on Italy as we may head that way towards the end of June.

Shawn

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