8 weeks in Europe - what to see?

kiwisteve74

Guest
Hi guys. The wife and I are about to leave new Zealand for our big overseas adventure. We plan on buying a van in the uk to convert to a camper then make our way to
Europe. We plan on going in a clockwise direction loosely based on the list below. We are so scared of spending all our time on motorways and missing all the cool tourist spots and must see places. Any places that we should consider going out of our way to see? We are there from 25 June until late August. Any suggestions?

Belgium
Holland
Berlin
Prague
Austria?
Switzerland?
Venice
Rome
Pisa
Monaco
Barcelona
France?
 
Hi, how long are you giving yourself for sourcing and converting your van?
 
also, seeing that most of your driving will be in Europe, I would suggest that a left-hand drive evhicle would be a lot easier for you.

Self-Builds? Forget it, by the time you've sourced your materials and done the assembly, you could have done 5 countries. I know, I always used to build my own m/homes
Also, 2nd hand vans in the UK are keeping their price because everyone is skint and companies haven't the money to change vehicles like they used to

Have a look at mobile.de It's the best place for mtorhomes that I could suggest to you
Just to give you an idea, I have restricted what I searched for to diesel engine, shower & WC, manual gearbox. It's come up with 420 plus vehicles starting from a s little as €1500 - LINKY
 
Germany ... Mosel regioun, very nice, cheap. buy a book called "an bord" atlas, gives lots of cheap places to stay (or free) also google "french passion" and join before coming over, approx £25 but well worth it.

Chek republik ,,,,... Karlovy vary , spa town.
 
Cheers for the info guys. We head to ireland and the isle of man first (motorbike nutter) and then have 3 weeks to find a vehicle. We have a van here in NZ that we just throw a mattress in and head off camping so what we are looking for is a Panel van or day van we can throw a mattress in, maybe a bit of plywood from the hardware store to provide a flat base. If we can't find something suitable it will be a car and tent job. I was putting some thought into buying left hand drive but thought it easier to negotiate price in a language I understand.
 
Quite a trip for what might end up being just 6 weeks. Quite a lot of driving. I would avoid Monaco in July and August. Bedlam and not very motorhome friendly. I would maybe think about cutting the list down a bit if I were you.
 
G'day

Hi Steve
Good to see I'm not the only Kiwi on this site.
I've found that France is a good place to travel - same population as UK, but much bigger with three times the roads and motorways, so they are lots less crowded - and very friendly to camper-vans compared to UK. Join "France Passion" (FRANCE PASSION la France en camping-car) for good free camp sites. See more on -- www.nzmotorhome.co.nz • View topic - Solo in France
Europe is a big place with lots to see, and 8 weeks ain't much time.
You can get some good deals on eBay - one of the UK's largest shopping destinations , United Kingdom | Campervans & Caravans for Sale | Gumtree.com , and Preloved | UK free ads - buy and sell with local classifieds so dont waste time doing a conversion (it took me a year to convert my Coaster in NZ). Just watch out for under-powered vans - the poms spend so much time in traffic jambs that they dont worry about horse-power. My AutoSleeper in th UK is the same weight as my Toyota Coaster here, but has a 2.9 litre engine compared to the jap 4.2 turbo - some have less than 2 litre! You will find it hard to get insurance - find somebody who will let you use their address in UK or you will pay through the nose.
I suggest that you have a GPS - I usually have mine set to "shortest distance" which usually avoids toll roads and takes you to off-the-beaten-track, and interesting places.
Good luck - I may see you on the road as I'm off in 2 weeks for 4 months over there.
cheers
Colin
 
thanks Colin. We actually have 13 weeks all up. the first 3 are spent in Ireland and the isle of man then we have 10 weeks to buy a van and travel Europe. We have a 3 litre turbo Toyota hi-ace super-custom here in NZ that i know like the back of my hand, its no worries for me to change injection pumps and timing belts and oil etc,I do all my own vehicle servicing and have done it all before on mine. Toyota's are the most reliable vans in our part of the world and although i know them well i have my doubts that i would find a fan belt for one sitting on a shelf in the middle of rural France. For this reason i think i will have to go European. Keeping on the Japanese theme, I have noticed lots of cheap Mazda Bongo's? Lots of Pop up roof models about, anybody know what these are like?

Also i see french passion seems to be for "self contained" campers only - not for a couple with a mattress thrown in the back of a van.:)

Steve
 
If your happy with a panel van and mattress in the back, then there is nothing wrong with a Hi ace. They bombed a bit in the UK in the last 10 years or so, but are popular in Europe. I'm fairly certain all (or nearly all) Bongo's are RHD Japanese imports, rare in Europe, so parts should be easier with a Hi ace. Converted Hi ace's are around, but in small numbers.
 
hmmm, just looking on the "bongo furry" web site. seems these things have a bit of a cult following? easy to find but some are better than others. looking at Nissan vanette too. Im just biased towards Japanese vehicles as that's what we get down here, European vans are non existent. im open to suggestions though.
 
hi . yes we use the new zealand workshop books and handbooks by jpnz international ltd. there are alot of bongo,s here now . have had miner about 5 years now great bit of kit . but can be a bit small . mind i,m used to a bit of luxury now as well. shame you cant bring one of the mitzy 4x4 trucks with you.be nice to have an all terrain warrior truck here. you are going to cover lots of miles though if you follow your plans . bit optomistic i think.
 
Yes, would be nice to see a few Canter 4x4's over here. Aren't they available in the UK? I think you can get them in Germany.
 
yes they are but not built like the all terrain warrior stuff.
take a google of expedition portal.
loads of nice off road gear on there .
the mitzy isnt looked upon in uk as it is abroad . i bought mine because i saw where they put them in morocco.
been a good move . good sturdy little truck.
 
Yes, seen them. Spent many evenings dreaming of an Earth Cruiser. lol
I thought a lot of that was suspension upgrades, etc. Perhaps even some aftermarket products.
Nothing wrong with a Mitzy in my book, perhaps the only way to get a new truck the way Euro trucks used to be built, properly. lol
 
there may not be euro trucks soon . the chinese are being backed by all the euro companies . just about every euro company as a chinese partner.
as it is mine was built in portugal. there is also a factory in maroc . been in there. but its the chinese trucks that are taking over in africa now. some have factories there as well now. think they will gradually wind down eu production . alot already only build cars and trucks that have really been made over in china. big makes as well. bet a few on here have chinese and dont know it.
 
when you are heading to Austria, ensure you look around Bavaria (free state in Germany) it is stunningly beautiful, and the beer is good to. Take a look at Munich and visit http://www.yougodo.com/en/The-Hofbr...ity/5928f281-0b96-4958-b0e7-5f25bce2d778.aspx

Just outside Munich is Dachau concentration camp, well worth a visit - Dachau - Concentration Camp, Munich - Things to Do - VirtualTourist

After Munich a visit to Neuschwanstein chateau Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung | Neuschwanstein Castle | Tourist info is a great half day out, and is on your way to lake Constance (not to be missed) Constance Lake Constance tourism Accommodation tourist information - Tourist Information Konstanz GmbH

Whilst in Germany/Austria, sample a jagerschnitzel, it is delicious. Also Bratwurst with senf (mustard) their fast food is a must. Be warned, the Germans and Austrians have beer drinking down to a fine art, and can be a little compelling if you know what i mean:)
 
Insurance may be your downfall!

Hi Steve,
I've just arrived in the UK and tried to renew the insurance on the motorhome I've had here for 4 years.
The broker tells me that AXA have changed their rules and now only insure UK residents. Insurance Choice on this web-site require "• Have been continuously resident in the UK for the past three years". So do most other brokers I tried in the last six hours. If you have any ideas please let me know.
cheers
Colin
ps I hope your van conversion is going to be fully self-contained as we have in NZ. You will find it tough in Europe if you're not!
 
Last edited:
Kiwi Colin said:
Hi Steve,
I've just arrived in the UK and tried to renew the insurance on the motorhome I've had here for 4 years.
The broker tells me that AXA have changed their rules and now only insure UK residents. Insurance Choice on is web-site require "• Have been continuously resident in the UK for the past three years". So do most other brokers I tried in the last six hours. If you have any ideas please let me know.
cheers
Colin
ps I hope your van conversion is going to be fully self-contained as we have in NZ. You will find it tough in Europe if you're not!
Click to expand...

I've answered on your other post ie Downunder Insurance may be worth investigation, they should be well clued on your requirements.
 
You're missing Scandinvaia!

You seem to be totally missing out Scandinavia which is a big mistake to my mind. Sweden is a land of forests (particularly further north from us) and lakes, and many of the lakes have little gravel carparks where wild-camping would be easy (often an earth closet toilet there as well)

There are lots of islands too, in fact in places it is hard to worl out whether the country is water with islands or land with lakes!

We are in Southern Sweden, about an hour and ahlf from the really beautiful, elegant, bridge and tunnel from Copenhagen in Denmark. We have parking for you if you'd liek to drop in and are about 5km from the National Park - forest, deep gorge, couple of lakes and dramatic scree slopes.

Feel free to ask any questions!
Helen
(British family living in Sweden)
 
I Got Herts Insurance

Hi Steve
I got my insurance here
https://www.hertsinsurance.com/walkabout.php
It was cheaper than Downunder, but still cost over 600 quid!
cheers
Colin
 
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