Guest Story: Italy Factory Motorhome Relocation Trip 2024
Imagine hiring a brand-new motorhome for a one-way trip from Tuscany to the UK or Ireland? When we saw an Instagram reel promoting this, we thought it was too good to be true, but our curiosity (and our sense of adventure) got the better of us. The deal included a ferry crossing and the freedom to plan our own route over ten days. Our scepticism quickly turned into excitement as we booked what promised to be the road trip of a lifetime. Join me as I recount our journey and maybe even inspire you to embark on your own motorhome adventure across Europe!
The Booking Process
First impressions matter, and Bunk Campers made ours incredibly smooth. The booking process was quick and painless. I emailed the team at [email protected], and almost instantly, I received a call with available dates. I booked on the spot, and shortly after, a confirmation email landed in my inbox, making it all official.
We joined the Facebook group “Italy Factory Relocation Trip – Just go & Bunk Campers,” which was a treasure trove of tips and advice from fellow travellers. It was incredibly helpful as we planned our route. We listed our must-see places and even enlisted the help of ChatGPT to plot a suggested itinerary. The beauty of motorhome travel is the freedom to change plans on a whim, which we did frequently! We didn’t pre-book any campsites, opting instead to use the Park4Night app to find spots for overnight parking and services along the way. This app was a lifesaver—without it, we’d have been utterly lost.
Night 1: Florence, Italy
We landed at Pisa Airport, and hopped on a train to Poggibonsi-S.Gimign, and arrived at the train station, where a taxi signpost awaited. Here, we made a call to Ciappi Stefano, the taxi legend recommended by our Facebook group. For €20, he whisked us to our motorhome pickup point, and before we knew it, we were ready to roll in our new home on wheels. The pickup process was flawless, the staff were so helpful and made sure we were really comfortable with all of the controls in the motorhome before we left.
*For the 2025 Italy Factory Relocation Trip, all transfers from Poggibonsi train station are included in the rental price and will be arranged by Bunk Campers / Just go.
Our first destination was Florence. We parked at 12 Via del Gelsomino for €15 a night, which was the perfect base for exploring the city. We started with a magical sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo, where panoramic views of Florence spread out before us. Pro tip: Bring a bottle of vino to enjoy the view. If the idea of walking sounds exhausting, buses 12 and 13 will drop you right at the top.
The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast in the motorhome, we took bus 11 into the heart of Florence. We gaped at Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, indulged in gelato and coffee, and admired the stunning Santa Maria del Fiore. We also grabbed sandwiches from All’Antico Vinaio, rumored to be the best in the world. After a day of wandering through the city’s historic streets, we returned to our motorhome and hit the road, eagerly anticipating the next leg of our journey.
Night 2 & 3: Lake Como, Italy
We arrived late at 165 Via Statale in Mandello del Lario, a free park-up from 8 pm to 8 am. Waking up to stunning views of Lake Como, we took a refreshing dip and enjoyed breakfast by the lake. We felt like we had our own slice of paradise, surrounded by nature.
After breakfast, we drove to Sorico, the northernmost part of the lake, and booked a pitch at Camping La Riva, highly recommended by the Facebook group. This charming campsite offered a pool, bar, kayak, pedalo, and bicycle rentals. We paid €71 for a large pitch, including facilities and electricity. Unfortunately, rain poured down for 24 hours, cancelling our vintage wooden speedboat trip. However, we enjoyed watching the thunderstorm over the lake and settled in at the bar to enjoy the Euros with the other guests.
With rain still pounding the motorhome roof, we checked the weather app and found sunshine in Switzerland. We packed up quickly and crossed the border, taking the scenic route over the Gotthard Pass. This breathtaking 16-mile journey lies at an elevation of 6,916 feet. We stopped frequently to soak in the views and found a farm on Park4Night with great reviews for just €20.
Important Note: In Switzerland, you need a special vignette for certain roads. It costs CHF 40 / €40 and can be bought at customs or online. We bought ours online before crossing the border.
Night 4: Attinghausen, Switzerland
Arriving at Talacker 1, 6468 Attinghausen, we parked in pitch darkness and awoke to a stunning mountain landscape. This idyllic farm stay felt like a dream, and for just €20 (€25 with an electric hook-up), we parked our campervan overnight, waking up to serene pastures and fresh mountain air.
Traveling through Switzerland in a campervan with kids is the perfect budget-friendly way to explore this stunning country. After breakfast, we hit the road for Lucerne. Despite using the motorways, the views were utterly spectacular.
Lucerne was a fairytale come to life. We embarked on a one-hour scenic cruise aboard a panoramic yacht, soaking in views of luxurious villas, hilly landscapes, and the deep blue lake. The kids were captivated by the audio guide, making it an educational experience for all. We parked for the afternoon/evening at 23 Alpenquai in Lucerne for €2 per hour, perfect for exploring the city. After a quick beer and coffee on the harbour, we drove two hours north to Ettenheim, Germany.
Night 5 & 6: Ettenheim, Germany
We arrived just in time for a magical sunset overlooking the Rhine plain. Our park-up was a vineyard, free of charge, where we purchased some beautiful wine in exchange for the hospitality. Im Offental 1/Weingut 77955 Ettenheim was a serene setting, surrounded by vines.
The next day, we visited Europa Park, Germany’s largest theme park, which had long been on my bucket list. With over six million visitors annually, it’s the most visited seasonal theme park in the world. The park features thrilling rides, captivating shows, and 17 themed areas. For adrenaline junkies, the Austrian and Croatian-themed areas offered unforgettable thrills.
After a long day, we returned to the vineyard, enjoyed a storm over the Rhine plain, and woke up the next day to rain. We decided to chase the sun to Luxembourg.
Night 7: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
After crossing the borders into France and then Luxembourg, we booked a pitch at Camping Bon Accueil in Hesperange for €33, including services. The evening was spent relaxing and enjoying the campsite’s amenities, including a playground, café/bar, beach volleyball court, and pool.
Did you know that public transport in Luxembourg is free? The next morning we parked our camper at the free Park and Ride Lux Sud and used public transport to explore the city with the kids. Our zero-cost itinerary included the Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg Old Town, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Passerelle. Who knew you could experience so much in Luxembourg without spending a cent?
After a fun day, we took the train back to the motorhome and headed to Mons, Belgium.
Night 8: Mons, Belgium
We found a free park-up in the village of Havré, nestled between a church and a police station, providing a safe spot for a quick overnight stop. The kids played basketball while we planned the next day’s drive to Calais. We hit the bakery next door for breakfast before heading to Calais to catch the ferry to Dover. The ferry crossing was included in the total cost, and the journey was smooth and efficient. Onboard the MS Spirit of France, operated by P&O, we enjoyed duty-free shopping, kids’ entertainment, and a coffee shop.
Night 9: Worplesdon, United Kingdom
Our park-up for the evening was next to The Jolly Farmer pub in Worplesdon, costing €0. We did buy dinner or drinks at the pub. We had a great meal and a few drinks before bedtime. The next day, we headed to Chessington World of Adventures Resort. Chessington offers ten themed lands, thrilling rides, a zoo, and a SEA LIFE Centre. The kids loved meeting their favourite storybook heroes, and the World of Jumanji was a highlight. Chessington is a perfect mix of excitement and family-friendly fun.
Night 10: Warwick, United Kingdom
After Chessington we headed north towards Birmingham. We planned a quick stop at Welcome Break Warwick Northbound Services M40 but ended up staying overnight for £15. The kids were thrilled with the Burger King, and we enjoyed the services, including free WiFi, free shower facilities, shops etc.
The next day, we headed to the Lake District, a national park in Cumbria, northwest England. Despite the rain, the drive from Kendal to Keswick was breathtaking. This drive is renowned as being one of the best routes in the UK.
Night 11: Lake District, United Kingdom
Our final park-up was at The Crown pub in Penrith, costing €0. The landlord is happy for you to stay once you buy food or drinks in the pub. We happily settled in and enjoyed a delicious Thai dinner while we enjoyed the final of the Euros. The next morning, we made our way to Edinburgh, dropping off the motorhome after an epic trip.
The Verdict
Overall, this adventure was an unforgettable experience. Here’s my rating:
- Ease of Booking: ★★★★★
- Flexibility of Itinerary: ★★★★★
- Affordability: ★★★★★
- Family-Friendliness: ★★★★★
- Fun Factor: ★★★★★
Tips for Future Adventurers
1. Pack Light: You don’t need half as much clothes as you think you do. Be ruthless when you’re packing.
2. Plan Your Route: Have a rough idea of where you want to go but be flexible.
3. Use Apps: Download Park4Night for easy park-up finding.
4. Check the Weather: Be prepared for changing conditions.
5. Bring Entertainment: Movies and games are great for downtime.
6. Bring fans: Buy USB fans and bring them with you to keep you cool at night
7. Buy camp chairs: Stop off at Pams when you collect the motorhome and buy some essentials like camp chairs
Would I do it again? Absolutely. This journey proved that adventure doesn’t have to break the bank, and there’s no better way to explore Europe than by motorhome. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the road and create your own epic journey. Safe travels!
Find videos and photos from Tara’s road trip on her Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/flipflopsandfloaties/
Fuel Efficiency 
Follow Us on Instagram