WINDSWEPTISLANDER wrote:

I wonder if anybody has the time or the inclination to write a difinitive guide?

There can be no such thing. Every country has its own legislation. This year, France is changing rules concerning speed trap warnings and breathalyzers, next year probably Spain, Switzerland or Sweden... In my experience, the caravanclub sites give you great information about rules per country. Even though you are not taking a tintent with you, these websites may be a help.

I have travelled though NL, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, France and Italy using the LR satnav with no problems at all. Although it receives many complaints on here, none of them is mine. I'm not saying it is the best system out there, but it does what is needed for me.

You are listing about half of Europe, different kinds of countries. I'd suggest you tell us what you are looking for and no doubt people will tell you where to find it. Starting with the Alps, you will find them in Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France... but I guess that's no news? .

Regards,

Wiljo

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there can be no such thing

Ah, you can't put a price on experience

Thanks for the responses, what we enjoy on holiday is usually a fair bit of walking, a bit of culture, some magnificent landscapes and something we haven't done before. Loved Iceland with their unsurfaced roads, deserts and river fordings, magnificent waterfalls and hot springs. should I expect any of that in Europe? I suspect not.
I do tend to be over ambitious in my itineraries. That's a bit of why I've planned a sort of loop, leaving in the ability to shorten it if (when) the need arises.
As to the Sat Nav, I would happily use the Land Rover system, but so far as I can tell my one doesn't cover Europe, just the UK, I got a bit of a surprise when I looked into the price of an up to date Europe disk. Buying a tom tom on Ebay and then flogging it seemed like a cheaper option.

I understand what you're saying about changing laws etc, I guess that's partly why info is so hard to come by. I had thought that perhaps i.e Halfords would have a facility where you put in your vehicle make/model and it gives you a list of essential items depending on what country(ies) you're visiting.

On the other hand, I have driven through/round both Norway and Iceland on several occasions with no extra kit than just a GB sticker, if you're not speeding just how likely are you to get pulled over? Is anybody aware of a travel company that will help you get sorted with what you need to stay leagal beforehend?


Probably very elimentary questions I know but I haven't found anybody in Shetland with much experience of taking their car to Europe.

Just arrived through the post: the 'lonely planet' guide to each of these countries, some bedtime reading methinks.

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I use an iPad to store info for my trips and look for free wifi abroad to avoid roaming charges

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I would avoid wild camping in light of stories of robbery and worse - stick to areas with people

Hadn't even thought of that never even occured to me until you mentioned it.

Thanks too for the caravaning websites, I will have a careful trawl through these, interestingly none of them mention needing a spare bulb kit, which is something I remember my grandad having when I was just a boy because 'it was the law in France'

Does look like these have just about all the info I will need thoug, so thanks again for that

Any and all advice still greatfully recieved, anybody got breakdown cover experience? Good or otherways.

muddywheels4wd wrote:

Been a lot of stories of vanners being knocked out with gas through vents and waking up to find everything gone especially in picnic/rest areas

That does not make me feel safe, and we're planning on tenting

Should this post be changed to 'How to stay safe camping in Europe'

I'll need to find somewhere really safe to hide the keys when sleeping, I'll maybe take a gas alarm with me...

WINDSWEPTISLANDER wrote:

muddywheels4wd wrote:

Been a lot of stories of vanners being knocked out with gas through vents and waking up to find everything gone especially in picnic/rest areas

That does not make me feel safe, and we're planning on tenting

Should this post be changed to 'How to stay safe camping in Europe'

I'll need to find somewhere really safe to hide the keys when sleeping, I'll maybe take a gas alarm with me...

Gas alarm is not a bad idea, I recently bought one for use in the caravan. Still have to mount it though.

As muddywheels says, stick to places with people. Camp sites are usually closed (with fences) during the night... That is not because someone will steal the trees . If you go and look for them, there are numerous stories of people getting robbed but many more that don't write down they werent robbed.

Btw I got warned that in France, people will throw an egg onto your windscreen from a bridge or similar. You will use the wipers which will turn your windscreen into a blind. You will stop at the next exit and... Get robbed obviously. Hope it helps somebody.

Regards,

Wiljo