Experience as a travel content creator

Solo travel is all the rage! Looking for tips and experiences for your own adventure? Anni tells you about her experiences as a content creator, her life in a van and gives tips for travel newbies who also want to travel alone. In this interview, you’ll find ideas and inspiration for planning your own solo trip. Find out all this and more here!

You can find Anni’s social media here:

• Anni’s Instagram
• Annis TikTok

Adventure: farm, own van & mental health

FIV: Hello dear Anni, thank you for taking the time for this interview! Please tell us something about yourself first.

Anni: My name is Anni, I am 28 years old, I come from a village with 300 inhabitants, I grew up on my grandparents’ farm and after my training as a hotel manageress I moved to Munich for a total of 6 years, where I was able to turn my passion into my profession.

I love to travel solo with my dog and self extended Van Elmo and share a lot on social media about (solo) travel, being brave, mental health and also the topic of relationships and feeling good.

Be free! Advantages of solo travel

FIV: You like to travel alone. What advantages does that have for you and what excites you most about traveling solo?

Anni: I’m always spontaneous and can do exactly what I feel like doing. You are absolutely unbound and free in your approach.

FIV: Do you ever feel lonely on your solo travels? If so, how do you deal with it?

Anni: I actually never feel lonely, not only because I usually have my dog with me, but also because I enjoy just being by myself.

At home on wheels: Travel with van

FIV: On Instagram, you’re usually seen traveling in your van. How do you deal with the fact that traveling in a van often means limited access to internet and electricity?

Anni: It actually grounds me a lot and after every van trip I appreciate everything that we take for granted at home even more. Always electricity, hot water, it is why around you, everything can be done faster.

With the van, I am where I feel most comfortable: in the middle of nature.

Experience with roof tents: The advantages

FIV: In which places did you particularly enjoy camping and why?

Anni: It doesn’t matter where, as long as it’s in nature. However, I have fallen very much in love with Norway and Sweden.

FIV: In one of your posts you show how you spend the night in a roof tent. What are the advantages here compared to a conventional tent?

Anni: A roof tent has many advantages, it is high up and you don’t have to be afraid of animals coming into the tent. It is more stable, it fits on almost every car and you have a 1A view of everything around.

Tripod as an aid: producing content alone

FIV: You are an independent content creator. How do you produce your content when you’re out on your own?

Anni: I always have my tripods with me, it all takes longer but I love to film and photograph. My camera tripod even has a name: Ramon.

FIV: You have almost 130,000 followers on Instagram. Have you already been able to motivate some of your subscribers to give solo travel a try?

Anni: Yes, and there is really nothing better for me than reading these grateful messages. Inspiring people to spend time with themselves and appreciate nature is really great and I find it very fulfilling.

Choosing itineraries: Planning or spontaneous?

FIV: You have traveled to many different places. How do you choose your itineraries?

Anni: To be honest, my motto is usually: “Planless is the plan”.

Mostly I have a destination and everything else on the route I plan spontaneously. Even if I plan everything through, I usually throw it around again and plan differently than planned.

Tips for solo travel

FIV: Do you have any tips for people who also want to travel alone but are still unsure?

Anni: Don’t think too much, just do it! Be brave and get out of your comfort zone!

FIV: Finally, without further ado, what are your top 3 solo travel destinations for novice travelers?

Anni: Austria, Sweden and Norway

Editor’s tip: Read more about Austria, Sweden and Norway here.

FIV: Thank you for this interesting interview! All the best on your travels!

Annis social media: check out solo travel!

Here you can find more about Anni:

• Anni’s Instagram
• Annis TikTok

Solo Travel: Insights, Experiences & Tips

In this interview, she shares with us what motivated her to travel solo and gives us exciting insights from her time in Portugal. Julia tells us about her preparations, gives us important tips along the way and reports on how she dealt with the issue of loneliness on her trip. The ambitious Austrian already has the next project on the go, which she will probably also report about on YouTube from summer on – be curious!

Here you can find more from Julia:

• Julia’s Instagram

From farm to experienced solo traveler

FIV: Hello Julia! Maybe you can introduce yourself very briefly in advance with your own words, so that our readers can get an impression of you. Who are you and what makes your channel?

Julia: My name is Julia, 21 years young, grew up on a small organic farm with four older siblings in Austria. Moved to Graz at the age of 15 to attend school with a focus on fashion & design.

I am a very creative person and love drawing or designing, sewing, photography and letting off steam creatively with videos to convey a message. Last spring I made the decision to take a solo trip to Portugal in our homemade vintage camper. It was a trip with no end date and full of uncertainty.

Instagram account as a diary

From day 1 of my journey, June 04, 2022, I have kept my Instagram account as my diary, which has allowed me to build a community of over 135,000 people around the world. Every day I am happy to inspire my community to travel alone, live life and follow their dreams.

In November, after 6 months, thousands of great memories and more than 8500 kilometers covered, I arrived back home. Currently I live out my love for interior design, because at the same time as my trip we, my friend Tobias and I, built our hemp / lime tinyhouse.

Van removal and choice of destination

FIV: On your Instagram you can see that you and your boyfriend built out and furnished the van yourself – how cool! What motivated you to travel alone and live in a van in the first place?

Julia: I grew up with this kind of vacation. My family went on vacation to Croatia every summer to enjoy the sea with a caravan and a red VW bus at various campsites. My boyfriend and I decided to buy our own camper in March 2019.

At that time, we definitely never thought that we would completely restore our “Bubi” just a few months later. We worked on it from the beginning of 2020 until summer 2021 and are very proud to have given our Mercedes L206D, which is now 48 years old, a new life.

Motivation for the first solo trip

When I decided to travel to Portugal last spring, the opportunity to travel with our van came in handy and it was definitely the best decision. What motivated me to travel alone? At the time I was at a higher technical school for information design, I also worked in a social media agency and lived in Graz with my boyfriend.

At the time, I convinced myself that everything was perfect, but I was missing my gap year, which I had planned for 2020 after my Matura. I could no longer concentrate on my studies, had the feeling that time was running out and was actually absolutely not happy with my situation. My boyfriend found his dream job at the same time, so it was clear, either me alone or not at all. I decided on the former.

FIV: Why did you choose Portugal? Have you been there before or was there something in particular that inspired you about the country?

Julia: It had been my wish to fly to Portugal for a long time and when my sister and current business partner invited me on a short trip to Lagos in February 2022, I was hooked. I decided while still there with a view of the sea and sunset that I would come back. I then fulfilled that very promise with my 6-month trip through Europe in July.

On top of that, on the flight home I met a girl from Porto, Portugal, with whom I talked the entire flight. This encounter strengthened my decision again. I then visited her in July for two weeks in Porto with our “Bubi”. It was a magical, unexpected meeting on a plane that definitely brightened and changed my life and the trip.

Travel planning: preparations and important tips

FIV: What preparations do you make before your solo travels?

Julia: There are so many things, but if I’m honest, I haven’t spent much time preparing. My tips would be to copy all personal documents and if possible only take copies, except the passport of course. It is also very important to leave a power of attorney for all matters at home. Because no one knows what can happen in the meantime and it is better to be prepared for the “worst case scenario”.

I personally took a self-defense course, my boyfriend insisted on it and I am very grateful about it. Fortunately, I have never had to use it, however, I have been able to take away many of my fears with it.

Using Airtag & Capture Important Memories

Something I can recommend to anyone or everyone is to use an airtag or other tracking apps. I felt much safer knowing that someone from home could see my location at all times. You should also think about how you want to record your trip.

I am more the visual type and decided to buy a Polaroid camera and a small booklet in which I pasted a Polaroid photo every day or at least in beautiful places. It was absolutely one of the best decisions, because these photos automatically recall all my memories about it.

Camping: find the best places

FIV: When planning your trip, were you more focused on specific places or did you let your curiosity drive you? Were there specific factors you took into account when choosing where to stay?

Julia: My travel planning consisted of knowing where I was going to be the next day. At home, I was someone who constantly had to know everything in advance and tried to plan everything for the next week. But when I got on the bus, all I knew was that I wanted to go to Porto, possibly make a stop in Barcelona and that was it.

I unpacked my paper Europe map about twenty minutes after I left and looked up which direction I needed to go.

It is a wonderful feeling to be so free and to be able to make your own decisions.

It was important to me to travel along the sea as often as possible, and that’s what I did.

The best app for pitches

I always found my places to stay through an app called Park4night and made sure that the ratings were very good (3-5 stars) and the comments were mostly positive. I shared a lot of places on my Instagram account. So, if anyone is planning a trip, he or she is welcome to check out the highlights “Park4night” and save the places.

Researched I have always so between 15-30 min. the evening before or sometimes very spontaneously. Nevertheless, I always had nice and safe places. A tip, avoid campsites and rather go to pitches, which are much cheaper and actually have almost the same equipment, perfect for traveling.

All alone? Travel without friends and family!

FIV: What were your biggest challenges traveling solo and what was it like leaving all your friends behind?

Julia: My biggest challenges were definitely not seeing my boyfriend in person for a long time and sharing my experiences with him. Saying goodbye to my friends and family was definitely one of the hardest things I have ever done.

That feeling after I got in the car and drove off into the unknown, even though I wanted to turn around and hug each one again, was heartbreaking. Because I just didn’t know if I’d ever see them again, because there’s always a risk, which I’m very glad I took.

I did have a few minor mishaps with our van, but I definitely learned a lot in the process. I can consider myself really lucky not to have had any major challenges, because there were helpful people everywhere who supported me.

My biggest vanlife-struggle was definitely the search for camping gas. A tip at this point, take a second or third gas bottle with you, even in Europe, because in some countries it is forbidden to fill empty bottles. For small campers, there are unfortunately not really alternatives, the ones that exist are very expensive and hard to find.

Self-determined without loneliness

FIV: Have you ever felt lonely and if so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any tips against loneliness on solo trips for our readers?

Julia: There were definitely moments of loneliness, but rather towards the end. I was surprisingly little alone, but when I was, I was looking forward to reading and walking along the beach with music in my ears. It was precisely in such situations that I was able to meet like-minded people again.

I also talked to my family or friends on the phone very often, just calling them helped a lot. Also, my goal of getting to a certain place totally distracted me from feeling lonely. I was just focused on getting there.

I got into a real flow, I’ll never forget that feeling – just so free, self-determined and full of genuine moments.

Making friends: “solo” travel together

FIV: Have you reached out to other people on your travels? Would you also say, perhaps, that you made friends?

Julia: I don’t really have a method, however, one or two times I just approached people. For example, in Cadiz, when I just felt like talking to two girls on a park bench after I noticed that they also spoke German. This two minute conversation turned into four days of traveling together to Tarifa. They were such beautiful days, we even slept three to a bus, although we did not even know each other the day before.

Another tip would be to walk around at overnight stops and when you notice friendly campers, compliment the van, thereby striking up a conversation. I once met another traveler by leaving the engine on “too” long, because the engine sometimes needs to cool down a bit. This didn’t excite the camper in front of me.

This funny first contact led to a four-day trip together, a hike to the Monkey Mountain in Gibraltar at 4:00 am in the morning, which I certainly would not have done alone. That’s what’s so special about traveling, just such spontaneous encounters.

More self-confidence & beautiful moments

FIV: What would you say are the clear advantages of traveling alone and why should everyone have done it?

Julia: I have developed new skills, especially in situations where otherwise my boyfriend would have reacted, for example.

I have become much more self-confident as a result and certain experiences have strengthened me a lot in this.

One special thing is that I realized that there are so many people in this world who have similar goals or needs to travel and I am not alone in that. It was so wonderful to meet people in front of whom I could just be me. Those experiences are just worth their weight in gold. On top of that, I lived in the here and now while traveling, which is unfortunately a rarity in everyday life at home.

“My view of the world has changed as well”.

FIV: How do you think this time has changed your perspective on your life and the world?

Julia: I think it made me more spontaneous and adventurous. I have been able to build my own independent life during this time. I am no longer trapped in the hamster wheel, but now decide for myself every day when and how I work to make the world a bit more sustainable. I am convinced that there are so many people who have similar desires and goals, and these are exactly the ones you get to know during these times.

My view of the world has also changed. I realized that there are so many wonderful and helpful people in this world, because complete strangers have helped me out of trouble a few times on the trip. I realized that if you are open with other people yourself, you will get that same openness back.

I have decided for myself that I will not wait for someone or something to fulfill my dreams. The mere fact that I am now being interviewed by a German magazine would have been simply unimaginable not even 10 months ago.

Julia’s Highlights: Across Portugal & Spain

FIV: What do you think were the two most beautiful places on your trip? Is there a particular moment that you will remember forever?

Julia: This question is very difficult to answer, because there are thousands of moments I could tell you about.

The moment when I crossed the border from Spain to Portugal after only 3 weeks. To have made it, that moment was just indescribable. I parked the van just after the border and went back to the sign that said “Portugal” and was just overwhelmed by the fact that I made it “alone” despite all the contradictions.

My journey really just started there, but it was definitely a great moment that I won’t soon forget. It also includes the moment when I came back to Lagos, where I made the crazy decision to do this solo trip and made a promise to myself.

By bike through Cadiz

My two favorite places, phew, the best memories and places are mostly linked to the great people I met there. Lagos is just beautiful even after all the many places I’ve been. Cadiz, the oldest city in Europe also appealed to me so much because I was able to admire it on my bike and just loved the flair there. Another place with a view of the Monkey Mountain will also remain in my memory. I do not know exactly how the place there is called, in any case, I experienced the most beautiful view and sunsets there.

Tiny House: your own little home

FIV: And now the next project is already on the horizon? A Tiny House – Tell us about it!

Julia: My boyfriend really wanted to build a Tiny House. The project started at the same time I was making my travel plans. So we decided to each pursue our dreams but support each other. So I planned the interior design during my trip and spontaneously flew home for a week of Tiny House building.

Interiordesign and build something with my own hands, is a great passion of mine and has accompanied me since the expansion of our vintage camper. Since November, we are building even more intensively on our Tiny House and are currently researching companies for our complete self-sufficiency.

Soon to be seen on YouTube!

It’s a bigger project than we originally thought, but we are really looking forward to finishing our Tiny House. We have already moved in, but there are still many little things to build and to get. It is just wonderful to come into our own four walls or about 19 square meters, where we have built almost everything ourselves. I am looking forward to make all my future solo trips from here and then come back home and lay together under the starry sky. In the background we are currently planning and implementing our YouTube channel, in which we plan a series of room tour videos about our Tiny House, we hope to be able to go online in the summer.

FIV: Dear Julia, thank you very much for this exciting interview! We wish you all the best on your travels!

Julia’s social media: check out Solo Travel!

More content from Julia can be found here:

• Julia’s Instagram

Roof tent or converted van?

What is more practical on holiday and on road trips? A roof tent or a completely converted van? Depending on whether you are planning a short camping trip or a long-term travel tour, one or the other option is better suited. On the one hand, a roof tent can be set up quickly and easily and is also cheaper than a fully converted camper van. Therefore, you can easily stop at any campsite and make a stop. However, there is something nice about having your own van! You put a lot of time, love and money into it and you can travel comfortably for a longer period of time. In this video you can see the direct comparison of the two variants and can orientate yourself accordingly.

Advantages roof tent:

• Quick and easy assembly
• Can be flexibly mounted on almost any car
• Less expensive than van

Advantages removed van:

• Integrated kitchen with refrigerator, stove etc.
• No great construction necessary
• More space than in the roof tent
• Durable and more domestic

VW T4 classic: purchase, conversion, costs & facts

If you are planning a longer trip or even want to move for some time completely in a converted van, then you will learn here once all the important and worth knowing information that you need to know when purchasing, for example, a VW bus. How much does an independent conversion cost approximately? How can I best save time, work and money? And what else do I need to consider before I fulfil a lifelong dream and start the adventure of my life as a dropout?

Check out this video here for a testimonial from passionate vanlifers who fulfilled their dream of owning their own camper and built it completely on their own.

Tip! Do you already know the iKamper?

If you’re considering a rooftop tent, then you should definitely take a closer look at the iKamper SKYCAMP 2.0. It sets up in just a few seconds and creates an amazingly large and comfortable living space for up to four people. The uncomplicated handling makes it the perfect rooftop tent for travellers and explorers.

The iKamper offers you:

• Simple and uncomplicated assembly
• Quick assembly
• Comfortable living space
• Numerous possible uses
• Space for up to four people

Road trip with the whole family. Roof tent from Campwerk.

Do it Yourself: Expand your campervan on your own!

A ready-made campervan is not exactly cheap. Hardly anyone has the money for a fully equipped camper completely spare and can start directly. But why not just do it yourself? If you convert a campervan on your own, not only do you save money, but you also gain experience and can later claim that you are travelling in your own converted van. No one can take this unique experience away from you.

The advantages of building it yourself instead of buying it:

• Experience: Build it yourself
• Craftsmanship experience
• Save costs
• Travel in your own camper and own adventure

Tip: Roof tent instead of camper

The dream of camper expansion saves money, but also costs a lot of time. A roof tent is often the best alternative to an expensive camper. Quickly installed on the car, from small Mini to large Range Rover. Here you will find cheap models, Made in Germany: Buy roof tent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58wdcJZB__s

DIY! How much did my VW Bus removal cost?!

You want to expand your camper and wonder how expensive it will be? How much does a VW BUS camping conversion cost? No one explains it in such detail! Here you can see the costs for the conversion listed. You can decide for yourself whether you want to spend a little more to make the conversion last forever, or whether you want to keep it completely low budget, i.e. as cheap as possible. For example, you can save money by buying used parts on Ebay, choose cheaper materials or leave out the insulation completely. Watch the video and then decide for yourself which option you want.

That’s the way to save the most:

• Used parts on Ebay
• Do without isolation
• Wood cladding vs. medium density fibreboard
• Do without details and storage space

Checklist for the van conversion

These are the costs for the VW Bus conversion! During the conversion, some things must be considered and thought about, so that some costs will come to you. How the T4 is converted piece by piece and what the individual prices for auxiliary heating, insulation, cladding, electrics, floor panel, bed box, kitchen, swivel console, side cabinet and bed are, you will learn in detail and informative in the video.

Important for the conversion are among others:

1. Parking heater
2. Isolation
3. Cladding
4. Electrical
5. Base plate
6. Bed base
7. Kitchen
8. Swivel bracket
9. Side cabinet
10. Bed

Costs for the VW Bus conversion

The following costs arise if you buy standards or follow the life hacks of mathisox:

• Cost for standard products: ~ 7.971,90 €
• Selfmade / Low Budget Prices: ~1.434,00 €
• Saved: -6,537.90 €

Tip! Kitchen for campers to go

The kitchen is the most expensive item with 851,00 Euro.

851 Euro for the kitchen

Here is the perfect alternative! Are you camping with your friends and don’t have a completely converted van with full equipment? Then you should take a look at this small, practical Kitchen 2 Go. It contains everything the outdoor chef’s heart desires. Table, cooker, crockery, kitchen utensils, food and (cool) drinks all find their place in the practical aluminium box. Due to the compact design, the AIOKS kitchen system weighs just 10kg and is very easy to store with a max. width / height of 50cm.

Fancy a picnic? Even on the road, the small box proves true greatness. Whether it’s a classic picnic with friends or a family outing to the nearest swimming lake – once unfolded, the AIOKS kitchen system offers space for the whole family. Here you can dine in comfort while you plan your next adventure trip under the open sky.

How much does a camper self conversion cost?

Here, too, passionate campers report on the costs of their self-built van. With a lot of time and attention to detail but low budget, the two have fulfilled their lifelong dream of their own van. Even though there were some difficulties in between, they managed to turn a used van into a fully equipped and mobile camper. What costs were involved, what is the most expensive part of the expansion and where you can save the best you can learn in this video!

The result is worth it! The two have put a lot of hard work and love into the expansion and show here how much adventure and van you get for it! Watch the fascinating life of the two wish campers in this video, who are on the road in their DIY mobile:

Van conversion for under €5,000?

Upgrade a campervan and off you go! Sounds simple and doable, but can you really do it for less than €5,000? These two travel enthusiasts got to the bottom of this question. After carefully calculating everything they spent on equipment, fairing, electrics and the like, they came up with quite a bit. Either way, the two are sure that their beloved van “Oskar” is worth every penny. But what they spent their money on exactly, you can watch in the following video.

It really cost that much!

Price for the complete conversion: 5.506,53 €

VW T4 classic: purchase, conversion, costs and facts

In this video you will learn everything you need to know about the purchase of a VW bus, how much the conversion costs approximately and how you can save some money, work and time. Watch this video here to get an experience report from passionate vanlifers who have fulfilled their dream of owning their own camper and have built it completely on their own.

Pauls Camper for 1.200 € – Low Budget Extension

At the age of 30, Paul has already embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. He has been living in his self-built camper Emma for over a year now. At the time, he paid just €1,200 and then took the conversion completely into his own hands. Completely on his own, he has already seen half of Asia in the van and still has some travel plans planned for the future. Check out this video here to see how Paul converted his camper, made the most of the space and what he spent on it. He also shares tips on how to do it yourself on his blog.

How to build your own camper!

Now you just need the right tips for the conversion? In this video you will find all the important information to convert a simple car into a comfortable and practical camper. All this with only a small budget, fun at work and a lot of attention to detail!

5 crazy stories from van lovers

Constantly on the road and always only the bare essentials. Where it goes next, that is not yet determined. These women live completely spontaneously and flexibly in just a few square metres of space. With a lot of creativity and attention to detail, they have expanded a van and now live on their own in complete freedom.

They always have everything they need with them, they take care of their own food and even the next destination is decided spontaneously and individually. Living in a van is not only an exciting, new experience, but also an inexpensive way of life that allows you to see a lot of the world at the same time.

Sound absolutely crazy but fascinating at the same time? Then check out the stories of five van lovers who have fulfilled their dream of the adventure of a lifetime and are now living on the streets of the world! For more crazy ideas, check out Peace Love and Om‘s YouTube channel. You can find our stories on Campwerk YouTube.

Associated with a life in a campervan is:

• Freedom
• Creative finishing and interior design
• Attention to detail
• Adventure
• Cheap life

Offroad on the road in the desert. Roof tent from Campwerk.

Ex-model Bianca now lives in the van

Hectic life in the big city? Ex-model Bianca prefers to seek freedom in her self-converted camper. Here she presents her camping bus together with her dog Figo. She has been living alone in her van for 5 months now. Bianca likes to do things differently than the others. Already with her ex-boyfriend she was on the road a lot with the camper and has learned to love camping through it.

She rebuilt this van completely on her own. She paid attention to many small details, such as raffia handles on the doors. Also her kitchen is not only beneficial, but also very cozy and cute in general, because it has a 2in1 function! She is kitchen and bathroom together. So, she has thought of everything to live here too comfortably and practically. Check out Bianca’s self converted van in the video!

• Lives since 5 months in the van with dog Figo
• Cosy kitchen interior in wood and natural materials
• Shower & Kitchen: 2in1
• Small details like bast handles on the doors
• Sustainable life

Yve’s little pirate ship – a sensational camper conversion

This young lady is also pursuing her lifelong dream! Yve says herself that she lives part-time in a pirate ship. With many loving details she has extended her van and created a living space in which she feels comfortable and at home. She found inspiration on Pinterest at the time. From then on, she wanted her own minivan in a wooden look and jumped at the chance!

In fact, the beautiful extension is reminiscent of Captain Hook’s boat. Her dream is not only to eventually live completely in the van, but also to offer personal training and work outs for women and earn a living on the road! Watch the video here to see how Yve managed to make her dream come true!

• Converted minibus in wood optics
• Lots of practical storage space
• Kitchen and wood stove for cooking
• Outdoor shower for summer

Germany’s youngest vanlifer – Alone through Europe

Neele is just 19 years old but has already done what most of us don’t dare to do. She has grabbed her dog and went straight after graduation to explore Europe. Alone in a camper as a woman! Equipped with bedroom, dining room and kitchen she lives here now for 8 months completely on her own.

She didn’t want to do a typically planned year abroad in the US or Australia like everyone else, but wanted to experience an adventure that was completely in her own hands. This makes her the youngest camper to travel alone. Her passion for music is not neglected either.

She always has her electric piano with her so she can practice on the road for her dream of studying music. Watch Neele’s story and her spectacular life in the van here in the video!

• Has been in the van for almost a year
• Plenty of storage and space
• Kitchen with fridge
• Large wardrobe
• Lovely decorations

Teacher swaps school for vanlife

Lisa traded her secure job as a secondary school teacher for an uncertain but adventurous life in a van. She didn’t want to work as a civil servant all her life and decided at the age of 3o to take a different path.

Equipped with kitchen, sleeping area and living room, she now lives in her self-built van and travels the most beautiful corners of the world. She started for 5 weeks in Croatia. She realized that this life of complete freedom suits her so much that she listened to her gut feeling and has been living in a camper since then.

She earns her money on the road as a language trainer and tutor. She herself says that she got a new attitude towards life and therefore also organizes retreats for civil servants who want to change their lives positively. Check out Lisa’s van and the path she has taken here!

• Extended van with kitchen, sleeping and living area
• Freedom, lifestyle and satisfaction
• Earns her money on the road as a language trainer
• Independence and flexibility

300 € expenses per month – that’s how cheap Anna lives in the van

Anna also lives the dream of many people: she is permanently on vacation and lives into the day! Just under a year ago, she decided to move to Tenerife. Although the holiday island has not been that cheap for a long time, she can easily live on 300 € per month.

The enthusiastic festival-goer was interested in camping and life on the road from an early age. During an Erasmus year she had the idea for her own camper. Together with a friend, she developed it and discovered her love for the van life. Since then she lives in her own van. She cooks herself on a gas stove, takes showers on the beach whenever possible and generally tries to live as frugally as possible.

In addition, she makes her own jewelry and earns her money by making dreadlocks. She also does without material things as far as possible. This allows her to finance her exciting life on the road. Check out Anna’s camper and her frugal van life here!

• Travels between Tenerife and Germany
• Lives on around €300 a month in the van
• Dismantled van with loving interior design
• Earns her money with jewelry and dreadlocks

More on YouTube

Tip! You can find this and other great camping reports on the YouTube channel of Peace Love and Om.

You can find our stories on Campwerk YouTube.

Living in nature: Tent, caravan or camper van

Probably the most important things you should have with you when camping are things for living. Most people think of camping directly as camping. However, there are also other possibilities to spend the night in nature. Whether in a classic tent or a caravan, camping can be a varied and multifaceted experience and offers plenty of space and freedom, so that everyone can organise their holiday according to their preferences. Depending on which option you choose, you will need to pack the right luggage.

Tent: The most popular way to camp

The probably most classical and simplest variant of camping is tent camping. This is most suitable for a short trip not too far away. You don’t have to pay much attention and you can choose a campsite where you can spend a nice time with your family or friends. This gives you flexibility in where you go on holiday and yet you are always in the fresh air. You can set up your tent spontaneously at a place you like and move on the next day if you feel like it. This is also one of the cheapest ways of camping, because you don’t have to pay much when you do wild camping and on a campsite you usually only pay the entrance fee for yourself.

Tent types: Trekking tent, throw tent, dome tent & Co.

As already described in the article Camping accessories, there are different types of tents between which you have to decide. A simple person tent only offers space for a few people, but is perfectly sufficient if you are only travelling with your partner or one or two friends. The tent does not take up much space in your luggage and is therefore ideal for a short trip in the nature. If you want to avoid the complicated construction of the tent, you can opt for a throw tent. The most popular types of tents are:

• Trekking tent – compact but very resistant
• Litter tent – compact and quick to set up
• dome tent – low weight, high stability and simple construction
• Rooftop tent – for camping everywhere with particularly good insulation
• Tunnel tent – lots of space and headroom
• Family tent – lots of space for the whole family
• Ridge tent – bright and open and perfect for an Indian adventure
• dome tent – low space requirement and can be set up easily and quickly
• Geodetched – also holds on rocky ground, on steep slopes or densely overgrown sections
• Pyramid tent – extremely stable and withstand even strong winds
• Read here more about the different types of tents…

Comfort or unforgettable experience

So if you want to spend a few days in nature in a very simple and uncomplicated way, you should get involved in this experience. Of course, a hotel bed would be more comfortable than the mattress with which your tent is probably equipped, but for this short time, the missing comfort can be accepted if in return, one is offered an unforgettable experience of nature.

Caravan- & camper accessories: bath & kitchen utensils

How should a caravan and a motorhome actually be equipped? Caravans and motorhomes are usually fully equipped, but there are still some small things to think about. Whether washing machine or kitchen utensils; you should not do without a few everyday items even when camping. It is important to have basic equipment, certain kitchen utensils, bathroom utensils and also a few other useful small items. Our most important souvenirs, which one can use in a camper or caravan, are

• Gas bottles – important for those who plan to cook with a gas grill
• Clothesline, clamps and foldable laundry basket – especially important if you are on the road for a long time and have to wash yourself
• Cutlery, crockery, pots and pans – so cooking on the road is no longer a problem.
• Batteries, accumulators, converters – electricity is a matter of course in everyday life and not everyone can completely do without it when camping
• Duvets & pillows – for a good sleep and so that you don’t get cold at night

Campingbus expansion: Car conversion by yourself

Not enough room in the van? No problem, that’s what the camper extensions are for. Instead of going on holiday for several thousand euros, you can also invest the money in your own camper. Whether you choose a self-conversion or a ready-made camper van – what you choose depends on the need for comfort, the budget and the available vehicle. Here we have selected three reasons for you, why an extension, whether self-made or bought, is much better than a finished camper:
The one big advantage of the camper van conversion is the relatively low cost compared to finished motorhomes. A finished camper van can cost a good 50,000 Euros. With a self-conversion you get away much cheaper, especially if you already own a vehicle which can be converted. With your own bus you are super flexible and can experience a lot of adventures. The do-it-yourself mentality starts at home and once the camper is finished you can be quite proud of yourself. In addition, you have flexible options for use, your self-construction is suitable for everyday use. The van or family car can still be used as a normal means of transport, but on the journey it becomes a rolling holiday home.

1. Cheaper installation: Cheaper than caravan and motorhome
2. Adventure and freedom: Go when and where you want.
3. Flexible use: family car during the week, fun at the weekend

There are different types of conversions and with the right installation or conversion, the van will quickly become a living room, kitchen, bedroom or even a garage with plenty of room to store your belongings. With a conversion, the space you already have is cleverly extended and with a built-in, the space you already have is used practically.

Camping furniture: chairs, tables & beds

With camping furniture you build your own camp, whether on the campsite or in the open air. Here, one mostly thinks directly about chairs and tables, which are of course important, because they provide a relaxed togetherness, but also camp beds or cupboards should be thought of. With the chairs and tables you can build your own little terrace in front of the caravan, where you can sit together in the evening, laugh, chat, eat and drink. The camp beds are important if you don’t want to sleep for a few weeks on camping mats and air mattresses.

What you should pay attention to is the appearance – you should like the camping furniture of course and best of all, it should match the design of the rest of the camp. You should also look at which furniture you can really use and which can be easily replaced. If you buy a camping chair to sit on for a few hours, it should be comfortable. Another factor is size – camping furniture often has to be put up and taken down and should therefore be foldable. And last but not least, the stability of the camping furniture is of course important. Ideally, the furniture should last for many years and should therefore be stable and of high quality.

Checklist: Buy camping furniture

You must take this into account when buying camping furniture:

1. Looks
2. Function
3. Cozy
4. Size
5. Stability

Sleeping bag & Iso mat: sleeping in tent

Coming back to camp after a long day and just cuddling up in bed – a dream. But sleeping in a tent, caravan or even in a self-built camper can become quite uncomfortable after a few weeks. In order to be able to really relax at night it is important to have a comfortable sleeping place. This is where the sleeping bag and the mattress come into play. But what should you consider so that you don’t get cold at night and don’t suffer from back pain? Here are our most important tips for buying a sleeping bag and a sleeping mat.

Sleeping bags: sizes, shapes & materials

To decide on a sleeping bag, you should know that there are different materials for the filling. Whether down or synthetic fibre – when filling a sleeping bag, you should bear in mind that the different materials keep you warm differently. You should also consider the size when buying a sleeping bag. Ideally, it should be 25cm longer than your own body height. There are often adjustable sizes for children, but you should always take care not to buy a sleeping bag that is too big, otherwise it will not insulate properly.

When buying a sleeping bag, you should also pay attention to the shape of the sleeping bag, as there are three different shapes that insulate differently: mummy sleeping bags, egg-shaped sleeping bags and blanket sleeping bags. If you want to know what the differences are and which sleeping bag is right for you, take a look at our article on sleeping bags and sleeping mats.

• various sizes
• different material
• mummy sleeping bags, egg-shaped sleeping bags and blanket sleeping bags

Mats: R-values, mat types & Co.

What is also essential for a good night’s sleep when camping is a good mattress. Here again are a few important factors to consider, such as the R-value. The R-value measures the insulation capacity of a mat, i.e. how much heat the mat lets through.

• R-value 0: up to +15°C: suitable for midsummer
• R-value 1: up to +7°C: for summer and mild spring and autumn nights
• R value 2: up to +2°C: Spring to autumn, without ground frost
• … read all about sleeping bags and sleeping mats here

A distinction is also made between foam mats, self-inflating isomats and thermal or insulating air mattresses. You can find everything about R-values and the different types of mattresses in our article Sleeping Bags and Mattresses.

Heating and ventilation systems in motorhomes and caravans

Heating and ventilation systems are a must when camping in a camper or caravan. So that you don’t get cold in winter, the motorhome, caravan or camper should be preheated to a comfortable room temperature at least one hour before bedtime. But which heating systems are actually available and which are best?

Heating systems: gas, diesel, electric and air heating

Gas, diesel, electric and air heating, these are the different heating variants:

• Gas heating
• Diesel heating
• Electric heating
• Air heating

Gas heating – Heating with gas is the most common method in caravans and motorhomes, because most of the time there is already a gas system available, because gas is also used for the stove, oven and refrigerator. It is also practical, as a new, filled gas bottle can be found almost everywhere, even abroad. If you want to heat with a gas heater while driving, you should definitely use a gas pressure control system with crash sensor.

Diesel heating – Another method would be heating with diesel. A diesel heater uses the fuel available in the tank and can be used as an auxiliary heater, but generates some noise. An advantage of diesel heating is definitely that you do not have to rely on the electricity grid of the campsite.

Electric heating – electric heaters such as radiators and fan heaters are only suitable if there is a mains supply to which they can be connected. The only electric heaters that are worthwhile are heating mats for tents, as these can also be battery operated and heat up to 30 degrees.

Air Heating – Another option is air heating; like diesel heaters, they use the fuel of the vehicle, but are a much quieter alternative. An air heater often has an energy saving mode, a boost mode that heats faster and is even useful in summer when it cools the motorhome with the ventilation function. The air heater directs the warm air through a channel system to the floor of the motorhome, from where the heat can then rise. The only disadvantage is that the air dries quickly and that dust particles fly around in the caravan all the time due to the constant circulation. Not very practical for allergy sufferers, but this problem can be solved by airing the caravan regularly.

Ventilation systems – Fresh air in motorhomes

Why does a caravan actually need a ventilation system? This is a simple question, inside the caravan a lot of moisture often collects overnight, which can result in damp beds. In addition, especially when a gas stove or gas oven is in use, it is important to provide sufficient fresh air. A caravan has a certain forced ventilation and forced exhaust. The forced ventilation provides sufficient new oxygen, while the old air escapes via the forced ventilation.

The ventilation is usually located in the floor area of the caravan and should be closed with a grille so that rodents and other small friends cannot enter the caravan and, as warm air is known to rise, the vent is located in the upper area. Often a caravan has roof hatches or a pipe in the ceiling area, but sometimes doors are sufficient to provide sufficient ventilation. By the way; closing the ventilation system is not a good idea. The consequences can be dry air, gas or even mould due to moisture.

Ventilation system:

• In the floor area of the motorhome
• Closed with a grid
• Provides sufficient fresh air

Venting system:

• Roof hatch, tube in ceiling area, doors
• Old air escapes via the ventilation system

Sanitary facilities: Camping showers & -toilets

On campsites you will usually have sanitary facilities available, but wild campers should think about sanitary facilities or consider good alternatives to a shower in advance. But what equipment should you think about when you are travelling with a motorhome? And what should definitely not be missing in wild camping? We have summarized all the important things about sanitary facilities for you.

• Camping shower
• Camping toilet

Camping shower: PET, solar or portable camping shower

Hygiene should not be neglected on the campsite, so it is also important to shower regularly. There are several ways to stay true to your routine while camping, both on the campsite and in the countryside. One option is the simple PET bottle shower – for this you just need your water bottle, which you ideally have with you anyway, and a cap in which you make a few holes with a sharp and hot needle. Voilà: The Shower To Go. And it’s also space-saving, the only luggage you have is an extra lid with a few holes. But this is not the best option for wimps. But it is possible to heat the water with the help of the sun or to boil water and mix it with cold water to have a nice shower.

Another possibility would be a solar shower. This consists of a black bag that is placed in the sun, heated, then hung on a branch or rock, and then there is the possibility of a pleasantly warm shower. The sack can be easily stored in a backpack and there are also different sizes from 10 to 40 litres. Our last variant is the portable camping shower. The portable camping shower is a water tank that is pressurized with a few pump strokes so that it flows upwards through a hose. If you combine this camping shower with a foldable shower cabin, you almost feel at home.

Thus, those who still have some space in the car and want to treat themselves to some comfort should choose the camping shower, which is also not really heavy with an empty weight of approximately 1 kg. Important tip: Protect the environment when showering outside. Try to use as little water as possible, because your soap or shampoo contaminates it and we don’t want to have this dirty water in lakes, rivers or the sea. Also try to shower away from water.

The different types of camping showers:

• PET bottles shower
• Solar shower
• Portable camping shower

Camping toilet: chemical & dry toilet

A camping toilet is a must for all camping lovers. A distinction is made between chemical toilets and dry toilets. The chemical toilet does not need a connection to the sewage system and the faeces are collected in a container where they are decomposed by chemical substances. Under no circumstances, however, should the chemicals be disposed of in nature. For campers there is always the possibility to counteract the growth of bacteria with a little citric acid or vinegar water, as these biodegradable substances change the pH-values. For each chemical toilet there are certain regulations from the manufacturer, about which you should inform yourself in advance.

Dry toilets are toilets that do not flush with water. They are an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical toilets and are divided into dry toilets with urine separation, dry toilets with compost and dry toilets with combustion. In the most expensive variant, the dry toilet with incineration, the leftovers are burned immediately after going to the toilet and all that remains is a little sterile ash.

The dry toilet with composter is a container in which the leftovers are pre-composted before they end up on the compost heap. Often a few technical extras such as fans, rotating containers, heating rods and also agitators are used here. In addition, urine and faeces are separated in the dry toilet with composter, which ensures odour neutrality. In a dry toilet with urine separation, solid and liquid residues are separated, dried with bark mulch and disposed of afterwards.

Types of camping toilets:

• Chemical toilet
• Dry toilet with combustion
• Dry toilet with composter
• Dry toilet with urine separation

Camping lamps: battery, accumulator, gas or solar lamp

It’s not always bedtime as soon as the sun goes down. That’s why campers definitely need a camping lamp, because it allows you to sit together in the evening when the campfire doesn’t give enough light. There are four common types of camping lamps: lamps with gas, with batteries, with accumulator or solar lamps.

Battery-powered lamps have the advantage that they do not need to be recharged and are mobile. However, the disadvantages are that batteries are environmentally harmful and are not cheap. Camping lamps that run on gas take the gas from a cartridge. The advantage and disadvantage is that these lamps emit heat. In winter this can be very practical, but in summer it is rather unpleasant. The gas lamp also has a different burning time depending on the model and you should definitely keep the fire risk in mind.

This is not the case with a battery-powered camping lamp, and a battery-powered lamp probably has the longest life. The disadvantage is that they also usually have a long charging time and are therefore not always available. And if the battery breaks down you can have a real problem, because it is often not possible to change the battery while travelling. The last variant would be the solar lamp; it is the most environment-friendly possibility, as it charges itself if it gets some sunrays during the day. And if the sun does not shine, there is often a hand crank or a power connection as an alternative. By the way: The solar lamp is the cheapest option! This way you protect the environment and your wallet at the same time.

So the 4 most common variants are:

• Camping lamp with battery
• Lamp with battery
• Camping lamp with gas
• Solar lamp

Valuables storage: safe, fanny pack or good hiding place

Whether in a tent, caravan or your own camper van – you often travel with valuables that you want to store safely in your accommodation. There are of course enough people who simply resort to the old trick and hide their cash in their socks. But some people prefer a safe for the motorhome, in which you can safely lock up everything important.

The easiest solution is to reach for a box that can be locked. Then you should not lose the key in any case! My personal tip is to always carry your valuables with you. A fanny pack is a good idea for example when camping, and especially at festivals, to carry your most important souvenirs on your body. It doesn’t bother you, looks good and so it is harder to lose your valuables or it is harder for pickpockets to get your money, your keys and your mobile phone.

Impregnate & Care: protect the tent

Is your tent and awning already impregnated? Especially before a longer trip it is important to impregnate the tent or renew the impregnation, because sunlight, weather, heavy rain and abrasion make an impregnation useless over time. It is therefore recommended to reimpregnate the tent every few years to avoid having to sleep in a damp sleeping bag when travelling. There are different products for impregnation, which must be used differently. You should also remember to clean and maintain your tent regularly. How exactly you do this, what is the best way to impregnate your tent and which household products are effective, you can read in the article Impregnation and care.

Dog accessories – packing list & tips

Who travels with his four-legged friend knows that man’s best friend has at least as much fun camping as man himself. But of course you have to think of certain things if you want to take your dog with you on a journey. Whether it’s out in nature or on the beach, sufficient drinking water and food are essential. A leash and the dog bed are also essential and you should always have enough toys and treats with you.

Especially when camping, a doormat can be very useful so that the dog can clean its paws a little before entering the motorhome. This saves a lot of work. If you also go camping in winter or take your four-legged friend on extreme expeditions, where it can get very cold, you should think about dog clothing. On a long journey a dog transport box can also be useful, so that the four-legged friend is a little more protected in case of an accident.

Another good tip is a hand vacuum cleaner, in case the dog takes some dirt in the camper. And for those who know what wet dog smells like and are bothered by it, there is anti-odour spray. This spray is completely harmless for humans and animals and removes unpleasant odours with the help of micro-organisms, so that you don’t have to worry about dog odour once it has rained.

Checklist: Dogs on vacation

Packing list for the dog:

• Drinking water, food – enough for the journey and the stay
• leash – especially from campsites, where there are other dogs, this can be very useful
• Dog bed – for good sleep, even when travelling
• Toys – because a dog also wants to be kept busy when the owner relaxes.
• Snacks – as a little reward in between
• foot mat – so less dirt is taken into the accommodation
• Dog clothing – in case it gets cold or you go on an extreme expedition
• Hand-held vacuum cleaner – because sometimes some dirt does get into the tent or motorhome
• Anti odour spray – especially in rain this spray can be very useful

Here you can find out more about Holiday with pets:

Camping equipment: novelties

The equipment you need for a camping trip is of course evolving year after year, and that’s why we have summarized the most important camping news that will make your camping life easier. The best way to find out about the biggest novelties is to visit the tourism fair, travel fairs and camping fairs.

Novelties in camping: Top 5

Our top 5 camping novelties are:

An important novelty are solar showers – we think: The more environmentally friendly, the better! The solar showers have many advantages and are the cheapest camping shower option. Self-inflating mats and self-erecting tents are also new on the market. These new products save you a lot of time and effort and, when packed together, usually take up very little packing space.

The Cozybag is a sleeping bag that is also a blanket, jacket and coat. 4 in 1! The space saving one. Very important: comfortable camping furniture . Since you spend a lot of time on your camping chairs when camping, it can only be an advantage if they are comfortable. And last but not least: ultra light camping accessories. When camping, it is always important to take as light accessories with you as possible. With ultra-light accessories, you don’t have to drag as much. Especially in your backpack you can see the difference.

So these are the most important novelties that you will definitely need for your next camping holiday:

• Solar showers: Heat from the sun
• Self-inflating mats and self-assembling tents: a time-saving investment
• The Cozybag: sleeping bag, blanket, jacket and coat
• Comfortable camping furniture – chairs, beds & Co.
• Ultra-light camping accessories – perfect for backpacking.

Cooking, grilling & cooling while camping

If you think that camping is a way of eating canned food for weeks on end, you are wrong. From pasta with fresh sauces, to pancakes, to baked potatoes and bread. The best way to cook during the camping is with a gas stove and gas oven, thus one does not have to abstain from one’s favourite food while travelling. Many campers also develop a certain love for barbecues during their travels; preparing and meeting together before the meal creates a special atmosphere. So you should always remember to bring enough spices and food. Those who stay at the campsite will probably have a supermarket nearby, so there is no need to go hamster shopping.

Our tip: campfire!

Find out where you can light a fire and if you can light one, use the atmosphere for stick bread, marshmallows and good stories.

What I also want to recommend is a good cool bag or a fridge in your motorhome. So the dish that was prepared on Wednesday can be eaten until Sunday. Besides, a cool drink in the sun tastes better than a lukewarm one. Many campers also prepare packed lunches for excursions, which often contain a smeared and sandwiched bread. This idea is very clever, especially if you are travelling with children who get bitchy when hungry. However, in order to be able to spread this bread, you must have the necessary ingredients in the fridge. So: shop and keep it cool, and then use it up when you travel.

Essential for cooking, grilling and cooling:

• Gas stove, gas oven
• Camping grill, coal and lighter
• Spices and food
• Good recipes

Outdoor knives & Tools: packing list

What do you need an outdoor knife for? An outdoor knife or survival knife can be used to carve wood or to work on fish and meat. With a Survival knife you can cut ropes, which you use occasionally when camping, and you can also cut a simple sandwich in half. When buying an outdoor knife it is important to consider the legal aspects, because a knife can quickly be classified as a weapon if it has a certain blade length. Outdoor knives differ in blade length, shape, robustness and material.

A few practical tools that you should also think of are a screwdriver, a hammer, a small saw, pliers, armour tape and a folding rule. Our tip is to buy a small toolbox, which will always stay in the caravan. So you can’t forget anything and always have everything you need with you.

Checklist: Toolbox

• Outdoor knife
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Small saw
• Pliers
• Armor tape
• Folding ruler

Brands: camping accessories

There are several major brands of camping accessories that most camping enthusiasts probably already know. The different brands have specialized in different types of accessories and therefore it is almost impossible to crown the best brand. The most popular brand for automotive equipment is Alko, the best heaters are produced by the company Truma and the air conditioners and refrigerators from Dometic are top of the line. The best roof tents are available from Campwerk. We have put together the best brands for various types of camping accessories for you:

• Chassis technology: Alko
• Heaters: Truma
• Air conditioning systems and refrigerators: Dometic
• Satellite system: Oyster
• Solar plants: Büttner
• Power generator: Honda
• Toilet systems: Thetford
• Accessory trade: Fritz Berger
• Two-wheeler: Thule
• Rooftop tents: Campwerk

Camping – Living and sleeping in nature

If you are planning to go on a camping trip, you should be well prepared. There are some essential things you should not forget at home. Whether you travel with the whole family or with your dog, for different holidays you need different souvenirs. But if you are prepared, your camping holiday will be a lot of fun, a great adventure and an unforgettable experience!