Most company's prices include the ferry or tunnel crossing as well as the accommodation itself. Additional costs may include certain site supplements, alternative ferry crossings, insurance and of course your petrol and food.

Some companies only have a small amount of sites to choose from, this means that you will need to find other accommodation en-route. Most however allow you to stay at any number of their sites making it easy to plan your route, hopping from one site to another.

If you have any specific questions, send me an email and I will provide an FAQ.

Planning

The planning of your holiday can begin at any time of the year and rather than being tedious it can be one of the more pleasurable aspects of the holiday.

First of all you will need to decide where you want to go, not only the choice of country but what type of scenery you want (beach, country, mountains or a mix). For the beginner you might just want to try France, the more adventurous may want to include two or more different countries. On the many trips to the continent we have had holidays ranging from two weeks in France to three weeks touring through seven or eight different countries. It is quite feasible to tour France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland in two weeks but the first timer might find this a bit of a rush. Of course the distance to Dover or the south coast has to be taken into consideration. Travelling from the north of England takes a day out of your holiday each way and when you arrive in France or Belgium you would not want to drive very far before your first night.

First job is to get some brochures from the various companies listed on this page. Browse through them to see which has the price and choice that suits you best. When you have decided on the best one, decide where you want to go, this will be a personal choice so no advice here.

Now for the route, the best method of route planning is to get yourself a basic map of Europe. It doesn't have to be a very large scale; one that can completely display Western Europe if it is laid on a table is the best for the initial route planning. If you or your family haven't been on a ferry before it is probably best to use the Dover Calais crossing for your first venture. It takes less than two hours but can seem like a lifetime if you later find out that one of the party suffers from seasickness. If you live in Kent then your first day in France can be quite a long one, covering many miles before having to call it a day. However if you are from the north of England, Scotland or even further, Northern Ireland and have driven non-stop from home you will need to stop fairly soon. This stop can be a single night or two or three nights if the thought of packing again next morning precludes it. Check the brochure to see what they have available and also if the site is open if you are travelling near the start or end of the season.

The next full day driving should allow you to cover around 400 miles at ease especially if using a motorway (non-motorway legs of the journey through mountainous country can cut this figure by half). This could be to your final destination if you are not going far or to another stopover if you plan on going further afield. The many on-line route planners can help in giving an idea of mileage between each destination. Having worked out how far you can drive each day and where your stopovers will be, either retrace the route for the return or take a different one taking into account how many days you have left.
When you are satisfied with the route, the campsites, the dates and the ferry crossing it is time to book with the holiday company. They will require other information so have it to hand.

• Names and dates of birth for all members of the party.
  
• Car details (make, model, registration number) if you will be using a hire car or you don't know the details at the moment, pass them on when you do know them.
  
• You will need to discuss the ferry times (outward and inward) to suit.
  
• There will probably be an option to purchase personal insurance from the company.
  
• Some companies will insist upon a 'breakage waiver' or you can provide a deposit at each site (this normally amount to £1 a day which we find is better than allowing for £100-£200 deposit at each site).
  
• They will want some money

Preparing

There are numerous things to sort before departure and depending on how far away that is will depend on how quickly you get things started. The first and by far the most important is passports, following the recent catastrophe regarding renewal/issue delays it is wise to send for these well ahead of time. Don't forget you will need signed photos and birth certificates etc; they all take time if you don't have them to hand.
The Passport Office www.ukpa.gov.uk has a very good website giving advice and expected delivery times, you can even fill in the form on-line and they will send it to you ready printed, it then just requiring a signature and the enclosed documents.
Don't forget to check the expiry date on a current passport. If it expires while abroad they will not let you go out of the country in the first place.

A couple of weeks before the holiday, get the car serviced. This allows time for it to settle down and be able to put things right if necessary (apparently the worst flight for a pilot is the one after a service when things are most likely to go wrong).
It is wise to either buy a few of the most common spares or hire a parts kit from one of the motoring organisations. Other items you will need are listed in the Regulations section, check for each country you are visiting. You may want to forget the possibilities of breakdown and leave it to the motoring organisation (even if you are a member, European cover may be extra) in which case contact your organisation for details or arrange new membership. If you are competent with car repairs then a selection of the most common tools is recommended. I also take a Haynes manual www.haynes.co.uk, discussing repairs and parts are much easier with the pictures to hand. The manual will also tell you what type of bulbs are required as spares.
(Tales of roadside repairs to come later).
Even if you aren't going to be towing, two door mirrors are highly recommended.

The car will need a GB / IRL / ECOSSE sticker. The holiday company should supply the appropriate one, if you have a trailer or caravan ask for two, as a sticker needs to be affixed to each.

You will need to inform your insurance company that you intend taking your car abroad. This normally doesn't cost any extra but they may charge for a green card or a translation of the policy. You will also need to tell them if you will be towing a trailer or caravan, this may require separate insurance cover. A bail bond is recommended in Spain, this ensures the release of you and your car following an accident.

Personal insurance is a wise investment, not only does it cover the persons named for injury, but many other things such as loss of cash or belongings, ferry cancellations and subsequent hotel bills, 24 hour assistance, replacement driver if needed etc.
We have found Post Office Travel offer the best/cheapest cover 0800 169 9999
Update: Aug 2002 - Churchill now found to be cheaper http://www.churchill.co.uk/

The form E111 is something that can be obtained from a post office and doesn't cost anything. The benefit is that should you need medical assistance this form will ensure the hospital or medical centre will be reimbursed with most if not all of the costs by the National Health Service. Failure to have one these could prove to be very expensive. Any essential medicines that you need to buy while away can be refunded on your return as long as you retain the original receipt. Keep in mind that the E111 is not recognised in non-EEC countries.

If the car is not yours (a hire car or a company car) you will need a letter from the owner that authorisation has been given for you to take the car out of the country.

You will need to take your full driving licence with you. If there are other drivers with you, get them to take theirs also just in case of emergencies. Drivers who have passed their test less than 12 months will not be allowed to drive abroad. If you intend going to eastern Euopean countries you will need the new Photocard licence or an International Driving Permit. Both incorporate photo identification.

Cash is not as much of a problem as it used to be. You can get by with a small amount for use in shops and some motorways but the majority of purchases or cash withdrawals can be made with a bankcard at a better exchange rate. Confusion starts when you intend visiting several countries and have a pocket full of coinage and notes, however the introduction of the Euro in 2002 should make things easier. Eurocheques and the other one, what's it called? Anyway they are not as popular as they once were.

If you are going to take your mobile phone with you, check with the service provider that you are able or allowed to use it abroad. The costs are much more than for a UK-UK mobile call, you may be charged for the continental leg of an incoming call. It makes it very expensive if you get a lot of wrong numbers, but if used wisely can be of benefit in an emergency or if you are travelling with another family/vehicle and you get separated.

Along with your first aid kit you should consider other items such as; sun tan lotion, travel sickness remedies, diarrhoea tablets (don't think you will always be ill, it is just that if you do succumb to any ailment the last thing you want is to try and explain the symptoms to a French chemist). If you receive any special medication from your doctor make sure you take enough, plus some extra for the duration of the holiday.

Any expensive personal items such as a camera, phone or laptop that is less than 12 months old or looks like new will need the purchase receipts to be taken with you, unless of course you want to pay import tax on them when you come back through customs.

Any electrical items that you take (or chargers for battery items) will need an adapter to be able to plug them into a continental socket.

Buy the maps that you will need for the areas you will be driving (your holiday company may supply some of these free).

When you have all your paperwork together get it all photocopied. Make a note of important phone numbers (stolen credit cards etc) and keep them all in a separate safe place.
Make a list of items to take/pack that can be used on the day to ensure nothing is forgotten.

The Day Before

If you are wise or intend setting off in the middle of the night you will want to pack the car the day before you go (there are members of our family that carry out packing tests on 3 or 4 occasions). If you have children in the back of the car try not to impose on their space as several hundred miles without much room to move is no fun. Make sure items needed on the road can be reached without the need to unpack the complete boot full. You may want to prepare sandwiches and a flask for the first part of the journey or stop at the many fast food shops on the way. An alternative is to take a gas stove and kettle to make a fresh cup of tea at the roadside as we do. Be aware that if you are using the channel tunnel you will need to show the boarding officials that the cylinder is disconnected and fully turned off.

Fill the car with fuel, enough to get you into France where you can then fill it at a cheaper price (do not have the fuel tank full to the top just prior to boarding the ferry). Check the car tyre pressures to ensure they are set to Haynes recommended setting for a fully laden car. If you are travelling to the ferry in daylight you can also deal with the headlights now.

Setting Off

Allow for delays caused by traffic or the unforeseen when starting out, most ferry operators ask you to be there at least 1 hour before departure, Eurotunnel 30 mins. Arriving early is better than missing the ferry, far better than speeding and allows time for a stretch and to deal with the headlights if not done the day before.

When arriving at the port have your tickets and passports at hand for inspection.

You will be directed to a numbered lane where many other vehicles will be waiting to board the same ferry. While waiting organise the things that you want while on board, you will not be allowed back to your car during the voyage. When instructed to do so, follow the directions of the port staff onto the ferry. Take care when going over the ships ramp as they can often move about or turn out to be higher than you thought. When parked, put the handbrake on securely, leave the car in first gear, collect your on-board requirements and exit the car, being careful as cars are packed quite close together. Make a mental note of which deck you are parked on, as it is very easy to lose your way when returning.

The Channel Tunnel crossing routine is very similar. You will have to stay with your car for the crossing (a little over half an hour) and the only facility is a toilet every few carriages.

On board the ferry you will have the luxury of a cafe, bar, shop, duty free (as they still call it), bureau de change, a play area for children, and toilets, although there will undoubtedly be a long queue for these if it is a rough crossing. We have experienced crossings that seem to have taken only an hour and others that were rough, crowded, smelly, dirty, full of rowdy drunkards and seemed to take forever.

When you are asked to go back to your car, find you way to the deck where you left it (if you can remember) don't rush though as there will be another fifteen minutes or so before alighting. When you are in your car, don't start the engine until your line of cars is moving and don't smoke until off the ferry.

While Abroad

You may need to show your passports again at the French control before going on your way. If this is your first time driving on the right you are probably fully aware of the need and so close to the kerb that your wheel trims are in danger of getting scratched.

Don't worry, now is not the time to be saying to yourself "KEEP RIGHT, KEEP RIGHT", you will naturally blend in with the other traffic and soon find it natural. The time to start your chant is when you pull out of a track or lay-by with (hopefully) no other traffic around. This is when most accidents occur. Another common incident is when you pull onto a main road from a 'T' junction, being on the correct side of the road is no good if you look right expecting traffic to come from that direction first as you pull out.

Just follow the other cars and don't worry about being too slow, take no notice of foreign or UK cars speeding past as they probably drive here all the time. The main roads out of Calais are now all dual carriageways, which soon lead onto the motorway. You should be following directions towards the first major town on your journey, this will normally be one of three: Paris (A26) if heading south, Boulogne (A16) if heading west and Dunkerque (A16) if heading east. From here on stop in an aire (rest area) and get your map out.

Don't be tempted to speed, the others that may come past probably know the road, do not mind the expense of a fine or are in a hurry. You on the other hand are on holiday, in no need to rush, need to take it easy with the car and can well do without a heavy fine.

In either case, speeding is against the law and is dangerous.

Camp Sites

Most sites and companies don't want you to turn up much before the late afternoon. If somebody was occupying the tent that is now allocated to you the couriers will (hopefully but not always) be busy cleaning it. The correct procedure on arrival is to go to the campsite reception and tell them that you are staying with 'Whoever Holidays' they will then direct you to the couriers representing your holiday company.

Most European campsites have pitches that are smaller than we are used to in the UK, in fact some would not comply with minimum distances between tents that the Caravan Club and the Caravan and Camping Club stipulate here. They do have other fairly strict regulations to adhere to though. Nighttime noise is to be kept to a minimum (and occasionally at certain times during the day). Gates are locked during the night from about 23:00 to 07:00 which means if you go out for the day and are late back you will have to leave your car outside the gates (there is normally a late arrivals car park for this). Sometimes there will be a barrier operated during the day by a pass card obtainable from main reception for a small (occasionally large) deposit.

For more about these tents, see What's life like in one of these tents?