Kia PV5 crashed Korea's camper market · VanLife Weekly #31
New camper registrations in South Korea fell 81% after the Kia PV5 arrived. Also: 1,000 illegal campers on Bulgaria's Karadere beach.
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Last week in the motorhome world had plenty going on: in Britain, a £2 nightly tourist levy could raise the price of budget caravan holidays by 66–100%, Croatia became Europe's most expensive camping country at an average of €73–78 per night, Italy restricted motorhome access to Castelluccio during the flowering season, and in Brazil a convoy of 20 motorhomes and caravans set off on the Circuito Caminhos do Paraná route.
Britain is again debating a tourist levy: Labour mayors in up to 10 of England's 14 regions are considering a £2-per-person nightly charge, and that could become a real extra cost for low-cost caravan trips. According to industry estimates, the levy could increase the cost of budget holidays by 66–100%, especially for families choosing a caravan precisely because it is cheaper than a hotel.
The issue is not just the £2 figure itself, but how it adds up for a family and a longer trip. For two adults and two children, a week becomes dozens of pounds on top of the pitch, fuel, food, and the road. At an expensive hotel, that may barely register; in the budget caravan segment, it changes the whole trip calculation.
If the levy spreads widely, some travellers will shorten trips, choose less popular regions, or book pitches outside areas with the extra charge. For campsite owners, that is a risk: they may end up with fewer short family trips in season rather than more income.
If you are planning a trip through England with a caravan or motorhome, calculate the price not only per pitch but per person in your crew. On a short weekend, a £2 levy may look manageable, but on a week with children it quickly becomes its own budget line. Before booking, check whether the local levy is included in the final price or appears later. If your route is flexible, keep a backup region nearby without that charge: it can save more than a pitch discount. And if you travel in high season, book earlier and ask the site directly about any extra nightly fees.
Galicia, Spain, July. On 1 July, the anniversary Yakart Camino de Santiago route starts from A Coruña: 53 motorhomes and 120 participants will cross Galicia over 12 days and finish at Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela. It is a good reason to see the region not only as a walking pilgrimage route, but as a motorhome itinerary with the ocean, towns, and short driving days. Early July works well because the season is open, but August-level crowds have not arrived everywhere yet. If you have long wanted northern Spain but were not sure where to start, this is your prompt.
Two stories worth forwarding.
A camper that helps a sanctuary. In Somerset, Ferne Animal Sanctuary put a 2004 Citroen Berlingo camper up for a charity auction: the opening price is £10,000, and bidding ends on 30 June. It is a rare case where buying a small camper is also a donation.
Coffee from a 60-year-old caravan. In North Yorkshire, Rounton Coffee spent five months turning an old Viking Fibreline into a mobile coffee bar and is preparing to serve coffee all summer. A useful reminder that an old caravan can get a second life as well as any new build.
Because it is charged per person per night. For a family and a week-long trip, it is no longer symbolic; it becomes a clear addition to the pitch, fuel, and food budget.
Do not argue on site or assume "just one night" will be fine. Choose an official campsite or stopover in advance, and when unsure, call the site before arriving.
In early July, an organized 12-day route runs from A Coruña to Santiago, so the region fits naturally into a trip with short driving days and clear stops.
It suits people who want occasional nights in the vehicle without a full camper conversion. For long self-sufficient trips, a mattress and blinds alone will not be enough.
Yes. The Viking Fibreline that became a mobile coffee bar shows how old caravans can work as small businesses, display pieces, or charity projects.
This article was prepared by the OpenVan.camp editorial team. All rights reserved. Copyright information
The author, who has visited 40 US states, Australia, New Zealand and other countries, starts a series of stories about family trips in motorhomes across Europe. The first piece covers a 2013 journey when three families (6 adults and 6 children) set off in a motorhome for the first time. The author notes that renting a motorhome is more expensive, but the experience is worth it.
In the series 'Our Vacationers', the Ostfriesland-Zeitung profiles regular visitors to the island of Borkum. Today's subjects are Heike and Siegfried Seckler from Lünen near Dortmund, who return each year for camping.
According to the summer 2026 barometer, Brittany leads in travel intentions for motorhomes and campervans with 33%. Nouvelle-Aquitaine ranks second with 14%, Normandy third with 11%. In 2025, CAMPING-CAR PARK recorded 4.85 million overnight stays (+15% from 2024), paid €24.3 million to partner municipalities, and estimated €85 million in revenue for host regions. Foreign customers account for over 42% of visits.
Slovak campsites welcomed about 250,000 visitors last year, up 7% from 2024. There are over 100 campsites and caravan parks in the country, many recently modernized. Average prices: €6 per day for adults, €5 for children, €9.70 for caravans, and a mandatory fee of €1.10. Glamping accommodations start at €100 per night.
Mary-Lou, a 41-year-old single mother from the Bollenstreek, has been unable to find permanent housing for four years. During this time, she and her 9-year-old daughter have moved five times. They currently live in a 25-square-meter trailer, for which she pays over 1000 euros per month (700 euros for land lease, 300 euros for storage, and 70 euros for gas bottles). In October, she will have to move again. She cannot qualify for social housing due to insufficient registration time, and cannot get a mortgage due to her status as an entrepreneur and single mother. She admits that she is officially homeless, as she cannot register at the trailer address.
The canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland offers five campsites popular with tourists. These include See-Camping in Walenstadt with 70 motorhome pitches, Camping Idyll in Thal, Camping Bruggerhorn in St. Margrethen, Camping Bächli in Hemberg, and Camping Murg on a peninsula on Lake Walen. Prices range from CHF 3.50 to CHF 14.50 per night for adults, CHF 3.50 to CHF 5 for children, tent pitches from CHF 5 to CHF 20, and caravan and motorhome pitches from CHF 10 to CHF 30. Facilities include Wi-Fi, electricity, playgrounds, and water sports.
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