Hi, I’m looking to go on a motorhome tour of Europe this summer. I’ve never done a trip like this before and I’m a bit concerned about the campsites in terms of space availability. I’ve contacted a couple who said that you can’t book in advance, but then obviously I’m running a risk of not being able to park (or feel like I am).

I’ll be travelling through:
Germany – Munich and Fussen
Austria – Inssbruck
Italy – Trento, Lake Garda, Venice, Milan, Lake Como
Switzerland - Zurich

The trip will be in August.

Does anyone have any advice in terms of how busy campsites are likely to be, when’s the best time to arrive, what happens if there are no spaces, what are the laws in terms of road parking, how easy are the campsites to find (some of the ones I’ve researched seem to have coordinates but no ‘postcode’ to add to a sat nav).

Also, any information regarding toll roads (how to pay/best way to pay) would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Toll roads in Switzerland and Austria are paid with the vignette that is purchased when entering the country.

We never book campsites, and always find space. We don't go to big campsites if we can avoid them.
You can also take advantage of Stelplatzen, special camper only stops. Some have facilities including loos and showers, some don't.
Have a look a www.campercontact.com for long list of places to stay. You can filter on what you want from a place, and price.

A camper (motorhome) is perhaps not best suited to visiting the cities you have listed though. It isn't always easy to park a camper during the day and if you stop at a campsite or stelplatz you may be some considerable distance from where you want to visit, and from public transport. You do not want to be laving your pitch to drive somewhere if you are intending to return that evening, unless it is a reserved pitch or you can leave something to mark your spot.

I don't understand why one would opt for a motorhome to visit places like Venice, Munich and Zurich. If you mentioned rural areas -- sure. But most of the places you mention are very urban and not that great for cars let alone a motorhome.

Thanks very much for the responses

Does anyone know about the tolls in Italy as that's where we'll be spending most of our time?

http://www.autostrade.it/en/il-pedaggio tells you all about Italian tolls and has a calculator too.
If you are carrying bikes on a bike rack on the back of the MH you need a stripy warning square for it under Italian law.

More fun btw if you can avoid the autostrada as much as possible. Motorhomes are for taking it easy in, not belting down the autostrada at a rate of knots. Not least because they can be thirsty!