Small caravan - Solo
Hi - I work as an IT consultant so tend to work on 6 month contracts then a few weeks off while I relax and search for the next role. I live alone but interested in exploring Europe. Considered motor home but a lot of money for a converted transit van - Maybe I am looking in the wrong places? As just myself and I don’t want to change my car (Alfa Giulietta) 170bhp - I am considering a microlight 2 berth small caravan - like the Elddis or Freeway. Around £10k new looks good value - also happy to look into a good used one. Any advice on both the ideal caravan, practicalities and logistics and views on going solo very welcome. Also interested in exploring some of Scotland and the South West - but mostly looking to travel to France / Spain / Italy etc.
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I'm really sorry that in ten days you've not had a single reply, so here goes.
General: I can't help with the Solo bit, or the small caravan, but I can say that touring in France, Spain, and Italy outside of peak season is easy. In France in particular **you don't need to book sites in advance, you can turn up and stay as long or as little as you please, and roads are more 'caravan-friendly' with more places to stop. There are 'Aires' on the autoroute which are fully serviced with bars and restaurants, but there are also picnic aires when you can pull in and use one of the picnic tables - and there are plenty of these on (some) N roads too. ** Even in July and August you will find space on smaller, inland sites, away from the tourist honeypots.
Getting around: As in this country, fuel is cheaper in supermarkets. You will require a high viz vest, a couple of warning triangles, 'beam benders' or the electronic version, a decent map book (I would go for Michelin but that's personal preference). There are toll autoroutes, which will get you quickly from A to B but if you prefer to just 'meander' taking in the countryside, stopping where you want, and finding a Fete or a Wine Fair or other village even, then take the N roads which can be very good in some places - and a real pain in others.
Sites: There are discount schemes which give you better value on campsites (have a look at the ACSI Card website or Best Deal) for more information. Download 'Archie's Campings' for files of 32,000 plus campsites, to download on to your SatNav then you can find overnight and longer stay sites easily. There are lots of sites along the main routes through France for overnight stops on the way from somewhere to somewhere else!
Suggestions: Anywhere in Europe - you'll find something to interest you almost everywhere, depending on just what you're interested in. Over thirty-six years of camping and caravanning have taken us into a lot of countries, but by no means all of them, and there are others who are much more intrepid travellers and some really good blogs by forum members.
Going Solo: There are lots of others 'going solo' and whilst you've chosen this section to put your post, it seems that none of them are around at the moment, so it might be worth reposting your question in two separate sections - Overseas so that you get other replies including some from the bloggers to give you a taste of what touring can be about and UK Sites - so that you get advice about the West Country and Scotland. Though we have caravanned in both places, it's a very long time ago!
Good luck!
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There is another thread under New to Caravanning asking about small caravans, and there are plenty of suggestions on there. My preference because I have one is the Lunar Ariva, but take a look at the thread for other options. My choice is because of it's width, it is narrower than other vans.
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In the past we have had a Freedom Jetstream and also an Abbey Iona both small and lightweight, the freedom was our favourite as it was our first van and for it's age someone had spent a lot to have it fitted out with full oven, cassette toilet, water heater and shower.
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Sorry that none of us solos have addressed that point. Welcome to the solos! It is difficult to arrange things on this forum so many of us are in the New Companions Camping Club. newcompanions.org.uk
They publish a booklet 8 times a year which gives meets all over the UK. There is also info about going abroad. Some members arrange to meet up at specific sites abroad and others travel together. For instance there are going to be a group at the C&CC rally at Delft, Netherlands next spring. Cost to defray postage etc is £12 a year.
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I am sorry I have not replied earlier but I have been in hospital and am still not right.
anyway, there are a few small caravans available on the market. At the moment Ihave a two birth Carlight, old but at 1400kg it’s managable.
most two berths can be tricky to manoeuvre once unhitched. Motor movers in the instance are invaluable. They range from £600 upwards, so perhaps add that to your purchase price.
Two births can vary in width and length, it depends what you want and your car can manage. It really is up to you, you pay the money, you make your choice.
I hope you find the caravan that suits your needs and we meet on a campsite soon.
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