Hi :welcome1: to our world! Sounds like the van will be well used!

As regards money I think you will find plenty of ATM's and that cards are generally acceptable.

Of course there will remain a need for some cash and when topping up I always take the maximum available as there is always a '% plus a one off fee'. If you only get say 50 euro out you will always pay this so for 300 euro you will still pay that same fee. Hope that makes sense. You should also find out what transaction charge you will pay. For example my own credit card makes no charge for purchases and gives the 'commercial' exchange rate. The practice now, is increasingly a choice between euro and (for us) GBP at the point of sale. For us it is definitely euro as then we pay no fee. If we were to select GBP it would always include about 3% mark up.

Only small differences but over a period of time these little savings make a difference,

Happy travels, Caromac.

Thanks Caromac for your reply. We are hoping the new van will be well used!!

It sounds like a mix of cash and cards is the way to go. We just weren't sure if ATM's were plentiful over there and didn't want to caught out.

It will be a whole new experience for us as we have been used to booking caravan sites in advance. We are sort of planning a route but hope to just find places to stop along the way. Life is an adventure and like the saying goes "The world is a book, and those who don't travel only read one page".

Cheers

Our experience with banks/ATMs is that they all tend to group together in so much as you find one and within a few meters three or four more.
I personally like those where you go inside to make withdrawals, it is less chance of the machine being compromised by criminals, it also enables you to put your cash away out of public view and as grandmother used to say "Don't put all your eggs in one basket".

Hello Nomads

It is worth checking out Nationwide and the Post Office debit cards. The Nationwide do now charge a commission but give a very good exchange rate. While, I think the Post Office is free of commission and also give a good rate. We have had no trouble with these cards at ATM's but have found a couple of garages where they will not work on card only pumps.

Have fun :kiss:
Spinner

Hi All

Thanks for all your replies. We will take on board all your suggestions.

Cheers

We use a Caxton FX euro (http://www.caxtonfx.com) pre-loaded debit card in France, Spain and Portugal. Load before you leave and top up online whilst away ( at the GB/Euro exchange rate prevailing at the time). No commission. Ok in all ATM's but some pay at pump and tolls do not accept it. In Morocco we use their Global card. Should it be stolen and used before we could report it then no more than the pre-loaded account can be withdrawn. Excellent help line with a real person. Even had our password reset whilst away.

Hi Miklin

We've had a look at Caxtonfx and it looks like a good option. Thanks

Nomads

Hi
If you have a UK address you can get a Caxtonfx Euro card for access to cash from any ATM fee free! There is no transaction charge and the rate you get is the bank rate rather than the tourist rate. You link it to a UK bank account and can then put money on by bank transfer or via text. For spending we use the Halifax Clarity credit card which doe not charge and once again gives a very good rate of exchange. We set it up to pay in full each month so there aren't any interest charges either.
Using these two cards we have travelled as diverse as Norway, Hungary, Greece, Poland and of course Spain and Portugal and they have always worked well with no problems anywhere. Hope this helps.

Thanks Hedonite

The Caxtonfx card looks the way to go. We are overseas at the moment but will certainly apply for one when we get back to the UK.

Nationwide credit card makes no charges for purchases

With the euro on a downwards track it makes no sense to get a prepaid card. We have been using both Nationwide credit and debit cards. The credit earns divi on the spends and always the Visa rate which is excellent, so all my fuel and shopping wherever they take it. The Debit for ATM cash which does have charges but still gets the best exchange rate. Do remember to always opt for the Euro if given the choice at the till. The shops make their own rate up when you pay in Stirling.

Anothervote for the halifax clarity card,got a great rate in tenerife for euros and agan where we are at present in the maldives,no charges when paid off promptly. :thumbs: