Travel

Are you looking forward to taking your first trip in a motorhome or campervan? If you have never travelled in a campervan before, the initial steps to plan and take your holiday may seem a little daunting. But don’t panic – driving a campervan is no different to driving a large car and the steps you need to take to arrange a trouble free trip are simple and fun.

Here are some things to consider before you set out in your van for the first time.

1. Pick Your Destination

You have a wealth of choice in where to go in your campervan. Your first major decision is based on your preferences and personality, and how far you want to travel. Many people want to stay within the UK for their first trip in a campervan or motorhome. Look at the possibilities in Scotland, for example, when you want to see a completely different part of the country while remaining close to home. Camper van hire Scotland companies hire vans and motorhomes from convenient bases in Scotland if you don’t yet own your own. Hiring is a way of ‘try before you buy’ providing the ideal means of exploring the varied and exciting landscape, towns and cities of this magnificently diverse country.

2. Pick Your Route

Once you have decided which region or country you want to explore you can begin planning your route and itinerary. There are different ways to do this, again depending on your preferences and personality. You could take each day as it comes, deciding there and then where to go and what to see. Or you could plan a meticulous route in advance, mapping out each stage of the journey in detail. Whatever you choose, build in a little space for flexibility. One of the best things about a campervan holiday is the freedom you have to pick when and where you visit. It is a good idea to book campsites in popular areas in advance, particularly during the summer months, as many places book up quickly.

3. Do Your Packing

As well as your personal items, pack some food for the first night so you don’t have to worry about finding a shop. Also, pack a few items of warm clothing and if possible take a dressing gown with you on your travels. The nights can be chilly even in summer, and like being at home, it isn’t always practicable to pack a lot of bed linen, blankets or quilts.

Remember your essentials like a torch, your wet weather gear, all the things you need for pets if you have any, and your mobile phone (although bear in mind that many remote areas in the country have very poor or even non-existent phone signal).

4. Practice Your Driving

While driving a campervan is easy to master, there are some basics to consider when you first get behind the wheel. Remember to give yourself more time and more space to manoeuvre when you are driving. Try to brake and accelerate slower than you would normally in a smaller car. Take corners wide and take care in high winds with a high-sided van.

Sailing the beautiful blue ocean on a fantastic sailboat is a wonderful vacation idea. Here is a list of the most popular reasons people have for chartering a sailboat for their vacation, according to Patrick Imbardelli.

Pick the Sailboat Vacation That Fits Your Budget

Many people think that this type of vacation is way out of there price range however when you compare the costs to the price of some hotel based vacations, you might actually save money on a cruise. You can also budget out your complete cost and estimate any fuel costs so there will be none of the surprises you might find with other vacations. The key is that before you book you will know the exact expense and it will likely be affordable.

Your Crew Are Experts in Sailing and the Local Areas

When you charter a sailboat with a crew you are guaranteed that the boat will be navigated by a professional crew that is fully certified. They will have complete training including what to do in emergencies including medical emergencies. They can also make suggestions of places to sail and what to do there. This includes scuba and snorkeling and other watersports you might enjoy. This allows you to kick back and spend your time enjoying yourself with your friends and family.

You Can Bring a Big Group

Many people who sail get together with friends and bring them all on the same boat. This allows you to share in the cost and create a great experience together. The boats are big enough for each group to find some privacy when needed and having good friend there makes the experience that much better. It is best to get a group together that enjoys the same type of activities. This might be watersports or fishing.

You can Get Some Sailing Lessons

If you have ever had the desire to sail, chartering a sailboat is a great way to actually learn how to sail. You can hire a fully trained crew for your vessel who will do all of the work required to get the boat where it needs to be during your vacation. However there will be lots of time for the crew to teach you some sailing techniques that you can use on your own in the future. All of what you learn of course will be informal and will not count toward any certification but it can give you some insight into whether you actually love sayings and want to pursue getting a sailing certificate.

The Charter Company Will Take Care of All of the Paperwork and Permissions

When you charter a sailboat from an experienced company, they will make sure that you understand what you are undertaking and they will handle all of the needed registrations you need to sail in the area. They will also advise you as to whether you can operate the boat and under what conditions. Further they will inform you f the laws and fees associated with the trip you want to take. Additionally the company will be contactable throughout your trip in the event there are any issues that need to be resolved. In the end, there is nothing left to chance,

Once you charter a sailboat and experience this type of vacation. You will certainly want to do it often.

When you make a booking with any sort of travel or transportation you have certain expectations for your trip. You wouldn’t invest money in an Atlanta charter bus company if you felt you could have the same experience driving yourself around the city.

This is why transportation services go above and beyond in meeting your expectations – or at least the best ones do. Anyone who is considering booking a large charter bus, towncar, or party bus should always check to be sure that the company will do what it takes to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Here are a few things to check up on before booking your transportation.

Variety of options for your group’s needs

The best shuttle companies offer a wide variety of fleet options for all of your travel needs. If you are a solo traveller you should be able to book a classy town car and groups should have access to minivans and buses. There should also be options for things like entertainment, refreshments, and onboard WiFi.

Packages for different occasions

Booking a car or bus is easy, but what if you want to book a specific type of tour or all-inclusive package? Find a company that caters to whatever the occasion might be. Maybe it is simple as an airport transfer or perhaps you’re looking for a fun brewery tour throughout the city. There should also be specific packages available for special occasions like wedding days and prom nights.

Professional drivers with proper training

The best companies will only provide you with professional service; you don’t need to worry about the driver being unprofessional in any way. Most companies require their staff to go through a series of background checks and even driving tests. They are trained to make your experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Some companies hire drivers that don’t have a solid knowledge of the city streets or surrounding area. This isn’t the case for the top shuttle services; they only hire drivers with extensive knowledge of back roads and highways and they also provide additional training.

Punctuality and on-time departure

Certain occasions call for extreme punctuality, like if you need to catch a flight or attend an important business meeting. Unless something drastic happens, your driver will always be sure to be on time. Usually he or she even shows up 15 minutes early to make sure you have an on-time departure.

Luxury ride options

Maybe luxury isn’t your main concern but the top Atlanta shuttle services offer luxury if that’s what you’re after. Even large 57-passenger buses feel more luxurious than ever with comfortable plush seating, WiFi capabilities, and individual DVD players and screens.

If you thought flying first-class in a plane was the top form of luxury you were wrong. The seats on charter buses fully recline and give you more space than any airline would. You also don’t have to worry about waiting in lines for flight check-ins and security checks. All in all it is the most convenient (and luxurious) option available for transportation.