2week family holiday itinery?

[alkers]

Hi, I am planning my first long break in my new devon T25. I have 2 weeks at the end of august, and 3 young children ranging from 1-4yrs. Without appearing to be too lazy does anyone have a good itinery I could use? I am hoping to go to France or Scotland.

I have looked on a website I found on here that rated campsites, but this only seems any good if you know where you are going!! I think I have to start planning now - esp as we are going in a popular season, so hoping for a head start!

Also any advice on camping essentials would be very welcomed?

[AngeloEvs]

Apart from all the usual items, insect repellant and bite ointments were needed when we were there but a good idea to have those in your first aid kit wherever you go, have great hols, its quite spectactular up in the Highlands but France is about as good as it gets for motor caravanning. With Children you will probably need campsites and France has an abundance of them....just look for the 'Camping Municipal' sign as virtually every town and village has one....and they are sooo cheap!

[alkers]

Hi, france sounds good. Do you have to book in advance though - or is there plenty of availability in peak summer?

[AngeloEvs]

Ferry crossings or campsites? You will generally always find a municipal campsite somewhere but some of the very popular places can be fully booked as they are excellent value for money, the only time we had a problem was down on the south coast but always found a good site a few miles inland. As for ferrys, depends which crossing you are using, Dover has so many crossings and operators that you can turn up but you may find cheap deals booking in advance. Norfolk Lines are pretty cheap!

[TheSwirlies]

Hi, I am planning my first long break in my new devon T25. I have 2 weeks at the end of august, and 3 young children ranging from 1-4yrs. Without appearing to be too lazy does anyone have a good itinery I could use? I am hoping to go to France or Scotland.

I have looked on a website I found on here that rated campsites, but this only seems any good if you know where you are going!! I think I have to start planning now - esp as we are going in a popular season, so hoping for a head start!

Also any advice on camping essentials would be very welcomed?

Hi,

My sister and brother-in-law have camped (in tents rather than cans!) through these guys in France - http://www.rcn-campings.fr/index_gb.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I emailed a couple last week about taking a van and they said that it would be OK, and they all look pretty good.

Have fun!

Matt

[TheSwirlies]

Hi, france sounds good. Do you have to book in advance though - or is there plenty of availability in peak summer?

Meant to add - we've just come back from a holiday in France (not camping) but the little towns that we drove through in Burgundy seemed to have places where you can empty any waste out from motorhomes which are free.

[Madwitch]

If you're going to France buy yourself the Aires book from Vicarious Books. It lists loads of free and cheap stopovers, some with facilities. The Campings Municipale are cheap but tend to attract a rowdier crowd and if you have young children you might want somewhere quieter.

A group of us did the Crozon Peninsular last year - fabulous beaches. Bit of a trek from the Calais end, but if you don't want to drive too far, the Plymouth/Roscoff ferry takes you within about 50miles.

Think there may be some pics on the gallery but if not, Jed the Spread has a good website called Baby on Board - I think he has a linky thing under his signature if you can find one of his posts.

Have fun!

[grumpyoldgit]

We went down the west coast of France last summer and tried to use the Campings Municipale wherever possible. They are cheap but we found them well run and clean. I did not notice any rowdiness. They also tend to be on the edge of town rather than being miles away so once we arrived in a town or village the van was then parked for the duration. We are off to the Loire for two weeks this summer. Lots of Chateaux and wine. Perhaps not for the youngsters just yet!

[AngeloEvs]

The only rowdy site I have ever experienced in France was a large privately owned one down on the South coast - municipal have always been excellent and our first choice very time - some of the village ones are free but they hope/request you will visit the village centre and shop there!

[Ian Hulley]

some of the village ones are free but they hope/request you will visit the village centre and shop there!

Many are attached to (and sponsored by) the local Mayorie and some are part of a local 'Champion' or '8 a 8' supermarche carpark.

Ian

[mikey9]

As you were looking at the Highlands too......

A great tour would be similar to the one we just did the top North West of Scotland - the beaches are as good as you get - anywhere! (Pics coming soon)

Get yourself over to Oban whichever way you fancy then over to Barra - up the Hebrides to Lewis - back in to Ullapool - across to Inverness - then Aviemore (Glenmore) then head back South. Depending on your kids - and their expectations it can be wonderful - our appeared to enjoy it plenty (0.6 and 2.6 yrs).

There is a good two weeks there - can't guarantee the weather - and the midges can be bad if there is no wind - especially in the west and forested areas - esp by august (only being honest - best time for Scotland is May - Early June I reckon).

Personally - if I was South of Birmingham - I would head to france - and do exactly what the others suggest - camping municipals have always been good to us - cheap and good. And if you make your own entertainment (don't expect a clubhouse and pool!).
If you need more details of the Northern Choice - PM me - or reply to this. - Have a good one

[alkers]

Hi, thanks for all your replies. France sounds like a good bet, and that RCN website looks like a great place to aim for- staying at municples onthe way down. Checked out ferry fares briefly today though, and they are looking at about 450pounds from newhaven or portsmouth. Guess have to look at dover next- prob cheaper.

But the 450 is a killer esp as can't save on petrol when over there (apparently as expensive as here now) andthe poor euro conversion. So highlands may still be an option - dispite midges. Interesting that you say spring / early summer is best though, I will bear that in mind. And thanks for the locations as a guide. Will look on map and may get back for more info.

We have our first outing in our first van this weekend - Jolly Henley on Thames. Staying at Swiss Farm campsite. Very excited!! Will also be considering the patented parcel shelf bed on the hol - thats you isn't it Mikey? See if we can fit it in somehow. Our Devon has a high mattress though, so may need to make legs. We'll see.

[jonnyshowbiz]

cheapest ferry crossing is Norfork Line, Dover, Dunkirk cheap as chips, I live in bournemouth and its cheaper to go to dover and cross rather that poole which is 5 miles away!
also speed ferries are cheap, also if you go to Dunkirk you can nip into belguim which is great for camping across to luxemburg - cheapest petrol in europe also very cheap for smokers! and drinkers then south from there

good luck as previously stated you can't really go wrong in france campsites everywhere and you can pay as little as 8 euros a night, petrol is expensive right across europe now often more than here, I would suggest you plan what you want to see

[Grantourer]

Hi. there is also another ferry company just started up in Dover, noticed them when I came back from a job in Germany, they are LD Ferries http://www.ferrysavers.co.uk/ldlines.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; may be worth a try.

Regards, Graham

[alkers]

Hi, thanks for that link grandtourer. LDlines seem to do more unusual routes, like the idea of Bolougne or dieppe - better an hour on the ferry than on the road I think. And at the mo quite cheap. More like 150.00. But at the mo, we are nervous with our new van because the cab gets really hot. (1982 Aircooled) So maybe the plans for a long distance hol are on hold.....