If you're thinking about trying a caravanning holiday for the first time, here's a quick guide to what you'll need to pack, and what you'll need to look out for on the road.
One of the most important things you'll need for your journey is a good map or atlas. SatNav can be very useful, but never rely on SatNav alone as these systems can break down and get details wrong. Specialist caravanning maps are available of the UK and Europe, which have details of places to stop and sleep for the night already printed on to them.
Laws within Europe have tightened recently with regard to sleeping in lay-by's and roadside areas, so using your map to plot out the various official caravan parks and campsites that you will be able to use will help your trip immensely. Also worthy of noting on your map are petrol stations. This information can be invaluable while you're travelling, helping you to plan how many miles you can realistically travel each day with each tank of gas. When you're on the road, miles from civilisation, you'll be glad you jotted down these details at home before your trip, and it can help make the journey seem less daunting.
Experts warn that before heading out on any prolonged caravan holiday you should make sure that your vehicle has been fully-serviced. If your car's not up to the task, you could try renting a car, or perhaps borrowing a friend or relative's vehicle. Insuring your trip is a good idea, especially if you're taking a particularly long trip, as breakdowns can happen. You'll want comprehensive car or vehicle insurance, and travel insurance too to cover any medical expenses that you may incur while away.
While driving in a foreign country, you have to remember to switch sides of the road! European countries drive on the right so don't get caught out, as this ca be extremely hazardous for you and other road users . You should also do a bit of research into the petrol and diesel requirements of your vehicle, especially if you'll be driving a motorhome, as your vehicle may take petrol or oil that is not available in other countries, which could lead to a travel nightmare.
Compiling a list is a great way to help you remember to pack everything you need. Remember all the relevant travel documents and identification that you will need, as well as emergency telephone numbers like the number of your bank, and car and travel insurance companies. Packing some travel games, books and magazines will help pass the time on the road too.
As you will soon discover there are lots of different types of Irish holiday homes that one can now rent, and all of which offer you the chance to explore the country without any undue hassle. However, if you have never rented a holiday home before then there are things you need to be aware of. Below we offer a few tips to help you get great accommodation and so ensure that you have a wonderful vacation.
Tip 1 - Many of the homes for rent are privately owned and so how well they are maintained will vary from one to the next. If you want to ensure that you get the best accommodation possible, arrange your booking through those agencies who only expect the best from their homeowners.
Tip 2 - It is important to note that you will need to arrange your vacation around the dates that hire of such properties run from. In most cases, you will find that hire of these homes runs from Saturday to Saturday and do not expect to actually gain access to the property until mid or late afternoon. This is because the owners or the agents will need time to prepare the cottage for your visit.
Tip 3 - Often the price at which you rent such homes is not based on the size or what state the property is in. In most cases, the rental prices are based on where the property is located and at what time of year you are actually renting it. Sometimes you may often find that you get a better deal and higher quality accommodation if you choose to stay in a less popular location.
Tip 4 - When you have found your ideal holiday home and you want to make sure that you get it, and then you may need to book it well in advance of your vacation dates. Often doing this may save you money, but be prepared to hand over a deposit to the agency to ensure that the accommodation is held for you and no one else can then book it.
Tip 5 - Before you actually arrange a booking, you should be aware of what is actually included in the rental price. As you will soon find that, what is included will vary from one agent to the next. However, in most cases your heating, electricity and bed linen and other facilities within the home are included in the price. However, if you are looking to bring a pet with you then you may be required to pay an additional fee.
Tip 6 - When you are looking to save money on your holiday home it is a good idea to try and arrange it for a time when there are going to be less visitors to the area. However, you may find some places, which offer their accommodation at a more reasonable price even during high season simply because they are located in areas that are less popular with visitors.
In this article, we have offered some tips, which should help you in finding the right kinds of Irish holiday homes if you are going to be vacationing in this part of Europe. Also, we have offered some tips that should help you to save money on your accommodation. It is important however that you take your time and carry out as much research before you actually make that all important booking.
Both Dereks Lakess & Steve Woodward are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dereks Lakess has sinced written about articles on various topics from Ski, Travel and Leisure and Travel and Leisure. For great deals on including. Dereks Lakess's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.
Steve Woodward has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Travel and Leisure and Touring Italy. Ireland is a very popular country and is known for its scenery and character so there are many to choose from. There are also many. Steve Woodward's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.