Planning a 3 month sabbatical

KIPAX

KIPAX

Seriously Likeable
Suspended / Banned
Messages
21,370
Name
KIPAX Lancashire UK
Edit My Images
No
Well being a self emplyed photogrpaher it aint going to be paid... But my plan is 3 months (90 days) in the south of france mid sep to mid dec (3 yrs time 2021) .. Towards the italian border.. rent a flat or small house.. Decent rates for 3 of those months

I will be 65 and driving there... using it as a launch pad to visit many places in europe.. probably one outing a week with venice top of my list and lake geniva top of the wifes..

Does anyone have any alarm bells to sound ? :)
 
Last edited:
Why wait? Who knows what's around the corner? If you really fancy it go now.
 
MatBin said:
Why wait? Who knows what's around the corner? If you really fancy it go now.
Click to expand...

Money simple as that.. .. 3 yrs ..have enough for new car and the 3 months away :)

well new car = 2 yrs old for about £11k
 
Something that tripped me up when I had to go away for 3 months was insurance.
House/Contents - didnt like it that the house would be empty for longer than 4 weeks in one go (despite in-laws being there every day).
Car insurance - will they cover you for so long abroad, not break-down but 3rd part or fully comp whatever you have.
Medical insurance - might need to find something better than "tourist" cover as this tends to be for short trips.

Mosquitoes - they love me and are in abundance in that area.

Other than that, go for it, shame you cant do it now though.
 
MatBin said:
Something that tripped me up when I had to go away for 3 months was insurance.
House/Contents - didnt like it that the house would b
Other than that, go for it, shame you cant do it now though.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking too, always find that money ends up being spent elsewhere if you leave things.

Past year we have been travelling all over the place and carrying on next year too, didn't want to be those people who said "wished we had gone there, too old now though"
 
KIPAX said:
Well being a self emplyed photogrpaher it aint going to be paid... But my plan is 3 months (90 days) in the south of france mid sep to mid dec (3 yrs time 2021) .. Towards the italian border.. rent a flat or small house.. Decent rates for 3 of those months

I will be 65 and driving there... using it as a launch pad to visit many places in europe.. probably one outing a week with venice top of my list and lake geniva top of the wifes..

Does anyone have any alarm bells to sound ? :)
Click to expand...


Sort of. The bridge which collapsed in Genova is the main motorway linking Nice-Ventimiglia-Genova (A8/E80), so apart from being a terrible tragedy, I would imagine that it is going to cause absolute chaos for people travelling from the French Riviera to the Ligurian Riviera. I travelled that route many years ago and had a bad attack of vertigo on that road.
I would therefore suggest that you could visit Switzerland and Lake Geneva first, then use the Gottard Pass (which is lovely and spectacular) to cross into Italy, then travel down via Lake Como - stunning - to Verona (well worth a visit, particularly if you could see an opera in the Roman arena - we saw Verdi's Aida) and Venice by the A4.
Go for it!
 
MatBin said:
Something that tripped me up when I had to go away for 3 months was insurance.
House/Contents - didnt like it that the house would be empty for longer than 4 weeks in one go (despite in-laws being there every day).
Click to expand...

When we first discussed this my wifes biggest concern was an empty house.. we will be making sures sosmone is living here.. not checking in like short holidays.. we have a large family and feel sure we can get someone to move in for 3 months..

MatBin said:
Car insurance - will they cover you for so long abroad, not break-down but 3rd part or fully comp whatever you have.
Medical insurance - might need to find something better than "tourist" cover as this tends to be for short trips.
Click to expand...

On list to check thanks :)

MatBin said:
Mosquitoes - they love me and are in abundance in that area.
Click to expand...

Really? wasn't aware of that.. will look into :)
 
tijuana taxi said:
That's what I was thinking too, always find that money ends up being spent elsewhere if you leave things.
Click to expand...

money wont be a problem.. plan in place.. wont get spent anywhere else... very good on that score :)

tijuana taxi said:
Past year we have been travelling all over the place and carrying on next year too, didn't want to be those people who said "wished we had gone there, too old now though"
Click to expand...

exactly.. original plan was when i retire and thats at 67.. I have brought it forward 2 years just in case...
 
stevewestern said:
No alarm bells - just go and enjoy it as soon as you can.
As Matt says, you don't know what's around the corner.
As Rich says, don't join the 'too old now' club.

As I say, sod the new car, go now.
Click to expand...


thats the problem.. my car albiet perfect working order and travel all around the country in and very cheap for fuel etc (3 series BMW) would be too old (11 yrs) for even AA coverage abroad in 3 yrs time... so deffo need the new car as well... hence the wait ...... Mazda 3 .. the 2.2ltr model :)
 
KIPAX said:
exactly.. original plan was when i retire and thats at 67.. I have brought it forward 2 years just in case...
Click to expand...

My dad retired at 65 and died 18 months later, I slung it in at 55 just to be on the safe side :)
 
Its 3 yrs away.. the decision has been made and the budget/plan in place.. having had an initial look we can rent decent for £1k per month.. So we know its doable but everything else is up in the air at moment ..PS we are reffering to it as an adventure not a holiday ...

Am now thinking... rather than 3 months in a centra location... 1 month east france, 1 month south france (original place) and 1 months west france.... SAME PRICE but can see more countries ..

Roughly thinking one or 2 outings a week but at least one for sure........a month in each place gives us more scope.. OK 2 week in each place or 1 week.. but we are thinking wheres the line between touring and..... I think a nice betweem for a relaxing yet adventurous holiday is 1 month in each.... just mutting the idea :) no extra cost and more places to visit :)
 
tijuana taxi said:
My dad retired at 65 and died 18 months later, I slung it in at 55 just to be on the safe side :)
Click to expand...

my grandad was over 90 and my dad is currently 88 and looking good.. I am hoping its in the genes... given the planing and cost ... plus half my wages are from one customer who i would probably lose.. so thinking when i come back going part time for last 2 yrs which is also doable.. i cant really be doing that now... so without too much details.. its all very doable in three yrs with change and workable.. but now not so much

may sound like a while off.. but we are commited to the plan and it is going to happen.. my wifes 52 but she knows if it doesnt happen with me in 3 yrs then she is probably never gonna do it no matter what happens..
 
How about getting a Eurail pass, rail network is excellent and all sorts of discounted fares available.

We travel a lot like that, DB the German operator even allow two stopovers of up to 48 hours with their tickets
 
tijuana taxi said:
How about getting a Eurail pass, rail network is excellent and all sorts of discounted fares available.

We travel a lot like that, DB the German operator even allow two stopovers of up to 48 hours with their tickets
Click to expand...


Looked at rail journeys from where we wanted to be.. wasnt doable.. well google maps couldnt do it... Nice to venice or geneva for example PLUS to be honest.. i love driving so.. ;)
 
KIPAX said:
Money simple as that.. .. 3 yrs ..have enough for new car and the 3 months away :)

well new car = 2 yrs old for about £11k
Click to expand...
Spend less on a car.

They really are a drain on savings and earnings. I have a banger that was written off 10yrs ago it cost almost nothing to run. I am extreem though!.

But don't spend £11 k on a car. I am sure you could get a really reliable car for half that money.
 
MatBin said:
Something that tripped me up when I had to go away for 3 months was insurance.
House/Contents - didnt like it that the house would be empty for longer than 4 weeks in one go (despite in-laws being there every day).
Car insurance - will they cover you for so long abroad, not break-down but 3rd part or fully comp whatever you have.
Medical insurance - might need to find something better than "tourist" cover as this tends to be for short trips.

Mosquitoes - they love me and are in abundance in that area.

Other than that, go for it, shame you cant do it now though.
Click to expand...
Good points there.
 
KIPAX said:
Well being a self emplyed photogrpaher it aint going to be paid... But my plan is 3 months (90 days) in the south of france mid sep to mid dec (3 yrs time 2021) .. Towards the italian border.. rent a flat or small house.. Decent rates for 3 of those months

I will be 65 and driving there... using it as a launch pad to visit many places in europe.. probably one outing a week with venice top of my list and lake geniva top of the wifes..

Does anyone have any alarm bells to sound ? :)
Click to expand...

All I can say Tony - enjoy it mate (y)

Really hope you have a great time and enjoy the planning / anticipation, sounds like it'll be a wonderful adventure :)
 
Chap that recently retired from our warehouse has a camper van and his wife and he often do 6 to 8 week jaunts all across the south of France, Spain etc. without the worry of getting back to their accommodation each night.
 
Have your visited some of these areas before?

Personally I would move around more than once a month, Europe has a lot to offer. However, touring is less relaxing if that is your main requirement.

A reliable car is essential imo.
 
Great idea i would look at the cost of living in France. Spain is a lot cheaper
 
shapeshifter said:
Spend less on a car.

They really are a drain on savings and earnings. I have a banger that was written off 10yrs ago it cost almost nothing to run. I am extreem though!.

But don't spend £11 k on a car. I am sure you could get a really reliable car for half that money.
Click to expand...

well the car wont be just for the hoiday ..its probably last one i buy so gotta be decent :)
 
Mozthecat said:
Chap that recently retired from our warehouse has a camper van and his wife and he often do 6 to 8 week jaunts all across the south of France, Spain etc. without the worry of getting back to their accommodation each night.
Click to expand...


I hired a camper van in lille,france and drove to barcelona and back.. was great fun but wouldnt go camper van route again to be honest.... we have done camper vans.. boats, allsorts.. now like our comforts of a proper double bed and proper bathroom and kitchen :)
 
Archie747 said:
Have your visited some of these areas before?

Personally I would move around more than once a month, Europe has a lot to offer. However, touring is less relaxing if that is your main requirement.

A reliable car is essential imo.
Click to expand...


See this is it.. theres a thin line between touring and having a base camp.already gone from 1 three month basecamp to three 1 month rentals... anymore and we get to touring.. spent last few yrs doing touring holidays in UK .. we want to visit places but relax as well.. hence the 3 months sebatacle ratehr than 2 weeks holiday :)

No not visited them before ... again last few years and this adventure is all about visiting new places.. :)
 
wave01 said:
Great idea i would look at the cost of living in France. Spain is a lot cheaper
Click to expand...

didnt like spain as much as i liked france... too hot and dry in spain for long periods.. for my taste that is :) I like france and the french people.. find them more welcoming.. plus france is more central to get to venice... into italy.. switzerland,..well most of eurpoe actually...
 
KIPAX said:
See this is it.. theres a thin line between touring and having a base camp.already gone from 1 three month basecamp to three 1 month rentals... anymore and we get to touring.. spent last few yrs doing touring holidays in UK .. we want to visit places but relax as well.. hence the 3 months sebatacle ratehr than 2 weeks holiday :)
Click to expand...

Quite like the idea of renting somewhere for a month or two, in my case it would be Germany and using the rail network.
Hope you have a great time, only problem is having to come back
 
tijuana taxi said:
Hope you have a great time, only problem is having to come back
Click to expand...

Thanks.,.thinking the first week or two might be scarey getting homesick when you realise away for so long.. we spoke and said no matter how we feel.. just get through it ..it will go away :)
 
KIPAX said:
Thanks.,.thinking the first week or two might be scarey getting homesick when you realise away for so long.. we spoke and said no matter how we feel.. just get through it ..it will go away :)
Click to expand...

Maybe, I reckon the excitement of the whole adventure will be the main emotion and no time to think much about much else
Healthcare is excellent in France should you need it, my missus had her appendix out in Paris
 
Just had my car renewal through and Europe cover is included for 90 days, via john Lewis, if that helps at all.
 
MatBin said:
Just had my car renewal through and Europe cover is included for 90 days, via john Lewis, if that helps at all.
Click to expand...

Thanks.. probably standard as everyhting is geared towards 90 days europe... never took much notice before but got to look into this time.. ta :)
 
tijuana taxi said:
Maybe, I reckon the excitement of the whole adventure will be the main emotion and no time to think much about much else
Healthcare is excellent in France should you need it, my missus had her appendix out in Paris
Click to expand...


ouch :(

the build up and organisation is going to be a big part of it.. the adventure starts now really :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top