Maggie and I are starting preparations for a motor home trip to Europe.

At this stage we look at arriving in Germany late winter and there purchasing a small fully self contained motor home.  We will head off free camping as much as we can and just see where we end up.

Time will not be an issue and we will stay right into the following winter if possible and see as much as we can. We will sell the motor home before we come home.

Has anyone ever contemplated or actually done something similar.  If so appreciate you thoughts.

Cheers


Derek & Maggie

Sounds an interesting and enjoyable trip Derek and Maggie. February is a nice time of the year to commence touring Europe.

Are you thinking of purchasing a Toyota Coaster sized camper vehicle or something smaller? :)

Small Winnebago/Jayco style with toilet and shower.  In Germany 10,000 to 12,000 euro (up to $15,000 AUD) will get a nice one. Seems to be the cheapest country to buy at present. Have a friends son living in Germany who will be able to assist with purchase.

We looked at renting and the cost would be equivalent to paying off a $500,000 mortgage.  :o

We figure we have the rest of our lives to travel and see Australia so doing this within the next couple of years while we are still young and in good health.

Sounds a great plan Derek and you are right at our stage of life, we really have to make the most of it while we're still in good health.  :)

The big question of course will be, are you planning to take along a camp oven and if so which one? ;D ;D ;D

Stump Jump wrote on Dec 4^th, 2012 at 10:05am:

The big question of course will be, are you planning to take along a camp oven and if so which one? ;D ;D ;D

The big question is - how many will he bring back? ;D ;D ;D

Stump Jump wrote on Dec 4^th, 2012 at 10:05am:

The big question of course will be, are you planning to take along a camp oven and if so which one?

Most likely not. :)

Kingsthorpe David wrote on Dec 4^th, 2012 at 11:11am:

The big question is - how many will he bring back?

Maybe !!!! :)

1) Enjoy

2) Look up member Cornelius, who lives near Amsterdam.  Email him.

3) Betcha don't stay as long as ya think ya will now.

[smiley=chef.gif] [smiley=chef.gif]

Little_Kopit wrote on Dec 4^th, 2012 at 1:12pm:

3) Betcha don't stay as long as ya think ya will now.

Could be right there but we will go with an open mind and see what happens. :)

Wot about dem Tartan Telegraph Poles??? :o :(

KD

Kingsthorpe David wrote on Dec 4^th, 2012 at 6:49pm:

Wot about dem Tartan Telegraph Poles???

They have been there for 30 years to my knowledge and I am sure they won't be going anywhere while I am away.  ;D ;D ;D

Derek wrote on Dec 4^th, 2012 at 9:05am:

Has anyone ever contemplated or actually done something similar.  If so appreciate you thoughts.

Hetty and I have often driven in Europe, mostly Germany, Holland Austria, Belgium, France and Schwitzerland.
Never with a Camper though.
We see camping grounds often, but haven't noticed too much free camping.
I knoiw that farmers in Holland set aside a small are of the farm to put down tents, caravans etc.
I can give you some tips of parks we have stayed at.
Anytime over a beer Derek.
Aart

Once upon a time I was researching this topic Derek.  That was before the recession of 2008.

If I remember correctly, a French term for place where one can remain for a night or so is "aire".

I haven't been to Open Roads Forum today yet, but there is a chap from Europe who does very nice trip reports with nice pics.  I'll have a look over there and maybe email you on what I can pic up about contacting him as well as Cornelius. 

I've let other participation in other EU forums lapse, but there are several of them.


[smiley=chef.gif] [smiley=chef.gif]

TBF wrote on Dec 5^th, 2012 at 2:50pm:

Anytime over a beer Derek.

Will take you up on that in the new year.

Cheers


Derek

Little_Kopit wrote on Dec 6^th, 2012 at 1:43pm:

If I remember correctly, a French term for place where one can remain for a night or so is "aire".

Most definitely is.  Many of them are private wineries. Have quite a bit of information on them.

Many thanks for this and additional information via email.

Cheers


Derek

HI Derek,

We have driven around a bit of Europe and the one 'marriage saver' I recommend is an iPad with 3G, and the purchase of TomTom Western (or Eastern, if going there) Europe maps. Using the 3G, you don't need to hook in via a phone, it uses the TomTom satellite, so there are no charges associated with using it after purchase.

The iPad is great for people like me who prefer a large size image to look at - the eyes aren't as young as they used to be. I wouldn't travel without it!

Have a great trip, so much to see….

Sue

Smackl wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 8:19pm:

I recommend is an iPad with 3G, and the purchase of TomTom Western (or Eastern, if going there) Europe maps. Using the 3G, you don't need to hook in via a phone, it uses the TomTom satellite, so there are no charges associated with using it after purchase.

I'd like to learn more about that.
I purchased an Aldi badged navman when in Europe ealier this year.
Got it for 109euros. Now stored away for the next trip(charged regularly)

YES!!!!  it was a marriage saver.

Aart

Smackl wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 8:19pm:

HI Derek, We have driven around a bit of Europe and the one 'marriage saver' I recommend is an iPad with 3G, and the purchase of TomTom Western (or Eastern, if going there) Europe maps. Using the 3G, you don't need to hook in via a phone, it uses the TomTom satellite, so there are no charges associated with using it after purchase. The iPad is great for people like me who prefer a large size image to look at - the eyes aren't as young as they used to be. I wouldn't travel without it! Have a great trip, so much to see…. Sue

I broke my old iPad but have a feeling Santa is bringing a new one :)

I do have a TomTom and was considering buying and downloading a Europe map for it.

Derek wrote on Dec 9^th, 2012 at 2:33pm:

I do have a TomTom and was considering buying and downloading a Europe map for it.

For what its worth, check out the price of a new one in Europe..Maybe on the net.
Maps are expensive last time i looked.

Aart

The iPad App for Tom Tom Western Europe is $84.99 (I am unsure if US$ or A$). Once you have the app, it gets updated on your iPad automatically. (You don't need a Tom Tom gadget.)

Newer cars have a usb port, so if you plug it in, it is always charged. You can also us it for waking around cities which is pretty handy.

And…you can choose the voice and accent you like to listen to….the Aussie voices are Ken and Karen!!!!!

Probably, though, stick to what you are used to if it works for you.

Wish I was going to Europe  8-)

Not KAREN !  That cow and I have had so many arguments we don't talk to each other any more   LOL

LG wrote on Dec 17^th, 2012 at 12:44pm:

Not KAREN !  That cow and I have had so many arguments we don't talk to each other any more   LOL

;D ;D ;D

Jeff