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For years, we dreamed of taking an epic street journey throughout Europe in a motorhome. Lastly, with our three-year-old and toddler in tow, we rented a motorhome for a month to kick off the journey! We noticed mountains, oceans, and rivers and ate a number of the finest meals of our lives.
We not solely hit a number of the fashionable vacationer spots, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and consuming fondue on Lake Geneva, but additionally spent plenty of time exploring smaller villages and cities we’d by no means heard of earlier than.
In case you are in search of a standard Europe street journey hitting all of the highlights of the continent, this itinerary shouldn’t be for you. Our street journey type is a little more spontaneous and we prefer to get off the crushed path. We seek for hikes, nationwide parks, small cities, and generally simply set the GPS to “keep away from tolls” and see the place it takes us!
I hope you employ this itinerary to street journey Europe this summer time!
Why Take a Street Journey in Europe?
When most individuals think about taking a visit throughout Europe, they consider hopping on and off trains or utilizing straightforward hopper flights. We’ve made a number of of some of these journeys, however there are a couple of the reason why we selected a street journey throughout Europe as an alternative of public transportation.
1. Spontaneity
A few of our favourite journey reminiscences have come from days we didn’t plan. My spouse’s technique as she plans our itineraries is to seek out the favored areas after which go to small cities and hidden gems that pop up close by. We’ve discovered numerous waterfalls this fashion! (She has her priorities!)
A number of years in the past we have been driving our motorhome via the Italian Dolomites and chanced on an unbelievable gondola going as much as the highest of a mountain. We instantly pulled over, purchased tickets, and went to the highest. It was a number of the most epic views we’d ever seen (video beneath).
We didn’t know this gondola was right here, and we solely discovered it as a result of we have been driving aimlessly. This is likely one of the causes we love road-tripping.
2. Select your individual journey stops.
Whereas driving throughout France, we joined a program known as France Ardour, the place you possibly can camp at wineries and farms totally free. A number of of the wineries we stopped at additionally had Mattress and Breakfasts as nicely (in case you aren’t in a camper!).
3. Sleep in your individual mattress each night time.
So this isn’t the case for each street journey, however it’s in case you hire an RV in Europe.
One of many issues we liked most about our month-long journey to Europe was sleeping in our personal mattress each night time. We’ve researched a TON of motorhome leases in Europe and located an organization we love known as Wherever Camper. They’ll drop off your RV nearly anyplace in Europe (therefore the identify!) after which fly to choose it up on the finish of your route. This lets you cowl extra floor versus doing a round-trip route.
The Route
We kicked off the journey in Paris. Our entire street journey ended up being greater than 2,000KM over the course of a month. We crossed into 6 completely different nations (France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Andorra, and Switzerland). We landed in Paris on September twelfth, so we obtained to expertise cooler temps all through our journey. This “shoulder season” is one among our favourite instances to discover Europe as a result of the crowds are smaller than in summer time (to place it mildly), however in all places remains to be open.
Paris, France
We at all times begin a street journey in a serious metropolis the place we are able to simply get a motorhome rental (and the place we are able to recover from jetlag whereas exploring!). We did the entire huge stuff, just like the Eiffel Tower and a meals tour of French delicacies. However the spotlight was Alyssa taking a pastry class at Le Cordon Bleu. They provide a couple of public courses every week so she realized learn how to make choux pastry from the most effective pastry chef on the planet. (Actually. There’s a contest. He gained.) Extremely advocate for anybody who loves meals!
Champagne, France
Champagne Avenue is likely one of the nicest, fanciest locations I’ve ever visited. We drove across the city of Epernay, a pair hours outdoors Paris. We toured a number of champagne homes relationship again centuries and even camped at two champagne homes. Should you like wine, champagne will blow you away. Prosecco is crap compared!
Vougeot, France
Ever heard of this small city? Us neither. Nevertheless, there was an epic fort we toured surrounded by vines with dwell music. There have been so many individuals we needed to park and stroll up from 5 minutes away. Our daughter took it upon herself to attempt a grape straight from the vines, Malbec I believe. She would give it a 0/10, don’t advocate.
Mouthe, France
That is rated because the coldest place in France. It was undoubtedly one of many coldest locations we stayed on our complete journey. You may’t see them within the photograph beneath, however off to the proper are ski slopes.
Surrounding our idyllic campsite have been cow bells jingling off within the distance, a waterfall, and a climbing path system. Mouthe is a part of the nationwide park, Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura.
Geneva, Switzerland
Whereas we solely spent one night time in Switzerland, I believe it’s all my pockets may afford.
After spending the higher a part of an hour trying to find parking, we looked for some cheese fondue. One large bowl and $75 later (for a single bowl of cheese!!!), we loved a sundown looking over the lake in Geneva. Whereas it’s a buzzing metropolis, I might completely love to come back again right here for an extended stint.
Annecy, France
Annecy is called the “Venice of France” and for good purpose. The city itself sits on a lovely lake, and the town heart has water flowing via it. This was one among our favourite days we spent on this journey wandering round, consuming crepes and having fun with the views.
Tip: There’s free parking on the Basilique de la Visitation on the high of the hill, and you may stroll into city.
Chamonix, France
Oh, Chamonix, you’re some of the lovely locations I’ve ever seen in my complete life. (In true French style, it’s pronounced sha-mo-knee.) Within the image beneath you possibly can see the views from our campsite. Palms down, that is essentially the most lovely place we’ve ever camped anyplace on the planet. One of many issues we did in Chamonix that I might extremely advocate is to take the cog practice as much as a glacier the place you possibly can discover ice caves.
Chamonix is an journey city and never the most effective place to journey with little children, however we share a couple of suggestions for issues to do with children right here.
San Bartolomeo Al Mare (The Italian Riviera)
After experiencing bitter climate up in Chamonix, we determined we wanted to heat up for a couple of days. So we drove over to San Bartolomeo Al Mare and parked subsequent to the seashore. Do we all know something about this city aside from the truth that it’s Italy and we may eat pizza and pasta? No.
Nevertheless, these are a few of our favourite smaller cities to discover. We had no expectations coming in, and we had an incredible couple of days strolling round and attempting eating places, taking part in in parks, and hanging on the seashore.
Monaco
One factor we knew earlier than arriving in Monaco was that you just can not drive an RV into the nation. Due to this fact, we discovered a campground in Italy with a shuttle that might take us to the practice station to then journey into Monaco. We spent most of our day on the aquarium (Musée Océanographique de Monaco) and strolling across the metropolis.
Pernes-les-Fontaines, France
Me: “Hey Siri, Google cities in Provence value visiting.”
Siri: “Here’s a city that appears just like the set of Magnificence and the Beast:”
One factor we wished to do on our France journey was to discover a number of the smaller and lesser-known villages. In the future, we walked round Pernes-les-Fontaines, identified for its many fountains. It regarded just like the city the place Belle grew up, and our three-year-old liked it! We visited on a Saturday and walked via the farmer’s market and the complete village. At each flip, there have been vines rising on the buildings, fountains, and idyllic espresso retailers. I additionally advocate stopping in close by Avignon, which we drove via and gawked at! All of those tiny cities in Provence are picture-perfect.
Carcassonne, France
Based within the sixth century BC, this medieval fort is legendary for its 52 towers and spectacular structure. Nevertheless, Alyssa and I’ll eternally bear in mind it as a result of we had a basic Toulousian dish that modified our lives. Cassoulet is a hearty, slow-simmered stew with sausage, navy beans, duck confit and pork. I give it some thought on a regular basis.
That is additionally the most important fort in France and the place we took the all-time image of our daughter:
Ignore the tulle and he or she is prepared for battle!
Lourdes, France (Pyrénées Nationwide Park)
Lourdes is a serious vacation spot for these in search of therapeutic. Individuals come from all around the world for the waters in Lourdes, that are presupposed to have therapeutic powers. What we liked most about Lourdes wasn’t the city itself (which was crowded) however its entry to the Pyrénées Nationwide Park (above). We spent two days exploring the nationwide park, which was completely beautiful.
If you wish to get a style of the nationwide park vibes, you possibly can watch a video beneath from one among our hikes within the park.
One other nice exercise within the space is the Parc Animalier des Pyrenees. This zoo was actually the most effective zoo I’ve ever been to in my life.
You get (nearly uncomfortably) shut entry to the animals, and the strolling observe via the zoo is extra like happening a scenic hike than simply visiting a zoo. You probably have children or similar to zoos, I might extremely advocate stopping right here close to Lourdes.
Andorra la Vella, Andorra
You’ve most likely by no means heard of the tiny nation of Andorra. Nestled within the mountains, it’s tucked between France and Spain and takes about an hour to drive the size of the nation. It looks like somebody took a ski resort city and turned it into a lovely little nation.
Sadly, we obtained sick throughout our stopover in Andorra. We spent our time having fun with meals poisoning and Googling the closest ER. What we did expertise within the nation was beautiful, although!
Bagà, Spain
A brief drive into Spain from Andorra, we crossed into an space named Bagà. It was a small village subsequent to leisure land (AKA numerous free tenting for us) and mountains. We had no intention of spending greater than a day right here, however we appreciated it a lot we stayed a few days. You may see extra of the expertise on this video:
Tavertet, Spain
This cute little city was mainly all closed up after we obtained there. Try this campsite, although! Not pictured: an ideal playground and a public pool.
Perealada, Spain
Driving towards the Costa Brava, we stopped on this little city for cappuccinos. Should you’re the playing type, try this fort, which is definitely a on line casino.
Castellop d’Empuries, Spain
We’re seashore folks. If we are able to spend an additional night time or two on the coast, we take it. So after we discovered Tenting Laguna and had an oceanside campsite, we prolonged our keep night time after night time.
Take a look at this household. That’s what happiness seems to be like! We loved cava and tapas and the sunny seashore for a couple of days.
Cabrera de Mar, Spain
On our final night time in our campers, we wished to get as shut as attainable to Barcelona. Cabrera de Mar is a beachside city with a completely automated campground and services that’s a straightforward stroll to parks and a seashore. It was on this city, the place we noticed faculties, parks, and households having fun with the sunshine that we mentioned these vacationer phrases.
“I believe we should always transfer right here.”
Barcelona, Spain
Everybody loves Barcelona. Generally, European cities which might be so fashionable don’t dwell as much as the hype (sorry, Paris, you’re nonetheless lovely). However Barcelona was unbelievable!
We took a meals tour and obtained to study completely different meals and the historical past of the town. And we (in fact) visited the zoo, the place the children have been thrilled to discover. We ate extra tapas and tried churros and chocolate (10/10, have to stroll loads to get better from these energy). This was undoubtedly a metropolis we are going to come again to! We dropped off our motorhome on the practice station and located an Airbnb within the gothic district that was walkable.
FAQs
What’s the finest time of yr to go to Europe?
To beat the crowds, we advocate visiting Europe in Could or early June or ready till September and October. The climate might be good, and there gained’t be as many crowds. All the pieces will nonetheless be open for the season however could supply low season pricing, making the journey rather less costly.
Are you able to go on a street journey to Europe?
No you possibly can’t drive to Europe (somebody requested me that just lately!) However you possibly can freely and simply drive throughout borders in Europe. Only a few borders have safety (not like US borders), and it’s possible you’ll even cross into one other nation with out realizing it. There could also be milk restrictions, like needing a sure driving go for Switzerland. Our camper rental included all of these passes, so we didn’t have to fret as we traveled!
What’s the finest automobile for a Europe street journey?
We’re 100% motorhome folks. We’ve been RVing for a decade, and it’s our favourite strategy to journey, irrespective of the continent!
How a lot cash do it is advisable spend a month in Europe?
Let’s not sugarcoat it. A month-long journey is pricey! We share all of our detailed bills from this street journey right here.
Are you able to drive a campervan round Europe?
You do not want a particular license to drive a campervan in Europe. Some nations could require a global driver’s allow.
Are campervans fashionable in Europe?
Campervans are extra fashionable in Europe than they’re within the States! Should you assume you’ve seen packed campgrounds in America, wait till you present as much as the coast of Spain within the fall. They snowbird in Europe to Spain and Portugal similar to they do to Florida!
Street Journey Europe: 30-Day Itinerary
For the time of yr, we selected southern Europe for our 30-day street journey. There’s a lot extra to see, however if you wish to cowl plenty of floor in a brief period of time, use this street journey Europe itinerary to stipulate your individual dream journey. Have questions on planning an RV journey in Europe? Drop it within the feedback!