Summer: car and camping holidays. A guide to organising them and choosing the best car roof tent

If you're reading this article, we're sure you're thinking of taking a different kind of holiday this year. An adventurous trip, in the middle of nature, that gives you that sense of peace and freedom you need to regenerate from the stress of everyday life. Travelling by car has always been one of the freest and most adventurous forms of travel that people can do, as witnessed by the famous American Beat Generation of the 1950s. We don't recommend that you hitchhike all the way across Italy, but rather that you buy a car roof tent, set it up and drive off on holiday to discover all those unspoilt places you've always wanted to visit. Below you will find lots of tips for your safe and independent road trip. In any case, if you have any doubts or suggestions you know you can count on us, don't hesitate to contact us!

Why you should choose to drive with a roof tent instead of a classic camping tent

Sleeping in a tent in the open air with the sounds of nature lulling you is an indescribable emotion that all adventurous travellers seek in every holiday. However, doing so in a car roof tent has advantages over a classic camping tent. First of all, with a car roof tent, if it does not exceed the size of the vehicle, in some destinations, where the law does not prohibit it, you can also sleep in your tent outside the camping areas. This is a major advantage for travellers on the road who do not disdain improvisation. Another advantage of car roof tents is convenience and safety. In fact, unlike a traditional tent, a car roof tent does not risk flooding if it rains, offers more privacy and intimacy, has better air circulation and, being in an elevated position, allows you to be safe from wild animals and people who, as often happens on campsites, might accidentally trip over a rope while walking at night. And what about the panoramic view that sleeping on the roof of the car gives you? This alone is enough to say that for us, going on holiday with a tent on top of the car is the best way to travel!

The best roof tents for your car holiday  

There are several differences between rigid and soft roof tents that determine their advantages and disadvantages. In order to make the right choice, you need to consider your holiday destination, as well as a whole series of elements relating to your way of travelling and the characteristics of the tent. So, are you a traveller who prefers to move around every day or make long stops? Do you have a high or low budget for buying a tent? What characteristics are essential for you?

Regardless of which type of caravan tent is right for you, there are some features that are essential to us. We therefore advise you to check that the tent you will be using on your car holiday this summer has the following specifications:

• The tent fabric must always be waterproof.
• The tent should be fitted with mosquito nets, so that doors and windows can be left open to ventilate the tent without the risk of unwanted insects entering.
• It must be compatible with additional accessories such as the Annex Room that allow you to expand the living space of the tent.
• Finally, it must provide good UV protection.

Carcamp car roof tents have all these features and are perfect for sleeping in your car during your travel itinerary in Italy, Europe or around the world.

Purchase a Carcamp tent and set off on your road trip

Accessories can make all the difference, choose the right ones for your car holiday

To make your holiday extraordinary and get off to a carefree start, it's not enough to pitch your tent on top of the car. There are a number of camping accessories that will make your life easier. An awning, for example, is a sunshade that allows you to cover a more or less large area close to the vehicle, so that you can keep cool during the hottest hours, organise a barbecue with friends and have shelter in case of sudden rain. Another essential accessory for tent camping in our opinion is the Annex room, a living space that can be added to the tent to increase the overall size. During our travels it is very useful for us to have the quick-connect ladder kit. Thanks to it you can move the ladder quickly and it will not be in the way in the Annex Room, allowing you to use all the space available.

One of the useful things to have is a container for shoes or objects, which is essential for keeping the inside of the tent tidy and not dirty. All you have to do is put your dirty or sandy equipment and shoes in it before you enter. The awning's perimeter mosquito net is also very useful, keeping you cool in the evenings and at night on hot days, while keeping insects away. Finally, not to be underestimated for a more comfortable and deeper sleep, we recommend the purchase of a soft mattress cover.

How to organise a road trip with your car roof tent

Now that you have started to understand what the opportunities are for equipping yourself in the best possible way, we would like to give you some advice on how best to organise your trip. First you need to think about what activity you would like to do once you arrive at your destination: sports, sightseeing, nature walks or relaxation. Whatever your preference, this will determine the choice of places to stop and set up your car tent. If you prefer equipped camping, or if free parking is strictly prohibited, we recommend that you book your camping place in advance, especially if you are travelling in high season.

As your departure date approaches, prepare your "smart luggage" with all your essentials, including your clothing, which, if you are going on an on-the-road or off-road trip, should always be thermal. Also take along all the equipment suitable for the temperatures you expect to encounter. If necessary, you could also buy a storage net, which can be used to make use of the empty space under the overhanging part of the awning, where you can put clothes or hang objects.

During the trip we usually follow 2 simple rules: when sleeping in the car, we always choose quiet places to stay that are sheltered from the wind and weather. finally, we always talk to the locals and take their advice on where to camp or what to see.

6 wonderful destinations for your driving holiday in Italy and Europe

It would be great to visit the whole world, live in a car and go on an adventure to a different place each time. We know how difficult this is for us mere mortals. But if you need inspiration, if you're looking for an interesting idea that makes you want to fire up the engine, here are 6 dream destinations that we at Carcamp have experienced first-hand in a car roof tent:  

1. On the road in Sardinia. The island is a true paradise on earth, full of scenic spots and isolated places. We are very fond of this region, which we have toured from north to south, passing through its wonderful countryside. We saw and stopped in many cities. In the area between Tuerredda and Chia in the province of Cagliari we found beautiful scenic spots to stop. It is important to remember that on the coast it is always good to look at the weather forecast and the direction of the wind in order to choose the most suitable places to stay overnight. Piscinas is the Sardinian desert, golden sand dunes overlooking the emerald sea, this is what awaits you during a stopover on the so-called Costa Verde. It may happen, as we experienced, to hear (and see) a wild boar passing by at night, and being in a tent on top of the car will make you experience this encounter much more serenely!
2. In close contact with nature in Poggio Torriana. In Emilia Romagna we travelled off-road along dirt tracks in the hills of Romagna trying to stop at the most beautiful viewpoints in the area. It was a wonderful trip, in complete harmony with nature and the locals who always helped us with lots of tips and advice on how best to visit the area.
3. In the Val Trebbia, in the Ligurian Apennines. If you are looking for an isolated and wild place, the Ottone area in Val Trebbia is the place for you. Immersed in the sounds and smells of nature, safe from the heights of our tent, we heard the wolves howling!
4. In the mountains in the Brescia area. We only spent two nights in the Monte Maniva area, driving through wonderful scenic mountain roads where we saw colourful meadows of the most varied shades of green and breathed clean air. On this trip, our friends and travelling companions were the little hawks that flew nearby and often came within a stone's throw of us.
5. By car on the French Riviera. Outside Italy, this destination was the most difficult to find places to stay. We opted for car parks close to the beach between Cannes and Frejus, taking care to open the tent late in the evening and close it early in the morning. It is a trip we recommend especially for the beautiful sunsets over the unforgettable red rocks.
6. Adventure in the Scottish Highlands and the Hebrides. One of the most beautiful places to experience unspoilt nature is undoubtedly Scotland. Between castles, lakes, wild beaches and distilleries of fine whisky, a car roof tent, with the necessary accessories to avoid being surprised by rain and cold, is certainly one of the best ways to experience this type of holiday. 

Travelling with a car roof tent, travelling in the Carcamp style, is a simple and sincere way to be in touch with nature, to treat yourself to a little wellbeing, to be happy. Try it for yourself!