Travel in Europe by Motorhome
 

We are 2 adults and 2 children( 14 and 10 years old)
We are planning a 46 day trip to Europe in December/ January.
Countries we hope to visit

1. London (3 days-Fly to London from Brisbane)
2.Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria (Motor home -about 33 days)
3.Denmark, Norway (8 days- Flyback from Copenhagen to Brisbane)

Trip 1 and 3 are planned. We are flexible for trip 2. Can experienced travellers give me some advice about which countries we shall cover out of ones given in 2. Is there an issue travel by Motorhome in winter. We are open to choose Eurail, Bus intead of Motorhome even.

If we stick to the motorhome can some one help me to plan probable route starting and ending in Frankfort.

Thank you in advance

I am looking forward to reading the replies about your motorhome vacation in Europe. I have not not seen many motorhomes in Europe and I have been there frequently over the last several years. I do know that it will cost a fortune to buy the gas for your large vehicle, and it will make sight seeing difficult and parking a nightmare. Streets in many of the towns will not be wide enough to drive through. Winter travel can mean snow and that can spell trouble. You have lots of time to do your trip. Hope you get some help from the forum posters.

I think that snow in the Alpine area and in Norway will be a real problem. While there are many motorhomes on the road in the States in the summertime, they disappear from the landscape in the winter, at least in northern California.

Another issue is the cold. Even if there is no snow, are you willing to put up with freezing temperatures overnight for most of the time that you are on the road?

Daylight is in short supply in those months. What will you do once it is dark--i.e. after 4:30 p.m.?

Lots of people motorhome in Europe. There are sensational camping sights with top notch facilities and magnificent views. You'll meet lots of English, Dutch and German at the campsights. I don't see a problem using a motorhome at all. Just remember, European motorhomes are smaller and our country roads are narrower.

I don't like your trip 2. WAY WAY WAY WAY too many countries. I personally would give AT LEAST one week per country. There's too much beauty and things to see and experience. You don't want to be driving constantly. And your children don't want to be driving constantly either.

See less and experience more. For Trip 2, I would visit 4 countries at the most. Personally, I'm not even sure if you can appropriately see Denmark and Norway in 8 days.

Another possibility is to use the train or car and rent apartments on a weekly basis. It's cost saving, offers a base and lets your family really experience another country.

<i>Lots of people motorhome in Europe.</i>

In the middle of winter?

Hi Michael,

Didn't catch the season. Thanks for pointing that out.

OK, ditch the motor home, ditch the car and go by train.
Rent apartments by the week. And ditch Norway unless you have a good reason to go.

And bring lots of warm clothes. Switzerland and Germany usually have snow in December and January. Heck, even Italy might have snow in January.

I think you need to reconsider your plans.

Southern Spain (and, to some extent, Portugal) is one of the few regions to have a good chance of mild nice weather in Dec/Jan.

The Alps plus Southern Germany can be a good destination either for Christmas markets, or winter sports/ hiking (the latter is more a safe bet in higher elevations of Switzerland and Austria).

Scandinavia/Denmark may be a bit dark during these months but cities like Copenhagen can be quite magical during the winter months (bit more before Christmas with all the decorations and lights).

France (with some exception for the Med coast), Central to Northern Germany and the interior and North of the Iberian peninsula usually have cool, rather uncomfortable weather (yet there is no way to predict it), more rain than snow, and temperatures hovering around 0-10C, lots of chances of freezing and black ice in the Central/Northern parts of the Continent.

Altogether, neither the season nor the itinerary for a motorhome vacation. If you said April or September, it would have been a totally different ball game.

Well there are people who go on holiday in their motorhomes in winter. They are insulated, and do have heating. Some Dutch take their motor homes for their winter sport holidays.
However there are not many camp sites open in the winter, and just stopping somewhere on the way is often illegal, and not very practical in winter. I also don't think it is a good idea if you are not used to driving one in poor road conditions, and with 2 kids on board I think it could be down right miserable. Don't forget it gets dark very early in the winter.
If it was spring/summer/autumn I'd say go for it, but not in winter.

I think dealing with a motorhome in the mountainsi n winter - and even in snowy northern areas in winter would be a nightmare. As other hae pointed out - driving won;t be esy, finding places ot stay open in winter will be difficult, it will be VERY cold at night (does the motorhome have heat?) and the cost of gas will be enormous.

Really not practical in winter.

Thanks everyone for inputs. I have abandon the idea of motorhome.

Hi Nicso,
I have motorhomed all around Europe many many moons ago but it was in August - even so, some of the campsites in Italy were an abomination. Personally I would not go the motorhome route in winter - as Hetismij points out there are not many campsites open and I stand to be corrected but I think you are obliged to stay in one overnight. I remember being so desperate on the Italian Riviera for a night stop, we ended up parking on the shorefront for two days and a local warned us we will get arrested if we did not move on.

I love motorhomes but they have to be quite luxurious and in your case DEFINITELY for that long period of time!
As a matter of fact we did two weeks all around Britain last May in a small motorhome and this May are spending two weeks in Ireland but have upgraded the vehicle. The hire was not cheap but we have freedom to go as slow or fast as we desire.
I'm with Cowboy 1968 and would rethink the motorhome.........

Hi Nicso,

we are currently planning a similar motorhome trip but through Septemeber and October. How id your trip go. What did you end up arranging for transport and acomodation.

We will be similar travelling party and not looking forewardto lugging luggage around.

Interested to find out wat you id and how it went. Anything you would do differently??

Awaitig your reply.

Thanks,