Camping for beginners: Our first season travelling with a caravan and dog
Welcome to the ADRIA family! Please introduce yourselves.
Hello, we are Juliane & André. The third member of the team is our furry friend Hermann. We are newbies when it comes to camping. 2024 was our first camping season.
Was it clear from the start that a caravan would be your second home?
That was actually not clear. We thought about it for a really long time and had a hard time deciding. Caravan, motorhome, bus or camper, roof tent or awning - we went through everything and got informed. We read blogs, watched vlogs, spoke to friends and looked at models.
And how did you come up with your caravan?
The roof tent was quickly ruled out - we simply wanted more comfort. We also ruled out motorhomes and buses, mainly because of the high costs. I also don't like buying things in instalments. A caravan fitted the bill perfectly. We then familiarised ourselves intensively with the matter and juggled with data such as unladen weight, maximum payload weight, towing capacity of the towing vehicle, etc. And of course we also had to decide on the driving licence category. And, of course, the driving licence category also had to fit. In the end, we chose the ADRIA AVIVA 360 DK, which has everything that is important to us.
Was there anything that particularly caught your eye during the selection process?
Oh yes, for example, that not every car can pull every caravan. We had to look carefully at what our car can do and what load it can pull. You really need to clarify that beforehand, otherwise there are nasty surprises.
Why exactly did you choose the AVIVA 360 DK?
It's perfect for us! It has a toilet, shower, kitchen, heating, seating area, bed, fly screens - the whole package. And most importantly: space for our dog Hermann. We removed the lower bunk of the double bunk bed and voilà, Hermann had his dog corner.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start camping?
Plan enough budget for accessories! We spent around 1,500 euros on power cables, gas bottles, camping table, crockery and so on at the beginning - and that was already with some second-hand items. Also: think about what you really need. And stay relaxed, something is always missing - that's part of the adventure.
Did you make any concrete plans for your first season?
Rather no, we decided on the spur of the moment and stayed close by for the time being, travelling a maximum of six hours. The Mecklenburg Lake District, the Baltic Sea and the Teutoburg Forest were our destinations. We mostly stayed on small or private pitches - it was totally relaxed.
What was your first trip with the caravan like? Were there any special moments?
Absolutely! I still remember my first photo - you could see the caravan in the rear-view mirror. We were driving on the motorway towards the Mecklenburg Lake District, without a plan but full of anticipation. It was a real adventure, from driving off, to parking, to realising that our caravan also had supports at the front - which we only noticed when we got there!
Which destination did you choose for your first camping trip?
Our adventure started on 1 May. We travelled to the Mecklenburg Lake District, inexperienced and without a clue. It was super exciting! We chose the first pitch carefully - small and quiet. Parking, cranking out the supports, connecting the power - everything was new to us.
Were there any challenges?
Sure, for example putting up the second-hand awning for the first time. Without instructions - it was chaos! If we don't absolutely need it, we now prefer to leave it out because we find it somehow more cosy without it. We also briefly thought we didn't have a power connection because the sockets were so small. And an adapter really saved the day. We also learnt that the boiler has to be switched off before you connect the power - an important lesson! The correct handling of the camping toilet was also something I had to get used to. But hey, we mastered everything.
How did you fill up the fresh water? Are there any tricks?
We simply opted for a standard watering can. Run it two to four times and the tank is full. Sure, some people use hoses, but that worked for us too.
Your conclusion after a camping season?
We love it! We enjoy the freedom and minimalism to the fullest. Waking up to the sunrise in the morning, spontaneously deciding what to do. Having time for breakfast together. Depending on the weather and our mood, we cycle, play golf, visit places of interest, go for a walk and perhaps do some shopping on the way back or go out for a meal. Whether simply lying around outside, experiencing a thunderstorm in the caravan or playing cards together - it all has its charm. Spending the evening on a long walk with Hermann. It really slows us down. And after such a camping trip, even if it was ‘only’ a long weekend, we are definitely relaxed. We're really looking forward to the 2025 camping season!