6 Month European Tour in a Campervan.
Discussion
Annoyed with our current workloads and seemingly constant long hours, me and the other half are considering giving it up to go on a 6month tour of Europe, we have minimal ties holding us back so now seems to be as good a time as any to go.
Looking for any advice and tips, good links etc. this is in the very early stages so assume we know nothing!
What do we need to know/do before we go?
We currently have a 1970 VW Camper still wondering if this will be the best vehicle for the job...
Looking for any advice and tips, good links etc. this is in the very early stages so assume we know nothing!
What do we need to know/do before we go?
We currently have a 1970 VW Camper still wondering if this will be the best vehicle for the job...
Agree with Heretic, do it in your VW and enjoy creating some lifelong memories.
I did 4 months in NZ with my OH in a pop top '84 Hiace with a non turbo diesel and a column shift! It was biblically slow, wasn't completely reliable, but it had character and we loved it. Wouldn't have been quite the same in something modern.
I did 4 months in NZ with my OH in a pop top '84 Hiace with a non turbo diesel and a column shift! It was biblically slow, wasn't completely reliable, but it had character and we loved it. Wouldn't have been quite the same in something modern.
TheHeretic said:
Well, I've no idea how reliable a VW camper can is, but that sounds like a fantastic trip. Hope you go through with it. Of you do, take a go-pro, and take lots of pics. Could well be an interesting blog!
Thanks - I've had the van for a bit over a year and so far it's been 100% reliable with regular(ish) use but that's probably 3k miles over 12months as opposed to a potential 15-20k over 6 in warmer climates - my biggest concern is comfort/space..A basic mechanics course may also be benificial.
Thanks for the responses so far.
I have today purchased a European wall map so we can hopefully pin point some areas to visit and then plan the route to suite.
Can anyone recommend a good blog site or am I better off starting a Website (I have no idea how to do this BTW) - potentially, could I sell advertising space on either a Blog or Website to help with trip funding? I'm not sure the site / blog would be that popular so doubt I will get much interest from the advertising point of view...
As I need more info / think of things I will keep my questions to this topic.
This is the van;
I have today purchased a European wall map so we can hopefully pin point some areas to visit and then plan the route to suite.
Can anyone recommend a good blog site or am I better off starting a Website (I have no idea how to do this BTW) - potentially, could I sell advertising space on either a Blog or Website to help with trip funding? I'm not sure the site / blog would be that popular so doubt I will get much interest from the advertising point of view...
As I need more info / think of things I will keep my questions to this topic.
This is the van;
Edited by tjdixon911 on Monday 12th August 13:50
Unlikely you would be able to use it as a means of generating income. BUT, what it might do is get you some good local media attention and/or used as an incentive to blag some freebies along the way if you mention that you are doing a blog etc and a couple of local rags are following your progress...
Blogspot/Wordpress would be your best bet. You want something you can easily upload pics and text to from wifi spots that might not be that fast.
Have a look at Ben's blog.
http://80breakdowns.com/
Blogspot/Wordpress would be your best bet. You want something you can easily upload pics and text to from wifi spots that might not be that fast.
Have a look at Ben's blog.
http://80breakdowns.com/
matt3001 said:
Unlikely you would be able to use it as a means of generating income. BUT, what it might do is get you some good local media attention and/or used as an incentive to blag some freebies along the way if you mention that you are doing a blog etc and a couple of local rags are following your progress...
Blogspot/Wordpress would be your best bet. You want something you can easily upload pics and text to from wifi spots that might not be that fast.
Have a look at Ben's blog.
http://80breakdowns.com/
Thanks - I will give them a look later on.Blogspot/Wordpress would be your best bet. You want something you can easily upload pics and text to from wifi spots that might not be that fast.
Have a look at Ben's blog.
http://80breakdowns.com/
this lot have managed it for almost 2 years our trip
I did it in a type 2 in the late 80s through France Spain and portugal
now we are contemplating again but this time with a shower toilet and proper bed
some things are important, and more to the point allow you to live in the wild not on camp sites
wild not wind
I did it in a type 2 in the late 80s through France Spain and portugal
now we are contemplating again but this time with a shower toilet and proper bed
some things are important, and more to the point allow you to live in the wild not on camp sites
Edited by willmcc on Monday 12th August 18:23
wild not wind
Edited by willmcc on Monday 12th August 18:24
Tom,
Hope this helps......!
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/camper-...
I
Seriously, just do it - if I could, then I'd travel around America in a mahoosive RV for the rest of my days. I'm very jealous of your planned trip.
Cheers, Jon
Hope this helps......!
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/camper-...
I
Seriously, just do it - if I could, then I'd travel around America in a mahoosive RV for the rest of my days. I'm very jealous of your planned trip.
Cheers, Jon
Edited by JONSCZ on Monday 12th August 22:05
Check out www.volkszone.com excellent for what you wish to do.
This Thursday 15th,16th,17th & 18th is the big Volkswagen camper concentration on the Isle of Wight at Northwood, lots of like minded people there.
If you want to see the most conversions anywhere in the world in one place then get yourself to the Caravan Salon Dusseldorf the 30th August until the 8th September, right next to Dusseldorf Airport, the best exhibition you will see for Motorhomes, Overlanders and all things to do with it, I can't remember how many Halls there are something like 11,and all different from the smallest to the largest, and the camping/motorhome fields are enormous.
This Thursday 15th,16th,17th & 18th is the big Volkswagen camper concentration on the Isle of Wight at Northwood, lots of like minded people there.
If you want to see the most conversions anywhere in the world in one place then get yourself to the Caravan Salon Dusseldorf the 30th August until the 8th September, right next to Dusseldorf Airport, the best exhibition you will see for Motorhomes, Overlanders and all things to do with it, I can't remember how many Halls there are something like 11,and all different from the smallest to the largest, and the camping/motorhome fields are enormous.
JONSCZ said:
Tom,
Hope this helps......!
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/camper-...
I
Seriously, just do it - if I could, then I'd travel around America in a mahoosive RV for the rest of my days. I'm very jealous of your planned trip.
Cheers, Jon
I'm not sure that does help but thanks..Hope this helps......!
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/camper-...
I
Seriously, just do it - if I could, then I'd travel around America in a mahoosive RV for the rest of my days. I'm very jealous of your planned trip.
Cheers, Jon
Edited by JONSCZ on Monday 12th August 22:05
Kneetrembler said:
Check out www.volkszone.com excellent for what you wish to do.
This Thursday 15th,16th,17th & 18th is the big Volkswagen camper concentration on the Isle of Wight at Northwood, lots of like minded people there.
If you want to see the most conversions anywhere in the world in one place then get yourself to the Caravan Salon Dusseldorf the 30th August until the 8th September, right next to Dusseldorf Airport, the best exhibition you will see for Motorhomes, Overlanders and all things to do with it, I can't remember how many Halls there are something like 11,and all different from the smallest to the largest, and the camping/motorhome fields are enormous.
Thanks, I'd forgotten about volkszone, I used to be a member so will go give it another look.This Thursday 15th,16th,17th & 18th is the big Volkswagen camper concentration on the Isle of Wight at Northwood, lots of like minded people there.
If you want to see the most conversions anywhere in the world in one place then get yourself to the Caravan Salon Dusseldorf the 30th August until the 8th September, right next to Dusseldorf Airport, the best exhibition you will see for Motorhomes, Overlanders and all things to do with it, I can't remember how many Halls there are something like 11,and all different from the smallest to the largest, and the camping/motorhome fields are enormous.
magooagain said:
You will need to plan the trip with weather conditions in mind.
Your camper may be a tad cold in winter conditions.
What date do you intend setting off? It will make all the difference if you catch good climates.
Recovery insurance would be one of the first on my list also.
The plan is to depart March / April 2014 so it should be a Summer trip for most of it... Your camper may be a tad cold in winter conditions.
What date do you intend setting off? It will make all the difference if you catch good climates.
Recovery insurance would be one of the first on my list also.
Hi Tom, We are currently half way round our 5 month Europe tour in our Campervan, I was fed up with my Groundhog Day life so bought a camper and now we go where we like when we like, the most helpful blog for us was www.europebycamper.com we also started our own blog of our travels which is aptly named www.bertthemerc.blogspot.com
We have a budget and try to stick to it as much as possible but with so many exciting things to see and do in Europe it has to be slightly flexible but we do manage on £1000 a month, we are currently in Montenegro and although not as cheap as non EU countries, you can live here for nothing!
I will struggle when the time comes to go back to work, but before that we are off to oz for four months, if your going to have a year out do it properly hey!
We have a budget and try to stick to it as much as possible but with so many exciting things to see and do in Europe it has to be slightly flexible but we do manage on £1000 a month, we are currently in Montenegro and although not as cheap as non EU countries, you can live here for nothing!
I will struggle when the time comes to go back to work, but before that we are off to oz for four months, if your going to have a year out do it properly hey!
This may be an unpopular view but a VW camper would a long way down the list of vehicles I'd choose. I know it's cool and romantic and looks great in photos but for the majority of the time it needs to be an effective tool for you, not just a companion.
The main issue is they're too slow, which you may not think is an issue as you're just cruising round at your own pace, but when you have to do a three point turn halfway up an Alp because the engine simply can't pull the thing up there, while a massive queue of irate French people shout at you (as happened to a mate of mine), they suddenly don't seem so cool.
I know a lot are modified though so if you've strapped a V8 to it you might be OK.
It's a fantastic thing to do though so good on you. My and the missus did a similar thing round Australia ( here's our blog) and loved every second of it. We ditched our crappy Mitsubishi campervan halfway round and bought a 4x4 instead...
SidewaysSteve: will be checking your blog out at lunchtime! Do you find Bert is a bit too big at times?
The main issue is they're too slow, which you may not think is an issue as you're just cruising round at your own pace, but when you have to do a three point turn halfway up an Alp because the engine simply can't pull the thing up there, while a massive queue of irate French people shout at you (as happened to a mate of mine), they suddenly don't seem so cool.
I know a lot are modified though so if you've strapped a V8 to it you might be OK.
It's a fantastic thing to do though so good on you. My and the missus did a similar thing round Australia ( here's our blog) and loved every second of it. We ditched our crappy Mitsubishi campervan halfway round and bought a 4x4 instead...
SidewaysSteve: will be checking your blog out at lunchtime! Do you find Bert is a bit too big at times?
Edited by durbster on Wednesday 21st August 11:30
The OH, a friend and I did London to Mongolia. As much as I love Europe, compared to the rest of the trip it was safe, a bit boring and very expensive. Once you get further east you have a lot more freedom and can live on just a few pounds a day. On top of that fuel costs a pittance and you'll see some of most amazing and unspoilt places.
If you play it safe and stick to Europe, I highly recommend plitvice lakes in Croatia as a must see.
If you play it safe and stick to Europe, I highly recommend plitvice lakes in Croatia as a must see.
I personally would do it in a 1970's camper either, as they don't have enough space and wouldn't be the most comfortable places. Fine for a month, but 6months - gulp although I have done a couple of trips in France with mates in a 1970's camper when I was in college and loved it - you also get made welcome in camp-site with a classic camper and it usually starts off conversations.
We have been thinking about doing the same as I might be losing my job soon and want to spend more time with the twins. We looked at either a proper camper with shower, toilet or getting a T5 camper with air-con and all the mod cons.
Either way let us know how you get one would be very interested to know.
We have been thinking about doing the same as I might be losing my job soon and want to spend more time with the twins. We looked at either a proper camper with shower, toilet or getting a T5 camper with air-con and all the mod cons.
Either way let us know how you get one would be very interested to know.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff