The 8 best camper van travel destinations in Europe

adminonAugust 24, 2023August 28, 2023Leave a Comment

If you are looking for freedom and want to discover the endless expanses, you should definitely make a trip by motorhome. Escape the stress of everyday life and find a breathtaking route for yourself. You don't even have to travel to America, Asia or Australia for this, even in Europe you can discover the most beautiful camper destinations and experience a lot of adventure.

In this article, you will be introduced to the 7 best as well as most beautiful destinations in Europe by motorhome and given exclusive information about each route.

The vanlife beckons! The most beautiful motorhome travel destinations in Europe

There's nothing better than discovering new places and countries on your own. All you need to do is rent a reliable motorhome and you're ready to go. Online you can find some providers that rent a camper, in Germany that would be Wohnmobil Deutschland for example. The best thing to do is to check in advance on the official website of the Torist offices for providers of van and camper rentals. Then you can also be sure that the company is trustworthy.

To be able to collect some ideas about the ideal destination, we now present you the 8 best RV travel destinations all over Europe.

1. In search of the northern lights: the Ring Road of Iceland

Iceland – a country full of natural forces and a breathtaking route, which is ideal for motorhome tours. The Ring Road leads once around the whole island. On the way you can discover many great sights, mountains, volcanoes, geysers, glaciers and natural landscapes.

The ca. 1.560 km long route starts and ends in the capital Reykjavik. For this vacation with motorhome you should plan about 7 – 15 days, depending on how long you want to camp in one place. The best time to travel to Iceland is between May and November. If you do want to travel to Iceland in the winter, you have the opportunity to discover the beautiful Northern Lights. The highlights of the trip are the hot springs of Secret Lagoon and Vatnajokull National Park.

2. Enjoy freedom in Norway

When it comes to RV travel destinations, this country of course can not be missed: Camping in Norway is a classic for those who love the vanlife and has enjoyed great popularity for years and decades. For good reason: The routes lead through wild and unique landscapes, the roads and the infrastructure for camper lovers is particularly good in Norway.

How about, for example, a round trip through the south the Fjell and the fjords. Or are they more in the mood for a fresh Atlantic breeze? Then we recommend the far north, with the majestic rocky peaks of the Lofoten Islands. Besides the special nature of Norway, there is also a special law here – the so called Everyman's right. This allows the free, but always responsible use of nature. So you may pitch your tent and spend the night in the open air. Or one books oneself a place on one of the 229 campsites, bookable and findable over MolTravel.

3. The most beautiful motorhome destinations in Germany

Also in your own country you can make excellent wonderful motorhome tours. You don't have to decide specifically for a route, because you are flexible with the camper. Nevertheless, there are a few beautiful routes that you must have seen once in Germany. For example, you can rent a motorhome in Frankfurt and start from there.

One of the most popular destinations with a motorhome is the 90 km long wine route, which leads through the beautiful vineyards of the Palatinate. Also the 600 km long German Fairy Tale Road invites you to a vacation with a motorhome. Here you start in the Hessian region of Hanau and end the trip in Bremen. From there, a trip to the North Sea is still worthwhile for a crowning conclusion. It is best to plan 7 – 14 days here as well.

4. The French Riviera by motorhome

Another beautiful journey with the motorhome goes through the French Riviera. This is about 300 km long and goes from Marseille to Monaco. There you can discover dreamlike coasts, noble places, mountain villages and unique natural landscapes.

For this vacation with motorhome you should take at best 8-10 days, especially if you want to stay longer at a breathtaking place or coastline. On the way you can get some impressions of the Cote d'Azur (e.g. St. Marseille, Nice, St. Tropez, Cannes and Monte Carlo) are collected. For more information about traveling with a motorhome in France, visit the official French tourism website.

5. Round trip Italy: Discover the beauty of South Tyrol

You love Italy? Then you should definitely make your vacation with the motorhome in South Tyrol and discover incredible mountain landscapes as well as lakes. You will drive through the mighty Dolomites and relax for one or two days at the beautiful Lake Garda.

Particularly recommendable and partly not yet so densely populated by tourists is the region of Lana – south of Meran. Easily accessible by RV or van, Lana combines Mediterranean and alpine influences.

The region is wonderful for epicureans and adventurers alike. Great are also the campsites, such as the campsite in the natural spa Vollan in a unique location.

RV Travel Destinations

Camping in Vollan with pool and panorama.

From here you can watch stars at night while enjoying the panorama over Lana's vineyards and apple orchards from the hotel's pool during the day. For those who want even more comfort, Luxury Camping Schlosshof – not far from the center of Lana – is recommended. There are even design baths and sauna here, as well as a wonderful restaurant with a terrace.

Name is program in Luxury Camping Schlosshof.

Start your trip in Rome and head north. The route is about 1.500 km long. For this 2 to 3 weeks would be absolutely recommendable. Also from Germany, you can reach South Tyrol well. The best time to go is between April and October.

6. Cultural round trip by motorhome through Spain

For all art lovers or Mediterranean fans, a trip with the camper through Andalusia is absolutely recommended! To experience the history of Al-Andalus, it is best to start in Malaga. Further along the Costa del Sol to Gibraltar, Cadiz, Jerez, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada (visit to the Alhambra!) and at the end again Malaga.

For this road trip you should definitely plan 14 to 20 days. The best time to travel is either in spring or in autumn. Summer might already be too warm in Andalusia.

7. Camping and Surfing: Road trip through Portugal by motorhome

You love action and sea? Then a road trip by motorhome through Portugal is the best destination for you. While doing so, you will have the opportunity to sail along many great coasts while riding the highest waves.

Especially the Algarve attracts with an impressive nature and beautiful pitches, partly directly at the sea. And if you feel like a little wellness and luxury: We know the best hotels in the Algarve.

Start your trip with the motorhome in Faro and end it in Porto. The route is around 800 km long, so you should already plan around 7-10 days. So that the sea is not too cold, it would be advisable to travel to Portugal between May and October.

8. Along the Adriatic Sea in Croatia

The last and also beautiful motorhome tour, is along the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. The route is approx. 1.000 km. Accordingly, 10 – 14 days would be planned as a travel time. There you start in Zagreb and drive to Split. Especially for a relaxing vacation in a motorhome by the sea, this route is excellent.

The best time to travel is between April and November, so you can still go swimming extensively in the crystal clear sea.

Please note – due to the outbreak of the Corona virus and the efforts of the Thai government to bring the tourism industry back to normal, entry into Thailand is prohibited from 1.4.2021 possible (initially only to Phuket), but for stays longer than 30 days you must issue a special tourist visa (STV – Special Tourist Visa), which is valid for 60 days and can be extended in special cases.

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in the world and Israeli tourists, young and old, come in droves every year. It's not hard to understand why, as this magical destination is suitable for individuals, couples and families looking for a place to travel, rest or enjoy at ridiculously affordable prices.

Since "Pre-assessments" but apparently not mandatory (unlike, say, in the USA), there are voices that think it is not necessary – but this is a mistake. Since trips to Thailand are usually long, a visa must be issued for a stay of more than 30 days. How to do it? Here is ca What you wanted to know about a visa to Thailand and were afraid to ask:

Let's start from the beginning.

You have decided to fly to thailand? Good for you! Shortly after you make the decision, friends will show up expressing fierce jealousy (and rightfully so) and after you finish writing the many tips they will dictate to you (and at all? There is nothing to write, after all we have already prepared it all for you in an organized guide) are at your disposal to order the ticket and plan the vacation.

The soft landing will probably be in the capital Bangkok This is the main gateway to the country and after going through the various inspections, like Israelis, you will automatically receive a 30-day visa for free. Since most visitors do not stay in the country beyond that, you may not even notice that you have obtained such a visa, and therefore the common mistake that it is not required, but if you intend to stay in the country beyond that – read on, We are addressing exactly you.

Visa to Thailand - the complete guide

So visas – what types are there and who needs one??

what was up to 30 days: we found that virtually everyone needs a visa, even those who come for a short stay, just that not everyone knows they have obtained it. As mentioned earlier, this visa is automatically issued to Israeli citizens, and all that is required to obtain it is proof that you have a return ticket for a period of less than 30 days from the date of your entry into the country.

If you are not traveling by air, but crossing a land border (e.g. as part of a trip to a neighboring country) entered the country, you will receive an entry visa Only for 15 days (See continued reference).

Visa for Thailand

Over 30 to 60 days: If you are planning to stay in the country for more than 30 days, it is essential that you prepare in advance and if you intend to stay in the country for more than 60 days, you can obtain a suitable visa relatively easily through the Thai Embassy in Israel. The period of stay begins with your entry and up to 60 days from that date in which you can exit and enter the country, so a total of three entries/exits.

The permit is usually received the day after your visit to the Embassy and is valid from this date up to 90 days from this date. In simple words, this is a quick, easy and inexpensive process and must be done no earlier than 3 months before the planned date of travel to the country and not before.

Address of the embassy: Meshit 3, Herzlia Pituach
Telephone: 09-9548412 / 3
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.thaiembassy.org/telaviv
Operating days: Monday to Friday at 09:00-11:30 (except on Israeli or Thai holidays)
Cost: 150 NIS for the issuance of the visa + 150 NIS for each subsequent entry into the country, except the first one

Documents you need to bring to the embassy:

Photocopy of passport + photocopy of identity card
Passport valid for at least six months before the date of arrival in Thailand
A copy of the air ticket – in English language
2 recent passport photos on a white or blue background
A letter from your place of employment with a statement about your employment – in English
Last payslip
Confirmation from the accommodation where we complained after landing – in English

Multiple entry visa – With such a visa, you will receive a permit that was valid for up to 60 days from the date of first entry, but unlike the previous visa, you are not limited in the number of entries and exits during this time period. To issue this type of visa, you must submit confirmation of the bank with an overdraft balance of at least NIS 25,000

Visa extension – If you are already in the country but have planned a short stay (up to 30 days) and are lucky enough to be able to stay longer, you can contact the immigration authorities (in Bangkok or any city you are in) before the visa expires (and not after that!) and apply for an extension of another 30 days. The cost of the extension: 1,900 baht (approx. 220 NIS)

Important information!

For each day overstaying the validity of the visa you have to pay a penalty of 500 baht!
Leaving Thailand is subject to cancellation of the visa, even if it was not fully used, except for a 60-day visa that you purchased in advance in Israel and paid for additional exits and entries into the country after your first entry.

An example to clear your head – If you have arrived in Thailand and have a "normal" Visa (up to 30 days) received and decided to make a foray to Laos for 5 days and return to Thailand, upon your return you will receive a new valid visa for 15 days (and not 20 days as you "stayed" from the original visa are) ).

Over 60 days and up to 90: First of all, it is important to note that no tourist, not even you, is allowed to stay in Thailand for more than 90 days in a six-month period from the date of your first entry into the country. Since the long-stay visas (whether issued by the Thai Embassy in Israel or purchased from the Immigration Department in Thailand) only allow a stay of up to 60 days, a longer stay is a bit tricky – so that except in special cases it is not possible to get a visa for 60-90 days in advance.

אז מה עושים?

If you entered in advance on a 60-day visa, you can extend your stay for an additional 30 days through the country's immigration authorities.

If you entered the country in advance on a visa that was valid for 30 days, you have already extended it in this way for another 30 days (60 days in total) and therefore cannot repeat the process and what you are doing in this case You are crossing the border into a neighboring country, for example Laos, and returning to Thailand.This will give you an extra 15 days visa, and if you change twice, it will add a total of 30 days to your stay – and a maximum of 90 days in total (including the 60 days the visa allowed you) during six months.

It should be noted that there is another possibility to extend the visa again at the immigration office in Thailand, but even if it is approved, it is a visa for a maximum of 7 more days.

Border crossings

So we understand how it is possible to use the border crossing to extend the stay in Thailand beyond the 60 days granted under the visa, but there are travelers coming from a neighboring country (Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia) not under an attempt to extend their stay there – in this case, as mentioned, you will receive an automatic visa for 15 days.

If you want to get a longer visa or extend an existing visa (of 30 days, not 60), you can apply for it at the Thai embassy in Laos.

Address: no. 15 Home Phon Si Nuan Chan Lee lined roads of four cities accounted for Ta Otter. Vientiane
Days and opening hours: Monday to Friday at 08:30-11:30 a.m
Phone (area code +856): 916-453-21 בשעות 13:30-16:30
Website: vientiane.thaiembassy.org
Cost: 1,000 baht (approx. 115 NIS)

Also this time you need to prepare and bring with you:

Passport
2 recent passport photos on white or blue background

A few more highlights and important information

Although the price difference is not sky high, it is still about 10 servings of banana loti plus valuable time that can be saved, so those of you who know that we intend to stay longer than 30 days in Thailand, or there is a possibility that it will happen – too bad about the games. It is recommended to come to the trip with an appropriate visa issued in Israel, even if you will not use everything in the end.

So after all the important information, if we may summarize a bit seriously. Flying is fun and exciting, especially when it comes to a dream destination like Thailand. But out of envy, we take the liberty of asking you – show some responsibility and a little planning, that's it. Proper preparation will save you a few shekels, valuable time, and most importantly, great grief, and since the process is so simple and quick, there's no reason to skip it.

You probably can't hear it anymore, but Corona threw a wrench in our travel plans more than once last year for Mr. Wallygusto and I. Neither were we able to take our road trip through Norway, nor did we make it to a walking vacation in Scotland. After all, we had a great time in Germany, which is why I'm actually complaining at a high level: culinary we got our money's worth in Bamberg and hiking is also nice in the Harz Mountains. Still, wanderlust came up way short!

The blogparade against wanderlust

That I am by no means alone with wanderlust is clear to me. Be it among your friends or on social media: Everywhere people are longing for travel! To counteract wanderlust a little, Gela from the travel blog Unterwegs mit Kind has created the blogparade against wanderlust.

In demand are all contributions about destinations in the distance, to which you are drawn again and again: Which faraway destination do you have a score to settle with? Where in the world have you long wanted to return to? To which piece of earth you have lost your travel heart? Or do you simply have wanderlust for the sea, the mountains or the desert?

I want to go back to…Great Britain!

Even though the longing for Norway is strong, I'm still a little bit more drawn to the British Isles. It almost doesn't matter where you go: a hiking vacation in Wales would be just as appealing as a culinary city break to Edinburgh.

What memories do I associate with my wanderlust destination?

Since Mr. Wallygusto and I have vacationed in the UK several times, I have countless memories associated with the island nation! Above all, friendly, helpful people, an enchanting landscape and an almost unbelievable number of taps in the pubs. I also like to think back to the delicious sandwiches and scones with jam that we enjoyed in the south of England.

Travel Guide | Cornwall's North Coast & Bodmin Moor - A road trip through southern England

What fascinated or excited me so much that I absolutely want to go there again??

Already as a teenager I found the millennia old history of Great Britain fascinating. With the visit of the stone circle of Stonehenge, I have fulfilled a long cherished dream!

But also the variety of the landscape inspires me anew with every visit. While palm trees grow on the coast of southern England and enchanted landscaped gardens tempt you to take a stroll, things are a bit rougher in the Scottish hill country. But I also love the rugged coastline and the mountainous national parks of Wales.

Not to forget the many small and big cities to discover. First and foremost, of course, the metropolis of London and the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. There are also culinary discoveries to be made there!

Mystic Stonehenge | Great Britain Travel Guide | Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

How to satisfy my wanderlust for this longing destination at home?

To counteract the wanderlust a bit, Mr. Wallygusto and I like to watch British series, such as Luther or Inspector Barnaby. Unfortunately, this is sometimes rather counterproductive, the pictures of London or Cornwall fuel the desire to travel even more.

Also browsing on the travel blogs A decent cup of tea or Totally-London consoles a little about not being able to travel to the island at the moment.

Or I delve into the cookbooks of Great Britain's Nigel Slater to try out a new recipe of the completely underestimated English cuisine. Its combination of Brussels sprouts, scamorza and dill is, by the way, quite fabulous!

Pubs in London | London culinary

What do I plan to do there on our next trip?

Of course hiking, hiking, hiking! And when we have hiked enough, we can stop at a pub for a beer. Or a visit to the lively London district of Camden Town to swing a round with Amy Winehouse.

Tips for a vacation in Great Britain

Who knows, maybe the pandemic situation will calm down in the course of the year and travel will be possible again without any worries or bad conscience. I try not to give up hope in this. At least with my travel reports you would be well prepared for a vacation in Great Britain. So feel free to drop by to quench your wanderlust!