Get set for summer with Practical Caravan’s June issue, in the shops from Friday, 25 April, 2014. Here’s a quick look at what’s inside the magazine this month. 

Caravanning is a friendly pastime and you can find out what fellow readers are up to right now in Caravan chat, where we share readers’ letters, great holiday photos, new gear, our insider’s guide to Colchester and more. 
Caravan Bore talks about the changes in satellite TV
 that you’ll need to know about. There’s more news in Talking tourers, our dealer news round-up, too. 

Don’t miss 
Stacie’s super savers – her latest competitions offer you a chance to win kit for your tours, and strips that fight streaks on your caravan! Enter Practical Caravan competitions online. 


The big news in caravan travel is our 14-page special guide to caravanning in France – it’s ideal if you’re currently planning your summer holiday on a budget. We tell you how to get there, what documents, insurance and essential kit you’ll need and how to find the best ferry deal for a car and caravan. Unless you live on the south coast, we recommend you try one of our stopover campsites near the ferry port, so you’ll drive off the boat refreshed and ready to really get the most out of your holiday!

We highlight top free events and attractions in France this summer, along with our pick of 10 great campsites for French châteaux. Readers 
Joe and Elaine Ormerod tell their story of touring France on a budget and 

Bryn and Janice Sadler share their discoveries from their frequent trips to Normandy

.

If you prefer caravan holidays in the UK, we’re sure you’ll enjoy our tours of Somerset, Bristol and Cumbria‘s glorious Eden Valley in this issue. There’s a new campsite in Yorkshire in full bloom, too. 

Before you set off on any caravan holiday there are a few basics to check. For instance, are you properly insured? Save a fortune on insurance by buying the right cover for your caravan, using our June issue’s guide to this specialist insurance cover. 

Our regular showroom
 section brings you 19 pages of expert verdicts on the latest and smartest tourers, tow cars and awnings that your money can buy.

So, if you haven’t bought your own caravan yet, don’t worry, our expert caravan reviews are there to help you online and in the magazine. In the June issue we test fabulous new family caravans: a Lunar Quasar 525, the revived five-berth layout for families, also the Sprite Quattro EW, an affordable twin-axle van with a luxurious end washroom. We also test the new Adria Astella Glam Edition Rio Grande, a wide-bodied van aimed at couples who prefer seasonal pitches and plenty of space
. Plus, of course, we have our Buyer’s Guide, with all the best 2014 UK caravans listed, with weights and specifications. 

Are you looking to buy a pre-owned bargain caravan? If so, check out our secondhand shoot-out and advice articles, which give expert advice on finding the best end-washroom four-berth caravans.

New tow cars on test this month are Mitsubishi’s revamped ASX, SsangYong Rexton W and the Honda Civic
. 


We also give our running reports on our fleet – the Bailey Pursuit 550-4, Swift Elegance 570, Mitsubishi ASX 2.2 diesel 4WD tow car and Ssang Yong Rexton W 2.0 EX Automatic tow car.

On the test bench this month is our pick of the best dress boots to buy, that are good enough to wear to the pub and also to tackle trails
. You can read more reviews of caravan and camping accessories here on our website.



Swift Group is 50 this year! We compare the 1964 and 2014 tourers by this leading UK caravan manufacturer. 


Caravan Genius advises how to get the most out of your outfit with 28 pages of advice, insights, tips and reviews
. As well as our insurance special, we visit the factory of top caravan component maker Truma
 and answer all your queries on tow cars. Used tow car buyer offers advice on buying a used BMW X3 for towing. And if you’re buying and selling caravans, you can find plenty of bargains in our classified advertisements.  


Right at the end of the magazine is our regular column from the BBC’s ‘Homes under the Hammer’ TV presenter Martin Roberts. A complete convert to the caravanning lifestyle, Martin chats about his latest exploits and new kit he’s found for his ‘home from home’.  

We hope you enjoy our June issue!

Subscribe to Practical Caravan and you’ll never miss an issue! New subscribers will receive a free gift of a Leatherman multitool. Ring 0844 848 8812 by 21 May, 2014, quoting this month’s new subscriber offer code is M0614P for print edition only, or M0614B for print and digital editions.