Travel in Europe 2022

[GMJ]

Thanks for the link you sent us to get a tag

In all the years we've been going into Johnny Foreigner land the wife has taken her life in her hands leaning out if the window to pay the tolls

Not any more, she now has a life of leisure sat in the passenger seat with nothing to do except enjoy the scenary

Nice one.

Its a great help for Mrs GMJ too as she struggled to lean out and take tickets/pay etc.

 

[Wooie1958]

Make sure you get tag online and sent to your home whilst still in uk. Once over the channel we found it is nigh impossible to pay for it even if you go to agent.

It was bought back home and only cost 16€ with the 4€ discount through GMJ and was delivered from France in 7 days no problem

 

[TJBi]

To answer your questions

1. Dont take fruit, veg, meat or dairy onto the eu. Visit a hypermarket when you arrive and stock up. Easy and part of the fun. But never been checked so far ……

2. If you arent going to cities then you probably dont need clean air passes. Check the maps for each county to be sure. They are cheap and easy to get if you do so well before you leave.

As regards other tips: get the Aires books for each county. Or use WEBSITE BLOCKED BY ADMIN app. Also French Passion (their version of Britstops)

It is a big subject so maybe a few specific questions would be best?

Good luck on your trip.

It is my understanding in respect of France that not only are there specific low-emission zones and other areas where specified measures may be adopted as required, but also that any préfet may impose measures when warranted by air quality issues; it therefore seems prudent to obtain the Crit'Air sticker (from the official website: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/certificat/demande/ext/vehicules ).

 

[Deleted member 86180]

As far as meat and dairy produce goes, it’s the point of entry that counts, we went in through Rotterdam on 22nd March, they only wanted passports, ignored the Covid paperwork, then still a requirement. No questions or checks (not that we had anything onboard we shouldn’t have).

We left the Schengen six days ago after 14 different border crossings and were only asked for passports at manned borders. No Covid passes, questions or searches on any border.

I don’t see how any restrictions can be applied to movement of meat or dairy produce once in Europe.

 

[GMJ]

I concur. It's entering the EU that matters not what you do when inside as any stuff bought inside would be considered 'safe'.

 

[RoaminRog]

Travelled Folkestone to Calais early March with ‘fridge and freezer jam packed full of meat and dairy. No problems at all!

 

[barge1914]

It was bought back home and only cost 16€ with the 4€ discount through GMJ and was delivered from France in 7 days no problem

Problem we had buying online was they give only one box for the IBAN. If you have a non international bank such as Nationwide which deals via an intermediary you also need to give BIC code of the intermediate bank to set up a foreign direct debit. We couldn’t achieve that either on line or on the telephone…or as suggested even by going to a SANEF agency in France. You ‘ave to do that online from ‘ome Monsieur…there’s a hole in my bucket…pardon monsieur?

 

[Colinc]

It is my understanding in respect of France that not only are there specific low-emission zones and other areas where specified measures may be adopted as required, but also that any préfet may impose measures when warranted by air quality issues; it therefore seems prudent to obtain the Crit'Air sticker (from the official website: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/certificat/demande/ext/vehicules ).

Quite agree … just that at the moment it isn’t really needed in France unless going to a few cities. So personally I haven’t got one yet … despite touring France earlier this year. Mind you I will send for one at some point soon.

You also need a different certificate for Germany. So if collecting them in advance you need to send for one of those too. And Belgium, Italy, Spain, etc. All are introducing their own schemes.

See https://www.eurocampings.co.uk/blog/listing/environmental-stickers-new-rules-per-country-2022/

 

[Colinc]

Travelled Folkestone to Calais early March with ‘fridge and freezer jam packed full of meat and dairy. No problems at all!

I haven’t been checked yet either. But just because they aren’t checking much now doesn’t mean they won’t suddenly do so. So why risk it?

And to me, shopping for new things is part of the fun of going abroad.

 

[GMJ]

I haven’t been checked yet either. But just because they aren’t checking much now doesn’t mean they won’t suddenly do so. So why risk it?

And to me, shopping for new things is part of the fun of going abroad.

I don't think any of us would argue with that however it perhaps it isn't the first thing we want to do when getting off the train or ferry. It's good to have some milk on board for tea/coffee and perhaps that night's meal. Some folks want to munch the miles if they are on tighter schedules and stopping for an hour to shop wouldn't immediately fit in with that.

For our long trips abroad (month/2 month+) we take 7 frozen batch home cooked meals; 4 frozen pizza dough balls; and a goodly amount of fresh in the fridge. For us, whilst away it is nice to shop and buy fresh produce but also nice to have a home cooked meal once a week without having to cook from scratch or go to a restaurant.

 

[Colinc]

stopping for an hour to shop wouldn't immediately fit in with that..

Nothing like the delay if they did stop you .

 

[GMJ]

Fair point Colin but worth the risk imho. Until we get reports coming through of issues I'll still be doing it.

I'll need to find places around the MH to secrete emergency tins of corned beef then though

 

[Colinc]

If in a hurry - there is a Total garage on the left just as you leave Eurotunnel in France - sells milk and various bits. Also the service stations on the Autoroute too. No corned beef though .

 

[witzend]

Fair point Colin but worth the risk imho. Until we get reports coming through of issues I'll still be doing it.

I'll need to find places around the MH to secrete emergency tins of corned beef then though

I don't know if this still applies but when it was big business smuggling Tobacco from Belgium if they found you had excess they confiscated it but if you had it hidden in the car like inside the door panels they confiscated the car

 

[Wooie1958]

Our fridge / freezer is packed solid along with many cupboards with our favourite goodies when we go abroad which means when leaving Calais we can crack on to our first ovetnight stop.
Decided to take the chance this time and we are glad we did, no checks no nothing.
When going back we'll do the same, stock up with our French favourites to take home.
Also some wine for the wife, no beer as i'm now tee-total and neither of us smoke.

 

[GMJ]

The UK are a lot less fussy regarding bringing foodstuffs in I think. I'm sure that there are rules but nothing too onerous. Where the rules are tighter is on booze etc as if you are found to exceed the limits then you have to pay duty on ALL the booze...and not just the stuff which is over the limit.

We normally bring back around a dozen bottle of gin from Spain (where it is 5€) a bottle but are now limited to 8 (4 each) under the duty free rules.