No matter what time of year you start planning your holiday, it’s never too early to think about a campervan trip. Travelling by campervan is the perfect experience for those who love adventure, allowing you to change your destination whenever you wish. In this article, you’ll find tips on how to plan a campervan itinerary so you can fully enjoy your holiday and handle any unexpected situations.
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Why Proper Planning Is Key to a Successful Campervan Holiday
Travelling by campervan gives you the freedom to have no fixed destination, thanks to the vehicle itself. You bring your accommodation with you, complete with food supplies and bathroom facilities. However, this doesn’t mean that a road trip is necessarily easier than a holiday spent staying in hotels.
Sure, you don’t have to book overnight stays in advance, but campervans do require designated parking or camper areas. These spots aren’t always easy to find along your route, so it’s important to plan where you can refill your water supplies.
Additionally, driving a campervan is not the same as driving a car. Navigating some places, especially cities, can be quite challenging or even impossible. This is due to both parking regulations and the manoeuvrability of the vehicle especially if you’re a beginner. For this reason, it’s crucial to choose the right model for the kind of trip you want to take as not all models are the same.
Essential Tips for Planning the Perfect Campervan Itinerary
To help you plan the perfect campervan trip, here are some essential tips. With these insights, you’ll be well-prepared and ready to face the unique challenges of an adventurous campervan holiday.
Choose Your Destination Wisely
It may sound obvious, but the first step in planning the perfect campervan holiday is choosing the right destination. Many people imagine campervanning as a way to take short local trips close to home and within their comfort zone.
In reality, it’s simply a matter of convenience. You could easily fly to a faraway destination, such as the United States, and then hire a campervan to explore cities and regions. The same goes for travelling across Europe or visiting distant areas of Italy. For the best deals, check out campervan rental platforms like Yescapa.
Plan Your Itinerary
Planning a campervan itinerary is definitely the most enjoyable part before your trip. It’s all about making the most of your time by deciding which places to spend longer at and which to visit briefly. At the same time, you need to consider necessary stops for refuelling and water replenishment, as well as possible detours caused by road closures or construction work.
To help with this, there are several campervan travel apps where registered users can share reviews and personal itineraries. Popular options include Park4Night, which highlights free parking spots, Camper Infinity, featuring an Italian map and the ability to enter your vehicle details, and Caramaps, which shows camper-friendly sites. Don’t forget to also bring along traditional paper guides to discover local attractions.
Start with the Right Campervan
Now that you’ve chosen your destination and planned your itinerary, it’s time to pick the right campervan for you. Consider your needs during the trip, the level of comfort you want, and the activities you plan to do. There are various models, each with different features.
The first type is the overcab campervan, the largest and usually the most fuel-consuming. You’ll recognise it by the double bed above the driver’s cab and the higher number of sleeping places inside. This makes it ideal for groups of friends and large families.
If you’re planning a trip for two, you might prefer a profiled or semi-integrated campervan. Although spacious, it doesn’t have a proper overcab, making it easier to drive thanks to its more compact size.
The motorhome feels like a real home on wheels, with generous interior space and large panoramic windows for pleasant views. Built directly by the manufacturer rather than converted from a commercial vehicle, it offers more space and comfort than other campervan types. This model is perfect for trips with longer stops rather than purely itinerant travel.
Finally, there’s the camper van, a compact van ideal for singles or couples due to its limited space. Its small size makes it perfect for city driving and ideal for cultural or food and wine trips.
Whichever model you choose, I recommend having a satnav to guide you on your journey. Google Maps on your phone works perfectly well. This way, you can always keep track of your route, avoid traffic jams, and pick the best roads to stick to your itinerary.
Feel free to write in the comments if these tips for planning a campervan trip were helpful, or if you have other suggestions to share!
