Do you love going to festivals, but preferably not in one of those stuffy, exceedingly warm tents on a far too noisy camping ground? One of those camping grounds where you never know whether you’ll get an unexpected visit from your drunk neighbour who can hardly stand and therefore decides he’s just going to lie down there, to then stay there halfway through the next day. Of course, you could buy a day ticket or book a hotel room in the nearest village every night, but in recent years, another option has become available at several festivals. These festivals are now offering a separate camping ground for campervans and caravans. Not that these are by definition that much more civilised, but you certainly enjoy that little bit more privacy and comfort. Experience experts tell us that there is usually a slightly more amicable ambiance at the camper camping ground as compared to the camping ground for tents. This way, your festival experience gets even better thanks to your caravan or campervan.
Protection against sun and heat
A big advantage of the mobile home or caravan is of course improved insulation. Even where it comes to noisy neighbours there is already a significant difference as compared to a tent, but the most notable has to be the protection against sun and heat. Not that a campervan or caravan parked in direct sunlight won’t get warm, but still, its no comparison to waking up in one of those overheated tents where you can barely even breathe.
Comfort and hygiene
Fair enough, many people enjoy the aspect of living like swines at the camping grounds even more than the festival itself. For those people this tip will not be of much use. For the others however, this tip may be even more valuable. Of course, nobody has the expectation that they can always shower twice a day and have their hair freshly washed at all times while they’re at they’re walking around at the festival. And yet, it is just so nice to have your own toilet, and to, after a long, warm day be able to freshen up with some comfort. Imagine it; in the evening you can take your time in your own facilities, nothing around except the fresh aroma of, let’s say… Solbio, for example? Gone are the days of queueing up in that labyrinth of porta-potties!
Kitchen and refrigeration options
People who try to fit as many festivals as they can into each summer know very well that such festivals require a fitting diet. At the festival grounds there’s the far too expensive fast food and once back at the camping ground meals tend to consist of noodles or other easy-prep single pan meals. This too is seen by some as a vital aspect of the festival experience, while others, after a few summers full of festivals, are done with this way of living (or… surviving). But if you’re taking the campervan or caravan, you’ll have far more options at your disposal. Imagine: Every festival day you start with an extensive breakfast, an egg and a cold (you have a fridge after all) glass of juice? At night In between your favourite artists, you can enjoy freshly cooked spaghetti or even a barbecue. Especially for those who have already spent their wildest years at the festivals, this new way of living at a festival offers a lot of added value. If you’re lucky, your mobile home or caravan may even have a freezer. Ice lollies mid-heatwave at a festival? Imagine the possibilities!
Mobility
Another big advantage for this way of camping at a festival is the mobility it affords. Your festival doesn’t start or end with a hellish trek of buses, trains, and transfers. If you plan with some care, you can even make the whole thing into a road trip through Europe, traveling from festival to festival while taking in the sights along the way. You could easily swap and change between camping grounds, city trips and now and then a festival.
What do you need to keep in mind?
Don’t forget that campervans and caravans are not accepted as standard at all festivals. So, be sure to plan in advance and inform yourself as to whether specific festivals will allow you to spend the night in your campervan or caravan. Besides acceptance of these vehicles, the space to accommodate them also varies strongly from festival to festival. Some very large festivals have a separate camping ground for this style of camping, but there are also many large festivals where this option is simply not permitted. Was is that filthy, noisy camping that always put you off from spending the night at a festival? Or are you simply looking for a little more comfort after having enjoyed this primitive lifestyle for years on end? Well, in both cases it is good to know that this is now among the options at many festivals. Enjoy your favourite bands, the holiday destination, and that typical festival ambiance without having to compromise on comfort and privacy.
We wish you lots of fun for the remainder of this festival summer!
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