When you are thinking of purchasing a recreational vehicle (RV) why not think outside of the box.  Vans often prove to be an ideal alternative.  They’re much more economical to operate, easier to drive, maneuver, park and go places that larger buses cannot.  And you can customize the interior to meet whatever seating, sleeping and comfort level you desire.  A Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van has a starting price of about € 22327 for a standard Panel side Sprinter Van.  And with 20 different Colors to choose from

You can pick your favorite as part of the first step in customizing your Sprinter into a Camper Van.  The Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van comes in a few types, one option being the Sprinter LB (Long Body).

The Sprinter LB comes with some handy customization standard when buying.  The front compartment can include a gaucho that will seat three and convert into a 45″ wide bed. And the back cushion slant is adjustable. The seat cushion hinges up for storage access and a steel partition and door separates the compartment from the rest of the cab.  There is lots of convenient storage throughout the LB but to add more space you can add a roof rack and ladder or tow a trailer.  When it is time for a nap or going down for the night, the bunk compartment beds are 24″ x 74″. Each bunk has a reading light, power outlets, a speaker, fan and vented air conditioning. And the great part is that the bunks can be made to swing up out of the way. The mattresses are made from mattress foam that has a 2″ high-density but it can be ordered thicker if desired as an option.

For cooking and dining, there is a dinette as well as a microwave and refrigerator for more on-the-road pleasure.  The dinette seats serve a dual purpose.  They change into a 24″ x 72″ bed and the table is movable so it can be stowed safely out of the way for travel. But please remember that the dinette seats do not have seat belts so they aren’t to be used while the Sprinter LB is traveling.  And for easy access, the Sprinter LB has full-height rear and side sliding doors.  And the Sprinter LB has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with a trailer hitch as an added option.  So instead of shelling out a lot of Euros for the luxury of a RV, you can spend less on the same luxury available in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter LB Camper Van. Contact BuyaCar for advice if you’re thinking of making your next newVan a Camper Van – a Mercedes one if your budget can stretch that far!

Kirk Ireton, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 3JL

Nestled within an attractive pine plantation, Blackwall Plantation Caravan Club Site in Ashbourne is beautifully landscaped, with pitches in open clearings separated by trees. This gives the caravan park residents a privacy and quiet which many appreciate during the busy summer months.

Carsington Reservoir, a major attraction in the area, is conveniently adjacent to the Blackwall Plantation Caravan Club Site. A mere 15 minutes walk will bring you to its great selection of leisure facilities including fishing, sailing, windsurfing and children’s playground. The caravan site is also an excellent base for walkers wishing to explore the beautiful scenery of Dovedale and the surrounding countryside. The local villages, all with excellent pubs and restaurants offering hearty food, are only a 3 mile stroll away. As you travel around the region exploring, look out for examples of Derbyshire’s home-grown art – Well Dressing – which happens in many villages from May to September.

Many of us grew up with traditional caravan and camping holidays as the main substance of our summers. We escaped the four walls that we were used to calling home and we set off around the country to brave the Great British summertime weather and to try our hand at survival in a new part of the country. Then came the international travel revolution. With the arrival of the budget airlines came the demise of the domestic holiday. Suddenly it was far easier and more affordable to travel overseas than it had ever been before and the sunny climbs of the south of France, Italy, Greece and the Andalucía coastline proved to be more than a match for the likes of Cornwall, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

Then came the credit crunch, which brought with it a dramatic rise in fuel costs as well as a noticeable reduction in the average expendable income. And just like that the domestic holiday is back in vogue. Once again we are feeling enthusiastic about exploring the boundaries of our own small island and finding fun, fresh holiday destinations without crossing the channel.

For those who aren’t too sure about camping, the great British caravan holiday is an excellent place to start. You don’t have to own your own caravan, nor do you have to learn to drive one, as there are now so many attractive caravan parks located across the UK you simply have to find your way to one and everything will be provided on arrival. Caravan sites UK can be sourced online through large organisations like Park Resorts or through your local travel agent who is likely to be offering more domestic deals this year than ever before.

Caravan holidays allow you the freedom and independence of hiring out your own self-catering apartment but at a fraction of the cost. And because space is confined (though far more comfortable than your average tent) you are still encouraged to get out of doors and into the fresh air to explore a whole new part of your country.

Caravanning provides the perfect compromise between the comfort of a hotel and the thrill of a tent. As it turns out, ‘glamping’ isn’t the next big think. It’s the great British caravan holiday.