Preparing your motorhome for summer trips: mechanic's advice

A British couple bought an abandoned caravan park in Portugal and turned it into a tourist accommodation complex. The project involved restoring infrastructure and creating camping spots.

On Friday, the National Republican Guard (GNR) conducted an operation against illegal camping on Ermal Island in Vieira do Minho. Numerous tents and motorhomes were removed, and beaches near the island were also inspected. The operation uncovered unlicensed establishments with illegal water and electricity connections, as well as traces of campfires, which are banned due to fire risk. Ermal Island, once known for a music festival, attracts hundreds of visitors despite a camping ban on its river beaches.

The Labour Court of Leiria has ordered the Leiria City Council to hire four workers from the Pedrógão Beach Campsite who lost their jobs after the council took administrative possession of the municipal complex and the company that employed them lost its concession.

The organization Counting Stars, specializing in astronomical experiences, invites campers to the fifth edition of Star Camp on August 8, 2026, in Fafe, next to the Casa do Penedo. Participants can observe stars and planets through telescopes, attend an astrophotography workshop, have dinner, camp overnight, and enjoy breakfast at sunrise. Prices: €85 for adults, €149 for couples, €22 for children aged 7–12, and €68 per person for groups of three or more. Participants must bring their own camping gear.

Counting Stars, a project focused on astronomical experiences, invites campers to the fifth edition of Star Camp on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in the municipality of Fafe, next to Casa do Penedo, a 1970s rural house known as the 'strangest house in the world' due to its location among four large granite boulders. Participants can observe stars and planets through telescopes, attend an astrophotography workshop, visit Casa do Penedo, and stay overnight in a tent with dinner and breakfast at sunrise. Prices: €85 per adult, €149 per couple, €22 for children aged 7–12, and €68 per person for groups of three or more.

The startup Vanlifezone from southern Styria has developed a digital map with more than 250,000 campsites and parking spots. The map shows Natura 2000 areas, local restrictions, and community warnings to help travelers avoid fines of up to 400 euros for illegal overnight stays in protected zones, for example in southern Portugal. The project received a startup grant of 6,000 euros from the city of Graz.