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Home / Tips & ideas / Family travel interviews / Caravanning holidays: the lowdown

Caravanning holidays: the lowdown

March 13, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 24 Comments

Caravans at sunset. Image courtesy of Marianne Weekes

Caravans at sunset. Image courtesy of Marianne Weekes

Marianne Weekes is the editor of the BritMums website and she blogs at Mari’s World. She lives in Kent in the South of England with her husband and six year-old twin daughters and they have a caravan.

Caravan holidays

I’ve never been on a caravan holiday but I know that many families love them. I went to meet Marianne to find out about her experience of family caravanning holidays and why these trips can work so well. I was very interested to hear that she only went on her first caravan holiday relatively recently and that she hadn’t expected to enjoy it:

It sounds like caravan holidays are a great way to make family travel more affordable. What do you think? If you’ve ever been on a caravan holiday, how did it go? If you’ve not experienced a caravan holiday, would you like to try one?

Marianne's previous caravan and awning. Image courtesy of Marianne Weekes

Marianne’s previous caravan and awning. Image courtesy of Marianne Weekes

Suggestions?

I’m really enjoying interviewing people about their family trips. So far I’ve talked to Kelly Innes about home exchanges, Anne Dickins about Neilson holidays and now Marianne about caravanning – and I have more interviews planned. If you have any suggestions for interview topics or interviewees then do let me know.

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Related

Categories: Family travel interviews, Tents & caravans
Tags: caravanning, expert tips, interview

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Sara-Jayne says

    March 19, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    We loved caravanning as a family when I was growing up, it was so much fun touring the UK!
    Sara-Jayne recently posted…IT’S MY BIRTHDAY AND I’LL CRY IF I WANT TO…My Profile

    Reply
  2. Carolynne @ Mummy Endeavours says

    March 16, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    This intrigues me because now that we’re a family of six, our preferred all inclusives are a bit out of price range…. I’ve also never caravaned and would love to try
    Carolynne @ Mummy Endeavours recently posted…Project 365 Week 11 – 2015My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 18, 2015 at 8:36 am

      Caravanning sounds like a good option for you!

      Reply
  3. Globalmouse says

    March 16, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    I used to go on caravan holidays as a child and loved them – we’d drive down to St Tropez every year and then do trips away in the UK for half term. I love how Mari takes off for a weekend, such a great way to get out and explore. It makes me yearn to get back in a caravan!! Great interview as ever Gretta!
    Globalmouse recently posted…Masseria Torre Coccaro, Puglia, ItalyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 16, 2015 at 9:05 pm

      Thank you, I’m glad that you liked it. Marianne is lovely to chat to.

      Reply
  4. mummys little blog says

    March 16, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    Love staying in a caravan such fun

    Reply
  5. Ness says

    March 16, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    My grandparents-in-law were big caravanners and spent several winters in Portugal and Spain living in one. Sadly we don’t have the right driver’s licence for towing a caravan and I couldn’t face going through another driving test!
    Ness recently posted…Slow cooker lamb casseroleMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 16, 2015 at 9:06 pm

      I didn’t know that you needed a special driving licence – I would have asked Marianne about that if I had!

      Reply
  6. Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says

    March 16, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    I used to go camping quite often with my maternal auntie and I remember we had loads of fun! Never did caravanning before but it looks like a great way to get away with family on a budget 🙂
    Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade recently posted…Naan bread pizza (Pizza na chlebku naan)My Profile

    Reply
  7. Kara says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    We have been on a few static caravan breaks and thoroughly enjoyed them. I would never buy my own though as I hate them clogging up the roads lol
    Kara recently posted…Basil Brush – The Full On Fox Tour 2015My Profile

    Reply
  8. Rachel says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    I hold my hands up and say I couldn’t stay in a caravan, I wouldn’t cope with the closed in feeling… a static one or a Chalet perhaps x
    Rachel recently posted…Davaj Face and Eye SerumMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Sarah Bailey says

    March 14, 2015 at 8:51 pm

    We always used to go on caravanning holidays when I was a child and I adored it – gosh I miss those days.
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…The perfect homeMy Profile

    Reply
  10. The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover says

    March 13, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    I’ve never been on a caravanning holiday but never say never. It looks exciting to me 🙂 I wouldn’t go camping again though!
    The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover recently posted…Top 5 San Francisco RestaurantsMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says

    March 13, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    I grew up in a touring caravan. The freedom we had on our many holidays as a child was wonderful and I look back on those days with fondness
    Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…Chocolate cornflake nests – cooking with kidsMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Erica Price says

    March 13, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    The closest I’ve done is staying in an RV when we were in the states. It was so well equipped and large that it was a home away from home.
    Erica Price recently posted…Intriguing tips for a nifty home entranceMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 13, 2015 at 6:24 pm

      That sounds great – I’d worry about driving one of those huge RVs though!

      Reply
  13. Louisa says

    March 13, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    I love staying in a caravan but have only stayed on static ones and never had the experience of towing them before. It’s a huge adventure to stop in a caravan for a while.
    Louisa recently posted…Poldark, pyjamas and picture rails #LittleLovesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 13, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      I’ve stayed in static ones too but never one that needs towing.

      Reply
  14. lisa prince says

    March 13, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    i absolutely love caravaning and this year we are looking t expand to one for our own family although it may go on hold now x

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 13, 2015 at 6:27 pm

      I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

      Reply
  15. Cass@frugalfamily says

    March 13, 2015 at 11:11 am

    I love that first photo – it sums it up for me. We’ve only been on a few caravan breaks for weekends but I love the kids playing outside while we sit and relax, especially on a night.
    Cass@frugalfamily recently posted…Five Frugal things I’ve done this week to save money {13th March 2015}….My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 13, 2015 at 6:27 pm

      I love that about camping too, it’s very relaxing.

      Reply
  16. Mari says

    March 13, 2015 at 10:42 am

    It was lovely talking to you Gretta and I hope it inspires others to have a go at what is a really fun holiday with lots of quality family time.
    Mari recently posted…The Tower of London and the Crown JewelsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 13, 2015 at 10:46 am

      Thank you for sharing your experience Marianne – your caravan holidays sound great.

      Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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