Advice please. UK - France - Switzerland - Italy and back.
Discussion
Going on a 2 week trip in our little T25 campervan and wondered if anyone has any helpful advice. The furthest I've driven abroad is to Lemans with the lads but not too worried. Anyway, here's our plan. I'll try and keep it short so bare with it as I'd really like to hear from any of you who have been -
Sat 28th July - Leave Newcastle and stop with family in Colchester for one night.
Sun 29th July - Leave Colchester 8am ish. Catch 11am ish Eurotunnel. Arrive Calais 1pm their time then drive 300 miles to Ville de Nancy. 2 nights here.
Tues 31st July - Leave Nancy and drive 220 miles to Interlakken, Switzerland. 3 nights here.
Fri 3rd August - Leave Interlakken and drive 135 miles to Lake Como, Italy. 3 nights here.
Gradually heading home from this point.
Mon 6th August - Leave Como and drive 220 miles to Annecy, France. 2 nights here.
Wed 8th August - Leave Annecy and drive 340 miles to La Samaritaine near Reims.
Thurs 9th August - Leave La Samaritaine for Calais. Get back into Blighty then camp on our way up north.
Friday 10th - Home to Northumberland.
Saturday 11th - Friends wedding!!
Anyway, would love to hear about anything we should be looking to do. We are looking to do this in Interlaken -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVTvmfSH02c&fea...
Then just playing on some jet-skis at Como etc, good food and a chill out. May also try and tie in a trip across the Millau bridge and a quick photo stop at Reims.
All ideas welcomed as I'm a bit of a novice as far as Europe goes, well by road anyway. Sorry for the long post.
Sat 28th July - Leave Newcastle and stop with family in Colchester for one night.
Sun 29th July - Leave Colchester 8am ish. Catch 11am ish Eurotunnel. Arrive Calais 1pm their time then drive 300 miles to Ville de Nancy. 2 nights here.
Tues 31st July - Leave Nancy and drive 220 miles to Interlakken, Switzerland. 3 nights here.
Fri 3rd August - Leave Interlakken and drive 135 miles to Lake Como, Italy. 3 nights here.
Gradually heading home from this point.
Mon 6th August - Leave Como and drive 220 miles to Annecy, France. 2 nights here.
Wed 8th August - Leave Annecy and drive 340 miles to La Samaritaine near Reims.
Thurs 9th August - Leave La Samaritaine for Calais. Get back into Blighty then camp on our way up north.
Friday 10th - Home to Northumberland.
Saturday 11th - Friends wedding!!
Anyway, would love to hear about anything we should be looking to do. We are looking to do this in Interlaken -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVTvmfSH02c&fea...
Then just playing on some jet-skis at Como etc, good food and a chill out. May also try and tie in a trip across the Millau bridge and a quick photo stop at Reims.
All ideas welcomed as I'm a bit of a novice as far as Europe goes, well by road anyway. Sorry for the long post.
Sounds like a great trip, very jealous!
1- its obvious but if your van has mains hook up dont forget the 2 pin mains lead adapter
2- You cant swap uk gas bottles abroad but I guess you'll have enough to last a couple of weeks
3- If you are doing any distance on the tolls in France then get a Sanef Telepeage transponder, I got one for my Capri after reading about them on here and its brilliant, instead of the hassle of paying at toll booths you just stick the transponder on your windscreen and drive straight through the telepeage lanes and they bill you a month later, just google Sanef UK
4- The Swiss will sting you for 40E for a sticker to let you use their Motorways when you hit the border whether you like it or not even if you wont use the motorways, they last a year and are not car specific, I have one on my Capri that you can use if you want just p.m me your address and I'll post it down if you can post it back afterwards.
1- its obvious but if your van has mains hook up dont forget the 2 pin mains lead adapter
2- You cant swap uk gas bottles abroad but I guess you'll have enough to last a couple of weeks
3- If you are doing any distance on the tolls in France then get a Sanef Telepeage transponder, I got one for my Capri after reading about them on here and its brilliant, instead of the hassle of paying at toll booths you just stick the transponder on your windscreen and drive straight through the telepeage lanes and they bill you a month later, just google Sanef UK
4- The Swiss will sting you for 40E for a sticker to let you use their Motorways when you hit the border whether you like it or not even if you wont use the motorways, they last a year and are not car specific, I have one on my Capri that you can use if you want just p.m me your address and I'll post it down if you can post it back afterwards.
Evening NHW,
thanks very much for that info. Even better than I'd hoped for.
1. Yes we have mains hook up and have just bought the 2 pin adapter. I've also read about some hook-ups abroad being the wrong way round as it were. Apparently there is a plug-in tester you can buy but, I don't know if I'll bother.
2. Gas bottle just brimmed, so good to go.
3. Will look up this transponder in the morning and definitely do that. Excellent little gizmo that.
4. That's a very kind offer indeed! I'll pm you my details and I'm happy to make a donation to either yourself or to a charity. I'll post it straight back by special delivery on our return.
Great info! Cheers.
thanks very much for that info. Even better than I'd hoped for.
1. Yes we have mains hook up and have just bought the 2 pin adapter. I've also read about some hook-ups abroad being the wrong way round as it were. Apparently there is a plug-in tester you can buy but, I don't know if I'll bother.
2. Gas bottle just brimmed, so good to go.
3. Will look up this transponder in the morning and definitely do that. Excellent little gizmo that.
4. That's a very kind offer indeed! I'll pm you my details and I'm happy to make a donation to either yourself or to a charity. I'll post it straight back by special delivery on our return.
Great info! Cheers.
Wow
Sounds just like a trip i did 15 years ago. We drove le havre to geneve over night. Camped near la clusaz, drove chamonix to interlaken, camped interlaken, visited milan. A great trip but cant offer much advice as it was so long ago.
Loved every minute of it... But did it in my mk1 mr2 t-bar. It broke down once, spilling water all over an italian service station. Easy fix was the clip holding the expansion tank split, causing the tank to drop in the engine bay...... A helpful italian and some gaffer tape later all fixed!
Would love to repeat in our T25 - be sure to post some pictures!
Mike
Sounds just like a trip i did 15 years ago. We drove le havre to geneve over night. Camped near la clusaz, drove chamonix to interlaken, camped interlaken, visited milan. A great trip but cant offer much advice as it was so long ago.
Loved every minute of it... But did it in my mk1 mr2 t-bar. It broke down once, spilling water all over an italian service station. Easy fix was the clip holding the expansion tank split, causing the tank to drop in the engine bay...... A helpful italian and some gaffer tape later all fixed!
Would love to repeat in our T25 - be sure to post some pictures!
Mike
Millau bridge is quite spectacular, and there are several good campsites there too.
If you're going to Reims you really should take in a champagne house, Charles de Cazenove is very nice and reasonably priced given the quality of the samples at the end of the tour.
Oh, and n big towns in France there are often areas you can park up for free in a camper if you're self-sufficient for toilets and showers.
Didn't think the Swiss motorway vignette was transferable though, you may be asked to stick it to the screen and it then isn't removable without damaging it.
If you're going to Reims you really should take in a champagne house, Charles de Cazenove is very nice and reasonably priced given the quality of the samples at the end of the tour.
Oh, and n big towns in France there are often areas you can park up for free in a camper if you're self-sufficient for toilets and showers.
Didn't think the Swiss motorway vignette was transferable though, you may be asked to stick it to the screen and it then isn't removable without damaging it.
Hi Mike - Nothing like like a break-down to get the heart rate going eh. At least it didn't ruin your trip. That's the only niggling concern I have about the trip. If you fly somewhere, once you're there, there is nothing that can really ruin the holiday, whereas if a campervan breaks down it's possibly holiday over.
I actually fancied the crossing to Le Harve as I wanted to show my girlfriend Honfleur but it's the other way to where we actually want to be. I'll post plenty of pics on my return.
Hi Tom - Yep I've wanted to visit the Millau bridge for years, although I've just been looking and it's quite a way over from our nearest stay. I'm yet to receive confirmation for all our stops though so if we can't get into Annecy we may make the trip to Millau. Thanks.
We are only near Reims for one night I think on our way back to Calais but depending on what time we arrive we may get out and about.
You may be right about the vignette too as I'm slowly finding out.
Hi rsole - Most caravan places will have them or even Ebay I would think. It's just a foot long lead to extend and covert your UK lead. I got mine from Just Campers but you pay the VW tax if you go there.
I won't be using them again anyway as some of our goods arrived damaged. When I rang to return them I was told to send photos, blah, blah. Can't be bothered with that so have kept the goods. (Aluminium camping table that's dented).
Hi A lex - Thanks for the heads up and yes I'm starting to realize this is probably the case. Still a very kind offer from Naggsy.
I actually fancied the crossing to Le Harve as I wanted to show my girlfriend Honfleur but it's the other way to where we actually want to be. I'll post plenty of pics on my return.
Hi Tom - Yep I've wanted to visit the Millau bridge for years, although I've just been looking and it's quite a way over from our nearest stay. I'm yet to receive confirmation for all our stops though so if we can't get into Annecy we may make the trip to Millau. Thanks.
We are only near Reims for one night I think on our way back to Calais but depending on what time we arrive we may get out and about.
You may be right about the vignette too as I'm slowly finding out.
Hi rsole - Most caravan places will have them or even Ebay I would think. It's just a foot long lead to extend and covert your UK lead. I got mine from Just Campers but you pay the VW tax if you go there.
I won't be using them again anyway as some of our goods arrived damaged. When I rang to return them I was told to send photos, blah, blah. Can't be bothered with that so have kept the goods. (Aluminium camping table that's dented).Hi A lex - Thanks for the heads up and yes I'm starting to realize this is probably the case. Still a very kind offer from Naggsy.
A lex said:
The Swiss vignette is non-transferable and if its not stuck to the screen, then technically its not valid.
We came through CH last week on the way to Italy and they were being very intensive with the checks both on the way in at Basel and out at Lugano.
Get one off ebay ex biker. Plenty if you look. Bikes have them in a plastic pouch so no damage. We came through CH last week on the way to Italy and they were being very intensive with the checks both on the way in at Basel and out at Lugano.
A lex said:
The Swiss vignette is non-transferable and if its not stuck to the screen, then technically its not valid.
We came through CH last week on the way to Italy and they were being very intensive with the checks both on the way in at Basel and out at Lugano.
I’ve been driving down to Switzerland every year for the past 7 years, (usually at least twice to go skiing) always buy the vignette before we go from the Swiss embassy. Stick it to the windscreen using invisible sticky tape and then remove and sell when we get home. Never been stopped or had any issues. And even if we did, the worst that would happen would be I’d have to actually stick the thing to the windscreen.We came through CH last week on the way to Italy and they were being very intensive with the checks both on the way in at Basel and out at Lugano.
rsole said:
Guys - where did you get the two pins main lead adapter from?
Hope this isn't a daft question!
Thanks
For Switzerland you may also need a 3 pin adaptor - we've just come back from there and they seem to be becoming more common than the 2 pin. They're also used in Turkey and Lichenstein I understand. Think they're called 'J' type.Hope this isn't a daft question!
Thanks
We went to Northern Switzerland and found by using N roads along the Belgian, French, Luxemborg (cheap fuel and Baccy) and German borders we avoided the tolls and got there in the same time as a friend, travelling at similar speeds, on the toll roads - cost him around £100 (maybe Euros) iirc.
BB
We did this trip via the Black Forest to Interlaken a couple of years ago - had a great time.
At Interlaken definitely do the Top of Europe on the Jungfrau express - awesome adventure if a little pricey. Go into the Ice Cave when you get up there.
We went to Kandersteg and got the chair lift up to the beautiful lake at the top - really nice. Lake Oeschinen I think. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandersteg
There are lots of bob sleighs you can ride down the mountains, one at Kanderstegg I think and Grindlevald (another lovely town near to where you start the Jungfrau express).
We also did parasailing from the hills around Interlaken down into the valley. Simply gorgeous. And of course a boat ride on the lake itself.
Have a wonderful time!
At Interlaken definitely do the Top of Europe on the Jungfrau express - awesome adventure if a little pricey. Go into the Ice Cave when you get up there.
We went to Kandersteg and got the chair lift up to the beautiful lake at the top - really nice. Lake Oeschinen I think. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandersteg
There are lots of bob sleighs you can ride down the mountains, one at Kanderstegg I think and Grindlevald (another lovely town near to where you start the Jungfrau express).
We also did parasailing from the hills around Interlaken down into the valley. Simply gorgeous. And of course a boat ride on the lake itself.
Have a wonderful time!
Big Bob -
Thanks for that, I'll have I look at those adaptors and probably stick one in. I already have a vignette now so am happy to use the main routes, mainly for time. We a have a couple of days of big drives. Our first Colchester to Calais to Nancy and also Nancy to Interlaken may take a while. One big drive near the end too from Como backup into France.
Rich -
Thanks very much for posting. Very good to hear from someone that's done the Jungfrau trip. that is 100% on my list of things to do. Is it just a case of waking up and getting along to the train station in time or do I need to book in advance etc?
Certainly sounds like you packed a lot in. We only have 3 nights there so the Jungfrau trip and a boat trip would do nicely. I'd love to do the bob-sleighing but if they're up a different mountain I doubt I'll get time. Bummer.
Thanks again for taking the time to post. Lovely 930 in your profile pic.
One week to go and we're away. Can't wait.
Thanks for that, I'll have I look at those adaptors and probably stick one in. I already have a vignette now so am happy to use the main routes, mainly for time. We a have a couple of days of big drives. Our first Colchester to Calais to Nancy and also Nancy to Interlaken may take a while. One big drive near the end too from Como backup into France.
Rich -
Thanks very much for posting. Very good to hear from someone that's done the Jungfrau trip. that is 100% on my list of things to do. Is it just a case of waking up and getting along to the train station in time or do I need to book in advance etc?
Certainly sounds like you packed a lot in. We only have 3 nights there so the Jungfrau trip and a boat trip would do nicely. I'd love to do the bob-sleighing but if they're up a different mountain I doubt I'll get time. Bummer.
Thanks again for taking the time to post. Lovely 930 in your profile pic.
One week to go and we're away. Can't wait.
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