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[JamesV6CDX]

Well, it's looking like our flight to Ibiza this week, is not happening. So as a plan B, I have (by some miracle) managed to get a ferry booking from Dover to Calais for the trip.

So - several days driving around on the continent.

I'd like to head down through France, into Spain, maybe through Andorra?

We will probably camp = any recommended campsites?

Have driven to Paris many years ago, but never any further, and definately not in mainland Spain!

[TheBoy]

No recomendations, but a tent will be 'a tad' hot!

Driving France and Spain, both easy, even with RHD cars.  If you need to cover distances fast, the French toll roads, but you miss out on the country.  Only been to mainland spain once (and again later this year), the roads are not in good condition

[JamesV6CDX]

No recomendations, but a tent will be 'a tad' hot!

Well, if it's that nice - can sleep under the stars  but at least it's there for shelter if needs be 

[Kevin Wood]

Check out http://www.les-castels.com. Chain of nice camp sites in France.

Can especially recommend Chateau de chanteloup http://www.chateau-de-chanteloup.com/CHANTELOUP2008/GB/ near Le Mans as a stopoff. An easy days driving from the UK, and a lovely site.

Kevin

[JamesV6CDX]

Check out http://www.les-castels.com. Chain of nice camp sites in France.

Can especially recommend Chateau de chanteloup http://www.chateau-de-chanteloup.com/CHANTELOUP2008/GB/ near Le Mans as a stopoff. An easy days driving from the UK, and a lovely site.

Kevin

cheers Kev

Looks lovely! Only "The campsite is open from 1er june  to 31 August  2010" 

[Kevin Wood]

Check out http://www.les-castels.com. Chain of nice camp sites in France.

Can especially recommend Chateau de chanteloup http://www.chateau-de-chanteloup.com/CHANTELOUP2008/GB/ near Le Mans as a stopoff. An easy days driving from the UK, and a lovely site.

Kevin

cheers Kev

Looks lovely! Only "The campsite is open from 1er june  to 31 August  2010" 

Oh. That's a pain.

Kevin

[tunnie]

i personally would head towards Switzerland, stunning roads and scenery.

There is an amazing campsite i used during a road trip with some mates in Zurich, its right next to the lake, and looks towards Zurich itself, it was stunning at night! Camping chairs, BBQ going (allowed) and a beer.  8-)

Pictures from my trip in 2007...











View at night



My old Senator in the alps....

[TheBoy]

I am tempted to do a Swiss trip at some point - I was too young to remember my previous trip

[tunnie]

I am tempted to do a Swiss trip at some point - I was too young to remember my previous trip

I'd like to do another one too, if this Volcano business continues until September, which could be possible if it keeps going like the other one did for 10 years! trip to Japan in maybe a road trip! 

[TheBoy]

I am tempted to do a Swiss trip at some point - I was too young to remember my previous trip

I'd like to do another one too, if this Volcano business continues until September, which could be possible if it keeps going like the other one did for 10 years! trip to Japan in maybe a road trip! 

Reckon my flight to Spain in a few weeks may be a drive to Spain.  Save getting a hire car

My trip to Cyprus, thats a bit more difficult 

[Gaffers]

I would stay on the toll roads if going any reasonable distance in Europe, esp France.  I often found when going cross country in RHD all it takes is one tractor and you're buggered unless you trust your co-driver for their OT judgements.

The Dorgoigne is an excellent area and full of lots of things to see (and drink) they are generally very friendly towards the Brits down there. An qrea known as the Lotte is extremely nice and very very warm in the summer months.  Hiring a kayak and floating down the river is very nice, esp with a few tins of cold wife beater.  Also Bordeaux is not far from here and well worth a visit along with Toulouse (miss Marseille out)

Otherwise why not look into hiring a canal barge somewhere.  Their canals are huge and the boats are luxorious, there are also barges where you hire a berth and someone else pilots and cooks for you.  Worth a look if you like that type of thing.

G

[tunnie]

I would stay on the toll roads if going any reasonable distance in Europe, esp France.  I often found when going cross country in RHD all it takes is one tractor and you're buggered unless you trust your co-driver for their OT judgements.

The Dorgoigne is an excellent area and full of lots of things to see (and drink) they are generally very friendly towards the Brits down there. An qrea known as the Lotte is extremely nice and very very warm in the summer months.  Hiring a kayak and floating down the river is very nice, esp with a few tins of cold wife beater.  Also Bordeaux is not far from here and well worth a visit along with Toulouse (miss Marseille out)

Otherwise why not look into hiring a canal barge somewhere.  Their canals are huge and the boats are luxorious, there are also barges where you hire a berth and someone else pilots and cooks for you.  Worth a look if you like that type of thing.

G

Looked at that myself, me and couple mates do lots of trips together, road trips and such, we all like the idea of canal holiday, but they seam bloody expensive for what they are, most places want £1k for a week for something a decent size 

[Varche]

Depends how many days you are going for as it is a long way to Spain. The weather in France is generally better South of the Loire valley.

France seems to have loads of good campsites. I like the one at St Emillion (nice historic town and wine growing area.) Can also recommend the municipal site at Roquecourbe in Minervois area is also very good. Small and next to a perfect river.

Spain on the other hand seems to have a lot less so you need to plan a bit more.. If you made it to Northern Spain the municipal campsite in the centre of Burgos is good.

Driving in Spain is easy enough with good (and mostly free ) motorways with not much on them. The major cities are busy with traffic particularly at rush hour.

Temp wise it isn't particularly warm yet , today is only 21.5deg C Here is a weather site you can do searches on. In this case it is Burgos. http://www.accuweather.com/world-index-forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&loccode=EUR|ES|SP007|BURGOS

Varche

PS let me be the first to remind you to take a spare crank sensor with you even if you aren't driving an Omega 

[Kevin Wood]

I would stay on the toll roads if going any reasonable distance in Europe, esp France.  I often found when going cross country in RHD all it takes is one tractor and you're buggered unless you trust your co-driver for their OT judgements.

The French B and unclassified roads are fantastic driving, though. Not the potholed disgraces we have in the UK and very little traffic.

Overtaking can be interesting, as you say, but well worth it, IMHO. Quite often you get 2 mile long straights which should be enough to dispatch any thing that's in the way.

Closest I've been to maxing out the Westfield was during a mammoth overtake of about 8 cars and an HGV on such a road. And no, I didn't have a chance to look at the speedo but it hit the rev limiter in 4th.

If you need to cover miles quickly the toll roads are the best bet, though. About the worst choice is the A roads and non-toll motorways where all the tight gits sit in traffic jams.

The Dorgoigne is an excellent area and full of lots of things to see (and drink) they are generally very friendly towards the Brits down there. An qrea known as the Lotte is extremely nice and very very warm in the summer months.  Hiring a kayak and floating down the river is very nice, esp with a few tins of cold wife beater.  Also Bordeaux is not far from here and well worth a visit along with Toulouse (miss Marseille out)

Seconded.

Now. I have to be in Trieste in mid-may for my cousin's wedding and was about to book some flights.

Easyjet or Omega? Discuss.

Kevin

[Varche]

I am tempted to do a Swiss trip at some point - I was too young to remember my previous trip

I'd like to do another one too, if this Volcano business continues until September, which could be possible if it keeps going like the other one did for 10 years! trip to Japan in maybe a road trip! 

Reckon my flight to Spain in a few weeks may be a drive to Spain.  Save getting a hire car

My trip to Cyprus, thats a bit more difficult 

Easy enough!!. Down Italy and cross on the ferry. Know someone who did it.