My family and I will be traveling from Paris to Switzerland to Milan to Marseilles and back to Paris, total 10 days, from around Dec 24, 2015, to 2 Jan 2016.
We want to rent an RV for the trip.
We are looking for a family of 2-3 people to travel with us, share costs and driving.
We are from India. We welcome people from any country, but ideally someone who knows Europe well. Families with 1-2 kids are very welcome.
If you are interested, let me know asap.
Shas
Hi, I know you didn't ask this, but I'm wondering if you've calculated the amount of driving time this trip will entail. You can use the website or app Rome2Rio to get a rough estimate, and it's many hours on the road. You're likely to spend as much time driving as you are sightseeing. You should add to the driving time estimates because it's going to be the middle of the winter, with probable snow and/or rain to slow you down. In addition, driving an RV on winding mountain roads in Switzerland or in small towns with narrow streets will take extra time. Finally, an RV is going to be challenging to drive and very difficult to park in the cities you mention. Also, at that time of the year, other than the mountains, the scenery will be fairly dreary. Minimally, I would suggest reducing the amount territory you're trying to cover.
Thank you, Sherry. I was worried about winter, but I have driven in the middle of the winter along the borders of Midwestern US and Canada, and that too in a broken down Chevy - and I have driven in the Himalayas in broken down roads. I actually love winter driving because of the reduced traffic. Plus I don't have any other time in the year when I can get away from work - so I gotta do this at this time.
I am taking 10-12 days for the trip, going all the way from Paris to Innsbruck, then down to Milano via the St.Moritz route, then to Marseilles, and then hopefully a leisurely trip across western France, touching the Loire valley and to Paris.
I just need to know if roads will be open in the mountain passes. December probably won't see too much snowing, but I have no idea, never driven in Europe before. Do I need snow tyres and all that stuff? Can I stay in the RV or will it be too cold even with heating?
So, again- anybody wants to join the trip, feel free to email. Costs are actually even lower than I expected, around 1000EUROS for 10-12 days.
Shas
We have lived in an RV for six years. Driving in the snow is not your only cold weather issue.
It is very difficult to keep it comfortably warm when the temperatures drop, even with the furnace on. But aside from that, there is something you I would suggest that you research. Lots of campgrounds in much of North America close when the temperatures drop. Water and sewer functions become an issue, as the water lines can and do freeze. Campgrounds must insulate their water supplies as a result, and many choose not to do so. Sewage systems can freeze where the frost levels are deep. In northern North America, the season for camping is short as a result. I can't help but wonder if that would also be the case in Europe.
Donna
Thanks, Donna, I think you made me change my mind. I did a lot of research, and although RV-ing may be possible in southern Europe in winter, it is not going to be possible at all in Switzerland and the Alps. Some campsites will be open, but the main problem will be driving that big vehicle in snowbound roads. Plus the main fun of RVs, wildcamping, is not going to be easy.
If some experienced camper who has done this in winter wants to join me, I am still game. Otherwise, I am going to rent a cheap small car and do that trip in it and stay in hotels and live normally.
On that note, what's the story on driving a compact car in the passes of Alps in winter? I have driven a 4wd Mitsubishi in the Himalayas, and I know that's not easy. How will a compact cope? Do I need snowtyres, snowchains?
Or do I abandon the entire Alps idea and go to Spain? I do believe there's going to be some snow in Spain as well.
Most passes close for winter. When you look at a paper map look near the passes and look for roman numerals. If it says, for example, "vi-xi" it will be closed from late November through June.
There will be large automatic roadside signs as you approach the mountains with the names of passes and either red or green lettering indicating open or closed.
Which exact passes do you want tk drive? You will need chains. Are you OK with chains?
Thanks, I didn't know that. I want to get to the Lake Como area via St Moritz, from Lucerne. I recall that the name of the pass is Maloja pass. I am hoping it will be open, but any information will be much appreciated.
If that's not open, I will try the Locarno side to get to Como.
I am fine with chains, although I only used it once, and didn't set it up myself.
According to this youtube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGQvWt6qr40 - not only is it open in winter, but did I see a motorhome going by at around 30 seconds?
Anybody interested in motorhome sharing, or just sharing a ride, let me know. I am doing Paris - Chaumont - Lucerne - Lake Como - Saint Tropez - Lyon - Paris, 12 days. Family of 2, plus a kid, would like to share driving and expenses, and probably some great experiences to boot.
Shas
Wow, 7 cities in 12 days, driving in winter, with a young child. You will not have much time to see anything. And no room for adding another adult in a rental car.
Check google maps for time and distances, then replan.
Good luck.
Beth, I know what you are saying, but this is my first Europe tour. Who knows if I will come again? I would rather do a whirlwind tour of everything I can take in and then later at home read about them and remember; than read about them later and know that if I had just crossed another bend, I could have seen it, and now I never will.
There's a choice between a compact and an SUV. I prefer the latter because I drive a Mitsubishi SUV at home and it can fit in another 2 people if someone's joining. If not, we will take a compact - at least parking and fuel economy are better.
I have 3 days in Paris, one day to check out the Eiffel Tower, another to check out the Champs Elysees area. The last day, just for random walk-around.
Next day, early morning, to Chaumont, 250kms away. I am guessing 3-4 hours, so by 10, I should be there. Spend the entire day around the lake. Small place, can be done in a day.
Early next day to Lucerne. Reach by 10 again. Find a nice , representative spot, and stay there for 3 entire nights. I don't need to see everything, just 1-2 nice places.
3 days later (and this is a tough day), go to Meriningen and Reichenbach of Sherlock Homes fame, reach Tisch and take the train to Zermatt for Matterhorn, stay 2 hours, return, and drive on to Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc and overnight. Matterhorn is a peak that looks exactly like a Himalayan peak called Shivling, which had half-climbed in college days, so there's an interest.
Next day, go to the Vercors area, stay in some small chalet south of Grenoble. 2 days and nights.
Repeat that at another small town in Provence, say Les Baux. 2 days and nights.
Come to Marseilles and return car.
2 nights in Marseilles, then fly to Rome.
5 days in Rome, 2 days in the Amalfi area, see Positano and Pompeii.
That's the plan as it is looking now. Total cost EURO3500, if we don't splurge on food and try to cook.
During your three days in Paris, do yourselves a favour and skip the Champs Elysees. Also think carefully about where to stay in Paris so that you can park your car. Consider a hotel at la Defense where parking is more available, at a cost.
This is the second time somebody told me to skip the Champs Elysees. I thought it was the place-to-be in Paris. What's wrong with it?
What would you recommend for 2 days in Paris?
I prefer quaint streets, old-style shops, places where I won't have to fight off muggers or panhandlers.
Thanks for your time, Norma.
Two days in Paris? You said three days earlier. Maybe the Marais would fit the bill for quaint streets, etc. Also the Picasso Museum is in the Marais. You don't need a whole day to see the Tour Eiffel. Get reserved entrance tickets before you leave home.
The Champs Elysees used to be one of the world's most beautiful streets but now is lined with chain stores, fast food joints and car dealers. However, the Arc de Triomphe is worth a visit ..... It is at the far end from Place de la Concorde. The big Ferris wheel at Pl de las Concorde will have been installed by the time you are there. By the way, do you have a guide book? And have you thought about your car in Paris being a major problem? Major.
The buses 42 and 69 are great for sightseeing. Both of them will take you to the Tour Eiffel, too.
No, the third day I want to leave for myself, sit by the river or something - no touristy stuff.
Marais is the Latin quarter, right? I am staying near Bastille. Maybe I could walk or something. Do they have those HOHO buses like they have in Rome?
I am not renting a car during my stay in Paris. I am renting it at 5AM, earliest morning I can wake up and get to the airport, and going east, out of the city - that's one the last day of my Paris stay, and I leave for Lucerne. I have driven in Kolkata and NY - I know what a major pain it can be.
I will follow the rest of your very detailed advice.
BTW, do you know - if I rent a scooter, can I carry my wife on the pillion, and have my son stand in the front? Just asking - I know we do that here in India and ours is a lawless country. :)
But sometimes too much law can be such a pain!
Have you thought about taking the train instead of driving?
Nope, that's an engraved invitation for a ticket from the gendarmerie. With such a flagrant disregard for safety and the law, if anybody here reads that I would expect them to run the other way from your motorhome driving.
And all drivers will need to have the appropriate license for both the motorcycle and the motorhome/car. At the very least, in addition to your Indian driving license all drivers need an International Driving Permit.
I prefer quaint streets, old-style shops, places where I won't have to
fight off muggers or panhandlers.
That certainly not the definition of the Champs Elysees.
The Champs Elysees is wall to wall of overpriced and under value chain stores, McDonald and Burger King among them, and I have seen all sorts of beggars, scammers, and panhandlers all along it. The girls pretending to be deaf are usually there, two or three groups. 20 minutes should do it for your one and only visit to the that tourist trap.
The Marais is not the Latin quarter. On the opposite side of the river, and a fair bit along it.
Carol: Train is not only more expensive, but I want to see the countryside, French and Swiss. Don't think that's possible with train. I just booked a Puegot 308 SW, I am going driving.
Nigel: "With such a flagrant disregard for safety and the law, if anybody here reads that I would expect them to run the other way from your motorhome driving."
Don't you think that's a bit strong for this forum? I wasn't looking for a morality lesson, but thanks anyway. I only wanted to know if what I suggested was illegal - as far as I know, it isn't, in India - and I appreciate your telling me it is illegal in France. Maybe we should have left it at that? Just a suggestion.
I am driven in 5 countries for 20 years, and have never hit anything except a single deer at very, very slow speed in the middle of the winter in Wisconsin. My car was stalled in ice, I was revving it, so I am not sure how I hit the poor thing. But I came out and checked, it wasn't hurt much and it ran away, and the car didn't even have a dent. So I have a fairly safe record - for a driver from a lawless country. Right?
I don't think you need the IDP in either France or Switzerland - at least not officially. It is mandatory in Italy, which is why I will get one if I drive there.
Thanks for the rest of your message, very informative, and I appreciate it.
No, you are right that you do not, by law, have to have an IDP in France.
In France, what you do have to do is have an official notarized translation of all aspects of each driver's home driving license. That is expensive, and with "legal" in your screen name you will know that.
For a much smaller amount of money providing an IDP is much easier and faster.
Your choice.
Darn, how do I change my screenname!:)
I am trying to get an IDP here. It's a bit of hassle - but I am sure it is less hassle than getting caught on a wintry road in the middle of nowhere in the French countryside, so I will get one.
You're a very good natured man, Mr Indo.
Its the weather here in Bangalore, Norma.
So anyway, thanks everyone for all the inputs. Now I just need to figure out where to stay in Lucerne - I am looking at a farm stay but I don't speak German and the guy isn't responding to emails - probably farming away before winter. And I need to figure out the Zermatt section.
Ciao.
