The Dutch Obsession with Caravanning

Every summer millions of Dutch people prepare for their summer holiday. The signs are easy to spot: the Dutch streets fill up with caravans that have been rescued from their winter hibernation. They remain parked for at least a couple of days (or in the case of our neighbours at least a week) whilst they are spruced up and filled with essential supplies (think along the lines of hagelslag and cheese). Then the caravans disappear and Dutch towns turn in to ghosts of their former selves. The exodus abroad has begun.

Photo: Dora Pete

If you happen to be driving on the European motorways over the summer you will quickly understand the scale of the Dutch obsession with caravans. Almost all the caravans you see in Belgium, Germany, France and Spain have Dutch licence plates.

As a Brit, I associate caravans with older couples, driving at 30 miles per hour along the country roads of the Lake District in the North of England. If you want to see a hilarious take on caravanning in the UK, watch this Top Gear clip where the boys were challenged to take a trip in a caravan..... Notice the age range of fellow campers on the caravan site!



However, this is not how caravanning is for the Dutch - all age ranges, walks of life and family compositions head off on their summer holidays in a caravan armed with tents, surf boards and bikes. I discovered that they are renowned across Europe for their caravanning!

Have you joined up for this Dutch trend and got yourself a caravan? Is caravanning popular in your home country?

And last, but absolutely not least: if you have Dutch family or friends who are caravanning fanatics, here's a birthday or Christmas present tip...

A subscription to "Caravannen"- a magazine about new trends, gadgets and accessories for caravans!