RV Travel a Growing

NPR : Seeing the Country in an RV Skip Navigation archives | transcripts | stations | npr shop | about npr | contact us | help Programs and Schedules All Programs A-Z All Schedules SELECTED PROGRAMS All Songs Considered All Things Considered Car Talk Day to Day The Diane Rehm Show Fresh Air with Terry Gross From the Top Morning Edition The Motley Fool Radio Show News & Notes with Ed Gordon On the Media Performance Today Talk of the Nation Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday World Cafe SCHEDULES NPR Stations' Schedules NPR.org Program Stream NPR Worldwide NPR on Sirius Satellite Radio -- Search is sponsored by: -- News Politics & Society Business People & Places Health & Science Books Music Arts & Culture Diversions Opinion NPR Podcasts News Feeds Morning Edition All Things Considered Day to Day Talk of the Nation Fresh Air News & Notes with Ed Gordon Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Performance Today World Cafe Motley Fool Radio More Programs Hourly Newscast Program Stream 24-Hour schedule Contact Us Discussions NPR Everywhere Sponsor NPR Press Room Submit Ideas Corrections Ombudsman Site Map RV Travel a Growing Trend Vermont Museum Celebrates the History and Culture of RVs The audio for this story will be available online after 9PM ET, 6PM PT. -- Listen to Brian Mann's report. View a photo gallery of vintage recreational vehicles . A 1957 Airstream Caravanner. Photo courtesy of Shelburne Museum "[RVing means] freedom. You don't have to make reservations anywhere. You just go where the wind takes you." Loraine Erlensen, who vacations in a 1977 Dodge motor home with husband Bob and daughter Amanda. July 8, 2002 --Every summer, millions of American pack their bags and hit the highways in Winnebagoes, Airstreams and other RVs. RVs, or motor homes, offer people the comforts of home and the freedom of the open road. To a great degree, they have redefined the definition of vacation and changed the way Americans see the country. For All Things Considered , Brian Mann of North Country Public Radio visits Vermont's Shelburne Museum, which has an exhibit celebrating the history and culture of the RV lifestyle. The RV lifestyle, first known as 'gypsying', has been around for decades. ine million people own motor homes and one million people live in them full time. There are national RV clubs with their own magazines, and campgrounds have specific spots for RVs. Museum curator Valerie Hunt has spent the last two years obsessed with America's love of highways and RV travel. The exhibit includes sexy Airsteams with sleek chrome curves and a 1948 school bus converted into a Ken Kesey style hippie land yacht. The point of the show, Mann says, is nostalgia. And with more and more Americans fearing air travel, industry groups say that RV travel is more popular now than ever. Since Sept. 11, RV sales have risen by more than 20 percent, and these days RV's and highways are a "symbol that says less about adventure - and more about comfort and safety." Other Resources • American Wanderlust: A Shelburne Museum exhibit about RVs . • RV Companion Magazine . • Consumer Web site that promotes safe RV travel . • Web site listing numerous magazines for RV enthusiasts . • New RVer: News and information for novice Rvers and anyone looking to learn about the lifestyle . • Escapees RV club Web site offers information, stories, and a discussion forum about RVing and RVs . 'E-mail this Story' sponsored by: Kean: WeGet IT Done. -- -- E-mail this Page Recipient's e-mail address: »Separate addresseswith semicolons Your e-mail address: Your name: Personal message (optional): Your NPR member station: »Find your memberstation Are you a member of your local NPR station? Yes     No Would you like to receive information fromyour local NPR member station? (see NPR'sprivacy policy ) Yes     No May we contact you with information about NPRprogramming? (see NPR'sprivacy policy ) Yes     No » Wanta transcript? (Information collected by NPR willbe used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and onlyif you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacypolicy for more information.)

used motor home with

Motor Homing in Europe Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living As seen in Transitions Abroad Magazine November/December 2004 Related Topics Camping Abroad Budget Travel Related Articles An RV in Europe Car Camping Through Europe Off-Beat Camping in Europe Motor Homing in Europe The Best Way to Meet Your European Neighbors By Steve Hunt A young camper savors Florence's delights from the backdoor of her family's motor home. Recently, I completed an 8-month trip across Europe by motor home. As a former tour operator, I’ve traveled just about every way imaginable. I found motor homing hard to beat. You pack once; you travel where you want when you want; you have no worries about where the next hotel room will be, and you have to try hard not to meet people. If you’re traveling to Europe on a short 2-or-3-week vacation, a motor home may not be ideal. Some wrong turns on unfamiliar roadways, and this can cause problems for people on a tight schedule. But for a family exploring Europe for the summer or a retired couple with plenty of time, it’s ideal. So why didn’t I meet more Americans in Europe’s 8,000 campgrounds? First, let’s look at the basics. There are three ways to acquire your camping van or motor home: rent, lease, or buy. The least expensive way to go on a long trip is to buy. You may want to buy from an outfit that will guarantee to buy back your rig at the end of the trip. For optimum savings, consider a good used motor home with low mileage. I contacted an outfit in Amsterdam recommended to me by an experienced RVer and made my arrangements over the phone. When I arrived, my camper was ready and waiting. I even shipped several cartons of supplies in advance and they were stored in the motor home until I arrived. There are some technicalities regarding insurance and registration, but these are handled by the outfit that sells you your camper. I met a number of Americans traveling in Europe who had considered motor homing but decided against it because they were afraid of being stuck with the motor home at the end of their trip. The buy-back program resolves this dilemma. Many companies will agree to sell your camper on consignment at the end of your trip, but I found most people wanted the security of a guaranteed buy-back. Buy-backs vary but usually average around 65 percent of the purchase price. Needless to say, the longer you travel, the cheaper the cost per day. Reasonable used motor homes and camper-vans ideal for touring Europe range between $13,000 and $35,000 depending on size, year, and condition. Europeans love to camp and there are campgrounds just about everywhere. They range from complete destination resorts with swimming pools, tennis, entertainment, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores on premises to more rustic campgrounds with few extras. Almost all campgrounds have basic necessities such as bathrooms, showers, dishwashing facilities, electric hook-ups, and chemical toilets for waste. Many people find a central location they like and take day trips using the campground as a base until they move on. Costs If you take the cost of your camper (minus buy-back or anticipated resale price) insurance, registration, campground fees, and gas you can get a good idea of your costs. My costs over 245 days, traveling an estimated 16,500 kilometers, were 1,678 euros for gas, 1,452 euros for insurance, and 932 euros for registration. Campgrounds averaged 15 euros per night for one person, electric hook-up, and camper. Add five to eight euros per additional adult and three to four per child. My low was eight euros and my high 28. Some people save money by free camping (camping in truck stops, beaches, and along the road) but I did so only in an emergency and don’t recommend it as a standard practice. Besides, you miss one of the big advantages of camping Europe. When you’re in a campground, it’s hard not to socialize and meet people. Fellow campers will be intrigued by the fact that you’re an American camping through Europe. I can’t count the number of times I was invited over for a glass of wine and conversation. And if you are traveling with kids, you’ll be amazed how they communicate through body and sign language as if talking really didn’t matter. Another way to add meaning to your trip is to allot some time for visiting with a local family. Servas , an organization of international hosts in over 100 countries, will provide you with host lists for the countries you request. The normal routine is to spend two nights at the home of a host family, usually including dinner. The objective is to learn about each other’s way of life and exchange ideas. Some hosts will give you a tour of the local area and all can provide useful information. Dine with the Danes, a more commercial venture, provides a dinner-only exchange in Denmark for a fee. Servas charges nothing except for a membership fee, but the usual procedure is to thank your host with a small gift or bottle of wine. Finding space in campgrounds is a lot easier than finding space in hotels (although at popular vacation destinations in July and August, it’s helpful to call ahead and reserve a spot). Not all campgrounds take reservations, so if the area campgrounds are crowded the best bet is to arrive early. I never made a reservation during my eight months of travel and was only turned away twice because a campground was full. In both cases, I got a spot at a neighboring site. I also tried to arrange my itinerary so I avoided crowded vacation destinations during the summer. Preparation A good campground guide is essential for locating places where you want to stay. Another essential item to get before you leave is an International Camping Carnet card. This provides admittance to most campgrounds (in some cases at reduced rates) and is held by the campground instead of your passport. Don’t leave home without it. (See the Camping Tips sidebar for a listing of good books on camping in Europe and other services and suggestions. Proper planning is the best insurance for a smooth travel experience.) Camping Tips and Resources Propane Tanks: Your camper will undoubtedly come with one full propane tank (used for refrigerator, hot water, and sometimes heater) and possibly a small reserve "camper" tank. If you’re traveling for more than two months, get a second full tank from your camper outfit. This gives you plenty of time to get your empty tank replaced when it runs out at the most inopportune time. Electric Heater: Get a small electric heater in Europe. It saves on propane during chilly nights and you just plug in at the campground. GPS: I never used one but the new camping books are coming out with GPS readings. Hand-held ($250) or dash mounted ($1,000 and up). If you’re into gadgets, you might enjoy one. Satellite TV: If you’re on a long trip this is a great way to keep in touch with what’s going on via CNN, BBC, etc. Many campers have them. Money: ATM cash machines are the easiest and least expensive way to obtain cash in Europe and are everywhere in Western Europe. Books: David Shore and Patty Campbell, Europe by Van and Motorhome (Odyssey Press, 2001). Basic how-to guide to RVing through Europe more than a listing of campgrounds. Good tips on a successful trip. Order direct at 760-723-6184 or shorecam@aol.com , www.roadtripeurope.com . $16.95. Mike and Terri Church, Traveler’s Guide to European Camping (Rolling Homes Press, 1999). Picks best campgrounds in popular spots. My guide for much of my trip. Indispensible. Updated edition may be out by now. Order direct from publishers at 1-888-265-6555 or at www.rollinghomes.com . $19.95. Carol Mickelsen, Camping Europe (Carousel Press, 2001). Similar to Church book. Order at www.caarousel-press.com , Amazon.com, or local book store. $19.95. The Caravan Club, Caravan Europe (The Caravan Club Ltd., 2003) Two-volume edition is the most comprehensive printed listing of European campgrounds available. Separate volume for U.K. campgrounds. Also sells a membership card for U.K. campgrounds similar to the Camping Carnet card listed below. Order from club at Dept. DC, Freepost, E. Grinstead, W. Sussex, RH19 1ZB, U.K.; Tel. 011-44-1342-318813, fax 011-44-1342-410258; www.caravanclub.co.uk . £9 English pounds per volume. Membership card £27 pounds. ACSI Camping CD-Rom 2003: If CD-Roms are more your thing, this one in seven languages and complete with search engines and pictures lists 8,000 campgrounds in 24 countries. Order from ACSI Publishing BV, Postbus 34, 6670 AA Zetten, The Netherlands, Tel. 011-31-488-452055, fax 011-31-488-454210; www.acsi-gids.com , info@acsi-gids.com . 15 euros. International Camping Carnet Card: Order from Family Campers & RVers, 4804 Transit Road, Bld. 2, Depew, N.Y. 14043-4704; 716-668-6242; 800-235-9755. $35. US Servas, Inc.: 11 John St., Room 505, New York, N.Y. 10038; Tel. 212-267-0252, fax 212-267-0292, info@usservas.org ; www.usservas.org . Membership $65. Dine With the Danes: Contact: Anette Haargaaard, Smallegade 20A, 2000 Frederiksberk, Denmark, Tel. 011-45-26-85-39-61, fax 011-45-38-19-39-64. www.dinewiththedanes.dk . Dkk350. Braitman & Woudenberg: P.O. Box 1891, 1000 BW, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Tel. 011-31-20-6221168, fax 011-31-20-6203855, www.bwcampers.com , info@bwcampers.com . Dependable camper sales with buy-back and support while traveling. Bilbo’s Trading Co.: Eastbourne Rd., South Godstone, Surrey RH9 8JQ, U.K.; Tel. 011-44-1342-892499, fax 01-44-1342-893793; www.bilbos.com . Buy-backs available. Brownhills Leisure World , A1/A46 Junction, Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK. T +44-1636-704201. Sales@brownhills.co.uk , www.brownhills.co.uk . Buy-backs available. Rutenkolk Caravaning: Friedberger Landstrasse 434, D-60389 Frankfurt, Germany; Tel. 011-49-69-9474090, fax 011-49-69-94740969, info@rutenkolk.de , www.rutenkolk.de . Buy-backs available. STEVE HUNT is a professional tour operator who has traveled extensively. He is currently touring Europe by motor home. Contact him at whall237@yahoo.com . Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Disclaimer ©Transitions Abroad

Motor Coaches by Brands

Used Motor Coaches for Sale, PPL Motor Homes, 1-800-755-4775 Home | RVs for Sale | Sell Your RV | RV Insurance | RV Parts | About PPL | RV Service | Map | Contact PPL Motor Coaches by Brands & Models Last Updated January 24, 2006 Click Here to go to Main Used RV Menu Click Here to Learn How to Sell Your Motor Coach Quickly and For a Fair Price Click Here for Information on RV Prices Books and Other Pricing Tools If are thinking about selling your Motor Coach, click on the button to the left and request the free booklet " Nine Steps to Selling Your RV"... Avoid Common Mistakes . These tips and "no-nos" could save you thousands and help you avoid the headaches when selling your RV. Bluebird Motor Coaches American Eagle Motor Coaches Beaver Motor Coaches Champion Motor Coaches Damon Motor Coaches Executive Motor Coaches Firan Motor Coaches Hawkins Motor Coaches Monaco Motor Coaches Overland Motor Coaches Newmar Motor Coaches Safari Motor Coaches Tradewinds Motor Coaches Winnebago Motor Coaches Pictures, Floor Plans, Prices and Details View pictures, floor plans, prices and details on all of the 163 RVs now forsale at PPL Motor Homes...The Largest RV Consignment Dealer in the USA. Clickhere to view a Complete List of Used RVs for Sale. Check out the large selection of great values on these used recreational vehicles currently on PPL's Huge RV Consignment Lot. Sell Your RV Quickly and for a Fair Price RV Owners all over the USA are discovering PPL Motor Home's No Hassle Consignments. PPL has sold over 16,500 RVs for individualowners since 1972. Click and find out why PPL's unique RV Consignment Program is better than Motor Home Classifieds . Experience the No-Hassle way to sell Diesel Pushers, Motorhomes, 5th Wheelsor Travel Trailers. Selling your vehicle is not a side line at PPL...it's whatwe've been doing since 1972. We do not sell any new RVs as this could distract us from our focus on selling your consigned unit. The right asking price is critical for you to get the top dollar for yourunit. Our Free appraisals are based on the experience that comes with selling over 16,500 consigned RVs since 1972. The information at the above link will help explain why PPL Motor Homes hasgrown to be the largest RV Consignment dealership in the USA. PPL Motor Homes 10777 Southwest Freeway (Highway 59 South) Houston, Texas 77074-9829 713-988-5555 1-800-755-4775 Hours: 8-5:30pm Mon-Fri 9-4 Central Saturday PPL Home | RVs for Sale | Steps to Buy | Sell Your RV | Insurance RV Parts Superstore Home | Service | About PPL | Photo Tour | Contact PPL PPL Motor Homes Houston, Texas All Rights Reserved, 1997-2006

Vacation Vehicle

SIXT | vacation car rental / rent a holiday car = cheap car rentals! Holiday Cars. First class vacation car rental at perfectly cheap prices. Holiday Cars. Enjoy a relaxing holiday with Sixt car hire. Sixt Holiday Cars is your stress free way to hit the road. Sixt provides quality hire cars at the standard you are accustom to, worldwide at a no-worries fixed price. All taxes, fees and insurances are already included in the super low price. All you have to do it sit back, relax and enjoy your holiday. From nippy city runabouts to elegant convertibles or sturdy jeeps, Sixt always has the right car for you, at cheap internet prices, almost anywhere you want. Booking - 75 countries at carefree prices. Our all-inclusive rates are excellent value for money around the world with the Sixt carefree guarantee. » Click here get a quote Top Offers - Extra holiday savings Don't save on your holiday - save during your holiday. Available exclusively on the Sixt website. » Take a look.... book your low cost holiday special Relaxing holiday - Sixt Holiday Cars The Sixt Carefree Guarantee! » more information Information and customer service » read more Sixt lowered the prices » more information -- 1-2-3-4-5. Hire a car in 5 Steps. » more information Rental data enter your rental details Available offers choose your preferred car category Extras and data choose any extras and enter your personal details Confirmation print confirmation and Sixt holiday car voucher Bon voyage present the voucher at the station and collect your vehicle Top destinations for holiday car hire 2005/2006 » Spain - e.g. Malaga / Madrid / Alicante » Majorque e.g. Palma de Majorque, Cala Millor, ... » Italy - e.g. Rome / Olbia / Milan » Portugal - e.g. Lisbon / Faro / Oporto » USA - e.g. Los Angeles / Miami / Fort Myers » Greece - e.g. Thessaloniki / Athens / Crete » Germany - e.g. Berlin / Munich / Hamburg / Dresden » France - e.g. Paris / Bordeaux / Nice

RV America We are

Florida,New Orleans, Louisiana, Mississippi, rv rental motorhome rentals, central caravans for hire California HOME RENTAL RATES REFERENCES CONTACT US LEASEBACK PROGRAM rv Rental Rates Rental Rates Spring 2005 Summer 2005 Fall 2005 Winter 2006 Breakdown of Fees Make Money Leaseback Program Tax Benefits FAQ Reservations Reservations/Inquiry Form References References Happy Campers Articles About Us Web Compliments Corporate Clients: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Insurance USA Insurance Mexican Insurance Specials Las Vegas Raceway Deal Corporate Special Gasoline Insurance Charges Additional Charges Optional/Equipment One Way Trips Tow-Behind-Vehicles Housekeeping Kits Airport Shuttle Pets Customer Desk RV Manual Dump Sites Campgrounds RV Classes RV Terms Glossary Traveling to Mexico Corporate Clients Traveler Help RV Desk Your RV RV History One of a Kind RV Contact Us Inquiry Form Where are we? FAQ Email Us RV motorhome rentals in Florida,New Orleans, Louisiana, Mississippi, RV motor home rental serving New Orleans, Louisiana, Mississippi and a motorhome RV serving New Orleans, Louisiana, Mississippi, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino areas, also Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Orange County's John Wayne Airport and Ontario Airport. (San Diego, Las Vegas and San Francisco deliveries). LEASEBACK PROGRAM If you own an RV or would like to buy a motorhome and want to make money, ask us about our Leaseback Program . You can own your own RV for almost nothing! WHERE ARE WE 4238 East Mission Blvd., Montclair, California 91763 (909) 613-0562 Fax (909) 613-056 info@americanrvrentals.com Need directions and a map? SPECIALS Las Vegas Special Raceway Deal Corporate Clients Special OUR GUARANTEE We guarantee our overseas customers will thoroughly enjoy their motorhome, or they can return it, within 24 hours, with less than 100 miles on it, for a full refund HOUSEKEEPING KITS All Housekeeping Kits must be ordered at time of booking or they will not be available when motorhome is picked up. WANT TO RENT A...? Tow Behind Car Mountain Bike Bike Rack Generator Car Seat for a Small Child Utility Flatbed Trailer Dune Buggy CORPORATE CLIENTS We also specialize in long term rentals to the movie and television production industry, sport events, concerts, fairs, commercial enterprises, dog/horse shows, conventions, etc. Save with our Corporate Special . We are in the process of updating its motorhome fleet for the coming season, so that our customers will always have clean, low mileage, dependable, privately owned motorhomes, of various years and sizes, for rent to the most discriminating of customers. rv SEE OUR REVIEW IN ATV SPORT MAGAZINE We also specialize in long term rentals for Corporate Clients We are proud to supply RVs to (among others): in Las Vegas 2002 Slime Time Live 2002 Winter Tour Japan Grand Touring Championship USA 2004 Lifetime Television for Women 2005 We support our Troops RV America We are a California, USA based motorhome, RV, caravan rental and a motorhome, RV, caravan sales company serving the Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino areas. Also serving Los Angeles International Airport, Orange County's John Wayne Airport and Ontario Airport. Deliveries available to Las Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego.