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Cruising Europe in the Smurf-Mobile, Van Tour 2011

Posts Tagged ‘France’

Cruising Europe in the Smurf-Mobile, Van Tour 2011

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Comments Posted on Jan 13, 2012 Last Updated Jan 13, 2012 Posted by Wicked Campers

Introducing the Smurf Mobile… Our home for the next 101 days!
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The bedroom

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The kitchen

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The dining / living room

As we had to be in Pamplona for San Fermin/Running of the Bulls on the 5th of July, we were under a fair bit of pressure to drive up through Italy and across the southern coast of France to get there in time… We didn’t help ourselves by deciding to head to Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid before heading back up to Pamps, which is actually quite close to the French (Atlantic) border.

The last of Italy (for now…)

First things first, we picked up our camper in San Benedetto Del Tronto. We then drove, rather nervously on the wrong side of the road, up the east coast of Italy in search of our first free camp, stopping at Ancona to deck the van out at Ikea (where else!) and to pick up supplies at the massive Carrefour. We quickly discovered that we had no hope of finding a free camp on the resort beaches so had to go a lot further afield than we had hoped… We finally ‘pitched’ our van for our first night in the not-much-happening-town of Fano.

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Tour De Europe in a Wicked Camper

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Comments Posted on Dec 07, 2011 Last Updated Jan 05, 2012 Posted by Wicked Campers

After 3 years in London, my fiancé and I are heading back to Melbourne, but first we decided to put our relationship to the ultimate test of a 3month European van tour! Whilst we had a fairly detailed itinerary planned for our roadtrip, it was always going to be a case of seeing how things unfolded once we were on the road. Our only essential stops were Pamplona, the Pyrenees for Le Tour and Oktoberfest. What follows is equal parts advice and experience from our time on the road.

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Van Trip 2009 ‘The Tron’

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Comments Posted on Nov 12, 2011 Last Updated Jan 05, 2012 Posted by Wicked Campers

01 July 2009 11am and we were off. Bye Bye London and Bonjour France. The first challenge was to navigate driving on the right side of the road which we managed to do without too much trouble. After exploring Normandy beaches we headed straight down to Pamplona for the running of the bulls. Not for the faint hearted it was an experience we’re glad to have done but definitely won’t be doing again. Wish someone had told us not to wear jandals!

Check it out here > Van Tour – The Tron 2009

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French Roadtripping and Free Camping, Oui!

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Comments Posted on Oct 23, 2011 Last Updated Oct 23, 2011 Posted by Wicked Campers

We started our France trip with the ferry from Dover – Calais, passed the time by playing poker with our copper coins and some old boys who joined us. The staff onboard were less than impressed with this!

We spent our first day driving to Rouen, (which is pronounced MUCH differently than it reads!) which is a beautiful old historical city.  We found a campsite for €9 in the centre of town, but had to pay €1.60 for a hot shower. We couldnt believe the patisserie delivered to the campsite, loving it! Pain au raisin si vu plait!

The next day we journeyed on to Blois, the prettiest town we’ve come across yet!  It’s right on the river Sienne, with loads of restaurants and cafes, with the river infront and grand old cathederals behind. Cèst Magnifique!

We camped the second night in a rather dodgy way, we didn’t rock up till about 10pm and the office was closed so we camped in the car park!  Had a good old fry up for dinner, ran in to use their showers and loos, then bailed in the morning before the office opened!  Au Revoir!

Today we toured around Blois, stumbled across a wicked fruit, veg, fromage and charcuterie festival in the city centre – bring on the free samples! Merci!  Had a look at the Chambord Chateau, the Chevernay Chateau and the Villandry chateau but being broke Australians, couldnt afford to go in, so there was quite a bit of fence jumping and peering through hedges going on! A Bientot!

We have eaten so well though, the produce is second to none and the wine is so cheap!  So far we have gone through 2 bottles of €3 red wine and a packet of 8 french beirre was €3.50!  Haven’t found the French to be as rude as everyone says, they are all quite helpful and they love Aussies, so we have been getting on fine even though our French is rubbish!

Heading to the coast tomorrow, hopefully will make it to La Rochelle but if not, there are heaps of free campsites on the motorways called ‘aires’ so they will do for a night!  It’s just a basic campsite with a dunny but it’s free!

french roadtrip

We are absolutely loving France so far and loving the wicked van! Might not want to come home I think!

Much love peeps,

Lily and Cliff 

xxxx

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