Some thoughts and a brief summary of our Adventure from May 2012
to March 2013.
Countries visited.
The definition of travelling; don't expect things to be the way they are at home - they won't be.
Countries visited.
After the month spent touring around England and Wales, we left
for the continent in early June 2012. The supposed summer (very rainy) found us
travelling through the Flemish part of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany,
motorway through Austria and Slovenia to Croatia, Italy, Sicily for the winter,
and back to England at the end of March 2013.
Route
Dover-Calais crossing.
Belgium:- Brugges - Knokke - Waterloo - north Flanders.
The Netherlands:- Provinces of Zeeland - south and north Holland -
city of Arnhem in Gelderland.
Germany:- A very comprehensive 6 weeks travelling across and
through the whole of Germany. From the industrial heart on the Rhine, to Berlin,
to near Rostock in the north, south to Dresden, Munich, the Alpine region and
Berchtesgaden.
Motorway through Austria and Slovenia with rain most of the way
over three days.
Croatia:- Zagreb area mainly to the east (Kloster Ivanic), the
Adriatic coast from Senj to near Split.
Italy:- Verona in the north, Tuscany, Cassino, Pompeii and
Vesuvius, Sorrento, Cropani Marina in Calabria.
Sicily:- Giardini Naxos on the east coast for 6 weeks, Santa Groce
on the south coast for 6 weeks.
Back to England via the French Riviera, Lyon, Dijon, Reims,
Compiegne, and the Somme battlefields of WW1.
Campsite impressions
Belgium had good free stops and good inexpensive ones too. Holland
proved expensive and free camping is not allowed. It was July and prices were
inflated, some charging 30+ Euros per night.
Germany was a pleasure from a motorhoming perspective because they
cater so well for this mode of travel. You are welcome everywhere, they want
you to stop and stay and spend your money. That will explain why the Wohnmobil
(Motorhome) business in Germany is so big. It can be as cheap as 4 Euros per
day!
Campsites all over were good and ablutions generally clean, yes
some more than others. You do have a choice and you can move on, or use your
own shower and toilet in the 'van. I did complain twice in Italy at two
different stops.
Shopping and Food
The Netherlands had the nearest to what we are used to - also good
bread. Germany the best in cold meats and Schinken. Croatia the best chicken.
Italy for meze or deli goods. Belgium the best beer, and the strongest! For
subtlety and roundness Germany, cheers to the Reinheitsgebot.
Wine find was the Chianti's in Italy, cheap and consistently good.
Our stay in the Chianti region in Tuscany will be long remembered.
The fish platter in the seaside town of Senj, Croatia was superb,
expensive but very tasty. A harbour cafe on the sea, no frills very plain and
cooked by the owner himself.
Saturday market in Vittoria, Sicily, needs mention. Good choice of
veg and meat. The fish market in Catania too, if you knew what to get and could
say so in Italian.
Our Christmas meal in Giardini Naxos, Sicily was excellent,
restaurant well chosen by fellow motorhomers Ian and Linda, who live in Italy.
Lastly, the meals prepared by ourselves in our own Fifi - all of
them 5 star!
Winter in southern Italy and Sicily
This was one of our objectives, to escape the British winter. We
swam in the Med until mid November and then spent 12 weeks on Sicily in mainly
good weather with many sunny days. Sundowners in Scarabeo near Santa Groce
outside our 'vans! Where in the UK can you do that in Feb and March?
Walks on a beach in sandals and shopping on your bicycle to the
nearest town 5km away. Sunsets over Mt Etna and the walks into Giardini for an
Espresso or Latte. Or walking the hilly streets of Taormina with views across
the Strait of Messina in 22 Centigrade mid December!
Thoughts and Summary
The definition of travelling; don't expect things to be the way they are at home - they won't be.
- Would we do it again? YES!
- Mileage:- 11,000 miles (17,000km) over the 11 months.
- Most enjoyed was Germany. Best coastal / seaside experience
Croatia. Best for cycling Belgium and the Netherlands. Best for 'doing it their
way' Italy. Best for 'nothing is a problem' Italy and Sicily. Worst litter
problem southern Italy and Sicily in places, they just don't care. Best sunsets
Croatia.
Most eye opening city experience was Berlin. The Germans are
rebuilding their former capital at a pace and with finance which is mind boggling.
And now onto the next phase of our Adventure, that being Year Two
of A NEW ADVENTURE. The story continues .... please stay tuned.
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