Suspaul

Hi daveesl: Last week I came across this blog on
www.slowtrav.com

It may be intersting to you, I thoroughly enjoyed it

http://home.mindspring.com/~salmonjt/papillon1.htm

Enjoy.
Susan

ParisAmsterdam

Dave,

I've had this site bookmarked
for years...

http://www.dutchcampervans.com


Rob

daveesl

Susan, that is actually one of the sites that got me considering this.

We have pretty much settled on this idea. I'll set up a thread on this, as we start the actual booking process, so others can follow what we are doing.

We did just find out from United that we can carry our bikes for no cost, as the 2nd bag. We have a couple of usable bikes, not great but adequate. Figure we will fly them over and then give them to some kids, maybe in Czech Republic/Slovakia when we leave.

dave

StCirq

French Passions: Hmmmm....I assume this is the group that is responsible for the camper vans that show up on the field below my house in St-Cirq in the summer sometimes. All I can say is Ugh....nothing worse than waking up and throwing open the shutters and seeing that marring the landscape. Usually, but not always, they're fairly quiet and unobtrusive, but it's a blight on the view IMO. I never understood how people could do that, as campervans are even prohibited from driving up the lane that goes past my house - no driving, but setting up in the middle of what amounts to a farmer's lawn is OK?

I'm all for your idea, but please don't go parking in small fields in small villages. I'm sure it's a fun way to travel, but let's face it, campervans are not attractive.

lyndash

Dave,

thanks for a great thread. I am very hopeful I will be able to do this after my husband retires in a few years.

We were stationed in Germany 1980-1984 and bought a french pop-up trailer that we pulled all over to see the sights with our 2 grade school age kids. It does really save you money and the germans were great campers we found, very organized and neat. we loved it!

I will be checking in on your thread-to-be with great interest.

Thanks---lynda

Momliz

Dave - thanks so much fr the great thread! One of my favorite vacations was when we flew from our home here in the eastern US to Oakland, CA rented a 25' RV and drove east. We then went through Yosemite, down the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas, back through the Los Angeles National Forest and up Big Sur back to Oakland. Wonderful trip!! No cheaper than staying in hotels and renting a car, but the fun and convenience factors were huge. Please, keep us posted, your trip has been on my (very long) wish list for some time. Since you are used to driving a big rig, and have driven in Europe, the driving will be easy, and the rest will come. Bikes are a great idea.

And, if Europeans manage to have fun in their RV's, why not you?

StCirq, I'm sorry that the RVs marred your view, but the farmer probably made a little needed money from renting space in his field. Can't really blame him. Maybe you could work with him in setting up a screen of some type?

nona1

Exactly. The farmer is running a business, not a charity to create pretty views for people.

flanneruk

If you don't like the way the French run their country, there are doubtless 200 other countries who'd be delighted to organise themselves around the convenience of bloody foreigners.

As an uninvited guest of the French, you've got three choices:

- get your head around the fact that the Dordogne isn't a theme park. The farmer's got a living to earn. Respect his right to do so, or:
- acquire French citizenship and lobby for a change in the local laws, or:
- go home and stop whingeing.

WTnow

Wondering if Dave ever went?

Thanks Marija for the mention of our website http://www.soultravelers3.com/

Yes ,we have been touring Europe for the last 4 years, 32 countries & 175,000 miles so far ( most overland but also using cargo ships & lux over night ferries to go to places like Sweden from UK, Venice to Athens, Barcelona to Italy.).

It is absolutely a spectacular way to see Europe & we do it very luxuriously on just 23 dollars a day per person...TOTAL costs!

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2009/0...e-country.html

Yes, the Dordogne has wonderful campsites, but so does Burgundy, St Emillon in Bordeaux, Paris, Lyon, Dijon, Nice, St Tropez, Provence, Pont du Gard and all over France & all over Europe.

If you love slow travel, this is the way to go. Most campsites in Europe are luxurious resorts, easy to get to, near mass transit, secure, charming & a great way to really get to know Europeans.

daveesl

No, we did not do it. The $1,500 deductible was the killer. No way to purchase secondary insurance and credit cards do not cover RVs. I never rent anything, anywhere if I am liable for anything.

Jandevere

Daveesi, even though you did not go the RV way, I hope you got to travel in Europe anyway and hopefully by car. Spouse and I have had some of the best weeks of our lives on the road in Italy and France. Free to get around without being obsessed about dealing with a huge vehicle.

Otzi

The idea of renting a camper always appeals to me upon initial thought, but then practicality rears her ugly head. I too love driving in Europe and have no qualms about driving for hours and hours, but driving a big camper is another story.

First of all, have you gotten a good look at European campsites? The ones I've driven past, primarily in Germany, Austria, Denmark and the UK are much smaller than ours here in the US. On a busy weekend the campers are on top of each other. Tents are set up canvas to canvas. Even inside your camper you're gonna hear your neighbor snoring if you leave your windows open. I am not familiar with the toilet and shower setup in a European campground, but the prime reason I no longer go camping back here in the States is because trying to use the facilities at 2 in the morning is a major PITA. If you are thinking about using your onboard facilities I understand that is another cost you'll have to figure into your plans.

When I think about saving money by camping I weigh it against the inconvenience of having to stay away from the charming old towns and villages I visit - usually out in the country near a cow or pig farm and where insects roost. Sure camping is much cheaper than staying at a hotel, but I have just recently discovered the joys of B&Bs, Zimmer Freis, farm stays and small inns. Most of these include a free huge breakfast comprised of local specialties in the price. Plus if I want to enjoy myself the night before, I'm usually staying in a town where a nearby pub stands. I can walk back to my room rather than risk landing in jail on a DWI.

Factor in the cost of gas if you rent a small diesel car as opposed to a behemoth RV. You will find parking much easier, access to out of the way sites and much cheaper insurance costs. If you think cooking your own meals will save money, consider renting an apartment where you can cook some of your meals and use it as a base for daytrips in your smaller vehicle. For me, half the fun of European travel is enjoying the local cooking.

Duh, now that I read the final result of Daveesl's trip, I see I spent a lot of time trying to convince him of what he already figured-out. But since I just spent 15 minutes writing this maybe it will help someone else considering the camping option.

One last consideration: if you are thinking of going anywhere near the Alps or any mountain range, think about how tough it's gonna be going up those steep roads. Traffic may back up for miles behind you or you might simply feel too uncomfortable negotiating some of those narrow twisty roads as you descend.