CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS – GRANDS REPORTAGES (TF1) “Motorhome: A Different Idea of Happiness”

Hi everyone,

I’m Julie Thierry, a journalist and director for Grands Reportages (TF1). I’m working on a documentary about families traveling in motorhomes or vans, and we’d love to follow one of them on the road across Asia—from Nepal to Thailand, Laos to India, all the way to the roads of Central Asia.

What we love filming It’s real life on the road: the little morning rituals, moments of connection, encounters, stops, and above all, that incredible freedom you experience every day. School on the road, unexpected bivouacs, breathtaking landscapes, shared meals, or conversations around a fire—everything that tells the story of a human adventure, sincere and alive.

Our team is very small (just 2 people), discreet, and respectful. We love blending in without disrupting, to capture authentic moments, from the perspective of those traveling.

Profiles we’re looking for: • Families with kids, all ages welcome • Departure recently or planned for 2025 / 2026 • Long-term travel (a few months or more) • All types of vehicles: motorhome, van, adventure truck, etc. The idea: to follow a few families throughout their journey to share a different idea of happiness—free, simple, and inspiring.

If you’re leaving soon, already on the road, or know a family who fits, email me at juliethierry@duritegroupe.com. Thanks for your shares and messages, and maybe see you soon somewhere on the trails of Asia! 🚐✨

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a campervan road trip and would love some tips from those who know these countries: Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia again. At the moment, nothing’s set in stone, but for example, is it better to visit Slovenia or Bosnia? My preferences lean toward landscapes (rivers, sea, lakes)—basically anywhere there’s water! :) Wild camping, cheap or even free spots, and a *very* tight budget—it’s the discovery, curiosity, and meeting locals that drive me. I’ll visit cities and sites only if access is easy (by bike, for example, or by train from an affordable campsite) and if visitors aren’t treated like cash cows. Just reasonable stuff, really. So, any advice is welcome—like swimming spots or easy hikes along coasts or rivers. I love caves and offbeat visits (salt mines in Poland, La Roque Saint-Christophe in France, etc.). Castles and old ruins? Not really my thing... Thanks for your help! Sylvia

Hi, How do you prepare for a trip in Northern European countries when you own a 2000-model motorhome?

Hi there,

We’d like to travel overland from Turkey to India in our converted van, but there are very few options these days. Crossing Iran seems risky and not particularly safe. Has anyone here done it? If so, which route did you take to minimize safety concerns?

Thanks for your replies, Julie 😎

Hello everyone! 👋

First of all, thank you for accepting us into the group. 😊

My name is Gérard, I’m a 77-year-old retiree, and I have a charming young wife of 70 and a sweet little Biewer dog celebrating his first birthday. 🎂🎉

The three of us are planning to leave from Cannes in our motorhome and head to Dakar.

Personally, I know this route very well, having done it three times in a 4x4, the last trip being in 2016.

Regarding Western Sahara, I know it’s not particularly recommended to cross it right now, but I haven’t heard any bad news about it yet.

As for crossing the "no man’s land," I remember it being a very difficult track, impassable with a motorhome. I’ve heard that they’ve recently improved the track and that it might now be possible to cross those 4 km with a motorhome (?)

Actually, I’m reaching out to experienced travelers who could give me their thoughts on crossing at the end of 2025. 🙏

By the way, if other motorhome travelers have the same plan, maybe we could discuss it together? 🤝

As for Mauritania, I know it’s a long stretch of tarmac, and from what I remember—aside from the "Gare du Nord" stop to refuel and enjoy a good tea—you have to switch to "survival mode."

That’s all for my little chat! I hope to gather some useful information.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and I wish you a great 14th of July.

Gérard, Martine, and Bahia 🐾

Hi there,

New to the forum, I’m planning a trip to Norway in a camper van and want to drive the entire FV 17. Does anyone have a link where I can find the 6 ferries I’ll need to take and their costs? Thanks everyone

hi there, we're heading to Corsica for 3 weeks in early June and we'll be arriving in Calvi. Then we plan to head down to Sagone—what route should we take? We're a bit nervous about going through the Piana calanques because of the narrow roads. Thanks for your tips!

Hi there, I’m trying to plan a family week’s holiday in Scotland. I’d like to rent a motorhome or a camper van. My partner has never driven a motorhome and the roads are making me nervous… I’ve seen camper vans, but are they much smaller? There’ll be 3 adults and a 7-year-old. Some rental companies tell me “no problem with motorhomes,” while others say “definitely not if you’ve never driven one.”

Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks

We're torn between a campervan (better in bad weather) and a 4x4 with accommodations, especially since lodging is expensive this summer. The question: can you still reach off-the-beaten-path spots with a campervan, or are you stuck taking the crowded main roads all the time? Thanks! Another question: For a 10-day trip, what’s the best option—circumnavigating the island, the west, south, or north?

Alaton

Hi there, Our son is in Canada for a year on a Working Holiday Visa, and we’re planning to join him around September 20th for a 15-day campervan road trip in Nova Scotia. I was thinking of going with Canadream, but if you have other rental companies to recommend, don’t hesitate! Here’s the itinerary I’ve been considering—I tried not to cram in too many stops so we’re not just driving the whole time.

Day 1: Pick up campervan in Halifax at 3 PM. Stop at Peggy’s Cove, then drive to Lunenburg and Blue Rocks (151 km) Day 2: Explore Lunenburg, then head to Kejimkujik National Park for hikes or other activities. Overnight in the park (91 km) Day 3: Drive to Annapolis Royal (visit), Port-Royal National Historic Site, then on to Digby (111 km) Day 4: Ferry to Saint John (visit Reversing Falls), then drive to St. Andrews (103 km) Day 5: Whale-watching excursion and explore St. Andrews Day 6: Drive to Alma and Fundy National Park (233 km—we’ll probably leave St. Andrews the night before to split the drive and arrive earlier in Alma) Day 7: Hopewell Rocks (check tides) (43 km) Day 8: Hopewell Rocks—Tatamagouche (dinner train)—Pictou (237 km). Any suggestions for this day? Day 9: Drive to Baddeck, Cabot Trail to Chéticamp (317 km). Ideas for breaking up the drive? I thought of Pomquet Beach Provincial Park for a walk on the boardwalks, but any other suggestions are welcome. Day 10–11: Cape Breton Highlands National Park for hikes and Cabot Trail to Baddeck (208 km) Day 12: Explore Baddeck, Graham Bell Museum, and Bras d’Or Lake Drive. Drive to Louisbourg (118 km) Day 13: Fortress of Louisbourg, then drive to Liscomb (302 km) Day 14: Drive back to Halifax via Lawrencetown Beach (or other suggestions?). Fisherman’s Cove (205 km) Day 15: Return campervan by 10 AM

- All suggestions are welcome, as long as they don’t add too much detour from the main stops. We’d rather skip some places to fully enjoy the ones we visit. We love hiking in beautiful landscapes, charming and lively towns or villages, etc. - I wanted to add a museum dedicated to Acadian culture, but I didn’t find anything along the route—or they’re closed this time of year. Maybe there are places to listen to folk music? - If you have any campgrounds or wild camping spots to recommend, I’d love to hear about them. - Do we need to book the ferry this time of year?

Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions!

Claire

hello fellow travelers For my golden years, I'd like to drive to India in my 508. I want to avoid Iran and Pakistan. Instead, I’m thinking of going through Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, then taking the ferry from Baku to Türkmenbaşy in Turkmenistan, followed by the Silk Road through Central Asia—Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

After that, China? I’ve seen that some travelers manage to drive through China with their own vehicle... Then Tibet, Nepal, and India... But things get tricky with the Himalayan crossing. I’ve checked on Google—it looks tough.

Any tips or info on these routes? Thanks

Hi there,

Most of the time when I travel, I tow a trailer with an ATV for my local trips... I’d love to hear from anyone who’s traveled with a trailer and a second vehicle of any kind—especially the downsides of towing a trailer in Norway, aside from ferry costs.

Thanks!

I’m traveling with my Quebec-registered vehicle, which only has one license plate, but several European countries require two. Can I still drive with just one plate?

Hi there, Does anyone have a good agency recommendation for renting a camper van in Morocco (Marrakech or Essaouira) for about two weeks in March 2026? Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone, A new Greek law has just restricted the parking of caravans and campervans to campsites or designated areas. It's no longer possible to stay in a simple parking lot, let alone "wild camping" (I don’t like that term—I prefer free camping!!!). Greek tourism professionals have launched a petition. You can join them by signing it here: https://www.change.org/p/%CF%8C%CF%87%CE%B9-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C%CE%BB%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B7-%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%B3%CF%8C%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%AC%CE%B8%CE%BC%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BA%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%8D%CE%BC%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%89%CE%BD-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CF%84%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%87%CF%8C%CF%83%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%B4%CE%B1?signed=true

Marie Paule

Thanks,

Louis Marie

Is it complicated to rent a car and drive in Morocco? Also, is an international driver’s permit mandatory? Thanks

Hi everyone,

We’re a family of four—two adults with two kids aged 4 and 7—about to embark on a year-long round-the-world trip in a camper van. I’m currently planning the Asia leg, which should last about 6 months. We’ll arrive in Thailand in January, head north, then move on to Laos. Ideally, we’d continue to Vietnam, Cambodia, and then return to Thailand to head south into Malaysia. If the budget allows, we’d love to include China and Japan. The big question after lots of research is: how easy is it to temporarily import a vehicle into these countries? The info I’ve found is outdated (2019–2020), and given how quickly regulations change, I’d love to hear from anyone currently (or recently) traveling in these countries with their vehicle. I’ve read that you need a local guide in Vietnam, local license plates in China, and that importing a vehicle into China is quite complicated—are these rules still in place? More generally, is there a recommended route for this part of the world with a camper van?

Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

We're planning a full week in Iceland in April. Given the short timeframe to prepare, I’m asking for some help on the forum.

We’re considering renting a camper van to be more independent with our travel. - Is this really a good idea at this time of year due to weather conditions (cold nights, poor road conditions, etc.)? - Can we just "park" anywhere for the night to sleep, or do we absolutely have to go to a campsite? What are the approximate rates for a van with 2 people? Do we need to book in advance? - If this mode of transport is recommended, do you have any good places to rent one?

Iceland is still a big island with lots of points of interest, so I think it’ll be tough to see everything in 8 days. - Are there parts of the island we should prioritize in April? We like hiking (nothing too long—6 or 7 hours is out of the question) and unique landscapes. - Are some sites inaccessible at this time of year? - Is Reykjavik worth stopping for a day or two?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

Jeff

Hi there, I’d love to hear your thoughts on a trip to New Zealand in a campervan. Is it a good idea to mix hotels and a car on the North Island and a campervan on the South Island? Or should I do the whole trip in a campervan—though visiting big cities seems trickier that way. Other questions: which companies do you recommend, and what are the least tiring or most sensible routes? 😄 Thanks for sharing your experiences and ideas!

I'm planning to drive to the UAE by road, going through Iraq. Has anyone done this and can give me some info? Specifically about the border crossings Turkey/Iraq and Iraq/Kuwait.

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip with my camper van in autumn 2026 to head to southern Italy from Genoa by ferry. Ideally, I’d like to leave from Genoa for southern Italy (like Messina) or another city in the boot. I’ve done some research online but haven’t had any luck. Can you help or give me some advice? Thanks in advance! Vanouk

Hi

I saw this on a local site—fact or fiction?

The link: https://www.vintrica.com/fr/vignette/norvege/?srsltid=AfmBOor5yqnPVugU8ZDtcU-uLvsw6d50lxSSO2NW4dethpHfEKSgGv1Z#quels-vehicules-sont-exemptes-de-peage

Hi, Does anyone have any info on crossing the border at San Matias between Brazil and Bolivia by car? Also about the road between Caceres and San Matias. Thanks

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Morocco in our camper van for September/October, and I’m torn between visiting Rabat or Casablanca (we don’t want to spend too much time in big cities). Could you share your thoughts, as well as a campsite or secure parking spot where we could spend the night? Thanks

hi we’d like to rent an RV for the USA and we’re wondering if RAODSURFER is a good rental site thanks

Hi everyone,

We’d like some info on insurance for our RV—it’s a 2024 heavy vehicle, and we’re having trouble finding coverage for a 6-month trip through Canada, Alaska, and the USA. If anyone knows an insurance company that offers this kind of policy, please share the details with us.

Hi fellow travelers, I’m currently traveling around Europe and passing through the Baltic countries. My camper van is equipped with propane gas bottles for heating and the fridge. I still have a Swiss bottle left, and so far I’ve bought a new bottle in each country I’ve visited and returned it when leaving. In Lithuania, it seems complicated to get a new propane bottle (I’ve tried hardware stores and gas stations), but I’ve been told they don’t even exist here. In Switzerland, it’s illegal to refill bottles. Does anyone have info on where and how to buy a new, full propane gas bottle? I don’t have LPG installations in my camper van. Thanks for the tips! !

Hi, for Romania between April and June, this trip could be considered for two people. Thanks for your feedback!

Hi everyone, Apart from the road between Cusco and Hidroelectrica—which is tricky but doable—is there a safe place (like a campsite?) to sleep at Hidroelectrica and visit Machu Picchu the next day? Thanks!