Motorhome holidays are a great way to get around the country, see more and do more than you could with a static holiday. However, while it may be tempting to take advantage of this freedom and simply roam, planning your motorhome holiday will make sure that you get the most out of it. As specialists in motorhome hire in Scotland, we have a fair bit of experience to share – so here are our top tips for planning a motorhome holiday.
Driving Hours
One of the first questions you should ask yourself is “How long do you want to drive?” This will tell you how far you can get in any given day, which will help you to decide how many destinations you can take in.
Places to Stop
Whilst freedom to roam is one of the attractions of a motorhome holiday, finding somewhere to park up late at night in an unfamiliar place can sometimes be stressful, so it’s wise to plan at least a few places to stay in advance. Campsites can book up quickly in summer, and may be closed in winter, so check in advance. You should also check legislation regarding where you can stop in the areas you’ll be passing through; “wild camping” (stopping away from organised camp sites) is generally allowed in Scotland, as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, but if you go south of the border it is illegal.
Avoid Cabin Fever
Even the closest family can get a little tired of each other if they spend too long in close quarters; plan time into your holiday to stop for a day or two, allowing everybody some space to breathe and giving your children time to run around. If you’re travelling with children, make sure you bring enough entertainment to keep them happy if the weather is bad and you can’t get outside as much.
Travel Light
Remember that you will need to store all your things in the motorhome during your holiday. A soft bag or suitcase that can be folded up and stowed away will be more practical than a rigid suitcase which will take up extra space. Don’t carry more food than you need; the fridge on a motorhome won’t be as big as the one at home, and you’ll be able to stock up at supermarkets and shops along the way. For large items that you want to bring, make sure that the motorhome you’ve chosen can carry them – for example, if you want to bring bicycles, make sure that it has a bike rack.
Getting Back
It may seem obvious, but if you’re roaming free in a hired motorhome you must remember that you have to get back! Realising that you have to drive solidly all day just to deliver your motorhome back in time is stressful enough to ruin your holiday, so plan your route to take you back to the area the day before you have to hand over the keys, and keep the end of your holiday stress free.
