Josie0905

Hello
I am researching a motorhome holiday next July for my family and my brothers family.
We are 2A/2C (ages 9 & 3) and they are 2A/3C (ages 6,4,1).
We are looking at a month all up and thought that a motorhome for each family would be the most cost effective way of providing transport and accommodation.
We are also wanting to link up with the Tour de France a few times but at this time I can't find the complete route for 2011 for the race.
Questions:
- Is it feasible to cover France (at least southern part from Paris down) and some of Italy (prob northern part only down to maybe Florence) in a month?
- Is a motorhome the best way for the 2 family's to travel?
- Any recommendations on motorhome rentals - they seem reasonably pricey at the moment, but yes I do understand it is a peak time of year
- Most motorhomes are listed as 2 seatbelts in front and 2 in the back - has anyone experienced a motorhome with 3 seatbelts in the back and/or child car restraints? I can't get clarification on this from any rental companies
- Any idea on fuel costs for a motorhome?
- Anything else to consider

I really appreciate any input that you may have and thank you in advance for your time.

Regards
Josie
(from Australia)

ParisAmsterdam

Is a motor home the best in your situation? Maybe.

We rented a high top camper van and spent 6 weeks in France, Holland and the UK back in the mid 1980s. Our first daughter was 2 at the time and it really worked out well... we always had a place to go back to for a diaper change or a nap if need be.

We mixed things up... we'd stay in campgrounds when in the countryside or in small towns, in larger cities we'd stay in a hotel. I never found the van too large to drive as some people seem to fear but the height means most underground or multi story car parks are out.

I don't keep up on prices anymore so can't say if you would save money but it would be convenient especially as some of the children in your group are young.

Fuel will cost you anything from 50% more than a car to double, depending on the size you rent.

This forum is not really attuned to motorhome type travel... try looking at the forums at
http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/for...egory-view.asp for more advice and ideas of other places to look into. You'll also find answers to your questions about seatbelts etc.

At the time, I found it less expensive to rent in England, even though I had the cost of the ferry to and from the continent. The site I mentioned about should have links to all kinds of
rental possibilities in the UK.

Have fun!

Rob

nytraveler

You need to consider a couple of things wen renting a motor home.

First, gas is about $8 per gallon and motor homes parks are not cheap either.

Second, most town, cities in europe are old - very old - and streets in the center not conducive to motorhomes. So you wil either have to tow a car - to park on the outskirts and take public transit to and fro every day - assuming you want to see cities and towns - and not just open country.

dgassa

In 2006 we looked at renting a motorhome (just two of us) and for us it was less expensive to lease a car and stay in B&B's. I don't remember the exact cost but I think is was around $100 a day. Then the cost of campgrounds and fuel made it more cost effective to go with the B&B option. The car got much better milage (50 MPG vs 25 MPG). B&B's are numerous in all price ranges and many if not most can accomidate families. We returned this past spring and again stayed in B&B's. You can read my trip report here and on the last entry I talk about the budget.

http://tinyurl.com/28lffw5

janisj

Another option -rent villas and apartments for a week each in 4 different places. Would almost certainly be cheaper than 2 RV rentals and you'd have areal house w/ a garden, maybe a pool or shared pool.

Jean

I agree with janisj's suggestion. Do you want to be moving around a lot with so many small children? Do you think the kids can tolerate living in such confined conditions for a month? Can the adults??

However, the motorhome does make sense for viewing part of the Tour de France, especially the mountain stages where you'd want to arrive a day or two early to stake out a good spectator position. But temps could be very high, so be prepared with water and shade (not necessarily inside the motor home) and watch the kids carefully for signs of heat stroke.

Josie0905

Thank you for your replies so far. Definitely worth checking out the B&B option as well.
Are there any specific websites for French B&B listings??

Thanks again

Cathinjoetown

Try www.gites-de-france.com. I find it a very good resource--many good value and geared to families. In far SW France rates for gites sleeping six average around 80-100 euros per night. In july-August they usually want a week's commitment.

Chambres de hotes, French B&Bs, do short bookings.

Regarding le tour, I believe it will be several months before the 2011 tour route will be announced.