After the great success of last year’s premiere caravan holiday, we decided to do it again this year. Freed from the initial fears we had before the first trip a year ago, whether the little kids would be able to handle it, whether we would be able to handle it, whether the whole thing wouldn’t be more stressful than enjoyable… ( I’ll write about the unfulfilled fears from the first trip in another article), we already knew what we were getting into and packed our bags with the vision of a great holiday. The kids couldn’t wait and we faced several times a day the question “when are we going to go to the “taravan”?”. You can read about how we coped with the endless waiting for the holiday in our second article here: https://www.babuka.sk/2023/07/06/hura-prazdniny-alebo-kedy-tam-uz-pojdeme/

Caravan holidays – a holiday full of experiences

But let’s take a look at how we spent the days. Know that they have fled like water. If you’ve yet to enjoy a caravan holiday, you might be inspired by some of the places we’ve visited. If you’re just considering it, maybe it will kick you off, and if you think it’s nothing for kids, maybe it will convince you otherwise. It will be a week full of unforgettable experiences, endless running around outside and children’s joy.

 

DAY 1. – Packing and travel

The first day didn’t start quite as we expected. After previous experiences, we expected to pick up the caravan in the wee hours of the morning and have a nice stop on the trail in the treetops on the way to our destination. According to the contract, the caravan should be picked up at 3pm, but last year, the owner called us at 10am and so we had the same expectations this year. The night before the trip we had everything packed and were waiting for a phone call that never came. It turned out that the family who had rented the caravan before us returned it late, dirty and damaged. Eventually, however, everything was resolved. We left quite a bit later than we had intended and had to skip our planned stop, but we were in good spirits. 

Long way to Germany

Given the situation, we decided to go all the way to Norinberg without a break. The children, so far enthusiastic about the caravan itself and armed with new books and colouring books, did it to perfection. We prepared a cold dinner for them at the rest stop and later they fell asleep.

First night at the caravan park

Since we arrived quite late, the kids were already asleep and we had a program planned for the morning, there was no point in looking for a campsite. We just needed to get some sleep. Our batteries were charged and our water tank was full, so it wasn’t even necessary. We found one of the several caravan parks in Norinberg, which are free of charge, but you can only stay for a maximum of 3 nights. The parking lot was quite full, but we found a spot. We tucked the kids into bed, had a quick dinner, and snuggled in with them.

DAY 2 – Metro ride, Norinberg Zoo and coffee in the city centre

The next day, right after breakfast, we went to the famous Norinberg Zoo. The main goal was the dolphin performance. We decided to leave the caravan parked and use public transport. Directly from the car park a bus used to take you to the zoo. But we  preferred the subway, which the kids haven’t ridden yet. After a 10-minute walk, we reached the metro station. The children were of course thrilled. In the centre we changed to the tram and got off right in front of the zoo gates. 

Norinberg Zoo

The zoo captivated us. It is full of greenery and really beautiful enclosures. There are large trees all along the paths to provide shade on hot days. Along the way, you will come across several small but original playgrounds and you can also take a train ride.

 

Dolphins, sea cow and dung beetle

Apart from the main attraction, which is certainly the dolphins, you can also see a sea cow, which most intrigued the eldest daughter, cheeky monkeys, which you can get right into the enclosure, a polar bear you can see really close up and even a dung beetle at hand.

We also had lunch at the zoo. The food offer in the canteen was great, we had a choice of cold salads or baguettes, hot cooked food and desserts and the prices were reasonable. There are also snack bars and picnic tables at every turn, if you like to bring your own food on trips. For the more demanding there is also a restaurant in the area.

 

Norinberg

In the early evening we went for a quick tour of the city. But the kids were really tired, so we just took it as a quickie. The city centre itself did not impress us very much. The historic centre is small and very insensitively renovated. But we took advantage of this quick tour to stop at the grocery store and replenish our food supplies. 

 

Since we had some other plans in the area and the parking lot where we slept the previous night was fine, we decided to sleep here the next night as well. The car park was located in the outskirts of Norinberg on the edge of a large park, so it was quiet and peaceful at night. Barbecues are forbidden in such places, but it was possible to set up a table on the large lawn and sit down to dinner outside. One last night in Norinberg ahead of us and in the morning, off to a new adventure.

 

DAY 3 – Playmobil Fun Park Norinberg

My son is a big fan of Playmobil toys. No Christmas or birthday is complete without a toy from them in our house. So when I discovered on the internet that Norinberg had its own amusement park, there was nothing to think about. After breakfast, we set off, this time by caravan, to the site. The Fun Park is located in the village behind Norinberg and it took us about 20 minutes to get there. Along the way, we refilled our water supply at a gas station for a small fee, and there was also an opportunity to empty the chemical toilet.

Playmobil Fun Park – endless fun for the whole family

On the spot we parked the caravan comfortably in a huge parking lot designed for the guests of the Fun Park. It’s then about a 5-minute walk to the gates of endless fun.

When we were planning this trip, we were slightly worried if it would bore our oldest daughter. The park is mainly for younger children, around 5 years old. However, according to the photos and not very comprehensive information on their wb site, it looked fun for about 2 hours, so we figured we’d stick it out for my brother’s sake.

But we were wrong… there were long hours of fun waiting for us, and even the 12 year old came into her own. We arrived in the morning, right after breakfast and stayed until almost the end. And we didn’t manage to do all that. We left crying because they didn’t want to leave, or afterwards they were “bribed” with new Playmobil toys.

 

 

Swimwear, flip-flops, towels and spare clothes

If you plan to go here, bring your children’s swimsuits, hookers, towels and a change of clothes. At the end of the day they will be wet, sandy, dirty, tired, but happy.

We started with the interior cafe area ( we desperately needed coffee, which we didn’t have time to get in the morning). You will find a large indoor playground, but most importantly a huge playroom where children can try out all the toys Playmobil has to offer. Toys for the youngest children are placed so that you have them right by the table and can drink your coffee in peace, even if you go here with a two-year-old. Older children can be seen having coffee from the balcony. From the table you have a view of the entire gaming room. Children can play with firemen, policemen, fairies, dinosaurs and animals. 

After getting the necessary dose of caffeine, we proceeded to the water playground. We have encountered similar playgrounds in several places in Austria or Donovaly, but children never get tired of it. The children fill, drain and overflow the flowing water as they please. As throughout the park, buckets and scoops are available. There is never enough water so we refreshed ourselves in the bathing fountain and went to the water lanes where we played with the boats. Luckily, the weather was beautiful, because we didn’t have to do without water – small swimming ponds and a huge sandpit or mermaids kept us entertained for quite a long time. The journey continues through a burger restaurant, before which you can rinse the children from the sand and behind it a treasure hunt. In the large sandpit, children sift through the sand looking for small pieces of “gold” and “diamonds” to take home as a souvenir.

 

It was only here somewhere that we understood that we would not get out of this place so soon. We took care of the horses, milked a cow, had a tractor race. We took a boat ride, explored the secret passages under the castle, and rode rafts to the pirate ship. They climbed an unbelievable number of climbing frames, slid on huge slides, hunted for treasures from huge shells. Lovers of unicorns, walrus fairies, policemen, cowboys, pirates, dinosaurs or knights will find their own here.

It was hard to leave here. We ended our visit in a huge Playmobil shop, where no child is likely to leave empty-handed. There’s a whole collection of Playmobil toys to choose from, including exclusives you can’t buy anywhere else. But you don’t have to leave a fortune here. You’ll also find lots of little things to remind you of the day, like a little treasure chest for the treasures the kids dug in the sand or the buckets that accompanied them throughout the day.

We ended up in the Fun Park later than we planned. But that’s the advantage of a caravan holiday. Time doesn’t play such a role here. So we didn’t rush the kids and let them play to their heart’s content. But the next day we had plans to explore the German lakes south of Norinberg, so we wanted to make at least a little bit of a dash to our destination.

Night at Munich Stadium

We finally found a caravan park on the outskirts of Munich right next to the Allianz Arena Bayern Munich. It wasn’t exactly a picturesque place, but it served its purpose. We had a connection to electricity, the possibility to refill the water and empty the toilet. In the evening we were caught in a thunderstorm, so we wouldn’t have taken advantage of the campsite anyway. Moreover, the children were looking forward to going to their beds. In the evening, when the children fell asleep, the weather calmed down and we managed to grill Norinberg sausages. If you have a little football player at home, don’t miss the stadium tours that are literally steps away from this parking lot. 

 

DAY 4 – Chiemsee, Konigssee and finally an evening at the campsite

Our plan for the morning was to take the route around Lake Chiemsee, over the mountain pass to Lake Konigssee and then find a campsite.

Lake Chiemsse

Lake Chiemsee is probably best known for the castle that Ludwig II of Bavaria had built here, modelled on the castle at Versailles on one of the lake’s islands. It can be reached easily by regular boat line. Also this place is suitable for windsurfers and cyclists. There are campsites and caravan parks. We just made a short stop for a little walk, fed the ducks and snacked on popsicles.

Lake Konigssee

We crossed the mountain pass to Lake Konigssee. Compared to the previous lake, this was a completely different coffee. Beautiful picturesque village, if a bit overcrowded and breathtaking views of the lake in the middle of the mountains. We couldn’t resist the huge pancakes, which were filled with whatever we could think of. From Konigssee we were already on our way to look for a campsite in the direction of Zell am See in Austria.

First night at the campsite

We found the campsite in an ideal location, a 15-minute drive from Zell am See. Not very likeable at first glance, but since it was already quite a few hours and the proximity to our destination for the next day suited us, we figured we’d stick it out for one night. In the end it turned out to be a really beautiful campsite with its own lake and private beach, a playground, brand new and clean sanitary facilities and a restaurant. The children spent the whole evening by the pond looking for tadpoles and little frogs, which were plentiful. The brave people went swimming in the pond, but the water was quite cold and there were huge carp swimming in it, which did not make the visitors worry.

DAY 5 – Zell am See, following the trail of the dragon on Mount Schmitten

Since we liked the campsite and the price was reasonable, we paid for 2 nights in the morning so we wouldn’t have to worry about where to sleep in the evening. In the heart of the Alps, it is not so easy to find parking places where you could sleep, and we also wanted to enjoy one more day in the comfort of a campsite. After breakfast at the on-site restaurant, we set off for our next adventure on Mount Schmitten.

In the footsteps of the dragon

At the beginning we got a bit confused. It was only after buying tickets for the cable car that we realized we were at the completely wrong station. But everything was resolved quickly and without prolems, we returned the tickets and moved to the right areitXpress station. When buying a ticket, each child receives a map with the stations marked on it. At each station, they then have a task waiting for them, which if they complete and thus find out the correct answer to the question, they will record it on a map. A total of 25 such stops await children.

By cable car up to 1400 m.a.s.l.

After disembarking from the cable car, besides the adventure trip along the dragon’s footsteps, other attractions awaited us. The eldest tried driving an electric motorbike, the two younger ones tried the remote-controlled off-road car track.

A journey full of experiences – or how to get the kids on a hike without them even noticing

Then we set out to solve the individual tasks. We climbed, jumped, tested our strength and skill, wandered and most importantly we had a great time. The route is also supplemented with places to rest or picnic. At each such place there is a detksé playground. All the elements are done very sensitively, they do not disturb the surrounding beautiful nature and all the time you enjoy the amazing views.

If that’s still not enough for you

The whole tour should take about 1 and 1/2 hours, but it depends on how long you stay for each task. If you stop at other attractions, like we did, like the playgrounds or the dragon cave, it will take you quite a bit longer. But if you still don’t get enough, you can take a walk to the nearby water reservoir, where you can find more play elements, take one of the many hiking trails, or, like us, visit the small ski and vintage museum. We finally spent the last of our energy on the bouncy castle. We rode down again by cable car and in the ticket office we picked up rewards for solved tasks. Children will receive a diploma, a small sweet and a game. On the way to the campsite, we stopped at the store to replenish our supplies and then spent a pleasant evening at the grill.

DAY 6 – Swimming pool in Klagenfurt am Worthersee and a night full of stars

On the sixth day, we wanted to move a little closer to home so we wouldn’t have to make too long a journey later. The destination was the Vienna Alps. Of course, we made the trip more enjoyable with an experience stop. 

Swimming pool on Lake Worthersee

We stopped in Klagenfurt. We already knew the swimming pool from our last trip, but then we stopped there only for a short walk. A year ago we explored a local park with a huge playground. This time we headed straight to the beach and enjoyed a relaxing day. The beach is sandy, the lake is beautiful, the gradual entrance to the water is suitable for the little ones and the view of the surrounding mountains makes the whole day pleasant.

If you’d like to stay longer, there’s a Minimundus near the swimming pool, where you’ll find models of the world’s most important buildings, with a Ferris wheel, playground and activities for children.

But we continued on to the Vienna Alps, specifically to St. Corona am Wechsel and their Wexl Arena. We were a bit delayed at the swimming pool and so we arrived in St. Corona after dark. However, the caravanners are ready for the caravanners here. You can sleep for free in the lower car park and connect to electricity. Our late arrival was compensated by a sky full of stars.

 

DAY 7 – St. Corona am Wechsel, Wexl Arena, Motorik park, bobsleigh track and endless fun with marbles

Vexl arena is a paradise for adrenaline cyclists. The lift will take you up the hill on your bike and you will enjoy a frantic ride down the hill. There are trails for beginners and advanced skiers, but also for children. We didn’t have our bikes with us and we’re not even that skilled cyclists so we headed to Motorikpark.

Motor Park

Motorikpark is a climbing paradise for children of all ages. Here you can practice your balance and muscles properly. There are 25 stops with various sports-oriented activities and lots of fun waiting for you.

Bobsleigh track

After passing all 25 stops, after a short walk up a gentle hill you will reach the bobsleigh track. You can also treat yourself to ice cream, sit back and relax. If you have time and energy to spare, the ant trail full of forest tasks for children starts a short walk from here. You can buy a backpack with a magnifying glass and the necessary equipment, in which you will also find a map with individual tasks. At the end of the journey, the little explorers get a reward. We, however, headed back down the hill to the parking lot on the ball tracks.

Path with bullet tracks

There are 3 machines for wooden balls. One at the entrance to the Motorikpark, one at the exit and the last one at the top by the bobsleigh track. Each machine has bullets with a different motif so we had to have them all. We already have some in our collection at home that we brought back from other trips.

On the way down the hill from the bobsleigh track, a different bullet-track awaits you every few metres, so the whole journey is very fun for the kids. On a classic hike up such a steep hill as we did here, the kids would have been whining that their feet hurt, that they were hungry, thirsty and tired. Here, however, we have not heard a single complaint.

Last moments on the field and the way home

Downstairs you can refresh yourself with coffee or ice cream. We spent the last few moments on the playground and made our way home. Karavn had to be returned the next morning. And so we planned to arrive home the evening before, so that we could unload the caravan in the field and clean it up.

It was an amazing week full of adventure, unforgettable experiences and time spent with family. We and the kids enjoyed it and we can’t wait for the next caravan trip.

Complete disconnection from work and responsibilities

I was planning on using the trip for work stuff as well. What awesome photos I’ll take in the alpine nature with our backpacks, as I take pictures of the pads in the caravan. But so many adventures and childish joy made me put down the camera, and in the end we don’t even have many holiday photos, let alone working ones. Instead of looking at the beauty around us through the lens, we enjoyed it to the fullest without it and savored every minute of it. And I really recommend it to everyone. Put down the camera on vacation and focus more on you and your family than on taking the perfect vacation photo. In the past, I’ve found that when looking at beautiful photographs, I’ve realized that I don’t remember where they were taken. Or I missed some of the experiences the children were describing. This time it was different. We may not have a memory card full of beautiful pictures, but we have a head full of beautiful memories.

But our pads accompanied us on our travels and made the beds in the caravan more comfortable, and we also made use of our backpacks on trips.