Camping How

Question:

My wife and I have recently started planning a two-month "budget" self-drive road trip across 14 East and West European countries. Could you please direct me to quality resources on the net or elsewhere (books — Rick Stevens?). Specifically, I am hunting for practical information including: details of camp sites (ideally with prices, et al), cost advantage of purchasing a second-hand van vs. renting one; second-hand 4X4 rental agencies, best country to start in terms of car hiring costs, etc. List of countries planned: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, England, 14. Scotland SD

Response:

You need to look up a general travel group.  This one is devoted to travel by RV (recreational vehicle) and its associated advantages and problems.  By default it has become mostly a North American forum with occasional contributions from the UK and Australia. The "Lonely Planet" series of travel books is very good for what you seek as is the old standby "Fodor" series. Regards, Tex Houston

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I have recently started planning a two-month "budget" self-drive road trip across 14 East and West European countries. Could you please direct me to quality resources on the net or elsewhere (books — Rick Stevens?). Specifically, I am hunting for practical information including: details of camp sites (ideally with prices, et al), cost advantage of purchasing a second-hand van vs. renting one; second-hand 4X4 rental agencies, best country to start in terms of car hiring costs, etc. List of countries planned: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, England, 14. Scotland SD

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I have recently started planning a two-month "budget" self-drive road trip across 14 East and West European countries. Could you please direct me to quality resources on the net or elsewhere (books — Rick Stevens?). Specifically, I am hunting for practical information including: details of camp sites (ideally with prices, et al), cost advantage of purchasing a second-hand van vs. renting one; second-hand 4X4 rental agencies, best country to start in terms of car hiring costs, etc. List of countries planned: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, England, 14. Scotland SD

Sorry, all my info would be dated since we last made the trip in 1984. However our experience was that all the information we had researched through AAA and the travel agencies was totally useless.  We were warned that trying to travel without reservations was hopeless, that hotels were extremely expensive and car rentals were too expensive.  All bogus. We spent 6 weeks, drove 10,000 Kilometers, visited 10 countries and had a blast.  We did not camp but stayed in small hotels and hostels.  Only 2 nights were without a private bathroom, most rooms included a hearty breakfast.  Our total expenses (not counting tickets from Minneapolis to Frankfurt) averaged $125 per day which was the same as we had been spending while traveling the U.S.  This included a new car rental. I would try to talk to people living in Europe.  If you plan on camping, find a camping group.  Be warned that campgrounds in Europe are expensive and crammed with people.  DO NOT GO IN LATE JULY OR AUGUST. The entire continent is on vacation. LZ

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Get the Europa Camping and Caravaning Guide. http://www.ecc-campingfuehrer.de/e_sitemap.htm Don’t rent or buy a gasoline-engined rig. The cost of fuel is very high. A VW Westfalia-style Turbodiesel has good power and fuel economy.   They can be rented in Germany and Netherlands. Think twice about Romania. We talked to a British trucker in Bulgaria and he advised against travel to Romania because of rampant thievery of motorists. Some Romanian immigrants here confirmed the dangers to tourists. YMMV. John Pinkham

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I have recently started planning a two-month "budget" self-drive road trip across 14 East and West European countries. Could you please direct me to quality resources on the net or elsewhere (books — Rick Stevens?). Specifically, I am hunting for practical information including: details of camp sites (ideally with prices, et al), cost advantage of purchasing a second-hand van vs. renting one; second-hand 4X4 rental agencies, best country to start in terms of car hiring costs, etc. List of countries planned: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, England, 14. Scotland SD

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Question:

Hi, Does anyone know where in the United Kingdom I can get insurance for an American Motorhome. I’ve got a Winnebago Chieftain, and I’m finding it difficult to get insurance. My current company (Comform Insurance) say that they have stopped covering these types of vehicles. I would like to put my email address for replies, but I’m frightened of Thanks, Steve Button. … rockingfrog.com (Hope that’s enough to foil those nasty spam bots. )

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Hi, Does anyone know where in the United Kingdom I can get insurance for an American Motorhome. I’ve got a Winnebago Chieftain, and I’m finding it difficult to get insurance. My current company (Comform Insurance) say that they have stopped covering these types of vehicles.

  You might ask on the UK newsgroup (uk.rec.caravaning ?) —– RV and Camping FAQ <http://kendaco.telebyte.net/rlindber/rv/ Cry bother and loose the Pooh’s of War

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I guess that’s a "NO" then. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Does anyone know where in the United Kingdom I can get insurance for an American Motorhome. I’ve got a Winnebago Chieftain, and I’m finding it difficult to get insurance. My current company (Comform Insurance) say that they have stopped covering these types of vehicles. I would like to put my email address for replies, but I’m frightened of Thanks, Steve Button. … rockingfrog.com (Hope that’s enough to foil those nasty spam bots. )

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Question:

Hi, The 23rd of july, Ironman Austria will be held. Reading the very beautifull booklet i’m quite disapointed to see how expensive the hotels are. Is anybody there, from austria or germany or elsewhere,  know where to find cheaper places to stay (for 12 persons)in the area of Klagenfurt (20 to 30 km). Thanks in advance

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Have a look at http://www.urlaubambauernhof.com It has plenty of farms, some of which are pretty cheap. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, The 23rd of july, Ironman Austria will be held. Reading the very beautifull booklet i’m quite disapointed to see how expensive the hotels are. Is anybody there, from austria or germany or elsewhere,  know where to find cheaper places to stay (for 12 persons)in the area of Klagenfurt (20 to 30 km). Thanks in advance

Response:

I don’t know if you are interested in caravaning or camping, but  there is a very nice campground adjacent to the swim start. Don’t have the name, but there should be some info on the web site. good luck ! Tony V – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have a look at http://www.urlaubambauernhof.com It has plenty of farms, some of which are pretty cheap. Hi, The 23rd of july, Ironman Austria will be held. Reading the very beautifull booklet i’m quite disapointed to see how expensive the hotels are. Is anybody there, from austria or germany or elsewhere,  know where to find cheaper places to stay (for 12 persons)in the area of Klagenfurt (20 to 30 km). Thanks in advance

Response:

I too am going to be in Austria for IM Austria.  We decided as a family to book an apartment for 4 weeks there and make it a major summer vacation.  We found that apartments were more reasonable, and if you get out of Klagenfurt a bit the prices do go down a bit.  We found a two-bedroom apartment that would sleep six people for about $100US a night.  That seemed to be about average for the places we looked at.  This place offers free access to the beach, a BBQ outside, free bikes for guest use, and a couple of other things.  Look in communities like Portschach, Villach, and stuff.  If you want more info, I can try and find the internet sites I used to book the stuff.  I did it all over the net, and the people I dealt with were really helpful and got back to me within a few hours of e-mailing them with my requests. OK, I’ve now rambled on long enough.  Hope this helps.  E-mail me directly and I’ll pass on more info. See ya in Austria, Ingrid Himmelman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, The 23rd of july, Ironman Austria will be held. Reading the very beautifull booklet i’m quite disapointed to see how expensive the hotels are. Is anybody there, from austria or germany or elsewhere,  know where to find cheaper places to stay (for 12 persons)in the area of Klagenfurt (20 to 30 km). Thanks in advance

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David Himmelman a

Question:

On the Park Service Web page it states that there is camping for tents and trailers. Does this mean NO Motor Homes? Chris —        General Camping FAQ and GPS information http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3472/        A Place to ponder the POND http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3472/newpond.html

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In 1996 we camped across the valley, north of the town of Mancos, up the mountain in a state park next to Johnson Resevoir.  The reason we chose that CG was our caravaning friends towed a 36′ 5er behind a Ford 4-dr PSD truck.  We drove their truck over to Mesa Verde and drove through that CG to see if we missed out on a good campsite.  Very few of the campsites were large enough to fit more than a 26′ TT or class C, let alone a tow vehicle.  And the CG road had very tight curves.  We were glad of our choice of CG’s and it wasn’t a long way to drive to/from Mesa Verde. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On the Park Service Web page it states that there is camping for tents and trailers. Does this mean NO Motor Homes? Chris —        General Camping FAQ and GPS information http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3472/        A Place to ponder the POND http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3472/newpond.html

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Post Script re Mancos and Mancos State Park….pardon the dusty road getting to the SP.  If you fancy hummingbirds, fill and put the feeder to see about five different species including Rufus.  They vie for airspace more than to feed on the nectar!  What great entertainment by the helicopters of nature!!  If Mancos SP is full, there’s another CG in the National Forest five miles further up the mountain.  It’s not a bad road nor steep, just usually dusty.  Golden Age Passport discount applies in the USFS CG. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On the Park Service Web page it states that there is camping for tents and trailers. Does this mean NO Motor Homes? Chris —        General Camping FAQ and GPS information http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3472/        A Place to ponder the POND http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3472/newpond.html

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May I suggest?    One alternative I can recommend is the private campground, A & A Mesa Verde RV Park, 34979 Hwy. 160, Mancos, CO 81328.  They are directly across the highway (same exit) from the Mesa Verde Park entrance.    We stayed there this spring, and I had the misfortune to have my starter self-destruct on the way there.  We stopped to register, and I couldn’t restart!  Without hesitation, the owners graciously towed my MH to a site, offered the loan of tools, use of office phone to call for parts, advice on where to get them, a ride into Cortez to get my starter rebuilt (very reasonably), and a ride back when done.    After all this, my offer to pay for all this assistance was politely declined.  These are good people!  FWIW, the campground is clean and neat, with good clean showers.  It’s not as modern/elegant as some, but they’re busy upgrading.  Give ‘em a try.  800-972-6620,  970-565-3517, or email to my .02. Rick Staples    ’And it is also said,..Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.’     ‘Is it indeed?.. Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.’  - Tolkien

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— Hi Chris, we just got back from a 3 week cross country trip. We

stayed 3 nights at Mesa Verde Nat’l Park, on our way back home, and loved it. There were MH at Morehead, but, there are weight and length limitations on the actual road up to Chapin Mesa and Wetherill. Past the Campground no towed vehicles or trailers are allowed. On the Wetherill Mesa road, no GVW of more than 8,000 lbs, vehicle length no more than 25. There is a store, cafe, gas, showers and laundry at Morehead Campground in the park.  YOu might check when you get there, but think the tour buses may run from the Morehead Campground cafe area, so you wouldn’t have to take your MH on the curvy windy roads up to Chapin Mesa. We did the self-guided tours, and still kept ourselves busy for the 3 days we were there! You need to get your tickets for the guided tours early if you can, they sell out quick! we never could get them in time, and were not patient about waiting in line when there was so much to see if we did the self guided tours. We really enjoyed our 3 nights at Mesa Verde, and want to go back again! Good luck, hope you enjoy Mesa Verde like we did. Bweeks Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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On the Park Service Web page it states that there is camping for tents and trailers. Does this mean NO Motor Homes?

Stayed in the campground three years ago.  Had a 36 foot Bounder diesel pusher.  No problems.  We couldn’t take the motor home beyond the campground but that was no problem.  So go on up and enjoy yourself. Gerry

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Question:

Hi, Does anyone know of any stores or companies in the UK that supply survivalist items ? Thanks for any help. — Dan

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The best places I’ve found are WS Supplies or Army & Navy stores other places are camping/caravaning shops, scout shops or outdoor pursuit shops. Good Hunting John P (Oxon) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Does anyone know of any stores or companies in the UK that supply survivalist items ? Thanks for any help. — Dan

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Question:

Don’t go to Tijuana.  If you like to add pins to your map make do with one less pin. BillM37401

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In the USA/Canada, the trip will take us through California (including Yosemite, San Francisco and Los Angeles, Coast Road), Oregon, Washington, into British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria, Revelstoke), Alberta (Banff, Jasper, Edmonton), back to Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and back to California. Our main interest is National Parks, but the kids will want to visit the theme parks, etc.

  Remember that by Oct it will be late fall to early winter in the high country of Montana, Idaho, etc. It starts snowing in Yellowstone, Glacier in Sept.  Also Jasper, etc don’t see melt until late June. The summers are shorter in this area then you are used to. We would also like to visit other places (Chicago, Ann Arbor, Memphis, Niagara Falls, Pittsburgh, New York, Washington DC, Orlando), but because many of these places are a long way apart, it may be best to fly into some of the towns and hire a car.

  Maybe, Maybe not… there’s lots to see between also. We will have about 2 months in North America.

  This doesn’t match the June-Oct you gave before? You may not be able to see everything you’ve talked about in this short a time. (a)     Which RV to use?

  There are very few rentals of tow vehicles and trailers. You would need a large vehicle and a trailer. Not as stable to tow as they could be, unless it’s a fifthwheel and crew-cab/super-cab pickup.  There are a number of rental companies that rent either Class C or A motor homes. Mostly class C. (b)     Should I rent or buy an RV?

 For as short a time as you are talking it’s cheaper to rent then take the right-off of new gear. Buying used could help, but you have to allow for the time it would take to sell on the end. (c)     After leaving the USA at the end of August, we will fly to London and travel around British Isles and the Continent (Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France). We will probably just hire a car in Britain, but are considering a motorhome on the Continent. I have been told it is best to hire the motorhome on the Continent (to avoid problems with driving a right-hand-drive vehicle which would be rented in England). Does anyone have any experience (and advice) in renting (and using) a motorhome on the continent? What recommendations do you have for the best rental firms?

  One of the guys I work with did this last year and -loved- it. He made his arrangements via family in Germany. If you get the UK newsgroups, you might check on uk.rec.caravaning for more information. Ralph — RV and Camping FAQ <http://kendaco.telebyte.net/rlindber/rv/ They call it "Sur’n the Net" ’cause you can wipe out so easy

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With my wife and three children (14, 12 and 2 years) I intend travelling in USA/Canada and Europe during June-October, 1997.  I would greatly appreciate some advice on three matters: (a)     Which RV to use? (b)     Should I rent or buy (and resell)? (c)     Where can I hire an RV in Europe? I have read the FAQ, but have only just started receiving this Usenet group. In the USA/Canada, the trip will take us through California (including Yosemite, San Francisco and Los Angeles, Coast Road), Oregon, Washington, into British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria, Revelstoke), Alberta (Banff, Jasper, Edmonton), back to Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and back to California. Our main interest is National Parks, but the kids will want to visit the theme parks, etc. We would also like to visit other places (Chicago, Ann Arbor, Memphis, Niagara Falls, Pittsburgh, New York, Washington DC, Orlando), but because many of these places are a long way apart, it may be best to fly into some of the towns and hire a car. We will have about 2 months in North America. Our questions: (a)     Which RV to use? As we will not spend any more than a couple of days in any one place, and will need to get into the towns as well as the outdoors, I believe we need either a small motorhome (Class C) or a trailer (we call them caravans). I see the advantage of the trailer as the ability to unhitch at a RV park and drive around the area. The disadvantage of a trailer is having to rent or buy both a vehicle and a trailer. What do you recommend? (b)     Should I rent or buy an RV? The cost of renting an RV for two months may not provide any cost benefit over renting a car and using motels (but a benefit of being self-contained). Therefore, unless I can negotiate a reasonable rental fee for 6-7 weeks, it may be best to buy the RV and resell at the end of our vacation. Of course the problem of selling the RV (at the end of August) before moving on to the East Coast and Europe, must be faced. The prospects of holding an unsold RV is a worry. Is there any scope in the USA for a dealer to sell an RV with a pre-arranged (and contracted to make a few thousand dollars) buy-back price? The issue of insurance costs must also be considered. What advice do you have for us? (c)     After leaving the USA at the end of August, we will fly to London and travel around British Isles and the Continent (Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France). We will probably just hire a car in Britain, but are considering a motorhome on the Continent. I have been told it is best to hire the motorhome on the Continent (to avoid problems with driving a right-hand-drive vehicle which would be rented in England). Does anyone have any experience (and advice) in renting (and using) a motorhome on the continent? What recommendations do you have for the best rental firms? I apologise for the long posting, but any advice would be appreciated. Department of Geographical Sciences and Planning University of Queensland, St.Lucia, Australia. — Geographical Sciences and Planning           Telephone: +61 7 336 56526 University of Queensland, Australia, 4072    Facsimile: +61 7 336 56899

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Question:

My Fiancee (soon to be wife) and I will be camping across Scotland for our honeymoon.  We want to spend some time near Edinburgh, Stirling, Inverness, Ben Nevis and Skye.  Can anyone give me any general (or even specific) information about camping in Scotland?  I have a number of guidebooks, but few of them spend more than half of a page talking about camping, and none of them talk about availability during the high season.  Do we need to get there early (we are only tenting, not caravaning) or are tent spots not at a premium? Thanks for any help, Jonathan & Sara

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My Fiancee (soon to be wife) and I will be camping across Scotland for our honeymoon.  We want to spend some time near Edinburgh, Stirling, Inverness, Ben Nevis and Skye.  Can anyone give me any general (or even specific) information about camping in Scotland?  

There are community campings in Edinburgh and Inverness. I wouldn’t recommend the one in Edinburgh, it is a 20 min (bus)drive to get there and the surroundings are NOT at all interesting. If you want to stay in Edinburgh for a few days, stay in a hotel or B&B near the centre of the town! That is probably the atmosphere you want to tast/feel/see! The one in Inverness is one of the best I’ve seen in Britain! and just on a 10 min walk from the city centre. If you want to climb the Ben Nevis (near Fort William) campsites are not hard to find. At least 2 sites are situated in Glen Nevis. You can fill your view from your tent with the bulky figure of Ben Nevis … These sites are on a 30 min walk from the centre of Fort William, with its pubs and Guinness! It is worth it because the Glen dominated by the Ben is a very beautyfull one. From this Glen there are several nice rambles, the tourist information will help you out. Camping on Skye isn’t a problem at all! Sites are located all over the island. More in general … on most of the Ordanance Survey maps campsites are indicated, otherwise tourists information offices can provide you with a list of sites in the area. Or even better … pick your own site!!!!! You are free to pitch down your tent where ever you like, if it is near a farm/village ask for permission. If there isn’t a living soul around … look for a nice spot and enjoy your stay. However, keep the site and the water clean! Know the country code and mountain code! I have dedicated a few pages on walking in Britain … http://escher.earth.ruu.nl/~keijzer/lopen/ldfp.html I have a number of guidebooks, but few of them spend more than half of a page talking about camping, and none of them talk about availability during the high season.  Do we need to get there early (we are only tenting, not caravaning) or are tent spots not at a premium?

Camp sites near towns can be busy, in august even very busy. I always managed to find a spot, if you’re only with a tent (no car?) there is always a small spot free where your tent can be fitted in. An other advise … dump the guidebooks! If you’re looking for a site ask! In a big town ask the tourist information. In a (very) small town at the post office, bar, shop (if available) … and if there is no site, ask where you can pitch up your tent!!!! Have a nice stay! Thomas. — http://escher.earth.ruu.nl/~keijzer +31 30 2535045 tel +31 30 2535030 fax Dept Geochemistry                               Institute of Earth Sciences                       Universiteit Utrecht                                 The Netherlands Tjielp tjielp – tjielp tjielp tjielp …

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Camping on Skye isn’t a problem at all! Sites are located all over the island.  More in general … on most of the Ordanance Survey maps campsites are indicated, otherwise tourists information offices can provide you with a list of sites in the area.

I was told there is at least one flaw on the OS-map for the South of Skye: the campsite drawn in at Luib does not exist. I would recommend the site at Sligachan.  A pub with good bar meals is across the street and it is a good base for walks (with waterproof walking boots!) through Glen Sligachan and on Bruach na Frithe, which offers a fantastic view of the Cuillin ridge. Or even better … pick your own site!!!!! You are free to pitch down your tent where ever you like, if it is near a farm/village ask for permission. If there isn’t a living soul around … look for a nice spot and enjoy your stay.

I remember a lot of No-Camping-signs in Glen Brittle and along the street from Kyle to Portree.  So you probably have to look for a place off the main (tourist) routes.   Joern

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Question:

Did I say Chamonix-Innsbruk? Hmmm. Meant Chamonix Zermatt…

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Did I say Chamonix-Innsbruk? Hmmm. Meant Chamonix Zermatt…

–         I have spent the last 6 months in the capital of Switzerland, Berne. While there I hiked many of their trails called Wanderwegs. Unlike the US, there are thousands of them so don’t try to do them all. Also unlike the US almost every single Swiss hikes, you can find  more than half the country on them on Sunday. These trails tend to be marked with yellow signs showing the distance (Kilometers) and where they are headed. There are also many ruined castles along these trails somtimes not shown on the map. There are also no shortages of trail maps once there.Camping is also popular there, however many guides are in German. I recommend buying a book called Europa Camping + Caravaning or ECC. There is one caution, the cost of things there. Steak is Triple Most things are double Swiss army knives and camping gear is mostly cheaper.

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I’m thinking of heading off to the Alps in August. Did the Tour du Mont Blanc last year and I’m thinking of the Chamonix-Innsbruk ‘Haute Route’ this time. Anyone done it? Worth doing? Are there any other good high level routes in the area? Or in the northern hemisphere (he said, suddenly opening a whole host of possibilities…) Suggestions welcomed, especially if they involve easy snow/glacier work (ie walking not climbing) Thanks.

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