Recent Bongo Trip through Europe

[jimone]

Hi All,

A quick post to report on a 3 week trip I have just completed with my 2 kids. We crossed to Calais, drove through Belgium to Germany, down to Switzerland, across to France, into Spain and Andorra, then back through France. Just over 4,500 Kms in total and the Bongo performed amazingly. Not a single fault except for what I thought was a hook up problem and must have been a bad adapter as it is working fine now I am back in the UK. The Alps were no problem (travelling mainly through the tunnels!) but the Pyrenees were a bit of an effort at times, probably because I was reluctant to put my foot down and see the petrol gauge go down at the same rate as the speedo went up!

We had an absolutely brilliant time and if anyone is taking a similar route I can recommend some campsites we stayed at on the way, along with some great places to visit. I have a part converted V6 AFT, with single rear seats and bed boards in the roof and although it was a bit squashed at times, this could have been improved by (1) taking a bit less stuff and (2) slightly better use of space in the back (I have a few plans for the winter).

I kept quite a detailed diary and updated the content to my blog, so there are plenty of pictures and information about the itinerary if you are interested. http://www.stuffaboutjames.wordpress.com

I was always on the lookout but didn't see a single other Bongo in mainland Europe

Cheers

Jimone

[Kincaid]

Hi - we're doing something similar (well until the South of France) - did you need to get a Swiss motorway pass? Friends of ours are telling us we need one but I'm wondering if during the short part of the journey in Switzerland we should just avoid the motorways.

[Bin Bongoed]

The Swiss motorways can be avoided, but you will have to choose the route carefully, and the fuel cost could easily make the exercise doubtful. I guess the sat nag can be instructed to avoid motorways.

We have the same issue, what we have decided to do is just dip into Switzerland in the north west corner, then exit thru France, to avoid the tunnels thru the major routes. Apparently it is possible to buy the screen stickers on e-bay second hand, but the difficulty is that it should not have been stuck to the screen, as it is impossible to get them off without them disintegrating. To get round this, they are sold stuck on clear plastic, which is then placed on the screen. What the police would make of it if they stop you, I can only imagine.

[umbongocat]

We travelled back too from Calais on the 1st September. One bongo on our boat.. white one but don't remember the Reg... was it you

[Poohbear]

The Swiss motorways can be avoided, but you will have to choose the route carefully, and the fuel cost could easily make the exercise doubtful. I guess the sat nag can be instructed to avoid motorways.

We have the same issue, what we have decided to do is just dip into Switzerland in the north west corner, then exit thru France, to avoid the tunnels thru the major routes. Apparently it is possible to buy the screen stickers on e-bay second hand, but the difficulty is that it should not have been stuck to the screen, as it is impossible to get them off without them disintegrating. To get round this, they are sold stuck on clear plastic, which is then placed on the screen. What the police would make of it if they stop you, I can only imagine.

They are only about 30 Euros in the services before you get to Switzerland (cheaper than buying at the border) so why bother saving a few quid and chancing a fine?

The Swiss motorways are magical, lovely smooth road, not much traffic, magnificent scenery!

[jimone]

Hi - we're doing something similar (well until the South of France) - did you need to get a Swiss motorway pass? Friends of ours are telling us we need one but I'm wondering if during the short part of the journey in Switzerland we should just avoid the motorways.

Yes, you need a Vignette. I bought it at the border and it was 40 Euros. A lot for 3 days in the country but it saved the hassle of having to find a non motorway route, and with so many mountains around you need to be careful!

[jimone]

We travelled back too from Calais on the 1st September. One bongo on our boat.. white one but don't remember the Reg... was it you

Must have been at least 3 Bongos coming back then because it wasn't me! We were on the 5.20pm P&O.

[M 80NGO]

Myself and Dan done 12 days in europe last year and its defo a trip i'll do again france, belgium, germany, switzerland, italy, monacco, france and luxembourg.

no charge in switzerland as long as you stay off the motorways and please please please you gotta go over the alps its frickin awesome and easy peasy in a bongo, campsites are all great and whilst in southern france you gotta try some kayaking in the ardeche.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source ... xLS-PtW0xQ