A Van Life Thing

Real Honest Vanlife Talk

Archives (page 3 of 7)

Greece’s Caravan Crackdown: New Law Sparks Outcry and Raises Questions for Van Lifers

A sweeping update to Greece’s camping regulations has ignited fierce debate, as authorities begin aggressively enforcing Law 5170/2025 – the nation’s strictest clampdown on motorhomes and caravans in nearly 50 years, but is it really killing VanLife?

While wild camping has been technically illegal since 1976, the newly implemented Article 27 closes longstanding loopholes that once afforded nomadic travelers some flexibility. The changes, effective since January 2025 but only now drawing widespread attention after high-profile fines, signal a dramatic shift in Greece’s approach to alternative tourism.

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Scotland’s Opening Up – £10 Park-Ups Are a Game-Changer for Vanlifers

Finding campervan overnight parking in Scotland just got a lot simpler — and far more affordable. Thanks to Forestry and Land Scotland’s Stay the Night scheme, there are now around 50 forest car parks where self-contained vans can legally stop overnight for just £10 a night, or £40 for a week. That’s a big deal if you’ve ever been caught between “no overnight parking” signs and overpriced sites.

It’s a real step forward for affordable, responsible van life. These sites are dotted across the country, so whether you’re hugging the North Coast 500 or just meandering through the Highlands, it adds a bit of freedom to your trip. It also supports local councils and businesses, rather than some of the big faceless campsite chains, which is a nice bonus.

My tip? Mix it up—use these spots to cover your essentials and save a bit of cash, then treat yourself to a wild spot with a view when the weather’s right. Scotland’s always had the scenery—now it’s starting to have the infrastructure to match. Cheers to that.

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5 Van Life Habits That Make Everyday Life Easier (and Keep You From Losing Your Mind)

When most people think of van life, they imagine waking up to stunning mountain views, sipping a hot brew with the back doors wide open. And sure, sometimes it’s like that. But most of the time? You’re brushing your teeth with half a bottle of water while trying not to knock over your portable toilet.

It’s a lifestyle that teaches you quickly: small habits make a massive difference. Here are five van life habits I’ve picked up that genuinely make day-to-day living smoother—and might just save your sanity on the road.

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Must have parking apps for Van life 2025

Van life presents its fair share of challenges, and one of the most daunting is the ongoing quest for a suitable place to park for the night. Often, you may stumble upon the perfect spot, only to realize you lack the app needed to pay for it—and to make matters worse, your mobile signal is weak. To ease your journey, here’s a list of apps designed to help you find and pay for parking with ease.

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What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Van Life.

In this blog post I’ll share common beginner misconceptions and simple lessons about what I’ve learned starting out in Van life at a the age of 48 including expectations vs. reality, managing daily routines, plus unexpected benefits and challenges.

When I first started van life, one of the biggest challenges was finding safe, legal, and quiet places to park up for the night. I relied heavily on just one app Park4Night.—until I realised there were plenty of options and other smart techniques to make overnight stays a breeze. Here’s what I wish I’d known:

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The End Of The Vanlife Road

Back in January 2023, my old Ex Rac, T5.1 van was crashed into, writing it off completely. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt apart from the van and, you can say, a bit of my mental sanity. It took over a year to release this for a few reasons, mainly because I’m poor at editing and ADHD-riddled, jumping from project to project, but mainly, well, this was the tipping point in life where things seemed to keep going downhill from here on in.

Six months on: van build update, rust repair and what’s next for the Sprinter

A cold, wet breath fogs the inside of the windscreen and the little fan heater hums like it’s trying to blow up a hot air balloon with a paper straw. It’s zero degrees in here and the heat isn’t touching the sides. Morale is similar. So today’s heroic act is not a fancy fit-out or a miraculous time-lapse; it’s me, in a woolly hat, admitting the van build has been glacial for six months and choosing to tell the truth anyway.

I’ve lifted the floor, I’ve put in two windows, and I’ve got one of those windows sitting a bit too low with a lesson baked in. The point of this project, right now, is to get back into the rhythm of sharing—story first, sawdust second. If you came for hardcore build porn, fair warning: this is the bit where we make tea, pick our way through mess, and line up the next sensible step. Unsexy. Necessary.

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