As fuel costs fall the independence, flexibility and economy of a European campervan holiday is becoming an increasingly attractive package. Here's a run down of top tips to consider before hitting the roa
Bringing It All Back Home: Personal import of goods from across the EU is straightforward. In principle there are no limits on alcohol and tobacco, and unless your camper resembles a 'white van' your clinking cargo of bottles will raise few eyebrows. Rules regarding imports from non-EU countries are much more restrictive - check uk/duty-free-goods/ for specifics.
Camp Sites: The Camping Card International (campingcardinternational.com) provides proof of identity and discounts of up to 40% across a network of over 2,500 sites in 36 countries. A similar scheme operated by CampingCard ACSI (campingcard.co.uk) includes almost 3,000 sites across western Europe, providing fixed discounted rates sometimes equating to 50% outside peak periods.
Crossing: Channel ferry and Le Shuttle are the most popular connections to the continent - though spaces for high vehicles are limited on tunnel crossings. However, travelling from Scotland, more northerly ferry departures, such as Newcastle (North Shields) to Amsterdam (Ijmuiden), or Hull to Rotterdam or Zeebrugge are definitely worth considering, particularly when fuel and accommodation savings are factored in.
Get the Kit: Even within the EU rules of the road vary. Depending upon your route, lamp kits, along with fluorescent jackets, warning triangles and alcohol self-test sticks may be required. You'll certainly need to fit headlamp beam deflectors and, if you don't already have an EU numberplate, a country-of-origin sticker.
Kids: Even with the extra space of a campervan, when en route children must be secured using appropriate seats and belts. To keep kids happy factor in extra stops, pack a selection of fruit and nibbles, a DVD player and invest in some talking books - ordinary books are great too but reading can induce motion sickness in some children…
Mechanics: It's important not to overlook the health of your vehicle - repent this oversight by the side of a busy autoroute at your leisure. A thorough pre-departure service makes sense particularly if your campervan is not in general use. On a daily basis and before long runs check tyres for correct pressures and any damage, along with water and oil levels - it takes just five minutes.
Motor Insurance: Beyond the basic legal requirements if you're travelling in a campervan it's important to consider carefully the value of your van's contents - this will likely exceed the limits of policies geared towards the average car driver. Good insurance policies will also cover such camper-specific items as awnings, gas canisters and tools etc…
Scams: Reports of travellers stopping to assist a broken down vehicle, only to be robbed by hidden accomplices are not unique. Similarly, take care where you park if you're catching up on sleep. Foreign vehicles are magnets for scammers taking advantage of drivers unfamiliar with the language, locality and perhaps easily bamboozled after a tiring journey.
Turn Around When Possible: Though never 100% accurate there's no doubt an up-to-date Sat Nav will smooth your passage around Europe, providing A to B guidance, finding fuel and suggesting points of interest. Make sure your device has relevant coverage - 'Western Europe' doesn't cut it if you're bound for parts east beyond Budapest. And take a map!
Wild and Free: Campervan 'stopover' sites with limited amenities are often provided by municipal town councils across Europe. In undertouristed rural areas such stops are often free, elsewhere a minimal charge of €2 or €3 is applied. Stays in some more popular areas may be limited to 48-hours - check with tourist offices and/or other travellers.
This article has been produced in association with www.talkholiday.com
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