Caravaning Europe Info needed
I'm going to Barcelona, Spain in June and will rent a Mercedes RV to travel Europe. If you know about this subject please give me recommendations. I will be going to France, Germany, Italy and need to...
Forum Discussion
French RV mag "Le Monde du Camping-Car" annually publishes a special Vacances en Camping-Car that suggests where to go, lists the places you can stay, where you can get service. The publisher also puts out national guides to what we call RV Parks, another for campgrounds that allow RVs, another for parking places, another for beaches and seaside venues (the French seem to be particular about such distinctions). These are for France.
Publisher has regional guides for Brittany, the Atlantic povinces, the Midi, the Mediterranean, Morocco, and one for Europe generally.
If you can't find French RV magazines at a big newstand, you can order from the publisher online: www.boutique.editions-lariviere.fr
It helps if you read French.
I've seen similar offerings in Spanish and Italian RV magazines I've picked up while traveling, but have no special editions in my collections. My command of those languages is not so facile.
German-language ReiseMobil International (picked it up in Austria) had a huge classified section for venues in their May 2013 issue, and about 1/4 of the content was trips or destinations. Website: www.reisemobil-international.de
Spanish "Super Caravaning & Camping" picked up May 2009 was more focused on equipment. The publisher offers back issues, one advert looks like an offer of travel guides. Publishers website: www.grupov.es
Caution that GrupoV publishes a range of "enthusiast" magazines, so there may be a bit to wade through, to find what you might be seeking.
Licensing? If your rental is under 3500 KG GVWR, your "ordinary" U.S. DL is good where you are going, though it helps to have an "International Drivers License" (got mine through AAA) which is a translation of the particulars of your actual license. Should you have a need to present, you present both, if the official decides to pretend not to read English. They'll also want to see your passport, most likely. Your documentation needs to be more than 6 months away from expiration.
Rental agency should cover your insurance. I.E. sell you a policy to cover the rental. When you contract, you need to be clear about your intentions, situation for multiple countries may differ from staying in-country where you rent.
You might talk to your homeowner's insurer if you have one, maybe auto insurer, about umbrella coverage and international liability. With USAA, regularly covering members overseas, I didn't bother with additional coverage for the amount of driving I was doing in UK and EU.
For the countries you say you are going to, the tourist visa issued on your arrival will be good for all, you are staying within the Schengen immigration group. I have had Germany do a passport check, entering at a port, but not entering by highway. Things change if you are staying longer than the tourist period (varies by country, as do the workarounds, if trying to stay long read the blogs of those who have done it). I haven't done any stays longer than four weeks, so haven't woried about visa duration. Most recently have been two to six months, without anyone asking how long.
Don't get upset if a hotel or other hostel wants to see your passport, police review of visitors is still customary. I get itchy when they want to hold it, but sometimes there may be no choice.
Publisher has regional guides for Brittany, the Atlantic povinces, the Midi, the Mediterranean, Morocco, and one for Europe generally.
If you can't find French RV magazines at a big newstand, you can order from the publisher online: www.boutique.editions-lariviere.fr
It helps if you read French.
I've seen similar offerings in Spanish and Italian RV magazines I've picked up while traveling, but have no special editions in my collections. My command of those languages is not so facile.
German-language ReiseMobil International (picked it up in Austria) had a huge classified section for venues in their May 2013 issue, and about 1/4 of the content was trips or destinations. Website: www.reisemobil-international.de
Spanish "Super Caravaning & Camping" picked up May 2009 was more focused on equipment. The publisher offers back issues, one advert looks like an offer of travel guides. Publishers website: www.grupov.es
Caution that GrupoV publishes a range of "enthusiast" magazines, so there may be a bit to wade through, to find what you might be seeking.
Licensing? If your rental is under 3500 KG GVWR, your "ordinary" U.S. DL is good where you are going, though it helps to have an "International Drivers License" (got mine through AAA) which is a translation of the particulars of your actual license. Should you have a need to present, you present both, if the official decides to pretend not to read English. They'll also want to see your passport, most likely. Your documentation needs to be more than 6 months away from expiration.
Rental agency should cover your insurance. I.E. sell you a policy to cover the rental. When you contract, you need to be clear about your intentions, situation for multiple countries may differ from staying in-country where you rent.
You might talk to your homeowner's insurer if you have one, maybe auto insurer, about umbrella coverage and international liability. With USAA, regularly covering members overseas, I didn't bother with additional coverage for the amount of driving I was doing in UK and EU.
For the countries you say you are going to, the tourist visa issued on your arrival will be good for all, you are staying within the Schengen immigration group. I have had Germany do a passport check, entering at a port, but not entering by highway. Things change if you are staying longer than the tourist period (varies by country, as do the workarounds, if trying to stay long read the blogs of those who have done it). I haven't done any stays longer than four weeks, so haven't woried about visa duration. Most recently have been two to six months, without anyone asking how long.
Don't get upset if a hotel or other hostel wants to see your passport, police review of visitors is still customary. I get itchy when they want to hold it, but sometimes there may be no choice.
