The European trip is fast approaching. In 24 days we'll be rolling towards a 1 year long adventure! We've just started thinking about which map books, camping lists and guidebooks we need in the campervan... and we'd love to hear your tips!
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ShareRoad atlas
We have just acquired Our Atlas of Europe, from Akademibokhandeln. "But don't you have GPS?" some people ask. Yes, but GPS is based on knowing where you are going. The advantage of a road atlas is that you can sit and look at the maps in peace and quiet and think about possible routes and destinations....
Lists of pitches and campsites
When it comes to pitches and campsites, we have a Bordatlas that is several years old. We thought about getting a new one, but it is out of stock at Adlibris and Bokus. Maybe it's available at petrol stations in Germany?
We used to have a CD with campsites from ACSI Eurocampings, but we seem to have lost it... We were thinking of ordering an ACSI camping card for 2015, but we read somewhere that it wouldn't arrive until December, and by then we will have left... Any suggestions on what to do?
Guidebooks and dictionaries
We have a guidebook to France and mini dictionaries in German and Spanish. We don't want to fill the car with books, but we're wondering if it would be good to have dictionaries in French and Italian as well? What we speak...? Actually, only English, but I've also studied French and Spanish at school, so I should be able to pick up a few phrases if the going gets tough...?
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English (UK) 
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BP says:
Maps are probably not a problem. Michelin guides are available in France.
As for dictionaries, I can recommend Google translate. It works surprisingly well. I've tried it. Then you don't need dictionaries. Google translates whole sentences into fully understandable phrases.
04 November 2014 - 9:15
admin says:
BP, usually agree... But we will probably often be without Internet (probably should have written that). And when we do find it... we will want to bloog.. haha.
😉
04 November 2014 - 9:30
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Two good apps
Promobil Mobile Life +
Camper contact
Printable list Portugal
http://www.campingcarportugal.com/areasServico?l=english
http://lillviks.blogspot.se/ there on the blog you will find maps of parking spaces etc.
I have never carried a paper map myself. BUT
It's important to have an up-to-date GPS and all the countries you want to visit in it.
Mv
Nils-Åke
04 November 2014 - 9:48
Role o Carina says:
We use GPS most of the time and the Europe Atlas!
If that's not enough, you have to use your brain 🙂 .
I'm sure you will have a great trip....Hugs!
04 November 2014 - 11:12
Ama de casa says:
We also always have (at least) a general map and a Michelin map book in case we spend more time in a country. I'm a bit of a map fetishist, and I like to keep up. I was actually a bit angry when Anders bought the first GPS...
😉
Now I wouldn't want to be without it - quite comfortably, in fact. However, sometimes I think it's wrong and think we should take a different route. Usually it's wrong then...
😉
We usually skip the dictionary - I'm pretty good at charades.
😀
04 November 2014 - 12:14
Maggan and Ingemar says:
An updated GPS is a must (we missed it) If you are travelling to the eastern side, make sure you have good maps even on GPS. We did not get Albania, but luckily we had ordered a map before we left. A good paper map is a must, as you say, especially when planning an itinerary.If you stay longer in a country, buy an internet, you use more than you think you do, especially when blogging and adding maps. Spain and Portugal have good sites with campsites, available on my blog site. Tips from other bloggers are great. Germany and France have lots of sites almost in every village. Wifi on campsites can vary in speed.
It will be very interesting to follow you and see which countries you will visit.
You will certainly meet many Swedes, especially in Spain and Portugal.
Drive slowly!
04 November 2014 - 12:18
Ama de casa says:
en: The next tapas marathon takes place the last two weekends in November. You will have a hard time making it... In April there is usually a spring marathon, but there is no information about it yet.
We have stumbled across these tapas markets (actually called ruta de la tapa) in several places in Spain, so checking online for this if you come to Spain is a tip.
🙂
04 November 2014 - 12:27
Ninni, Henrik and the Hjulius motorhome says:
Hi I think you will do well with the ones you have, and if you have the internet you can always search and look there for things to see and do, campsites and other things. Have a skiiiiiitskön journey frankly greet us who are jealous so we are green.
04 November 2014 - 12:38
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Using AutoRoute on my laptop.
Where I can also take out coordinates of places and put them into the GPS.
Mv
Nils-Åke
04 November 2014 - 13:07
admin says:
Nils-Åke, thank you very much for the tips! We will definitely look at that! I have not heard of AutoRoute, will check it out!
Rolle o Carina, haha... yes it will be good!
🙂
Ama de casa, haha we are also decent at charades we think... suspect it will be needed sometimes. And thanks for the tips on the tapas rounds! No, we won't be there in November, but we hope to find others then!
🙂
Maggan and Ingemar, I don't know if we can update our old GPS... but if not, we'll have to add a map! Tips from bloggers we will of course take into account, and we will also check if we can buy Internet when we stay a little longer somewhere.
Ninni, we will definitely search the Internet! It's just that I don't know how often we will have access to the Internet and how fast it will be...
04 November 2014 - 15:38
FANTASYDINING-A blog about themed restaurants and travel says:
Only 24 days 🙂 God how fun for you! Can't you take me with you in your luggage!
04 November 2014 - 20:53
Across the board says:
A map of Europe with a good overview. Then more detailed maps of each country you will visit. All to find small roads that are not on the European map. And a newly updated GPS. Don't follow it "blindly" - if in doubt, go with your gut feeling or follow road signs. I don't think you need to carry guidebooks with you - you'll find networks and can Google them as you go along.
04 November 2014 - 22:13
admin says:
FantasyDining, haha... but let me know if you happen to be anywhere near Europe at any point in the year!
🙂
Across the board, thank you for your good tips and thoughts. We'll probably start with this big European atlas, and then we can buy more local ones if we need to on the spot! Good tip also to not follow the GPS blindly, that's probably our experience too...
05 November 2014 - 9:03