alps tips!

davylat · Sep 25, 2015

Hello,
I've managed to talk my girlfriend into camping in the alps next year. This year we went up to Applecross and managed to break down on the second day, defender was towed away followed by the tent collapsed at 4am the following morning. Things did not go well.
Anyway I've convinced my girlfriend to give it another go and I'm looking for advice to help things go smoothly.....
We were thinking ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam and heading to the alps for 2 weeks, beginning of July.
1. Any advice on good breakdown cover?
2. Any routes i should definitely aim for?
3. Spares i need to take with me?
I have a td5 90 2000 with 140000 miles. Everyone laughs when i say what we are doing my landy isn't the most reliable and must be nearly new considering the amount of parts I've put on her haha.

Thanks
David

Ahaggar · Sep 30, 2015

The Alps, is a bit vague. Which country would you prefer?
France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany?

Here in Tyrol (Heart of the Alps) we have 5 official LR dealers.

davylat · Oct 1, 2015

Starting in Salzburg, my girl friend would like to do the "sound of music tour"..... Then onto Verona. Probably Bormio as well. Just touring around taking in the mountains and enjoying the good food. Any tips on which campsites to use? Sorry its a bit vague, I don't really like planning a route, just enjoy winging it.

Jason101 · Oct 1, 2015

Hello mate. We done a trip a couple of years ago but went to Calais and head across country to the Swiss border. The alps where great but you need to get planning and get a top quality tent that will be up to a bit of heavy duty use, a roof tent might be a good idea. And spend an afternoon comparing European breakdown cover.

Ahaggar · Oct 2, 2015

If you look for Campsites (Campingplatz) in the region where you want to go there are plenty.
For the Breakdown cover, here in Austria there are two big Companies, ARBOE and OEAMTC.
They both do a good job but here in Tyrol the ARBOE is better if you need a quick repair.
Italy is also very good for the Campsites.

davylat · Oct 2, 2015

I have suggested a roof tent (which are awesome) but its been a struggle to talk her into camping again and that might be pushing my luck haha. I've been looking at vango airbeam 400 Capri, they get a pretty good review and looks pretty easy. Will get the maps out and start looking

Cheers Ahaggar, I'll have a look into those, thanks

Ahaggar · Oct 2, 2015

If your girl is no fan of camping find a nice hotel every now and then just to calm her down.

Finding a nice little hotel or a B&B is very easy via booking.com
Bed and Breakfast is a "Pension" in german and there are a lot.

I always have a look when travelling through Austria. Sometimes it is even cheaper then camping.

LandyMan · Oct 2, 2015

If you can wildcamp, the money you would save camping could all go on 1 or 2 nights in a 4/5 star luxury castle / palace, with spa facilities. that should keep the missus happy

davylat · Oct 2, 2015

I'm sure she'd love a couple of nights in a 5 star hahaha

are you allowed to wild camp in Austria / Switzerland / Northern Italy?

Assuming I get as far as the alps without breaking down......
Off to Applecross next weekend, guarantied it'll poor down all weekend lol

Ahaggar · Oct 2, 2015

No wild camping in Austria and Switzerland. Italy is getting more complicated from year to year.

A lot of German outdoor fans driving the people crazy with camping, greenlaning and mountain biking.

Better stay on camping place avoid troubles with the authorities and the GF because no shower and toilet nearby.

Jason101 · Oct 3, 2015

Don't wild camp mate! The missus will hate it! Tell her the benefits of a roof tent are easy and quick to set up and put away and because it's up high the creepy crawlies can't get you!

SpaceDawg · Oct 4, 2015

I've done a lot of it in March on a R1100RT Motorbike, so it should be no problem in a Land Rover?

mikescuba · Oct 6, 2015

I don't know about Switzerland and Italy but here in France in July it can get busy, you might find it difficult to find a spot in a campsite. I would book in advance. I wouldn't go to the expense of a roof tent, they are expensive and if your other half doesn't like camping you might not use it again. I bought a two man 2 second tent. It goes up in a couple of seconds and folds away once you have done it a few times in a couple of seconds also. Cost less that £50. It fits quiet nicely on the roof rack of a 110.

EeEk · Oct 6, 2015

ADAC for breakdown cover.

Col de l'Iseran is worth a drive....
Chamonix is nice - Glacier, mountian train, cable car, mont blanc
San Gotthard pass has an old cobbled road that takes you over the top.

If I have my way we might well be that direction next year again

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...Iseran&usg=AFQjCNF-hgMQWvm2FovNZfAs-JtKHQwT0g

davylat · Oct 7, 2015

Cheers for the replies. I may have talked her into getting a roof tent any suggestions which one would be best?
Are the campsites really that busy in the summer?

vilguy · Oct 8, 2015

id surely make sure my vehicle wasnt going to break down before spending money on a roof tent?
If it breaks down thats your holiday ruined pretty much.

laracroft · Oct 8, 2015

mikescuba said:
I don't know about Switzerland and Italy but here in France in July it can get busy, you might find it difficult to find a spot in a campsite. I would book in advance. I wouldn't go to the expense of a roof tent, they are expensive and if your other half doesn't like camping you might not use it again. I bought a two man 2 second tent. It goes up in a couple of seconds and folds away once you have done it a few times in a couple of seconds also. Cost less that £50. It fits quiet nicely on the roof rack of a 110.
View attachment 91433

I have a similar set up. The tent is brilliant quality and cost about £100. I have a bit double air bed and that keeps the Mrs happy. Trust me. It's about the air bed. You don't realise you're camping as much when you're flat in the air not on the ground uncomfortable.

We use the big tent at the back you can see as an awning but isn't necessary to put up depending on our camping needs.

Sestina · Oct 13, 2015

AA European cover is excellent. I reckon I hold the record for their longest ever recovery about 2,000 Km. My Defender broke a half shaft in Poland, 1.5Km from the Belarus border. They took her back to Brixton. Plus 3 hire cars.

On a recent business trip to Palma, Mallorca the Disco had HGF just south of Calais. Then they coughed up for my train fares and hotel bills.
I've got a Myway Evo 1.4 roof tent. The extra tarpaulin is very handy when it rains.

trax · Oct 13, 2015

vilguy said:
id surely make sure my vehicle wasnt going to break down before spending money on a roof tent?
If it breaks down thats your holiday ruined pretty much.

hahahahahahahhahaahhahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahhaahha

haha

ha

i'm sorry... what did you say? haha

davylat · Oct 14, 2015

How do you make sure that your vehicle won't breakdown ??
laracroft that looks pretty good

Just back from up north, over 1000 miles, 165 litres of fuel and no breakdowns

That myway evo tent looks the business

alps tips!

Member

Active Member

Member

Active Member

Active Member

Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Do'er of stuff and the like

Active Member

Attachments

Active Member

.

Member

Similar threads