Welcome to the July edition of the newsletter in what has been another very busy month with two successful tours completed.
Our Lake Garda & Venice Tour came back at the beginning of June and we have a full tour report from the tour leaders Gwyn and Debbie. Wendy and I have just returned from our Swiss and French Tour and we will report back on that next month.
Also in this edition, we will be previewing the Norfolk Motorhome Show, which is on later this month.
As usual we have another great one-pot recipe and this months' motorhoming tips are all about French toll roads.
2024 Tours - bookings in full swing
Just a reminder that we are now taking bookings for 2024 and all the details are on the website. To view details of the 2024 season please click here:
To view and download the brochure PDF please click here:
The bookings are now open so if you see anything you like you can book now here:
As always, please book early if you want to be sure of a spot next year. Now is the best time to book to get the best deal. We NEVER offer last-minute deals and our best price is always the Early Bird. You can combine this with our Loyalty Discount if you have been with us before.
If you have any questions about any of the tours, please feel free to get in touch at any time.
Lake Garda and Venice Tour Review
Our ever popular Lake Garda Tour has recently returned from a very successful outing. Gwyn and Debbie took the tour out and thanks to them for a) running the tour and b) providing the following tour report:
After a sunny afternoon introduction to each other in Kent and a good night’s sleep we all boarded the Dover ferry on a bright morning and a smooth crossing to France. 12 motorhomes bound for the Champagne region and our first overnight stay on French soil with an early evening get together for some wine, cheese and nibbles.
The sun continued to shine the next day for our drive to the once busy port of Chalon sur Saone where many of our guests took an afternoon stroll in the ancient city, some staying into the evening to experience Chalon by night.
Another day, another voyage. This time leaving France behind, we crossed into Italy via the Mont Blanc Tunnel and its network of minor tunnels and high viaducts into the Aosta valley with spectacular Alps scenery for our next destination where we congregated for our group meal in the site restaurant with the mountains as our backdrop.
A beautiful clear morning greeted us to show off the snow-capped Alps surrounding us before we headed off to Lake Garda where we were to spend four nights on the southern shored of the lake.
Our location is carefully chosen to provide direct access to the lake, but also to be within a short walk of the train station. From here many guests travelled to Venice while a few chose to go to Verona. After the four days many of our guests cycled, walked, ferried or hired private boats to explore the southern villages of Lake Garda in glorious weather.
Onwards and upwards, we travelled to the northern shores of Lake Garda for another four days of sunshine where this time everyone was able to cycle, walk or ferry around the northern villages of the lake.
Some took the cable car to the summit of Monte Baldo, others the funicular ride to the Bastion in Riva and a few found time to ‘people watch’ from one of the many bars while eating large Italian gelatos and basking in the heat.
Sadly, all too soon and after eight wonderful days around Lake Garda we began our trip back to the UK stopping once more in the Aosta valley region and after a fine afternoon with some guests venturing into the quaint town of Aosta. The day closed in with everyone back in the bar/restaurant for the evening.
Next day we left Italy behind, driving through the Mont Blanc Tunnel back into France for two nights in the ‘capital’ of the burgundy region where some took wine tasting tours without leaving the city. One cellar is reputed to have 5km of storage below the city, storing millions of bottles of wine. Two of our guests attempted to taste as many as possible during their tour of the cool underground cellars while temperatures above ground reached 37C.
Some others ventured out on their bicycles into the countryside and found an
intriguing collection of vintage ‘things’ at the Chateau de Savigny-les-Beaune ranging from aircraft to motorbikes, tractors and cars as well as a vineyard.
Our final destination was a little cooler as we returned to the Champagne region and a comfortable 25C, chilling quite considerably overnight before our concluding drive back to the ferry port at Calais and another warm, smooth afternoon crossing into ‘Blighty’.
Debbie and I want to thank everyone that joined us on this, our first attempt as Tour Leaders with Crossings Motorhome Tours and for making our job so enjoyable and trouble free. It was a pleasure to meet you all and we hope to see you on future tours.
Norfolk Motorhome Show
We will be exhibiting for another great year at the Norfolk Motorhome Show, which takes place at the end this month from 21st to 23rd July. The show takes place at the Norfolk Showground, which is just outside Norwich.
If you haven't been to a Warner's Show before, they represent great value for money, with four nights of camping from £80. For that you get access to all of the exhibitors, plus a full entertainment programme. This year, it is a rock and roll theme with 12 acts playing over the weekend.
Full details of the show are here: https://www.norfolkshowground.co.uk/events/the-motorhome-and-caravan-show/
We will be on Stand 126 so please pop by and say hello if you are coming to the show.
Coq au Van (the amusingly titled recipe feature)
Lemon Pasta
Ingredients
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 lb. dry spaghetti
2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
2 tbsp. fresh lemon zest
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil, plus more to serve
Freshly ground black pepper, to serve
Method
Heat a large pot over medium heat; add the olive oil and butter. Allow the butter to foam, then add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
Add the pasta, 6 cups of water, and salt to the pot and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue simmering for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente.
Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, and basil. Serve topped with more parmesan, basil, and black pepper.
Motorhoming Tips
If you are chugging around France on your own or on one of our wonderful tours, you may choose to use the toll roads. The tolls you pay are based on the height of the vehicle. Motorhomes up to 3m high are in Class 2. Anything over 3m goes into Class 3, which will increase the price by around 30%.
Most motorhomes come in at under 3m high, so pay Class 2. If you have a satellite dish or aircon unit, it might take you over the limit.They determine the height using sensors. In theory, if you are a motorhome and you go a bit over because of any appendages, you should still pay Class 2.
When you get up to the barrier at the toll, there will be a display that shows what class they think you are and how much you need to pay. If it shows Class 3, press the Assistance button. Either someone will come on the speaker, or they might send someone out. In either case, just say "Camping Car" (which is French for motorhome) and they should reduce the price to Class 2. We can't guarantee it but we know it has worked in the past.
Keep in touch
Please feel free to contact us at any time. When we are away, calls will bounce to our mobiles at no expense to yourself.
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