Trip advice please

[TeriAnn]

It appears like I will be seeing enough money by the end of this year to ship my Dormobile to Europe for an extended driving vacation in 2010.

So far my European travel experiences have been limited to about 10 business trips total into the UK, France Germany, the Netherlands and a single vacation where I camped Roverless at the Billing LR meet in '96. If I can manage everything I would be shipping my Petrol Land Rover Dormobile over and living in it, including cooking. It would just be me alone. I was thinking 3 or 4 months before heading home to the States.

I would like to hit a couple major UK Land Rover meets (nothing like driving my own Land Rover into a big Rover gathering) and a major LR swap meet. I prefer traveling in rural and country areas to cities. Actually I prefer not to travel in major cities. I expect to be driving alone on an American passport. I would like to do a lot of photography and am especially interested in visiting and photographing older ruins.

I have a vague idea of visiting the UK, Ireland, Spain and where? It would be nice to see the ruins in Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. Morocco? I have heard that the drive from Sweden, down into Russia and Eastern Europe would be worth taking. I would like to have a safe sight seeing adventure and worry that a woman driving and camping alone might have problems in certain areas.

So I'm looking for ideas. Which would be the best UK Land Rover events to hit? When are they? What drives would be best to get lots of sightseeing off the beaten path and take lots of scenic pictures and pictures of old ruins? Where is it not safe for a woman with an American passport driving and camping alone? Are there people traveling together in vehicle caravans that I might hook up with for parts of the trip? I'm sure people familiar with an area could show me places that I would totally miss on my own.

Thoughts? ideas? suggestions?

[Godlykepower]

Hey Teri-Ann

The list of places for you to potentially visit, is endless.

You mention a 3-4 month time-scale, which may seem like quite a lot, but I personally think is very little time, especially as you mention several places that are VERY far apart, with a LOT to see and do in between.

For example, assuming you ship your vehicle into the UK, you simply have to visit Scotland. My second favourite country in the world after South Africa, and you could easily spend 3 months there alone. Easily.

If I were you , I would try and narrow my horizons a little, or greatly increase my time-frame.

I would start off in the UK, and time either the beginning or the end of the trip to coincide with the big Land Rover shows (mainly in summer); and do a circular route through northern France, Eastern Europe, heading down to central or Southern Italy, and back through the South of France.

Even with this relatively modest route, you could spend a couple more months on the drive.

Martin

[Gazzar]

I agree with what he said, Europe is fairly big.

Have you factored in fuel prices?

In Ireland we are paying around 1.20 euro per litre, 5.50 Euro an imperial gallon, which is 4.54 Euro a US Gallon (I think).

That is roughly 6.50 dollars a gallon. I think, my calculation skills are a bit numbed by some 16 year old Bushmills.

The UK pays more I think.

Having said that Scotland is wonderful, highlands are very dramatic.

The middle of Ireland is littered with ruins, abandoned houses, castles and can be very photogenic (my wife does photos).

As for safety, if you take reasonable precautions you will be at a low risk, and I'm sure people on the forum will offer parking space for a couple of nights if you are in their area. Avoid towns, but use caravan parks, simple things. France and Germany are very well set up for RV and other campers, with municipal sites that are very high quality. You could tap into the camper van circuit as they often have rallys.

As for autojumbles then I went to the Sodbury Sortout last May, which was great fun, based in Beaulieu, New Forest, beside the motor museum, which had the 4th landrover, ever.

I've just checked with the wife and, so long as you can handle the kids, dogs and general piles of scrap landrovers about the place you are welcome to stay here. Just PM for details.

G.

[reads90]

I agree with what he said, Europe is fairly big.

G.

And America is not

Will find that the USA is bigger than Europe anyway. So i expect she will be used to the size. Just changing country every 5 mins will confuse her

[TeriAnn]

And America is not

Will find that the USA is bigger than Europe anyway. So i expect she will be used to the size. Just changing country every 5 mins will confuse her

Probably. I think the nearest country to me is about a thousand miles away. It might be fun to do France, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg & Germany just to see how many countries I could visit in an hour

I don't think twice about a 2 or 3 thousand mile drive and am used to 2 or 3 hundred miles between interesting areas. And, sometimes stopping every hundred feet or so because I see something interesting to photograph. Last week I drove a little over 350 miles each way just to chat with someone in LA for a couple hours. Last summer I drove 1000 miles each way just to attend a half week Land Rover gathering. The distances you are writing about so far don't seem all that much to me. As I recall Paris to the Normandy coast was only a couple hour drive. It might be fun to do a loop around the Mediterranean if it is safe enough.

I expect this to be a once and a lifetime drive for me and the price of fuel is likely going to be cheaper than paying for lodging and restaurants. Of course I do find myself wondering if I could ship my truck in a container with full fuel tanks (42 US gallons).

Please keep those ideas coming and don't limit yourselves to local driving. I understand the Pyrenees mountains are worth a visit and have some good off road trails.

[reads90]

Probably. I think the nearest country to me is about a thousand miles away. It might be fun to do France, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg & Germany just to see how many countries I could visit in an hour

I don't think twice about a 2 or 3 thousand mile drive and am used to 2 or 3 hundred miles between interesting areas. And, sometimes stopping every hundred feet or so because I see something interesting to photograph. Last week I drove a little over 350 miles each way just to chat with someone in LA for a couple hours. Last summer I drove 1000 miles each way just to attend a half week Land Rover gathering. The distances you are writing about so far don't seem all that much to me. As I recall Paris to the Normandy coast was only a couple hour drive. It might be fun to do a loop around the Mediterranean if it is safe enough.

I know what you mean as i live in Australia.

But alot of people in Europe , think europe is large, and alot bigger than USA or Australia and it is a major thing to drive across or around it

I had somone on here once ask about driving around Europe and i surgested a few things because i have driven right around Australia. He got quite rud and said to me what do i know about driving distances . he was driving across europe and though many counties. Alot further distance that just pottering around Australia It was then i showed him a map of Australia over the whole top of Europe . Which makes Europe look tiny

[reads90]

. It might be fun to do a loop around the Mediterranean if it is safe enough.

Unless you have another counties passport . They won't let americans into Libya so that could be a problem . And with an American passport it can be fun around the bottom of the med counties

[Rich_P]

I had somone on here once ask about driving around Europe and i surgested a few things because i have driven right around Australia. He got quite rud and said to me what do i know about driving distances . he was driving across europe and though many counties. Alot further distance that just pottering around Australia It was then i showed him a map of Australia over the whole top of Europe . Which makes Europe look tiny

But do you get car parks as part of your road network?

[TeriAnn]

But do you get car parks as part of your road network?

Umm, what's a car park? A parking lot or perhaps what Americans call rest stops?

[pedro]

TeriAnn. In my opinion, 3-4 months is no where near long enough, but you sure could see many sites in that time. Having driven across many areas of the world, the United states is very geared up for long distances, freeways, cheap gas, yes even in CA! The roads in Europe, I find can be slow going through countryside, motorways expensive (but very fast mostly) and gas/petrol prices horrendous. One of the major advantages of coming to the UK, is the attractions in a relatively confined place and of course if the Landie breaks down, you will find the best people to help fix it! Perhaps a good logistical solution might be Long Beach Port to Felixstowe Port for the car ($1500?) i shipped a mustang from Miami to Felixstowe for ($1000 inc all taxes) The other major plus is that the UK is very safe, especially for a woman travelling alone, usual health warning about that of course. Route wise, you may want to head to Scotland, stunning scenery all the way up and you could find good campsites all the way up. Then say head into mainland Europe via channel tunnel for about $200. When I drove to Morocco from London, we covered around 4500miles in total, cost £450 in ferry fees, £650 in diesel and took a month, this felt like alot of driving at the time, as the Landies were at best doing 60mph. ps I have a farm in the UK, if you need to camp somewhere and a great Land Rover engineer with over 45 yrs experience, I am sure you wont find shortage of other offers of help here. Good Luck!

[tuko]

I have heard that the drive from Sweden, down into Russia and Eastern Europe would be worth taking. I would like to have a safe sight seeing adventure and worry that a woman driving and camping alone might have problems in certain areas.

TeriAnn,

Scandinavia is a place that you don't want to miss. Many Europeans travel to these parts to enjoy the easy way of life and beauty. In Denmark, Sweden and Norway each country has an extensive Land Rover network including thriving clubs. The club forums all have English sections to give advice and answer any questions. Actually traveling as an English speaking person, it is much easier here that in say Eastern Europe where German is a more common spoken second language. Many have made the comment that they felt safer traveling here than in Eastern Europe.

I have a number of friends who have traveled over here to visit the country and of course a safe place to stay at, so if you do make it over the invitation is open to you and your dormobile.

Todd.

[David Sparkes]

Umm, what's a car park? A parking lot or perhaps what Americans call rest stops?

I've no direct experience of America, but I suspect 'parking lot' is the best equivalent description to 'car park'.

When car and park are used together it means the car is stopped, and usually left.

So you can park a car in a car park and walk to local shops.

You can park a car on the side of the road in a town or village, and walk to the local shops (or walk a scenic trail, or walk in a 'park' (area of grass land, often with flowers and trees, purely for short duration walking).

'Car Park', does NOT infer any other facilities, (toilet (loo), rest room, fuel station, cafe, restaurant, picnic area, etc).

Your question highlights another point, which I'm sure you will cope with. As well as moving from country to country, with borders and different local customs and language, English terminology also changes. You will be aware of the car based differences between American and UK English (hood v bonnet, to name but one), but as your example shows, there are probably an awful lot more, away from cars. This probably applies again as you move into mainland Europe, but I'm not qualified to comment, because I've never been.

You haven't mentioned bringing a pet, so I'm assuming you are not. If you are, you need to ask about 'pet passports', and any restrictions that may follow. Again, one of the things I don't do is own a pet animal, but I understand in the UK it's common to have an identity chip inserted under the skin so that identity can be proved, and misplaced pets re-associated with their carers.

I would also endorse 'Scotland', some points of interest are mentioned here http://www.ejames.co.uk/pictures/jogle/joglediary.html

Good Luck

[santalars]

My suggestions for destinations are:

Ireland West Coast

Schottland

River Rhine in Germany

The Alps (Austria)

Mediterranian Sea (e.g. Croatia, Greece, Italy, France)

Cities to See: London, Heidelberg, Vienna, Rome

In terms of thefts you should be a bit carefull in Croatia and Italy.

Everywhere else is just as good or bad as the US.

[nicks90]

if you're driving in the UK, i have to say you MUST get your car shipped to portsmouth. From there drive north west via salisbury plain and then into wales, drive through the northern welsh mountains, then skip into england and drive north through the lake district, then hang a right over to the east coast at the scottish boarder and head south through yorkshire and into derbyshire.

there you have it. the best countryside and views in the world!

Job done, you can then go home a happy woman.

[Troddenmasses]

salisbury plain and then into wales, drive through the northern welsh mountains, then skip into england and drive north through the lake district, then hang a right over to the east coast at the scottish boarder and head south through yorkshire and into derbyshire.

Ireland West Coast

Schottland

River Rhine in Germany

The Alps (Austria)

Mediterranian Sea (e.g. Croatia, Greece, Italy, France)

Cities to See: London, Heidelberg, Vienna, Rome

In terms of thefts you should be a bit carefull in Croatia and Italy.

I have to agree with both of the people quoted above - the further East and South East you go in Europe, the more local knowledge I have found that you need to be safe. As for being a woman alone - in Western Europe, that just means that people would be more likely to stop and help. From your first post, you seem to be a little worried about travelling on an American passport - certainly in Western Europe, that wouldn't be a problem at all. I would be tempted to keep things low key - as soon as you are in mainland Europe (Schengen space) you won't need to show your passport to get from one country to another. If anything goes wrong, you can just do what Americans have always done in Europe - tell everybody that you are Canadian

I am sure that you will have a fabulous trip - why not contact loads of local Landy clubs in the countries that you are going to, and see if you can meet up?

[Mark90]

If anything goes wrong, you can just do what Americans have always done in Europe - tell everybody that you are Canadian

I have known americans who were traveling round the world, doing the gap year backpacking thing, that have gone as far as sticking a maple leaf flag on their backpacks. Opens many more doors, or is it gets fewer slammed in your face

[tuko]

I have known americans who were traveling round the world, doing the gap year backpacking thing, that have gone as far as sticking a maple leaf flag on their backpacks. Opens many more doors, or is it gets fewer slammed in your face

LOL

How true!

[FridgeFreezer]

But alot of people in Europe , think europe is large, and alot bigger than USA or Australia and it is a major thing to drive across or around it

I don't think it's the size of the place - after all, the UK is tiny. It's the sheer density of stuff in each country - think how old the UK is compared to the USA, we have pubs here that the early settlers of the US set off from. There's a hell of a lot of empty space in the US and Aus compared with Europe, and thousands of years of history.

3-4 months is a fairly tight schedule, but it would be a very cool tour, long enough to fit in a reasonable stop in each country.

If you do ship the truck in via Portsmouth (where there is the odd bit of naval history kicking around) or Southampton then your first stop is sorted - I'm sure we can arrange a welcome party with the Shire LRC and perhaps a little off-roading too, and for camping, the New Forest would be a great introduction to the British countryside.

[Rich_P]

Umm, what's a car park? A parking lot or perhaps what Americans call rest stops?

Mr.Sparkes explained the literal meaning, and I'll explain the non-literal meaning.

In non-literal sense, it means be prepared to be sat in traffic for hours on end. Congestion can be quite a problem in some areas (e.g. M25 around London) and in towns.

[v8bertha]

Hi TeriAnn,

What a fantastic trip... good luck to you, I hope it works out for you! A few things to bear in mind with regards to getting spares. I vaguely remember reading your website some time ago. Spares and repairs shouldn't be too much of an issue, but remember that not many people run yank V8's here in the UK so sourcing parts may not be as simple as if its standard Landy bits you need.

When we did our USA trip we used a company called Kingstown Shipping, based in Hull to organise the container. They specialise in shipping cars from the US to the UK. Maybe worth a look.

Car Insurance is mandatory in the UK... It may be expensive so make sure you include this in any cost calculations you do. UK car insurance will generally cover you in Europe too, but read the small print as some UK companies like to limit the amount of time you can be aboard for.

The UK does suffer from a congested road network, so while it is easily feasible to travel great distances in a single day in the US, doing the same in the UK may present a problem.

Mainland Europe always seems to me to be much easier to navigate and far less chocka-block! Camp sites are usually fairly well signposted in the UK, but there are very few in and around the big cities.

Safety-wise I don't think you have anything to worry about here in the UK. Most of Europe is just as safe, if not safer. Usual precautions though, have a fake wallet/purse with expired credit cards and a small amount of cash.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned yet, but the Alps between France and Italy has some wonderful derelict fortresses. Camping up in the mountains is not an issue, I've done it many times. Nothing quite like watching the sun go down behind the mountains. Camp sites are common place if you want something a bit more civilised.

In the UK, my list of must see places:

The New Forest

Lake District

The Pennines

Wales

Devon & Cornwall

Scotland.

Best of luck to you, if you make it to Southampton I'm sure the ShireLRC boys and girls will make you welcome!

Dan :-)

[royAB]

As an ex-antipodean used to driving massive mileages with ease, NB V8Bertha's post - 'Europe' is not that big geographicaly, but short distances take a hell of a lot of driving because it is very congested.

[Godlykepower]

I don't think it's the size of the place - after all, the UK is tiny. It's the sheer density of stuff in each country - think how old the UK is compared to the USA, we have pubs here that the early settlers of the US set off from. There's a hell of a lot of empty space in the US and Aus compared with Europe, and thousands of years of history.

Exactly what I was going to say.

I remember once I met a guy in San Fransisco, and I told him that my pub was older than his country....he couldn't get his head around that!

Umm, what's a car park? A parking lot or perhaps what Americans call rest stops?

I think the implication here was that, with the state of some of our roads, there may be issues with sitting in traffic for so long, that it will feel like your in a car park/parking lot!

You know when the traffic gets bad in LA at rush hour in the evening? Well, on the big motorway that we have, that circles London, the M25.....when that is moving slowly, be prepared for a VERY long wait in a queue. I bet almost all of us will have a story about a queue they were in on the M25? My personal best....2 hours to cover under 3 miles.

'Europe' is not that big geographicaly, but short distances take a hell of a lot of driving because it is very congested.

Not necessarily "congested" either, I remember driving on the little twisty roads going through the Verdun Gorge (Teri Ann....seriously, go there, stunningly beautiful) and covering 100 miles in 5 hours. This was a mixture of hair-raising roads, and your head nodding back & forth like the Churchill dog....Oh, yes!

Anyway, whenever you DO get over here, I dont think you will be hard pushed for some company. It wont take very much for most of us to find some excuse to go off on a jaunt.

Martin

[TeriAnn]

I have known americans who were traveling round the world, doing the gap year backpacking thing, that have gone as far as sticking a maple leaf flag on their backpacks. Opens many more doors, or is it gets fewer slammed in your face

Harder to do if there is a California license plate on the truck A?

Good suggestions all so far. My main concern about my passport is the possibility of driving into Islamic countries. A lot of people have the mistaken idea that all Americans hate Muslims. But I would really like to get a picture of my truck with a Pyramid in the background and I would like to visit some of the ruins in Turkey. I have an ill defined notion of possibly hooking up with someone driving into that area going through as a group.

Where I have been in the UK so far: London, about 1-1/2 weeks total, Billing Aquadrome, 4 days camping, Edinburgh, 2 days, Glasgow, 1-1/2 days, Manchester, 1 day, Liverpool, 2 days. In other Countries, Paris for about a week and a half total, a little time in a small coastal town on the Normandy coast, Berlin, Ziest, Stockholm (mostly the inside of a conference hotel), Frankfurt, Munich, and Hanover. Outside the UK, mostly fly in, stay at a trade show for a week and fly out.

[Godlykepower]

Where I have been in the UK so far: London, about 1-1/2 weeks total, Billing Aquadrome, 4 days camping, Edinburgh, 2 days, Glasgow, 1-1/2 days, Manchester, 1 day, Liverpool, 2 days. In other Countries, Paris for about a week and a half total, a little time in a small coastal town on the Normandy coast, Berlin, Ziest, Stockholm (mostly the inside of a conference hotel), Frankfurt, Munich, and Hanover. Outside the UK, mostly fly in, stay at a trade show for a week and fly out.

You have missed all the good stuff in the UK! The Peak District (Derbyshire) is beautiful and there is some excellent driving there. From there you are just a hop, skip & a jump to Gods own back yard, Yorkshire.

As much as I like Edinburgh & Glasgow.....the REAL Scotland only starts as you head north from Loch Lomond and into the Highlands. Get on the road through Glen Coe and continue all the way to Fort William.....once of those drives I have done countless times, and each and every time I do it, it brings me joy.

If you do PLAN on going this way.....you can count me in! I'll be there in a flash if your going up to the West of Scotland.

Berlin is really cool, I love it there, especially the old Eastern side of the wall. One of the best and most surreal nights of my entire life, was at a seventies disco musical, which I attended with a model & a Russian journalist at a theatre in East Berlin.

[santalars]

Well, as it has already been said, the farther souteast you go the more problematic it gets.

Turkey is a great country and you wont have any problems along the Mediterranian coast, but inlands may be a bit problematic. However, of all islamic countries Turkey is the most "westerly orientated" (sorry, I'm German and I hope you understand what I mean). Most turkish are very open minded and very friendly. However, it might be a slightly bigger problem if you are blond. Sounds silly I know, but that's what my wife has experienced.