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19 November 2020

Why Holiday In Your own Caravan Or Motorhome? 3 Top Reasons!

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Why Holiday In Your own Caravan Or Motorhome? 3 Top Reasons!

Whenever you are setting off on a great holiday, there will no doubt be all sorts of things that you want to achieve. Usually, the goals for the trip will include a combination of relaxation, excitement and adventure. We all want to create a collection of new memories and interesting stories.

While there are many ways to have a great a holiday, there are certain specific benefits to adventuring with a motorhome or caravan. If you are considering holidaying in a caravan or motorhome this blog will help you.

Here are a few benefits to adventuring with a motorhome or caravan.

The ability to get off road, and get close to nature, while still having temperature control and conveniences at hand

There are all sorts of beautiful, scenic, but inaccessible natural locations that you might be interested in exploring on your holiday.

All the same, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are in a position where you can disappear into the wilderness for a week with a tent and a rucksack. Many of us love the idea of remoteness but still like our home comforts. This is certainly true if you have children who need to be entertained.

Travelling with a motorhome, or a caravan, allows you to get off grid, get close to nature, and explore those destinations which would otherwise be inaccessible. The benefit is you still have temperature control and conveniences at hand. Modern leisure vehicles are fitted with fridge freezers, heating, kitchens, showers and very comfy beds. You certainly wont be ‘roughing it’ for your holiday.

In many places, “wild camping sites” will have space for motorhomes. During summer months, small pop-up sites become available which offer great value. These are usually a farmers field set off the beaten track. They may not offer any facilities but that is the bonus of having your own onboard.

If you’re going off-road with a caravan, you might want to investigate the New Jaguar Range. A suitable tow car for your caravan is a must for safe towing. Campsites with grass pitches can prove a challenge if you suffer a downpour of rain during your holiday.

Being able to turn a single holiday into a series of multiple destinations with ease

On a typical holiday, logistics will need to be planned out carefully. Most people can’t afford to jump from location to location. Instead of booking several hotels we arrange for a stay in one resort for a week or two. Most of us can relate to a package holiday to Spain or Italy, for example.

With a motorhome or caravan you can wake up in one location and go to sleep in another, every day. The only extra expense, other than fuel, will be the cost of a pitch at a local campsite. Typically a pitch is far more affordable than a hotel room. Pitches at certified sites start from around £8 per night. A pitch at an adults only site will start at around £20 and a luxury site in high season could be as much as £50 a night. There is something for every budget, we know as we have tried various types or sites around the UK and Europe.

If you like the idea of your holiday encompassing a number of destinations, a motorhome or caravan might be just the thing.

Having a familiar environment with you at all times

There’s something to be said for having a familiar environment with you at all times while travelling. It offers reassurance, privacy and familiarity. With your own caravan or motorhome, you know you have a fully stocked kitchen of utensils. Your toiletries are ready to use in the bathroom. The wardrobe is hanging with your clothes before you even set off.
The great thing is you don’t need to sit in an airport lounge waiting for your delayed flight. Once you hit the road your holiday has begun.

You can find your own routine with your leisure vehicle. It is nice to go to sleep in the same bed every night, your bed. Knowing no-one else has slept on your mattress and in your fresh bedding. A motorhome or a caravan can change the way you experience your holidays.

There are many more benefits of holidaying with a motorhome or caravan. It certainly offers a unique way to explore the countryside and coastal destinations. Will 2021 be another year of the Staycation? Quite possibly.

20 October 2020

Five Ways To Travel Like A Local

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Five Ways To Travel Like A Local

One of the best ways to experience a country is to try and experience it like a local. Instead of going with a strict itinerary of museums, sites, and shopping to tick off your list, take your time and experience the real place. Find the locals’ hangouts to experience genuine food and experiences, wherever you are in the world.
Owning a caravan or motorhome gives you the freedom to tour the UK, Europe and beyond.

Check Local Customs

Everywhere has different customs and things that are considered polite and impolite. Before you travel somewhere new, do some research first into what the local customs are, as part of planning your trip. For example, in some countries tipping is expected everywhere, whereas in other cultures tipping is considered rude. In some places, slurping your food is fine, in others it’s incredibly rude. Most people will forgive you for a faux pas, but if you want to live like a local, try and get it right. The internet is a great place to research the country, or county, you plan to visit.

Learn Some Key Phrases

You don’t have to be fluent in the language when you go to a new country, but if you can, try to learn some key phrases in the local language for politeness. Thinks like saying hello, please, thank you, asking for directions, and asking for the bill are all good things to be able to say to show that you’re trying. Even within the UK, you will encounter a local language in Wales and Scotland.
Local dialects and words for certain items can cause confusion too. A bread roll has many names across the UK, including bun, cobb, bap and barm.

Ask For Recommendations

Campsite wardens and managers will usually have a set of standard recommendations for places to go and places to eat. These places are often partnered with the campsites, so will usually be pretty touristy. Instead, ask them where they drink, eat, and hang out. By going where the staff go, you’re more likely to get an authentic experience.

If you ever hope to visit a place like Britain, it may be useful also finding out about fun and unique facts such as the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie or the history of their local dish, haggis. Knowing some local facts to discuss with people who meet may spark interesting conversations.
It might be that you are considering a hotel stay somewhere as we head in to winter. Click here for ideas of hotels to stay at for 2021.

Dress Appropriately

Don’t try to dress like a local, especially if the country you’re visiting has a traditional dress. Wearing a traditional dress can easily become offensive, so don’t risk it. Instead, dress sensibly for where you’ll going and what you’re doing. Instead of trying to copy the local style, you should check whether there are any major no-nos. Make sure you dress for the weather too, whilst some places are very hot others can be very cold. Heading in to winter, Scandinavia certainly becomes cooler, offering great opportunities for snow holidays.

Eat Local

Tapas - Five Ways To Travel Like A Local - Here We Tow — Image Credit – Unsplash

The best way to eat local foods is to visit markets and supermarkets. Markets are a great price to buy fresh produce, so you can try local fruits and other delicious things. Supermarkets are another good place to find local foods, especially if you want snack foods for your when you’re back on site.
Local street food markets can be a cheap way to experience local delicacies. You can ask the locals for suggestions for the best places to get street food. Often, street food is more authentic than the food in tourist restaurants.

The best way to get to know a new country is to try and experience some of the areas that only the locals know about. You can still see the sights but will come home with incredible memories that nobody else has. Don’t forget to get lots of photos and share your experience with other caravan and motorhome owners!