To Plan or Not: Northern Europe our Next Destination
We're embarking on a van tour of Northern Europe in just a few days. Our Itinerary Includes Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, and Holland. Read on to learn our stance on planning along the way.
Planning can be a controversial topic among van travellers, with strong opinions on both sides. Instead of strict rules, we follow guiding principles and believe there are no bad tactics, only ineffective ones.
To put it briefly, we don't have a set stance on planning. In some cases, like on this trip where we have a specific location and time to be at, planning is necessary and helpful. However, on a more relaxed and spontaneous journey, we prefer the flexibility of having no set agenda.
For this upcoming trip, we have a clear idea of our desired destinations and schedule, which means we are creating itineraries and booking necessary stopovers. We are also making sure to choose stopovers close to rail links and other transportation options to ensure we arrive at our destinations on time.
You may be wondering what plans are needed beyond just visiting a few campsites across the water. However, there are several important topics that we will be exploring on our upcoming trip.
Pet issues ( outgoing documentation and incoming worming requirements)
Emission Zones which alter nation by nation
Finding campsites/steplatz’s with proximity to public transport
LPG supply (ie Austria is an issue)
Toll collection boxes ( Go Box etc)
Documentation
Speed limits and local regulations for over 3.5t
Specific locations to visit and to photograph
Maps and Apps for planned walks
As a team of three, our priority for a successful tour is to ensure that Poppy, our Cockapoo dog, can accompany us wherever we go. This involves not only taking care of the necessary documentation, which we have discussed in previous blogs/vlogs, but also considering the mode of transportation, the camping locations we plan to visit, and our means of mobility.
Currently, we reside in East Anglia, and our upcoming trip will take us to the North and Centre of Europe. We will be travelling through Northern Germany to Poland before eventually heading south into the Czech Republic and beyond. Our usual travel route involves using the Tunnel since we prefer not to leave our dog unattended in the van. It may be considered overly cautious, but that's just how we are. Nonetheless, with some advanced planning, we sometimes manage to secure a pet cabin. Fortunately, on this particular trip, we have been able to book a pet cabin for a ferry ride from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.
The overnight ferry option fits our needs perfectly, as it will arrive in Holland at 8am, enabling us to make it to Bremen, Germany comfortably in one day. However, securing a pet cabin can be challenging, as they are in high demand. Hence, we need to plan ahead to ensure we can reserve one.
Another crucial factor to consider is public transportation , as its essential to our mobility on this trip . We must ensure that our park-up is situated within walking distance of public transportation and also confirm whether our furry friend can accompany us on the journey, along with any specific restrictions. In Germany, for instance, Poppy can travel on trains and buses with a muzzle , but a ticket is required unless she is in a crate. The ticket and travel regulations vary across countries, so research ahead of time is necessary. Additionally, we have made arrangements for Stellplatz locations near the public transportation hubs.
European Emission Zones
Emissions zones are becoming more prevalent, and their administration is frequently managed from the ground up, with individual cities introducing them at their discretion. The implementation can either be nationally or locally managed, resulting in varied policies. For instance, some Spanish cities may accept the French Crit Aire Sticker as a permit for access to the zone, while other areas in Europe, such as Berlin, require a specific zone sticker. Research in advance is required if you are to avoid potential fines or penalties.
Besides emissions zones, tolls are another factor to consider. As our van weighs 4250kgs, we are not eligible for the vignette schemes and must instead adhere to the toll systems for heavier vehicles. Thus, it is essential to plan ahead as specific toll requirements exist in Austria and the Czech Republic, but not in Germany. We have obtained the coordinates of the locations where we can rent the necessary toll boxes, which sit on the dashboard and charge automatically based on the miles travelled. However, in Switzerland, this process must be completed through a designated app. This is not as complex as it sounds , but needs attention prior to setting off.
Our upcoming trip is heavily intertwined with our passion for photography, specifically street photography. If you share this interest, we have a designated Instagram account for street photography that you can access through the links above. Thus, location is of utmost importance, with proximity to urban centers being vital for both vehicle security reasons and accessibility to the locations we need to visit, as well as to public transport hubs, as mentioned earlier.
In the process of planning this multi-location trip, we have had to carefully consider our options for stopping at places with access to EHU (electric hook-ups) for recharging our equipment and washing facilities. To locate suitable campsites, we have utilized the usual apps such as Search for Sites and Camper Contact, with the latter being our preferred option. Additionally, in a few instances, we have reached out to the local tourist board via email to ensure we have identified the best possible overnight locations to make the most of our stay.
Due to being areas in high demand , we have made specific campsite reservations in both Berlin and Prague.
Various countries mandate the carriage of vehicle documentation, and therefore, we keep printed documents with us. However, besides these, I ensure that I can also access other necessary documents. For instance, I carry a copy of my household insurance in case of any issues while we're away from home.
The European Union is a diverse continent with a wide range of countries, each with its own unique culture and traditions. This also applies to the rules and regulations governing vehicles. There is no EU-wide approach to vehicle classification, speed limits, weight limits, access to Environmental Zones, and other related issues. This means that drivers who travel between countries need to be aware of the different rules in each place.
Research is needed to ensure that drivers get it right as fines can follow, although we not yet seen any over zealous application of the law on travellers. We use a web resource to ascertain each nations speed limits. https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/going_abroad/germany/speed_limits_en.htm .
When it comes to capturing the best city and urban photographs in Europe, pinpointing location-specific sites is crucial. Therefore, it's essential to identify these places at an early stage to ensure that we can highlight our stay-over options and the accessibility to public transportation.
In order to effectively triangulate these three areas, we simultaneously cross-check photography books, road maps, and stellplatz location books.
We hope these explains our approach to planning this trip - Best wishes H and M
