Hi!
It's really amazing, that so many of you responded to my posting. I appreciate that very much and it is great a pleasure for me to give you some information about RVing in Germany. As you may know, Germans are people who like to obey rules. If you give them strict rules, you make them happy... ;-(
In most communities it is completely prohibited for owner of travel trailers to stay for the night on public places. So everyone uses commercial campgrounds. The rates are between 12 and 50 Euros per night - it depends on the time of the year and the quality of the facilities provided on the "Campingplatz", as it is called in german language. There are nearly 3000 commercial campgrounds all over the country.
For owners of motorcaravans the situation is better. The nationwide road traffic act allows an overnight stay on any parking site, if this is necessary to restore the drivers fitness. For the daytime there are many restrictions for the parking of motorcaravans. But especially the owners of this type of vehicles are increasingly looked upon as an economic factor. So many communities have created new types of pitches dedicated to motorcaravans. These are often downtown or at places of special interest - like in a harbour area, close to a museum, amusement parks, a thermal bath or other touristic places. Some are simple parking lots, but an increasing number provides electricity, waste disposal and sanitary installations. Rates are quite moderate between 5 and 15 Euros, but many of these places, called "Wohnmobil-Stellplatz", are even free of charge, and you only have to pay for electricity. Currently there are about 2300 facilities like this.
A "Stellplatz" only 200 feet away from a tradional brewery pub in the town of Soltau (Lower Saxony) is one of my favourite places. After an evening of "German Gemรผtlichkeit" you find deepest sleep and recreation... - and the next morning you can visit a thermal bath which is only 100 feet away - in the opposite direction!
I hope this gave you a first glance on RVing in Germany. I am aware, that the situation here can't be compared with the "Land of the Free" - Germany is the "Land of the Jammed" with around 80 million people on half of the acreage of Texas. If you do not make too many stops it is not problem to transit the whole country within one day...
Be sure: I will take my time, when I travel the US. Hopefully I will be counting in months, not in weeks. It only depends on the type of visa Uncle Sam will give me... ๐
Here are links to some pictures:
This is a nice little "Wohnmobil-Stellplatz" in East Frisia:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4en8bgmsg842dsy/vac5.jpg?dl=0
Another one nearby:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8lqthxejm9gf51m/vac1.jpg?dl=0
One of my favourite places:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ittwhj0mgllrzm/brewery%20RVing.jpg?dl=0
Believe it or not: This photo was taken only a few miles away from the place where I live. There are many people all over Germany, who really love America and the "American Way of Life":
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8s67sknrdaa9otb/flag3.jpg?dl=0
P.S.: I acquired my english language skills in school - that is more than 40 years ago now. My articulateness is quite limited, but I try hard to get better. So if you find strange or ridiculous phrases in my postings, please give me a hint in a personal message. I want to learn from the mistakes I make. Thanks!
