The Baker Family Go Road-Tripping Europe with Teenagers in An Epic Motorhome Adventure from Dover to the Netherlands and Beyond.
Traveling with teenagers changes the rules of family holidays. Suddenly, it’s not enough to simply enjoy a scenic drive or a picturesque village. You need adventure, variety, history, city buzz, and enough downtime to keep everyone happy. The perfect family road trip must strike a delicate balance between discovery and freedom.
Our unforgettable motorhome journey did exactly that. Beginning beneath the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, our route took us across the Channel and through some of northern Europe’s most fascinating destinations. From the modern skylines of Rotterdam and Amsterdam’s vibrant streets to Eindhoven’s creative energy and the poignant battlefields of West Flanders, this was a road trip packed with culture, history and memorable family experiences.
Setting Sail from Dover
Our adventure began aboard a DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais. One of the joys of travelling by motorhome is the simplicity of bringing your accommodation with you, and boarding couldn’t have been easier. We parked our home on wheels and headed straight upstairs to start our holiday in style.
To make the crossing extra special, we treated ourselves to access to the Premium Lounge, a decision that quickly proved its worth. While the teenagers settled comfortably with the Wi-Fi and charging points, we relaxed in a peaceful private space overlooking the busy shipping lanes through panoramic windows. Complimentary refreshments flowed throughout the crossing, including hot pizzas, snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine and even G&Ts.
It was the perfect start to the trip and a welcome moment of calm before the adventure ahead.
Discovering Hidden France
Armed with our France Passion guidebook and app, we had planned to use one of the network’s unique overnight stopovers immediately after arriving in France. Unfortunately, the timing of our ferry and the choice of locations available didn’t quite work out.
Fortunately, we would get another opportunity later in the journey. Near the charming hilltop town of Cassel, we stayed at a secluded biodiversity refuge where the owners produce artisanal syrups, jams and fruit liqueurs from ingredients grown on-site. Their products are sold in a small shop on Cassel’s historic high street, making it a delightful and authentic French experience.
Dutch Cities and Coastal Charm
Wild camping isn’t permitted in the Netherlands, so we booked campsites in advance for the busy summer season. Our first base was a beautiful riverside campsite on the Oude Maas, surrounded by marinas and waterways.
From here, excellent public transport links allowed us to explore both The Hague and Rotterdam. These dynamic cities offered a striking contrast to the Netherlands’ rural landscapes, with futuristic skyscrapers, outstanding food scenes and eye-catching street art around every corner.
In The Hague, we visited the world-famous Peace Palace before heading to the seaside resort of Scheveningen. Its wide sandy beach, lively bars, waterfront restaurants and impressive sculptures made it an instant family favourite. Naturally, we sampled Dutch classics along the way, including warm stroopwafels, bitterballen and fries smothered in rich peanut sauce.
Amsterdam Through Teenage Eyes
The next stop was Amsterdam, where we stayed near Gaasperplas with a convenient metro connection into the city centre.
Amsterdam proved to be a huge hit with the teenagers. Between canal cruises, buzzing food markets, colourful neighbourhoods and endless people-watching opportunities, there was never a dull moment. One particular highlight was STRAAT Museum, dedicated entirely to street art and graffiti. Not only could we admire large-scale urban artwork, but we also had the chance to try some graffiti ourselves. We wanted to visit the Anne Frank House but it was completely booked out that day. So make sure to prebook this experience if you don’t want to miss out.
Amsterdam’s vibrant atmosphere kept everyone entertained, while Vondelpark provided a welcome oasis of greenery. Surrounded by lively cafés and bars, it’s a wonderful spot to relax, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can hire rollerblades to explore the park on wheels.
Eindhoven: Creativity on Two Wheels
From Amsterdam, we travelled south toward Valkenburg, breaking the journey with a stop in Eindhoven, once the headquarters of Philips and one of the Netherlands’ most creative cities.
Hiring bicycles from Velorent allowed us to explore like locals using the brilliant cycle lanes that the Netherlands is so famous for. Our first stop was Museum Park Vonk, a fascinating new outdoor living museum where 10,000 years of history comes alive through actors and hands-on experiences. You can bake bread, paddle dugout canoes, practise archery and try traditional crafts that have been passed down through generations.
We then cycled to Strijp-S, Eindhoven’s former Philips industrial district that has transformed into one of the coolest creative quarters in Europe. Today, it’s a hub of innovation, culture and design.
However, for the teenagers, the standout attraction was Area 51, a vast 2,800-square-metre indoor skatepark where you can hire BMX bikes and scooters or bring your own equipment. After several energetic hours, we rewarded ourselves with spectacular city views and a few drinks from the VANE Sky Bar before finishing the evening at the buzzing Down Town Gourmet Market. A food court style restaurant with 20 individual food concepts under one roof. Everything from sushi to American street food.
Valkenburg’s Underground History
Few places surprised us as much as Valkenburg. This picturesque town is steeped in history, shaped by centuries of sieges, conquests and conflict.
A visit to the Gemeentegrot Cave is essential. Here, a train carries you through vast underground passageways decorated with artwork etched or painted into the cave walls. The caves also reveal a remarkable wartime story. During the Second World War, thousands of residents sought refuge within the quarry system here while fierce battles raged above ground.
Later, during the Cold War, extensive shelters were developed to protect up to 10,000 people. Complete with toilets, showers and living quarters, the complex offers a fascinating glimpse into Europe’s turbulent past.
Ghent: Relaxation and City Life
Crossing into Belgium now, and we pitched up near the beautiful city of Ghent.
Our campsite offered the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation, with a lake, waterslides and a sandy beach providing hours of entertainment. When we weren’t swimming, we caught the bus into Ghent to explore its historic streets, admire its architecture and, of course, enjoy some much-needed ice cream.
From Dairy Farms to Music History in Ostend
After several days of sightseeing, it was time to slow the pace.
We headed for Ostend, the Belgian seaside city where Marvin Gaye lived for two years and famously found inspiration for his iconic Sexual Healing album. His biggest selling record. Wandering its streets offered a different side of Belgium, blending its outstanding beach with a healthy dose of art and architecture.
That evening, we stayed on a working dairy farm surrounded by curious cows and playful goats, an experience that proved surprisingly popular with all members of the family.
A Powerful Journey Through History in Flanders
As our road trip drew to a close, we made time for some of the most moving sites in Europe.
In West Flanders, we visited the Trench of Death and Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world. The scale of sacrifice represented there is difficult to comprehend.
Later, we travelled to Ypres for the nightly Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. Standing beneath the towering arches engraved with the names of more than 54,000 missing Commonwealth soldiers was an unforgettable experience for us. The sound of the buglers, joined by a youth choir and pipers, created a moment of reflection that left a lasting impression on all of us.
The Perfect Finale
Our final evening was spent at the marina in Gravelines. As boats drifted gently across the water and birds settled for the night, we watched the sun set on our extraordinary journey.
The following morning, we returned to Calais for our DFDS ferry home. With memories firmly made, minds enriched and batteries recharged, we headed back to Britain ready for the start of a new school year.
For families with teenagers, this route offers something rare: a road trip that seamlessly combines adventure, culture, relaxation and history. It’s a journey that keeps everyone engaged, from the first ferry crossing to the final sunset, and one that will remain a treasured family memory long after the motorhome is parked back on the driveway.
Valkenburg Cave image (C) Volkenburg Tourism.
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Getting to France by DFDS ferry
DFDS ferry to Calais offers up to 30 crossings per day on its Dover to Calais service. Fares start from £78 each way for a car and four people.
Upgrade your DFDS ferry ticket to include access to the exclusive Premium Lounge with complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks from £18 per person. Add Priority Boarding to be one of the first to board and disembark the ferry from £10 per car each way.
France Passion Camping guidebook
Camp sites and fees
Recreation Oude Maas €47.25 per night for family of 4.
Camperpark Amsterdam €59 per night
Camperpark Valkenburg €48.40 per night
Urban Gardens Ghent €69 per night for family of 4
Camperhoeve De Bonterie Ostend €15 per night
Hobby vineyard Ostend €10 with a bottle of wine.
Urban Gardens Ypres €50 per night for family of 4
Gravelines €7.50 per night
Eindhoven
