Van Life: Discover how to live while travelling on board a camper van
Van Life: the adventure of a lifetime. That could be the title of your story, because your life can be an authentic caravanning experience 365 days a year. No post code, just a licence plate. Your motorhome: your home. Your destination: the world.
What is Van Life?
Living in your Benimar! Take to the road ready to enjoy yourself on wheels and go to wherever the road takes you. An adventure where your camper van is your starting point, your centre, your home.
The world moves and you move with it, but your Benimar is that common denominator that makes you feel comfortable, safe and at ease. What's better than that? That's why the Van Life style is so appealing: to feel free while being at home.
This way of life is the ultimate expression of caravanning. A way of life that reflects the purest essence of travelling in a motorhome; it emerged in the hippie era of the 1960s and has spread to all kinds of people.
It doesn't matter what you do for a living, what style of clothing or music you like; Van Life goes way beyond that. It is a way of life that allows you to be continuously on the move, enjoying each place for as long as you want.
Living for a period of time in a place, getting to know its people, its trade, its culture and customs. Be part of this actively, not just as a tourist and soak it all in until you want to change your destination. Routine is the adventure.
Origin of Van Life
There is no specific date, Van Life is a philosophy of life that was gradually established and we can say that it originated in the 1960s with the emergence of the hippie movement.
That lifestyle has evolved over the years in parallel to a more routine and "conventional" way of life, which got its name from Foster Huntington.
Who is Foster Huntington and why is he important to Van Life? He is a New Yorker who quit his job as a designer for Ralph Lauren and set off on a camper van adventure around the world. It was he who, documenting his new life, started using the #VanLife idea and made it famous through social networks.
Foster Huntington gave voice to a lifestyle that, to this day, many shout about from the rooftops! They are the new 21st century nomads, people with lives and jobs that allow them to travel continuously.
What do you need to carry out Van Life?
Is there a "kit" or "check list" for living a Van Life way of life? The answer is no, and that's the wonderful thing.
Each person adapts their adventure to their way of being and their needs. Of course, what you obviously need is a motorhome or camper van. One of our favourites is the Benivan range.
Benivan::
- is the smallest type of motorhome (from 5.40m)
- Their size does not prevent them from being fully equipped (beds, bathroom, kitchen...).
- They are quite cheap and spacious thanks to their layouts based on functionality and user comfort.
- 3 and 4 berth models.
- Available in UP format. Models that are ready to travel: include a bicycle rack, canopy and solar panel.
Now that you know the main features of our camper vans, maybe you have two frequently asked questions:
- Do you need a special licence to drive a Benivan? No, you jst need a B1 licence to drive a camper van.
- What type of insurance should I take out for my motorhome? We tell you about it in the following post of our blog: Motorhome and Camper Van Insurance.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros or advantages of living in a Camper van
Everything!
The essence of Van Life is the main advantage. We have already talked about the freedom that this “lifestyle” offers you. To be able to change places whenever you want and discover new landscapes, people and cultures. Connecting with nature in a direct, respectful way.
A lifestyle that allows you to live with what you need, without falling into a materialistic routine and to enjoy experiences more than things. And, above all, to be able to do it the way you want and with whoever you want, sharing it with whomever you want.
Cons or disadvantages of living in a camper van
There is none!
Well that is not true. As in any aspect of life there are also some cons in this lifestyle. Not everything is always positive, but it is true that the pros outweigh the disadvantages.
Regulations
Rather than something negative, it is an aspect that should always be taken into account. You must know the parking, overnight and traffic regulations for each area you visit in order to respect and comply with them.
Service
Like a house or any other type of vehicle, motorhomes need maintenance. In addition to passing the MOT (you can read about it here: Guide to passing the MOT for a Motorhome or Camper Van
Tips for life "on the road”
In our blog you will find a post in which we explain everything you need to know so as to travel or live in a motorhome.
We advise you log on and take a look at it.
Here’s the link right here: Travelling in a motorhome: everything you need to know