Motorhome tour of France, Germany and Poland 2021

 Good morning/afternoon/evening,

It's been a while since I've done a travel blog. It goes without saying that my loss of Ann last November, and the accursed Covid have contributed greatly to this.

I have been through my contacts list to see if there was anyone who might be even slightly interested in my upcoming travels (or even my past travels), and added a few. If you don't want to be on the list please let me know, or just simply ignore my emails telling you of a new post. They will only be for the next few months.

Back in the early part of the year I decided that I had to get out in my motorhome and continue where I left off. I saw an advert from a newly set up website called Motorhome Tours - www.motorhometours.co.uk   and liked the look of their proposed tour of northern Spain, Portugal, and then southern Spain across to, eventually, Granada. 

The tour was being run by a couple called Giles and Linda Downer, and I have had a lot of contact with them, including phone conversations in the middle of Tesco's! Unfortunately for them what should have been a sell-out was turned into a Covid Punch and Judy show. Every time plans were made, the rules changed.

Eventually Giles rang me with a proposition. With the UK traffic light system apparently changing colours with random precision (those in the know will see the Pink Floyd reference), and the possibility of having to do very expensive hotel isolation on return, he suggested rearranging the tour to only countries on the Green list. This basically meant Germany and Poland - but a necessary amber visit to France. It sounded good to me. It did mean starting the tour earlier (in Germany you have to have snow rated tyres from the beginning of November) and this wasn't always acceptable to others on the tour - i.e. those with commitments.

So, as I write, I'm due to take the Tunnel early on Wednesday morning, and drive down to Reims in the Champagne region of France to start the tour. Two realisations have occurred - a. I cannot drive from Mid Wales to Reims without a break, so I have booked into a site in Folkestone for Tuesday night, and b. I've packed Bunty (my name for my motorhome because she is short and stout) and Monday would just be a day of sheer boredom, so I have booked into a site near Henley on Thames. Tomorrow, Monday, it all kicks off.

If I can get the formatting right, here is a broad itinerary:

18-20 Aug Days 1-3 

Arrive in Champagne Region - Visit Champagne  House, Explore, Eat Meal at Restaurant. Visit to Champagne House and meal included. 

20-23 Aug Days 3-6 Saarburg, Germany (155 miles) Campsite 20 min Walk  into town or 5 minute cycle. Picturesque town. Lunch,  bike and cable car ride, Bird of Prey park included.  

23-24 Aug Days 6-7 Drive East towards Potsdam (225 miles) Overnight on  Stellplatz in nice town.  

24-28 Aug Days 7-11 Arrive in Potsdam (225 miles) a UNESCO World  Heritage Site and is located on the outskirts of Berlin  and next to the Havel River. Rich in history and charm  the city is well worth a visit. The impressive Sanssouci  Palace is a former royal relaxing retreat and was the  summer residence of Frederick the Great.  Day trip into Berlin. Walking tour to Potsdam and meal  included. 

28-29 Aug Days 11-12 Mescherin (131 miles) on the Germany/   Poland border. We have a cycle tour (30mins) to The Crooked Forest (Krzywy Las). The forest hosts over fifty unusually formed pine trees which were planted in  the 1930s. Each crooked pine tree bends just above ground level and then curves back upright. It is unsure  why the trees have grown this way. Cycling tour to The Crooked Forest included 

29-31 Aug Days 12-14 Travel to Torun (210 miles) a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been said that Torun is one of the  most beautiful, medieval cities in Europe. The town  was not hit by any bombs during World War II. The  town is famous for Gingerbread and baking dates  back nearly a thousand years. Torun has a Gingerbread museum. The famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Torun and the house where he was born and the Chapel where he was christened are still standing in the city. Being near the Town Hall Tower at midday, you will be rewarded with a display of two billy goats (mechanical) emerging and  butt horns 12 times! Great cafes, restaurants, shops and museums makes Torun a great place to visit. Gingerbread Tour and Lunch included. 

31A-4 Sept Days 14-18 Travel to Kraków (275 miles). Situated on the Vistula  River, Kraków was the captial of Poland until 1596. The old town was the first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 14th century St Marys Basilica with its stunning Gothic-style exterior, guilded interior and beautiful stained glass windows makes this a worthy visit. From here we will visit the notorious concentration camp of Auschwitz on a coach tour. Group Meal and excursion to Auschwitz included. 

4-7 Sept Days 18-21 Wroclaw (170miles) Wroclaw (170miles) It’s not a  place you see listed frequently among Europe’s weekend-break cities. But that’s the charm of Wrocław  – it’s as understated as it is beautiful, with charming Hansel-and-Gretel-feel architecture. The once German city of Breslau is now the largest in western Poland, and capital of the province of Lower Silesia. It’s packed with art, historical sites and – most importantly – plenty of cafes where you can stop for a beer and a bite. Admire the impressive Panorama of the Battle of Racławice and explore the historic Ostrów Tumski quarter. Walking Tour, E-Scooter Tour, Wrocławska Fontanna Multimedialna (Fountain Display) and Meal included. 

7-10 Sept Days 21-24 Travel to Dresden, Germany (167 miles) Situated by the river Elbe the city of Dresden suffered almost  complete destruction in WWII. This was followed by neglect by the Soviet regime after the war. Today Dresden is a stunning city to enjoy and very little of the destruction can be seen. After the bombing of WWII the ruins of the Frauenkirche church were saved and catalogued. When the church was rebuilt nearly 4000 of of the original stones were used. The church has a gold cross which was gifted by Great Britain as a gesture of international goodwill. Day in Dresden and meal included

10-14 Sept Days 24-28 Bamberg (174 miles) a typical Medieval German town   that draws tourists with its palpable historic charm  and quaintness. The town stretches over seven hills,  gazing down on the River Regnitz. The old town of  Bamberg is a Unesco World Heritage site and boasts  beautiful architecture and loads of culture. The most  famous landmarks in Bamberg include the Old Town  Hall, Bamberg Cathedral, Seehof Palace, Altenburg  and Little Venice (a picturesque cluster of colourful  half-timbered houses by the river). Walking tour and  Brewery Tour, Guided Beer & Town Tour &business.Meal included.  

14-17 Sept Days 28-31 Rothenburg ob der Tauber (59 miles) is almost  unanimously agreed to be the prettiest in Bavaria and  also one of the most captivating in the entire country.  You have probably heard the term “fairy-tale town”  more often than seems reasonable, but there is  certainly no better way of describing Rothenburg ob  der Tauber. It is impossible not to fall in love with its  maze of cobbled alleys, bright houses with flower-box   windows, adorable shops and exemplary Christmas- ornament stores. Walk around Town Walls, Medieval  Crime Museum and Christmas Museum &and meal  included.  

17-21Sept Days 31-35 Regenburg (120 miles) a Unesco World Heritage site straddling both sides of the River Danube, has impeccably preserved over 1,000 historic monuments,  many of which date back to Roman times. The historic  old town meets its modern sister on the other side of the river via the Old Stone Bridge. This is the most picturesque spot in Regensburg and a perfect background for your holiday photos. Sightseeing Train Tour, Cathedral Tour and Meal included. 

21-26 Sept Days 35-40 Munich (86 miles) The bustling city of Munich is among the most popular cities in Germany and has something for everyone. Whether you are interested in  architecture, history, fashion, literature, music, art or traditional German cuisine, Munich will effortlessly keep you busy for days on end. It is also known forhosting super-fun festivals, the most famous of which is Oktoberfest. Munich is also a wonderful base from which to explore much of Southern Germany. 3rd Reich and WWII Tour, Beer & Food Tour(meal) and Trip to Dachau Memorial Tour included.  

26Se-1Oct Days 40-45 Garmisch-Partenkirchen (55 miles) Sitting in the lap of  the majestic Bavarian Alps and dotted with alpine lakes, the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a land of  surreal beauty. It’s a top destination of choice for winter sports enthusiasts as well as travellers who can’t resist the spectacular mountain scenery, pure air and dollops of culture and history. The Zugspitze, the highest mountain peak in the country, looms over this little town and welcomes travellers to take either a cogwheel or a cable car ride to its zenith to enjoy uninterrupted views of mountain peaks across four countries (Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy) Cable Car and Meal included.  

1-5 Oct Days 45-49 Füssen (37 miles) Though it is often used as a base for exploring Neuschwanstein Castle, the city itself has a lot to offer. Füssen, known for its violin-making industry, perches in a setting of imposing mountains and crystal-clear lakes 3,937ft (1,200m) above sea level, along the iconic Romantic Road in Germany. Travellers invariably lose their hearts to the cobbled alleys, quaint cafes and beautiful houses in this town. Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle and Meal included. 

5-9 Oct Days 49-53 Lindau (86 miles) Lindau is a dreamy city on the shore  of Lake Constance. Its skyline is dominated by a 108ft  (33m) lighthouse and a 20ft (6m) lion, which guard the gateway to this beautiful harbour city. As you step into Lindau old town, prepare to be enthralled by its storybook houses, web of cobbled lanes, and stunning baroque, Renaissance and gothic architecture. Cycle Ride and Boat Trip around Lake Constance & meal included.  

9-14 Oct Days 53-58 Freiburg im Breisgau (111 miles) The university town of  Freiburg im Breisgau is relatively unsung compared to other destinations in the famous Black Forest in Germany, but it is undeniably beautiful. While the city skyline is adorned by the Freiburg House and Martin’s Gate, the roads will catch your eyes with their mosaic motifs and Bächle (narrow street-side canals). Funicular Railway, City Tour and Animal Park visit & meal included.  

14-19 Oct Days 58-63 Baden Baden (68 miles) one of Europe’s most fashionable spa towns, is an ideal base for exploring the Black Forest and the perfect place to stay for maximum pampering. Located in the rolling hills of the northern part of the forest, the 19th–century town is filled with striking Belle Époque-era architecture and old-world luxury. Baden-Baden has a vibrant cultural community with events and art exhibitions throughout the year. Take a guided walk or adventure tour into the  heavily wooded Black Forest National Park, or stay in the town center and enjoy the curative waters of the thermal baths, which were built in roughly 1810. Tour of Roman baths, Park and Aboretum Walk, Funicular Railway and Meal included.  

19-24 Oct Days 63-68 Stuttgart (65 miles) an amazingly well-planned, beautiful city that is ready to drench you in entertainment and culture. It boasts a series of world class art museums and galleries, two glittery automobile museums (Porsche and Mercedes Benz) and several fun museums for children. It is also home to the only large combined zoo and botanical garden in Europe, the Wilhelma. Mercedes Benz Museum Tour, Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Park and Boat Trip & meal included.  

24-29 Oct Days 68-73 Heidelberg (75 miles) The university town of Heidelberg is a cultural and intellectual hub that has found its way into many literary works by eminent authors. The most famous landmark in town is the sprawling early-13th-century Heidelberg Palace, which  houses the largest wine barrel in the world. The Heidelberg University Library is as magnificent inside as it is outside and is a treasure trove of books, including some rare ones. The old bridge over the river is the perfect spot to soak up the ambience of the vibrant town and take Instagram-worthy pictures. Sightseeing Bus, Castle Tour and Meal included.  

29-31 Oct Days 73-75 Return into France Reims Last Evening.

OK that's enough for anyone to take in. Future posts will include photos and be less intense.