Is buying a campervan for traveling Europe a good idea ?

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   freecampingaussieposted 13 years ago

   We are a mature couple wanting to spend a few months traveling Eearope and Britain from this September hopefully .( I am from Wales & traveled a bit there ) . We love the idea of buying a cheap campervan so we have our own accommodation and transport . Has anyone else done this and do you have any tips for us ? Thanks

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      Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Although I am more than knowledgeable about such travel here in the US, I can't advise you on RVing in your part of the world.  I wonder if it is anything like over here at all in the way of campgrounds and other conveniences?
      
      
                              ccccooooxxxxx0000OOOOO(:c-<

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      IzzyMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think it is a brilliant idea!
      
      I wish I'd bought one of them when I had the money!
      
      The only thing I can think of to warn you about (because I know people have campervans in Europe), is to be very wary about where you park up the night, because thieves abound everywhere, especially on those motorway service stations that allow you to stay the night.
      
      A light sleeper in the party would be advisable, either that or a sawn-off shotgun (only joking!!)

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         Hollie Thomasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I agree with Izzy, I wish I'd bought a camper van when I had the money. They're also VW's and built to last. Go for it. But, as Izzy says, like anywhere in the world, you need to be security conscious.

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   ThussaysNanaMarieposted 13 years ago

   I don't know about buying a campervan but I sure envy you. I think it might be a comfortable way of travelling.

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   cebutouristspotposted 13 years ago

   I think its a wonderful idea having your own accommodation is a convenient but like everything else you need to research and planning to make the trip a success.

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   freecampingaussieposted 13 years ago

   Thanks for the advice ! Am looking into it as there is so much to see and do over there !

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   Single With Kidsposted 12 years ago

   A fabulous idea!!!  I love my campervan and have travelled widely in the UK in it - occasionally on the back of a breakdown truck but that's part of the fun. Wild camping's difficult in England and Wales but allowed in Scotland where you can find the most fabulous spots to overnight, with an uninterrupted view of the ocean and isles, and sharing your space only with a couple of Aberdeen Angus :-)
   
   I notice this thread's quite old so you may have already been and gone by now, but if not there are literally loads of hints and tips, including some great forums I can direct you to for advice (I suspect I can't do that in this post?).

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      Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You have a campervan? I'm so envious, I would love a campervan, if I had one there'd be no stopping me.

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   Single With Kidsposted 12 years ago

   It's old, a bit ramshackle and my kids are mortally embarrassed by it, but I love it!  It's got to the point where the AA have ditched me for spamming their call centres and having their operators drive me off into the sunset and long road home, but for me it's a lifestyle and the saviour of my summers...and winters...and indeed any other weekend I can squeeze in.
   
   Although the old 1960's style VW buses can cost a fortune now (or be complete rust buckets), the 1980's VWs  (known as T25 or T3) are still available at reasonable prices and conditions, you just have to stop yourself spending a fortune on Cath Kidston for the inside....

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      Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My kids, when I say kids they're 15 and 20 years respectively, would be mortally embarrassed if I were to drive a campervan (they've told me so when I daydream about the possibility) but it wouldn't stop me. And, as my 20 year old son still wants to come on holiday with me he'd have to like it or lump it.
      
      I also daydream about how I'd make the interior really cosy! My cross border collie would no doubt love the opportunity to get away in a campervan, too!

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         Single With Kidsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         My spaniel loves it!
         
         At least at 15 & 20 you wouldn't have to share the van, the kids are more likely to leave you to it. Mine are still at the age where they're conscripted into a summer full of camping weekends which they look forward to with the same relish as a visit to the dentist ;-)
         
         Do check out VW T25 Campervans if you're ever looking - there are some great vans around and a very active community too.

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            Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Believe me, singlewithkids, if you feel at some point in the future that your kids will leave you to it, you're very much mistaken. They might turn their nose up now, but all those weekends you've spent with them and all that fun that didn't think they were having will later materialise into "Where we going this weekend/year, mum?"
            
            I bought a car in February, not a new one but a few years old, I couldn't possibly afford another vehicle at the moment, but....I'm working on it.

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   freecampingaussieposted 12 years ago

   We havent been yet but making plans now for March next year ! I love the idea of your campervan . saves so much money !

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   kcg2946posted 12 years ago

   Oh, I think you would love it! Many years ago, when we were newly married and living in Germany, we tent-camped all over Europe. We stayed in hotels in the big cities, just for convenience (always a walk-up, el-cheapo), but even in Florence, we found a camping ground which overlooked the city.
   
   I think that if you plan your travels, stay in campgrounds (many of the villages have their own), plan to walk a lot, you will be just fine! And you will meet so many nice people along the way! I highly recommend this to you! We would do it all again in an instant! Good luck and Safe Travels!

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   tabrezrocksposted 12 years ago

   I think it is a very good idea

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    CASE1WORKERposted 12 years ago

    Just remember that petrol and diesel is quite expensive in Europe! ( and of course UK too)

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       freecampingaussieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       The good thing is the distances are far less there than in Australia !

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    2uesdayposted 12 years ago

    The caravan club might be a useful site to look at not sure how much it costs to join but they give advice on good sites to stay at and I think you get discounts etc.
    
    http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/expert-adv … motorhome/

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    seanorjohnposted 12 years ago

    It may be possible to ship a used vw campervan from Australia to England and make a very decent profit. I think 1970's vw campervans are now highly collectable. So after your travels you could sell up and cash in. Best of luck.

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    freecampingaussieposted 12 years ago

    We are leaving next month & will have 8 days in Singapore on the way ! After Europe/Britain we are heading to the USA/Canada & Alaska!
    

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    freecampingaussieposted 12 years ago

    Update - We bought a campervan in London & are having a great time exploring Europe ! We are in the Algarve - head towards Barcelona etc soon !

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    bydojoposted 12 years ago

    GREAT NEWS! Enjoy your trip and write many hubs
    
    We're planning on getting a van in the next 3-4 years. It's a dream of ours to be able to take 2-3 months off (not that we haven't already done this) and just go into a looong trip. Hope I'll have such great news one day

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    freecampingaussieposted 12 years ago

    We are having a fantastic time- Now in Greece loving it ! Keep in mind you can free camp in some beautiful places !

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    Don Bobbittposted 12 years ago

    FYI, In my camping travels I have met people who buy a nice (but small) motorhome here, and have it transported to Europe. There they sell it (via a broker) after they vacation in ot, and make a decent profit on their money.  Just a thought you might look into.

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