Make sure that your MoT test certificate, log book and insurance documents are all in order and won't expire while you're away. And, get your engine serviced. Continental breakdown cover is also a good idea unless you're a dab hand at mechanics.

Apart from a valid passport for everyone going on the trip, of course, you will need to ensure that everyone is covered by medical insurance – full cover for a family of four is relatively inexpensive.

Don't forget that old-style E111 forms from the Post Office are no longer valid. If you need health care while on the Continent, you now need an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). Getting hold of one is simple because they are available through your local Post Office. Or, if you have internet access, go to the department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.

An essential requirement when you're travelling abroad is a good road map, to help you make sense of those foreign signposts –preferably one with as much detail as possible. Don't worry too much about driving on the other side of the road, it's easy once you get going.
My favourite maps for navigating around the Continent are Michelin maps with a scale of 1:200,000 (1cm = 2km), and AA maps of the same scale. Even the lanes are clearly displayed so it's relatively easy to find your way back onto the beaten track should you ever get lost.

Once you've chosen your destination, you need to select a ferry crossing. Remember it's always cheaper to pre-book.
Brittany Ferries offers crossings from Portsmouth to Caen, St Malo and Cherbourg, or you can choose to set out from Poole or Plymouth (tel 08709 076103, web www.brittanyferries.com).
P&O Ferries (tel 08705 980333, web www.poferries.com) and SeaFrance (tel 08716 632546, web www.seafrance.com) focus solely on the Dover-Calais route. Condor Ferries operates from Poole, Weymouth and Portsmouth and go to St Malo and Cherbourg (tel 08702 435140, web www.condorferries.com).
Norfolkline goes from Dover to Dunkirk (tel 08706 004321, web www.norfolkline.com). Stena Line goes from Harwich to Hook of Holland (tel 08705 707070, web www.stenaline.co.uk). The Eurotunnel is also an option (tel 08705 353535, web www.eurotunnel.com).
This is merely an overview.
There are more operators and routes available, so be sure to do your research.

Whether your idea of a perfect break is to take root on a campsite for the entire holiday, or roam free in your motorhome for days on end, it's always a good idea to take a pocket phrase book with you, be it in Spanish, French, Italian, German or a selection of these.

If you're heading for a particular campsite, you'll probably plan your route before you leave home. However, if like me, you prefer to be as free as a bird and go where the wind takes you, why don't you just take a few minutes every evening while you're away to plan your route for the following day?
It's amazing how many open street markets, fêtes and wine festivals you might come across, just roaming from one town to the other.
Staying overnight in your motorhome without using campsites is relatively easy in France. It is a much easier and safer option than trying it in the UK. Most of the aires in France even offer water and toilet facilities.

Don't worry about grocery shopping in France, as it is pretty much the same as shopping here in the UK and costs are roughly the same.
I adore shopping in France for food and enjoy trying out something new every time I go. If you're taking children with you and they're fussy about their food, the supermarkets sell foods that are available in the UK as well as traditional French food such as escargots.
Huge supermarkets are everywhere, and there is usually ample space to park a motorhome – we've had no trouble parking our 27ft 'van provided we've kept to the outskirts of the car parks.
l A handy hint for you: remember that in most supermarkets in France, you have to weigh and tag your own vegetables before taking them to the checkout.

In the hot weather, mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially if you're parked up near water. Take plenty of anti-mosquito cream and cover up your arms and legs when sitting outside your motorhome in the evenings. And, if you have nets on the windows of your 'van, make sure you use them.

Regardless of what time of day or night your crossing is, you're probably going to be tired by the time you hit French turf. My advice if you arrive in France in the dark, would be to find the over-night stay area (aire) and get some rest.
 • Calais: The aire is on the west side of the port. Exit the ferry terminals on the main route towards the A16 and head east towards Boulogne. Turn off at junction 17 towards Calais Centre Ville and head north until you hit the beach. The overnight facility is east, at the far end of the beach.
 • Boulogne: There's an aire on the D940 towards the north end of the port, about 4km south of Wimereux.
 • Dunkerque: From the A16 take junction 33 and the aire is west of Malo-les-Bains.