Newsletter October 2025
A Message from Steve and Jaye
Hello everyone,
It’s certainly been a busy few months here at RP HQ, making sure we have our brand-new Rebellion ready to officially launch at the NEC in a few weeks’ time. With its updated roof and all the latest features, it’s a model we’re hugely proud of and can’t wait to reveal.
Speaking of latest features, Steve and I recently spent the best part of a week at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf (you really do need that long to get around it - it’s huge), and came away reassured that RP remains right at the forefront of the adventure vehicle world.
Our layout and double up-and-over door system are still unique, our finish remains second to none (no carpets on our walls, thank you very much), and we had some great conversations about future innovations. One we’re especially excited about - and no laughing at the back here - is a new toilet system that bags the waste. More on this very soon.
And while all this is happening, the next RP Adventure is about to set off to Morocco. We can’t wait to follow along, and just to remind you, you can too through our Instagram account (@RPMotorhomes) as well as via our guide-in-chief, Marcus (@marcusleachglobal).
If you are planning on coming to the NEC, it would be great to see you there. You’ll find us in Hall 10, Stand 80.
Yours in adventure,
Steve & Jaye Young
Traveller Tales:
Jesper & Monika’s Scandinavian Adventure
Included as part of our newsletter is our next installment from our Traveller Tales series, getting the story behind the adventures of RP Owners. This time, Jesper & Monika take us north — across Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and beyond — with tales of glacier hikes, reindeer encounters, and even a party at the edge of Russia.
Where did you go on your trip?
For our first big van trip we chose to follow Jesper’s Scandinavian heritage. We started in his home country of Denmark, where the adventure took us to stunning beaches (some of which you can drive on), windy dunes and even a surprisingly charming chemical waste site. Mostly flat and agricultural, Denmark has a simple, serene charm to it.
This was very different to the next leg and the main event of our trip: we spent a month driving across the length of Norway. While Jesper did a lot of planning in terms of the route and potential places to visit (and then we forgot his meticulously prepared maps), we remained flexible on how far north we would go and left space for spontaneous detours. In the end, the idea of reaching Europe’s most northern point was too enticing, though,
From Kristiansand in the south all the way to the North Cape, we split our time between wild camping (about 60% of the time) and camp sites. Wild camping is legal in Norway, and although it was harder to find the right site than we expected - not because of a lack of stunning spots, but to ensure we were being respectful of the locals and the nature - we still enjoyed that so much more than campsites. We found some gems of wild camping spots along the way, which meant waking up on top of a mountain, watching the midnight sun surrounded by reindeer, or taking a morning bath in a glacier lake.
It’s not easy to put into words the impression Norwegian nature made on us. From huge, round mountains resembling sleeping trolls, through dramatically rugged fjords to the thousands of little islands, Norway has it all. Jesper thoroughly enjoyed driving the narrow serpentines, especially the infamous Trollstigen, testing the suspension on rocky terrain and getting plenty of compliments on the adventurous look of the van. I fell in love with the wildlife, particularly the majestic reindeer and chirpy oystercatchers, got rather fond of the local brown cheese (brunost) and learned to enjoy the Arctic chill of Nordic wild swimming.
The midnight sun was one of the more special things about our trip. In the summer, Norway barely has any nights. We were high up above the Arctic Circle one evening and went for a hike at midnight. Watching the sun bathe the horizon in pinks and oranges, never quite setting, alone up in the hills was pretty remarkable. We walked back to the van around 1am and it was just as light as on a regular day in England.
While we made some truly spectacular detours, the islands of Vega and Sommarøy in particular turned out to be excellent last-minute decisions, the more quirky one was Kirkenes. The small town lies a mere 10km from the Russian border and is famous for king crab and the big role it played in WW2 - it was one of the most bombed places in Europe. We went there, expecting a sleepy town, but we arrived at a huge summer party.
We left Norway and though we originally didn’t plan to set foot in Finland, we ended up driving through the most deserted parts of it and making a stop in Rovaniemi, which is where Santa lives. It’s perhaps not the most lively place in the summer, but it was still quite a fun experience. We also tried to take a walk in some of the famous Finnish ancient woods, but we got driven away by mosquitoes. We were never quite so grateful for the mosquito nets in the van.
Our swift exit from Finland was followed by a quick drive through Sweden, with a great day out in Stockholm, before returning to Denmark to spend time with Jesper’s family. We then drove back to the UK via Gent in Belgium.
How long were you away for?
Two months. We could have happily stayed another month. Luckily, we are both flexible in terms of location so we did bring our laptops and worked while travelling - though nowhere near as much as we thought we would.
We had some stunning ‘offices’ on the fjords and in the mountains, always chasing clear skies to make sure Starlink had the best connectivity possible. It worked very well for the most part.
One of the funnier work moments was when I was on a call in the van and heard Jesper yelling outside. Turns out, a sheep came to say hello and tried to steal our bbq tray.
What was the inspiration behind going where you did?
We both love places that feel untouched and raw, where we can feel close to nature. The combination of mountains, fjords and the sea in the Nordics seemed ideal, while also giving us the opportunity to see some of Jesper’s family and friends. I hadn’t visited that part of the world, but the prospect of empty roads, beautiful water and a potential for stunning hikes was enough to convince me. Jesper has a superpower of always finding a trail nobody has used in a while which tends to result in incredible views and lots of bush scratches. Which we found this time around too.
What I also found interesting was that while we went in peak season, it felt nothing like what I experienced in other locations in Europe. In some of the more popular places, like Lofoten or Preikestolen, there was more traffic and people, but it still didn’t compare to going to Cornwall in May, for example. And while ‘coolcations’ are becoming increasingly popular, Scandinavia is still nowhere near as busy in the summer as other countries in Europe.
Were there any challenges along the way?
If so, what did they teach you?
It was so much smoother than we expected. Because we drove a lot, we had plenty of power. The compost toilet was extremely simple to sort out. Water was easy to get from campsites and service stops, although we did have a small mishap where I accidentally let out 50% of our fresh water in the most inconvenient, remote part of Norway. A lesson for us to learn about ALL the buttons and valves of our van.
When we did have good levels of water and couldn’t have an icy lake bath, we treated ourselves to showers using the external shower head which was glorious. In general, it was all very smooth and frictionless. The van took care of everything.
If someone were to ask you why they should follow in your footsteps, what would you tell them?
If you want adventure, nature and awe-inspiring sights, Norway in the summer is a special place. I left wondering how any future destination could ever impress me so much.
Three favourite locations along the way?
A hike to the Reinanuten peak to see a glacier (Folgefonna National Park, Norway). It’s a very fun trail, crossing streams, climbing up rocks using chains and eventually getting close to the spectacular ice wall. The car park to start the hike is also an overnight camper site, but we chose to drive on and slept in Grimo - there are only 4 spots for campervans but you’re right on the fjord and there’s a toilet, small shop and an outdoor shower.
Rømø, Denmark. It’s the southernmost of the Danish islands in the Wadden Sea, with incredible sandy Lakolk beach where you can drive. It was a lot of fun to take the van out there, drive on the sand, then park it up, make lunch and have a dip in the water. Also, it’s a 15-minute drive from the medieval city of Ribe, Denmark's oldest town. It’s charming and atmospheric, and the restaurant in the Weis Stue inn offers some of the best smørrebrød.
Vega, Norway (I wrote about it on my Substack). It was a detour of a 3h wait for a 2h ferry, but we loved it so much we ended up spending 2 nights there - though still in a different spot each night! It’s a quiet little speck of an island out west, but it’s so beautiful and relaxing.
Any hidden gems that you didn’t expect to find?
Vikafjell; Svartavatnet (Norway). Wild camping is legal in Norway and we made the most of it. This was the most beautiful spot in the mountains, right by a small lake with beautifully clear water.
Låven restaurant in Lofoten (Norway). The islands are as beautiful as people say, but the gem was this unassuming restaurant in a horse riding school which also hosts a great campsite on the beach. The dry cod fritters were out of this world. There was also the most beautiful sunset on the beach the night we stayed there, which I slept through because by the time the sun set around half past eleven, I was dozing off in a food coma, but Jesper took photos.
A stunning sunset on the beach at Høfde 42 (Denmark). Back in the 50s, a chemical company leaked toxic waste there, polluting the lovely North Sea and Limfjord. There is now an iron sheet protecting further discharge but it’s still not a resort-material. There are eerie signs on the beach, prohibiting swimming or eating anything that does. Oh, the romantic places Jesper takes me to.
If you could go back to one place on your trip, where would it be and why?
Lysebotn. It’s fun to be spontaneous but some things need to be booked. Like certain ferries. We waited for six hours, hoping there would be space to get on the last ferry of the day and we were the first car in the queue NOT to get a space. Surprisingly, for being quite a famous tourist destination they only run two small ferries a day and they’re booked weeks in advance. We’d love to go back - with a booking - and take the ferry as the route takes you through the most dramatic fjord and incredible views.
What advice would you give someone thinking about taking a similar itinerary?
Take it slower than we did. From the moment we left our home in Bristol to the day we returned exactly two months later, we drove 7.5k miles - and we had about 2 weeks’ break from driving when visiting family. We slept in a different spot every night and drove every day. It was fun and we got to see a lot, but next time we’d like to take it slower.
What did you learn from your journey that you’ll carry into your future travels?
AI is a helpful travel planner. Not only is it a good research tool, but it comes up with some interesting ideas. ChatGPT saved us quite a lot of money in Stockholm where it suggested using park&ride instead of paying for a 24h campervan parking lot.
2026 RP Adventure Tours
After the success of our first Balkans trip, and with eight RP vehicles currently in Morocco, we’re really excited to let you know that three RP Adventures are already confirmed for 2026, and bookings are now open.
To secure a place on any of the trips, or to find out more details, simply use the link here to email Marcus or copy his address marcusleachglobal@gmail.com and he’ll send you a booking form along with deposit payment details. All tours require a £500 deposit, and spaces are limited on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wild Wales: June 2nd to June 8th (£1,399)
A shorter tour a little closer to home, but no less spectacular, with majestic drives, mountain walks and a journey into the ‘Green Desert of Wales’.
Balkans Odyssey: September 16th to October 1st (£4,399)
A journey through one of Europe’s most fascinating regions, from the culture and history of Sarajevo to the dramatic peaks of Montenegro and the charm of Dubrovnik’s old town, with plenty of wild beauty in between.
Morocco: October 26th to November 13th (£4,399)
An adventure like no other, from the golden sands of the Sahara to the soaring Atlas Mountains, the vibrant souks of Marrakech and a wild camping experience that you’ll never forget.