Gema Segura and Luciano Trevignani, aged 47 and 45, have spent a month in their motorhome traveling through the Pyrenees. They are actors and they have a theater company called Grupo Puja. Since 2016 they have lived and traveled in a camper van: "We wanted to live this experience for a year but we are now on the fourth and we are still delighted with all the possibilities it offers us," Segura assures Verne by phone . The first time for Segura, who was born in Murcia, and for Trevignani, who came from Argentina, was in Australia, but since then they have traveled all over Europe by motorhome, taking their scenery with them when they are on a theatrical tour.
In June, motorhome sales increased by 20% compared to the same month last year, according to data from the Spanish Association of Caravanning Industry and Commerce (Aseicar). There is more interest due to the pandemic, as this report by EL PAÍS already explained, since in these vehicles one can travel and sleep relatively isolated. We have asked regular users of motorhomes a few tips for those who are new this year in this way of spending the holidays.
1. Rent early to test
"Before buying a van or motorhome, it is better to try the experience by renting a vehicle of this type, since it does not always convince everyone", the creators of the blog Viajando Nuestra Vida, Maeva Aguilera and Manel García, from Barcelona , explain to Verne 34 years old.
2. Learn the difference between parking, camping and staying overnight
Segura and Trevignani recall the importance of knowing the difference between staying overnight, parking and camping. Parking a vehicle is parking in the authorized places. Camping is considered from the moment the parked vehicle exceeds the dimensions it would have in circulation, for example if you open an awning, take out some chairs ... Overnight is when you sleep inside the vehicle, which can be parked or camped. Keep in mind that you cannot camp in places where only parking is allowed.
Raquel Baragaño Acebal, 35, agrees: "That will save them dozens of fines for illegal parking." This event organizer and hotel manager this summer is carrying out an initiative called "I travel in a caravan" to make people aware of the benefits of this way of traveling: "What exactly do we understand by quality tourism? A camper arrives "He stays for a couple of days and leaves, leaving the environment as it was. The hotel stays there forever", says this Asturian to Verne .
3. Clean what you get
Baragaño has spent 15 years traveling in vans and motorhomes, and recalls the importance of taking care of the places where caravans camp: “The natural landscapes are the places through which we usually move. We like nature more than cities (which we normally don't even step on). We are concerned about its conservation. We want to find these clean environments and we know that this happens by leaving the last place where we have been in perfect condition for those who come later. It is an unwritten law that exists in this little world ”.
4. Plan well the journey (and where you are going to sleep)
On the trip, unforeseen events can also occur, from breakdowns to getting into difficult maneuvering paths. "Sometimes we find a place to spend the night on the map and when we arrive it does not give us a good feeling and we have to look for another at late at night," says García, who adds that the pandemic has caused some overnight areas to have reduced places to keep distances. This means that fewer vans and motorhomes can park than before.
5. Take into account the regulations of each country
For Aguilera and García it is very important that each time we are going to make a trip we inform ourselves of the laws of each country on caravans, since it usually varies. "Depending on the countries you are going to visit, you may need an international circulation permit or stickers to circulate on highways, among other badges," explains García. In addition, if we travel with pets, we must remember that we must have their passport and vaccination card at hand, so as not to have problems at the border.
6. Lean on the community
Rocío Calvo Muñoz and Eduardo Parrado Puente are behind the blog with tips and videos for travelers Without a Postal Code. They recommend turning to the van and motorhome community, present in forums, websites and pages. "You will quickly realize that most of the traveling travelers are always willing to help each other." In addition to that, there are different applications in which you can search for places to stay (free or paid) wherever you travel.
For fans of caravans, despite the inconveniences that may arise, this way of traveling is much better than a hotel. Everyone agrees that the caravan, apart from being their home, has given them the opportunity to sleep in dream places. “It is said that we vans sleep in thousand-star hotels and eat in Michelin four-wheel restaurants,” sums up Segura.
Motorhomes accelerate in 2020
In Spain there are 60,000 motorhomes, 10,000 campers and 230,000 caravans. In European countries such as Germany and France, they exceed half a million motorhomes. In these countries they have 4,500 and 6,000 delimited service areas for these vehicles, compared to a thousand in Spain.
The rise of this type of vehicle, which carries the house on their backs and can be driven (if they weigh less than 3,500 kilos, like most) with a car license (B1), resulted last year in the sale of 25 units per day, despite the fact that its average price rises to about 55,000 euros. However, due to the pandemic and as reported by EL PAÍS, June sales shot up 20% more than the same month last year, with the registration of 1,208 units, according to data from the Spanish Association of Industry and Commerce of the Caravaning (Aseicar).
* You can also follow us on Instagram and Flipboard. Don't miss out on the best of Verne!
