Vanlife on the North Sea: Couple Cooks Menus for 180 Euros and Lives on a Parking Lot in St. Peter-Ording

On the AIC25 district road towards the motorway, a car towing a camper overturned near the Friedberg quarry lake. Police reported no other vehicle was involved. The camper was completely destroyed, but the occupants were unhurt. One lane is closed for debris removal, and traffic is passing on a single lane.

In Cologne, camping on car roofs is gaining popularity. A report by WDR, aired on September 4, 2026, highlights this new form of vacation where travelers sleep in tents mounted on their vehicles' roofs. This approach allows tourists to stay closer to nature and avoid dependence on traditional campsites.

Thomas Lang, manager of the Hohenfelden campsite, explained the concept and offerings for guests. The campsite is located on the shores of a reservoir between Erfurt and Weimar and offers 110 pitches for motorhomes and caravans, as well as rental accommodations. The region provides more than 50 leisure activities.

At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Knaus presented the new Van TI Plus, a premium low-width motorhome built on a Volkswagen Crafter chassis. It measures 6.99 meters in length, has a reduced width, and an interior height of nearly two meters. The standard engine is a 2.0 TDI with 140 hp and a manual gearbox; options include a 163 hp version with automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Standard equipment includes LED daytime running lights, air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, a 10.4-inch multimedia system, and a rear camera. The living area features twin rear beds, a kitchen with two gas burners, a 157-liter fridge, a bathroom, and Truma Combi 6 diesel heating. The recommended price in Spain starts at around €90,000, excluding taxes.

At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, the ATventure 1070 camper, 10.7 m long and 3.98 m high, was presented. When parked, a second floor of nearly 20 square meters extends from the roof. Inside: a living room with electric recliner and 40-inch TV, a kitchen with dishwasher, a bathroom with 1.4×0.9 m shower, a bedroom with 2.1×1.8 m bed, and a garage for a car. Price: about 840,000 euros.

Robeta has unveiled the Hercules camper at a trade show, built on a 6.96-meter Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The model is designed for two people and features a modular kitchen with dishwasher, a spacious bathroom, and an electric system. The base price is €141,990, while the fully equipped show vehicle is priced around €170,000. The Hercules is Robeta's first seven-meter camper on the Sprinter platform.