My wife and I enjoy the historical, culinary, landscape and cultural experiences Europe has to offer. Motorhoming is very popular in Western Europe and places to camp, park and holiday are extremely well catered for. Ownership is very high among the locals and camping ‘stops’ and holiday parks are plentiful. In fact, even the most popular tourist destinations, like Paris for example, have camping grounds within the city limits, meeting the demand of visiting motorhomers. Western Europe, in particular, can boast many towns and cities with designated motorhome parking at low, or no cost, for overnight stays if desired. The popularity of, and local community support for visiting motorhomes is evidence of cost-effectiveness for this flexible and personal way of touring. In planning our tours we have never had difficulty finding a place for the night, and we usually had a few options to choose from in consideration of our budget.
Additionally, having your own kitchen can mean meals do not have to consume a large portion of your holiday budget, and camping can cost as little as nothing (known as ‘Aires’ or recognised camper stops throughout Western Europe), to a fee representative of a five start holiday resort. We camped on the cliff edge, in Western Spain in October 2017, looking out over the final kilometre for the walking Camino pilgrims for no cost at all. Modern diesel motorhomes are very fuel efficient and in many countries, with the right planning, road tolls can be safely and enjoyably avoided. Additionally, motorhome hiring is very competitive in the shoulder periods and are great value when hired for three or more weeks (the longer the cheaper principle). We have indeed amazed our family and friends in Australia with what we could see, do and take part in within our budget.
Cycling in Stockholm
Meandering Villages
Many people may think a motorhome too big to explore the small quaint villages calling to you in France or Germany. Fortunately, consideration to the size of the motorhome right for you, is directly related to the degree of comfort you desire. In other words, over the past 20 years of driving and exploring Europe, we have seen all sizes and shapes in motorhomes, or as the Europeans call them ‘camping cars’, and we note size did not prevent the owner or renter from reaching their chosen destination. All villages require delivery vehicle and trucks to service the needs of the locals and therefore logic reassures us that if a truck or large delivery van can enter the historic port of Honfleur Normandy France, then so can the motorhome. Of course some streets may not take motorhomes, however consider also, that many historic village centres forbid even cars to travel through them. If you absolutely must have the motorhome with the extra-large ensuite, go for it! You can still visit Rothenberg ob der Tauber (right outside the city walls) for 10 Euros a night, and perhaps the small poptop Combi, without an ensuite, maybe parked beside you.
Western Europe is connected and well serviced by a network of well-maintained roads and highways. Beautiful sights are usually short distances from one another, so when you’re motorhoming it’s not unusual to travel one, two or less hours from one destination to another. This is the wonderful flexible meandering travel perfect for the motorhomer. In the shoulder seasons you can usually choose to stay as little, or as long, as you like at your destination. Opportunities to explore many quiet and picturesque country roads are also available to you, particularly in France.
The expansion of the European Union has seen the expansion of agreements, services and standard throughout EU countries. Uninterrupted travel across EU country borders now means convenient faster travel times and no requirements for visas (please be aware of the Schengen Treaty requirements). Twenty years ago, we could not visit Poland without a visa, queuing at the border check point and doing our homework in relation to hiring a vehicle/motorhome from a company that would permit driving there. We have witnessed changes to convenient modern living where supermarkets/ fuel stations etc are now plentiful, catering well to the meandering motorhomer. Breakdown services similar to NRMA are well established and persons understanding English, fortunately or unfortunately depending on your opinion, is usually found without challenge when you need them. Indeed I’m constantly in awe of the employee, serving in tourist operations and businesses, who can speak four or five languages (English included), as they serve the many visitors from varying European countries.
With some planning, Europe is a wonderful place to explore, proving to be more than welcoming and supportive of motorhomers. So, what are you waiting for?
Gaz and Susan touring Valga in Estonia
