Zen and the Art of Motorhome - Chilling in Tuscany
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- čas přidán 26. 04. 2022
- A change of pace for today's video.
Rushing about, seeing the sights, eating the food, and discovering new places is all part of the fun of a motorhome holiday. However, so much stimulation and good stuff is in danger of becoming overwhelming. To an introvert like me, it's important to take time out and process all the new experiences, before moving on and creating new ones.
I was exhausted when I arrived in Italy and I even considered cancelling the trip before coming, as I was running on empty.
You might think that driving on unfamiliar roads in an unfamiliar country in an unfamiliar vehicle might add to the stress, right? But the complete opposite happened. The more time I spent with the Laika Kosmo Emblema, the better I felt.
I have ALWAYS maintained that a motorhome (or caravan or camper van) is more of an emotional purchase than it is a rational one. Yes, there are certain parameters that need to be met, but NOTHING is more important than how that motorhome makes you FEEL. And I felt very, very contented and rested in the Kosmo Emblema.
I took time out at the Campeggio Montaioncino near Empoli, between Florence and Pisa. Their website is www.montaioncino.it/it (Italian only) but you can book through many third party booking websites.
A huge THANK YOU to Laika UK who have sponsored this vlog WITHOUT interfering with or influencing the content.
Please check out this range of gorgeous motorhomes by visiting your nearest Laika UK dealer, or visit www.laika.it/en/
Please also give Laika UK a follow on social media:
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/ laikamotorhomesuk
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The integrity and credibility of this channel is its most important asset, therefore I only work with companies who I feel produce a quality product that is of interest to my audience, and most importantly grant me the freedom to report back truthfully and fully on my findings. I have rejected lucrative sponsorship deals in the past where the sponsor has required control of the content, or for products that I feel hold very little interest for the majority of my audience. Unless anyone would like vlogs on VPNs and website design packages?
Photography in this video is courtesy of the incredibly talented photographer Sophia Mayrhofer who is based in Minneapolis and in Munich. Check out her portfolio at www.sophiamayrhofer.com/
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Just been playing catchup on content.
Andrew this whole series has been a joy to watch, its easy to forget that it's just one man filming and editing everything, your presentation is like a program that I would expect to see on Prime etc.. the content amazing and the editing is up there with the best, well done and thank you.
Cheers Jason, I really appreciate that because yes, it's just me doing it all! Many thanks.
Oh Andrew I felt more relaxed myself listening and watching you as you settled in your little portable home and enjoyed the view. After your PTS re: brother and Covid fears, Dougal’s diagnosis, moving, the refurb of the Airstream, and so many other issues, I am glad you were able to get away and decompress. Your vlogs are always spectacular and we DO realize how much work and are grateful to you for each one. Thank You for your creative gifts.
Aww, many thanks Diane! x
You've dedicated yourself to some good company. Makes time productive and enjoyable.
Completely agree about the connection outside. Even if motorhome can sometimes feel claustrophobic (well they do if there's 4 including 2 kids), they are wonderful compared to a hotel. I find the whole hotel check in, lifts, baggage, corridors, sealed air con rooms, and associated noise from random people above you, in the corridors... well now we have a motorhome, I really can't compare them. I find hotels stressful, yet my motorhome utterly liberating. Our first big 3 week trip coming up this summer from Finland to Germany on the ferry then through to... well.. who knows?! We absolutely can't wait 😁 Cheers!
Thanks Andrew for putting it into words - I need to show this to the 'doubters '.
So glad you are able to relax in beautiful Tuscany Andrew. With all that is going on in this crazy world at present a Caravan or Motorhome is just perfect to find our own space. Take care. Tim
Hari OM
Spot on with the Zen/chillax aspects and well done, Andrew, on actually making a holiday for yourself! Continue to take care of yourself - then we can benefit from your lovely vids. ... and dare I add that Dougal for once looked smilier than you!!! YAM xx
In total agreement Andrew, when feeling low I just jump in my van and travel to a site an hour away, I do very little but feel so relaxed. Take care of yourself.
We only started caravaning a year ago and prior to that I didnt like holidays, I hate staying in hotels. I'm a complete stress head, anxiety, the lot but caravaning has been my saviour. We like quiet sites where we can just pitch up and chill out. We have also learnt there is no need to travel miles. Living as we do 30 minutes from the beautiful solway coast and the lake district we dont have to go too far away to feel like we are miles from anywhere. We can be right by the sea, in a forest or overlooking the fells. You can keep your fancy spa hotels, give me my little home on wheels anytime!🌼🌿🌊
100%!
Thanks Andrew, we love Italy, and we're about to join the exciting world of campervanning. Hope you get a break when you get home, in the meantime we look forward to more of your work, it's wonderful and very relaxing, as well as informative.
Yes, camping can be like that in a beautiful place like you found. No maid trying to run you out so that she can clean the room. No cold water showers because the staff is washing all of the sheets and towels at the same time. No worries that the restaurant is closed right when you get hungry.
So true!
You have certainly deserved a well earned break. Looking forward to seeing your travels in your new setup.
Hiya... loved the food... really yummy......what a glorious trip you had......one sleep and we're off to our 'happy place' can't wait... love Paolo and Roger aka 'The Camp Caravanners' x
Couldn’t agree more with this.. we find our caravan the only place in the world we really truly relax… heading off this weekend to do the NC500 and looking forward to stopping the pace of normal life for a few weeks … take care Andrew 👍
Have fun!
spot on. Hotels are a necessity sometimes. I much prefer my own space be it a caravan or a even a tent
Very inspiring! Love that motorhome! Also lovely sense of calm, thanks for sharing all this with us. Including doggie Dougal at home.
Thank you for great video. Really enjoyed it and the tips for slow travel and being aware of your needs.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent!
"A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stop and stare." Or something like that, anyway! Great video as always - the day when Mrs Le C and I finally get our own caravan can't come too soon…
Cheers Mr Le Cap! Yes indeed, slowing down is always good. Hope you get your caravan soon. See you on the road ;)
Another great video Andrew, Stunning photos, We live and Tour full time in ours, wouldn't dream of going to a hotel now.
Your videos are the best ❤️
Thank you so much 😀
Well Andrew, we just returned from a 3 week tour in a Coachman Beyond, on the Ford Transit 3500 Chassis. Very relaxing, a joy to drive, but......it is not the Pleasure Way that we rented 2 years ago. We are with you all day long on the Peace! Would love to see these units (Laika) in Canada, we are limited in the level of Class C units we can get.
This made me miss a motorhome yet again…….we love our caravan but miss the freedom of a motorhome especially in Europe.
Yep, that's what it's all about Andrew. Beats a hotel room every time. Glad you're managing to de-stress.
To say I enjoyed this video was an understatement. It reminded me of all the reasons I miss mine and need replace her. So glad you are feeling re-energize. Thanks for sharing and have a safe trip home.
Great video Andrew, very envious.I love Tuscany. Regards from the Solent Coast
Many thanks!
Love all your videos! Visiting the Hebrides is now on our bucket list. These Tuscany videos have been wonderful as we are now very keen to explore Italy. Have bookmarked all the spots you visited :-) Thanks for these great videos :-)
Thanks Cathy! So many places to go...! :)
Hi Andrew, it has been a full on time for you recently, An advantage of having the Motorhome is you can take things at your own pace! So pleased you eventually got time to relax & unwind, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Lots of Love to Dougal back Home & to You, take care, look forward to seeing more. 💖💖💜💜XX
After a stressful last few months, I hope you are able to spend your summer enjoying some quality beach time with Dougal!
I love our caravan , all my best holiday memories are in the various caravans we’ve had Over the years. We have done the cottage holidays and been abroad. But I always feel more relaxed and comfortable in the caravans. Your holiday looks amazing
I just love relaxing and chilling in our caravan. We have found a fab site just an hour from home. Entertainment there if you want it, Gin bar if you want it, street food vans if you want them, really theres plenty of space (we had an awning and a canopy last time), fire pit for everyone for atmosphere, no loud music or footy games, grandkids can go an play safe, beautiful countryside on the doorstep with Cambs & Norfolk just around the corner. No need to scream around anywhere. Sheer bliss
Sounds wonderful, Linda!
👍🏻👍🏻
Ooooooo, ready a scooter yet? Small ones that can be carried at the hitch. It gets you where you need to go without worrying about parking in old village centers.
Brilliant, glad you found the “ahhhhhh” feeling in the end :) Got to recharge those mental batteries otherwise… can’t pour from an empty cup. I’ve started treating myself to mini Bill Gates style “retreats” (minus the 4* chef delivered dinners of course!), a few days all on my own, mid week, with the caravan. Part dedicated business strategy thinking time for post pandemic reinvigoration, part “me time” hate that phrase but it serves a purpose… please pass on a belly rub, etc. to Dougal!
Really lovely vlog Andrew, looks like a lovely relaxing place to be in so many ways
👍
I couldn’t agree more with you about having your own space, motor home or caravan against a hotel room for a calming feeling, it is your home from home.
I'm sure I'm not the only person who can ONLY relax in a motorhome (caravan, or camper can) in a way that I just CANNOT in a hotel or Air BnB... am I?
Absolutely agree. For me even more so when caravan or tent camping because with a campervan I'm always tempted to run around and see everything. Diagnosed as an HSP (highly sensitive person) I can relate to being easily overstimulated by cities and crowds, however interesting I find them.
I totaly agree with you Andrew 🙏
My caravan is everything for me. My caravan stay in our garage at our housse all year round i often go and have my cup of tea in my caravan.
I couldn t be without à caravan .
I have been caravaning since the âgé of 1 year old with my parents and grand parents.
Big kisses to you from France 🇨🇵
Growing up in a cramped, two-bedroom bungalow, our campervan (on the drive) became my escape, my sanctuary. My mates loved to come round and doss in it with me, where we'd brew tea and coffee (how innocent were we?!) and chill with some music. Over the years I carried the habit over, and now I'm a 'van owner myself I escape not just onto the drive but beyond. If there's a looming deadline, a couple of days of tranquillity, punctuated by long walks to clear the head and formulate ideas, works wonders. Admittedly, living on the edge of the Peak District helps. Working for myself might mean I earn a bit less than I used to as a teacher, but it gives me the freedom to take longer breaks as well, and explore parts of the UK I haven't yet reached - or even ones that I know I haven't explored fully yet. Working at home sometimes involves endless interruptions; working away in the van means flexibility, freedom, and a more balanced lifestyle.
Totally agree Andrew, my van is away for repair at the moment and I miss the ability to get away and relax
Its been a funny couple of years - a few You Tubers I follow have recently had a bit of a time out and chilling after feeling burnt out. You look after yourself Andrew
Oh Andrew! You do need a break don't you?! You've had such a lot on your plate for months now, you need to relax! This is why I worry about you not for any reason other than I genuinely care (honestly!) Not just physically but emotionally as well! You bring out the mothering instinct in me (that's all!) It is a beautiful part of the world and I can't wait to visit next year although in a different region to Tuscany but it does look idyllic and relaxing! Take care Andrew, phone or msg someone if you need to, it's been a trying time and none of us are immune from stress and hard work which always takes it's toll eventually! You had a small break which is good! Sending love and hugs xxx 😘🐕🥰
When are you doing more uk based reviews plus being a dog lover we are missing dougal
Would love to Malcolm, but most 'live-in' press vehicles are based in Italy and Germany.
Tuscany is such a beautiful place, glad you are enjoying your new motor home.
Hi Andrew, how would you compare holidaying in a motorhome vs caravan? I imagine there are advantages and disadvantages of both. Presumably, it is easier to drive and park a motorhome but there is more room in a caravan and it is easier to unhitch the caravan and drive a car into town rather than a motorhome? Which would you choose if you had to have one or the other?
Hi Michael, I made a video about just that which you can see here. Thanks for watching! czcams.com/video/USYqeWRWQbw/video.html
Sophia is a stunning beauty
More to the point she is an excellent photographer!
Safefill gas cylinders 6 nights away using SOLAR used 7.6 litres of gas at .66p. per litre. Total cost to refill £5.05.including vat. That's far less than £1.00 per night..far cheaper that the cost of using an electric car..for one night only
As much as I agree with your comment regarding walking through the vineyard or olive groves, I’m sure that, no different to yourself Andrew, I’d choose walking through a garbage tip anyday, as long as my dog was by my side. 🐶
I do like your video's, but.... the content doesn't convince me of the worth of a motorhome over a caravan.... A motorhome gives you the feeling to be free in moving around. We (my wife and I) prefer the mobility with a separated car and caravan. In June we are making a trip, starting with a ferry from Eemshaven (Netherlands) to Kristiansand (Norway) and then through Norway and coming back home to the southeast of the Netherlands through Sweden, Denmark and Germany. About 4000 km. Ideal for a motorhome, but we prefer the caravan and car. Why? Because we like the possibility to make easy tours from a campsite with the car and we prefer the comfort of our car. Our combination a Sprite Alpine Sport 400TF 2017 and a Volvo V40 Sport automatic 2019. Just a thought and there are many more valid but this is ours..... But Toscane is gorgeous indeed and we love it, but that is an other story. Thank you for this impression!
Great Vlog Andrew. Glad you are finding some space and solitude 😃🚐 Trev n Sue