What should I do after booking a European motorhome tour?

1. Book a flight to and from Germany. Depending on the tour you need to fly to Frankfurt, Hamburg or Duesseldorf.

2. Bring a valid passport, a valid driver’s license and international driver’s license, a credit card and personal items such as medications and clothing.

 

What about passports, visa, driver’s license?

Each person must have a passport valid through the return date. Visas are not required for American or Canadian citizens visiting the countries on our tour. Whoever drives the motorhome needs a valid US or Canadian driver’s license. In addition we strongly recommend that you obtain an “International Driving Permit”, available at most automobile clubs.

 

Should I bring cash, traveler’s checks or credit cards?

Do not bring cash to change into Euros because you would get the worst exchange rate plus you have to pay an expensive fee. Traveler’s checks can only be cashed at a bank. We recommend bringing your credit card. Credit cards with an international PIN can be used at ATMs throughout Europe to obtain cash in the local currency. The most accepted cards are Visa and MasterCard. There is an ATM right at the airport where you arrive.

 

How much money will I need for fuel?

In Europe the prices for diesel and gasoline are higher than in the USA. Nevertheless you won’t spend more for fuel on our tours than you would in the USA because the motorhomes get 25 miles to the gallon. For example: in 2009 the costs for fuel on the tour to Italy (2,260 miles) were about $ 550.

 

How much money do I have to calculate for daily expenses on the tour?

Since the rental, the campground fees, sightseeing tours and entrance fees - as listed in our itineraries- are already included in the tour price, you will spend money for buying food, diesel or souvenirs. (Some meals in fine restaurants are included in the tour price, too) The prices for groceries are similar to the prices in the USA. Restaurants are usually more expensive, but in most of the countries you tip only 1-2 Euros depending on the bill. On the tour to Italy and to France & Spain we will have some toll roads.

 

 What facilities are at the campgrounds?

The campgrounds where we stay all have good showers and restrooms. Some of them have a swimming pool; most of them have a little restaurant and a small grocery store. 

 

Are there laundries?

The campgrounds have washing machines and dryers, sometimes Maytag but mostly European brands. We are there to help you to operate them! They are more expensive than in the USA. There are always sinks where you can wash laundry by hand. In European campgrounds you can dry your laundry on a clothesline outside. 

 

How many RVs are in the caravan?

Not more than 12, usually less.

 

How do we communicate within the caravan?

We provide you a handheld radio for the duration of the tour.

 

 Do you go caravan style?

Yes, unless you want to go on your own. We travel only in small groups and we leave enough space between the motorhomes so that local traffic can merge in. Going in a group you don't need to worry about where to make the next turn and how to figure out the strange signs in a foreign language. You will get excellent, detailed trip logs for every day. In case you don't want to follow the caravan  the trip logs can help you to find the right way.

  

What time do we start in the morning?

Depending on the itinerary between 8 and 9 AM. If we have to be on time for a ferry ride (UK and Greece tours) we may start earlier.

 

Do we drive on the Autobahn? How fast do we drive and how many miles a day?

Driving on the Autobahn is pretty much like driving on an interstate. Different is that on the Autobahn there is a speed limit of 50 miles for trucks (not for our motorhomes) and there are many parts where trucks are not allowed to pass. The far right lane is for slowly moving vehicles, the far left lane for the fastest. Do not pass another vehicle on the right. We usually drive 55-60 mls/hr when we are on the Autobahn but most of the time we go on local roads. The average miles of driving are 60 to 150 miles a day. We have frequent stops for rest and taking pictures. We do not drive every day.

 

Can I bring my GPS?

If you want to bring your GPS you will need to get Europe maps for it. We can provide you the coordinates of the campgrounds we visit.

 

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag, sheets and towels?

No, we will equip the rentals with bedding, sheets, towels, dishes, camping chairs and so on. Just bring your personal items such as clothing, your medication, and a camera.

 

Can I bring my lap top for internet access?

There are not as many WiFi signals in Europe as in the USA. If a campground offers WiFi they will also charge for it. Many campgrounds have an internet corner where you can use their computers. There are internet cafes in most of the cities. However, you could bring your lap top to download pictures from your camera etc.

 

Can I use my electrical  appliances?

Electric power in Europe is 220 Volts.  For American standard 110 V appliances you need a transformer that converts the current from 220 V to 110 V and a plug adapter to use a European socket. The simplest solution is to bring dual voltage appliances with a socket adapter kit.

 

Can I keep the rental motorhome for some more days or weeks after the tour?

If you want to extend the rental period just let us know in advance, and we will arrange it for you.

 

Is the insurance for the rental motorhome included?

Yes, the motorhome is insured for liability with unlimited coverage for personal injury and property damage or loss, and full vehicle collision coverage with EURO 1,000 deductible per accident and EURO 300  per comprehensive damage claim.