European Tour

js33

Guest
Hi all. You probably get a lot of this kind of posts on here but I'm a motorhome virgin so need some advice.

A group of 4/5 of us are planning a trip round the continent this summer (probs leaving mid June) in a motorhome to explore what europe has to offer for a bunch of poor, thirsty students. We are weighing up whether to rent a van or buy and sell after the trip and hoping to spend no more than about £3k each on the van if we buy it, so 15k abosolute max, but if we can find a decent van for half this then that would be perfect! Do you have any ideas what vans to look out for and where to look for them?

As it is very early in the planning stage the route we have so far is very rough but we are planning on starting in the UK then on to the following places:

Amsterdam, Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Venice, Milan, Monaco, Barcelona, Valencia, then down to the Costa Del Sol, back up via Madrid and Pamplona (hopefully in time for the bull run, if all goes to plan) then through France and back home.

Does anyone have any reccomendations for places to go that we've missed out? Bear in mind that we are hardly culture vultures, the main purpose is to have a laugh and see Europe.

None of us know a great deal about motorhoming (if that is the correct term!). I worked for a few months in a caravan shop so am vaguely familiar with the basics but a reliable van is a must!

Cheers,

James.
 
Thirsty students who haven't got Munich on their list? It would never have happened in my day.

And forget renting a van - its incredibly expensive. Buy and resell is a much more cost-effective option. Can't recommend any specific places to buy from but ask an Aussie or a Kiwi - they do it all the time. Have a fun trip.
 
JH is right. How could you forget München if you are on a beer run. Note: Although it is called the October Fest, it is held in September. I am not sure but I think Munich is a Umweltzone, so you will need a "Umwelt plakette" to get around the outskirts of the city, you will not be allowed into the city. Read other posts on here regards obtaining this disc. Cost€5 to 6. Great and fast transport service into the city.
 
Hi JS33

John is spot on, rental would be well over budget.

A van to sleep 5 adults and store all the kit for a long trip is going to be big. You may have a problem with driving licence and insurance. To keep the cost down you may be better looking at a self build, perhaps a coach conversion. Not as many about as there used to be but you may be lucky.

Where to go. Loades of people on here spent more time in Europe than I have so I'll leave that to them.

Be Safe and enjoy, Wish I had done it.

Richard
 
Tbear said:
Hi JS33

John is spot on, rental would be well over budget.

A van to sleep 5 adults and store all the kit for a long trip is going to be big. You may have a problem with driving licence and insurance. To keep the cost down you may be better looking at a self build, perhaps a coach conversion. Not as many about as there used to be but you may be lucky.

Where to go. Loades of people on here spent more time in Europe than I have so I'll leave that to them.

Be Safe and enjoy, Wish I had done it.

Richard
Click to expand...

You can still do it Richard. If I can run around the Continent like a teenager I am sure you are up to it. Try it. Have fun
 
Just had a look on ebay and you might be better thinking about getting two. Anybody falls out and they can have space for a while. No licence, insurance problems. If you do have a disaster or breakdown with one, then you have the other to travel in and get a tent or awning to sleep in. Big vans can be a pain to park.
 
David & Ann said:
You can still do it Richard. If I can run around the Continent like a teenager I am sure you are up to it. Try it. Have fun
Click to expand...

Hi David and Ann,

We hope to do France this year but the other half is a bit nervous. She has been listening to the "Stories". Hope if we have a good time in France she will let me upgrade the van before we retire so we can see a lot more of Europe and North Africa.

Richard
 
Tbear said:
Hi David and Ann,

We hope to do France this year but the other half is a bit nervous. She has been listening to the "Stories". Hope if we have a good time in France she will let me upgrade the van before we retire so we can see a lot more of Europe and North Africa.

Richard
Click to expand...

Tell her not to take any notice of the "stories". If you take sensible (but not over-the-top precautions, motorhoming through Europe is as safe as staying indoors in England - probably safer, depending where you live). Hope you get to France - and beyond.
 
If you have a tight budget buy a commercial type van then put cheap bunk beds in it, a 2 ring gas cooker, a cassette type bog a pop up gazzebo, because you will only be sleeping in it and not spending too much time (apart from travelling) in it.
Prague is very over-rated but OK for a days visit, just down the road is Pilzen and Karlovy vary, you can get B+B just outside Pilzen for 14 Euro's a night and the beer is 50p a pint, e me for address/directions etc at that price you don't need to stay in a van. Or my son in law has this van for sale (follow link) will seat up to 7 has all you need ie.... toilet, sink/fridge/heater etc.... £5500 recent new cam belt fitte. Sleeps 2 (double bed) but can put lean to tent on rear.

http://photos.orange.co.uk/slideshow?album_id=29234579

if interested call me 01942 879655 (Leigh near Wigan) viewing of van welcomed.
 
Last edited:
Renting a van would be very costly.
If you are thinking of touring Europe then you might be better going for a left hand drive motorhome. Have a look at MOBILE.DE website, you can search for motorhomes within the budget you want & probably get a reasonable coach built. Importing although it might seem daunting is very easy & can save you quite a bit on your budget, & with a bit of care you can get most of your cash back at the end (depending on the state of the van by then :rolleyes:)
The places you are thinking of, Holland as a whole isn't the best of places for wild camping, there are a couple of campsites in Amsterdam, one is just a free boat ride away from the main railway station.
Prauge & I think the Czech Republic doesn't allow wild camping, we stayed a few nights on a small campsite (there were a few of these along the street) it was more like the back garden of a large house. Trams into the city were very cheap & frequent.
Valencia - I give it a wide berth after getting our tyre slashed & robbed. I would say that maybe Spain especially the large cities is where you need to be on your guard, foreign motorhomes are easy targets & the thieves are very accomplished at what they do.
Italy is a place where we have yet to visit.
France & Germany are ideal places to visit, plenty of places to stay for free or very cheap. Of the 2 I always feel that Germany more friendly.

You don't say how long you are going for, Europe can be a big place to visit & you might find you have spent a lot of the time just driving.
 
before you do anything else ...talk to a few insurance companies !!!
under 25 seems to be a no-no for many , and therefore the availability of insurance is going to be the main limiting factor in what you do
 
Tbear said:
Hi David and Ann,

We hope to do France this year but the other half is a bit nervous. She has been listening to the "Stories". Hope if we have a good time in France she will let me upgrade the van before we retire so we can see a lot more of Europe and North Africa.

Richard
Click to expand...

Not a bad idea. Do France first, see how it goes and then the following year widen your horizon one country at a time until you hit the shores of Spain, Portugal or Italy. Believe me it is fun.
 
David & Ann said:
Not a bad idea. Do France first, see how it goes and then the following year widen your horizon one country at a time until you hit the shores of Spain, Portugal or Italy. Believe me it is fun.
Click to expand...

I will let you know in september. We will be either planning Spain or a divorce:)
 
Tbear said:
I will let you know in september. We will be either planning Spain or a divorce:)
Click to expand...

Not such a good idea, as you will have to foot the full bill. Anyway, it is nice to have someone to have a row with, now and again. "It keeps me on my toes". :)
 
Tbear said:
I will let you know in september. We will be either planning Spain or a divorce:)
Click to expand...

Thats how i have felt for the last 6 years,europe or divorce.
The misses always had something to do that has stopped us going back,silly things like looking after the kids and paying the bills,i don't know,what next i said.
To be truthfull it was work stopping us but the other half has now got a job working at the local collage with about 13 weeks holiday a year,so might be going to spain for a month this year,shawbags.
 
I totaly agree with Ed Germany is this best place to visit in a campervan, very cheap/friendly.... enjoy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top