by Holly Tribe
Caravanning in Europe may seem like a daunting and expensive prospect to the uninitiated. But as anyone who has taken the leap across the Channel will tell you, if you do your homework and prepare well, guaranteed sunshine and the open road is just a short ride away.
Although the British pound has suffered a bit of a hammering in recent months, and a European touring holiday may seem uneconomical given the current exchange rate, there are still budget-friendly choices for the discerning traveller. Caravanners wishing to organise their finances before they leave British shores have a number of options to keep their spending in check.
ACSI Camping Card
ACSI members are entitled to bargain camping during the low season. There’s a total of 2,109 sites across 19 countries and card holders can receive discounted rates in the early or late seasons with pitches costing EUR 11,13 or 15/ night. The ACSI card costs £11.99 for one year and covers two people and their caravan/motorhome, 6 amp electric hook up, use of showers and a pet. The discount scheme generally excludes the last two weeks in July and all of August, so do check dates before you head off.
Camping Cheques
This scheme offers flat rate vouchers for use at European caravan sites. Caravan Cheques sell vouchers at a pre-determined price for use in up to 600 parks across 29 European countries. Cheques cost £13.95 each and cover the price of an overnight stay for two with electric hook-up.
Pet Passports
Just because you’re leaving the UK for you holidays, doesn’t mean you have to pay extortionate kennel fees to leave your pets at home. Since April 2000 dogs and cats have been allowed to travel to mainland Europe without quarantine restrictions. Owners need to get their pets’ micro chipped and obtain a pet passport. Dog owners are required to get their animals treated for tapeworms and ticks 24 – 48 hours before they return to the UK. For more information on pet passports visit the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
Keep safe on the road, and avoid unnecessary fines from the local gendarme. Halfords sell a car kit for around £30 which contains compulsory items for motoring in most European countries. The requirements differ from country to country, so it’s always best to check exactly what you need to carry in the car before you set off, but here’s a quick checklist to get you started:
- GB stickers
- Headlamp beam adaptors to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers
- High Visibility Vest
- Spare headlamp bulbs
- First Aid Kit in a strong dirt proof box
- Warning Triangle
- Glasses – if you wear glasses or contact lenses it is a legal requirement in some countries to carry a spare pair
Check the road rule for each country you intend to visit before you set out to avoid getting caught out on any legal anomalies specific to individual countries.
