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Review: Experience the ultimate family adventure with Breeze Campers

My husband and I are always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to spend quality family time - and the more outdoorsy and adventurous the better. So, when we discovered Breeze had just started offering hire of their VW Campervans, we knew we had found the perfect solution. I must admit though that I was slightly apprehensive after an utter camping disaster when my now almost 3-year-old was 1, and we had to cut our 5 day camping trip after 2 nights with a total of 4 hours sleep, but I was determined to give it another try - but this time in a Campervan rather than a tent.

With their range of iconic vans and excellent service, Breeze Campers offer families the chance to experience the ultimate adventure. In this article, I'll share our experience and provide tips to help you plan and get the most from you Campervan Hire Family Break.


Why Breeze Campers


From the initial research on their website, to speaking with their team and collecting the van right through to drop off, we were blown away by the customer service and straightforward process.


Their website clearly displays the different models of campervans available for hire, showing the unique features and specifications which cater to the different needs of families.


After deliberating between the Grand California and California Ocean we opted for the latter. Although the Grand California would have given us more scope for some more wild camping (it has a wet room, shower and toilet as well as a lot of living and sleeping space), we knew we wanted to head to Cornwall, so the California was a good all-rounder; all the amenities and sleeping quarters we'd need in a caravan site, but a smaller vehicle to get up and down the steep Cornish coastal roads!


After a really straightforward booking process, we then planned our trip and I loved that the website shows packing tips for a family break - and actually, the van is so well equipped you can pack very light which is definitely not the case with camping in a tent!


All we needed was bedding, towels, food and drink and clothes and that was pretty much it. As there was plenty of space, we took the kids scooters and some spear fishing equipment (we decided against taking the surf boards as there was no surf forecast, but there would have been room for short boards in the van.


Collecting the Van


Upon arrival at the WV dealership in Poole, we could see the van waiting for us in the car park (much to the kids’ excitement). The friendly and knowledgeable team there showed us all of the features (it's such an impressive feat of design and engineering; the amount of storage is unreal - there's even a small shower!) and demonstrated how to set the beds up. We then went into the dealership for 10 minutes to sign all of the paperwork which was super quick and easy. We were allowed to leave our car on site which was then taken to a lock up but delivered back to the dealership ready for our return which made things even more straightforward.


Holiday Time!


We were going for a weekend break and were expecting terrible Friday afternoon/evening traffic, but we got down to Cornwall in less than 3 hours. Even the journey was fun as the kids were buzzing with excitement and it was a really comfortable smooth drive.


One of the real bonuses of Campervan Hire vs Tent is you have none of the faff of setting up a tent when you arrive at your campsite. We arrived at about 7.30 so needed to get the kids fed and we managed to rustle up a really nice meal quickly and easily using the hob - and the van has all of the cooking utensils you will need.


We had our dinner outside the van under the awning (table and chairs also included in the incredible storage) and were treated to the most stunning sunset - it was a really special moment! Then set up the beds which take less then 5 minutes. The kids were squealing with delight when they saw the pop up bed and I did for a second wonder if they'd be too overexcited to sleep but they were so cosy they dropped off quickly - and I am so pleased and relieved to report that thanks to the comfort of the van and the design meaning it stays dark, we all had 10 hours sleep! I don't think I've slept so much since before the kids were born!


I woke before them to the sound of the dawn chorus which was a really beautiful way to wake up.


We were then geared up for a weekend of fun adventures. But first it was time for breakfast; the van even has a fridge so we had fresh milk in our cereal and coffee which we definitely wouldn't have had camping.


I thought it might be a pain that you need to pack everything away whenever you want to go anywhere whereas with a tent you can leave everything set up, but it is just so quick and easy, it really isn't a problem at all.


We spent the weekend visiting all the highlights of the Roseland Peninsula including St Athony's Head, Porscatho and Towan Beaches, Veryan. We got the ferry from St Mawes to Falmouth and back which was beautiful and a real adventure for the kids.


Even though we were only away for a weekend, it felt like we had been away for a whole week. We had the freedom to travel to different locations at our own pace and explore the beautiful Roseland Peninsula. Quite often, adventurous holidays don't tend to be fully relaxing but due to the ease of having all the amenities you need on hand and being fully mobile, you get to very easily see and do so much without any stress.


Tips for Planning a Family Break in a VW Campervan


Planning a family break in a VW campervan doesn't need lengthy consideration and planning.


I would just recommend having a good read of the different vans on offer to determine the size of the campervan that is suitable for your family and style of trip you are going on.


You may want to have an itinerary of the places you want to visit and the caravan sites you'd like to stay in, but we did everything last minute in June and there were no issues.


You need to take your driving license and NI number upon collection. And to pay attention to the campervan's features and how they work, but it's all very straightforward.


Make sure you pay attention on handover of how to use all of the clever gadgets and to covert the beds, but there are some really handy how to videos on the Breeze Campers website so if you’re in a pickle you can easily sort by having a watch. Worst case there is an emergency number you can call too.


Conclusion


Breeze Campers gave us the ultimate adventure and created lasting family memories - all at a fraction of the price of going abroad and without any of the hassle! Thank you so much Breeze Campers!


Our weekend break cost for the campervan hire was just £441.84 (they are currently running a One Night Free offer for June), plus we paid £60 for the caravan site and apart from food, drink and the ferry trip there were no other costs.


With their impressive range of campervans and excellent service, you're guaranteed to have a stress-free adventure.



Author: Liz Hutchings - Total Guide to Dorset

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Exploring Dorset

22 Feb, 2024
Over the Summer, one event that grabbed everyone’s attention was Beach Dubbin , held on the Southsea Common. One company that was there was Breeze Campers . Having just launched their campervan hire range in March, they were keen to show Southsea what the company is all about and the range of campers they have to hire out. Living on the South Coast allows us to explore such a huge stretch of coast that we are lucky to have on our doorstep. When you think how quickly you can be at places like the New Forest in 45 minutes and Dorset in an hour, the idea of popping off for a wknd or a few days is so appealing. To hear that we have a local camper hire company close by that we can tap into made me want to find out more. Breeze Campers is based in Havant and easy to get to from Southsea and Portsmouth. Going To Pick Up The Camper Meeting Shafi, we talked about all that Breeze Campers has to offer. I was lucky enough this last wknd to take a brand new California Ocean away to Dorset as a PR hire, to try out the experience of hiring and enjoying a camper-style holiday. We picked up our brand-new campervan on Friday afternoon. Shafi told us that sometimes people work on a Friday and they have just started a collection time on a Saturday morning until 12 p.m. so people can pick up their vehicles at their best convenience. Shafi showed my hubby all the gadgets and how to move things around like turn the Captain chairs etc. You need to allow plenty of time for this if you haven’t hired one of these campers before. I would say allow a good hour for this process. Going On An Adventure Heading off to our campsite, we enjoyed the first evening playing around with all the gadgets! Being so new means everything is designed so well and has all you need to enjoy the perfect break. When we picked up our 73 plate (that still had plastic on the utensils as never been used), we were told we didn’t need to pack anything except bedding and towels. All hires have all crockery and utensils already in place in the mini kitchen that’s there. On our first evening, we opened the roof bed and let our son enjoy the fun of being on a top bunk that is actually a double bed! You can also unzip the front part of the tent to see panoramic views which is amazing when you have parked somewhere with fantastic scenery. We loved how there is so much room in the California Ocean and how easy it is to move the van around from seating to bed in a few minutes. The next morning we woke up to a lovely warm camper as the heating had been popping on throughout the night which meant that we weren’t freezing, dreading to escape the covers of our warm beds.

Exploring Scotland in a Camper with Young Kids: 5 Tips for an Adventure of a Lifetime

25 Jan, 2024
Are you itching for an unforgettable family adventure? Look no further than Scotland, a land of rugged beauty, enchanting landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage. We recently embarked on a 10-day journey along Scotland's North Coast 500 in a VW Grand California camper from Breeze Campers with our 3 and 2-year-olds, and we're here to share our top tips for making the most of your Scottish camper adventure with young children. 1. Embrace the Unpredictable Weather Scotland is notorious for its unpredictable climate, but don't let that deter you. Instead, be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way. Pack layers, waterproofs, and sturdy footwear for the family. Invest in quality rain gear for the kids to keep them dry during those spontaneous rain showers. And if your signal allows it, check the weather forecast before setting off for the day. You won't always be able to rely on this but it is a good start. The key is to have a positive mindset and remember that even cloudy days can lead to the most magical moments. Plus, there's something truly special about snuggling up in your cosy camper as the rain taps on the roof. We had a couple of wet and windy days combined with beautifully sunny ones, one moment you could be in the sunshine and the next you could be in the middle of a shower. This gave us some stunning rainbows which the boys loved! 2. Prioritise Outdoor Exploration Scotland's wild landscapes are a playground for kids (and adults) of all ages. Encourage your little adventurers to explore the outdoors—it's an educational experience they'll cherish. Whether it's climbing a small hill, collecting pebbles on the beach, or spotting wildlife, Scotland's natural wonders will ignite their curiosity. We allocated plenty of time for outdoor exploration, and it was amazing to see our kids connect with nature and develop a love for the great outdoors. There is plenty of wildlife to be spotted and we made checklists to keep the boys engaged. With so much driving on plan, we used walks and moments of exploration to stretch their legs and give them a break. 3. Plan Your Route and Stops With so much to see in Scotland, it's essential to plan your route carefully. We learned this the hard way on our first visit when we only had 5 days and missed out on many treasures. This time, we allowed ourselves 10 days, which made all the difference. Start by mapping out your must-see destinations and allocate enough time for each. Be flexible and open to spontaneous detours, as some of the most memorable moments happen when you least expect them. Another bonus of being in a camper is that the Grand California has a kitchen so we could easily make pasta and noodles from any spot and even though some of these stops weren't planned we had allocated enough time for them. 4. Use Apps like Park4Night One of the best tools in our camper adventure arsenal was the Park4Night app. It's a lifesaver for finding safe and legal places to wild camp. With young children on board, knowing you have a secure spot for the night is crucial. Park4Night provides user-generated recommendations, complete with reviews and photos, making it easy to choose spots that suit your family's needs. Just remember to leave no trace and respect local communities and the environment. A couple of the spots we visited request a donation to help support the area, please respect this and do what you can to support the local communities you visit. Whether that's grabbing a coffee in the morning from a local café or paying 50p/£1 to use the onsite showering/toilet facilities. We had our own in the van but you do have more spaces in these sites. 5. Embrace the Camper Lifestyle Finally, embrace the camper lifestyle wholeheartedly. Camping with kids can be an enriching experience, fostering family bonding and creating lasting memories. Involve your little ones in daily tasks like meal preparation, setting up camp, and exploring new surroundings. Make the camper feel like home by bringing along familiar toys and books, we had a large line up of Pokémon cuddly toys and a small percentage of their Hot Wheels collection. Scotland is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be uncovered, and a camper adventure with young children is the perfect way to explore it. Be prepared for the weather, encourage outdoor exploration, plan your route wisely, use helpful apps like Park4Night, and fully embrace the camper lifestyle. With these tips in mind, your family is in for an unforgettable Scottish adventure that will leave you all with hearts full of wonder and memories to last a lifetime. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and let Scotland's magic enchant your family on this incredible journey. Author : Lauren Allen
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