10 weeks to explore Europe in a Motorhome.
 

Hello travellers. Another Aussie family wanting help see some of Europe. I am based in Sweden working this year with my wife and 5yrs old daughter . I have a motorhome booked from mid September for 10 weeks. Countries on our wish list Germany, Austria, Northern Italy,northern Spain, France.
We love coastal areas, mountain peaks, big cities, quaint villages, deserted beaches and crowed market places which makes it very difficult to prioritise.
My only must see locations include: Venice, Rome, Cinque Terre coast, Barcelona, Paris, Villers Bretonneux (historical reasons).
Any help regarding "wild camping" and other practical motor homing advice will be warmly received.
Thanks Greg.

Hopefully you're not thinking of taking a motor home into any of these cities. It could turn out to be a nightmare.

With regards to camping, from what I know, camping is restricted to licensed camp grounds, at least in Spain, Portugal and France. The following should be able to answer most, if not all, of your questions regarding camping: http://www.vayacamping.net

There are lots of wonderful campgrounds just at the edges of all the cities you have mentioned, with good transportation to the sights. It is very popular for Europeans to motorhome when they vacation, and many of them visit cities, so it is not the problem many non-Europeans who come to Europe and stay in hotels think it is.

Must you return the motorhome to Sweden? It would be better if you could just leave it at the southernmost point, because if you are beginning in September, the weather is already starting to turn in the north, and it will be less fun to drive. Try to see both Venice and le Cinque Terre before the middle of October, because after that, lots of rain can make things harder.

So maybe you head south from Sweden through Berlin, and the Munich and parts of Austria before arriving in Venice, on to Rome, then back up to le Cinque Terre, take a coast route to Barcelona, then on to Paris, then Villers Bretonneux, heading back to Sweden via Cologne.

You might have time to take a few swings off the main path in Italy, to visit parts of Umbria between Venice and Rome, or Tuscany between Rome and le Cinque Terre, or parts of Provence on your way to Barcelona. Depends on how much time you want to spend in the places you've already named.

A fun trip for sure.

What frenchfrenchie said. My elder sister and her husband, living in England, always traveled in Europe by caravan (RV). You might find this blog by RV travelers useful: http://www.soultravelers3.com/

"with good transportation to the sights" is highly questionable based on the camp sites I am aware of, but I'm sure our new friend must know what he/she is talking about.

You should also check the requirements for needing the IDP, International Driving Permit, in Spain and Italy (www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/road-travel.html).

"Many countries require Australians to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to a valid Australian driving licence to legally drive a car, or ride a motorbike. An IDP is a widely recognised document that can be issued by associated members of the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). Before driving overseas, Australians should contact the appropriate foreign mission in Australia for information on drivers licence requirements."

Thanks heaps for the advice so far. I have been reading a lot of soultravelers3 blog and think it is excellent.
I guess that finding a good camp site outside most cities will be the best option compaired to driving a 6m long motor home into already congested city streets.
Any advice on driving the French Rivera?
Great camping website, thanks Robert2533.
Unfortunately the rental has to go back to Sweden, so the last few weeks will be getting a little cool in northern France and back through Gremany.
Keep it coming.

My advice on driving the Riviera, especially in season, would be "don't". And that would apply even without an RV. Find a cheap RV park - maybe near Nice - and use public transport.

Would you consider October "in season"? Or is the riviera in season all year and to be avoided?

October may be OK. I have been in March and April, and it's not too bad then.