Advice/Tips Appreciated For Travelling in Europe

[Midlife Ska Band]

Hello

Go easy on me

We're planning on a trip to Italy mid July this year, with a stop over in France and a couple in Switzerland.

I've never been out of the UK in the motorhome, except Ireland if that counts and was wondering if any of you had any advice or tips?

Anything i need to do to prepare the bus, Anything to avoid or be wary of, there's probably tons of stuff, but a few basic pointers would be great.

Can you wild camp or is it advisable to use sites/aires etc.

I've got my insurance sorted and about to sort some breakdown cover.

Thanks in advance

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We did our first trip this time last year, you do need to get the various screen stickers for the LEZs otherwise apart from remembering bum in the gutter it's okay over here, we set off on the 27th and went up into Belgium from Dunkirk, down into Luxembourg, then Switzerland, and now we're in France just south of Toulouse, we're on our way to Logrono tomorrow or Wednesday, it a doddle mostly, few speed cams but excessive speed bumps on most zebra crossings, slow right down 10mph ish, some very creative town planning at some T junctions and all roundabouts you need to show right down for those as well.

 

[Midlife Ska Band]

We did our first trip this time last year, you do need to get the various screen stickers for the LEZs otherwise apart from remembering bum in the gutter it's okay over here, we set off on the 27th and went up into Belgium from Dunkirk, down into Luxembourg, then Switzerland, and now we're in France just south of Toulouse, we're on our way to Logrono tomorrow or Wednesday, it a doddle mostly, few speed cams but excessive speed bumps on most zebra crossings, slow right down 10mph ish, some very creative town planning at some T junctions and all roundabouts you need to show right down for those as well.

Thank you for that, I'll have a look into the stickers, I've not seen anything about that, I'll have a Google

 

[Pudsey Bear]

It's the crit air for France only a few quid,

Apply online for a Crit'Air sticker (air quality certificate) for a vehicle registered in France (Online service)

The approach is available in English, French and German. Carte grise carte grise Steps to follow: 1- Prepare the vehicle registration certificate (Certificate of Registration) and a credit card2- Enter the requested information3- Pay the vignette (3,81 € postage included)4- You receive a...

entreprendre.service-public.fr

 

[Burge]

It's the crit air for France only a few quid,

Apply online for a Crit'Air sticker (air quality certificate) for a vehicle registered in France (Online service)

The approach is available in English, French and German. Carte grise carte grise Steps to follow: 1- Prepare the vehicle registration certificate (Certificate of Registration) and a credit card2- Enter the requested information3- Pay the vignette (3,81 € postage included)4- You receive a...

entreprendre.service-public.fr

That says for a vehicle Registered in France ???? Is it the same Form for us over here , ie vehicle Registered in the UK .

 

[Burge]

Is it this one

Accueil eng - Vignette Crit'Air

Crit’Air Sticker France Order your sticker Crit’Air Sticker France France has followed other European countries and has issued environmental badges for road vehicles. An environmental badge or an environmental sticker, « Crit’Air » is a sticker which you stick on the windscreen of your car, just...

se-vignette-france.com

 

[TJBi]

Is it this one

Accueil eng - Vignette Crit'Air

Crit’Air Sticker France Order your sticker Crit’Air Sticker France France has followed other European countries and has issued environmental badges for road vehicles. An environmental badge or an environmental sticker, « Crit’Air » is a sticker which you stick on the windscreen of your car, just...

se-vignette-france.com

NO!!! I have not gone all the way through the ordering process on that site, but you will almost certainly pay a hefty premium. Use the link posted by @Pudsey Bear which takes you to the French government website.

 

[TJBi]

<Snip>

Can you wild camp or is it advisable to use sites/aires etc.

<Snip>

What's a "site"?

France, for example has an extensive network of motorhome aires, some for parking only, some for services only, many with both. You will find many of them on the wildcamping.co.uk Location App, together with numerous wilding locations, many of them in superb locations. Another good resource for finding aires in France and throughout Europe is CampingCar-Infos.

 

[runnach]

Hello, have a look through this section and the numerous threads by various member’s, eg, the comprehensive RoaminRog Italian Gadabout , which I am looking through at the moment, as we will be heading to Italy soon.

 

[jeffmossy]

Hello Becky
Don't forget some roads are Toll roads so you need to plan your route, either using tolls or the toll free roads, most sat navs have the option to switch tolls on or off when planing your route, there are lots of free Aires in France so as suggested download one of the popular apps, most of all enjoy and make sure you are back for our November Rally at Goosnargh

 

[Midlife Ska Band]

What's a "site"?

France, for example has an extensive network of motorhome aires, some for parking only, some for services only, many with both. You will find many of them on the wildcamping.co.uk Location App, together with numerous wilding locations, many of them in superb locations. Another good resource for finding aires in France and throughout Europe is CampingCar-Infos.

Great thank you, they'll be really useful.

 

[Midlife Ska Band]

Hello, have a look through this section and the numerous threads by various member’s, eg, the comprehensive RoaminRog Italian Gadabout , which I am looking through at the moment, as we will be heading to Italy soon.

Thank you, will have a look

 

[Midlife Ska Band]

Hello Becky
Don't forget some roads are Toll roads so you need to plan your route, either using tolls or the toll free roads, most sat navs have the option to switch tolls on or off when planing your route, there are lots of free Aires in France so as suggested download one of the popular apps, most of all enjoy and make sure you are back for our November Rally at Goosnargh

Cheers Jeff, you never know, might like the Amalfi Coast a bit too much and stay

 

[jeffmossy]

Have a read of Roaminrog trip to Italy, plenty here to wet your taste buds, https://motorhomer.com/threads/italian-gadabout.46005/

 

[rugbyken]

the italian aire equivalent are sostas it’s a few years since i was there but most of the big city ones are like park & rides with services you can overnight and catch a bus multiple times to visit the cities , i think ive still got a guide book & road atlas somewheres i could bring up to barlick for you or give to mick

 

[RoaminRog]

Hi Becky,
Make sure you have a UK sticker on the back, and not a GB sticker.
Italian roads are crap, potholes all over the place, keep your wits about you!
There are so many aires and sostas, many of them free, but aim to be parked up for the night by 3pm otherwise you may struggle to get a place.
Set yourself an easy pace ie two hours driving in the morning and two hours after lunch, then stop and smell the roses!
If you would like a toll tag, check out Fulli, formally Mango, they cover Italy as well as France Spain Portugal.
Looking forward to Goosenargh in November…….stay safe!

 

[Trotter]

One major piece of advice.
Yorkshire Tea bags. As an estimate, 1.5 times what you reckon you would need. In some circumstances, they can be exchanged when bartering or possibly as a bribe.
Okay, a bit tongue in cheek. BUT, on my last trip to Spain, a box was gratefully received as a birthday present to an expat.

As others have implied, take your time, it isn’t a race. There could be something worth seeing just around the next corner. Enjoy

 

[GMJ]

You'll need a vignette upon entering Switzerland. Or if you are over 3500kg, there are other methods to pay. Best to research it.

If entering Austria, again a vignette is required if you are using toll roads and/or motorways. Again if over 3500kg, there is a different system involving an electronic on board unit. Tbh we always cross through Austria en route to Italy and never bother as the non toll roads are lovely.

If over 3500kg in France you'll need 3 Angles Morte stickers/magnetic signs.

Don't forget to have 2 x high viz vests/jackets on board. We keep ours hung behind the drivers and passengers seats so they are visible to any copper. Also you'll need at least 1 if not 2 warning triangles.

Do you have a bike rack and bikes? If so you'll need a red/white striped reflective warning sign on the back denoting that there is a protuberance on the back. For Italy it needs to be made of metal.

We have found campsites in Italy to have smaller pitches than other EU countries so if you are planning on using campsites and are over, say 7.5m in length, it may be worth checking ahead or doing some research if you are set on a place.

 

[Eaglesman]

Hello

Go easy on me

We're planning on a trip to Italy mid July this year, with a stop over in France and a couple in Switzerland.

I've never been out of the UK in the motorhome, except Ireland if that counts and was wondering if any of you had any advice or tips?

Anything i need to do to prepare the bus, Anything to avoid or be wary of, there's probably tons of stuff, but a few basic pointers would be great.

Can you wild camp or is it advisable to use sites/aires etc.

I've got my insurance sorted and about to sort some breakdown cover.

Thanks in advance

Just come back from Greece so did what you’re doing. If you’re taking an animal, more to consider, if not ,just read the above comments All correct, but I didn’t worry about the bike plaque. Spent 4 weeks in Italy on the way. I didn’t use any sites. Use common sense where you stay, and not recommended to stay on a motorway aire. Particularly in France. Diesel cheaper on the continent. Enjoy

 

[runnach]

Just come back from Greece so did what you’re doing. If you’re taking an animal, more to consider, if not ,just read the above comments All correct, but I didn’t worry about the bike plaque. Spent 4 weeks in Italy on the way. I didn’t use any sites. Use common sense where you stay, and not recommended to stay on a motorway aire. Particularly in France. Diesel cheaper on the continent. Enjoy

Can I ask why you “do not recommend not to stay on a motorway aire”? We have stopped overnight on both types of aires, fuel dispensing and non fuel dispensing, I do prefer the latter. We have never had any issues at all.

Have you had a bad experience?