Fifty years ago, a youthful Cliff Richards and three friends set off on a London bus bound for the south of France, in the iconic film Summer Holiday. Of course, no sooner had had our heroes crossed the channel than their heads were turned by a trio of girl singers, who’s clapped out car had given up the ghost as they headed for their first gig in Athens. Soon the bus’s destination board was changed and a run down to the French Riviera had turned into a full blown adventure across the heart of Europe.
In reality, much of the film was shot in France, but as Summer Holiday racks up its half century, we asked seasoned motorhome enthusiast Anthony Mullis (to ditch the red bus for a more modern caravan or motorhome, and devise a route taking you through some of Europe’s most stunning scenery, and allowing you to visit some of the continent’s most iconic attractions.
Of course, while it’s unlikely insurance was near the top of the list for Cliff and his merry band, today taking out a policy when travelling abroad is second nature. Shield Total Insurance offer a range of award-winning policies for both motorhomes and touring caravans which can be adapted to meet individual needs when travelling abroad. Coverage can includes repatriation of vehicles, multi-trip breakdown cover and a range of personal travel insurance policies designed for motorhome and caravan holiday.
First stop Paris
Paris is blessed with a myriad of campsite and one of the best is Boulevard des Alliés about 10km from the city centre, on the banks of the Marne River. You’ll find a bar, restaurant and shop, as well as a spa for those needing a bit of pampering.
Carrying on down through France, it’s just over 300km to Beaune, and a neat municipal camping site which is just a short walk to the historic walled town centre. Then it’s on to Switzerland and the capital Berne, where Camping Eichholz is a quiet site on the River Aare with all the key caravan and motorhome facilities you’ll need, and lots for water sports fans, too.
From Berne it’s up into Germany and a small town called Singen, which has a very popular stop over, below the ruins of the castle of Hohentwiel. The town itself is just five minutes away and from there you can catch the train to the famous Rhein Falls.
Continuing along the northern shores of Bodensee, Motorhome Aires in Lindau is a basic site, with designated parking for motorhomes. You can catch a free bus into the beautiful old town, where there’s the chance to take trips out across the lake to Rorschach, in Switzerland, or Bregenz in Austria, which featured in the James Bond blockbuster Quantum of Solace.
Austrian adventure
Amidst such stunning scenery, there’s little urge to rush and the next stop, just over the border in Austria, is Camping in der Enz (www.camping-enz.at/en/index.htm) near Dornbirn. The town has an eclectic mix of museums covering everything from local beer to Rolls Royce, and a panoramic restaurant high up on the cliffs, which you can reach by cable car, or a testing walk.
Onwards to Innsbruck via the town of Telfs, one of the few places to actually be name-checked in the film. The drive over the Arlberg massif, to Innsbruck Camp Kranebitterhof (www.campingplatz-innsbruck.at/sprachen/englisch.html), is amazing. The site, which is great for motorhomes and tourers, is just outside the city and a boasts a stylish restaurant with large decked patio from which to enjoy the views.
Next, a slight detour into Italy, and the opportunity to drive through the Brenner Pass and enjoy a stop over on the shores of Lake Garda. This is a top end site set within an ancient olive grove, which also has its own pool. As well as the lake itself, with its watersports and walking opportunities, you can also take the famous cable car up Monte Baldo.
If you’ve got time, an extra stop over in Verona is well worthwhile too, with sights such as the Castelvecchio, Roman Amphitheatre and Piazza delle Erbe. There’s a stopover on Via Dalla Bona, near the Porta Palio, a bus drive from the town centre.
Otherwise its onwards to Venice and a stay at Camping Ca ‘Savio a beautiful beach-side site in the Lido di Jesolo. This is another excellent site, with great shaded pitches, on-site restaurants and bars and along with the beach, there are also two large swimming pools.
Croatian coast
Finally, it’s over the border into Croatia. In 1963, of course, this was part of the former Yugoslavia and where language problems resulted in Cliff becoming engaged to a local peasant girl. So, with phrasebook at the ready, drive across the top of the Istrian peninsula and then down to the island of Krk, which is connected to the mainland by one of the longest concrete bridges in the world. Aim for a beautiful waterside stop over, just outside the town of Šilo, with a variety of pitches for caravans and motorhomes.
The drive now continues along the jaw dropping Croatian coast, to Ražanac, a traditional Dalmatian fishing town, and a paradise for water sports fans. Camping Planik is set amongst old pine and close to the spectacular waterfalls on the river Krka.
Halfway between Zadar and Split is the campground of Jezera , a large beach-side site close to the town of Plece, set in a lovely position with exceptional facilities, including its own on-site bakery.
Of course, it would be churlish to visit the Dalmatian coast without seeing the historic city of Dubrovnik. Camping Solitudo is the only local campsite, but with a clutch of superb beaches nearby, it’s a great place to spend a few days relaxing before taking on the long drive across Albania into Greece, and the charming town of Kastoria.
The lakeside campsite is set in the grounds of the Kastoria Monastery, near the prehistoric settlement of Dispilio, and although there are no facilities here, the site’s free and the setting one of the best on the whole trip.
And so to the final leg of this epic journey, across the heart of Greece to the east coast town of Volos, and Camping Hellas with its own sandy beach running down into the waters of the Pagasetic Gulf.
The final drive into Athens, along the east coast, ends at Camping Athens about 7km from the city centre on the main highway.
The site’s a bit pricey but it is clean and safe, with a friendly atmosphere and good bar and restaurant. There’s a nearby bus service into Athens too, and once you’ve climbed the Acropolis and marvelled at the Parthenon, it’s time to refuel, turn round and think about the journey home.
Cue that music…
Photos: PhilipRood.com , bridgink, allalright999
