Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Caravans, campervans and places to park them
Renting a caravan or travelling under your own steam with a camper van is another possib-
ility - they call them motorhomes in the USA and it's easy to see why. They do have the
advantage of giving you a secure place to leave your stuff and of not having to carry it all
on your back but they're plainly not an option everywhere in the world.
Check out these websites:
www.campingo.com/campsite.html
www.internationalcampingclub.com
www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe
www.rentocamp.com
www.allstays.com/Campgrounds-Australia
www.familyparks.com.au
www.takeabreak.com.au/caravanparks.htm
Temples and monasteries
Temples and monasteries are also an option worth exploring. The main consideration for
deciding to stay in a monastery or temple guesthouse, should not be your budget, though
there's no denying that it's affordable for the budget traveller. Indeed for anyone wanting
some place to be able to relax and not be constantly on guard, or if you're seeking a peace-
ful sanctuary and simplicity, religious guesthouses are ideal.
Some places prefer that you have some link with their faith, even if only through a historic
extended-family link, but there is a strong tradition of offering refuge, safety and peace in
any religious community that isn't a closed order.
Historically, the religious communities and monasteries of many faiths have provided hos-
pice and hospital services to their surrounding communities. Much of our early medical
knowledge developed from here too.
Changing economics have also meant their costs have risen and many temples and monas-
teries have had to be practical about raising income for their communities and for the up-
keep of buildings, whose antiquity makes them costly to maintain. Most are therefore open
to guests regardless of faith.
Having said that, if you are considering this option, be prepared for rooms and meals to be
simple, facilities to be austere and for the community to be quiet at certain times of the day.
There will be daily rituals to the life of the community and, like anywhere else, it's only
polite to respect their customs. Obviously it's not an option that would suit some gappers.
But a chance to think, to recharge the spiritual batteries, to learn more about oneself or a
particular faith, maybe to learn yoga or meditation, is what some gappers are looking for
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