The call of summer is in the air

There’s something special about the way summer quietly creeps up on us. The days grow longer, the sun hangs a little lower over the fields, and you can almost feel your body begin to yearn. Not just for a holiday – but for freedom. For packing a little at a time, planning loosely, and then one day setting off with the windows cracked open and the world at our feet.

Here at Camperbixen, we’re starting to feel it again – that familiar tingle. When the scent of diesel, coffee, and morning dew on the windscreen begins to call, we know exactly what time it is: time for the simple life on wheels, where it’s more about being present than about the destination. And one thing we know for sure: the summer adventure doesn’t start when we hit the road – it starts in the preparations.

✨ The preparation – half the joy

We’ve already started, just a little. Maybe you have too?It begins with a glance at Google Maps – and a reunion with our favourites in Campercontact and Park4Night. The old saved spots we’ve returned to year after year. The little site by the river in Germany where the coffee tasted extra good. The spot in North Jutland where the sun set right over the water. The bay in Portugal we dream about for this summer.

Around the dining table, ideas are spreading. A Messenger thread with the family is already underway. Pictures, links, and “what if we try this one this year?” messages are being sent.

You can almost smell the toasted bread in the morning sun and hear the sound of the old kettle we used to bring – until we invested in the foldable version that just fits better in the cupboard (where there’s never any space). The excitement is building: this is going to be good.

🗺️ With the heart as a compass (and a little common sense)

We don’t plan down to the last detail – that would almost be a shame. But we plan thoughtfully. Because we’ve learned: things take longer when you live slowly. And that’s exactly how it should be.

We give ourselves space for the unexpected. For roadside stalls with cherries in paper bags. For the narrow, nameless gravel road. For the moments when you just have to stop and breathe – because the light right there makes everything still.

Of course, we also keep an eye on traffic and roadworks. And we check the upcoming weather forecast – especially when the temperature rises, so our four-legged friend Marley doesn’t get too hot. Not to squeeze in more – but to be able to choose the more beautiful route, or find a new destination if needed. We always find a way – and it’s always the one that feels right.

💰 When peace begins in the budget book

We don’t just pack with our hearts – but also with our heads. The budget book and pen are out, and we’re ticking things off. For us, finances are actually the most important factor in holiday preparation. Without an overview and money in the account, it’s hard to enjoy the trip.

That’s why we keep track along the way – and we’ve been saving for this summer’s experiences since July last year. Money for food, fun, and diesel has been set aside, and we’ve already gathered a good handful of 1- and 2-euro coins for the places where cash is needed to fill up on water. It may seem like a small thing, but it makes a big difference. When we have control of the finances, we avoid the headaches and frustration that can creep in and spoil the mood. Instead, we can be present – and free.

🔧 Small things, big differencePreparation is also about the small details that make all the difference. The vignette we entered the wrong number plate for in Austria. The adapter that was loaned out and never came back. The phone charger that hid in the wrong drawer.

This year we’re doing it differently. We’ve made our own “forgot last year” list – and we’re making sure it’s checked off in good time. This is where Camperbixen comes into play with all the practical things:

🧰 Remember to get the little things sorted – they make the difference:

🧴 Eco-friendly detergent for both clothes and dishes

💧 Flexible water hose – takes up almost no space

🧼 Foldable silicone tableware – brilliant in small cupboards

👣 Water-filled insoles – for all those market days and long walks

🛁 Mini-sized self-care – the little things make the big difference

You can find all of this with us – we’ve gathered what we ourselves use and swear by.And as always, we buy one month’s access to Campercontact and Park4Night. It’s like having a local guide in your pocket – one who knows where to find peace, views, and clean water. And usually, four new little things for our tiny home on four wheels find their way into the cart. That’s just part of it.

💡 Tip from the road: Use Park4Night and Campercontact. They know all the little gems you’d never find yourself – both off-grid and with service.

🏠 The tiny home on wheels Alongside the route planning, the camper begins to wake up. It’s not just about packing – it’s about setting the scene.

We bring out the holiday favourites. Some things we buy again. Others we choose to leave behind. This year, we’ve decided to leave five things we usually bring – and we don’t think we’ll miss them. On the contrary. Because on the road in the camper, we have everything we need when we have each other and a table in the shade.

The favourite mug is ready. The blanket – the one we always playfully argue over – is already rolled up. A string of lights on the ceiling. The book we still haven’t read. And the smell of fresh fruit and French press coffee in the little kitchen. The summer preparations are buzzing with life – long before the wheels start turning.

🚪 The excitement is still there as we get ready

We take time here and there to gather it all. Writing lists in different handwritings. Crossing off, adding new. The lists have almost become a tradition in themselves.

We stock up on biodegradable detergents, check if the yoga ball and strap are packed, test the grill, and pack both foldable bowls and cups (the ones we found here in the shop – genius!). There’s still a bit left to get – but we’re on our way. And just getting ready… already feels like a holiday in itself.

🌄 It won’t be long before the day comes

Maybe with dew on the windscreen. Maybe with sunshine. We close the door. Turn the key. The engine hums softly. We look at each other and smile. We’re looking forward to that day.

Our bodies and minds need to slow down. And most importantly: it will be our job to take care of ourselves and bring our routines with us on the road. They’re important to us. Because exhaustion and fatigue are not good travel companions.

Now it begins. Not just the journey – but us. The different pace. The different way of being. Where breakfast takes its time. Where we laugh more. Where we talk about everything and nothing – and it all feels important.

Because camper life isn’t just about destinations. It’s about moments. About the simple. The close. The living.

🔜 We can’t wait – can you?

We still have plenty left on the to-do list – but the journey has already begun within us. It lives in the joy of anticipation, in the planning conversations, and in the sound of something that’s about to be packed.

👉 Are you already packing too? Missing that one piece of gear you know makes the difference? Or just in need of a little inspiration?

Visit camperbixen.com – and get both your dreams and the practical things packed. We’ll help you with it all – from a 3-step connector to coffee breaks in the sun.