subject: Caravan holidays provide ideal tonic for tough times [print this page] Caravan holidays provide ideal tonic for tough times
Spring and summer may still seem like a long way off, but for many Brits thoughts are already turning towards planning a holiday in the sun.
This year however those thoughts will be clouded somewhat by fears over the fate of the economy and even their future income as government cuts continue to bite.
As a result, many will be looking to a less costly alternative to a holiday overseas and this may prove to be something of a blessing in disguise as there are plenty of delights to discover much closer to home.
One fantastic alternative to foreign trips can be caravan holidays, which have enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years. In fact now may be the ideal time to invest in a caravan, which offers unrivalled flexibility when it comes to choosing what to do with your well-earned time off.
For little more than the cost of a two-week family holiday on distant shores you can invest in a caravan that will provide enjoyment for many years. Of course, in addition to you initial investment you will have to pay some additional expenses such as caravan insurance but these, and also site fees while you are on your travels, are a fraction of the cost of the annual pilgrimage to the travel agents.
For anyone new to caravanning, there is plenty of help and advice out there from choosing the right caravan, finding the best caravan sites' leaning how to safely tow and selecting the best accessories. There is also a wide choice of companies offering specialist caravan insurance to help you protect your investment.
First things first though, choosing a caravan. Everyone's needs are different but overall looking for your first caravan can be as exciting as looking for your first house. In fact it will be your home away from home on every journey you take, and you will probably want it to provide all the comforts you are used to whilst allowing you the freedom to get up and go.
The conventional, single axis caravan is the popular choice for most, but there are many different options open to you and motor homes, for example, are also increasingly popular.
Visiting a dedicated caravan show is always a good way to start your show, it will give you a better idea of the options available and the price you may expect to pay. Caravan shows are held frequently across the country. Here you will also meet many like-minded people who will be pleased to share their own experiences and pass on valuable advice.
You can also buy your caravan at a show, as well as from dealers who specialise in both new and used caravans and there are plenty of websites and specialist magazines with classified listings where you can find your ideal vehicle. However, just like buying a car, it pays to take your time, do a bit of research and look at a fair few rather than buying the first one that you see that falls into you price range.
If you fancy the thought of regular caravan holidays but don't like the idea of towing or driving a motor home a static caravan could be the answer and it is easy to hire one.
There are hundreds of caravan parks up and down the country, whether you are looking for a caravan in the Norfolk Broads to a park home in the Scottish Highlands and many offer a wide range of facilities to keep the family entertained should the weather take a turn for the worse.
Many people have discovered the benefits of buying their own static caravan or park home as it can provide the perfect holiday hideaway at a fraction of the cost of buying a second home made of bricks and mortar.
Once again there are plenty to choose from, including modest two birth caravans to luxury park home chalets. These can range in price from a few thousand to more than half a million. One luxury park home in the seaside village of Abersoch in North Wales recently sold for around 550,000!
Even more modest mobile homes now come well equipped with most mod cons you would expect in a typical house and so it is no surprise that their popularity is on the increase.
As with mobile caravans, it pays to look around before you buy and be prepared for regular additional costs such as park fees, maintenance and specialist park home insurance or static caravan insurance.
All in all though, caravan holidays offer excellent value for money during tough times when compared to an expensive, one-off trip abroad.
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