Spring is just around the corner; finally the days are getting noticeably longer and the temperature is starting to creep up in the daytime. If you look around the daffodils and snowdrops are already starting to grow and it will not be long before the countryside is bursting into life, populated by budding flowers, baby animals and fledgling birds. Spring is a positive time of year, full of new life and new hope so it is definitely worth getting out into the countryside and absorbing some of the vitality of the spring awakening. Getting away in your caravan or motor home in the Spring uniquely positions you to observe this lovely time. There are loads of other advantages to getting away in springtime in your caravan too.

Bank Holidays

For a start most of our bank holidays take place in the Spring which means that you can take a long weekend break. Easter is early this year so the holidays are on, Good Friday, the 2^nd and, Easter Monday, the 5^th of April. The May bank holidays fall on the 3^rd and 31^st.

Great Value Caravan Pitches

Prices for prime caravan pitches in the Spring will be considerably less than in the summer high season. There will be premiums for the bank holidays but you will still be able to stay in some of the best places in the countryside for less than at other times.

Calm Caravan Travel and Caravan Rallies

Many sites are likely to be less full, if you are a caravanner that enjoys the calmer side of caravan travel then you may want to try out one of the busier sites without having to encounter hoards of other people. Alternatively lots of caravan rallies take place in the Spring. If you want to socialise with lots of people that also enjoy caravanning then you should consider attending one of these events. For example The Caravan Club traditionally holds it annual rally over the second May bank holiday.

Caravan Checks

Travelling a shorter distance for less time than your usual main caravan holiday will give you an opportunity to re familiarise yourself with your caravan. You will have the opportunity to check that everything is in perfect working order and it will remind you of any jobs that you may not have done at the end of last year.

So no excuses, get into your caravan or motorhome and spend some time in the Great British countryside this Spring!

Travelling in a car in adverse conditions can be dangerous if you are not well prepared. Water, ice and snow on the roads all increase stopping distances dramatically. Visibility is likely to be reduced because of shorter days, fog, mist and precipitation. If your car breaks down or you have an accident you need to be prepared to wait in the cold or to have the necessary equipment to sort it out. In order to minimise danger it is a good idea to take precautions before you travel. Every vehicle, even off road vehicles, will be affected by bad road conditions, so pay extra attention at all points of your journey.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter

• Get your car serviced so that it is in the best condition to deal with the adverse conditions.

• Check and, if necessary, replace the anti freeze in the radiator.

• Consider getting winter tyres put on your vehicles if you live in a remote or badly affected area. Always ensure that your tyres have at least 3mm of tread depth and that they are properly inflated according to the manufacturers instructions.

• Check that your windscreen wiper blades are working well, replace them if they are not, this will help to ensure that you have the maximum visibility at all times.

Driving in Winter Conditions

If conditions are bad it is best to not drive. Always check weather reports before making a long trip. Use route planners and local radio traffic updates to get the latest information on the roads that you wish to travel.

Flooding & Strong Winds

The risk of flooding in certain areas is high this year. The Met office have issued severe weather warnings for much of the country, it is never advisable to drive in flooded conditions but if you have to then you should follow these basic guidelines:

1. Avoid driving through surface water; your engine may flood, or you may aquaplane which could cause you to loose control of your vehicle.

2. The deepest water is likely to be nearest the curb, if possible drive near to the centre of the road.

3. If you have to drive through surface water, stay in first gear and continually move to avoid stalling.

4. Always test your breaks immediately after driving through water, if they work fine then you can increase your speed.

5. High winds will particularly affect highsided vehicles including caravans and motor homes, slow down and remember to be extra cautious when approaching open areas such as bridges.

Snow and Ice

1. Decrease speed

2. Stopping distances are increased so leave a large amount of distance between yourself and the car in front.  Take more time to slow down to navigate corners and bends in the road.

3. Do not break hard. Breaking gently will help to minimise skidding, if the wheels lock when braking, ease off the brake.

4. Have your lights on all of the time

5. Keep your windscreen, lights, windows and mirrors clean for maximum visability.

Winter Supplies for Your Vehicle

Prepare yourself for difficult conditions by having these essentials in your vehicle at all times and especially if you are taking a long journey.

• First Aid Kit

• Blankets and warm clothing

• Non perishable and high energy food eg nuts, dried fruit and sweets

• Water

• De-icer and ice scraper

• Maps of the area

• Torch and spare batteries

• Mobile phone

• Spare tyre, wheel wrench and jack

• Shovel, if snow is expected

• Towing ropes

• Tool Kit

• Jump leads

If you are well equipped you will find that you are able to deal with most situations easily and safely. The most important thing to remember is to be cautious and vigilant.  This is especially necessary if you are towing a caravan as it will be far more challenging to drive safely in difficult conditions, make sure that you plan your journey very well and take plenty of provisions.

Recreational vehicles, also known as R.V.s come in lots of different shapes and sizes according to what they are meant to be used for, some are temporary living accommodation others are designed for long term occupation. They are commonly used for camping, travelling and other recreational journeys. The price tag differs as much as the vans do so before you leap into buying or renting a motorhome it is a good plan to have some idea of the different types that are available. Also do not forget that the larger and heavier a vehicle the more it will cost to use it as the petrol, insurance, storage and running costs will be proportionally higher each time.

Class A Recrational Vehicles

Class A recreational vehicles are top specification motorhomes. They are the largest, most well equipped and heaviest of all the motor homes available. An average length would be between 30-40 feet and they are likely to weigh between 15000 and 30000 pounds. Generally they are built up on a custom chassis, similar to the ones used for 3-10 tonne trucks. Often class A motorhomes will have additional space inside available at the touch of a button, allowing comfortable sleeping space for up to 8 people. These luxurious models have fold out sections which can be folded out when the vehicle is stationary. Expect all modern conveniences when you are looking for a motorhome of these specifications, but you must also expect a price tag to match, often the cost of these vehicles will exceed the cost of a small bricks and mortar house.

Class B Recreational Vehicles

Class B recreational vehicles are more commonly known as camper vans. Camper vans are the smallest totally enclosed van available. Typically they will sleep two to four people. Commonly they are constructed onto a van chassis with no extra modifications to length or width although they will have more height to them than a regular van. Campervans are known for being a practical size for general use and for being comparatively economical as holiday vehicles. Specifications will vary from model to model but generally they will be equipped with a kitchen, sink, toilet and electric.

Class C Recreational Vehicles

A class C recreational vehicle has a separated cab, they are a smaller version of a class A vehicle. Often there will be sleeping space built above the cab to maximise the use of space. They are more similar to class A motor homes than to class B vehicles. They may also have fold out sections which enable the user to create more space inside when parked, although it is worth noting that this feature is likely to add a fair amount onto the cost of the vehicle. They are likely to have a range of entertainment features in addition to the basic amenities provided by a class B vehicle.

Towable Recreational Vehicles

Trailer Tents

Very much as it is described, a trailer tent or a folding camper trailer is a tent that folds away into a trailer which can then be towed by another vehicle. They are easy to use and the cheapest of all the options available, although they normally come without any facilities apart from sleeping areas and a large living area. One advantage, over camping, is that the bed areas will be raised off the floor and will have mattresses ensuring a warmer and more comfortable nights sleep.

Truck Campers

A truck camper is a specially designed trailer that fits onto the back of a pickup truck. They tend to be popular for short trips as they are quite easy to use, they are also good for accessing more remote areas. Again they can be costly to purchase.

Travel Trailers, Caravans and Fifth Wheel R.V.’s

Travel trailers and fifth wheel recreational vehicles are large towable vehicles, in some cases identifable with caravans. They tend to be packed with entertainment facilities and modern conveniences. Fifth wheel trailers need to be moved with a pick up truck, whereas travel trailers can be moved by a regular towing vehicle. The size of the vehicle needed is dependant on the size of the trailer which can very considerably.

Gone are the days when the onset of winter meant that caravanning was no longer a viable pastime. Widespread availability of well insulated caravans and a plethora of useful equipment mean that you can now caravan in the winter. There are many caravan sites across the U.K. that stay open in the winter to cater for the dedicated caravanners among us. If you are considering going away in a caravan this winter don’t forget to be prepared. There are a number of things that you will need for your winter trip that you didn’t need in the summer.

Keeping Warm

Gas appliances can be used, but be aware of the dangers of leaving them on overnight whilst you are sleeping. It is a better idea to invest in a low wattage electrical heater that you can leave on most of the time to keep the caravan warm.

Modern caravans are well insulated. Buying a porch awning is a good way to preserve heat. It will stop cold air rushing into your caravan when you open the door. A porch can also be handy for storing things like wellington boots, wet shoes and large winter coats.

Take lots of extra bedding; it is worth investing in a high tog quilt or a expedition quality sleeping bag to keep you warm at night.

Pack lots of extra clothes, remember that you are likely to need extra pairs of everything as there may be adverse weather conditions to contend with.

Access to Water

Outside water containers are likely to freeze if the temperature plummets below zero. In order to ensure that you always have access to fresh water it is worth keeping an insulated tank inside your caravan. Many modern caravans have the advantage of having tanks in lockers on the inside of the caravan that are accessible from outside, often these are designed to prevent freezing. It is advisable to check the manual before you make your journey.

Filling up water tanks in the evening creates a large mass of water that will be more resistant to freezing than a small amount. The slightly higher temperature in the day time should help to prevent freezing in the daytime as you lower the water supply.

You can use anti-freeze or a similar product to keep waste water from freezing. Make sure that there is no chance of contaminating fresh water when you use any products of this nature.

Try to ensure that pipes are all flat so that no pools of water gather in them as this is when the water is most likely to freeze.

Other Things To Consider

Use propane and not butane. Butane will freeze when it reaches -4 degrees. Not being able to cook or heat up water if the temperature did drop below this would not be ideal. If you need to change from butane to propane use do not forget that you will need a different adaptor as they are not interchangeable.

Condensation can be an issue in the winter, try to make sure that if you are cooking or showering that the area is well ventilated. If necessary you can purchase moisture absorbing crystals to deal with this issue. They are widely available.

Keep moving parts of the caravan well oiled to prevent seizing.

If the weather is set to be ice and snow then consider buying winter tyres for your caravan and your towing car. The improved grip will make the journey much safer.

Your tyres are your point of contact with the road. Acceleration, braking, cornering and steering are all dependant on the quality of your tyres and their suitability to your vehicle. It is essential to regularly check your tyres and to get advice before you even consider changing the type of tyres that you are using. In some countries it is illegal to use tyres that differ from the tyres that the vehicle would have been fitted with. The correct types of tyre for your vehicles will be listed in the vehicles’ handbooks. Always consult a professional if you have any concerns about your tyres.

Getting the Right Tyre Pressure

• Your tyres need to be the correct pressure, this varies from vehicle to vehicle.

• Tyres that are over or under inflated will wear at a much faster rate and their performance will not be at the required standard.

• Always check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. The heat gained during movement causes tyre pressure to rise. If you adjust the pressure using hot tyres as your starting point you will have under inflated tyres.

• It is recommended to inflate the rear tyres of the towing vehicle to the suggested ‘fully laden’ pressure, as they will bear a lot of the weight of the caravan.

Wear and Age

• Check that the your tyres have enough tread. The legal minimum tread pattern depth in the U.K. is 1.6mm through the central 75% of the tread width and around the circumference.

• Do not use tyres that are over seven years old, even if they have not been used. Tyres deteriorate over time and tyres over this age should not be trusted.

• It is recommended to change tyres that are over five years old, if not before.

• If you do not use your caravan frequently you should always check the tyres before any journey. Look for signs of deterioration and wear. Tyres that are left static will deteriorate more quickly than if they are used regularly.

• If you are not going to use your caravan for some time it is advisable to take the weight off the tyres to preserve them. You should shield them from the sun.

• Older caravans may be fitted with tyres that are no longer available, for example cross ply tyres. If your caravan is fitted with these tyres you should consult a specialist about the best way to upgrade your tyres.

• Always keep a spare tyre inflated to the right pressure in both the caravan and the towing vehicle.

The most important thing to remember is that your tyres need to be checked regularly on both the caravan and the towing vehicle. Towing a caravan puts a significant amount of extra pressure onto the tyres of the towing vehicle so it is best to always be diligent.  Having good quality tyres that are in a good condition will help you to have an easier journey and towing will be safer.

Caravanning is a popular holiday choice, which means that there are loads of destinations to choose from. Staying at a designated caravan park is a good idea because they should provide you with at least the basic facilities that you need to be comfortable, such as clean toilets and access to fresh water. There is a vast range of different types of caravan site with all kinds of different facilities.

When you are choosing somewhere to stay it is worth considering what you need from your holiday destination. Here are 10 things that could affect your choice of pitch:

1. Animals – Not all sites allow pets, some may charge if you do take them.

2. Adults – Some sites are adult only sites, creating a completely different atmosphere.

3. Children – Some sites will have lots of child friendly facilities such as playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts and even petting zoos.

4. Privacy – If you want a high degree of privacy it may be worth looking for somewhere with en-suite facilities and secluded pitches.

5. Facilities – Sports facilities, food and drink availability and social events all differ from place to place. If you want to cycle, many sites offer cycle hire facilities.

6. Public Transport Connections – If you wish to see the local area you should find out about the local transport system. Check how close the train station or bus stop is to the site.

7. Locations – If you want lots of things to do during your holiday, check the local area or your intended destination site for information about areas of natural beauty, tourist attractions, water parks, beaches, local events and other things to do.

8. Locality – It is worth finding out how long it will take you to get to the site, and how much that journey will cost you.

9. Price – Price varies enormously, from £3 a night upwards, you may find that it is beneficial to join a club so that you can take advantage of their reduced rates.

10. Booking – Book well in advance if you have a specific site in mind. During peak times some sites get completely booked up.

Once you have decided upon what you need from a site you can start looking at the different kinds of sites available.

Static Caravan Sites

There are lots of static caravan sites in the U.K. They are available to buy and to rent. If you particularly like a certain area and wish for the comfort of having your own things around you then buying a static caravan may be a good idea. You can also rent static caravans. This is excellent if you do not have the means to transport a touring caravan. The parks that static caravans are located on will normally offer a range of facilities.

Touring Caravan Sites

Touring caravans are flexible homes. You can stay in large parks with many facilities or you can retreat to small rustic pitches in the countryside, the choice is yours!

Certified Locations

The smallest sites known as Certified Locations to the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club, are suitable for no more than 5 caravans at any one time. They offer seclusion and basic amenities. Certified locations are casual, normally rural caravan sites designed to facilitate your enjoyment of the local area rather than to provide you with on-site activities. Many sites of this size are affiliated to a caravan club so they are only available to use if you are a member. The cost of staying in a site of this size starts at about £3, which makes it great value for money if you can entertain yourself.

Starred Caravan Sites – The British Graded Holiday Park Scheme

There is a system in place to evaluate holiday parks and caravan sites. It is the traditional 5* system. Private sites, holiday parks owned by commercial operators and the club sites that are open to non-members will generally all be rated under the star system. It is organised by the tourist boards of the U.K. As you would expect 5* is the top rating; caravan sites with this accolade will have groceries available daily, 24 hour access to a public telephone, good lighting, heated toilets and 75% of pitches will have electrical hook ups. 5* sites will have extremely high levels of cleanliness and all facilities will be in good order.

The other sites are graded according to where they fall in comparison to this. 5* means exceptional standards, 4* excellent quality, 3* is the industry standard, 2* is good, 1* is acceptable. Any parks that fall below these standards will not be awarded a star.

The star system is not an indication of the types of facilities available, but of the quality of the facilities that are there. Star status is reviewed annually. Always check individual brochures for details about the exact facilities that will be available.

Other Criteria for Judging Holiday Parks

The Camping and Caravanning Club and The Caravan Club have their own criteria for judging their own caravan sites. This information is available to members. Both of the clubs have a good reputation and many choose these sites because they have a high minimum standard.

The David Bellamy Conservation Award is given to all of the caravan sites in the U.K. that are making a comprehensive effort and having a positive affect on local wildlife. There are 600+ awarded sites at the moment. Many of the sites are in areas of great natural beauty and some are completely eco-friendly.

There are a number of different organisations that exist to help people get the most out of their caravan. The U.K. is home to some of the largest organisations of this type and some of the smallest as well. There are advantages and disadvantages to both as they all offer different perks and varying specialist knowledge. The following is a brief guide to the main caravan organisations that you can join in the U.K.

The Caravan Club

This world famous club is the largest of its kind in Europe. The Caravan Club has a membership of over one million caravan, motor caravan and trailer tent owners. They claim that half of all of the caravanners in the U.K. are members of their organisation. On the 14^th June 2007 they celebrated their centenary and over the hundred years of their existence they have built up a comprehensive network of caravan sites. They run 200 sites in the U.K. and have certified over 2500 locations. Being a member of the club entitles you to have access to all of their information about where to stay and what to do, as well as access to their wealth of knowledge about caravanning. The Caravan Club have a good reputation, it is run by members for the members. This huge club has its own vibrant social scene. The downside of being just one of a million members is that you are unlikely to have much say in what happens within the club, but for resources and information it is a great organisation. The club also offers a number of member only deals on holidays, insurance and finance.

The Camping and Caravanning Club

This is the oldest and largest club for all of the different kinds of camping. Boasting over 400,000 members, the club and its facilities are run by members who really enjoy camping and caravanning. This club also runs many sites of its own, over 100 of its sites have won awards. They cater to 3 million campers and caravanners every year. One of the principle advantages of being a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club is their private member sites. They have 1200 small sites located in some of the most picturesque areas of the U.K. that only members are allowed to use. If you enjoy caravanning abroad this club has its own dedicated travel organiser called Carefree. This part of the organisation deals with any international travel and destination requirements and they also offer exclusive member deals. There are also a host of other member privileges such as good deals on insurance, security and financial services.

The Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organisations (A.C.C.E.O.)

This organisation was started in response to the government restrictions on spontaneous rallies in 1960. The restrictions were imposed to protect areas of natural beauty and to stop over use of popular areas. The A.C.C.E.O. works closely with government departments to further the interests of their members. Clubs and individuals can join, there are over 200 rallying clubs that are members. Clubs use the A.C.C.E.O. to organise and promote their events. Personal membership allows for easy networking between the different clubs and invitation to restricted events. This organisation simplifies the process of getting exemption certificates from the government so that rallies can be held on unlicensed land. The organisation is run by elected and unpaid officials so you can be certain that they are always working in the interests of the members.

Caravan Owners Clubs

There are a number of caravan owners clubs. The advantages to being a member of a club specifically related to your caravan is that there will be lots of people who can help you if you have any problems with your caravan. Sourcing parts and selling items become a lot simpler as you are only dealing with people who have the same kind of caravan as you. As you may expect the individual clubs all have different policies and activities.

Local Clubs

There are lots of small local caravan clubs, a little research should uncover the ones in your locality. They can be great for connecting with other caravan enthusiasts in your area. Most of these clubs will operate within a confined area but are likely to have the best knowledge about the area in which they are active. Another advantage if you cannot store your caravan at home is that they are likely to be connected to local storage sites, so you may be able to save money by joining a local club.  Other perks vary from club to club.

The impact of travel on the environment is huge. Daily car trips and annual summer holidays abroad are the norm for many people. This causes a huge release of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. But there are a number of ways that you can actively reduce your carbon footprint when you go on holiday.

Environmentalists have long praised the green credentials of caravanning when compared with other modes of transport, particularly plane travel. The National Caravanning Council’s research shows that the C02 emissions released when transporting a family of four on holiday in a mid weight caravan and car combination are significantly less than catching a plane and are also the same as or less than taking the journey on a train. In fact if you go on holiday in a large car towing a heavy caravan it will still be a great deal less harmful to the environment than if you went on a plane. This is especially true of short and medium distance journeys such as travelling within the U.K. and travelling to France or Spain.

There is always more that we can all do to reduce our impact on the environment and whilst caravanning is a good start it is by no means the end. Here are five tips that will help you to lower fuel wastage whilst driving:

1. Make sure that your caravan and car are well matched for fuel efficiency.

2. Towing at 40 mph uses significantly less fuel that towing at 50 mph. Try to not exceed 75% of your maximum speed as this makes a large difference. Also avoid rapid acceleration.

3. Turn off your engine if there is no movement ahead. If you have to leave the engine idle for more than approximately 30 seconds then it is more fuel efficient to turn it off.

4. Ensure that you have the correct tyre pressure and that your vehicles are in optimum condition as this combats the inevitable inefficiencies as your vehicles get older which will reduce fuel consumption and make oil leaks far less likely to occur.

5. Obtain a profiled roof box; increasing aerodynamic efficiency on your caravan can make a surprising amount of difference to your overall efficiency.

Lowering fuel emissions on the journey is an effective way to have a greener holiday. You should also find that the cost of your holiday will be less than with foreign travel. Particularly for travel within the U.K. where there is no need to deal with unfavourable currency rates and generally no need to use other more expensive forms of transport such as ferries.

There are many other measures that you can take to ensure that your holiday has the lowest environmental impact possible, Here are five more ways that you can save the environment and save yourself some money in the process!

1. Avoid short journeys with your caravan; the start of the journey uses up a lot of fuel.

2. Take less with you! More weight = more energy consumption.

3. Take bikes with you. When you are at your destination you can use these instead of the car for fun, healthy and carbon free travel.

4. Trips to the beach or nature reserves are a great day out and will not cost you much at all.

5. Choose a eco-friendly caravan site. Both the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan Club have schemes in place to ensure that their sites are always trying to improve upon their green credentials. 

Influential botanist David Bellamy gives Conservation Awards each year to any caravan sites that achieve high levels of natural integration with their surroundings. The awards include consideration of every aspect of how the site is run including water conservation, encouraging bio-diversity and having good recycling facilities. Some caravan sites get bad press for being unsightly and unnatural areas but any that David Bellamy has awarded are sure to be the exact opposite of this. Giving you and your family many opportunities to stay in beautiful places that are designed to sustain and celebrate nature whilst creating a lovely holiday destination.

If you put all of these factors together you are going to be going on a great holiday that costs you and the environment less!

Caravanning on the continent can be lots of fun but it requires a lot more preparation than travelling within the U.K. You must carry out all of the usual security and safety checks that you would for travel here, but there are a number of additional things to look into before you set off.

Each country that you are planning to travel through will have a different set of road laws so it is essential to be fully up-to-date in every place. Road laws comprise of the way that you use the road, what constitutes road-worthiness and in some instances the things that you must carry with you.

Even if you are an experienced caravanner you still need to check for any changes in the law. Contact the tourist office for the country you are travelling to, to be assured that you have the most current information.

There are a number of items that you are required to have with you whilst travelling, this varies from country to country. This is a list of things you are highly likely to need:

1. Warning Triangles – Many countries require that one is carried, two are needed for towing caravans in Spain, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey.  

2. Fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. Rules on this vary but it is always advisable to carry both. 

3. Extra mirror extensions – Compulsory in Spain. 

4. Reflective jacket – Compulsory in a number of countries including France, Spain and Italy. In Italy it must be kept within reach of the drivers seat and any additional passengers should have one as well.  

5. If your license plates were issued before 2001 (and do not display the Euro GB sign) you will need to display a GB sticker on both plates. 

6. You may need to adjust your headlights to suit driving on the right. Kits are available to do this but do not leave it to the last minute as a dealer may need to carry out the change.

Legal road usage is dependant on local and national rules but some of the key areas where travellers get caught out are:  

• Drink driving thresholds are significantly lower in Europe than they are in the U.K., it is always advisable to drink no alcohol if you intend on driving.

• Radar/speed camera detectors are illegal in many countries, even if they are not in use.

• The speed is in kilometres and not miles per hour.  

• Drive on the right hand side of the road! Only Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the U.K. drive on the left hand side of the road in Europe. It can be easy to slip back into familiar habits so make sure that you fully concentrate at all times. 

• There are low emissions zones (L.E.Z.) in Europe. For example in parts of Germany where the correct stickers must be displayed in order to drive legally.

There are a number of other items that it is always advisable to carry in your caravan, home or away:

• A complete tool kit.

• A spare wheel.

• Spare gas cannisters – ferries will only let you take a limited amount of gas on board. Calor gas is not generally available on the continent, so it may be necessary to take an adaptor/regulator so that you can use another type. Before you travel check with your destination about what is available as gas pressures vary.

 It is also important to take all the necessary documents with you when you travel. Of course you need your passports (including for any pets), any necessary visas and driving licenses. It is also recommendable to take your vehicle documentation, including your MOT certificate and if you are borrowing the towing car, documentation to prove that it is legally in your possession. Check with your insurer well before you travel that you are adequately insured to drive abroad.

Each of your party should get a European health insurance card (E.H.I.C.), this provides basic health insurance whilst in Europe. It is also prudent to take out travel insurance and to take all of the relevant documentation with you.

With all of this sorted you can confidently set out on your travels so that you have a great trip every time!