There is a particular kind of weekend that starts on Friday evening, involves a short drive out of the city, waking up somewhere completely different on Saturday morning, and arriving home relaxed on Sunday. A campervan makes that possible in a way that hotels and Airbnbs do not. You decide when to stop. You stay somewhere you could not book.Our Greystones depot is 45 minutes from Dublin City on the M11, which means you can collect a van on a Friday afternoon and be genuinely away before the evening is over. These five routes are all under three hours from Greystones, and all are done regularly by customers who pick up from us and come back with stories.Campervan hire near Dublin AirportRoute 1: The Wicklow Mountains and Valley (45 minutes)This is the route for anyone who wants to be somewhere beautiful with almost no driving. Head inland from Greystones on the R755 through Newtownmountkennedy and into the Vale of Avoca. The Military Road over the mountains from Kilmacanogue is one of the most dramatic short drives in the country. You pass Powerscourt Waterfall, cross open bog at Glencree, and drop down into the Wicklow Gap.Camping options: Glendalough Valley is the natural anchor. The campsite at Glendalough is well-suited to campervans and the monastic site at dawn, before the tour groups arrive, is one of those sights that stays with you. Alternatively, park up in the Vale of Avoca and walk the Meetings of the Waters.Journey time from Greystones: 45 minutes to Glendalough.Route 2: The Wexford Coast (1 hour 45 minutes)Take the N11 south, past Gorey and Enniscorthy, and follow the signs for Courtown or Rosslare. The south Wexford coast is underrated: sandy beaches, quiet roads, and campsites that work well for a two-night stop. Curracloe Beach, which stretches for 15 kilometres of unbroken sand, comes up in customer reviews from people who made the trip.Camping options: Curracloe Beach area has good campsite options for campervans. Rosslare has facilities and is a natural base for exploring the Hook Peninsula.Journey time from Greystones: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.For a full guide to the southeast Ireland campervan routes in this region, see our southeast Ireland by campervan guide.Route 3: Kilkenny and the River Barrow (2 hours)Drive south-west via the M9 and you reach Kilkenny in under two hours. This is a different kind of break: medieval city, real pubs, a castle worth walking around. The River Barrow south of Kilkenny has quiet camping spots and the towpath is a good walk or cycle.Camping options: Nore Valley Park near Bennettsbridge is a popular base for a Kilkenny visit and has good motorhome facilities. The area around Graiguenamanagh along the Barrow is quieter and beautiful.Journey time from Greystones: just under 2 hours.Route 4: Waterford and the Copper Coast (2 hours 30 minutes)Continue south past Kilkenny on the M9 and you reach Waterford in two and a half hours. The Copper Coast, the stretch of coastline between Tramore and Dungarvan, is a UNESCO Geopark and one of the genuinely undervisited stretches of Irish coastline. The cliffs, coves and copper-era mining landscape are unlike anywhere else in the country.Camping options: Dunmore East has a campsite with views over the harbour. Tramore is a larger base with good facilities. For smaller, wilder spots, the Copper Coast road itself has several layby areas where you can stop overnight.Journey time from Greystones: approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.Route 5: The Wicklow Way South to Arklow (1 hour 30 minutes)Hug the coast from Greystones south through Brittas Bay, one of the finest beaches in Leinster, and continue to Arklow and beyond. Brittas Bay is popular in summer but the campsite there is well-managed and works well for campervans. From Arklow you can continue south or double back through the inland Wicklow landscape.Camping options: Brittas Bay area has the main Leinster coastal campsite. Arklow itself has additional options.Journey time from Greystones: 1 hour 30 minutes to Brittas Bay.A note on what to bring for a 48-hour breakYou do not need to pack much differently from a longer trip. The van has everything you need for cooking and sleeping: hob, oven, fridge, crockery, bedding if you add it as an extra. For a weekend break, most customers bring a bag of fresh food for Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast, and eat out one meal. Dogs are welcome on our pet-friendly hire. See our pet-friendly campervan hire page for details.The online check-in arrives two days before your pickup, so by the time you collect on Friday, most of the admin is already done. You can be on the road within 30 minutes of arriving at the depot.Booking a weekend breakWeekend hire is available throughout the year. Shoulder season (April, May, September and October) gives you quieter roads, better prices, and the best of Irish weather without the August crowds. Among campervan regulars, September in Connemara or Kerry is consistently rated better than August in almost every way.Check our current offers and available dates on the booking page, or view our full fleet to choose the right van for your trip.Campervan holiday offersThe post Weekend Campervan Breaks from Dublin: 5 Routes Under 3 Hours appeared first on Craic N Campers.

There is a reasonable argument that dogs have the best campervan holidays. They wake you up at 6am to go outside, which means you catch the light on whatever coastal road or forest track you are parked on. They have a reason to stop in every place that smells interesting, which turns out to be everywhere in Ireland. And they make you choose camping spots that most people with hotel bookings never find.A significant number of our customers hire specifically because they want to bring their dog, and cannot find a hire company that welcomes them without a significant surcharge or a complicated insurance clause. Our fleet is pet-friendly, the process is straightforward, and dogs are genuinely welcome.Here is what you need to know to plan the trip.Pet-Friendly Campervan HireWhich campervans are best for dogsThe honest answer is that almost any van in our fleet works well, depending on the size of your dog and how many people are travelling view our full fleet to find the right fit.For couples with one or two dogs, the V66 and V69 are compact enough to handle easily on Irish roads but have proper sleeping areas, good storage, and enough floor space for a medium dog to stretch out. Both are popular with couples who travel with a dog as a regular third passenger.For families or larger dogs, the 4-berth Dethleffs or Sunlight A68 gives more room: under-seat storage for a dog bed, easier movement around the van when parked, and more space in the cab area. The 6-berth A72 and A70 are genuinely spacious and suit larger dogs or multiple dogs without any real restriction.All vans are cleaned to a thorough standard between hires. If your dog sleeps on the seat or on the bed, bring a cover. If there is any dog hair or dirt beyond normal wear, there may be an additional cleaning charge. This is listed clearly in the rental agreement.Where to go in Ireland with a dogMost of Irelands best campervan routes are naturally dog-friendly. The beaches, mountains, forests and coastal paths that make this country worth exploring are almost entirely accessible with a dog on a lead.Wild Atlantic Way: The west coast is ideal. Dogs are welcome on virtually every beach along the WAW outside of specific restricted areas in peak summer. Achill Island, Connemaras dog beach at Dogs Bay, the beaches around Clifden, Sligos north coast at Rosses Point, and the Donegal beaches around Bundoran and Dunfanaghy are all genuinely excellent. One couple who bring their dog on every trip called the WAW with a dog the best holiday they had ever had.Wicklow and the South East: The Wicklow Mountains National Park allows dogs on leads on all trails. Glendalough is accessible. Brittas Bay has beach access for dogs outside peak season restrictions. The Wexford coast, particularly Curracloe, is dog-friendly year-round.Kerry and Clare: The beaches at Inch Strand, Maharees and around Dingle are generally dog-friendly. The Burren in Clare is walk-on-lead country and extraordinary terrain for a dog who wants interesting ground.Forests and mountain tracks: Coillte forests across Ireland allow dogs on leads. Killarney National Park has specific dog trails. The Glenveagh National Park in Donegal has walk-in access for dogs in parts of the estate.Dog-friendly campsitesMost campsites in Ireland open all year accept dogs with advance notice, and many are enthusiastic about it. A few things worth knowing before you book:Most sites ask that dogs are kept on leads within the campsite at all times. Some sites have a limit on the number of dogs per pitch. A small number of sites do not accept dogs in peak summer, so always call ahead.Campsites that have come up consistently in customer feedback as good for dogs include Lough Key Forest Park in Roscommon (convenient for customers collecting from our Roscommon depot), Connemara Caravan and Camping Park at Letterfrack, Bayview Caravan Park at Achill Sound, and Nore Valley Park in Kilkenny.For wild or free camping, where you pull off the road and stay somewhere quiet, dogs are an advantage. They give you a reason to walk whatever ground you are parked on, and the spots that suit this kind of camping are generally remote enough that nobody minds.What to pack for your dogThe van has everything you need. What to bring for your dog:Lead and collar with up-to-date ID tagFood and water bowls (or collapsible versions)Enough food for the trip with a small surplusDog bed or blanket. Something familiar helps dogs settle in a new space.Poo bags (Irish countryside, please)Any medication or regular treatmentsCover for the van seating if your dog tends to climb on furnitureThe fridge keeps wet food fresh. There is storage under the seats and in the overhead lockers. Most customers find the van has more than enough space for dog gear even on a longer trip.Booking a dog-friendly hireJust let us know you are bringing a dog when you book, by phone or in the booking notes online. There is no additional hire charge for bringing a well-behaved dog. Our pet-friendly campervan hire page has the full details of what is covered, what is expected, and how we handle the deposit for pet hires.Our pet-friendly fleet is available from both our Roscommon and Greystones depots. If you collect from our Greystones depot, the Wicklow coast and mountains are on your doorstep from the first evening. If you are collecting from our campervan hire in Roscommon depot, you are 45 minutes from the start of some of the best dog walking in the country at Lough Key Forest Park, and less than two hours from the west coast beaches.Campervan holiday offersThe post Dog-Friendly Campervan Holidays in Ireland appeared first on Craic N Campers.

What is the Krafted Connex? Think of it as a Swiss army knife, only without the pointy bits. This clever little gadget allows you to connect your precious devices with ease and eliminates the need to pack multiple different charging cables when you travel. Read on to find out more.What is it?Krafted Connex Multi Cable Adaptor Hub 29.99Overall Rating (4 / 5)StockistsKraftedAmazonYoull likely know the frustration of rummaging through a bag full of charging cables, only to discover youve packed the wrong one. Whether youre camping, travelling or simply working on the go, keeping multiple devices charged can quickly become a tangled mess.The Krafted Connex is one of those products that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. Combining multiple charging connections into a single compact device, it replaces the need to carry a collection of different cables while still supporting charging and data transfer for a wide range of devices. With USB-C, USB-A, Lightning and Micro USB connections folded neatly into one pocket-sized hub, its designed to be the only connector most people need for everyday use.What immediately stands out is the design. The Connex feels well-engineered, with a reassuringly solid construction and a clever folding mechanism that keeps all of the connectors protected when not in use. Its small enough to slip into a pocket, backpack, glovebox or camping organiser without taking up much space.For campers, its particularly useful. Rather than carrying a bundle of different charging leads for phones, power banks, cameras, head torches, speakers and other gadgets, the Connex provides a simple all-in-one solution that helps keep your kit organised. Its exactly the sort of item that can happily live in your camping essentials box, giving you one less thing to think about when you go away.I also really liked the presentation. The eco-friendly cardboard packaging feels premium while avoiding unnecessary plastic, giving a great first impression upon opening the box.Overall, the Krafted Connex is an innovative little gadget that tackles a genuine everyday annoyance with a thoughtful, space-saving, aesthetic design. Its compact, practical and ideal for anyone who spends time travelling, camping and it also makes a great gift! Sometimes the best products arent the most complicated, theyre the ones that solve a common problem brilliantly, and the Connex certainly feels like one of those.Currently available in two different colours, the Krafted Connex retails for 29.99 and is available direct from Krafted and on Amazon.DISCLOSURE | The featured product was gifted to us. We were not required, or paid to write this review.The post krafted Connex Multi Cable Adaptor Hub Review appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.

Ive been camping for more than 30 years, running this blog for twelve of them, and Ive camped in the height of summer in the Caribbean 32C with brutal humidity and nowhere to hide. I draw on that experience, and the questions I get asked most often, to answer everything you need to know about camping in hot weather.Is it safe to go camping in a heatwave?Yes, absolutely, but it takes a bit of planning. The risks of camping in very hot weather are real (high humidity, heat exhaustion, dehydration), but theyre all manageable.The key is not to treat a heatwave like a normal camping weekend. You need to think differently about when youre active, how you sleep, and what gear you take. Done right, summer camping in the UK can be genuinely glorious, but its not the moment to wing it.From suitable clothing and sun protection to creating shaded areas and maintaining a supply of cold drinks, summer camping is one thing, but heatwave camping can be far more challenging, so the key is to be prepared. Outwell Collaps Water CarrierEurohike Sendero Air Shelter, Quick PitchITEHIL Portable Solar Electric Fan, 10000mAhWADEO Portable Camping ShowerHow do I stop my tent getting so hot during the day?Ventilation is your best friend here and you may not be doing it right. Open every zip, vent, door and window during the day, even the ones youd normally leave closed for privacy. The bug mesh will keep out the pesky flies and bitey things, but if you want a proper through-draft, you need fully open access rather than just the mesh. If possible, pitch so your entrance faces the prevailing breeze rather than just wherever looks flat. Its one of those things thats obvious in hindsight but most of us never think about until were baking hot.What is the best type of tent for hot weather camping?Canvas tents handle heat better than synthetic ones because the fabric is breathable, which helps regulate the temperature inside. Bell tents are a popular choice for this reason and they tend to have more headroom too, which means warm air has somewhere to go. If youve got a modern family tent with a separate flysheet, try removing it during the day to leave just the mesh inner exposed. More airflow means a dramatically cooler tent.Check out our detailed guide to bell tents or see our bell tent reviews here.How do I sleep in a hot tent at night?A few things make a real difference. First, ditch the sleeping bag, either leave it behind entirely or use a lightweight summer version you can unzip fully and use as a duvet. Second, think about what youre sleeping on as well as what youre sleeping in: thick foam mats trap heat underneath you, which is the last thing you need. A thinner mat or a canvas folding camp bed, may be better and sleeping on top of a plastic airbed is best avoided trust me on that.A bamboo or cotton sleeping bag liner is much better than synthetic, it wicks moisture and actually feels cool against your skin. And if its still above 20C at midnight, sleep on top of the bag with the liner as your only cover.Do camping fans actually work?Camping fans designed to be portable work really well, even the small handheld ones. I was sceptical until I used one in Antigua at 32C and it genuinely made sleep possible (just abouve). For solo use or kids, a small USB rechargeable fan is brilliant compact, quiet, and you can clip them to a tent pole or sleeping bag loop. If youve got a larger tent or several people, its worth investing in something with a bit more oomph, a solar-rechargeable fan like the Itehil (above) is excellent for this. The trick is to combine the fan with other cooling methods rather than relying on it alone.FLEXTAILGEAR Portable Electric Shower20000mAh Rechargeable Camping Fan, Ultra-SlimIGLOO Chug 36 Insulated Water BottleYETI Tundra 35 Cool BoxWhat should I eat and drink when camping in hot weather?Hydration is everything. You should be drinking around three litres of water a day in hot weather and more if youre active and dont wait until you feel thirsty, because by then youre already behind. A good insulated water bottle or tumbler is genuinely worth the investment; keeping your drink cold makes you far more likely to drink enough of it. Food-wise, lighter meals work better in the heat as nobody really wants to stand over a camping stove cooking a full roast when its 28C, think pasta salads and ploughmans picky lunches. Simple salads, wraps and anything that doesnt require much cooking time is your friend, but make sure anything that needs to stay cold actually does. A decent cool box is not optional in a heatwave see our guide to the best camping cool boxes for recommendations to suit all budgets.How do I keep food cold when camping in hot weather?You need a good passive cool box and a solid icing and packing strategy. Pre-chill your cool box before you pack it, freeze what you can in advance (frozen water bottles work brilliantly as ice packs), and keep the box out of direct sunlight, ideally in the shade inside your tents porch rather than sitting in the sun all day. Every time you open it, you lose cold air, so try to be organised about what youre getting out rather than rummaging around and dipping in and out of it all day long. A quality passive cooler will keep ice for up to five days, which makes a big difference over a long weekend. Weve tested a lot of them our full cool box round-up covers everything from budget options to the splurge-worthy ones.What time of day should I go for walks or do activities when camping in a heatwave?Early morning or the couple of hours before sunset is really the only time to consider being active during a heatwave, and I say this as someone who has absolutely ignored this advice and ended up with heatstroke. The hours between around 11am and 3pm during a heatwave are genuinely best spent doing as little as possible. Seek shade and chill out with a book, or go for a swim if theres water nearby, but dont head off on a big hike or bike ride! The light for photography is better in the early morning and evening anyway, and youll actually enjoy your walk rather than just surviving it.Whats the best way to cool down quickly when camping?The fastest method is a cold, damp cloth on your pulse points, think wrists, neck, behind the knees, inner elbows. These are the places where blood vessels sit close to the surface, so cooling them actually brings your core temperature down rather than just making you feel briefly less sweaty. Whilst camping in a recent heatwave, I took a portable camp shower and a collapsible bucket. I kept the full bucket of water outside and connected to the camp shower and wore a bikini top and shorts, which allowed me to have several showers throughout the day to make the experience manageable.Pair that with a fan and some shade and youll feel human again pretty quickly. If theres a stream, river, lake or lido anywhere nearby, get in it. Cold water is your friend!Can children and babies camp safely in hot weather?With extra care, yes, but they need more attention than adults in the heat. Keep babies and toddlers out of direct sun entirely during the hottest part of the day, make sure theyre drinking regularly, and dont underestimate how quickly a tent can heat up even with good ventilation.A fan helps enormously if youve got young children. Dress them in loose, light cotton and use plenty of high-factor UV sun protection. If in doubt about whether its too hot, it probably is, and theres no shame in heading home early or cancelling your trip entirely if the conditions arent safe for small people.Is glamping better than camping in hot weather?This is a tough one to answer because it depends on the type of glamping accommodation. Glamping accommodation varies widely, but is often small and generally built to retain warmth.Consider too, if youre glamping off-grid, your opportunities for adding a fan to your set up and keeping food and drinks cold will be impacted too. Generally the smaller the glamping accommodation, the warmer its likely to be, so before booking consider windows, doors and even window coverings.Many glamping structures like shepherds huts, yurts and wooden cabins have thick insulated walls that regulate temperature much more effectively than a tent. Some high-end cabins might even have air conditioning, whilst many others will have portable fans available for guest use. A badly positioned glamping unit with no shade and poor ventilation or lots of glass can be just as bad, if not worse than a tent. A bell tent pitched well in a shady spot can be more comfortable than a stuffy converted shipping container in a sun trap.For more tips on hot weather camping, check out our feature on how to stay cool camping in a heatwave.The post Your Questions Answered About Camping in Hot Weather appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.

July means the start of the school summer holidays here in the UK. As a child I can remember the excitement of coming to the end of term

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Five years, countless camping trips, beach days and festivals later, its time for the verdict on this Decathlon folding camp trolley. Read on to find out how its holing up.What is it?Quechua Folding Transport Cart Trolley 89.99Overall Rating (5 / 5)FeaturesWeighs 8.5kg.Folds down flat for storage/transport.4 large wheels to easily handle different terrains.Total volume of 84.6 litres.Tubular steel structure.Max weight load: 50kg.Are there heavier-duty camp trolleys out there? Sure, but at 89.99, this ones a genuinely capable option for the price, and its ability to handle uneven ground, sometimes over real distances, makes it an excellent choiceThats backed up by Decathlons genuinely excellent 2-year product guarantee. Before I bought mine, Id read all the horror stories about frames buckling and wheels falling off cheaper trolleys, so buying from Decathlon gave me the reassurance that I was investing in something actually fit for purpose.Its easy to use as the concertina design folds flat for storage in the shed or garage out of season, and its easy enough to pop in the boot of my SUV alongside the rest of my camping gear.Its proved especially useful on solo trips where Ive had to park away from my tent, and on couples camping trips where cars arent allowed next to pitches, turning the unloading job into just two trips to and from the car, instead of eight.I remain delighted with this purchase, and having just come back from a camping event, its staying in my car ready for our next trip in 2 weeks time. Sturdy, dependable and great value, just dont overload it, and use the bungees to keep things in place over rough terrain. Do that, and the Quechua Folding Transport Cart Trolley is a solid buy.If this one doesnt quite fit the bill, take a look at our comprehensive roundup of the best festival camping trolleys here.DISCLOSURE | The featured product was purchased by us and is not part of a brand collaboration.The post Quechua Folding Transport Cart Trolley Review appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.

UK glamping getaways and cabins are increasingly popular with travellers seeking unique accommodation experiences. Finding genuine value means looking past just quirky features and focusing on comfort, amenities and whats included. For many, glamping accommodation is most rewarding when it balances character with practical comforts. With yurts, treehouses and shepherds huts on offer, its important to spot those that provide substance rather than simply charging a premium for novelty.Across the UK, travellers can find a wide variety of UK glamping getaways and cabins designed to appeal to different tastes and budgets. While distinctive accommodation like shepherds huts or treehouses can be tempting, not every site that looks appealing delivers true value. The key is distinguishing glamping cabins and yurts that provide memorable experiences without inflated prices, and understanding exactly what you receive for your money makes all the difference for an enjoyable stay. For those comparing options, reviewing nearby glamping campsites can also reveal big differences in whats included for the same nightly rate.What defines value in glamping getaways?True value in glamping means accommodation that combines charm and a desirable location with practical comforts without an unnecessary price tag. Glamping cabins, yurts and shepherds huts that feel worth the price typically include features such as good beds, heating, and private outdoor space, rather than charging extra for looks alone. Its vital to consider if amenities like private bathrooms, self-catering facilities or outdoor firepits are included as standard or only available at an extra cost.Many genuinely worthwhile glamping getaways go beyond aesthetics by offering added convenience. This might be flexible check-in times, clear communication, or on-site activities included in the nightly rate. By focusing on whats provided, guests can avoid being swayed by novelty accommodation that seems exciting but lacks meaningful value. Clear expectations around glamping accommodation help travellers plan properly and avoid unexpected add-ons.Spotting glamping sites that dont overcharge for noveltyNot all glamping accommodation justifies higher rates, especially if the price increases are mostly for unusual structures or picturesque settings. Make sure the cost reflects the quality of the experience, such as well-maintained yurts that offer both comfort and access to nature, or treehouses that provide true privacy without hidden extras. Comparing facilities across several glamping campsites is a simple way to check whether higher prices are backed up by real improvements.Value-driven glamping cabins and shepherds huts should provide clear, upfront pricing with few unexpected add-ons. Look for transparent cancellation policies, the inclusion of essentials like towels and bedding, and detailed lists of whats included in the stay. Sites that communicate openly about whats covered help guests understand whether theyre paying for unique experiences or simply covering novelty premiums.Finding cabins, yurts, and huts that balance charm with practicalityThe best UK glamping sites manage to combine imaginative structures with a focus on comfort and real-world usability. Some yurts and shepherds huts deliver proper insulation, useful self-catering setups, and thoughtful extras, ensuring guests enjoy both atmosphere and practicality. Carefully selected cabin stays or treehouses often feature quality furnishings and heating, as well as generous outdoor space, offering real benefits over standard hotel rooms without excessive costs tied to style alone. Where glamping campsites provide shared facilities, its worth checking cleanliness, distance from the unit, and opening hours before booking.Paying attention to guest reviews and site descriptions can help identify glamping getaways that consistently offer excellent overall value. Choosing glamping accommodation that blends appealing design with genuine convenience and comfort ensures that your outdoor retreat is satisfying for reasons beyond just its appearance or novelty.How to choose a value-focused glamping escapeWhen weighing options, travellers benefit from prioritising the essentials: heating, bathroom access, food preparation facilities, and honest pricing. Checking whats included and whether the site offers flexibility with location or length of stay can highlight true value, making it easier to spot cabins or yurts that dont charge extra simply because theyre unusual. It can help to shortlist glamping cabins that clearly state whats provided, from cooking gear to fuel for stoves or firepits.By focusing on quality, transparency, and thoughtful amenities, not just on novelty, guests can find UK glamping getaways and cabins that deliver memorable and comfortable experiences. This approach helps ensure that yurts, treehouses, and shepherds huts become rewarding destinations, reflecting both the charm and the genuine value of glamping in the UK. Travellers who compare multiple glamping getaways and verify details like deposits, check-in processes, and included extras are more likely to book with confidence.DISCLOSURE | The featured product was purchased by us and is not part of a brand collaboration.The post UK Glamping Getaways and Cabins That Deliver Genuine Value appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.