There are tons of great POI resources scattered around the net but the main problem is all the different file types and formats.
Everyone is using different software and devices. A solution is the .gpx format which is an attempt to standardise GPS data and it does seems to work well.
The best resource I have seen for Europe POIs is from Adam and Sophie’s motorhome blog. It probably has all the up to date POIs you’ll ever need but the only problem is that it is only offered in MS Autoroute format (.axe). Autoroute is a great mapping program but I’m on a Mac and I’m also a bit reluctant to buy any more software if I can help it.
I have converted this great collection of POIs into standard .gpx files (GPS Exchange Format 1.1) – See downloads below.
I hope this helps out all the campers who don’t have Autoroute or are on a Mac… or maybe you’d just like more flexibility with the POIs offered on the Europebycamper blog.
I wont repeat information that is already given on the EBC blog so I’ll get to the good part:
With the gpx files below you can import to most devices and programs or convert using the free RouteConverter program (for Mac & PC). You can download all at the bottom of this list or take your pick from individual POI files:
2014 – CamperContact-nl – Service Point Only.gpx
2014 – CamperContact-nl Aires-Overnight.gpx
2014 – Campsites Aires Accepting Campers.gpx
2014 – Campsites with Services.gpx
2014 – Designated Motorhome Overnight Parking.gpx
2014 – Motorhome Service Points.gpx
2014 – myLPG-eu – LPG Stations.gpx
2014 – Parking Areas Tolerating Motorhomes Overnight.gpx
2014 – Womo-SP-org Wild Camping.gpx
2014- Motorhome Aires & Services.gpx
I’ve been using these POI files for the past 6 month with my Garmin Nuvi 2595 and it works superbly but let me know if you have any problems in the comments below.
Remember, you’ll need to have full Europe maps on your satnav to benefit from this download.
Have fun!
Update 5/10/2014: Check out my campervan track across Europe and current location
Thanks a lot for the conversion of those .axe files. I just wondered if I could do that with BabelGPS, but you did it already. Wonderful.
Paul
No problem. I cant remember the software I used now. There are so many conversion programs. I think I tried quite a few before I got one that worked for me
Thanks for the conversion.
i would like to get the newest version of camper contact.gpx , but icant get the right conversion.
can you help me out?
Gosse
You could download the .csv from their site? http://www.campercontact.com/downloads/ and maybe convert it to .gpx? I’m not sure if they supply .gpx (they should though)
How to download the gpx-files from the site?
If I click on the Files I only get a Text-file.
Great post,a good way to download free worldwide routable maps in your garmin device is by the webpage:
http://www.openstreetmap.gl
you can read how install the maps in your device in this post:
http://hazloperonomelodigasmas.es/subir-mapas-gratuitos-a-garmin/