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We’re planning a trip Jun-Dec this year to take full advantage of my maternity leave (baby will be at least 3 months old when we leave). Never had a camper before.
We definitely wanted a camper, but have realised a caravan might be more practical to go off in the car for trips to towns etc. Would be interested to hear if people manage to park in cities and go down country lanes OK with campers, or if this can be very restrictive?
We’re aiming to use this opportunity to go to places we would struggle to get to on a normal two week camper trip to Europe. Keen to go to Croatia and Slovenia. Are Turkey and Greece camper friendly?
Main concerns are:
-It being too hot for the baby so will plan to stay in places that aren’t more than 25 degrees, also mozzies
-Being in places with good healthcare
-Cheap locations to make a long trip possibleAny tips/experience would be greatly appreciated:
1. What camper you would recommend – we’ve been looking mostly at T4/5 but wonder if they would be too small for a 6 month trip. LWB gives more space but then I think we will really struggle to park it in cities etc. We’re on a very tight budget as my boyfriend wants it to be safe and reliable so: less than 12 yrs old and mileage under 130k, for under £9k…
2. Locations you would recommend
3. Useful books – see very mixed reviews of AA and Alan Rogers Europe guides
4. Tips for travelling with a baby
5. I’m keen to get a van with three front seats so we can all sit together. Anyone with experience of doing this with a car seat?
6. Would people wild camp with a young baby?Very useful site with loads of helpful info that has answered many of my questions, thanks!!
Well, where do we start?? I
Well, where do we start?? I have driven from Southern Spain up through Spain, into France, across the south of France and into Italy. Down through Italy to Brindisi. Caught the ferry from Brindisi to Greece and then driven across Greece to Edirne at the Turkish Border. Driven into Istanbul and then across the Bosphorus Bridge and down to the Turkish Aegean coast…..Would I do it with a baby on board? No! too hot.
The Transit will offer you 3 front seats (I double passenger * driver)as well as other proprietory vans.
No problems camping officially in Italy/Greece etc. but beware of E European Gypsies with bad intent if wild camping…They know you have everything you own in that van.
LWB will go down the narrowest of lanes no problem, whereas a caravan set up may be more difficult to manouvre, once you meet on coming traffic.
I would not wild camp.
Ensure you are adequately covered insurance wise for EVERY eventuality.
If going to Turkey, if you get to the border in the Hols when ALL turks living in Germany Holland etc. head home for hols, you can wait in a queue at the border for HOURS!(In the heat).Oh and ENSURE your vehicle paperwork is all correct as you go from one check desc to another getting papers stamped and the Turks are not queuers…every man for himself….just like a cattle market of smelly sweaty bodies all trying to get their papers stamped.
Buy a panel van and convert it yourself…You’ll get more for your money than buying a “factory built” camper.
We’ll be off to Italy this year and onto Sardinia, but a baby??? I’d get on a plane, but thats just me and I’m sure many will disagree with me.
If you do take the Baby…….Ensure you have working air con in the vehicle!
Oh! by the way…..Avoid the Rome ring road at rush hour…jeeeezzzzz!!!Well, where do we start?? I
Well, where do we start?? I have driven from Southern Spain up through Spain, into France, across the south of France and into Italy. Down through Italy to Brindisi. Caught the ferry from Brindisi to Greece and then driven across Greece to Edirne at the Turkish Border. Driven into Istanbul and then across the Bosphorus Bridge and down to the Turkish Aegean coast…..Would I do it with a baby on board? No! too hot.
The Transit will offer you 3 front seats (I double passenger * driver)as well as other proprietory vans.
No problems camping officially in Italy/Greece etc. but beware of E European Gypsies with bad intent if wild camping…They know you have everything you own in that van.
LWB will go down the narrowest of lanes no problem, whereas a caravan set up may be more difficult to manouvre, once you meet on coming traffic.
I would not wild camp.
Ensure you are adequately covered insurance wise for EVERY eventuality.
If going to Turkey, if you get to the border in the Hols when ALL turks living in Germany Holland etc. head home for hols, you can wait in a queue at the border for HOURS!(In the heat).Oh and ENSURE your vehicle paperwork is all correct as you go from one check desc to another getting papers stamped and the Turks are not queuers…every man for himself….just like a cattle market of smelly sweaty bodies all trying to get their papers stamped.
Buy a panel van and convert it yourself…You’ll get more for your money than buying a “factory built” camper.
We’ll be off to Italy this year and onto Sardinia, but a baby??? I’d get on a plane, but thats just me and I’m sure many will disagree with me.
If you do take the Baby…….Ensure you have working air con in the vehicle!
Oh! by the way…..Avoid the Rome ring road at rush hour…jeeeezzzzz!!!Well, where do we start?? I
Well, where do we start?? I have driven from Southern Spain up through Spain, into France, across the south of France and into Italy. Down through Italy to Brindisi. Caught the ferry from Brindisi to Greece and then driven across Greece to Edirne at the Turkish Border. Driven into Istanbul and then across the Bosphorus Bridge and down to the Turkish Aegean coast…..Would I do it with a baby on board? No! too hot.
The Transit will offer you 3 front seats (I double passenger * driver)as well as other proprietory vans.
No problems camping officially in Italy/Greece etc. but beware of E European Gypsies with bad intent if wild camping…They know you have everything you own in that van.
LWB will go down the narrowest of lanes no problem, whereas a caravan set up may be more difficult to manouvre, once you meet on coming traffic.
I would not wild camp.
Ensure you are adequately covered insurance wise for EVERY eventuality.
If going to Turkey, if you get to the border in the Hols when ALL turks living in Germany Holland etc. head home for hols, you can wait in a queue at the border for HOURS!(In the heat).Oh and ENSURE your vehicle paperwork is all correct as you go from one check desc to another getting papers stamped and the Turks are not queuers…every man for himself….just like a cattle market of smelly sweaty bodies all trying to get their papers stamped.
Buy a panel van and convert it yourself…You’ll get more for your money than buying a “factory built” camper.
We’ll be off to Italy this year and onto Sardinia, but a baby??? I’d get on a plane, but thats just me and I’m sure many will disagree with me.
If you do take the Baby…….Ensure you have working air con in the vehicle!
Oh! by the way…..Avoid the Rome ring road at rush hour…jeeeezzzzz!!!Hi guys
Sounds like a good
Hi guysSounds like a good trip. It’s a great idea to take your baby then, as it’ll allow you to explore without any school commitments, etc from the baby at that stage.
There is a trade off between campervan and caravan. With the caravan you can setup a base and explore around it. But moving on is a pain. With the campervan moving on is the easy bit. The downside is that your vehicle is quite big.
Thing to remember though, that in most of Europe, especially in rural areas having a big vehicle is not a problem.
I would never park a campervan in big cities like, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, etc. You are a target for thieves. For this big cities park at a secure car park, or even better, find a campsite near the city, and bus in.
For smaller cities, you can sometimes park in the suburbs and walk in/bus in. I did this in Brussels, San Sebastian, Bordeaux, etc.
I think Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey and Greece are all fine if you do your research and stick to campsites. Know the issues with any place you visit.
Greece in summer will be torture weather wise. For summer stick to France, Spain, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia. After September start making your way to Greece or Portugal. Go where the weather suits you.
Most EU countries have good healthcare. It takes longer with the language barrier sometimes. Get your EHIC (E111) health card for free European medical cover:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspxGet travel insurance too.
I would get a LWB camper. You are on a long trip. Get a permanent bed. This will make life easier when the baby is sleeping, and make night times easier for you.
Don’t worry about the length. Stick to campsites. France and Italy have Aires, designated places for you to stay cheaply. After September you can free camp in many parts of Europe near beaches.
Big vehicles are rarely a problem once you start your trip. You’ll love the extra space.I would recommend France, Spain, Italy, Greeece, and anywhere in between.
For France “All The Aires” lists lots of free/cheap Aires where you can stay. Rough Guides are good for country information.A van with three front seats is a great idea. I would wild camp with a baby. Just choose a safe established spot.
For your budget I would look for a conversion that someone has done privately. You will be able to find LWD and with three seats in the front. Almost all professional conversions will not have three seats in the front. Get one with a permanent bed in the back. Get one with a small dinning area. Solar panel is nice if you are wild camping a lot. Water heater is essential with a baby. Gas normally, which is fine. A toilet is one of the best things you can have in a camper in my opinion.
Here are some campers as examples for your budget.
Hi guys
Sounds like a good
Hi guysSounds like a good trip. It’s a great idea to take your baby then, as it’ll allow you to explore without any school commitments, etc from the baby at that stage.
There is a trade off between campervan and caravan. With the caravan you can setup a base and explore around it. But moving on is a pain. With the campervan moving on is the easy bit. The downside is that your vehicle is quite big.
Thing to remember though, that in most of Europe, especially in rural areas having a big vehicle is not a problem.
I would never park a campervan in big cities like, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, etc. You are a target for thieves. For this big cities park at a secure car park, or even better, find a campsite near the city, and bus in.
For smaller cities, you can sometimes park in the suburbs and walk in/bus in. I did this in Brussels, San Sebastian, Bordeaux, etc.
I think Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey and Greece are all fine if you do your research and stick to campsites. Know the issues with any place you visit.
Greece in summer will be torture weather wise. For summer stick to France, Spain, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia. After September start making your way to Greece or Portugal. Go where the weather suits you.
Most EU countries have good healthcare. It takes longer with the language barrier sometimes. Get your EHIC (E111) health card for free European medical cover:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspxGet travel insurance too.
I would get a LWB camper. You are on a long trip. Get a permanent bed. This will make life easier when the baby is sleeping, and make night times easier for you.
Don’t worry about the length. Stick to campsites. France and Italy have Aires, designated places for you to stay cheaply. After September you can free camp in many parts of Europe near beaches.
Big vehicles are rarely a problem once you start your trip. You’ll love the extra space.I would recommend France, Spain, Italy, Greeece, and anywhere in between.
For France “All The Aires” lists lots of free/cheap Aires where you can stay. Rough Guides are good for country information.A van with three front seats is a great idea. I would wild camp with a baby. Just choose a safe established spot.
For your budget I would look for a conversion that someone has done privately. You will be able to find LWD and with three seats in the front. Almost all professional conversions will not have three seats in the front. Get one with a permanent bed in the back. Get one with a small dinning area. Solar panel is nice if you are wild camping a lot. Water heater is essential with a baby. Gas normally, which is fine. A toilet is one of the best things you can have in a camper in my opinion.
Here are some campers as examples for your budget.
Hi guys
Sounds like a good
Hi guysSounds like a good trip. It’s a great idea to take your baby then, as it’ll allow you to explore without any school commitments, etc from the baby at that stage.
There is a trade off between campervan and caravan. With the caravan you can setup a base and explore around it. But moving on is a pain. With the campervan moving on is the easy bit. The downside is that your vehicle is quite big.
Thing to remember though, that in most of Europe, especially in rural areas having a big vehicle is not a problem.
I would never park a campervan in big cities like, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, etc. You are a target for thieves. For this big cities park at a secure car park, or even better, find a campsite near the city, and bus in.
For smaller cities, you can sometimes park in the suburbs and walk in/bus in. I did this in Brussels, San Sebastian, Bordeaux, etc.
I think Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey and Greece are all fine if you do your research and stick to campsites. Know the issues with any place you visit.
Greece in summer will be torture weather wise. For summer stick to France, Spain, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia. After September start making your way to Greece or Portugal. Go where the weather suits you.
Most EU countries have good healthcare. It takes longer with the language barrier sometimes. Get your EHIC (E111) health card for free European medical cover:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspxGet travel insurance too.
I would get a LWB camper. You are on a long trip. Get a permanent bed. This will make life easier when the baby is sleeping, and make night times easier for you.
Don’t worry about the length. Stick to campsites. France and Italy have Aires, designated places for you to stay cheaply. After September you can free camp in many parts of Europe near beaches.
Big vehicles are rarely a problem once you start your trip. You’ll love the extra space.I would recommend France, Spain, Italy, Greeece, and anywhere in between.
For France “All The Aires” lists lots of free/cheap Aires where you can stay. Rough Guides are good for country information.A van with three front seats is a great idea. I would wild camp with a baby. Just choose a safe established spot.
For your budget I would look for a conversion that someone has done privately. You will be able to find LWD and with three seats in the front. Almost all professional conversions will not have three seats in the front. Get one with a permanent bed in the back. Get one with a small dinning area. Solar panel is nice if you are wild camping a lot. Water heater is essential with a baby. Gas normally, which is fine. A toilet is one of the best things you can have in a camper in my opinion.
Here are some campers as examples for your budget.
Thanks
I spent loads of time looking at weather and petrol prices this weekend and Turkey is actually more expensive for fuel than the UK so think we’ll give it a miss. Looks like a good plan would be to go slowly east to Greece and then come back to Southern Spain and Portugal for the winter.The links are really useful as don’t really know where to start with motorhomes, this definitely seems like a more sensible option if it’s not going to limit our capacity to move about.
Thanks!
Thanks
I spent loads of time looking at weather and petrol prices this weekend and Turkey is actually more expensive for fuel than the UK so think we’ll give it a miss. Looks like a good plan would be to go slowly east to Greece and then come back to Southern Spain and Portugal for the winter.The links are really useful as don’t really know where to start with motorhomes, this definitely seems like a more sensible option if it’s not going to limit our capacity to move about.
Thanks!
Thanks
I spent loads of time looking at weather and petrol prices this weekend and Turkey is actually more expensive for fuel than the UK so think we’ll give it a miss. Looks like a good plan would be to go slowly east to Greece and then come back to Southern Spain and Portugal for the winter.The links are really useful as don’t really know where to start with motorhomes, this definitely seems like a more sensible option if it’s not going to limit our capacity to move about.
Thanks!
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