Another unique guide from Vicarious Books covering Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. LPG filling stations in Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden are also included.

The guide has the same familiar layout as the other aires quides from Vicarious Books and includes a useful introduction to the principles of the Aires network.

The two main sections, Benelux (175 aires, inspected in 2009) and Scandinavia (111 aires, inspected in 2008) have good introductions with plenty of useful information, each country has its own subsection, starting with a very clear map on which all the listed Aires are indicated and numbered, and including more country-specific details. The sections have the Aires listed 2 to a page with good colour photos to give a useful idea of the environs.

LPG filling stations are listed in a separate section at the back of the book, all have the location and GPS coordinates.

An example page is shown on the right. As can be seen, each description of an inspected aire is accompanied by at least one colour photo and two sets of symbols, one indicating the service facilities available, the other indicating other features such as overnight parking, hard surface, level surface, etc. Usefully, there is a symbol to indicate if access is difficult for large (over 7m) motorhomes. Clear directions are given, plus a short description which usually includes information about the locality and other services nearby. Charges, opening dates, GPS co-ordinates and postcodes (where appropriate) are also shown.

This is a well thought out and comprehensive guide to the inspected Aires. It does not, as the title implies, list ALL the aires in the region however it does include a sufficient number to enable motorhome users to travel extensively without using conventional campsites, should they wish to.

This is the most comprehensive and up to date guide to the aires and motorhome stopovers in Benelux and Scandinavia available in any language and must surely be an essential purchase for anyone heading to the area with their motorhome. Even for those who mainly use campsites it would be a useful addition to the motorhome library, you never know when you might need to make an unplanned stop.

2009 review by Andy Clarke

All the Aires - Benelux and Scandinavia
Paperback - 224 pages - A5 format
£12.99 including UK postage.
ISBN 978-0-9552808-5-6

Published by:
Vicarious Books LLP
62 Tontine Street
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 1JPM
0131 208 3333

Only available direct from the publishers [out of print]