facebook
#T+L For Your Next Big Holiday In 2022, Consider The Campervan
Advertisement

For Your Next Big Holiday In 2022, Consider The Campervan

With 'slow travel' being increasingly championed, it's time to seriously consider the campervan. Here's an introduction to #VanLife.

Advertisement

By: Naina Atri Published: Jan 01, 2022 08:00 AM IST

For Your Next Big Holiday In 2022, Consider The Campervan

With ‘slow travel’ being increasingly championed as the future for vacations, it may be time to seriously consider the campervan. Here’s an introduction to #VanLife. By Naina Atri

Some vacations deserve time and some destinations require deep immersive experiences. The past few years have seen conversations on climate change, burn-out at work, and the pandemic, all of which carry a common theme of mindfulness. There are aspects of life that we take for granted or just don’t think about by the ease of the way we choose to do things. While travel at times can be hyper-focused on checking things off a list, the concept of slow travel is being more sharply defined. Choices made consider sustainability, on doing as the locals do and not creating strict itineraries. More than just the actual destination, the journey matters as well. Herein comes the campervan, which stands against the urge to jump into travel and instead demands more thought. The payoff, however, seems to be worth it.

Travelling in a campervan

A campervan is ‘a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation’. Essentially, the van is transformed into more than a form of transport – it becomes your makeshift home, kitchen, and personal space in new areas. The campervan represents a more fluid and flexible form of vacationing – some days you may wake up to the dull grey view of a parking lot while the next morning, you may wake up amidst the most verdant greenery. A campervan strips travel of its excess baggage and simplifies it. On the one hand, the van may seem restrictive but at the same time, those constraints can free you up. You won’t worry about reaching the train platform or airport on time or fret about check-in or check-out times. If you find yourself too invested in a place to leave the next day, you won’t have to. The van fosters spontaneity, which for some may come naturally while for others, it may need some learning. Either way, it’s new. And the novelty of the van life forces you to be creative, open-minded and more willing to leave comfort spaces. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by cocoon.life (@the_cocoon_life)

Quite ironically, the same van that challenges people also offers stability. You know the campervan that you’re going to be sleeping in, despite the newness of a place. You get more control over things like your budget. A campervan isn’t necessarily cheap but if you’re the type of traveller who prefers to spend their days outside, a hotel accommodation may not be the best fit for you. You also get control on how you like to travel. Yes, the van may break down or there may be an unexpected road closure, but you get to ride with people who know you and are considerate of your preferences. You stop when you want to or continue on. You get to make a quick decision and take a left instead or a right turn. The disruption becomes a part of your journey rather than an obstacle. 

Further, what would’ve been quick journey on a plane becomes an adventure with its own story. The road reveals places you would have otherwise missed – a dhaba or interesting stores that usually don’t feature on the internet or travel books. Your vacation in that sense starts the moment you start driving and technically doesn’t end until you’re back home. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Carvaa Travelers (@carvaa.india)

Drawbacks to travelling in a campervan

Like with quite literally everything in life, there are drawbacks. If you’re travelling with people, negotiating personal space can be difficult. You have to actively look for ways to interact with locals, which isn’t difficult but it is different. Sacrifices will be required (long hot showers, for instance), and security is a valid concern. When it comes to India specifically, there aren’t many camping grounds or RV parks to choose from, and paperwork can be arduous. But, given the pandemic, the campervan life is picking up – in 2020, Madhya Pradesh tourism promoted luxury caravans to bring back tourists, as did Karnataka. Companies like Trippy Wheels    and Carvaa offer rentals so you don’t have to invest in buying or building a van yourself. If you do decide to invest in one, there are a variety of modifiable options to choose from, including the Force Matador, Force Traveller, or the Tata Winger.

Things to keep in mind when opting for a campervan

  1. Set a budget, which must be broken down into categories like food, fuel, possible mechanical failures and so on
  2. For your first few trips, take the time to do your research on things like the layout of the van, what your living space should look like, your SOS plans, viable pitstops etc.
  3. Make sure you have enough time to just unwind and destress
  4. Air out your van!
  5. Learn how to store food and figure out recipes (don’t let the small kitchen restrict your imagination)
  6. Carry a variety of entertainment options such as the kindle for the times you can’t leave the van
  7. Don’t just depend on the GPS, carry real maps

There are tons of online resources to look through – The Caravan Chronicles, and Sherin Pylan and Deep Banerjee on Instagram, to name a few.

Finally, the campervan takes on new meaning with new variants of the virus cropping up. Innovations that minimise dense contact are required, so get those creative juices flowing and push the boundaries of travel in 2022.

Related: How To Plan The Ultimate Campervan Trip In Iceland, According To Someone Who Did It

Written By

Naina Atri

Naina Atri

Never miss an update

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest on travel, stay & dining.

No Thanks
You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.