European travel
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Discussion

Terrence79

Original Poster:

160 posts

182 months

Monday 12th July 2010
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Hi all

Just signed up to this forum because im planning my summer holiday with my girlfriend, we are planning on touring round France and im after some advice from anyone who has done this sort of thing, hints & tips etc. Which would be the best breakdown cover to opt for etc. Any input gratefully receved.

Regards

Tom

ps we will be doing the tour in a Tvr s3 (hopefully!)

cen

593 posts

252 months

Wednesday 14th July 2010
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There are a few little things that you should know like you are expected to carry a spare set of lamps in case of emergency headlight, stop lamp etc etc. In France you are also required to have the same make tread pattern fitted on the same axle.

The AA RAC as previously mentioned should give you the full list of requirements

dougc

8,240 posts

282 months

Wednesday 14th July 2010
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Watch for the car bottoming out on the ramps on and off the ferry.

I know the horrible sound of the pipes scraping along the ground all too well....

Simon.b

1,230 posts

299 months

Thursday 15th July 2010
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The AA web site is good for all the things you need to know about driving in European countries.

As for insurance I personally stick with the big companies as I don’t want the risk of the smaller cheaper companies not being able to provide a service when I need it abroad. Might be daft but it makes me feel better and for these short term extension type policies the extra isn’t that much.

If you’ve never used the ferries before I can recommend P&O Dover Calais, reasonable price, very easy to book and use, short trip, not too fussy if your not on time (unless you hit a busy one that’s full), never had a problem with ramps, haven’t taken the Griff though, but the Box is low with a long front overhang.

The French motor ways are normally only two lanes but are relatively quiet and good if you want to cover long distance quickly and worth the tolls, don’t speed though. The rest areas are basic but clean and quite frequent.

Petrol doesn’t seem to be as widely available as in the UK and after hours a lot of places use credit card pay at the pump. This isn’t as bad as it sound’s because it checks your card first and spits it out if no good rather than keeping it.

Once your on the D roads in the middle of nowhere you wont want to come home

Enjoy.

Terrence79

Original Poster:

160 posts

182 months

Thursday 15th July 2010
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That's for the info, out of interest how bad are the ramps on ferries, the exhaust is pretty low!!

Tom

ewenm

28,506 posts

262 months

Thursday 15th July 2010
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I found an advantage of Eurotunnel over the ferries was that I had half an hour to fiddle with the car to prep it for Euro driving (headlamp deflectors, GB sticker, etc) and on the way back also used the time to replace a headlight bulb. Ferries usually don't allow you to stay with the car so you can't sort out any niggly bits and pieces.

ukwill

9,544 posts

224 months

Thursday 15th July 2010
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do you need to put a sticker on if you have a plate with the GB sign?

ewenm

28,506 posts

262 months

Thursday 15th July 2010
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ukwill said:
do you need to put a sticker on if you have a plate with the GB sign?
As long as it's got the 12 star circle and the GB label then you're fine, no need for another GB sticker.