MAYDAY European Breakdown Cover
Whether you're driving your car, motorhome or campervan or towing a caravan on your holiday, MAYDAY has got you covered when travelling to Europe.
View MAYDAY Breakdown Cover optionsSiobhan Daniels talks us through her travel preparations for a longer break in the sun
In March 2025 I embarked on a month-long motorhome trip through France and Spain, taking advantage of the Club’s Long Stay Winter Sun hosted holidays (see the August/September 2025 issue for my full report). Offering the opportunity to enjoy some blue skies in the depths of winter, stays at these specially selected campsites are hosted by volunteers who organise a variety of activities and social events, making them a particularly appealing option for solo travellers such as myself.
Good planning is vital for a successful trip, even more so when you are travelling alone. In this article, I’ll share what the preparation process looks like for me in the hope that it helps you on your adventures.
Planning the journey
I like to make life easier by calling in the experts where possible. So I contacted the Club’s travel team; its friendly staff helped me to tailor my trip, finding good deals on the ferries and matching campsites with my proposed itinerary through France and into Spain. Package holidays booked through the Club have ABTA protection, so I had extra peace of mind should anything go wrong.
For safety reasons I do not like to drive for more than four hours at a time. Luckily the Club has a large number and variety of overseas campsite partners in France and Spain, so it was easy to manage how much time I spent driving, while reserving plenty of time to enjoy my surroundings at each.
My trip lasted only a month, but if you are planning a longer holiday or are making multiple visits to the EU, remember the 90-day rule: UK passport holders can only remain in ‘Schengen’ countries for 90 days in a 180-day period. To find out more visit gov.uk/travel-to-eu-schengen-area.
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Preparing the motorhome
I also wanted to make sure that my motorhome, aka ‘Dora the Explora’, was fully roadworthy before I set off. As well as checking her MOT status (make sure your motorhome or car MOT is valid for the entirety of your trip), I always book her in for a full check-over in plenty of time, just in case I need to have anything repaired or replaced. She was given a full service, which included new filters, belts and oil. Her brakes, suspension/steering, and the leisure and starter batteries were also checked.
Despite all of these checks I still make sure I have breakdown cover (like the Mayday European policy).
For winter travels, you should ensure you have the correct tyres for the conditions, making sure that they meet the legal requirements of the countries on your itinerary. Additionally, it is important to research whether snow chains may be required.
I also inspect the condition of my electric hook-up cables; I take a long and short one with me because on some European sites you may be pitched a long way away from the electric bollard. (Similarly, I have a longer water hose for filling my tank.) Make sure that you also have the correct plug adaptors for the countries you are visiting, and a 2 pin European adaptor for the electric hook-ups.
Documents
It may seem obvious but I always check whether my passport is up to date. Be aware that most countries ask that your passport is valid for longer than your entire holiday – potentially up to six months.
You should also research visa requirements and, if necessary, renew your driving licence. There are a few situations in which you may need an International Driving Permit, so check this well in advance. Ensure too that your insurance is valid and fully comprehensive, and that you have the relevant documentation.
I gather all the documents I need into a folder which I stash somewhere handy in the van. I take two sets of photocopies – one to leave at home with a family member, and a spare for the motorhome. Make a note of any phone numbers you may require in the event of an emergency – I also display my emergency contact details in a prominent place in the van.
Motoring laws
Motoring laws vary across Europe, and it is your responsibility to meet all the requirements in the places you visit. For example, check country-specific speed limits and whether there are low emission zones in any of the towns or cities on your route. Note that you will have to pay a toll to drive on many motorways on the Continent. Toll tags are handy as they make it easier to pass through toll booths, particularly when travelling solo, when the driver is on the ‘wrong’ side. These small tags attach to the vehicle windscreen; as you drive through the toll booth the tag is read by a machine and the barrier raises automatically. The fee is then charged to your bank account.
For more information on low emission zones, toll payments and the equipment you are required to carry by law (eg first aid kit and high-visibility vests) see camc.com/overseas-holidays/useful-information.
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Health
If you’re going on a longer trip, it’s a good idea to have a dental check-up before departure. I also get my eyes tested, and make sure that I have a spare pair of glasses at the ready.
You should also stock up on any medicines you need, like HRT supplies – and be aware that you may need a doctor’s letter for repeat prescription medicines if you are away for several months. Check with your GP surgery that your vaccinations are up to date and whether you need any specific jabs for your trip. Apply for the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) well in advance; this lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. GHIC does not replace the need for a good travel insurance policy, though, such as the Club’s Red Pennant cover. Finally, put together a first aid kit for your outfit.
Banks and money
I have a number of strategies related to money while I am away. Firstly, I advise my bank that I am taking a trip so that foreign transactions aren’t queried. And I take several bank cards, preferably from different providers, so that it doesn’t matter too much if one is stopped for some reason. I also keep another card totally separate from the others in case of emergencies. Finally I always take some local currency – handy for a variety of reasons!
Additional packing
Don’t forget all the electric charging cables you need for phones and other devices. Portable power banks are also useful for when you can’t plug into the mains. Travel plugs and/or an international plug adaptor are vital.
Winter sun can mean cooler nights so pack some warmer clothes (and waterproofs).
Keep a headtorch and torch within easy reach in case of a power failure on site.
Finally, I stock up my gin bar and choose a good book to keep me company. Now all that is left to do is enjoy myself!
Vehicle checklist
Make sure you have the following in place...
- Vehicle logbook (also known as a V5C)
- Insurance certificate and a ‘green card’ in certain countries outside of the EU (check with your insurer)
- ‘UK’ sticker
- MOT certificate.
Caravan registration
Since 26 August 2025, the DVLA has advised UK trailer owners, including caravanners, to register any trailer over 750kg before travelling to most European countries (excluding Ireland and Spain). Registration means certification via the government UK Trailer Registration Scheme and not registration via any other scheme, such as CRiS, operated by the National Caravan Council. At registration a certificate will be issued and a separate trailer registration plate should be displayed on the caravan. To find out more visit gov.uk/register-trailer-to-take-abroad.
- See page 76 of the Sept/Oct 2026 issue to see our Long Stay Winter Sun destinations in 2026-2027. You can read much more about what these breaks are like on pages 70-72 of the July/August issue or by heading to camc.com/lsws.
