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Travel Companions Wanted ? post here

85K views 112 replies 48 participants last post by  jiwawa  
#1 ·
Travel Companions Wanted - post here

This thread is aimed at single persons who have their own MH but would appreciate the company of another during their travels.

I have travelled for extended periods extensively in France and Spain for four seasons. The problem has been that the persons I have travelled with have time restrictions and we have had to pre arrange flights for pick up and drop off which imposes constraints ones travel.

This year, following three weeks touring Italy with a friend, I met up with a fellow Motor Homer at Lake Bled and we have toured Slovenia and Croatia for nearly nine weeks now with no pre-set plans. This freedom of travel is what I bought a MH for but I would not have done it on my own. Also having the whole van to myself has added a new dimension. I had been contemplating selling it but this has changed my mind.

We both feel that there must be other single people who would benefit from being able to make contact with each other. I hope this thread could be used to help. I suggest that persons can post with some basic details of when and where they are interested in travelling and any contact can be by PM after.

We feel that two or three persons would be the maximum for this type of travel although meeting up with a group at a predefined spot for a short period would also be possible.
 
#4 ·
aldra said:
I think that is a fantastic idea and should have a forum dedicated to it, Andrew....................................

Aldra :D
Or even a dedicated website.
Perhaps under the purview of Motorhomefacts.
It could maybe piggyback on here as a service to longstanding members who may well need such a group in the future.

Come on Nuke, step in and make an offer. :wink:
 
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#6 ·
I think the forum idea would be excellent.

I have just returned from a 4 week solo trip to down Bulgaria, through Greece, across the Adriatic to Italy and then returning through France. I stayed with friends in Bulgaria and also met some really interesting and friendly motorhomers along the way so I often had other people to talk to.

I would have appreciated the ability to occasionally meet up with another solo traveller, possibly to do a bit of sightseeing with during the day or to join for a meal and a drink during the evenings.

Ian
 
#8 ·
It's a great idea Andrew but it may be difficult to get it up and running.

I'm very recently back from 4 weeks in France; apart from the meet at Amboise it was a decidedly lonely experience. (Hitherto I'd had me Labrador with me, she was a great conversation starter... as well as a good companion.)

I did post, in different sub forums here, a couple of msgs saying that I was going ... seemingly there were no other single M/H'ers about at that time.

I'll watch with interest :wink:

Edit: afterthought... there was a positive aspect, I didn't have to share any of me single malts :)
 
#9 ·
Solo travel suggestion

It's a great idea and I am interested.

Even while travelling solo it would be nice to chat/sightsee with someone/meet up for a drink. And then there are places one is reluctant to go alone and as a female, I'm very careful about where I go/stay over.

From my point of view, I like to plan ahead so already thinking about 2013. Anyone else making plans for next year yet?

Look forward to hearing more.

Regards
Viv
 
#10 ·
This a is great idea. Being a solo motor homer, l use it more like a caravan, going to one site and staying there for a week or so and not getting the best from the trip as l have no transport and worry about taking the MH out because of parking, tight spots etc.

I am told that its much easier on the continent but its a huge step for me. I have driven a car abroad in the past with no problems but with my husband sitting next to me. Its a different matter altogether when you are on your own.

I know there are rallies etc held over there but its getting there which is the most worrying aspect. I'm not sure if you are suggesting a convoy arrangement, Andrew or just a meet up?

I have no time restraints and would be interested to see how this idea develops.
 
#11 ·
Marrabone said:
.... I'm not sure if you are suggesting a convoy arrangement, Andrew or just a meet up?

I have no time restraints and would be interested to see how this idea develops.
I still in Europe on roaming charges so only just caught up with all previous responses. I know there is a need and I would ask anyone interested to post their concerns and requiements so the we can determine how best they can be met.

In answer to your question , any or both. I would like to see a mechanism where single people can get the best from their MH and use it to its full advantage.

I think that when I return I will either set up an egroup or ask nuke to do so, we can keep in touch with our intentions.

Keep posting if interested
 
#12 ·
i too would be interested in this, being lone and female, but when i get my motorhome in the autumn i will probably be travelling from spain to france, uk !! would love to meet and tour for company as i have never driven to spain or france (getting off the island will be a challenge in itself !!!
 
#13 ·
Travel

Hi

I have travelled overseas on my own and with mates. I am not sure which I prefer!

The tricky part when travelling alone is leaving the van to "nip in a supermarket" etc as sometimes, it just does not feel right.

I have never felt lonely overseas though when on my own.

How many people would want to do a meet on a set site somewhere? My next trip is for a month and I think it is two of us for ten days, then me for a few days then another joining me later.

Does anyone use the Phoenix Club and another I forget the name of?

There is the option of escorted tours overseas, but pricey.

Russell

Edit - if there is a trip to Italy required I am happy to lead a convoy or what ever, but note that sometimes, I would not be on my own.
 
#15 ·
September plans - solos

I am going to the MHF meet at La Breuil (near Royan, Charente, W.France) 2-9 Sept and thereafter will be solo-meandering back to Calais until approx 17/18 Sept. (Not cast in stone could ferry back from anywhere) Would enjoy meeting up with anyone in the area. Prefer ACSI sites rather than aires but willing to give aires a try if not alone. Anyone interested in meeting up?

Viv
 
#16 ·
Well it's not just abroad - I didn't manage to meet up with anyone from MHF during this UK holiday! But I met plenty of other friends.

When I went abroad for six weeks alone, it was before I had found MHF and I found plenty of people on sites to have a drink with.

Now I am self sufficient and don't need or particularly like sites, I tend to park up in nice spots and so fewer people to meet.

A few ideas - no need only to meet other motorhomers - try using Badoo.com to meet people nearby, or go to local dances, bars, etc,to meet people.
 
#17 ·
As the person who spent that 10 weeks touring Croatia and Slovenia with Andrew (the OP) I am pleased to see this generated some positive interest.

I went on alone to travel around Hungary and then through Austria, and Germany to meet up with friends in the Dordogne.

In total I was away 5 months - some alone and some with company. Having company meant I ate out more, had someone to share experiences with and someone just to talk and joke with in countries where I had no knowledge of the local language and where there were few other Brits around.

Travelling in seperate vans meant we still had our own space to retreat to. You also have the flexibility to spend as much or as little time travelling together as you like - could be days or weeks - before heading off in a different directions.

I return to work for 6 months on Monday (boo hoo!) but come Christmas wil be seriously considering my plans for 2013. I will watch this thread with interest and post when I have some tentative plans.

Jed
 
#18 ·
I am in Gers at the moment, heading slowly for the dordogne area tomorrow. No set plans, maybe the loire then the Jura. Would like to go to Alcace as well but may leave that till next year. I just take it day by day but it it is nice to meet people that speak the same lingo now and again.
tuk-tuk
 
#19 ·
Hi Tuk Tuk ...I have the Alsace pencilled in for next year, let me know when/if you finalise plans.

September's probably going to be France (West and down a bit) again mainly 'cos the weather's likely to be better.

(luv to see a Tuktuk conversion :wink: )
 
#23 ·
tuk-tuk said:
hi new2nu
Try looking at the solo forum for lots of info then send a new post with dates of travel & where to etc.
tuk-tuk
Hi, thanks for this - It looked as though there was great interest in getting something on the go following on from the first message on this thread.

I don't have anything planned for travel abroad in my van as yet - although I would really like to. I'd feel a lot safer if, like others have said on this thread, I could travel as part of a small group.

I'll keep an eye on the solo thread posts.

cheers
 
#24 ·
#25 ·
Hi to everyone here. Although I've only just discovered this site it's become a daily read - I love the humour, factual knowledge and considered responses from posters across all economic / age / educational backgrounds.
This particular thread I find interesting as I'm going to be full-timing solo in Europe sometime in 2013 - at present I'm looking after my father who has inoperable cancer.
For me the attraction of Andrew's idea would be the opportunity to travel occasionally in SMALL groups making stays on Aires more sociable and Wild Camping safer. Each person would invariably have useful skills [ I lived in Spain for over twenty years so my Spanish is OK, my French non existent ]. Please keep this thread going; I would dearly have liked to tour Slovenia earlier as I'm thinking of getting a property there when the Euro debacle resolves one way or another.
Best wishes to the " Band of Gypsies " - I will be a subscriber when the time is right.....