California Club Meet VW California Factory Tour Hannover 2019/2020

Ting Tong · Dec 22, 2018

Out of courtesy, I’m not going :offtopic

onto Breixt on Henrik’s recent post about this great factory visit that he's kindly organised BUT, the 1 April visit is the Monday after the UK leaves the EU at midnight on the preceding Friday.

I will stand corrected but, if we crash out of the EU with no deal, then it is my understanding that there will be no transitional provisions and I will technically be an illegal alien in Germany (and France) and possibly uninsured on the Cali. Mrs L has a Schengen visa so she's OK.

Thoughts not political argument please: it’s Christmas.

Duncan · Dec 22, 2018

liaoyang said:
Out of courtesy, I’m not going onto Breixt on Henrik’s recent post about this great factory visit that he's kindly organised BUT, the 1 April visit is the Monday after the UK leaves the EU at midnight on the preceding Friday.

I will stand corrected but, if we crash out of the EU with no deal, then it is my understanding that there will be no transitional provisions and I will technically be an illegal alien in Germany (and France) and possibly uninsured on the Cali. Mrs L has a Schengen visa so she's OK.

Thoughts not political argument please: it’s Christmas.

This is exactly the same reason I am holding off booking my summer holiday to France and Italy.

Wongo · Dec 23, 2018

Booked on the April trip, anyone looking to meet up for Ferries etc?

Bobbybus · Dec 24, 2018

Just a thought, winter tyres/snow flake tyres will be required if you are going on the 1st April visit. You'll be driving through areas that need them fitted by law prior to you arriving.

Georgiegirl · Jan 1, 2019

Bobbybus said:
Just a thought, winter tyres/snow flake tyres will be required if you are going on the 1st April visit. You'll be driving through areas that need them fitted by law prior to you arriving.

Is that just for the first visit or the May one too?

Bobbybus · Jan 1, 2019

As far as I understand it, German law states that winter tyres are needed up until 31st March, which means getting to Hannover requires you having the appropriate tyre. 1st April onward, summer tyres are ok. But you need to clarify that; somebody else on the forum will know for sure.

Ting Tong · Mar 25, 2019

Bobajob said:
Not much discussion on here about this. Anyone else looking forward to going on this at the end of the week?
We originally booked without giving any thought to the br exit date. When we realised, we did consider cancelling, but in the end thought we’d just organise a br exit delay instead.
It’s our first trip to the mainland in the Cali. Really looking forward to crossing through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany.

Yes we leave Weds night from Portsmouth and look forward to seeing you and everyone there. Have a safe trip everyone.

Kmann · Mar 25, 2019

Bobajob said:
Not much discussion on here about this. Anyone else looking forward to going on this at the end of the week?
We originally booked without giving any thought to the br exit date. When we realised, we did consider cancelling, but in the end thought we’d just organise a br exit delay instead.
It’s our first trip to the mainland in the Cali. Really looking forward to crossing through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany.

True … the original tread is her. But you are right not soo much activity. But from what I hear do people look foreward to this trip

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...factory-meet-is-open.28033/page-4#post-330552

rod_vw · Mar 25, 2019

Umweltplakette for all vehicles contemplating entering a German LEZ?

Hotel California · Mar 25, 2019

Anyone planning a stopover in Belgium ?

106Rallye · Mar 25, 2019

Hi everyone. We’re looking forward to the trip also. Unfortunately I can’t travel until Friday evening due to work, so won’t be there till Saturday later on. What’s the plan for the Sunday - we were thinking of seeing a bit of Hanover.

Barney

Sandy Ritchie · Mar 25, 2019

Georgiegirl said:
Is that just for the first visit or the May one too?

Looking forward to the trip Will be leaving 28th and will be taking my time getting there. Can't wait to see everyone

Ting Tong · Mar 26, 2019

Bobajob said:
Great! We are taking the eurotunnel early on Thursday, overnighting in the Netherlands and hopefully arriving mid-afternoon on Friday.
From the itinerary, it looks like being a really fun trip. Lots of people (and cool vans) to see.
Liaoyang - I think we may have seen you before. Were you at the Devon meet on that beautiful autumn weekend last year?

Indeed we were! I can’t fit usernames to faces but I’m sure I’ll recognise you. We are hoping to get from Le Havre to Roermond in NL on Thursday and stay here:

https://park4night.com/lieu/50231//...ark-for-campers-(with-ameneties)#.XJmz9KSnyEc

Then it’s 5 hours on Friday to Wolfsburg. No plans for Sunday except switch sites but we’re up for anything if anyone has any bright ideas. I don’t recall being inspired by Hannover city centre when I visited in the 80s. Unfortunately I think Herrenhäuser brewery is closed on Sunday but we might go to Marienburg Castle and find a Lidl.

Hoping to push on via Berlin to Poland and CZ after, returning the day after the current Breixt date which will be fun at the port.

Gavinskii · Mar 26, 2019

Myself and SHMBO will be going over on the Eurotunnel early Friday morning and look forward to catching up with our European brothers and sisters late afternoon (my profile picture is an old one, we will be in a silver Beach).
Safe journey to one and all
:cheers

Gavinskii · Mar 26, 2019

Gavinskii said:
Myself and SHMBO will be going over on the Eurotunnel early Friday morning and look forward to catching up with our European brothers and sisters late afternoon (my profile picture is an old one, we will be in a silver Beach).
Safe journey to one and all

Any views on the nicer / more scenic route? Via Utrecht or via Duisburg?

Hotel California · Mar 26, 2019

@Gavinskii , Duisburg -Essen -Dortmunt = very busy , i don't like driving there !
I say Utrecht and stop in Amersfoort at Camper Centrum Nederland :thumb

Antwerp = also almost a constant traffic jam during the daytime .

And a warning :
On the European mainland we switch the clock to summer hour the last weekend of march .
Officialy it means the night from saturday to sunday at 2am the clock turns further to 3am it will be one hour less sleep....
Best to turn the clock when going to sleep saturday and waking up at the correct timezone , if you wish you can set a alarm at 2am to turn to 3am and go back to sleep

Ting Tong · Mar 26, 2019

And a warning :
On the European mainland we switch the clock to summer hour the last weekend of march .
Officialy it means the night from saturday to sunday at 2am the clock turns further to 3am it will be one hour less sleep....
Best to turn the clock when going to sleep saturday and waking up at the correct timezone , if you wish you can set a alarm at 2am to turn to 3am and go back to sleep

Same in the UK but I think it's your last time changing the clocks as the EU is going to permanent summer time. God knows what's happening here. :headbang

Bellcrew · Mar 26, 2019

liaoyang said:
Same in the UK but I think it's your last time changing the clocks as the EU is going to permanent summer time. God knows what's happening here.

If I knew that change was compulsory across the EU I would have voted remain!

Holidaymaker · Aug 21, 2021

and so how was the expedition?

Sandy Ritchie · Aug 21, 2021

dbice3 said:
and so how was the expedition?

It was a great weekend with great company of those that were there. I'd do it again if the opportunity arises. Well organised.

Kmann · Aug 21, 2021

dbice3 said:
and so how was the expedition?

Both trips where fantastic! A fully booked 2020 tour was cancelled due to covid-19 circumstances. And a 2021 trip became even more impossible. But I am working deterined to plan future tours and have contact with VW on a regulary basis. But the tour activities are still closed due to covid aftermath and a huge factory rebuild for the new electric vans. But I am hanging in

CampervanTime · Aug 21, 2021

Love this! We'd go back in a heartbeat - it was so great to go round both factories and to the heritage section too, loved every minute. We went in 2018.

Is there another trip going to be planned in at all?

Kmann · Aug 21, 2021

itguy said:
Love this! We'd go back in a heartbeat - it was so great to go round both factories and to the heritage section too, loved every minute. We went in 2018.

Is there another trip going to be planned in at all?

At the moment it is not possible, but I am in contact with VW on a regular basis. And when they open for visitors again, I will arrange a new trip. My guess is the earliest is autumn 2022. But we will see.