Traveling in a van with your dog is a dream! I'm telling you about 3 inspiring vanlifers who travel with their dogs! I also give you my tips for renting a van that accepts dogs!

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I set the scene for you: Monday, breakfast in front of the sunrise on the beach; Tuesday evening, improvised barbecue with other vanlifers stopping for a few days in the area during their roadtrip through Europe; Wednesday afternoon, hiking in the mountains to discover a secret waterfall… It's the ideal life for vanlifers! 

What is a Vanlifer? or rather who is it? It is a person who lives or travels in a converted van. As a couple or solo, vanlifers crave freedom! They chose this mode of travel to enjoy their holidays in a more free and independent way. And it's the perfect vacation mode when you have a dog. No need to check at each step if he will be welcome. Your dog goes on vacation with you and follows you everywhere! 

I propose in this article to discover 3 inspiring vanlifers to follow absolutely on social networks! And obviously since you are on EmmèneTonChien.com there are 3 vanlifers traveling with their dog, W'ouf race! What to find travel ideas and good advice for your next vacation in a camper van with your dog.

And besides, before presenting them to you, let me present a solution for renting fitted vans that welcome dogs. Dog-friendly vans, of course! Just because you don't have your own van doesn't mean you can't travel in a campervan and give yourself some freedom!

Rent a fitted van to go on vacation with your dog

No need to buy your van to go on vacation! You can simply rent it. And even rent it directly from an individual thanks to the rental platform specializing in rentals of fitted vans or motorhomes between individuals: YESCAPA for example. At Yescapa, easily find your dog-friendly van. The team even created a specific page on the site for traveling in a van with your pet: van rental with dog.

There are hundreds of individuals who love vanlife and their doggie who will be so happy to rent you their vehicle for your holidays and share all the good dog-friendly tips with you! Who better than a dog lover to advise another dog lover? 

A few words about Yescapa? It is a French company based in Bordeaux.

The site acts as a trusted third party between individuals who want to offer their vehicle for hire and holidaymakers who want to hire it for their holidays. It offers a turnkey solution for rentals in complete freedom and in complete safety.

There are hundreds of announcements waiting for you for your vacation, take a look!

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Organize a stay in a van with your dog

Before going to follow the account of these vanlifers, here are 3 good reasons to follow them on Instagram: 

  • they share sublime photos that have the merit of making you travel even without moving from home! It's a great source of inspiration.

  • they share their dog-friendly adventures and many tips for a successful life or vacation in a van. 

  • they share good dog-friendly tips: you are sure to discover places where your dog will be welcome. They are incredible Ambassa'Dogs! They have tested and validated many dog-friendly spots for you. 

Leaving in a camper van requires a bit of organisation: how to wash? How to cook? Where to park and how to identify the best spots? How to travel safely? What equipment should I take for a stay in a van with my dog?

I have never tested this mode of vacation even if I am totally seduced by the idea. So I can't share any advice on life on board with you, but on the dog side, I can share the advice of the vanlifers with whom I spoke at length before writing this article... and yes, when we talk about dogs between lovers of dogs, we chat looooongtime and we love it!

  • as for all your travels, and all the more so if you cross borders, your dog must be identified by a chip or a tattoo, up to date with his vaccines and in particular that of rabies. You must have his up-to-date vaccination record with you in case of control.

  • try to keep your routine so as not to destabilize your dog too much: meal times, walks, his favorite games, his basket... He will love going on an adventure with you but he will be happy to have some landmarks!

  • As in a car, your dog must travel safely: in a transport crate or attached with a dog seat belt. He must not be able to move freely in the passenger compartment to avoid any danger for him or for you in the event of an accident. 

  • like at home, your dog must have his own little corner. His personal space where he can take refuge for a good nap and where he will be sure not to be disturbed. 

  • remember to take his leash, his collar, his croquettes, his medication and all the equipment necessary for his daily life. 

What's great about Instagrammers is that you can chat with them and ask them questions very easily via the social network. If you choose to rent a fitted van, you won't have to ask yourself all these questions, but if you buy and fit out your own van, you will inevitably have dozens of “layout” questions. And then they will have lots of good advice to share with you on the arrangements they have made for their doggie. Moreover, for questions about the “layout” of your van, I also invite you to discover the Instagram account @homnivan. Me, the first question I will ask them is how they manage extreme temperatures: very cold in winter and too hot in summer? It's a practical subject that bothers me...

Ready to dream and travel with your dog in a van? 

3 vanlifers and their dogs to follow absolutely on Instagram!

Let's discover the account @feetandpaws

Marine, Damien, N'lou and Majdo are real adventurers. They share all their adventures and photos online! They have criss-crossed South America and a good part of Europe with Picco, their fitted out van! They even took their van across in a container ship to Guyana. On the program of the trip: Guyana, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. 

Marine has created a blog where she tells and describes their different trips. On the blog, you will find a clickable map: in blue, the country where they went, in gray, the countries still to be discovered. You will see that there are many, many countries in blue! Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Estonia, Iceland, Norway, Russia… the list goes on. Their dogs are real dog-trotters! 

To discover their adventures and find inspiration, I also recommend their very complete blog here: http://piedsetpatteslies.fr/

On their Insta account, you will also discover their cycling adventures. They have equipped themselves to go on a bike and always with their faithful four-legged companions who are part of all their adventures! 

 

I now invite you to discover another account of adventurers, that of Tifenn, Kevin and Anna who travel with Bidule, their dog and Oops, their cat. Instagram: @three_vanlifers

Yes yes, they all travel together in a van throughout Europe. Traveling with a dog, a cat and a baby is possible! And if you have a thousand questions on the subject, they will be delighted to share their travel experience with their little Anna! Because in truth from three_vanlifers, they went to “five vanlifers” 😉 

They tested several corners of France and a few countries in Europe. And the least we can say is that their account smacks of good humor, love, serenity, discovery... This kind of account makes you want to drop everything, buy a van and go on a trip. adventure ! One morning they wake up at the foot of a mountain, another morning by the sea, they have wonderful encounters and all accompanied by Bidule who lives a hell of a dog's life! Has he ever done the same walk twice? Not sure ! Bidule changes neighborhood every day and meets four-legged friends all over Europe! And you will see on their Insta account that he always has a little place on the bench or on the bed! Dog-trotting yes, but a good nap is priceless!

If you want to know more about their travels, they have released a book on “Voyager en van”. He is full of good advice for traveling in a camper van alone or with the family.

@three_vanlifers

One last account to follow?
Go discover @thetravellingshed Marion and her dog Lewis share their most beautiful photos. Without forgetting “bernie”, their converted van which also figures prominently in their travel photos. You can find many tips in stories on the coating, the openings, the cleaning of the van, the arrangements of the bed and the furniture...

I looked through their hundreds of photos: it makes you want to travel! And I'm not the only one to have travel desires seeing their photos! They are followed by more than 23 followers!

@thetravellingshed

Want EVEN more content for traveling in a Van with your dog? Then read this other blog post from EmmeneTonChien.com: Going on vacation with your dog in a converted van.

I hope I have made you want to travel in a campervan or motorhome, my dear Wouafer's! And if you don't have your own vehicle, rental between individuals via the site Yescapa.co.uk is a good solution to embark on your first adventures WITH your dog! Don't forget to share your vacation photos with #emmenetonchien and tag @yescapa so that we can discover your most beautiful memories together!

See you soon !