Best Things to Do:
- 1. Vacation with a Motorhome
- 2. Renting a Motorhome - What to Look Out For
- 3. Thorough Check Before the Trip
- 4. Bullisharing - Mutual Support
- 5. The Most Beautiful Destinations for Your Camping Vacation
- 6. Camping Vacation with a Motorhome in Autumn
- 7. Winter Vacation with the Camper - Is That Even Possible?
- 8. Spring Scent in the Camping Bus
- 9. Summer Vacation with the Motorhome
- 10. The Journey is the Destination
- 11. Camping is all the rage!
Vacation with a Motorhome
Today here, tomorrow there - a vacation with a camper van offers you many freedoms and advantages. What to look out for when renting a camper and where to find the most beautiful destinations for camping, I will reveal to you in my article.
Being independent, greeting the day with a view of the sea and sand under your feet, stopping to enjoy the stunning view, simply doing what you feel like. All this and much more is what a vacation with a camper van offers you. More and more travelers are getting the taste for going on vacation independently and exploring the country on their own - a camper vacation is all the rage. What to consider when renting a motorhome or camper, where to best book them, and where a camping vacation is particularly worth it, you'll find out here with me.
Renting a Motorhome - What to Look Out For
Nowadays, you have the luxury of choice when it comes to the size, number of seats, and equipment of your motorhome. The first thing you should do when searching for the right van is to clarify what is important to you during your vacation and how many seats or sleeping places you need. Think in advance if a spartan setup with the essentials is enough for you, or if you can't do without a bit of luxury during your motorhome vacation. Therefore, before you start looking for the perfect camper, I advise you to create a checklist of all the things that are essential for you. This way, you have everything in view and won't forget anything. Your personal requirements are also important when choosing your vehicle. As the driver of the camper van, you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid ID or passport. Additionally, your driver's license makes a crucial difference: If you still have the 'old' license issued before 1999, you can drive a motorhome weighing up to 7.5 tons. However, if you have the new Euro driver's license, the weight is limited to 3.5 tons unless you have a special license for heavier vehicles.
Thorough Check Before the Trip
Before you embark on your exciting journey, you should thoroughly check both your motorhome or camper van and the rental agreement again. Inspect your vehicle carefully before use and document all scratches and defects. This way, nothing can be blamed on you later and you can avoid unnecessary disputes. You should also read the fine print in the rental agreement and clarify any questions with the landlord that come to mind.
In a nutshell:
Discuss insurance conditions, inquire about how to behave in case of an accident, what the deposit is, and what additional costs like cleaning and maintenance fees, often listed in the fine print of the contract, look like. This way, you can avoid expensive surprises at the end of your vacation. Once all formalities are sorted, have the motorhome or camper explained in detail and preferably take the first few rounds in the parking lot. At the beginning, it still feels strange to suddenly sit in such a large vehicle and drive it. In case something happens, you'll be safe with full coverage insurance. I therefore advise you to choose a motorhome that is extensively and sufficiently insured and invest a little more rather than end up stuck with damage.
- document any scratches and defects
- read the fine print in the contract
- discuss all incurred costs and insurance coverage
- have the rental vehicle explained to you in detail
- take test drives in the parking lot before hitting the road
Bullisharing - Mutual Support
Currently, there are several platforms online where you can quickly and easily rent a motorhome or camper from trustworthy people. The providers' concept is based on the mutual benefit of renters and landlords.
Motorhome owners help interested parties rent a camper for a relatively low price and thus experience an unforgettable vacation. Conversely, landlords benefit by earning some money while their purchased motorhome is not in use. Moreover, you often get to chat and exchange destinations and locations that are perfect for a motorhome vacation.
The platform SHAREaCAMPER aims to enable as many people as possible to enjoy the joys of motorhome travel. It is an online platform for all of the U.S., where travel enthusiasts and motorhome owners can help each other. It offers vehicles in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. At Yescapa or PaulCamper, you have the choice between 3,500 to 4,000 different vehicles in almost every region of the U.S. - from motorhomes and caravans to camping vans and sprinters. But Airbnb has also recognized the trend and offers a wide selection of campers in various countries. If you want to know more, check out my article that deals with the coolest Camping Vans at Airbnb.
The Most Beautiful Destinations for Your Camping Vacation
Nowadays, you can explore almost every country on Earth with a camper. Nevertheless, I have of course compiled for you the ultimate tips on where it's most beautiful. Besides the U.S., Australia, and Canada, which are the ultimate travel destinations for a camping vacation and I have dedicated an entire article to, there are so many other wonderful places where you can spend an excellent vacation in a motorhome. Read more here:
Camping Vacation with a Motorhome in Autumn
Autumn is probably the most beautiful season to embark on a trip with a camping van. In most parts of the world, the landscape shines in warm colors, the temperatures are still pleasantly summer-like, but the destinations are no longer crowded. Perfect conditions to start your journey with a motorhome.
Guru Tip:
One region that can be wonderfully explored and traveled in this way is Andalusia in southern Spain. Here, you will not only be welcomed by breathtaking landscapes and mild temperatures all year round, but also by friendly locals, pure joy of life, and delicious food. Be sure to explore the cities of Málaga, Marbella, Ronda, and Seville. A pitch costs between 22 and 70 euros in Spain. It all depends on what's important to you: If you want electricity and water connections, you should look for a luxury pitch. However, if you can do without all those things, you will come off cheap. Another destination I can particularly recommend for your motorhome vacation in the autumn is Portugal. In my articles, I've gathered some great tips for your road trip there.
Winter Vacation with the Camper - Is That Even Possible?
Of course, that's possible - a motorhome vacation in winter has real charm. You just have to equip yourself properly: warm clothes, thermos flasks, blankets, and the right motorhome accessories are essential. Then nothing stands in your way and you can fully enjoy the winter landscape, the peace, and the unique atmosphere. Popular winter regions are best suited for this purpose.
Particularly, Iceland is definitely worth a road trip. Although it is quite cold here in winter, you can warm up with a jump into the hot springs. The advantage of a winter camping vacation in Iceland: not only do you save a lot of money, but you can also see the Northern Lights while cozily cuddling by the campfire. An experience you should definitely have. If you're a sun worshipper and want to escape the cold, then head straight to New Zealand - where it's summer during the German winter.
Spring Scent in the Camping Bus
Roll down the windows, let the wind blow through your hair and the scent of flowers fill your nose, and greet spring from your motorhome. Is there anything more beautiful? The words of the French singer Zaz echo from the radio as she sings 'Je veux d'l'amour,' and the vastness of the ocean lies before you. A road trip along the French Riviera is an absolute highlight. Here, you have a colorful choice between tranquil rural areas and beautiful cities like Nice, Monaco, and Saint-Tropez. But our eastern neighboring countries also have a lot to offer for motorhome vacations. Poland, Croatia, and the Czech Republic are excellent destinations for a road trip. Even if you might not believe it - you will find everything for a varied vacation here. From idyllic lakes to mountains, fields, and vast meadows to exciting cities: these countries are a true paradise for a camper vacation. Affordable and well-maintained pitches for your caravan can also be found everywhere, and the temperatures gradually rise in spring. I highly recommend a camping vacation here.
Summer Vacation with the Motorhome
Although you have to expect that prices for motorhomes and pitches will rise significantly in summer compared to the off-season, there are some destinations that offer perfect conditions for a camping vacation at that time.
The Wild Atlantic Way on the always green island of Ireland offers pleasant temperatures and moderate rainfall during the summer months. After a typically rainy winter and a spring in which everything blooms, you will then get to experience the country in all its green splendor, and simply stop wherever you like. But beware: wild camping is not permitted - so you will have to find a pitch for the night. Although it will be busier in Ireland in summer than in the off-season, those who rely on summer vacations will find significantly fewer tourists here than in southern Europe. Australia offers an alternative. Even though it's winter in Australia during the European summer, you will find many summery warm regions. The outback is perfect for a motorhome vacation. It will be an adventure!
- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
- Finland, Norway, Sweden
- Scotland
- Poland, Romania (to some extent)
The Journey is the Destination
So, off you go: dive into what may be the greatest adventure of your life. Grab an affordable camper or a spacious motorhome, your friends, and plenty of supplies, and explore the most beautiful destinations on Earth. Vacation completely according to your taste and don't let yourself be rushed - the journey is the destination. Along the way, you will see and experience so many beautiful things. A vacation with a motorhome is simply unique. Check out my travel magazine for more wonderful destinations you can visit with your camper.