France & Germany

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In early September we set off for our autumn European tour. Our journey would take in two Carthago meetings, the first the UK group autumn meeting in Eguisheim, Alsace, France and the second the German owners club meeting in Hofgeismar, Hesse, northern Germany.

We had also planned to visit a number of other places that we had been to before. The map (above) displays our route and overnight stops. 

As usual, we crossed the Channel on the ferry to Calais (1). Our first night stop was at Bruges (2/13) in Belgium. On to Trier (3) on the beautiful Moselle river and then proceeding to Eguisheim (4). After this we  travelled eastwards via Kressbrön (5) on the east side of Lake Constance to Berchesgarten (6) and the Konigssee in the far south east corner of Germany.

Across the mountains into Austria and Italy, to the spectacular Dolomites region, where we stayed at a lovely campsite in Sexten (7).  Turning homeward, we visited Seefeld (8) in the Austrian Tyrol before travelling northwards through Germany via Rothenburg ob der Tauber (9) to the German owners club meeting in Hofgeismar (10).

Our journey homewards now took us west across Germany via Attendorn (11) and briefly into The Netherlands and the village of Scimmert (12).  Back again to Bruges (13) before taking the ferry from Dunkirk (14) to Dover.

An amazing trip of nearly 3,000 kilometres (1,875 miles).  We had sunshine every day but one and when it did rain then it was always at night!

Throughout the journey we travelled in the company of various fellow Carthago owners. We followed our own routes during the daytime and then made a rendezvous at pre-planned campsites.

Bruges, Belgium (2 & 13)

As always, the city of Bruges is enchanting. The old buildings and canals give a charm which is unique and we never tire of spending a few hours walking around.

It is a very popular tourist attraction and can become quite busy in the high season. Everywhere you see the horse drawn buggies that clip clop around the city,

The motorhome aire is a short walk from the city centre but provides a comfortable and peaceful overnight parking facility. At €22.50 in high season the parking is not cheap (€15 low season) but you do get free electricity, fresh and waste water facilities. It is still very reasonable for city centre accommodation and if you wish to eat out then there is a whole host of lovely restaurants to choose from!

The walk from the aire to the city centre is very pretty (see photos below).

From Bruges it is an easy journey across Belgium and to Trier on the river Moselle (or Mosel in Germany).

Trier was a significant Roman city and there are many interesting Roman remains to be viewed. It was an important river crossing and a Roman bridge still crosses the river.  The city is bustling with tourists and shoppers and the roads in the centre are a bit risky for cycling. Nevertheless, it is well worth a visit both for culture and shopping!

The motorhome aire is about 2 km from the city centre. An easy cycle ride along the river bank.

The aire is very large and always busy. Everything in the aire operates on a magnetic card system. The card is issued at the entry barrier and you then go to a machine to add money to your card. You then use the card for electricity, water, showers etc. and to pay for the overnight stop when you leave via the exit barrier. All very efficient but the payment machine takes some skill to operate!

Almost next door to the aire (or more correctly Stellplatz in Germany) is a campsite, also on the riverside. The campsite does not seem to offer much but does have a small bar/café which is 100m or so from the Stellplatz.

Trier, Germany (3)

(left) The medieval cathedral in Trier

 

(below) the Roman bridge across the Moselle.

 

Photos from Internet images

Eguisheim & Colmar, Alsace, France (4)

Eguisheim is a small town, just a few south west of Colmar, in the Alsace region of France. It sits upon a raised stretch of land between the River Rhine in the east and the Vosges mountains to the west. It is a well known wine growing area and indeed, the town is surrounded by extensive vineyards in every direction.

The buildings are lovely timber frame houses and the development of the town has been circular. The main streets cross the town but all of the smaller streets form and oval within the old town walls. It is all very scenic and dominated by large wineries.

The campsite, Les Trois Chateaux, is situated on the outskirts of the town and it is just a 10 minute walk to the town centre. Here was the autumn ‘Gathering’ of Carthago Owners UK and we were lucky enough to be able to make use of their social room for our evening entertainment. There were about 20 Carthago motorhomes (40 people) and it was lovely to catch up with old friends and to meet some new members.

We had a full program from our arrival on the Wednesday to our departure the following Monday.

 

(below left) Do you get ice cream with this?

 

(below right) Motorhome parking places in Bruges