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Books : Europe in a Motorhome: A Mid-life Gap Year Around Southern Europe
Rating: 
- dreams to reality
We all like to think about what we 'would' or 'could' do, and so many of us never get there. Not only do I admire the Jackson family for actually grabbing an adventure with both hands, but I am a little green too. I loved the way the book is visually written describing the places and people so vividly without becoming a really sterile guide to motorhoming and Europe. Sharing their journey means we can all think about our own possible travels in our own way, big or small motorhomes, short or long trips. The book was a great read and the index of campsites at the back really useful, a definate addition to the practical motorhoming and travel guides on my bookshelf.
Rating: - Enjoy a travel enjoy this Book
On reading this book and have found it both funny and imformative. The things that happened where both interesting and frightening. How many of us would up sticks and take a 13 year old boy on a trip like this but they had the courage and the trust that they would come through this trip with a better idea on how they work as a family.
In reading about the sights and places you could picture yourself in their shoes and wish you where there. I highly recommend you to read and maybe do the same thing.
Rating:
- Europe in 'The Beast'
There were some interesting parts in this book and some handy tips if you're planning a similar trip but I found the author's patronising slightly snobbish tone ever more annoying. Especially useful if you're planning a trip in a huge American RV. Personally, I'd be more interested in a book about travels in a moderate sized camper.
Rating: - Europe in a comfy chair...
The snippets of time between hectic work this week i.e. breakfast, bed-time allowed me to tour the usual suspects - France, Spain, mainland Italy - as well as less obvious Portugal, Sicily, Slovenia and especially Croatia with Hazel, Simon and teenage son Jack in their oversized US motorhome. The "can't put down" effect may have been due to my desire to take a similar, relaxed gap year all over Europe, but I feel it was mainly a credit to the personal, open and warm style in which Hazel wrote about her special year with her family in the "Beast". Basically we have a nice bunch of people who take interest in the natural and historical delights of different countries, enjoy being off the beaten track and who find it very easy to meet with like-minded travellers usually over a glass or two (and often more...) of local wine. Hazel's honesty avoids this being a travelogue of the cultural "must-sees" of Europe. Her descriptions of the major architectural stunners exude excitement and enthusiasm; on the next page she may be describing a rest day watching a DVD in the motorhome, or a walk on a beach - or a serious problem. As a result the book draws the reader into a world that one often daydreams about on those wet, winter mornings on the way to work. Those who have travelled and camped abroad in tents, caravans, motorhomes etc are likely to have been bitten by the "big European trip" bug and will find this essential reading. Non-campers may be fascinated how and why a family of three live in a small (well, smallish) space for such an extended period. Those who love to travel will certainly benefit from the travel tips about some stunning, lesser known places to visit - especially in Croatia. With its list of recommended places to camp, I'm sure this will be an essential item for the dashboard of motorhomes all over Europe. By the end of the book you feel you have really got to know this family and are willing them to turn south as they approach the ferry port for the inevitable return home.
Rating: - If you have wanderlust this is a MUST read!
This brilliantly written book by Hazel Jackson had me totally engrossed during my recent week's holiday in Spain.I returned feeling as if I myself had visited the countries to which they had been and couldn't wait to look at the photos on their website. It was hilarious at times and I still laugh out loud when I recall some of their adventures! There was just enough history of places visited to keep the reader interested without being swamped by too much information.It has given me a burning desire to follow in their footsteps. We are relatively new to Motorhoming but having read Hazel's book, have been bitten by 'the bug'!
- dreams to realityWe all like to think about what we 'would' or 'could' do, and so many of us never get there. Not only do I admire the Jackson family for actually grabbing an adventure with both hands, but I am a little green too. I loved the way the book is visually written describing the places and people so vividly without becoming a really sterile guide to motorhoming and Europe. Sharing their journey means we can all think about our own possible travels in our own way, big or small motorhomes, short or long trips. The book was a great read and the index of campsites at the back really useful, a definate addition to the practical motorhoming and travel guides on my bookshelf.
Rating:
- Enjoy a travel enjoy this BookOn reading this book and have found it both funny and imformative. The things that happened where both interesting and frightening. How many of us would up sticks and take a 13 year old boy on a trip like this but they had the courage and the trust that they would come through this trip with a better idea on how they work as a family.
In reading about the sights and places you could picture yourself in their shoes and wish you where there. I highly recommend you to read and maybe do the same thing.
Rating:
- Europe in 'The Beast'There were some interesting parts in this book and some handy tips if you're planning a similar trip but I found the author's patronising slightly snobbish tone ever more annoying. Especially useful if you're planning a trip in a huge American RV. Personally, I'd be more interested in a book about travels in a moderate sized camper.
Rating:
- Europe in a comfy chair...The snippets of time between hectic work this week i.e. breakfast, bed-time allowed me to tour the usual suspects - France, Spain, mainland Italy - as well as less obvious Portugal, Sicily, Slovenia and especially Croatia with Hazel, Simon and teenage son Jack in their oversized US motorhome. The "can't put down" effect may have been due to my desire to take a similar, relaxed gap year all over Europe, but I feel it was mainly a credit to the personal, open and warm style in which Hazel wrote about her special year with her family in the "Beast". Basically we have a nice bunch of people who take interest in the natural and historical delights of different countries, enjoy being off the beaten track and who find it very easy to meet with like-minded travellers usually over a glass or two (and often more...) of local wine. Hazel's honesty avoids this being a travelogue of the cultural "must-sees" of Europe. Her descriptions of the major architectural stunners exude excitement and enthusiasm; on the next page she may be describing a rest day watching a DVD in the motorhome, or a walk on a beach - or a serious problem. As a result the book draws the reader into a world that one often daydreams about on those wet, winter mornings on the way to work. Those who have travelled and camped abroad in tents, caravans, motorhomes etc are likely to have been bitten by the "big European trip" bug and will find this essential reading. Non-campers may be fascinated how and why a family of three live in a small (well, smallish) space for such an extended period. Those who love to travel will certainly benefit from the travel tips about some stunning, lesser known places to visit - especially in Croatia. With its list of recommended places to camp, I'm sure this will be an essential item for the dashboard of motorhomes all over Europe. By the end of the book you feel you have really got to know this family and are willing them to turn south as they approach the ferry port for the inevitable return home.
Rating:
- If you have wanderlust this is a MUST read!This brilliantly written book by Hazel Jackson had me totally engrossed during my recent week's holiday in Spain.I returned feeling as if I myself had visited the countries to which they had been and couldn't wait to look at the photos on their website. It was hilarious at times and I still laugh out loud when I recall some of their adventures! There was just enough history of places visited to keep the reader interested without being swamped by too much information.It has given me a burning desire to follow in their footsteps. We are relatively new to Motorhoming but having read Hazel's book, have been bitten by 'the bug'!