Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland & France: Here we come!

[Pitstop Penny]

We are finally off to Switzerland this September. Living the dream. Stopping off initially just outside Bruges at Camping Memling, then travelling through Luxembourg, having a stopover at Camping Municipal Kaysersberg in France and then onward to Switzerland, staying at Camping Jungfrau for a good five nights.Then we're heading to Lake Annecy. Not sure where we'll stay as yet but currently researching. And after that, heading home with a stopover somewhere. Phew! Can't wait!

Any recommendations, tips or tricks always welcome!

 

[dgbeale]

We are finally off to Switzerland this September. Living the dream. Stopping off initially just outside Bruges at Camping Memling, then travelling through Luxembourg, having a stopover at Camping Municipal Kaysersberg in France and then onward to Switzerland, staying at Camping Jungfrau for a good five nights.Then we're heading to Lake Annecy. Not sure where we'll stay as yet but currently researching. And after that, heading home with a stopover somewhere. Phew! Can't wait!

Any recommendations, tips or tricks always welcome!

Good itinerary. Are you taking bikes?

Last year we did :

• Bruges - 1 night (Camping Memling) - nice bike journey into Bruges
• Luxembourg - 2 nights (Camping Kockelscheuer) - If in the city, follow the Wenzel circular walk (map from Tourist Office) - also, free public transport, make the most of it,
• Germany 5 nights - ( Europa Park and Freiburg)
• Switzerland 5 nights (Camping Jungfrau ) - expensive - but get 'Top of Jungfrau' pass
• France - 1 night on return

Each stop was good - Jungfrau was the highlight.

We have just returned from this year's trip - Lake Annecy - loved it, it's so bike friendly.

We stayed at Camping Lac Bleu, great - but it get's very busy, may not have spaces.

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Excellent, thanks for sharing that! Gives us loads of reassurance! Just read it out to husband and he was happy to hear your choices too.

We’ve actually just booked Lac Bleu in Annecy, so how fab is that! And yes, we’re taking bikes! All set up and can’t wait!

I’ve just bought a new fleece hoody, some nice new walking shorts and some hiking tees! Eeee! Going to pack super light and look forward to the adventure

 

[Joncali2023!!]

Good itinerary. Are you taking bikes?

Last year we did :

• Bruges - 1 night (Camping Memling) - nice bike journey into Bruges
• Luxembourg - 2 nights (Camping Kockelscheuer) - If in the city, follow the Wenzel circular walk (map from Tourist Office) - also, free public transport, make the most of it,
• Germany 5 nights - ( Europa Park and Freiburg)
• Switzerland 5 nights (Camping Jungfrau ) - expensive - but get 'Top of Jungfrau' pass
• France - 1 night on return

Each stop was good - Jungfrau was the highlight.

We have just returned from this year's trip - Lake Annecy - loved it, it's so bike friendly.

We stayed at Camping Lac Bleu, great - but it get's very busy, may not have spaces.

They don’t do tip of Europe pass anymore.
The best one is the oberland pass, which gives access to all boats, gondolas and trains. Then it’s an extra 90 CHF for junfreaujoch. But that place is so busy I wouldn’t bother to be fair

 

[dgbeale]

Excellent, thanks for sharing that! Gives us loads of reassurance! Just read it out to husband and he was happy to hear your choices too.

We’ve actually just booked Lac Bleu in Annecy, so how fab is that! And yes, we’re taking bikes! All set up and can’t wait!

I’ve just bought a new fleece hoody, some nice new walking shorts and some hiking tees! Eeee! Going to pack super light and look forward to the adventure

Some more info:

- From Bruges - we stopped Tyne Cot Cemetery and Ypres - recommended if you're interested in WW1 history
- After Luxembourg - we spent the day in Strasbourg, again recommended - but needed careful planning for parking (over the border in Germany and then a tram)

 

[JimP1992]

Lauterbrunnen is awesome, you will love it. I would recommend going to Interlaken whilst you are there and if you like your hiking, head up Harder Kulm (I think it’s about 3 hours from memory to the top, not too difficult, and you can also take the ski lift up/down too). Epic views, and a restaurant which serves a cold beer and fondu up top if it takes your fancy! Grindelwald is beautiful also, definitely worth a visit … !

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Some more info:

- From Bruges - we stopped Tyne Cot Cemetery and Ypres - recommended if you're interested in WW1 history
- After Luxembourg - we spent the day in Strasbourg, again recommended - but needed careful planning for parking (over the border in Germany and then a tram)

Epic thanks! I really want to do Strasbourg. I hope we can squeeze it in! And thanks for all the extra tips. This has really given us a boost, so thank you!

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Lauterbrunnen is awesome, you will love it. I would recommend going to Interlaken whilst you are there and if you like your hiking, head up Harder Kulm (I think it’s about 3 hours from memory to the top, not too difficult, and you can also take the ski lift up/down too). Epic views, and a restaurant which serves a cold beer and fondu up top if it takes your fancy! Grindelwald is beautiful also, definitely worth a visit … !

Ooh amazing, ta! Lots to see and do. We’ve based ourselves there for six nights, so we hope we can do loads in that area. I think we’ll do that hike too. Good shout. Cold beer for husband then, and fondu for both of us! I hope they do alcohol-free beer in Switzerland. As I’ve stopped drinking this year, hehe!

 

[Simon197]

We are finally off to Switzerland this September. Living the dream. Stopping off initially just outside Bruges at Camping Memling, then travelling through Luxembourg, having a stopover at Camping Municipal Kaysersberg in France and then onward to Switzerland, staying at Camping Jungfrau for a good five nights.Then we're heading to Lake Annecy. Not sure where we'll stay as yet but currently researching. And after that, heading home with a stopover somewhere. Phew! Can't wait!

Any recommendations, tips or tricks always welcome!

Did 4 nights at Lac Bleu near Annecy in June, highly recommended.

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Did 4 nights at Lac Bleu near Annecy in June, highly recommended.

Oh ace! I’ve heard good things elsewhere too. We’re taking our bikes. I think it’ll be a lovely based after lots of exploring around Switzerland. Thank you

 

[Simon197]

We are finally off to Switzerland this September. Living the dream. Stopping off initially just outside Bruges at Camping Memling, then travelling through Luxembourg, having a stopover at Camping Municipal Kaysersberg in France and then onward to Switzerland, staying at Camping Jungfrau for a good five nights.Then we're heading to Lake Annecy. Not sure where we'll stay as yet but currently researching. And after that, heading home with a stopover somewhere. Phew! Can't wait!

Any recommendations, tips or tricks always welcome!

Bear in mind Lac Bleu is actually around a 30 minute drive from Annecy. Traffic was heavy in June so no doubt even worse in summer holidays. Cycling is a better option if that’s possible for you. We had stop offs on way at Troyes and Reims on way home, recommend both. Also recommend a tag to jump the toll queues if you don’t already have one. We also did Memling at Bruges on way home, good site and only a short 30 minute walk into centre.

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Bear in mind Lac Bleu is actually around a 30 minute drive from Annecy. Traffic was heavy in June so no doubt even worse in summer holidays. Cycling is a better option if that’s possible for you. We had stop offs on way at Troyes and Reims on way home, recommend both. Also recommend a tag to jump the toll queues if you don’t already have one. We also did Memling at Bruges on way home, good site and only a short 30 minute walk into centre.

It’s on the south of the lake, right? We’re going in September, so hoping the crazy summer crowd has mostly gone by then! And yep, staying at Memling on our first night. Can’t wait!!!

 

[larrylamb]

Freiburg and Colmar worth a visit en route to Strasbourg.

 

[WEHILL@SONS]

Freiburg and Colmar worth a visit en route to Strasbourg.

Nice site a few miles from Colmar in pretty Turckheim.

 

[Simon197]

It’s on the south of the lake, right? We’re going in September, so hoping the crazy summer crowd has mostly gone by then! And yep, staying at Memling on our first night. Can’t wait!!!

Yes at the southern end on the outskirts of Doussard

 

[Big Bloke]

We have just done a similar trip, from 9th June to 7th July.
Belgium 1st night on an aire de camping car near Ghent (at Schelde, Gavere next to the river ) which had free toilets and free showers.We stayed here as we wanted to get some California accessories from a VW dealer at Ghent,namely a maxcamp magnetic mossie screen for the sliding door. Next 3 nights were in Luxembourg.
We then travelled down the Wine Route in Alsace, stopping near Ribeauville and Colmar. If you go this route, I highly recomend driving over the Chasseral Pass and upto Col du Chasseral, as long it’s a clear enough day to enjoy the views at the top.Then onto a campsite near Neuchatel in Switzerland followed by 5 nights at Camping Jungfrau.
We bought “ Top of Europe” passes, as recommended by the reception at Camping Jungfrau. We paid extra to get to the top of Jungfrau. There are some great walking routes down from Eiger Station, passing the north face of the Eiger
After Switzerland we spent 6 nights at Lake Annecy, cycle route around the lake is great but there is section where you will have to go onto the road for a few km.I recommend going around the lake clockwise unless you are really decent going up hill on a bike as the road section has an incline both ways, one of which is pretty steep. Annecy is great, we enjoyed market day there.
We came home through Burgandy staying a couple of nights on different campsites along the River Saone , which had a great cycle track. Castel Camping Chateau de L’Eperviere being one of the campsites.

 

[Pitstop Penny]

We have just done a similar trip, from 9th June to 7th July.
Belgium 1st night on an aire de camping car near Ghent (at Schelde, Gavere next to the river ) which had free toilets and free showers.We stayed here as we wanted to get some California accessories from a VW dealer at Ghent,namely a maxcamp magnetic mossie screen for the sliding door. Next 3 nights were in Luxembourg.
We then travelled down the Wine Route in Alsace, stopping near Ribeauville and Colmar. If you go this route, I highly recomend driving over the Chasseral Pass and upto Col du Chasseral, as long it’s a clear enough day to enjoy the views at the top.Then onto a campsite near Neuchatel in Switzerland followed by 5 nights at Camping Jungfrau.
We bought “ Top of Europe” passes, as recommended by the reception at Camping Jungfrau. We paid extra to get to the top of Jungfrau. There are some great walking routes down from Eiger Station, passing the north face of the Eiger
After Switzerland we spent 6 nights at Lake Annecy, cycle route around the lake is great but there is section where you will have to go onto the road for a few km.I recommend going around the lake clockwise unless you are really decent going up hill on a bike as the road section has an incline both ways, one of which is pretty steep. Annecy is great, we enjoyed market day there.
We came home through Burgandy staying a couple of nights on different campsites along the River Saone , which had a great cycle track. Castel Camping Chateau de L’Eperviere being one of the campsites.

Gosh, thank you. I really can't wait. Thanks for all the tips. We're just figuring out where to go after Annecy on the route back. So this helps and inspires!

 

[Azteccamper]

Just returned from a little tour.
Le Shuttle
Ypres (1) - http://www.jeugdstadion.be/
Vresse-sur-Semois (2) - https://www.camping-le-heron.be/en/accueil-en/
Kaiserslautern (1) - https://www.campingclausensee.de/
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (2) - https://www.camping-romantische-strasse.de/
Mörslingen (1) - https://www.goldberg-camping.de/
Füssen (3) - https://www.sonnen-lage.de/
Kochel am See (1) - https://www.campingplatz-renken.de/
Zell am See (1) - https://www.camping-neunbrunnen.at/
Grossglockner High Alpine Pass - https://www.grossglockner.at/gg/de/index
Mörtschach (1) - https://www.lindlerhof.at/en/
Lake Bled (4) - https://www.sava-camping.com/si/camping-bled
Malovše (1) https://www.kamp-david.si/
Caorle (3) - https://www.campingcaorle.it/en
Reggio Emilia (1) - Hotel (van in garage!)
Levanto (3) - http://www.campingcinqueterre.it/
Diano Marina (2) - http://www.campingmarino.it/
Agay (6) - http://camping-lesrivesdelagay.com/
Aups (1) - https://www.oasis-verdon.com/fr/
Gréoux-les-Bains (3) - https://www.camping-lapinede-04.com/
Lalley (1) - https://www.campingbelleroche.com/en/
Arcis-sur-Aube (1) - Camping de l'île Cherlieu
Wissant (1) - http://www.camping-les-erables.fr/
Le Shuttle

 

[Azteccamper]

Just returned from a little tour.
Le Shuttle
Ypres (1) - http://www.jeugdstadion.be/
Vresse-sur-Semois (2) - https://www.camping-le-heron.be/en/accueil-en/
Kaiserslautern (1) - https://www.campingclausensee.de/
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (2) - https://www.camping-romantische-strasse.de/
Mörslingen (1) - https://www.goldberg-camping.de/
Füssen (3) - https://www.sonnen-lage.de/
Kochel am See (1) - https://www.campingplatz-renken.de/
Zell am See (1) - https://www.camping-neunbrunnen.at/
Grossglockner High Alpine Pass - https://www.grossglockner.at/gg/de/index
Mörtschach (1) - https://www.lindlerhof.at/en/
Lake Bled (4) - https://www.sava-camping.com/si/camping-bled
Malovše (1) https://www.kamp-david.si/
Caorle (3) - https://www.campingcaorle.it/en
Reggio Emilia (1) - Hotel (van in garage!)
Levanto (3) - http://www.campingcinqueterre.it/
Agay (6) - http://camping-lesrivesdelagay.com/
Gréoux-les-Bains (3) - https://www.camping-lapinede-04.com/
Lalley (1) - https://www.campingbelleroche.com/en/
Arcis-sur-Aube (1) - Camping de l'île Cherlieu
Wissant (1) - http://www.camping-les-erables.fr/
Le Shuttle

Plenty of Cali’s spotted all over - they really are popular vans! Even helped new owners who had their awning out fully overnight with no legs down - they couldn’t find them!!

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Just returned from a little tour.
Le Shuttle
Ypres (1) - http://www.jeugdstadion.be/
Vresse-sur-Semois (2) - https://www.camping-le-heron.be/en/accueil-en/
Kaiserslautern (1) - https://www.campingclausensee.de/
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (2) - https://www.camping-romantische-strasse.de/
Mörslingen (1) - https://www.goldberg-camping.de/
Füssen (3) - https://www.sonnen-lage.de/
Kochel am See (1) - https://www.campingplatz-renken.de/
Zell am See (1) - https://www.camping-neunbrunnen.at/
Grossglockner High Alpine Pass - https://www.grossglockner.at/gg/de/index
Mörtschach (1) - https://www.lindlerhof.at/en/
Lake Bled (4) - https://www.sava-camping.com/si/camping-bled
Malovše (1) https://www.kamp-david.si/
Caorle (3) - https://www.campingcaorle.it/en
Reggio Emilia (1) - Hotel (van in garage!)
Levanto (3) - http://www.campingcinqueterre.it/
Agay (6) - http://camping-lesrivesdelagay.com/
Aups (1) - https://www.oasis-verdon.com/fr/
Gréoux-les-Bains (3) - https://www.camping-lapinede-04.com/
Lalley (1) - https://www.campingbelleroche.com/en/
Arcis-sur-Aube (1) - Camping de l'île Cherlieu
Wissant (1) - http://www.camping-les-erables.fr/
Le Shuttle

A little?! Gosh that’s an adventure! Welcome home!

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

We are finally off to Switzerland this September. Living the dream. Stopping off initially just outside Bruges at Camping Memling, then travelling through Luxembourg, having a stopover at Camping Municipal Kaysersberg in France and then onward to Switzerland, staying at Camping Jungfrau for a good five nights.Then we're heading to Lake Annecy. Not sure where we'll stay as yet but currently researching. And after that, heading home with a stopover somewhere. Phew! Can't wait!

Any recommendations, tips or tricks always welcome!

Great trip.
For a great day out I’d recommend getting the train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen, then the chairlift from Wengen up to Mannlichen.
From Mannlichen walk to Kleine Scheidegg (great views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau). Take a packed lunch.
From Kleine Scheidegg go to the top of the Eiger on the train (if it’s a clear day) or go back down on the train to Lauterbrunnen.
Have fun.

 

[Van Diesel VW]

Great trip.
For a great day out I’d recommend getting the train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen, then the chairlift from Wengen up to Mannlichen.
From Mannlichen walk to Kleine Scheidegg (great views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau). Take a packed lunch.
From Kleine Scheidegg go to the top of the Eiger on the train (if it’s a clear day) or go back down on the train to Lauterbrunnen.
Have fun.

Agree great walk from Mannlichen to Kline Scheidegg, done it many times, great restaurant at the end of the walk just before the station. Also before you start the walk if feeling energetic walk to top of the Mannlichen, great views.

 

[Azteccamper]

A little?! Gosh that’s an adventure! Welcome home!

Thank you. We do two European trips a year (using our 90 day limit) - one a ‘road trip’ and then a more relaxed one at the end of the summer (this year taking in the Rugby World Cup in France. Also managed a 3 week NC500 trip in the late spring as well! Got to be done

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Thanks for all the extra tips everyone. I am so excited! This will be our first big trip since we bought the van in 2019. We've never been able to get away for more than a week.

 

[Jane and Lee on Tour]

Enjoy Lake Annecy! We love this place, stayed last month at Camping de L'Aloua, early morning swim every day in the lake before breakfast. Water was pleasantly warm. Cycle path is excellent, we used it all the time, lots of places to stop off for food/drink/beach. Duingt has a great patisserie for pastries (and filled baguettes for takeaway lunch) and Le Millesime cafe/tabac next door does nice coffee with a very local feel. Cycle path goes through Duingt tunnel and the old village is very pretty. Have a great time!