How to keep it cheap on a touring caravan holiday in Europe

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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.

European motoring kit

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.

Big Pitch leads to weekend boost for caravan sites

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners and campers were out in their droves last weekend (June 4th) to celebrate the Big Pitch, the climax of the National Camping and Caravanning Week 2011.

The Camping and Caravanning Club reports that its Forest Holidays sites saw a 25 per cent increase in bookings, while the number of campers on site rose by 44 per cent.

Robert Louden, director general of the club, said: “There was a real buzz on site during the Big Pitch weekend with the weather certainly helping. There seems to be a real enthusiasm for wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”

The week-long promotion comes after the Camping and Caravanning Club carried out a survey earlier this year, which proved that outdoor holidays do actually make you happier and more relaxed.

Caravan owners can also enjoy Forest Ranger activities, including nature walks and woodland excursions, when staying at any of Forest Holidays’ 20 sites across the UK.

Foodie treats for caravan owners at Exmoor festival

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by Chris Jefferies

Touring caravan owners have been advised to check out the Exmoor Food Festival this year, as it offers a combination of cooking courses, wine tasting and foraging tips.

The annual event, which runs from October 1st to 9th, looks set to tempt caravan owners on an autumn tour of the South West, as Streamcombe Cookery School is offering its top tips for aspiring chefs.

Rachel Kelly, organiser of the Exmoor Food Festival, said: “This year there are some fabulous cookery courses taking place in the heart of Exmoor.”

She added that the two-hour cookery demonstrations will include interesting ways to prepare “furred and feathered game”.

Furthermore, those with a sweet tooth can learn how to incorporate chocolate into savoury dishes at an informal supper hosted by Nutcombe Chocolates.

Popular caravan sites in the Exmoor area include Brook Lea and Damage Barton, both of which are accredited Caravan Club sites.

Outdoor enthusiasts warned of wasp invasion

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners and other outdoor types face a much higher risk of being stung by a wasp this year, due to the warmer than usual spring, the AA has said.

Over half a million Brits have already been stung by a wasp this year, the AA reports, while roughly 14 per cent of adults say they have noticed more wasps around than is usual for this time of year.

The pests are notorious for plaguing picnics, and the AA survey also found that they are the number one bug bear for garden owners in the UK, with 47 per cent saying that this is the main thing that ruins their enjoyment of the outdoors.

Other key gripes for outdoor types include ants (as cited by 20 per cent), traffic noise (14 per cent), spiders (12 per cent) and airplane noise (six per cent).

Caravan owners may also want to check their motorhomes for wasp infestations, as the survey found that 12 per cent of Brits have found the insects nesting in their garage.

Used Caravan of the Week: 1989 Avondale Firefly

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by Holly Tribe

With its somewhat gaudy colour scheme, there’s no getting away from the fact this 1989 4/5 berth Avondale Firefly is a patent throwback to the 1980’s.

However, of its time, this would have been a very well kitted out caravan. With a 3-way fridge, microwave, gas hob, combination oven/ grill and TV aerial, there’s plenty here that you would find in a modern, mid-range tourer, and at a fraction of the price – making it this week’s Used Caravan of the Week.

Click here to see more photos of the Avondale Firefly

The Avondale brand went into administration in 2008, and the outgoing 2009 season caravans were the last new models to hit the forecourts. But the Avondale name has remained a popular choice on the used and second hand market, with legacy models holding their value well. Customers can still pick up moulds, handbooks and spare parts from stockists Magnum Motorhomes.

History

The current owner has been in possession of this caravan for the last ten years, and is selling it in order to upgrade to a fixed bed model. The vehicle is listed as “dry, fresh and clean,” although one area of damp has been identified in the rear corner of the van, which the seller is confident can be “remedied by a bit of sealant and DIY know how”.

The running gear was serviced last year and a new 12v battery and new tyres were fitted. All the pumps and heaters are listed in good working order.

Kit & Caboodle

Fresh & waste water containers, unused porta-potti, gas bottle and a full sized Harrison awning are all included in the selling price, although the awning described as showing signs of wear and tear and is missing anchor pegs.

The seller will also consider selling a tow hitch padlock, Bulldog stabiliser bar and EHU cable for a nominal fee to the successful bidder. The original paperwork and instruction manuals are included in the sale.

  • Price: £460 (bidding not yet ended)
  • MTPLM: not listed
  • Length: 19 feet approx.
  • Berth: 4/5
  • Axle: Single

Click here to view more details of the Avondale FIrefly


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Luxury £650,000 caravan park opens in Cheshire

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners taking a touring holiday in the North West will have a new reason to stop off in Cheshire, as the county has just marked the official opening of a new luxury caravan park.

Lady Heyes Park at Kingsley near Frodsham was officially opened last weekend (June 3rd) by local MP Graham Evans, who praised owner Tony Faulkner’s work to complete this 15-year project.

The modern facilities on offer at the 85-caravan site include a laundry and shower block with under-floor heating, Click Liverpool reports.

“The site commands wonderful views of the Cheshire countryside bordering the River Weaver and offers guests easy access to Delamere Forest, Chester and the Wirral,” Mr Faulkner said at the opening.

Visitors can also enjoy a trip to the nearby Lady Heyes Craft and Antique Centre.

To draw in caravan owners, Lady Heyes Park is offering half-price pitches for the rest of 2011.

The worlds most luxurious caravans revealed: Five premium tourers

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by Holly Tribe

Luxury. It is perhaps one of the more overused adjectives in a caravan journalist’s vocabulary, and each new season brings with it a new round of ‘exceptional interior appointments’ and ‘luxury finishes’.

Yet, an internet search for the ‘world’s most luxurious caravan’ is, rather disappointingly, a motorhome, not a caravan. So, what truly are the world’s most luxurious touring caravans? We’ve taken a look at what’s on offer both at home and abroad, to come up with our top five tourers for the ultimate ‘vanning experience.

AS Caravan Mayfair from £29,995

Entering the caravan market for the first time last year, Auto-Sleepers have come up trumps with a three model line-up in the AS Caravans series. The range falls in step with the company’s long established range of top quality motorhomes; with the Mayfair sitting at the top of the portfolio. It can be used as a luxury two berth, with its fixed bed and palatial living area; alternatively, the front dinette can be converted into two extra bunks for comfortable family touring. A large rear end washroom features a tiled shower room in its own cubicle. The TV is neatly stored away in an electrically operated self-raising module set into the cabinetry. Although the spec list is impressive, a 3/4 sized fridge freezer and Mammut motor mover are both included in the price, it’s the premium finishes and overall feeling of solidity that really make this caravan stand out as a top quality option.

  • MTPLM: 1,670kg
  • Axle: Single
  • Berth: 4

Vanmaster Occasion TBEW £35,950

Vanmaster caravans have long since been regarded as a benchmark in quality caravan design, and no luxury caravan round up would be complete without one of these models on the list. These prestigious handbuilt ‘vans are held in high regard throughout the industry and are widely thought of as unsurpassed in terms of build quality. Standard features include Alde underfloor heating and solid Ash cabinetry, and we’ve selected the Occasion TBEW as our ultimate Vanmaster choice. A transverse fixed double bed/rear end washroom configuration, gives this layout plenty of space for living, sleeping, washing and relaxing.

  • MTPLM: 2,200kg
  • Axle: Twin
  • Berth: 4

Buccaneer Schooner £25,549

Buccaneer Caravans are the Explorer Groups’ flagship range and feature a long list of high specification finishes to rival niche caravan builders Auto-Sleepers and Vanmaster. Celebrating fourty years in the business, the 2011 range featured a number of updates, making the range a serious contender in the luxury touring bracket. A telemetric Alde heating system can be controlled via text message even when you’re off-site, and a tracking system and roof-mounted satellite dish come included in the price. For a truly premium finish, customers can opt for cream leather upholstery livery for an extra £999.

  • MTPLM: 2,000kg
  • Axle: Twin
  • Berth: 4

Tabbert Paganini 655 DF from 37,000 Euros

This futuristic offering from German caravan manufacturers Tabbert, is our pick of the European bunch. It combines elements of automotive design and traditional caravan styling to achieve a unique, high-end finish. The lighting scheme allows you to set individual lights to a brightness of your choosing and high quality wood, leather and stainless steel materials give a truly opulent finish. It may not come with all the bells and whistles of the Buccaneer Schooner, but no expense has been spared in the fittings and furnishings and the difference is palpable. No flimsy overhead lockers or bubbled floor vinyl here.

  • MTPLM: 2,200kg
  • Axle: Twin
  • Berth: 4

Dutchman Voltage 3900 Toy Hauler from $94,995

Our last contender is the Dutchman Voltage 3900 hailing from the other side of the pond. Although these US-build rigs are far too big to be towed of British roads, it’s a great example of what happens when weight, size, price and arguably, taste, are no issue. This triple axle behemoth is so enormous you need a powerful articulated vehicle to tow it. It’s got a whopping 6,017kg unladen weight and is 4.08 metres tall that’s almost twice the height of the AS Mayfair!

There are two slide out sections; the first houses a large wrap-around settee to make way for an island kitchen unit in the middle of the cabinl; while the second makes space for a huge fixed double bed. There’s a 40″ high definition flat screen TV, home theatre surround sound, double door fridge/ freezer, a cedar lined walk-in wardrobe, and, wait for it. a 14 foot garage to the rear which can be accessed by a spring assisted ramp door. Which as the manufacturer helpfully points out is the perfect storage area for a couple of quad bikes!

  • Unladen weight: 6,017kg
  • Axle: Triple
  • Berth: 6

Caravanning holidaymakers urged to learn foreign road rules

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by Chris Jefferies

Taking your caravan abroad can be a highly affordable way of exploring Europe, but a national newspaper has warned that motorists should be aware of the different road rules.

The Daily Telegraph points out that countries such as France and Austria have very strict rules, including packing a fluorescent jacket, which you must wear if you break down.

Furthermore, in Belgium it is mandatory to carry a fire extinguisher on board at all times, while caravan owners visiting Germany should make sure to pack a warning triangle and a first aid kit.

Speed limits vary across EU countries, but provided you stay below 74 miles per hour, you can be sure to avoid any unwanted attention from the local traffic police.

Documentation is also important, so make sure to pack both parts of your driving license, the car’s original registration and all relevant insurance documents, the news provider added.

Firefighters tackle blaze at Yorkshire caravan site

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by Chris Jefferies

A reported fire at a caravan park in Stainforth near Doncaster resulted in fifteen firefighters being rushed to the scene early yesterday morning (June 6th), it has been reported.

The firefighters in question were called out to Station Road at 7am, where a caravan and two trailers had caught fire, according to the Thorne and District Gazette.

After five hours fighting the blaze, the fire crew were able to bring the situation under control by lunchtime, the local newspaper added.

The emergency services had been concerned that the blaze could spread to the nearby Meadow Court Stadium, which is a popular greyhound racing track.

This fire, which will come as a stark warning to anyone thinking of cutting corners when renewing their caravan insurance, comes less than a week after a caravan dealership in Northamptonshire lost £300,000 of its stock in a major blaze.

Bailey Caravans launch industry-first Parts Direct website

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by Marcus Dubois

Bailey Caravans has launched an online service for caravan owners to order genuine Bailey parts and accessories. Bailey Parts Direct allows customers to order items using a website and have them delivered either straight to their home, or straight to their caravan while on holiday in the UK.

The parts ordering service will initially be made available to any postal address in the UK. Bailey has revealed plans to roll the service out to customers residing in mainland Europe at a later date. The Bristol manufacturer has set a target to dispatch all orders for in-stock items within two working days.

3,000 parts for classic and new Baileys

Traditionally a Bailey customer would have to order replacement parts via their retailer. Bailey has explained that this will remain the case for all items required to be fitted by an Approved Bailey Service Centre under the terms of the caravan warranty. However the firm is now also able to offer around 3,000 parts for caravans up to ten years old. And it is these items which have been made available for owners directly through this new website.

Orders placed through the site will be handled by the same Bailey Customer Services team who supply the existing Approved Service Centre network. However Bailey hope to further reassure owners by altering staffing procedures to allow it to offer a more continuous service throughout the year.

“The world we now live in”

With a service said to be the first of its kind for the UK caravan industry, Bailey managing director Nick Howard was confident their new offering meets customer expectations. “We have all become increasingly familiar with e-commerce and the convenience of ordering items from the internet. Given that is the world we now live in it is important that we can provide our customers with the level of service that they have come to expect when shopping on the internet”.

“We believe the creation of the Bailey Parts Direct web site is an important step forward in this regard and hopefully one which will enhance the owners enjoyment of our caravans” he added.

The new site can now be accessed by visiting bailey-parts.co.uk

Caravan owners should watch out for male drivers

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by Chris Jefferies

The traditional stereotype that women are more of a liability behind the wheel appears to have been disproved by a new motoring survey.

Caravan owners should be less worried about ‘typical woman drivers’ and watch out for the men instead, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

The organisation’s research found that men are nearly twice as likely to be involved in a collision, due to being careless, reckless or in a hurry.

It may not surprise some caravan owners to hear that men are almost twice as likely to drive too quickly, and are also more likely to drive badly due to inexperience (14 per cent of males, compared with 10 per cent of females).

Despite this, men are still much more assured in their abilities on the road, with twice as many describing themselves as ‘very confident’ drivers.

Simon Best, chief executive of the IAM, said: “These results show that we need to look at the psychology of male drivers to reduce risky behaviour and over-confidence.”

Caravan owners to enjoy extra bank holiday in 2012

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by Chris Jefferies

Holidaymakers will be able to enjoy an extra bank holiday in 2012 to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, it has been announced.

Caravan sites across the UK could experience a boost in bookings over the weekend of June 2nd to 5th 2012, as the Whitsunday bank holiday has been moved back by one week, while an extra day off has been added, to create a four-day weekend.

This is likely to provide a similar boost for the tourism industry as was seen at the end of April during the four-day Royal Wedding weekend.

James Berresford, chief executive of national tourist board VisitEngland, said: “An extra day off to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee will provide a great feel good factor and I’m sure will encourage more Brits to take a break at home.”

He added that while many holidaymakers will head to London to catch the celebrations, others may decide to get away from it all with a countryside retreat.