Communicating with Home

While European countries have excellent mobile networks and it is possible to make calls from abroad on your UK mobile, it is very expensive. You are charged for calls you receive abroad too, again at a very high rate, even those diverted to answerphone. There is also some intergration problems with some foreign networks when sending texts - the network says they have failed when really they have been sent.

If you plan on spending a long time in one country it may be worthwhile buying a local SIM card. There are international SIM cards available which must be set up before leaving home, offering a reduced rate for calls from many coutries. [SIM4Travel] offer a good service.

Many campsites have internet access and most towns have some kind of internet cafe or the local tourist information may have an internet kiosk. Suprisingly a few campsites have started adding wireless networks so that with your own laptop you can access the internet from your vehicle.