A motorhome holiday offers freedom and flexibility, allowing you to explore destinations at your own pace. Unlike traditional holidays, motorhomes give you the opportunity to bring your home comforts with you whilst exploring the open road. Whether you’re seeking a family adventure or a solo retreat, find out how to have the perfect motorhome or campervan holiday with our handy guide.
Plan your route loosely
Whilst it’s essential to have a general idea of your route, and helpful to have some structure and must-see stops, it’s always good to leave room for spontaneity and side-quests! You may stumble across somewhere you haven’t heard of before that becomes the best part of your road trip.
These are a few of our favourite road trip routes to give you some inspiration:
- The North Coast 500, Scotland: a scenic loop with beautiful coastlines, historic sites and stunning hiking trails.
- Cornwall: the home of sun, sea and ice cream, with stunning coastal views and charming seaside towns.
- Yorkshire: affectionately known as God’s Own Country, Yorkshire is blessed with as many as three national parks, the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and the North York Moors.
- The A4069 Black Mountain Pass, Wales: referred to as the Top Gear road, the Black Mountain Pass is popular with motorists with stunning scenery of the Tywi Valley and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
- Europe: there are various beautiful destinations across the channel, some of which we have outlined in our recent blog post.
You should choose a route that’s best for you and suits your interests, allowing for detours to explore local attractions or natural wonders that catch your eye as you drive through.
Know your motorhome
Understanding the specifics of your motorhome or campervan is crucial for a smooth journey. Before you set off, you should take the time to:
- Learn the dimensions: knowing the height and width of your motorhome or campervan is helpful for when you need to navigate narrow roads or low bridges.
- Check facilities: ensure you know exactly what you have on board your motorhome, such as kitchen appliances, bathroom facilities and sleeping arrangements.
- Space: make sure you know how much space you have in your campervan and motorhome as this will determine how much you’re able to pack and bring with you.
When borrowing a motorhome or campervan from a friend or family member, a thorough walkthrough of the vehicle ensures you’re prepared for the trip ahead.
Prepare some entertainment
Whilst the journey itself will provide plenty of excitement, it’s never a bad idea to bring along some entertainment with you for your holiday. With possible long hours on the road, lazy days and downtime after dark, it’s good to be prepared with things to do. You can equip your motorhome with:
- Books and magazines: perfect for some downtime in the quieter parts of the day or evening.
- Board games and cards: great for evenings or rainy days to bring the adults and kids together.
- Portable electronics: tablets loaded with offline tv shows or movies for when you don’t have signal in the more remote areas of your road trip are the perfect way to pass time.
- Outdoor equipment: bicycles or outdoor games are great for spending downtime whilst getting some fresh air.
Get motorhome insurance
Before you set out on the road for your motorhome or campervan holiday, you should ensure that you have the correct insurance policy sorted out. This way you can focus on planning and enjoying your holiday without worrying, and get on the road with peace of mind.
If you are borrowing a campervan or motorhome from friends or family, our short-term motorhome insurance is a great option, offering flexibility and allowing you to choose coverage that suits your needs and fits the duration of your trip.
Pack smart
Your packing list should reflect the types of environments you’ll be travelling to and account for any activities you might have planned. Think about the time of year you’re travelling and what the weather might be like. If you are holidaying in the UK, you should be prepared for rainy spells.
Packing lightly can also be beneficial. There is only so much room in your motorhome and the last thing you want is to feel cramped because you brought way more things than you needed. Take a look at our top tips for packing for a road trip to get some extra pointers on how to pack smart for your perfect motorhome or campervan holiday.
Stay in the right places
Selecting the right places to stay in your motorhome or campervan holiday can change your experience. Make sure you do your research beforehand and think about what facilities you will need on your trip. Some campsites may also be far more suitable for children than others, some may be pet-friendly and some may not allow dogs; so, if you’re off on a family adventure or bringing your four legged friend, these are things you should consider when booking.
There are various options you can consider when finding the right place to stay, including:
- Campsites with facilities: these sites offer amenities like electricity, water hookups and shower and toilet blocks.
- Aires or Stellplatz: designated motorhome parking areas in countries like France or Germany are often available at low or no cost.
Find moments to relax
With all the planning and organising that goes into a holiday, it can be easy to forget that you’re heading away to relax. Amidst the adventure, try to find time to unwind and appreciate your surroundings. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet morning with a cup of tea, reading a book on the beach, or stargazing from your campsite at night, enjoy the freedom that a motorhome holiday brings and relax.
Get temporary motorhome insurance from Dayinsure
Borrowing a motorhome from friends or family is an ideal way to get that perfect motorhome holiday you’ve been dreaming of at a fraction of the cost. Your standard car insurance won’t cover you to drive a motorhome, but that’s where we come in. We provide fully comprehensive motorhome cover in the UK for up to 30 days, with the optional extra to add fully comprehensive insurance on to your Dayinsure policy for trips to the EU.
Get a quote today and find out more about our motorhome and campervan insurance for your next holiday.
