A “Princess Adventurer” Travel Story!

From hesitation to discovery

I still remember my first meeting with Ghislain. At the time, vanlife felt too much like camping for him, and it wasn’t really his thing. His partner, Marie-Élise, had been dreaming about this lifestyle for years.

In January 2024, they decided to give it a try with a 4-day rental. Ghislain wasn’t fully convinced at first, but as they say:

Used to the comfort of hotels, Ghislain discovered a perfect balance between the comfort of home and the freedom of vanlife. Today, he travels across Canada in his LIV model van purchased from VanLife Campers.

Why vanlife?

For the freedom, autonomy, accessibility… but also for the comfort. For me, it’s the perfect balance between luxury and camping. It also allows me to use the van for work, business trips, and getaways.

What motivated you to take this trip?

The timing. I had to go to Vancouver for a conference, and we had three weeks available afterward. On top of that, friends were able to bring the van there for us. It was the perfect opportunity.

Your itinerary and top 5?

The plan: Vancouver → Montreal, taking time in British Columbia, then heading down toward Montana and Yellowstone National Park.

• Seattle
• Golf in British Columbia
• Fly fishing for salmon
• Montana and Yellowstone
• Badlands (which we didn’t end up doing)

How did you prepare for the weather?

Layering is essential. We had clothing for 30°C as well as for -20°C. In a van, space is limited, so every piece of clothing needs to be optimized.

Planning vs improvisation?

Very little planning: insurance, plane tickets, first nights in hotels… and a top 5 of destinations.

For the rest: improvisation on the road.

Your tips for a van road trip?

• Insurance: make sure you’re well covered
• The van: space and proper tires
• Food: take advantage of the kitchen
• The route: have a general plan
• Sleeping: mix of apps and spontaneity

Traveling in the fall: good idea?

• Fewer people
• Lower costs
• No need to book
• Ideal temperatures

Essential equipment in the fall

The Webasto heating system, without hesitation. And for more autonomy: an indoor shower and a well-designed four-season van like those from VanLife Campers.

Challenges encountered

Mobility: hard to plan everything in advance.

The toilet: always a small challenge.

Space: living as a couple requires adaptation.

Where did you sleep?

• Walmart
• iOverlander
• Terego
• VanLife Friendly

Your best memory?

Simple moments, like eating or sleeping with an incredible view right from the van.

A memorable story?

Losing my wallet… and seeing a huge animal right at the entrance of Yellowstone.

Your final verdict

P-E-R-F-E-C-T

Conclusion

A trip more immersive than hotels, more flexible than traveling by car, and above all much freer.

If you’d like to live your own adventure, VanLife Campers offers van rentals, ready-to-go models for purchase, and a full range of accessories to support you every step of the way.