Six reasons why you should consider tag-along campervan glamping

When the campervan travel bug bites, it becomes an itch you can't scratch.

For most of my adult life in South Africa, I could think of nothing worse than spending a holiday in the cluttered space of a caravan, never mind using those charming ablution blocks that always smelled of Jeyes Fluid (a pungent antiseptic chemical) or urine or both. And did you notice how boldly floral the inside of a caravan always seemed to be? No, those flappy tent walls and the endless unsolicited chatter from the neighbour simply did not appeal to me.

Until I went campervanning along the Rhine many moons ago. The photo below is a perfect slice-of-life example of that wonderful experience, but fast-forward to 2019, and you will find a plethora of websites and Facebook pages that specialize in finding really cool spots in Europe, like this one: @CoolCamping

This was such a sublime experience, I became a convert literally by the 3rd kilometer. We had our own bathroom with shower on board - yay, no more public ablutions - own little kitchen which was extremely functional and cute dinette with picture windows. Even an air-con!

Now, with my plan to invite like-minded travelers to try this new way of independent travel, I think the traditional camping experience has been upped a few notches.  Imagine having a designated driver and personal assistant for an entire road trip in Europe, at a cost that is significantly less than staying in hotels and renting a car.  And substantially less hassle than renting and driving a campervan yourself.  The route is pre-planned, you simply join when and where it suits you.  Tag-along glamping is like ride-sharing; it simply means that while I drive my campervan with you in the passenger seat, your private digs - a comfortable and stylishly appointed caravan with own bathroom - is tagged along for the ride.  Can it get any better?

Far beyond my expectations, the feeling of independence and of never having to be anywhere specific at any time, (like an airport) of being able to choose a road simply because you want to see where it goes, completely outweighed the comforts of a sterile hotel with its uniform furniture, tiny soap and never-enough coffee sachets.

I have to admit, driving a vehicle with a large hump above my head was, at first, intimidating and it took getting used to.  It was barely visible whilst driving, ever so precipitously leaning over the top edge of the of the wind shield, as if to keep an eye on my driving.  At first, whenever I approached one of those low bridges in southern France, I had a 10-second panic attack.  In vain, as it turned out.  And trying to squeeze into that only parking spot directly in front of the restaurant was always going to be a challenge.

But out on the open road, the luxury of having your whole house with you all the time and moving on when you feel like it changed my perspective on campervanning forever.

So here are a few things you might want to consider when reconsidering your less than enthusiastic stance on campervanning and particularly my concept of tag-along touring:

• You never have to worry about finding a place to sleep.  We've all been there:  it's almost dark and you've been on the road since just after breakfast.  You've got buttock cramp, your partner has scoured the 'Net and made you stop at four potential places to overnight, none of which you particularly liked (too noisy, too cramped, too smelly, too surly) and all you can think of is a shower, some dinner and bed.  Sorted.

• You unpack only once.  You've done it a million times: schlepping your luggage from airport to hotel to airport, up and down stairs, squeezing into small elevators (fun fact: Parisian budget hotels have the smallest elevators in the world), squeezing into standing-room-only buses and sweaty metro trains, packing (then unpacking and repacking) the boot of your teensy hire car.  All gone when you're tag-along touring. 

• There's only one check-in and one check-out.  Those long waits at reception, those bookings that have mysteriously disappeared from the system even though you confirmed them months ago and those officious desk clerks have never been fun.

• You never have to search for a loo while on the move.  Who doesn't know the physical pain of having a HUGE need and there's nowhere to go!  On a tag-along tour, that will never happen because your loo goes where you go.

• In my proposed new way of travel, someone else does all the driving - especially handy if you're used to driving on the left.  This means that if you feel like grabbing an ice cold beer or glass of wine whilst gazing at pastoral meadows rolling by, you simply reach over to the fridge and help yourself.

• It allows you more freedom of choice.  There are hundreds of towns, villages, view spots and natural beauty off the beaten path that you can stop off at - even for a few hours - and you're always assured of having your creature comforts with you.

If you would like to know more about upcoming tag-along trips in 2019 and 2020, including costings, possible routes or if you have any other questions, simply fill in the contact form at the top right of this article.  You can also share to Facebook by clicking on the tiny icon just below.

See y'all soon!

Allan B