Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Camping pointers and other advice for Europe Camping pointers and other advice for Europe
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
Question Camping pointers and other advice for Europe
Whilst saving continues for a Siberia trip in the future (a couple of years away, I imagine), we are taking advantage of my academic holidays to have a shorter jaunt around Europe. A trip in its own right, albeit shorter than the one above, but also quite therapeutic given that our next ride seems so far away right now...

As this is an interim outing, we are trying to keep it cheap so as not to plunder our hard earned savings too much. We plan to camp everywhere, and in this we may not have a choice, as we are travelling with the dog. It will also be a good test of the Ural's performance on the road (Alps might be interesting....)

Over 30 days, we plan to ride South-west from Estonia through
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, France, Switzerland,

East through
Northern Italy, and Slovenia

Then North through
Hungary, Czech Rep, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and home.

So any pointers that spring to mind on camping in those countries?

Is free camping allowed in those countries?

Any other advice that is handy to know before arriving?
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
Wow! you're going to do all that in 30 days?

You're biggest problem is going to be eating breakfast and packing up every morning before 9am! How fast is that Ural again?

Have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 166
allowed?
we free-camped in all of those countries and others in europe. not sure if it's 'allowed' or not though. details on Out for a spin and elsewhere on HUBB.
cheers,
andy.
__________________
www.outforaspin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
A bit ambitious in places!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor View Post
Wow! you're going to do all that in 30 days?

You're biggest problem is going to be eating breakfast and packing up every morning before 9am! How fast is that Ural again?

Have fun.

Ural: about 45-50 mph comfy cruising speed!! Weare seeing friends in Germany and France, so we will just keep our heads doqwn for the first 5 days and get into Germany. It works out at about 5-6000km round trip. Average 200km per day. So some days at about 500 km: leaves some easy days elsewhere!

If the schedule is cocked up,we can always head East, not South through Switzerland and reach Austria/Czech, that way...
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Apr 2009
Alexlebrit's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 920
Ask
When I've toured in France, I've rarely paid for camping, usually because come stopping time I've found a suitable house/farm and gone and knocked on the door, saying

"Excusez-moi monsieur/madame, avez-vous un peu d'espace dans vos champs/votre jardin pour un petit tente, que pour un nuit."

And rarely have I been turned away, whether on foot, bicycle or bike. Just look a)friendly b)clean c)slightly bedraggled d)sane and you should be fine. I've even camped in people's front gardens in the suburbs before. Quite often you might get invited in for coffee/wine/vicious homemade cabbage based liquor, equally often you find you'll get breakfast, rarely you'll get the farmer's daughter. Anyway you look at it, it's a great way to get to know the locals a little bit, to pick up some tips on places you might want to see, and places/roads to avoid.

And if when the evening's coming you find you can't find a farm/garden/balcony then try the municipal campsites in France, either follow the signs, or head from the Mairie/Office de Tourisme/Bar Tabac. They're usually only a few euros, mostly clean, and pretty much all have loos/showers, although sometimes cold water only. Far cheaper than private camping.
__________________
Happiness has 125 cc
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
200km is easy in a day. It just sounded like months of travel when i read through your list!

Good luck.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Apr 2009
Caminando's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
In France, apart from the usual discreet free camping off smaller roads, I use the autoroute laybys -The Aires de Repos. If I must pay, then its the municipal camping.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Just afew pointers please yoashman Yamaha Tech 1 7 Aug 2008 01:12
Any pointers for honduran dealerships? bigblur TRAVEL Hints and Tips 3 14 Mar 2006 07:31
Camping accomm in Europe NSG Route Planning 12 16 Apr 2005 02:51
Camping in UK and Europe 2goose Europe 6 9 Jan 2005 20:57

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:30.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top