It’s no secret that we love road trips. Our very own honeymoon was an eight-week road trip around the United States. Ever since those memorable months, we’ve been trying to find a way to get back on the highway. Since being in Mexico, we have met numerous intrepid travelers who set out from Canada and drove in a caravan down to San Pancho. Along the way they slept where they wanted, met amazing people, and made memories of a lifetime. Though we enjoyed our first-class flights down here, we missed that raw and adventurous element of travel. Their stories have inspired us once more to get back to the drawing board and make our ultimate road trip a reality.  So we’re thinking, why not travel by caravan?

What is a Caravan?

by suziesparkle via Flickr

A caravan is essentially a road vehicle that you can sleep and live out of comfortably. Typically the living components are towed behind a car or other vehicle. Some caravans are very basic while others might be more inclusive than your house! Caravans have been a trusted way to travel since the late 1800s, and continue to be popular today, whether you’re a budget vagabond or luxury traveler.

Why Travel by Caravan?

We could go on and on about the benefits of traveling by caravan, but we’ll start with the basics. For one, you can save a ton of money. By having the ability to sleep and live out of your car, you don’t have to worry about finding an affordable hotel at the end of a long day of travel. Also, you can trade in an expensive mortgage for the simplicity of traveling with all your belongings with you. Whether you’re going near or far, this is a huge plus. Finally, traveling by caravan gives you ultimate flexibility. After all, it’s about the journey, not the destination. Traveling by caravan let’s you meet memorable people and stop in off-the-beaten-path towns that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

What do I need?

Well, you’re going to need a caravan. Your best option is to purchase the caravan that’s right for you. It is a bit of an investment, but it will easily pay for itself in the long run. Caravan Club has caravans for sale here to satisfy all budgets and styles. Personally, we’re really attracted to the ones with fixed double beds, heating, and showers.

Keep in mind that insurance is an absolute priority. We would also recommend investing in a good GPS system (if your phone’s technology isn’t smart enough). Finally, consider equipping your Caravan with the correct amenities to save you money in the long run. You’ll never regret purchasing that good set of cookware.

Where do I go?

There’s not a limit to where you can caravan these days. We have lots of plans that vary depending on our mood. Sometimes we talk about driving from Alaska to Patagonia, though it will be a bit difficult to get the caravan across the Darien Gap. We’ve also talked about traversing Europe and Asia, perhaps beginning in Portugal and ending in Russia. A road trip through Africa would be legendary, while of course we can’t forget about New Zealand and Australia!

We like to dream big, but don’t feel like you have to travel to a distant country to caravan. Caravans are great for full-time living if you want to trade in the clutter of your home for simplicity and flexibility; they’re also a great choice for your two-week vacation to an all-inclusive resort. Really, you can’t go wrong!

Have you traveled by Caravan before? Where would you go in a caravan if you had no limitations on time or money? As always, we love to hear from you in the comments below!