Europe by Campervan | Why Everyone Should Try it

People holiday in Europe all the time and they do it many different ways. Trains, buses, planes and cars are all great ways of getting around but I am here to tell you why a campervan is one of the best ways to see Western Europe.

Europe by campervan was awesome the first time and even better the second.

When we head back over to that side of the World for the third time, it will definitely be our choice of accommodation and transport yet again! 

It helps that we found an amazing company to go through. Origin Campervans in Northern France are amazing. Arriving into a foreign country for the first time can be a little daunting but Origin made it very easy from the beginning. Plus you get a fully equipped campervan with unlimited mileage if you hire for more than 14 days!

Our little VW Origin van has given us 2 ultimate adventures.

Having travelled by campervan in Europe twice already, we can’t call ourselves experts but we know it is awesome. The views, the freedom, the adventures and the culture are all experienced in a different way to a “normal” tour of the continent. We love to share our adventures and encourage others to travel in ways different to the norm.

So why do we love exploring Europe by campervan so much?

 

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Your campervan is your transport AND your home in Europe

Europe by campervan means you can travel all around the continent plus have all your gear with you. Once you get over driving on the wrong side of the road and changing gears with the opposite hand, it is reasonably easy to get around. We absolutely love having our home with us. No worrying about pre-booking hotels or lugging big suitcases on and off trains. A campervan drives and parks like a car so are no where near as stressful as a motorhome.

Small enough to get around in but big enough to have as a home – what more could you want??

Sure, at times it isn’t the most glamorous way of travel. Sometimes finding public toilets has to turn into your number one priority, but it can often lead you into places you would have never found otherwise. Travel and border crossings are a breeze in a campervan.

You will find yourself seeing and staying at places you never thought possible and at no extra cost you can always have a room with a view!

 

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See things in your campervan that the tourists miss

A campervan is the perfect way to travel Europe if you love being outdoors and getting off the beaten track. You can see cities, mountains, pastures, villages and beaches. As everything is so close you can pass through many countries with ease in only 4 weeks.

We have always had a basic itinerary but you will always find little places along the way that lure you in to explore.

A campervan in Europe means you can hit all the major spots but also experience the culture of an area in a way that a lot of tourists miss. Driving through the narrowest streets or bumpy dirt tracks (we were positive that was someones backyard) you see a whole new wonderful side to your classic Euro trip. Trying to navigate the narrow and winding streets of a French town can be a tad stressful. Finding a local Boulangerie though and enjoying a croissant or baguette makes it worth the effort. Alpine driving is another highlight. You twist and turn up mountain roads that you are sure cannot fit two cars at a time.

Europe by campervan beats flying anytime – take the back roads and see what makes it so special.

 

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Freedom! A campervan can take you anywhere in Europe

You have everything with you, so where do you wanna go?? You can ask yourself this question everyday. Have an idea of your route, but you also have the freedom to change it everyday. Travelling comes with many new experiences, some good and some not so good. The brilliant thing about travelling by campervan in Europe is that if you arrive at a place and it is not what the guide book has built it up to be, you can leave.

You don’t have to be tied to an itinerary or a destination.

Since there are so many interesting places to see in close proximity in Europe, just pick up and move on. When you do want to visit more “touristy” destinations your campervan can get you there before the bus-loads of visitors. You will appreciate all the historical sites a lot more when you can enjoy them away from big crowds. We love visiting around October to reduce this even more.

Just as all the bus-loads of people turn up, you will be driving away looking for the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch of local delights.

 

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Europe by campervan: A cultural experience

Being free to adventure alone in Europe forces you to be more involved in the culture. While English is a widely spoken language, you will find that locals greatly appreciate some poorly spoken French or Italian in between.

Learn a little of the local language so you can ask for your bread at the bakery, pay for your diesel or find out some of the best spots to visit from the locals.

Getting off the beaten track in a campervan means you will visit places where English isn’t spoken anyway so a language app or book will go a long way. Traveling like this has given me a whole new level of appreciation when I run into foreign travellers here in Australia. Aside from the language, exploring Europe in a campervan has introduced us to many local traditions. You stumble across little villages with street parades and celebrations you have never heard of.

Even if you have no idea what’s going on, it is fun to be a part of.

 

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A campervan is a cost effective way to travel

If you are talking bang for your buck, Europe by campervan for 1-2 months is a very cost effective way to travel. Europe is full of camping or rest sites that are free or at a minimal charge and can have really great facilities. Free camping is also really easy and usually accepted with plenty of places to pull up for the night that offer amazing scenery. If you wanted, you could spend no extra money at all on places to stay.

Carrying food with you and preparing your own meals is always cheaper than eating out all the time. You can still buy local produce or ingredients to get a taste of the area. Plus you can avoid putting on the extra kilos from eating restaurant meals everyday!

The beauty of having a campervan is that you can have breakfast lunch and dinner in front of beaches, castles or mountains without spending a fortune.

You can see sites off the beaten track and explore more than if you were spending your money on planes and trains. Have I sold you on it yet?

 

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It’s just a whole heap of fun!

We love the freedom and exploring that a campervan allows. We have seen so many amazing things that we would have missed out on if we had only taken trains or flown around Europe.

Europe by campervan has let us fall in the love with most of the countries we have been to so far and we would seriously recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure. Make you sure you give Origin Campervans a look if you think this is the next adventure for you!

 

Until next time.

Xx