mtravel

Quite close to A16, about 45 kilometers south (Outreau/Boulogne-sur-Mer area) there are at least one Leclerc, one Intermarché and one Auchan. If you have a satnav just ask him to show you a supermarket on your route. I don't know about others but the Garmins show you the closest ones as you proceed. I do this and it has always worked.

Just open Google Maps and type supermarket Coquelles. There are at least an Auchan, a couple of Lidl and Carrefour.

Welcome to the Malibu family. We own a 2020 600DB on a lightweight Ducato 140CV. Arrived at 26,000 miles, besides several trips in Italy, it took us to Germany, Norway, Ireland, France and Andalusia. We are completely satisfied with it, so far, knocking on wood, absolutely no problems.

Something like this ?

Ever thought about Italy? Arrive in Genoa (1,200km from Calais) and then ferry to Sardinia (10h Olbia and 12h Porto Torres). Or to Sicily (20h both Palermo and Catania). The Sardinian sea has nothing to envy to the Greek one and in addition to a wonderful sea, Sicily has a cultural heritage that is probably unique in the world. Just think of the archaeological one (Agrigento, Selinunte, Segesta, Piazza Armerina) or Baroque of the Val di Noto, the Arab-Norman architecture of Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù, all Unesco sites. Without forgetting the archipelagos (Aeolian, Egadi) reachable with small ships. The volcano Etna, etcetera, etcetera.

Do you really wish to compare the cold ocean or the Spanish sea with the Greek one? It would be like comparing that of Grado or Rimini (good for German retirees in slippers and socks) with that of Sardinia or Salento. If Greece is too far away, try Sardinia and you will fall in love with it. However, Ancona is only 500 kilometers further from Calais than Bilbao from Malaga. The time lost on the ocean ferry can be recovered on the highway.

Your motorhome is at least Euro4 which is the minimum to enter German cities and restricted areas. Often the LEZs, well signposted, start outside the city. You would need the umweltplakette. Google this magical name and a world will open up for you. In Germany this adhesive sticker can be purchased at the TUV offices or at one of the many DEKRA branches. It is valid for the life of the vehicle and a receipt is issued for a free replacement in the event of, for example, a windscreen replacement. I don't know in the United Kingdom but in Italy Dekra is quite widespread, I bought my stickers from them. Max

When we were in Oslo we bought the Oslo Pass (paper) directly at the Eckeberg campsite. I don't know if it is now only online through the municipal App. In any case, it is better to learn how to download and use them. There are several cases in which it is the only payment system. From memory I remember Bergen and Åndalsnes in Norway, Råå and Sundsvall in Sweden. At the reception they speak excellent English and will certainly be able to help you. BTW, despite not being in the EU, Norway adopts European roaming. The convenience of the Oslo Pass is that you can use all public transport for 24 hours (it may be that, like for example in Stockholm, there are versions valid for 48 and 72 hours). Don't believe that Oslo is a city that can be easily visited by walking, for example there are five kilometers between Vigeland Park and the Munch Museet. Buses and underground are almost irreplaceable. Max p.s. In addition to public transport, the Stockholm Card includes many museums including the unmissable Vasa. As well as a very nice boat trip between the islands of the archipelago.

We haven't visited all Norwegian cities but some have (sorry for the lack of "runic" characters): In Bodo, Mandal, Kristiansand we parked in the center or very close. Trondheim and Alesund have an "aire" within walking distance of the centre. Bergen is well served by the tram (Bybanen) from Slettebakken stop). In Oslo, I suggest going to the Ekeberg campsite and from there going to the city by bus (the 24h Oslo Card also includes the pedestrian ferry to Snaroya). Max

Never brought. Indeed, to tell the truth, yes, but they have always remained in the garage. Only useful in Swedish and Danish cities if you visit them. If hung behind the camper they affect its length and therefore can do so on the price of ferries and Ostersund bridge. Max

Try this, if you pay online it seems you may enter 24h: https://www.parkvia.com/en-GB/port-parking/piraeus-port

The only ones I can find are these: 1. https://www.campercontact.com/en/greece/piraeus-regional-unit/pireas/30396/parkopolis-port-parking (note: the site listed in the info is wrong) also reported in campingcar-infos https://www.campingcar-infos.com/Francais/cci.php?number=26191 2. https://www.campingcar-infos.com/Francais/cci.php?number=27496 I assume you arrive by ferry, if not I don't see why you would go to Piraeus.

Given that since 2008 I have also been riding in winter and in the cold. It's true that I move often, on average at least 100km a day but with diesel heating and two 100Ah gel batteries I've never had autonomy problems and I don't even have a photovoltaic panel. But let's not confuse cell phone batteries with LiFePO4 which are commonly installed on campers. I share the idea that it is better to choose well-known brands and not chinoiserie of unknown quality, perhaps passed off as plug&play. If possible, lithium batteries should be combined with management electronics of the same brand. For example, I've always heard good things about Victron. Max p.s. However I would never put a delicate (and expensive) lithium battery in the engine hood.

Two more tips: - As you approach the North Cape, make sure you have enough fuel. There are still service stations but the prices go up a lot. The last place to refuel at reasonable prices is Lakselv. - It may happen that during the weekend (and sometimes even on Monday) some service stations apply discounts. Pay attention to the prices and you will see if there are any differences from what you are used to.

I said average prices. In any case, having checked Italy where I live and France from which I have just returned, the values are quite correct. When I go to Norway, passing through Denmark-Sweden-Finland (I have a range of about 900km before refuiling) I usually behave like this: Full to the last drop before leaving Germany (Puttgarten area). Not always, but it happened to me that the cheapest petrol station is Aral just before the Puttgarten ferry terminal. Another and only refueling in Sweden around Gavle. Refueling in Finland just after the border at Tornio. Last refueling after Inari (see notes herebelow). If you go towards Kirkenes, in Neiden, before entering Norway, the last Finnish petrol station. If towards Karasjok, there is one just before the border with Norway. Max p.s. In any case, on a trip that may be 10,000+ kilometers I believe one or two higher priced fill-ups have little impact on the total cost.

Average fuel costs at: https://www.cargopedia.net/europe-fuel-prices or https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/

Do not forget that Senja and the archipelagos of Vesteralen and Lofoten can be reached by land by means of comfortable bridges. The Bodø-Moskenes ferry is not essential, nor is the one from Skutvik-Svolvær (with a short intermediate stop on the small island of Skrova). From Vesteralen to Lofoten there is the Melbu-Fiskebøll ferry, but it can easily be avoided by taking a land route. Max

Which means three or at most four days in winter on the Alps and twenty (only cooker and fridge, no hot water) in Andalusia in summer.

If you don't describe the problem you are encountering, I think it will be difficult to help you. In most motorhomes the bottles are just held by straps with a motorcycle helmet type buckle. A picture would help us to help you.

First of all, sorry if I seldom use accents in the various languages. It is more than correct to try to minimize the costs but of all the trips in Europe, the one to Norway is one of the most expensive. Internal ferries or tolls do not affect so much as fuel needed for long distances (often discounts are offered on weekends or on Mondays, DON'T refuel in Honningsvåg for instance) and food supplies. Better not to think about wine and beer, but a simple dinner in a not even pretentious restaurant can cost a fortune. I'm still not sure if you're interested in Oslo and the south coast of Norway, down to Mandal and Lindesnes lighthouse (which you can think of as the South Cape) or you'll want to go further north. In the first case, a good Swedish itinerary can include: Gotheborg - Marstrand - Skärhamn - Fiskebäckskil - Lysekil - Smögen - Fjällbacka - Tanumshede. In the second Gotheborg - Trollhättan - Läckö Slott - Vadstena - Falun (copper mine) - Mora (gateway to Swedish Lapland), then Östersund ‐ Vilhelmina ‐ Arvidsjaur - Jokkmokk ‐ Gällivare. In Gällivare you have two choices, divert to Finland (border at Kolari) or directly to Norway via Kiruna - Abisko with entry into the country at Lofoten Islands latitude. Max p.s. If you are interested in aviation museums, a good one can be found in Bodø. Among aircrafts on display, one exemplar of the famous U2 spy plane, the one shot down in Russia, had this town as its final destination.

Reservations are unpredictable, two minutes ago your same Colorline reservation was simulated: 5.99 meters van, two adults, no extras for €852. However, again if you are not interested in Oslo, and having estimated the Mandal area as the start of the journey, you must also take into account the fuel consumption to get there, any stops in a campsite and tolls (Oslo congestion tax and the motorway from there to Mandal). Not to mention four hours by ferry versus two days by road.

Ok for the Bro Bizz, you were right to mention its existence. But why cross from Grenaa to Halmstad? If you are not interested in Oslo, the best choice is the ferry from Hirtshals (DK) to Kristiansand (N). Colorline (cheap) or Fjordline (fast). Sure, a lot depends on the length of the vehicle but they have affordable prices. As for the internal ferries, their cost is not exorbitant. Provided you don't have a motorhome longer than seven metres. Max p.s. As for roads and ferries, I registered my motorhomes on autopass.no and epass24.com

In my journeys up there road tolls never excedeed sixty or seventy euros. As for the ferries, now 95% of them are equipped with cameras that photograph the license plate. In some stretches that have not yet been automated, an employee passes by and photographs it with his cell phone. For payment, simply register the vehicle (including environmental category, weight and dimensions) on autopass.no ( https://www.autopass.no/ ) and the related collection agency epass24 ( valid for Sweden too, see https://www.epass24.com/ ) . Max

Geez. In a Vinmonopolet I found three small 25cc briquettes of Tavernello (one of the worst and most commercial Italian wines) at 99NOK (now at 108.90). In Italy, the same package would have cost 1.7 euros. The conversion into pounds is up to you.

We have been to Scandinavia five times, three of which were 90% dedicated to Norway. The others to Denmark and Sweden plus the Finnish Lakeland as a subset and extension of a trip to the Baltic Republics. Of the three Norwegian journeys the first was clockwise from Oslo to Mandal and then up to the North Cape, Norway reached by traveling the west coast of Sweden. The other two in an anti-clockwise direction, once through Swedish Lapland (Östersund ‐ Vilhelmina ‐ Arvidsjaur - Jokkmokk ‐ Gällivare) and once along the east coast (Uppsala, Umea, etc). The Lofoten are beautiful but too crowded in the summer, the Vesteralen have more nuanced landscapes (don't forget the mini-cruise from Andenes (Andoya island) for whale watching (actually sperm whales). But the enchanting Senja surpasses all of them, it is no coincidence that it is described as the compendium of all the characteristics of the country. And don't forget the Eastern Finnmark (Varanger scenic route) and near Kirkenes, eight kilometers of dirt road that runs along the fence beyond which there is Russia lead you to Grense Jakobselv, truly at the end of the world. If you have any questions feel free to ask, if I get an answer I will try to help. Max