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For years, we dreamed of taking an epic highway 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 few of the finest meals of our lives.
We not solely hit a few of the widespread vacationer spots, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and consuming fondue on Lake Geneva, but in addition spent plenty of time exploring smaller villages and cities we’d by no means heard of earlier than.
If you’re in search of a conventional Europe highway journey hitting all of the highlights of the continent, this itinerary is just not for you. Our highway journey fashion is a little more spontaneous and we wish 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 utilize this itinerary to highway journey Europe this summer time!
Why Take a Highway 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 these kinds of journeys, however there are a couple of the reason why we selected a highway 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 manner! (She has her priorities!)
A couple of years in the past we have been driving our motorhome by way of the Italian Dolomites and came across 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 few of the most epic views we’d ever seen (video under).
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 among the causes we love road-tripping.
2. Select your personal journey stops.
Whereas driving throughout France, we joined a program known as France Ardour, the place you’ll be able to camp at wineries and farms totally free. A number of of the wineries we stopped at additionally had Mattress and Breakfasts as properly (in case you aren’t in a camper!).
3. Sleep in your personal mattress each night time.
So this isn’t the case for each highway journey, however it’s in case you lease an RV in Europe.
One of many issues we beloved 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 may drop off your RV virtually wherever in Europe (therefore the title!) after which fly to select 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 highway journey ended up being greater than 2,000KM over the course of a month. We crossed into 6 completely different international locations (France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Andorra, and Switzerland). We landed in Paris on September twelfth, so we bought to expertise cooler temps all through our journey. This “shoulder season” is one in all our favourite instances to discover Europe as a result of the crowds are smaller than in summer time (to place it mildly), however all over the place remains to be open.
Paris, France
We at all times begin a highway 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 massive 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 lessons every week so she realized the best way to make choux pastry from the very best pastry chef on this planet. (Actually. There’s a contest. He gained.) Extremely suggest for anybody who loves meals!
Champagne, France
Champagne Avenue is among 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 courting again centuries and even camped at two champagne homes. In case you like wine, champagne will blow you away. Prosecco is crap as compared!
Vougeot, France
Ever heard of this small city? Us neither. Nevertheless, there was an epic citadel we toured surrounded by vines with reside 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 strive a grape straight from the vines, Malbec I believe. She would give it a 0/10, don’t suggest.
Mouthe, France
That is rated because the coldest place in France. It was positively one of many coldest locations we stayed on our whole journey. You possibly can’t see them within the picture under, 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 path system for hikes. 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 looking for parking, we set off looking for some cheese fondue. One big bowl and $75 later (for a bowl of cheese!!!), we loved a sundown looking over the lake in Geneva. Whereas it’s a buzzing metropolis, I might completely love to return 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 ravishing lake, and the town heart has water flowing by way of it. This was one in all 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 one of the crucial stunning locations I’ve ever set foot in my whole life. (In true French vogue, it’s pronounced sha-mo-knee.) Within the image under you’ll be able to see the views from our campsite. Palms down, that is probably the most stunning place we’ve ever camped wherever on this planet. One of many issues we did in Chamonix that I might extremely suggest is to take the cog prepare as much as a glacier the place you’ll be able to discover ice caves.
Chamonix is an journey city and never the very best for touring with little children, however we share a couple of suggestions for issues to do with children.
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, enjoying in parks, and hanging on the seashore.
Monaco
One factor we knew earlier than arriving in Monaco was that you just can’t 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 prepare station that goes into Monaco. We spent most of our day on the aquarium (Musée Océanographique de Monaco) and strolling across the metropolis.
Pernes-les-Fontaines, France
“Hey Siri, Google cities in Provence price visiting.”
“Here’s a city that appears just like the set of Magnificence and the Beast:”
One factor we needed to do on our France journey was to discover a few of the smaller and lesser-known villages. Someday, we spent a day strolling round Pernes-les-Fontaines, recognized for its many fountains. It seemed just like the city the place Belle grew up and our three-year-old beloved it! We visited on a Saturday and walked by way of the farmer’s market and the complete village. At each flip, there have been vines rising on the buildings, fountains, and idyllic espresso outlets. I extremely suggest additionally stopping in close by Avignon, which we drove by way of and gawked at! All of those tiny cities in Provence are picture-perfect.
Carcassonne, France
Based within the sixth century BC, this medieval citadel is legendary for its 52 towers and spectacular structure. Nevertheless, Alyssa and I’ll without end bear in mind it as a result of we had a traditional 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 biggest citadel in France and the place we took the very best ever 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 everywhere in the world for the waters in Lourdes which might be purported to have therapeutic powers. What we beloved 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’ll be able to watch a video under from one in all our hikes within the park.
One other nice exercise within the space is the Parc Animalier des Pyrenees. This zoo was actually the very best zoo I’ve ever been to in my life.
You get (virtually uncomfortably) shut entry to the animals and the strolling observe by way of the zoo is extra like occurring a scenic hike than simply visiting a zoo. If in case you have children or similar to zoos, I might extremely suggest 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 seems like somebody took a ski resort city and turned it into a ravishing little nation.
Sadly, we bought sick throughout our stopover in Andorra and 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 plenty of free tenting for us) and mountains. We had no intention of spending greater than a day right here, however we favored it a lot we stayed a few days. You possibly can see extra of the expertise on this video:
Tavertet, Spain
This cute little city was mainly all closed up after we bought there. Try this campsite although! Not pictured: An incredible playground and a public pool.
Perealada, Spain
Driving towards the Costa Brava, we stopped on this little city for cappuccinos. In case you’re the playing type, try this citadel which is definitely a on line casino.
Castellop d’Empuries, Spain
We’re seashore individuals. If there’s an opportunity 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 appears like! We loved cava and tapas and the sunny seashore for a couple of days.
Cabrera de Mar, Spain
Our final night time in our campers, we needed to get as shut as potential to Barcelona. Cabrera de Mar is a beachside city with a completely automated campground with services that’s a simple stroll to parks and a seashore. It was on this city the place we noticed colleges and parks and households having fun with the sunshine that we mentioned these vacationer phrases…
“I believe we must always transfer right here.”
Barcelona, Spain
Everybody loves Barcelona. Typically, European cities which might be so widespread don’t reside as much as the hype (sorry, Paris, you’re nonetheless stunning). However Barcelona was unbelievable!
We took a meals tour and bought to find out about completely different meals and the historical past of the town. And we (in fact) visited the zoo, the place the youngsters have been thrilled to discover. We ate extra tapas and tried churros and chocolate (10/10, must stroll rather a lot to get well from these energy). This was positively a metropolis we are going to come again to! We dropped off our motorhome on the prepare 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 suggest visiting Europe in Might or early June or ready till September and October. The climate can be good, and there gained’t be as many crowds. Every thing will nonetheless be open for the season however might provide low season pricing, making the journey rather less costly.
Are you able to go on a highway journey to Europe?
No you’ll be able to’t drive to Europe (somebody requested me that lately!) However you’ll be able to freely and simply drive throughout borders in Europe. Only a few borders have safety (not like US borders), and you might even cross into one other nation with out realizing it. There could also be milk restrictions, like needing a sure driving move for Switzerland. Our camper rental included all of these passes, so we didn’t have to fret as we traveled!
What’s the finest automotive for a Europe highway journey?
We’re 100% motorhome individuals. We’ve been RVing for a decade and it’s our favourite strategy to journey, regardless of the continent!
How a lot cash do you want to spend a month in Europe?
Let’s not sugarcoat it. A month-long journey is dear! We share all of our detailed bills from this highway 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 international locations might require a world driver’s allow.
Are campervans widespread in Europe?
Campervans are extra widespread in Europe than they’re within the States! In case you suppose 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!
Highway Journey Europe: 30-Day Itinerary
For the time of yr, we selected southern Europe for our 30-day highway 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 highway journey Europe itinerary to stipulate your personal dream journey. Have questions on planning an RV journey in Europe? Drop it within the feedback!
