44 Websites by and for Motorhomers, Cyclists & Other Travellers

The following non-commercial websites have been produced by long-distance motorhomers, cyclists and other travellers. Please let us know about any other websites of this type that you can personally recommend. Or perhaps you can recommend your own site! It is very easy to Contact Us!

Updated December 2012

OLD AGE PENSIONERS

Website: http://blog.travelpod.com/members/oldagetraveller
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

John and Lesley Jefferis have made two major, one-year European journeys since 2008. What makes them unusual, indeed special, is that they travel with a Burstner caravan and a Hyundai Santa Fe tow vehicle. Retired from banking and librarianship respectively, their writing and photography is interesting, articulate and informative. Meeting them in the Basque country was very useful to us: for once, we were the novices and they were the old hands, sharing something of their life on the road as caravanners. Our paths had crossed briefly at Sakar Hills Camping in SE Bulgaria in 2008, and we had interacted recently on the subject of traversing the Neum Enclave in Croatia.

JENGOG

Website: http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/JenGog/page-2.html
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Many years of travelling in mainland Europe by car led Jennifer and Glenn Jones to buy a Swift 580 PR motorhome in March 2012. Their aim was for more intensive travel, with opportunities to stay and explore places they discover. Their first journey took them as far as Croatia; Jennifer enjoys writing so we can expect more.

BEVIS ON WHEELS

Website: http://www.bevisonwheels.blogspot.com/
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

Maggie and Pete live in South Yorkshire but roam England and Greece in their motorhome. They recently exchanged their Autotrail Apache for a new Autotrail Tracker FB and plan another summer in the Peloponnese. They explore with their bicycles and their website includes details of other, non-motorhome travels including a recent visit to Cuba. Maggie already has five articles on this website which you can find in the Fellow Travellers section.

BESSY ON THE MOVE

Website: http://bessyonthemove.weebly.com/
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

Ian (of Yorkshire) and Judit (of Budapest) buy a Bessacarr E760 motorhome and set off to explore the mainland of Europe. Their website gives a full account of their journey, accompanied by first class photography, the latest in Google mapping for their route and location and a compact and laconic style of writing. Like us, they develop their idea of a journey as it progresses, rather than following a pre-set plan.

CAPE PACIFIC

Website: http://www.capepacific.com/third-trip/Home.html
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Tasmanians Elizabeth and Gary Gray are engaged in a planned 50,000 km (31,250 miles) motorhome journey through 3 continents. Currently (November 2011) they are touring Europe in their Mercedes-based Autotrail Mohican. Their dream, inspired by the escapades of Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith, is a third round-the-world journey. The first was by sea, the second by air and this one will be by land. Future plans incude a 4wd truck to explore parts of the USA.

The website is beautifully designed, the photographs excellent and the overall ethos is one of excitement and enthusiasm. Not least, there is a full description of their motorhome, which is obviously very close to their hearts. Overall, this is a classic definition of life lived to the full in retirement.

TRAVELIN-TORTUGA

Website: www.travelin-tortuga.com                               
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Richard and Kathy Howe's website is by far the most comprehensive motorhomer's website we have used (except, perhaps, our own!) Starting from their home in California, they have been travelling fulltime for ten years (in 2011). Their initial focus was on the Americas: North, Central and South. In the last two years they have shipped their motorhome to Europe to undertake major journeys, initially right across the southern countries, including much of the former Yugoslavia, as well as Morocco and Turkey.

Starting with a motorcycle and a tent, they soon moved on to a secondhand motorhome. More recently, they have covered over 100,000 miles in a purpose built 4wd motorhome and it's a pleasure in itself to read about this vehicle and discover its unique design and powerful features. As well as full details of their travels and their vehicles, the Howes share valuable advice on subjects such as camping (they mainly find the 'free' variety), shipping, Schengen, electrics and accessories. All this is accompanied by excellent photographs, links and apt quotations. Their motto is: 'No Checklists; No Schedules'.

MOTORHOME LIFERS

Website: http://www.motorhomelifers.co.uk/             
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Mike and Ali Kingston started long-term travelling by motorhome in 2003. They have motorhomed in the USA twice. The first time, they shipped their European motorhome and travelled from Florida to California via the southern states; returning via Alaska, Canada and the far northeast of the USA.The second time, they bought a Forest River motorhome and drove from Florida to near San Francisco, via Alaska. Currently they live and travel in a Wildax Aurora motorhome, customised for them by Duncan Wilman who runs the business in Elland, West Yorkshire (right next to Huddersfield). Their European travels have included Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Italy and brief foray into Corfu, with ambitions to travel in the far north.

CYCLING NORTH

Website: http://www.cyclingnorth.com/            
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

We met young Australians Kate and Jacqui when they camped overnight next to us in Ancient Troy. Starting from Istanbul, they are cycling to Trondheim on the coast of Norway. Having got to know them in short but intensive discussions, we are sure they will surpass this target, certainly reaching north of the Arctic Circle; possibly to Tromso. Kate a teacher and Jacqui a journalist, they are well prepared physically, psychologically and intellectually for the many tasks ahead. Their equipment is well thought through and, above all, they are cyclists! At the time of writing they are in Albania, steadily pedalling North and maintaining their excellent website as they go.

PS: Jacqui made it to Tromso on her own, cycling via Nordkapp! Kate broke her leg in three places, one of which was Latvia, and was flown back to Australia. Read the full story.

UK GREY NOMADS

Website: http://www.ukgreynomads.co.uk/      
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

In 2007, Alan and Jenny Morris sold up, set up their website and made a 12-month round-the-world journey (USA and the Cook Islands, before motorhoming in New Zealand and Australia). Back in the UK, in February 2009 they bought an Autocruise Starblazer motorhome. Now they were set up to be the UK Grey Nomads of their dreams - and are they living it! The website uses text and images to describe their life on the road, on their RTW journey and the length and breadth of the British Isles. Other pages list some of their equipment and a long Guest Book speaks to a healthy following from aspiring and actual fellow travellers.

EUROPE BY CAMPER

Website: http:/www.europebycamper.com     
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Since October 2008, Adam and Sophie Blacklin have motorhomed in 30 countries, including all the EU except Cyprus and Eire. In the New Year of 2011, they plan for a new, smaller motorhome and a new journey to new countries: Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and the Ukraine. Great extra features include a general guide to buying a motorhome, a guide to buying and importing a motorhome from Germany and links to other relevant websites. We look forward to learning from their experience.

CHARLIE DOG CAME TOO

Website: http://charliedogcametoo.blogspot.com/  
Recommended by: Adam Blacklin

Lesley and Rob Hale are taking (at least) a year out from February 2010 to explore Europe in their panel van motorhome, accompanied by Charlie Dog. They have made a great clockwise loop from the UK through the very top of Norway and down through Eastern Europe to Greece for the winter. Where to next? Find out!

REVOLUTION CYCLE

Website: http://revolutioncycle.ie/about.html       
Recommended by: Catherine Hastings

THE WORLD IS OUR LOBSTER

Website: www.theworldisourlobster.com           
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Catherine and Chris, now in Cyprus, aim to visit 47 European countries in their Burstner motorhome. So far, in January 2011, they have travelled 24,000 miles in 14 months and spent time in 28 countries, including brief visits to Serbia, Moldova and Macedonia. The North and the South of Europe remain - as well as Russia, but by now they know a lot about border crossings, insurance and the vagaries of travel outside the familiarity of the EU! A real bonus is the section describing their motorhome in detail.

MOTORHOME VAGABOND

Website:http://motorhomevagabond.com/         
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Gary Box bought a Hymer B564 and set off 'on the road to find out', to quote the former Cat Stevens. His purpose-built website does full justice to his ambition and his achievement; well laid out, super illustrations and a good background story. It's also an easy pleasure to follow his journey at your own pace and your own depth. Well done Gary!

Lorna's writing: http://europeanmagicalmysterytour.wordpress.com/          Recommended
Lorna's photos: http://www.tripntale.com/me/europeanmagicalmysterytour  by Barry
Mark's writing: http://travelsbymotorhome.travellerspoint.com/                  Williamson

GONE BIKE ABOUT

Website:http://www.gonebikeabout.com/          
Recommended by: Paul Barker

Darina, from Ireland, met Kurt, from Switzerland, in China. Kurt was a cyclist, Darina wasn't but soon she shared his passion. This led to numerous rides around central Europe and a bicycle pilgrimage to Santiago di Compostela. This in turn led to a major ride through South America. This excellent website takes you along, through a photo gallery with a parallel written commentary. Recommended by Paul who, with Sheila, produces the best and most detailed website for those motorhomers keen to explore Europe in depth: http://www.langdale-associates.com/

TRAVELS WITH LANDROVER

Website: http://travelswithlandrover.weebly.com/index.html   
Recommended by: Ian Shires

Ian (from Yorkshire) developed his new website using free software from weebly. Ian highly recommends weebly for the ease with which a very useful website can be created. The layout is ideal for travellers with separate pages, menus, links and text mixed with photographs, all a great improvement on the typical one-page, upside down blog. Ian's website tells the story of his love for the Land Rover Defender. He has used his for many years, travelling with Judit throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Some great journeys run to the far reaches of Turkey, the country where we first met.

Ian and Judit live in Budapest, where he is a founder member of Hungarian Land Rover Association, playing an active role in their Search and Rescue activities. His 'Travel Tips' are very practical and cut to the heart of what is demanded of the intrepid traveller on a budget. Don't miss this website. Ian has written a number of articles for our website: look him up in our 'Fellow Travellers' under 'S' for 'Shires'.

HOW KATIE PULLED BORIS

Website: www.howkatiepulledboris.com      
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

How Katie Pulled Boris: Keith Mashiter's book details a 6-month, 3,800-mile tour through France and Spain in an American RV pulling a car. The book's emphasis on humour is based on the largeness of the motorhome (Katie, a 33-ft 9.3-tonner), the car (Boris, an A-Class A140 Mercedes which was towed on an A frame) and Keith's relationship with his wife, Gail.

As the book's blurb itself says, the story will encourage or cure you of your own ambitions to travel in this way. The book was originally published in traditional paper format and sold through Amazon for 8.99 UK pounds. More recently, the publisher was taken to court by authors claiming unpaid royalties etc and is no longer in business and Amazon no longer sells the book.

Following recovery from a life-threatening illness, Keith has decided to make his book freely available to motorhomers and other travellers - download it from the website given above. Entry demands a user name, password and your email address. The book has 283 pages and requires a download of 3.66 MB into Adobe Acrobat.

TORTOISE TALES

Website: http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/ 
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

Frances Platman uses the facilities of Wordpress to give a well-illustrated account of her travels with Bernard in their Rollerteam Granducca, bought from a showroom in Toulouse. Starting in October 2003 with a graphic description of coming to terms with motorhoming life, Frances intends to bring the travelogue fully up to date with  travels planned in Portugal and Greece. 'Tortoise Tales'? In her own words, Frances's account is of 'slow travel in a motorhome throughout Europe by two adventurous pensioners'. We echo that!

MOTORHOME TRIPS

Website: http://www.motorhometrips.blogspot.com/  
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

After his life at sea, Ian Biggar and partner Sue spend a large part of every year travelling in their beloved Rapido 741F motorhome, posting regular accounts of their adventures as well as the occasional article and pictures. Among other countries, they have travelled in  France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. They have written for the MMM and of particular interest is the description of their own Rapido motorhome and their criticism of the general practices of fashion-led European manufacturers.

DAVE AND PAULINE

Website: http://www.daveandpauline.co.uk/  
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Newly retired Dave and Pauline Whiteman bought a motorhome and set off on a 9-month, 17,297-mile (27,675 km) journey through Europe. Starting and ending in England, they visited France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy. Very well illustrated (Dave was a professional photographer in a former life), with useful links and excellent maps, the website gives a regular and graphic account of their travels. The website itself should be seen for its innovative design.

2 DO EU

Website: http://www.2doEU.com  
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Paul & Alison begin their new website with a breathless:  "Wednesday 12th December 2007: Having sold up, we headed straight for the ferry at Portsmouth, bound for Bilbao on the north coast of Spain." This sets the style for the following daily travel logs, photo galleries, useful links and videos as they tour Spain, Portugal and France. This is an excellent sharing of experiences and a guide to anyone following in their tracks. We look forward to much more!

MALAYSIANS IN MOTION

Website: http://www.malaysiansinmotion.com/  
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Captain Ghani Ishak, Alison Murugesu-Ghani, 3-year-old Adrian Ishal-Ghani and Tuah, their Nissan Patrol 4WD, are all engaged in a 2.5-year, round the world journey. Currently in Eastern Europe, their website also promotes the Malaysian-based Rainforest Challenge (http://www.rainforest-challenge.com/) and promises two Tourist Adventurer Tickets for the lucky winners of a raffle. Follow this unique family adventure!

CRETE

Website: http://crete.wordpress.com/   
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

TENBY ACES

Website: www.tenby-aces.co.uk   
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

The Tenby Aces Cycling Club's website has a forum, photo gallery, list of club runs, training schedules, history, links, contact details and a coach's corner with training advice. Of direct use to cyclists in Pembrokeshire, it is an excellent example of its kind for other clubs to follow.

ESCAPEES

Website: www.2escapees.blogspot.com/       
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

Mike & Judith Annan describe themselves as 2 sexagenarians travelling in a Rapido 972M motorhome, fortunate to be able to travel many months of the year from their French base. Their Rapido is on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis and has been modified to meet their needs for months of travelling to numerous remote locations. So far, these include the Arctic Circle, North Africa and the Middle East including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Tunisia, Libya and Turkey. There is excellent advice on the preparation of the vehicle and all the paperwork required for such a journey. 

HONO TRAVELS

Website: www.honotravels.co.uk      
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Just starting out, post retirement, this is Norma and Howard Cook's website-in-the-making. Their plans are for extensive European travels in their 8 metre Burstner motorhome, so watch this link

PAPILLON TRAVELS

Website: www.papillontravels.net   
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

Since April 2007, retired Florida residents Tom and Judy Salmon have toured Europe and Turkey in an imported Winnebago View motorhome called Papillon. Their splendid website is arranged as a series of well-illustrated 'narratives' of their journey, as well as giving background information about shipping from the USA, notes on camping in Europe and an excellent map of their route so far.

RICHARD FRANCIS

Website: www.richardfrancis.com    
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Motorhomer Richard's excellent up-to-date site fully describes and illustrates travels in 13 European countries in a Carthago motorhome. In addition, he has taken his motorhome over to Morocco and spent some time in Thailand. This is motorhoming and travelling as it really happens! 

SILK ROUTE

Website: www.silkroute.org.uk    
Recommended by: Stephen Stewart

This non-profit Anglo-French club organises motorhome journeys to distant places, including China. It has over 500 members and was formed in France in 1993. Currently about 60 members are native English speakers. Annual membership in 2007 cost £35 (one van/two people) or £25 (one van/one person.).

ULTIMATE TRUCK PARK GUIDE

Website: Ultimate Truck Park Guide    
Recommended by: Ian Shires

This link takes you directly to the download of a 6MB pdf file which lists truck parking in every European country including Russia. This is the detailed 2007 edition and runs to 91 pages!

EUROPE MOTORHOME

Website: http://europemotorhome.blogspot.com/   
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Share the travels of Jacqui Young's Australian family as they take a 50-day motorhome holiday around Western Europe. These first timers travel through Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Scotland and England in their rented motorhome. Fully illustrated and with a map. Learning from their experience with France Passion, Jacqui now offers a similar service for motorhomers in Australia. Find out more: http://www.motorhomestays.com.au/ 

JIM AND ELLE

Website: www.jimandelle.drives.it   
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Australians Jim and Elle Dover have been travelling and working from their 31 ft Winnebago Explorer motorhome (the 'Bitumen Bunkhouse') since July 2003. When they roam their vast Continent, they always bush camp if possible: they like the freedom, but when they work, it is often as caravan park relief managers. Find out more about their equipment and lives by reading their regular illustrated diaries

SOUL TRAVELERS

Website: www.soultravelers3.com  
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

This is an opportunity to see Europe through the eyes of mature and talented American motorhomers. This family of 3, Dad Da Vinci, Mum Jeanne d'Arc and 5-year-old Ms Mozart (all pseudonyms), are doing a multi year RTW trip. They have been in Europe for the last 8 months (April 2007), with a short trip into Africa with more to come and blogging as they go.

They write: "As Americans we are kind of rare birds on this side of the pond with a motorhome, plus the fact that we are homeschooling as we go including violin and piano via internet. LOL! Add to that the fact that I am mobility challenged and we are learning lots as we go and having a blast too. We have lots of adventures planned for the next 7 months including Greece,Turkey,Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary,Romania, Czech, maybe Poland and a short flight into Russia and 2 months in Italy in the fall."

EUROPE IN A MOTORHOME

Website:  Europe in a Motorhome      
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Hazel and Simon Jackson, along with 13-year-old son Jack, took a year out to tour Southern Europe in an American motorhome. Calling it a 'mid-life gap year', they kept a thorough written and photographic record of their journey which they have since turned into a book. The website is mainly a promotion for the book but it does contain lengthy extracts and so can be used as a resource in itself. On the other hand - you can buy the book.

Not least impressive is the way they continued Jack's schooling during this year on the road so that he received a double education!

CYCLING TO INDIA

Website: www.cyclingtoindia.com  
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Thirty-somethings John and Sally Watson are cycling to India as an adventure in  its own right and as a means of raising money for 2 very well worthwhile charities - the sort where your money doesn't go straight into overheads. If they are successful, the route will take them through France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and then onto Turkey. From there they will head across Iran and into Central Asia, passing through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and then over the Karakoram Highway from China into Pakistan. The final leg will take them from Islamabad to Delhi.

We met them in Esztergom on the River Danube (on Hungary's border with Slovakia) and we later heard from them in Edirne in Turkey, just over the border from Bulgaria. You can read about our meeting and see some images by clicking here. 

GEO CITIES

Website: http://www.geocities.com/davecarol748/   
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

Dave and Carol Hughes, with their teenagers Emily and Ashley, set off last July (2006) in their 6-wheel, 5-ton Burstner motorhome to see where the road will take them. You will find them, in words and pictures, month by month, Somewhere in Europe. 

ROUND THE WORLD BY BIKE

Website: www.roundtheworldbybike.com   
Recommended by: Rebecca Watts

Rebecca is really enjoying this account of Alastair Humphreys nearly-completed round-the-world cycle ride. Living on as little as $US1 or $US2 a day, Alastair writes from Istanbul: "The Guinness Book of Records defines a journey around the world as one that covers 16,000 miles and 4 continents. Now I am doing the job properly: 50,000 miles, 5 continents, 50 countries. Alone and on a bicycle. No buses, no hitching, no support vehicles."

BILL LINDA

Website:  http://web.mac.com/billinda1/iWeb/Site/ 
Recommended by: Margaret Williamson

We met Bill and Linda Peckham in January 2007 (we figure briefly in their 'blog') when they visited Camping Finikes, near Finikunda in the Messinian Peninsula of the Greek Peloponnese. They were passing through in the VW motorcaravan and clearly enjoying the life. Linda showed us her extensive sketch pad of pencil drawings, made along the way and talked enthusiastically of her upcoming art exhibition back in the UK. They left us to continue their journey along the winter coast of Greece.

PIPPINS

Website:  www.pippins.me.uk                  
Recommended by: Keith Dear

This is the Newton family (Andy, Rosemary, Bobby and Charlotte) website and records in detailed words and pictures motorhome journeys in the Pyrenees, Galicia, Cyprus, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria and Norway between 2001 and 2006. The website also contains links to Andy's previous career in the Royal Navy with connections to HMS Sirius, HMS Minerva and HMS Bacchante. The site promises much more travel to come with their upcoming retirement.

ADV-CYCLING

Website: www.adv-cycling.org                
Recommended by: Barry Williamson

This is the ultimate resource for the long-distance cyclist in America. In business for over 30 years, and among much else, the Adventure Cycling Association (formerly Bike Centennial), developed the great routes crossing and circling the US of A. They claim to produce the finest bicycling maps in North America and you can even download waypoints for your GPS!

BIKE THE WORLD

Website: www.biketheworld.at                 
Recommended by:  Margaret Williamson

We met Austrian cyclists Christoph and Birgit Oberhauser in west Texas on a hot and windy day. They were heading west towards Marathon and into the wind; we were pedalling easily east, towards Sanderson. We had a lot in common and a lot to talk about: we were all on round-the-world journeys by bicycle.

They had started from Austria, crossed Europe and rode down in to Spain. From the north-east states of the US they had followed a long route down the east coast to Florida and then west across the southern states. Later they were to fly to Singapore and on to Japan.

There is an excellent section on the equipment they used and the detailed diary (in English and German) is well illustrated (we appear on 29 March 2001!)

LONG PASSAGES

We met Bob and Judi Burns in November 2003 in the Greek port of Patras, on the campsite near the old Rion/Anti-Rion ferry. We thought they were fellow-motorhomers but it turned out they were also round-the-world yachters (they call themselves 'cruisers'). Living and sailing in their 38-foot ketch Long Passages for the last12 years, they have almost completed a leisurely circumnavigation of the globe, starting on the east coast of the US. They have taken time out in many countries, living in some and travelling in others, including Europe, from Spain to Turkey, by motorhome.

This excellent website includes detailed logs and splendid descriptions of their equipment and graphic accounts of their worst moments!

We met the Whitlock family in September 2003, on a campsite on  Hungary's Lake Balaton. We were travelling by motorhome and bicycle; they by train. Lindsay, Nick, Tom (aged 9) and Esther (aged 4) were embarked on a one-year backpacking tour of the more challenging countries of the world. From Eastern Europe, they progressed through SE Africa, S America and Asia, finishing on the Trans-siberian Express Railway. They left us on a local Hungarian train, bound for a week's WWOOF-ing on a goat farm and then on to Romania.

Their splendid website includes maps, photographs and a diary of how to travel round the world by public transport with a young family.

GREEK TRAVEL

Website: www.greektravel.com        
Recommended by: Maggie Bevis

The site is run by an American called Matt Barrett and it grows and grows. It really is comprehensive and I can recommend it for when you're far away from Greece - it'll take you straight there in spirit. Matt responds quickly to emails too, if you want to contact him. I haven't yet met him, but as we're off to Athens in the near future, we could meet him for an ouzo or two.