Campfire | FIV | Magazine https://fivmagazine.com Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:43:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 Rooftop tent & bushcraft experience report: winter camping like a pro https://fivmagazine.com/rooftop-tent-bushcraft-experience-report-winter-camping-like-a-pro/ Wed, 25 Oct 2023 04:07:22 +0000 https://fivmagazine.de/rooftop-tent-bushcraft-experience-report-winter-camping-like-a-pro/ Rooftop Tent & Bushcraft Experience – Winter is on its way, and temperatures are in free fall. While most people have already retreated to their cozy homes, there are adventurers who see the icy weather as an invitation to take on exciting challenges. These include web video producer Fritz Meinecke, who has tested out camping with a roof tent in sub-zero temperatures and offers practical tips for adventures in the frosty season. Here you will learn how to set up the roof tent, prepare the sleeping area properly for winter and make a warm fire.

Ice-cold challenge: rooftop tent adventure in sub-zero temperatures

The idea was to test the roof tent in cold weather. While summer camping is pleasant, here we are facing really icy temperatures. Many of you may know the survival expert Fritz Meinecke, who became famous through projects such as “7 vs. Wild”. On his YouTube channel, he is dedicated to survival in the wilderness and teaches skills that are also extremely useful when camping. Fritz has even tested a roof tent from iKamper in conditions of -7 °C.

You can take a look at the roof tents from iKamper here:

You can watch the video here:

Winter camping with a roof tent: survival expert shows how it’s done

Despite spending the night in the roof tent, the bushcraft feeling is a must for a survival expert. So Fritz Meinecke makes a nice fire on the side, looks for some wood in the low temperature and introduces the roof tent.

From deadwood to absorbent cotton pads: campfires like a pro

We start with practical tricks for making a fire. While Fritz collects wood, cuts it to size with an axe and then builds a fire, he explains the best way to do this. If you want to make a fire on your next camping trip, you should make sure that you mainly use dry dead wood. Then split it into smaller pieces with an axe and use the driest pieces from the core to make small sticks to start the fire. To do this, strike the end of a smaller piece with your axe to split it.

Tip from Fritz: Make sure you have two bundles of wood sticks ready so that you still have something the next day and don’t have to look for and chop wood as soon as you get up.

In order to have a good fire afterwards, the video also explains how the wood should be stacked. It is best to make a small base from the larger pieces and stack the sticks on top in a square. You can use absorbent cotton pads soaked in wax as tinder to light the fire. The best way to do this is to throw the burning absorbent cotton pad into the middle of the stacked wood.

This checklist will help you keep track of how to make a good fire quickly and easily:

  1. Collecting dry deadwood
  2. Splitting wood with an axe
  3. Making narrower sticks
  4. Base made from larger pieces
  5. Stack the sticks square on top
  6. Light wax-soaked cotton pads
  7. Make provisions & invest wood reserves

Sleeping area: roof tent set-up & cozy furnishings

Once the wood has been chopped, the roof tent can be erected. After quickly opening the hard shell of the tent and unfolding it on the ladder, the tent is ready for the night. The survival expert only needs one or two minutes to do this. Particularly important: remember to pull the carpet pad under the mattress so that you have less moisture in the tent. Then you have the large sleeping area ready and can lie in it just like Fritz.

Let’s move on to preparing the sleeping area. At such low temperatures, you should definitely invest in a good winter sleeping bag, like the one Fritz uses. It should get really cold at night. Add a lantern to the tent for some light and your sleeping area is ready. Fritz also introduces you to some practical storage options that can be attached to the outside of the tent. These include hanging organizers and sliding hooks.

These things are important when pitching the tent and preparing for the night:

  1. Quick tent set-up: Open the hard shell & unfold the tent
  2. Avoid moisture in the tent with the right carpet pad
  3. Comfortable overnight stay in a spacious bedroom
  4. Good winter sleeping bag recommended for cold nights
  5. Hang a lantern in the tent for lighting in the tent
  6. Use hanging organizers & sliding hooks

You can create pleasant lighting with a lantern:

Practical outdoor cooking trick: Homemade tripod

Finally, Fritz makes a tripod out of sticks. He knots a ribbon to one side and then wraps the rest around it. As soon as the tripod is over the fire, he adds a hook made from another piece of wood. Finally, a pot is hung on it and delicious food can be cooked. In Fritz’s case, a lentil soup. But of course you can cook whatever you like. Just make sure that the food has a long shelf life.

Help with cooking: Make your own tripod

Rooftop tents for road trips & short breaks: Recommendation

Even after a wintry night in the roof tent, Fritz realizes that the roof tent is perfect for a weekend overnight stay in the wilderness. He notes that there is a big difference compared to spending the night in a vehicle. It’s difficult to set up in a parking lot somewhere in the city center. But for short vacations and road trips, he would recommend the roof tent. For him, it’s a variable thing, so it’s not something for everyday use that he will always have on the car, but for certain tours, trips and road trips.

Conclusion: Rooftop tent is great for short vacations & road trips

Rooftop tent manufacturer: overview for beginners

Curious? You can take a look at other roof tents here.

Rooftop tent comparison: the best rooftop tent?

In addition to the overview of the various roof tent manufacturers, we also show you our personal favorites here.

]]> Camping Berlin: Breitehorn, Krossinsee & Co. – Nature in the big city https://fivmagazine.com/camping-berlin-breitehorn-krossinsee-co-nature-in-the-big-city/ Tue, 10 Nov 2020 13:24:24 +0000 https://fivmagazine.com/camping-berlin-breitehorn-krossinsee-co-nature-in-the-big-city/ The capital of Germany is known for culture & art on the streets, star restaurants and hip cafes. Nevertheless, you can also enjoy the peace and relaxation of nature there. Who would have thought that camping in the middle of the capital is possible? Whether caravan, camper or car with roof tent, on the campsites in Berlin you will find the opportunity to spend a few days in nature and also to visit the abundance of city life.Many more good recommendations you can find on Campwerk: Campingplatz Berlin.

Region in Berlin: Camping sites in the big city of Germany

So close, yet so far away from the hustle and bustle and the crowds: Berlin is much more than just downtown, as these campsites prove. Those who know the capital of Germany know that there are countless tourist attractions. Spreefahrten and the classic city tour are now familiar to many who have been there and fallen in love with the metropolis. To bring a little variety into your next Berlin vacation, we recommend a camping trip in Berlin. If you just want to relax and let your soul dangle and explore a bit of Berlin, you are exactly right on the campsites. There are opportunities to rent bikes and enjoy tours along the Spree River and Havels Ufer. If you like swimming, you can go swimming at the Nieder-Neuendorfer See, in the Tegeler See or in the Havel. There are countless offers for individuals, couples, friends and families.

  • Spreefahrten
  • Classic Cities Tour
  • Bike tour along the Spree and Havel’s banks
  • Bathing at the Nieder-Neuendorfer See, in the Tegeler See or in the Havel

Tent, roof tent or camper

Brandenburg Gate, Victory Column, Alexanderplatz – anyone travelling to Berlin really just wants to explore the capital and enjoy big city life. But more and more younger people are interested in camping on holiday. City and nature can also be combined at the same time. Camping, sleeping in a sleeping bag, cooking on a gas stove and enjoying the view of pure nature is something many young people find relaxing. German campsites offer a wide variety of sleeping options. So you can stay with your own car, a tent or camper van just about anywhere. Likewise, you can then also make day trips to the city center of Berlin and experience every sight and attraction with.

  • Different sleeping arrangements
  • Camping van, tent or motorhome
  • Day trips to Berlin

Camping tips in the magazine

Whether in Germany, Europe or worldwide – FIV Magazine has summarized the best camping and travel places for you. We show you how to enjoy a camping holiday and what highlights you can experience while camping.

Camping checklist

A campsite offers individual recreational activities in addition to the beautiful sites. For couples, there are often spas, beer gardens and cafes to enhance your nature holiday. As a family, it’s nice to give the kids the chance to let off steam in the great outdoors. Some campsites offer swimming pools, playgrounds and other child-friendly attractions for this purpose. Sports enthusiasts can also work out in the swimming pool or fitness rooms during their vacation and continue to stay fit during their free time. While package holidaymakers have to leave their pets at home, campsites offer pet-friendly options to take your dog and cat with you and enjoy your holiday with your pet.

  • For couples: spas, beer gardens and cafés
  • For families: nature, swimming pools and playgrounds
  • For active people: swimming pool or fitness rooms
  • For pet owners: camping with dog and cat

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

Berlin: Camping Tips

The first point is planning. Think through your camping trip, consider the weather conditions and find a route that you can take to explore beautiful places and stay at suitable campsites. A checklist can also be very useful. Make a personal camping checklist of the equipment you need – either on paper or on your smartphone. With a reminder, you won’t forget anything. For the “first time” it would be an advantage to choose a larger campsite with paved pitches, new sanitary facilities, a kiosk or a small market. This is comfortable and you can also exchange ideas with other campers and gather your first experiences.

Technical check: If you rent a motorhome or buy a new one, you should discuss the most important technical issues. Otherwise, it can quickly happen that you do not know how to fill a water tank. Try out your camping equipment at home before your holiday. If possible, pitch the tent in the garden and familiarise yourself with the gas cooker, inflatable mattress etc. beforehand. Take hygiene items from home with you. You don’t need to buy new things like a brush, sponge, washing-up liquid and tea towels. It also makes sense to bring a broom, kitchen roll, storage boxes and garbage bags, which most people have at home anyway. Weatherproof, warm clothes: Even if the forecast is for two weeks of sunshine, pack clothes for all weathers so you stay dry even if it rains. It can cool down in the evenings when camping.

You should also arrive early enough. Plan enough time for the arrival. Many campsites allocate pitches in the morning. Then you still have a choice without a reservation and can set up the tent or caravan in peace. Most campers cook with a built in kitchen or cat kitchen. Here it would be an advantage to look for recipes that you can cook well in a small space. You can also pack some food and buy small items in camping markets. Remember to close your tent, camper or caravan when you leave your camp. As soon as you are out hiking during the day, you should lock up your shelter and keep the rain out. This will prevent mosquitoes and other animals from pestering you at night. You will also protect your equipment from rain and showers.

  1. Planning – Consider the weather conditions and find a route
  2. Checklist – on paper or on your smartphone
  3. Infrastructure – For the first time a comfortable camping site
  4. Technology check – discuss technology issues in advance
  5. Test equipment at home – Test camping equipment at home
  6. Transportable household – hygiene products to take from home
  7. Weatherproof, warm clothing – Be prepared for all weathers
  8. Arrive early enough – campsites allocate pitches in the morning
  9. Meal planning – choosing recipes and grocery shopping
  10. Close tent, camper and caravan – For protection against animals, insects and rain

Evaluation: What is important on the campsite?

Those who want to explore the capital can then enjoy the peace and relaxation at the campsite. Every campsite has a different layout and structure. When researching new campsites, look out for these 11 factors:

  1. Quiet
  2. Catering
  3. Kindness
  4. Price-performance ratio
  5. Cleanliness in general
  6. Sanitation
  7. Cleanliness sanitary
  8. Condition of the rental accommodation / plots
  9. Infrastructure
  10. Free time
  11. Location

Campsite recommendations in Berlin

Here you can find our small selection of recommendations for Berlin! You want even more? On Campwerk you will find many more campsites for many cities in Berlin like Krossinsee and Kladow.

Camping ground Krossinsee – (260 places)

Camping ground Krossinsee (address: Wernsdorfer Straße 38 in 12527 Berlin-Schmöckwitz) with 260 pitches for campers on a total area of 9 ha. Per person you pay 8,50 Euro, children 4,00 Euro as well as stand fee 9,50 – 11,50 Euro, payable with cash, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa. Read more: Campsite Krossinsee

Directions, address and camper capacities at the Krossinsee campsite:

  • Address: Wernsdorfer Straße 38 in 12527 Berlin-Schmöckwitz, Germany
  • Location: Berlin
  • 260 pitches for campers
  • 46 Rental accommodation
  • 230 places for permanent campers
  • Total size in ha: 9
  • Directions (Google Maps): Camping ground Krossinsee

DCC-Camping site Berlin-Kladow – (150 places)

DCC-Camping Berlin-Kladow (address: Krampnitzer Weg 111-117 in 14089 Berlin-Kladow) with 150 pitches for campers on 7 ha total area and a plot size of 60-140 m². Per person one pays 8.50 euros, children 4.30 euros as well as stand fee Inclusive, payable with cash, Maestro. Read more: DCC Camping Berlin-Kladow

Directions, address and camper capacities at the DCC campsite Berlin-Kladow:

  • Address: Krampnitzer Weg 111-117 in 14089 Berlin-Kladow, Germany.
  • Location: Berlin
  • 150 pitches for campers
  • 2 rental accommodations
  • 560 places for permanent campers
  • 60-140 m² plot size
  • Total size in ha: 7
  • Directions (Google Maps): DCC-Camping Berlin-Kladow

DCC-Camping site Gatow – (120 places)

DCC-Camping Gatow (address: Kladower Damm 213-217 in 14089 Berlin-Gatow) with 120 pitches for campers on 2.5 ha total area and a plot size of 90-100 m². Per person one pays 8.50 euros, children 4.30 euros as well as stand fee Inclusive, payable with cash, Maestro. Read more: DCC Camping Gatow

Directions, address and camper capacities at DCC-Camping Gatow:

  • Address: Kladower Damm 213-217 in 14089 Berlin-Gatow, Germany.
  • Location: Berlin
  • 120 pitches for campers
  • 60 places for permanent campers
  • 90-100 m² plot size
  • Total size in ha: 2.5
  • Directions (Google Maps): DCC-Camping Gatow

Hotel & City Camping North – (80 places)

Hotel & City Camping North with 80 pitches for campers on 1 hectare total area. Read more: Hotel & City Camping North

Directions, address and camper capacities at Hotel & City Camping Nord:

  • Location: Berlin
  • 80 pitches for campers
  • 1 Rental accommodation
  • Total size in ha: 1

Berlin: Camping in the German capital

Not only in good weather Berlin can be enjoyed with exciting leisure activities. In wind and rain there are also opportunities to pass the time with indoor activities. Whether with family, friends or as a couple, especially in Berlin you can find the right activity. Here you will find 11 alternatives to enjoy the holiday season in bad weather:

  1. Black light mini golf
  2. Sealife
  3. Escape Room
  4. Spa and wellness
  5. Reichtagskuppel
  6. TV Tower
  7. Berlin cinemas
  8. Shopping Center
  9. Sports studios and Jumpe House
  10. Madame Tussauds

Map and landscape in Berlin

Berlin is the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. In addition to the historic center, with all its sights, there are numerous streams and lakes. Likewise, there are large forest areas with huge parks that want to experience Berlin as the green city. Here, animal lovers can also spend a day in zoos, animal parks and other zoological institutions.

Lakes & tributaries in Berlin:

  • Spree
  • Havel
  • Panke
  • Dahme
  • Wuhle
  • Erpe
  • Lake Tegel
  • Great Wannsee
  • Müggelsee
  • Spectra Lake

Forests and parks in Berlin:

  • Zoo
  • Rose Island
  • Luiseninsel
  • Tempelhof Park
  • Botanical gardens
  • Victoria Park
  • Schiller Park

Beautiful nature in the city – Berlin Video

If you don’t have time or money to leave the country, you don’t have to miss out on a holiday. Especially in Berlin, everything is offered to you. From city life to green nature, here you can experience everything as a camper. Who is still not convinced should watch these 2 videos. Cute animals, green forests and quiet lakes or rivers – in Berlin you can make your dream vacation and get some change from the boring and monotonous everyday life.

You will find many more good recommendations on the subject of campsites on Campwerk: Campingplatz Berlin

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