Probably the best time for motorhome fans is the travel season. Explore the country behind the wheel of the mobile home. Stop where you like. Decide for yourself how long your stay at the location lasts before you continue your journey. It is particularly exciting to take several weeks or even months and explore an entire continent: Europe. Some people will be amazed at how diverse Europe is. Varied landscapes, different cultures, interesting people and lots of new experiences are waiting to be discovered.
Basics of selecting targets
With 47 countries in Europe, it is almost impossible to visit all places in one trip. What is even more advantageous is that Germany and Austria are relatively in the middle of Europe. This means that on a trip to Europe you can specifically explore the northern, southern, western or eastern regions.
To the north is predominantly the Scandinavian region with Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. But the Baltic states such as Latvia and Lithuania also belong to northern Europe. To the east lie Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
The southern region of Europe extends across many, including smaller, countries. From Italy to Slovenia and Croatia to Greece. Each of these areas has its own typical landscape characteristics. In addition, some of the southern countries impress with their predominantly summer temperatures. It is therefore advisable to choose your destinations depending on the time of year or to take the season into account depending on your desired destinations.
Preparations for the trip
Regardless of which part of Europe you choose, the right preparation for a long journey is the be-all and end-all.
- The right vehicle
At the beginning, everyone should consider whether they want to rent or buy a caravan for their trip. If the trip is intended to last a few months, or if further trips are planned in the future, a purchase may well be worthwhile. The mobile base does not necessarily have to be brand new. For example , used motorhomes can also be found on wohnmobil-galerie.de . Having your own motorhome gives you greater independence and more flexibility. If you decide to rent a vehicle, it is advisable to travel in the low season, as rents are lower at that time than in the high season.
The choice of car type should also be carefully considered beforehand. If you value an integrated toilet, a shower and a small kitchen area, you should at least choose an alcove motorhome. If you like it even more spacious, partially or fully integrated vehicles are also available. However, it must be remembered that with a normal Class B driving license you can only drive vehicles up to a maximum of 3.5 t. Anyone who still has a class 3 driving license is lucky and can still drive motorhomes up to 7.5 t.
- Rules and regulations
Each country has different regulations. In many European countries there is a requirement to have daytime running lights, different speed limits on the roads or the requirement to carry a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher or safety vest. Before you start your journey, you should therefore find out about the traffic regulations in the countries you are traveling through.
Applicable rules must also be observed when camping and staying overnight. In Germany, one-time overnight stays are permitted in most parking lots. Other countries such as Bosnia or Portugal do not allow overnight stays in public spaces. Still other countries allow overnight stays, but expect approval from the local authority.
It is therefore easier to orient yourself at the official parking spaces when traveling. The parking spaces listed here are current and can also be filtered according to specific requirements. Anyone who values an on-site fresh water supply or WiFi can access these parking spaces specifically.
- The right luggage
Of course, your luggage should also be adapted to the location and duration of the trip. Sufficient water and electricity is particularly important in sparsely populated landscapes. Weatherproof clothing, games and activities for the time in between and enough food to last a few days without the next bulk purchase. If you don't have much travel experience yet, you can also find out more about checklists for motorhome travel .
Places worth seeing in Europe
Europe is extremely diverse. Some people may initially feel overwhelmed by the number of options available to travel. However, some of the most popular places should not be missing from the planned itinerary.
Nature and culture in Sweden
Sweden is one of the most popular travel destinations for campers. There are official parking spaces in almost every area. When it comes to sleeping in a caravan on public areas, the Swedes are also less strict than other countries.
Sweden's landscape is particularly impressive because of the amount of untouched nature. Lonely lakes, vast forests and lush vegetation make time stand still. But the cities also have their charm and provide an insight into the Swedish culture. The local people are often very open-minded. The cuisine is very similar to ours, but there is more fish on the plate.
Delicacies in Merano (Italy)
For travelers in September or October, Merano should be on the itinerary. It is the northernmost province of Italy and has an above-average number of sunny days. The southern flair of the city and the picturesque alleys invite you to take a leisurely stroll. There are also lots of cultural events and festivals here in summer and autumn. Jazz festivals, music weeks and wine festivals allow visitors to take part in cultural customs and come into contact with the residents. Meran also has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. From April to December, the market stalls of the region's farmers sell home-made products such as fruit, vegetables and sausages.
Luxurious on the Cote d'Azur
Also well worth seeing, although a bit more expensive, is a camping stay on the Cote d'Azur. On the beach you can enjoy nature, the wide view of the sea and the partly exotic vegetation. To experience the cultural side of France, you can make a short stopover in the nearby cities. Well-known and beautiful cities such as Nice, Saint Tropez or Cannes can all be reached and visited in the immediate vicinity.
Image sources:
1) Pixabay.com, ©MemoryCatcher CC0 license
2) Pixabay.com, ©whatsnewuk CC0 license
3) Pixabay.com, ©Saalenixe CC0 license
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