Build your dream van. So we are a bit stuck, we have had an almost new 25ft Euro type motor homes before and lived in it for around 5 months, I used to be an HGV driver and class one PSV driver busses, coaches things like that, a long time ago,so large motors are not a problem for me to drive or control. Buying allows you more choice. Many sold their homes and possessions and now live their days in the warmer parts of the continent. in Italy but they will not do it unless I register the motorhome there. Anybody worked there way round Europe? 10+ Dutch Vanlifers Living in a Campervan Full-Time tax ensure your tax doesnt run out whilst you are away. A cutting board, a big spatula (or two) for the non stick pan and pots, soup bowls, plates and cutlery and youre good to go. Start in the Tuscany region, which is known for picturesque landscapes and historical art scene. Can any one suggest a monthly budget. Save up some money to travel and see how it goes. We travel in this region in our Van and write about what we find on the blog, http://brainandsoul.org/yangtorp-and-being-scared-by-a-angry-bull/, Docu series BBC Vanlife casting Now Casting Worldwide looking for adventurers who are joining the growing movement and living the vanlife If you or someone you know is living out of their van we would like to interview them asap for a BBC-produced true documentary series. A campervan is a van that's specifically made for camping with a sleeping space inside. I use my parents address to register the van, and also insure the van at the same address. 7 Months of Van Life in Europe Budget Breakdown - Ronja Goes Abroad I have lived in Spain before and have owned a campervan before, so it wouldnt be that strange for me. Some countries ask that if you are staying for more than a few months that you should report to a police station, but few people do that. We are hoping to do this in about 2 years time. any suggested route u think we should be going ? The only other one I saw was in Belgrade, Sebia. My wife disabled because of stroke six years ago. What Is the True Cost of Touring Europe in a Motorhome? In any case, you can use Google Maps and park4night app to find them. Visit local markets and grocery stores to buy fresh vegetables to put in your pasta. More of her adventures with her partner and her dogs can be . Motorhoming in Europe After Brexit | The Gap Decaders You can enjoy full freedom and travel anywhere in the UK, and all across Europe you can think of, and you will always have a bed to sleep in no matter where you are. Heres how we use your data and how you can opt out. And it all worked out fine. I never need to visit them. I will probably get it changed to a campervan with the DVLA this year. Emily says a commission to do a van conversion takes around 12 to 14 weeks. Try Campton the broker: http://www.campton.co.uk/. With the help of our GPS and Google Maps, we thoroughly enjoyed driving in Spain. If you stop at Sanifair or Serways, the toilets will be extremely clean and will cost from 50 to 70 cents. The vignette needs to be stuck on the windshield to be valid, preferably in the top centre or the driver side corner. My question is, in your opinion, is this route safe for family travelers? CamperVanLife.com is owned and operated by Orange Tree Media Limited, a registered company in England and Wales. My wife and I (and our 2 year old) have had it with hard work. JANURAY SPENDINGS BREAKDOWN: We have arrived in 2022. In that case, buying makes more sense. You just need to ask around. Get used to driving it. I also like the ease of road tripping in Croatia, as well as Montenegro. So all legal. One of our best travel tips in a campervan kids is be prepared for travel days. How great to find another British person in my age range thinking of doing the same thing! These are the typical RVs (Recreational Vehicles) that you see in American movies. Vignettes are road tax stickers that are prepaid. Its proving impossible to find insurance just for the first year. These 10 routes leave lasting memories. I have an Insurance with a company with European Underwriters. We will need to keep our telephones but with no fixed address, how can we do this and other similar stuff? While in Spain, we loved stopping in small Spanish towns and visiting the coffeeshops / bars for a quick snack and drink. As a person who is from India but now living in Europe, I present to you my highly researched travel tips, itineraries and everything else that you need to know for exploring Europe. See the guides to winter in Europe and European weather temperatures . Yay! http://www.ebay.com/sch/Tracking-Devices-/73362/i.html, https://www.campervanlife.com/go/downunder-insurance.php, https://www.campervanlife.com/camping/free-camping, https://www.campervanlife.com/locations/europe/1st-timer-tips, https://www.campervanlife.com/go/cvl-insurancechoice.php. Find out how to build your own dream van-home with this comprehensive downloadable ebook. Travelling Europe in a campervan, motorhome, RV or caravan is really one of the best ways to see and experience the continent, but the idea can be daunting at first! Im currently trying to find quotes online for a 3 month insurance policy on something like a Mazda Bongo, but Im having no luck at all. I found Italy very expensive to camp and eat out compared to Greece. Germany is a good place to buy, as they have good used vehicles, fair prices, and you should be OK finding people to speak English to help with the buying of the vehicle. How to travel Europe in a campervan, motorhome or caravan Every country with requirements says you must have residency. Feel free to email with any questions or problems [emailprotected] https://vanlife.castingcrane.com. Greg Anderson said that one should focus on the journey and not the destination. Van vs camper van vs Motorhome vs Caravans Tips for Van Life Europe Infographic. It makes your itinerary super flexible and as a result, an entire layer of possibility opens up for you. Should you buy a camper van for the purpose of exploring Europe on it, or should you just rent one? Really! Im Eduard from Romania, I saw that you havent been here and I tell you its a pity ! Make sure you include Valdovino and Playa del Silenco in your itinerary. The only Problem is Im only 18, nearly passed my driving test. Buying and selling a vehicle registered in that country is easy in USA, Australia, NZ, UK, etc. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I had just feeling to work still 10 years, as what else to do with her usually she is just lying on sofa and wathing TV. There are also casual campsites such as old farms which can be cheaper for a big vehicle. 3. Our second visit to Portugal and Spain was in 2019 with our new camper van. Insuring a van is tricky, for 1 year, especially if you are going to live in it. They are mandatory in these countries. The signs are mostly in local language. Less is more. Our dog comes with us and she is six. This is the first website ive found where the people are PRO buying a car/van. They arranged for my husbands surgery in Italy, they flew our family of 3 back to Germany for free, sent a car for us to reach the airport, and also got our car back from Puglia and delivered it right at our doorstep with all the luggage inside. Im planning doing something similar .. as my insurer (chuuurcheell) only covers for 90 days in any calendar year of my auto policy. Your drivers permit can be revoked if youre caught driving 20 KMs per hour more than the allowed speed limit. Really grateful for any thoughts, Im struggling to find info. TravellingHi guys, just converted a merc 609d into a motorhome. As in, leave it on the outskirts of town in the hope to save money. Apr 2, 2021 16 min read Cara at @caraostara is a full-time RVer who has experienced the lifestyle both alone and with a partner. As you start to form your high level itinerary, my best piece of advice is don't lock it all in! Now in her third year of living this n Photo courtesy of @caraostara, via Instagram Sponsored by I have done this many times across Europe. Moreover, the cost of camping, toll and parking is much lower for smaller vans. My aim is to travel from village to village around Mediterranean area + Portugal years around. The new and simplified pet passport rules which came into force this year has made things easier too. From here, you have an option to drive to Rome or head to Monti Sibillini National Park and move towards the coast. If you are planning to go motorhome skiing or tour Europe in a motorhome in the Winter, think about your tyres and snow chains. But be warned, there are stray dogs in Spain, and you should keep yours safe. The route from Normandy to Bordeaux in France is lovely and you will get to see some amazing natural and architectural attractions. Thankyou for any help. by Drifter Planet | Dec 6, 2019 | Road Trips, Most Popular Blog Posts. Travel off season. I personally think this website is great and invaluable whether your an experienced traveller or just starting out. If youre on this page already, then Im sure youre looking for something different. This quote applies really well to the Van Life experience. Other sights discourage it and recommend public transport. They will cover us up to 60 days if we return to the UK then go back to Europe. Make sure youre carrying thin as well as thick blankets so that you are good to go for different weather conditions. It will make your life simple if you have one drawer thats just for the cutlery, a hanging bag for plates, cutting board, cooking oil, a kitchen tissue roll fitting and small hooks where you can hang things. A lot of policies only cover trips of 90 days, so make sure you are covered there. I want to live on the road. PS: Drifter Planet contains affiliate links. If you never eat out, you can probably eat for 3 per person per day. The experience of driving through small Portuguese towns, from the mountains to the coast was beautiful. Thanks. What It's Really Like to Travel by Campervan in Europe Yes, you should be able to get a nice van for 1,000. Normally the Class C Motorhomes are the most common campers that you see on European roads. anybody knows a reliable camper parking for the wintermonths in Greece? So whether it's class A motorhome living, living in a 5th wheel or any other fulltiming in a vehicle, I hope you find this article and the comments below it useful. Several times each minute.) Laika has a nice bowl of water and generally has a nice snooze. Go to Europe! ThanksThanks on this amazing site its very inspirational and the tips are just great. The toll fee isnt expensive in Croatia. Whats next? Buying a motorhome is more cost effective for long term travel. Apart from Liefkenshoektunnel in Antwerp, Belgiums roads are all toll-free. hi there! Im planning on buying a winnebago-style motorhome and living in it permanently in Europe/Lanzarote. When in Portugal, make sure you stop at smaller road side bakeries and try the famous custard tarts / egg tarts (pastel de nata). Any advise would be much appreciated. I had no idea how expensive the toll fee can end up being while road tripping in Europe. You can buy a small cooling box to store your food and use it as a makeshift refrigerator. Campervanning in Europe: All You Need to Know - Ditch the Map When we visited places we cant take the dog (or dont want to) weve just left her in the camper (shock, horror). The question is if it is safe to spend the night in those parking lots, and also what to do about the electricity and also the waste disposal Please let us know your thoughts. Or visit Denmark in summer (May September). Good luck with everything, and good health to you all. We love living life at slow-pace, and really arent in a hurry. Full-time motorhome life may not be for you, but your motorhome can be a spare room for visitors or used as temporary accommodation if you're having work done to your house. I do have a question. The idea is a home we can up stick with every 3,6 9, months and wander up the road 2 or 300 miles or so. I talk about the egg tarts in almost all of my blog posts from Portugal. Anyway one option I was thinking of is to look around at an American type RV, something with slide outs, mid to late 1990s in good condition, for about 30K pounds ish. Buy a campervan in Europe Buying and registering a campervan in Europe. Were not youre typical young couple. Would you prefer less stuff 4 better mpg? We are a couple planning their first 2-weeks rented camper van trip starting in Munich, to Berlin, Prague, Budapest and Vienna, returning to Munich towards the end of October. or is it far away from each other? Looked at moving back to the UK, too expensive, and we have 2 monster dogs which NO way we would ever get rid of, both around 160 pound each, Russian mountain dogs, and we love them to bits they are our kids. Also make sure these later makes are low mileage. Check out my guide: https://www.campervanlife.com/camping/free-camping, Also check out: http://www.wildcamping.co.uk. In the time, we have driven around Europe in our van from east to west and covered many countries. Any help appreciated. February 03, 2022 / Scott Biales Campervanning in Europe: All You Need to Know We have had a campervan for almost a year. I still want to check out the big cities, but thats not all I want to see. We mostly take the dog though. Many campgrounds close operations towards the end of September and at the beginning of October. The Mercedes will almost always be a more reliable van. I havent seen a campervan that doesnt have a refrigerator inside. Buy or pick fresh veggies and saut them in a pan with oil and herbs. Living In A Motorhome - My Top 10 Questions Answered It is valid for a single trip for 2 or a round trip for 4. A little drop in the air pressure can significantly increase your fuel costs. This website contains affiliate links. Do some simple trips near home to get used to the vehicle and to see if you need to change anything. Yes, the best way to travel within Europe is by van or a camper van. From there, this itinerary goes from one natural paradise to another in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and the Balkan countries. Paperback with 223 pages. Any comments?? Then the friend of relative will have to open any post addressed to you. That's 18 months going about our regular lives and returning to a campsite each day. Road tripping in France, Switzerland, and Austria is expensive because of the toll, fuel prices and camping costs. Head straight for the warm areas, avoid those alpine passes in the cold times. Are you from the UK? You can also stop at the lovely Lago di Tovel a stunning clear lake thats surrounded by the mountains. For sure there will be plentyFor sure there will be plenty of challenges and even risks as my wife cannot communicate and her memory is like demended. I have contacted italsure but they will not insure a motorhome only a car. ButIt is safe to take dogs. IHello, what a great site ! CampervanHello folks, were setting off to travel Europe next March and are presently searching for the ideal campervan. Whenever possible, hunt for a cheaper gas station along your way and fill up the tank to 90% before it gets close to empty. Can anyone help with information regarding how to MOT a campervan. If you lose your entrance ticket, then you will be charged for the longest length so keep it safe. Lookout for an old Mercedes which will last very well, and be easy to re-sell. If you are lucky, you may just find a beautiful camping area here like we did, and it was for free. Which countries interest you, and how hot you like the weather. Camper Van Life - Build you own Campervan and live the Van Life This works and certainly gets youan overnight stay if you park next to a Taverna. The log book still says van. Some countries dont allow it. The vignettes can be bought in gas stations in Austria as Vignetten for 10 days 8.90. Ive only seen snow a couple of times in my lifetime and I start complaining when it gets below 5C! Our Camper van parked near a yellow flower field in Germany. You need to be quite conscious of the weather. When driving in towns and cities on smaller roads, always give priority to the cyclists. Me and my boyfriend are heading off to New zealand in september and hoping to stay for about a year. A little bit of Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice, London, Berlin, Vienna, Zurich, Porto, Lisbon, Budapest and Prague usually all on trains and buses. Just need some advice on whether it would be viable. I did however, when travelling in Spain, get a infection and had to visit a hospital Service was excellent and i shoed my E111 card and it cost me nothing. Good luck! Jumping into van life and living in a home on wheels doesnt mean you need to give up comfort or modernity. Registering and insuring in my relatives names. If youre just driving through Austria and not staying, then get a Korridor-Vignette instead. Planning to travel Europe in a Campervan? Thanks. Try it. Selling up to live in a motorhome or campervan is a HUGE step to take, and even if you've spent a long time thinking about it, making the final decision is tough. You can get water from fuel stations and public taps. Any opinions/ ideas/ experiences welcome. Update?Hi Kathy Id be really interested to hear how youre finding things as Im thinking of doing the same as you. Keep travelling to a minimum and you can spend only 50 a month in fuel. There are some countries where the toll is super high (like France), and the others where it is non existent (like Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands). It has been a few years that we bought a campervan. In 2021, we did a road trip to Italy and towards the end of the trip, my husband had a cliff jumping accident in Puglia. Or, a normal van converted into a campervan. It will make your life simple if you have one drawer thats just for the, Dont carry a lot of kitchen dishes but only, The stove inside your van can be a propane cooktop or even an electric cooktop. Many planed on being away for the winter and have not yet returned home. Any help appreciated !! On all our road trips in Europe, we did not do find much of free camping spots that were picturesque. There are a lot of people doing that sort of thing down there, and youll have no trouble. Germany has many themed routs that road trippers will love. If your van doesnt have one, then get yourself a portable stove and gas. We got a big shock while we were driving in Spain, Portugal and France in October. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said "NATO has never been stronger" as he responded to a statement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the Commons. Keep in mind that these free camping spots arent exactly beautiful. When you are budgeting for living in a campervan in Europe, bear in mind the following; The exchange rate may affect you if you are travelling long term and regularly need to change pounds into euros, or other currency. In that case, you will just have to roast garlic, ginger and veggies for a few minutes in the pot and then add water and rice.