If your bored - help me plan a holiday :)

EdinburghGary

EdinburghGary

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OK blank canvas (almost). I need help in planning a holiday, and whilst I have something in mind, would love opinions, ideas, and good photo stops along the way.

I have 14 days total, and the number 1 rule, no flying ;)

So, I will be taking myself, my wife, and my campervan, and heading to X, via X, X and X and back again ;). September.

I would like to hit Europe, via the Dover to Calais ferry, and possibly tour Spain or Italy, whilst getting lots of landmarks and good photos along the way.

My current and very sketchy plan is as follows:


- Leave thursday evening, 4pm, and be in london for an overnight.

- Get to dover for about midday, and hopefully be in Paris in time for a late dinner.

- and this is where I am not sure...do I head for Barcelona? This will take a day or two and will require a half way stop (where?)....or do I head for Venice?

- depending on Venice or Barcelona will then determine what we do for the time we have remaining, a mini tour of either spain or italy before heading home!


Any ideas?

Sorry for being so vague! I should add, please feel free to suggest something completely different to the above, really looking for ideas. The key is, I want to take my campervan, and I don't want to spend £600 on a ferry. It's less than £100 to get to Calais from Dover, so the real starting point I guess is Calais.

Gary.
 
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There's a cold beer here if you make it this far (Valencia Region) and I'll give some directions to some ace photo locations too

Cheers, :thumbs:

Neil
 
EdinburghGary said:
How's the weather in September Neil?

Gary.
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Normally good Gary, doesn't change from summer weather usually until October and is then stormy while the land/sea temp changes sort themselves out.

September is a nice month, not too hot, loads of oranges on the trees etc.
 
Having a talk about this in the office, people think Italy would be a wiser choice? Reason is, 14 days to and from EDI, driving, Spain might offer less as the destinations are much furhter apart, ie, much more driving to see a lot of spain. Italy on the other hand, much more compact.

So, down the west coast of Italy, up the East, and head home via the Swiss alps?

Gary.
 
I would definitely recommend Italy, if you get a chance to do Sorrento and the Amalfi coast grab it with both hands - stunning scenery, great food and even better wine. Then you can head North and take in the lakes on the way to the Swiss Alps, I'm doing a wedding on the shores of Lake Como in September so if you're around.....;)

I've never visited Tuscany but it is supposed to be breathtaking so there is another one for the list.
 
I'd say that that is too much driving - you'll be knackered.
 
newhaven - dieppe is a reasonable price I think. or portsmouth-le havre - down the m6 /m40/a34 much faster/nicer drive than going near the m25/m2

How much is it to get newcastle -> oslo? and come down through denmark (big bridge) into germany -> alps then back via calais?
 
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I drove to the Dordogne last week and toured the area. 1600+ miles in 8 days. I wouldn't want to do that sort of mileage 2 weeks running and I'm in a car not something that Mr Clarkson might get angry about ;)

Fuel costs and Autoroute charges mean it is not that cheap to do either.
 
Eeeek, make sure you want to drive all that way. Dont get 5000 miles from home then think "Crap, I have to drive home again" :D
 
RobertP said:
I drove to the Dordogne last week and toured the area. 1600+ miles in 8 days. I wouldn't want to do that sort of mileage 2 weeks running and I'm in a car not something that Mr Clarkson might get angry about ;)

Fuel costs and Autoroute charges mean it is not that cheap to do either.
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Yeah I did the calculation, pricey. On the flipside, its a campervan so no hotel costs etc.

I want to be realistic, and getting some good replies to this thread. I have LOADS of time to plan, looking forward to seeing what I come up with. Myself and wife will be sharing the driving, so if we went for the all out crazy route, it would be almost 2,000 miles each, spread over a fortnight.

I think I will try and keep it real though, keep the ideas and suggestions coming :)

Gary.
 
Used to do the camping thing many years ago. French camp sites are generally pretty high standard with lots of facilities that make them more like holiday resorts. You could do a lot worse than a leisurely tour of a part of France......
 
RobertP said:
Used to do the camping thing many years ago. French camp sites are generally pretty high standard with lots of facilities that make them more like holiday resorts. You could do a lot worse than a leisurely tour of a part of France......
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Been to france quite a few times and dead keen on seeing some of Italy, perhaps though, I should really just visit far fewer places in Italy, which will give us respite from the driving for a good 5 or 6 days, before the return trip home.

Saying that, I have only really visited Paris, I guess its a bit like saying I have seen America, even though I have only been to NYC. What kind if areas would you recommend? My wife loves sun, beaches, shopping and eating out in nice restaurants ! :)

Gary.
 
I say do a trip in Italy, I went camping around it and it was absolutely BRILLIAANT and you can fit in soo much, you can catch a train from Calais to Milan which lets you load your van on it as well, look in to,

That way you get thier pretty quick and even en-route you'll see some great scenery, then from Milan, you can drive down through

-Florence
-Rome
-Sorrento
-Capri
-Naples

etc etc, and thiers loads of camping sites along the way with a great atmosphere, and your wife would love Milan as well and naples has a beach and so does Capri
 
Xplosion said:
I say do a trip in Italy, I went camping around it and it was absolutely BRILLIAANT and you can fit in soo much, you can catch a train from Calais to Milan which lets you load your van on it as well, look in to,

That way you get thier pretty quick and even en-route you'll see some great scenery, then from Milan, you can drive down through

-Florence
-Rome
-Sorrento
-Capri
-Naples

etc etc, and thiers loads of camping sites along the way with a great atmosphere, and your wife would love Milan as well and naples has a beach and so does Capri
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The train sounds like a very interesting idea, but guessing it will be very pricey.

Will look into it! Thanks for the info,

Gary.
 
Shouldn't be that dear, besides it would save you driving across france? its called the motorail if its any help :)
 
Fabulous place in Italy is the Sibillini National Park. We stayed at a campsite called Montespino which was just outside a beautiful historic little village called Montefortino. The mountains there are incredibly beautiful, fantastic flora and fauna, and we even had a small bear steal our dinner. The Piano Grande is the most amazing place, undescribale, it has to be seen to be believed. And now for the plus point, it's a wonderfully tranquil and relaxing place to chill out in.
 
Not sure how feasible it would be but if you're going to Spain, you may as well go to Portugal and visit the Algarve too!
 
EdinburghGary said:
Been to france quite a few times and dead keen on seeing some of Italy, perhaps though, I should really just visit far fewer places in Italy, which will give us respite from the driving for a good 5 or 6 days, before the return trip home.

Saying that, I have only really visited Paris, I guess its a bit like saying I have seen America, even though I have only been to NYC. What kind if areas would you recommend? My wife loves sun, beaches, shopping and eating out in nice restaurants ! :)

Gary.
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You need to bear in mind that French campsites start to close down after mid-September and probably half are shut by the end of the month. The Michelin camping guide is always useful for showing you which sites will still be open in week three or whatever.

As to beaches and sun in France, by that time of year you really need to head to the Med coast for reliable weather, ie not the Atlantic coast. Unfortunately virtually all of the campsites along the Med coast are ginormous by British standards - at least many hundred of pitches and some run into the tens of thousands. They cater primarily for French families and are basically grockle factories, albeit very well equipped. Because of their primary market, many close as soon as the French holiday season ends, ie the end of August.

From what I've seen of your route, that looks like an awful lot of driving and not a lot of time to actually see anything.

What is it you're actually trying to achieve/want to do on this trip?
 
woadrage said:
You need to bear in mind that French campsites start to close down after mid-September and probably half are shut by the end of the month. The Michelin camping guide is always useful for showing you which sites will still be open in week three or whatever.

As to beaches and sun in France, by that time of year you really need to head to the Med coast for reliable weather, ie not the Atlantic coast. Unfortunately virtually all of the campsites along the Med coast are ginormous by British standards - at least many hundred of pitches and some run into the tens of thousands. They cater primarily for French families and are basically grockle factories, albeit very well equipped. Because of their primary market, many close as soon as the French holiday season ends, ie the end of August.

From what I've seen of your route, that looks like an awful lot of driving and not a lot of time to actually see anything.

What is it you're actually trying to achieve/want to do on this trip?
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I want to get some half decent weather, see some nice landmarks and sights, eat out, go shopping with my wife, enjoy some time at a beech or two. And not fly ;) I am driving through an inability to step foot on a plane, stupid, I know :cuckoo:

I appreciate all the comments re too much driving, perhaps what I do is try and get to a good location within 3 days, spend a week at it, and then drive home again. As opposed to driving the whole time.

3 days driving to, for example Rome or Barcelona, have a weeks holiday, and then the drive home.

I am just not exactly sure as to where I should be heading - Spain or Italy, and am really trying to make my mind up. If I leave on thursday after work I will be in London for a nights shuteye. I can then be in Paris early afternoon for maybe an overnight. Its the next step I am unsure about.

G.
 
If I leave on thursday after work I will be in London for a nights shuteye. I can then be in Paris early afternoon for maybe an overnight. Its the next step I am unsure about.
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Edinburgh to London after leaving work, are you mad, you'll be shattered before you even start.:thinking::cuckoo:
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
Edinburgh to London after leaving work, are you mad, you'll be shattered before you even start.:thinking::cuckoo:
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Edi to London is easy, done it loads - in the Lotus too, not a comfy car!! 3.5 hours driving each, with a long sleep afterwards. No problemo :) We have beds in the back too, so whilst technically risky, shuteye can be had whilst the other is driving.

Gary.
 
Black forest, Bavaria, Google your stop points.
Scenery, cuckoo clocks, cakes, ice cream, bratwurst's, use the cable lifts that the locals recommend, boat trips on lakes. Very friendly people compared with further North!
Jim
 
Barcelona or Rome? Barcelona is a lovely city with the Ramblas and cathedral but unfortunately I don't know of anyone who hasn't managed to get mugged there. If you don't want to lose all your tog equipment, don't go there! You even have to be careful on the motorway.

Rome is OK if you like to be stuck in cities, but cost of living there is extortionate. You will have very empty tummies.

Northern Italy, try San Remo on the Liguaran Coast, though haven't been there for 20 years, but we had a great time there in our campervan.

If you fancy somewhere really nice, then drive to Nice and get the ferry to Sardinia or Corsica, absolutely fabulous places, and they haven't been spoilt by the British or Germans yet.
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
Barcelona or Rome? Barcelona is a lovely city with the Ramblas and cathedral but unfortunately I don't know of anyone who hasn't managed to get mugged there. If you don't want to lose all your tog equipment, don't go there! You even have to be careful on the motorway.

Rome is OK if you like to be stuck in cities, but cost of living there is extortionate. You will have very empty tummies.

Northern Italy, try San Remo on the Liguaran Coast, though haven't been there for 20 years, but we had a great time there in our campervan.

If you fancy somewhere really nice, then drive to Nice and get the ferry to Sardinia or Corsica, absolutely fabulous places, and they haven't been spoilt by the British or Germans yet.
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I have been VERY worried about the Bercelona crime thing. I will be taking my D3 and I just don't know if I could relax in a city where like you say, people are always getting robbed. Nearly everyone I have spoken with has said do not take your gear to barcelona, and make sure you stop for noone when driving.

I think its enough to force me to avoid that route :(

Gary.
 
EdinburghGary said:
I have been VERY worried about the Bercelona crime thing. I will be taking my D3 and I just don't know if I could relax in a city where like you say, people are always getting robbed. Nearly everyone I have spoken with has said do not take your gear to barcelona, and make sure you stop for noone when driving.

I think its enough to force me to avoid that route :(

Gary.
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I would avoid Barcelona and the motorway there like the plague, it's just not worth the hassle. A good tip with the campervan is to do a search on the German sites and find where they parked. They always seem to find the best places, usually not camp sites, but just about the best possible locations. There are usually several vans parked in the same place, which although we like to be on our own, it's not such a bad idea security wise, and the ones you meet all seem to be nice, quiet and pleasant people, not like some of the yobs you get in the resorts.
 
neilmac said:
There's a cold beer here if you make it this far (Valencia Region) and I'll give some directions to some ace photo locations too

Cheers, :thumbs:

Neil
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Neil, Whereabouts in Valencia Region? We have a holiday place near Denia.

(Sorry to Hijack)

Looking for some decent Photo locations so anything yo ucan post would be great.
 
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barneyrubble said:
Neil, Whereabouts in Valencia Region? We have a holiday place near Denia.

(Sorry to Hijack)

Looking for some decent Photo locations so anything yo ucan post would be great.
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Depends on what you like to photograph (obviously), but if you come north from Denia and turn inland at Gandia you come into the Vall d'Albaida. This is a large flat plain surrounded by mountains and will give you opportunities for a variety of subjects - ruined castles, preserved castles, mountains, rivers, dams, agriculture, traditional life, quaint villages etc etc.

You don't need to come far inland to get away from touristland. A bonus opportunity, depending on when you are in the area, would be one of the many village fiestas that take place around here. Again, they are not a display for tourists - they are part of local culture.

If you'd like any more info, please don't hesitate to PM me - to keep this thread on track ;)

Cheers,

Neil
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
Barcelona or Rome? Barcelona is a lovely city with the Ramblas and cathedral but unfortunately I don't know of anyone who hasn't managed to get mugged there. If you don't want to lose all your tog equipment, don't go there! You even have to be careful on the motorway.

Rome is OK if you like to be stuck in cities, but cost of living there is extortionate. You will have very empty tummies.
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To be fair I think everyone needs to be vigilant in ANY major city, I don't think Barcelona is exceptional for crime. As Rome has been mentioned perhaps warning should be given about the huge organised gangs of pick-pockets there.

No matter where you travel today you need your wits about you, and especially when you are visibly carrying expensive nickable items :shrug:

Just my two pennies worth...

Cheers,

Neil
 
I've heard of a couple of people being followed from Alicante airport, pulled over by people pretending there was a problem with the car they were driving, and then robbed.
 
If I were driving towards the south of France one place I'd love to stop and get a photo of would be the Millau Viaduct.
 
tigerimages said:
If I were driving towards the south of France one place I'd love to stop and get a photo of would be the Millau Viaduct.
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I'd second that. Not only is the bridge spectacular just by crossing it, but you can get right down into Millau way below it - and look up....:eek:
 
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