geoff Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 We shall be taking our first camper trip abroad this year and would welcome any help regarding sites, routes, and places of interest. The ferry has been booked for 3 weeks , arriving at and departing from Dunkirk and we would like to do a circular tour taking in northern France, Belguim, and the Black Forest, finishing with a visit to a drinks warehouse on the last day. (Calais ? We've no idea yet as to where to visit, or what route to take, just that we want to get the 'flavour 'of the countries,and prefer scenic routes to motorways .Commercial sites with pools and kids, shopping malls, and busy cities are definitely out, - been there, done it, etc ! The type of sites we like are the CLs next to or near a river or lake/farms or vineyards/ wild camping etc. We like to eat native and socialise with the the locals so it would be interesting to spend some time in the aires in village squares. We love to visit beautiful scenes, picturesque villages, waterfall, caverns, forests and stream, a spot of fishing would'nt go amiss, and if any one knows of any rock'n roll venues we'll gladly spend the hols jiving the nights away ! Any ideas, suggestions, or general advice would be greatly appreciated, feel free to contact me on geoffstandish@Hotmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Hi Geoff,With three weeks the sky is the limit if you don't stop too long in one place. Suggest heading for Reims where there is a superb aire convenient for the centre. Then through Champagne SE to Lac du Der for a spot of fishing. There are several aires around the lake. Head east towards Alsace (excellent aire at Charmes with electric and showers). Don't miss the lovely Alsation towns (and the wine) - notably Kaysersburg where there is a convenient aire close to the town. Cross the Rhine into the southern Black Forest area (stellplatze at Breisach) and head east towards Villingen-Shwenningen. Their is a superb aire at a lovely little village near there called Unterkirnach - ideal for touring the area. Don't miss Triburg (dedicated motor caravan parking) and the largest waterfall in Germany. Lake Constance is but a stonesthrow away with many stellplatze and campsites (depends how far you want to go). Head north along the Black Forest Highway and the German Wine Street where you will find plenty of stellplatze as well as opportunities to wild camp overnight. Why not head for the middle Rhine (spectacular). There is a stellplatz and also a camp site on the river bank at Bacharach (lovely town). Continue up to Koblenz and thence along the stunning Mosel Valley. We never tire of this lovely valley and the 'real' wine is out of this world. There are stellplatze galore - almost every village has one - and if you happen upon a wine festival or a Sunday morning - that is the time to mix with the locals. Trier is more than worth a visit (stellplatz) and then you can head off back through Luxembourg and Belgium or France for the return to Calais. There is a convenient aire at Dudelange close to the Lux/French border and is you fancy returning through the Ardennes there is an aire on the riverbank at Hamoir on the River Ourthe (more fishing).Lopts of caverns in this area. Also highly recommended is the aire at Stenay if you are returning via northern France. Sorry, can't help with the rock 'n roll. Once you get going you will find plenty of possibilities - flexibility is the key word when you have a motor caravan. Have a good trip.Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Geoff,Don't forget to look at: www.campingcar-infos.com Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Sounds great Roy, think I might spend a bit more time in Luxembourg, and visit the city and the north of the country, and check out the Belgian canals in either Ghent or Brugge. Haven't been to Mons or Ypres for a long time, both have conveniently placed municipal sites. B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 Thanks Roy, Sounds what were looking for. Might also extend to Bruge and take er indoors up the Bell Tower. How do German fuel and living cost compare with the UK ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Hi Geoff.Brugges is a must. Don't know if you are aware that there is a free aire of sorts there (no facilities), just a carpark really, close to the tourist bus station, but within easy walking distance of the centre. Ostend is also worth a visit and there is an aire there close to the inner harbour, again no facilities and they do park rather close together. Toilets are close by both at Brugges and Ostend. German fuel compares reasonably well with its neighbours give or take a few cents, and of course a good bit cheaper than here. Like most of the near continent these days, the cost of living is about the same, so a good exchange is what you need. The big thing is that motor caravanners are welcome both in France and Germany and Belgium is slowly catching up. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Have a look at France Passion for CL type sites in France. You'll need to rely on your own facilities, because they don't provide any as a matter of course. Small sites near local producers - of what depends on the region.For the wine store I'd say steer clear of Calais and the wine warehouses, apart possibly from the big Auchan near the tunnel terminal. That has a very good roving advisor who know his stock and is very genuine in finding you the best wine for your price. However, it does spoil the fun a bit, so we usually go to almost any reasonable size French supermarket and just browse what is there.The Calais warehouses need watching. Yes the wine looks cheap, but in the ones I've been to, although you'll find wines from the well known regions (to the Brits), you won't find many that are AOC estate bottled (which is a useful rule of thumb guide to reasonable quality). I think they just buy wines with impressive names and labels they can offload by the caseload onto the Brits - half the warehouses are owned by Brits anyhow - and never mind the quality.If you go to almost any supermarket and browse for wines around 5/6 Euros you should find plenty of very reasonable, drinkable, good quality stuff to try. The chains all have buyers and take their stock quite seriously. They also want their French customers to stay loyal and come back week after week, so duff wine is a bad idea! Then, when you find the ones you like, just nip back and buy a few more bottles. Do this as you travel, and you'll get back loaded (overloaded if you're not careful!) with a great mixture of wine you've a) tasted and so b) know you like. Much better than buying blind by the case under pressure in a crowded Calais hell hole!Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Geoff, Sorry ? i,m sure you understand.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cattwg Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Hi Geoff, I would agree that Brugge is a must. The aire mentioned is literally a 10 minute walk, through a park to the centre. We used it in June 2006 and water was available. Try to walk back to the aire, thro' the park after dark when many of the buildings are illuminated - it's magical. www.bruges.to/map/htm will give you a printable map of Brugge. The aire is across the road from the coach park which is shown at the bottom of the map. Have a good trip. Cattwg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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