A caravanning trip on colder days, and above all in winter, requires us to be more involved in preparing for the trip. Especially if you are traveling in a slightly older motorhome or with a caravan that is poorly insulated. In this case, apart from checking the tightness of windows and doors, a good solution is to equip your vehicle with a heating mat. The heating mat has the main advantage that it can be used in a variety of ways. If you are traveling in a motorhome , a good method of evenly distributing the heat is to isolate the driver's cabin from the other part of the vehicle in which we live during the journey with a mat . Another use of the heating mat is the possibility of heating a water tank, e.g. in a shower cabin. The heating power of this type of mat is so high that it is able to protect against water freezing even at a temperature of -40 °. The built-in thermostat automatically turns the device on and off - depending on the air temperature.

Heating mats in a motorhome and caravan

Caretta 1500 Off Road may not be a novelty on the caravan market, as it went on sale in October last year, but it is undoubtedly a caravan that deserves our attention. This special type of trailer is due to the Turkish manufacturer of teardrop trailers. The so-called The teardrop caravan is certainly not the largest and most comfortable, but it definitely impresses with its ease of use when traveling. First of all, it can be attached to any type of off-road car, because it is light (580 kg). Thanks to its small dimensions (4.2 m long x 2.14 m wide), it does not pose any major problems when steering, which is extremely important for fans of light off road. In addition, this type of carriage, also known as turtle (turtlle), in combination with a very elegant design has an in-built aerodynamic spoiler, which increases the excellent towing performance as well as the entire handling of the trailer.

Off Road with adventures in a friendly interior

Bergamo is an attractive Italian city, often referred to as the gateway to Milan. Some tourists treat it as a transfer point on their further journey, without paying much attention to its advantages. Wrong, because you cannot deny him these - the old part of the city is especially beautiful, picturesquely situated on the hill. You can admire the snow-covered alpine peaks from it. In the winter season, the town is populated by skiers. It is a great starting point to the most famous ski slopes of this part of the continent.

Gate to Milan - Bergamo

It would seem that passenger cars (with some exceptions) have no chance to prove themselves as a budget camper. Yes - for years, tourist versions of Volkswagen Transporter, Opel Vivaro and similar have been available. Unfortunately - astronomical prices often exceeding PLN 150,000 and dimensions - disqualify them from the functions of everyday cars. An interesting solution, which is a combination of a typical passenger car and a budget camper for two people, is offered by Volkswagen. The Caddy model , produced in Poznań , has been used by many users for several years as a typical family car and delivery van. Among the many versions available, Tramper deserves our attention.

VW Caddy Tramper - a camper every day

For many users of caravans and motorhomes, winter is a time of lethargy and the pursuit of other passions. Most of the leisure equipment is spent in the cold months under the shelter or in the garage. Fortunately - some enthusiasts also decide to go on an interesting journey in winter. However, let's remember about the significant differences in winter driving technique, because without knowing them, even a gentle curve may turn out to be the last one. Before we hit the road, apart from getting to know the driving technique, it is worth taking care of the equipment. I do not think you need to make anyone aware of the need to use winter tires , both in a caravan and a motorhome. The tire pressure recommended by the manufacturer also determines the correct and predictable behavior of the entire set on the road. An efficient braking system and suspension will only support us while driving safely.

Winter driving technique, or how to master a motorhome or a car with a trailer?

We do not know what were the oldest Kraków mounds so far. It is believed that these were places of worship or graves of chiefs, but there is no certainty about this. It is known, however, that the two oldest, built by human hands, Krakow hills are well over a thousand years old. To this day, Krakow mounds remain an unexplained mystery of the past, and this is probably why they were given into the possession of the legendary Krakow heroes born in the imagination. One of such heroes is the legendary prince - the founder of the city, whose burial place is to be the Krakus Mound, located on the right bank of the Vistula, on the Krzemionek hill. This mound is small - it is 16 meters high, and the diameter of its base is just over 50 meters. Research indicates that it was probably erected in the 7th century. Evidence of this can be found inside the building, during archaeological research in the 1930s, forged in bronze - a characteristic Avarian belt clasp of those times.

Secrets of Krakow Mounds

Active tourism has been changing its face for many years. Customers make more and more demands, expect comfort and functionality - at a good price, of course. Among them, Sylvan comes out. The manufacturer from the United States offers a very universal design valued at $ 8,000, which can perform many different tasks. Characteristic for this model are, among others a place to sleep, a platform for transporting several bicycles and two motorcycles at the same time. So far, we have had to buy at least two trailers: a camping one and a cargo one, preferably designed for the transport of two-wheelers. It was associated with a considerable investment, reaching tens of thousands of zlotys.

Sylvan Sport Go - a light trailer with an openwork structure

Lisa Mora - Australian, traveler and journalist has published this year a book entitled Vintage Caravan Style. This practical guide will be of interest mainly to those who are fascinated by old caravans, especially their renovation. Valuable tips, inspirations, various projects and over 350 photos - a proposition worthy of attention. Lisa Mora is a passionate, who in 2011 founded the very popular "Vintage Caravan Magazine" in Great Britain. She received an offer to write the book from David & Charles and, she says in interviews, agreed because she wanted to use the extensive collection of photographs she had accumulated over her many journeys. The visual side is actually one of the main advantages of publishing. The photos show old caravans ( mainly from the 1950s and 1960s ), restored according to original designs. We can admire, among others the style of glamor, shabby chic, rock & roll, retro, there is also a charming kitsch, for which the author undoubtedly has a weakness. The book consists of eight chapters in which Mora, among others, presents a short historical outline of caravanning , advises on how to choose and buy a suitable old caravan, presents the various stages of renovation , ways of decorating and arranging caravans.

Vintage Caravan Style - the caravan of your dreams

The manufacturer of caravans - Adria is celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. On this occasion, a special Golden Edition series will be released, and we are reviewing one of the new models for you - the Altea 552DT Tamar 2015 trailer. It is an interesting proposition, but not without flaws. Those looking for traditional solutions may be disappointed. This time Adria chooses an individual style and a raw, modern look. The caravan is designed for 6 people, but the development of quite a large space (total dimensions: 7.59m / 2.30m / 2.58m ) may raise reservations. The living room is extremely spacious, up to 5 people can comfortably spend time in it while traveling - this was the main assumption of the manufacturer, who focused mainly on the maximum functionality of the living room. In turn, the bathroom, despite the foldable washbasin and the large mirror, which optically enlarges the room, seems too small. A surprise awaits us in the kitchen, instead of classic solutions, the Altea 552DT offers a hob with 3 burners and a grill + oven , but there is still not enough space to prepare meals, so it's best to use the table in the dining room. The lack of a sunroof and a small by standard front window limit the access of light, which, at least in part, may be compensated by the new lighting system ( LED , Ambient ).

Travel trailer Adria Altea 552DT Tamar

Where can we buy tasty pasteis de nata or fresh olives? At the market in Faro, a resort on the south coast of Portugal. In addition to delicious cupcakes, the silence of the old town, the beauty of the marina and the divine view of the beach await us. Faro is a great starting point for exploring southern Portugal. It is situated at the mouth of the Formosa River into the Atlantic Ocean. It has been the capital of the Algarve region since the 18th century, and is also the capital of the district of the same name.

Water dog from Faro

There are many indications that the caravanning market is developing more and more dynamically also in Poland. An example can be the CarGO! Company, which has grown from a dealer of Pilote / Bavaria motorhomes into a general importer in Poland. Currently CarGO! is in the process of building a dealer network and is looking for companies to cooperate with. We can confidently say that the camping market in Poland is getting on its feet. In the case of CarGO! the increase in sales compared to 2013 was as much as 100% - says Radosław Gogulski, co-owner of CarGO! - At the beginning of its activity, the Pilote / Bavaria brand was not very recognizable in our country, but nowadays vehicle owners are returning more and more for new models. Thanks to this, we know that the level of satisfaction with the brand is at a high level - he adds.

CarGO! looking for dealers

Istanbul was the farthest point of our trip. We managed to reach the place where Europe meets Asia and cross the continental border (it is worth mentioning that it is one of the two metropolises around the world that covers two continents). Istanbul is the largest and most populous city in Turkey, we had the opportunity to see it the hard way, as we got there during rush hour. Driving a car through the city center requires a lot of skill, sometimes we wondered if there were any regulations at all. It took us a long time to drive a few kilometers, we are not sure if we have seen such huge traffic jams before.

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Heating mats in a motorhome and caravan