Flamenco Campers

Cast your mind back to the 1960s. The Beatles just took the music world by storm, the first man walked on the moon, John Coltrane recorded A love supreme and the historic Woodstock festival changed the history of rock and roll. Meanwhile an unsuspecting campervan, which until then had been used as a transport vehicle, became the symbol of the counterculture movement. Born in the heart of Germany, the Volkswagen Transporter (VW T1), also known as the hippie van, was featured in many iconic images of the era alongside the peace sign and mobile peace convoys as part of the hippie subculture.

A young company in Malaga has imported this spirit of adventure to Andalusia from countries such as England and Germany where it has been popular for years. In this model, the tourist becomes an authentic traveller at the wheel of their Flamenco Camper free to follow the road from Almeria to Huelva, snake through nature reserves, beaches and vibrant city centers or even witness the spectacular waters surrounding the Andalusian coastline.

After years taking holidays in their VW camper to attend some of the most important camper festivals in Europe, such as VanFest or Camper Jam in the UK, Gonzalo Rosa and Carolina Valcarce decided to dive head-on into yet another adventure: founding their own company inspired by their joint passion. And so Flamenco Campers was born in 2011 to become a campervan rental service in Malaga. We’re not talking about any old caravan hire or motor home rental service: these are fully equipped VW T4 Westfalia California campervans that come with a kitchen (fridge, gas stove, sink and utensils), two double beds, cupboards and dining table. Some of them even have a bathroom! With just a few simple moves, these campervans transform into mobile homes that adapt to the needs of those travelling inside. And that’s just the point: to break free from the mould while travelling in style.

Now you can take a break in the midst of the Andalusian countryside, pull down the awning and set up a picnic table to enjoy a delicious homemade lunch prepared in your very own camper (don’t miss out on their cooking videoblog Fogones y pistones ‘in which they show how to cook recipes in a campervan). You can even take an unexpected pit stop to enjoy the Mediterranean sunset or one of the many beaches ideal for surfing and kitesurfing. Another plan is to make the most of a network of campsites throughout the region (when you rent your campervan you’ll be given a Fórmula Camper card issued by the Andalusian Federation of Campings (FAC) with discounts for overnight stays). “Its all about planning your own holiday and becoming a traveller rather than a tourist. The journey begins from the moment you leave home. It’s all about living the road. Travelling by campervan offers up an array of extraordinary memories and the chance to enjoy the journey itself”. As in Homer’s The Odyssey, it’s all about the journey, not the destination. “In fact it doesn’t even matter if you don’t make it to your destination,” highlights Gonzalo.

Travelling by campervan is one way to avoid endless queues at airports and tourists who’ve planned their holiday right down to the last second. Travelling by camper is about freedom, inspiration, curiosity and being in touch with your surroundings. “We always highlight the natural resources on offer in Andalusia: twenty-four natural parks, nine UNESCO biosphere reserves and several world heritage sites including Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Ubeda and Baeza. Then it’s up to them. The spirit of camper travel is to travel without a fixed destination or itinerary”.

Lola (VW T4 Westfalia California Exclusive), Carmela (VW T4 Westfalia California Coach) or Manuela (VW T4 Westfalia California Coach)… Renting any one of the three campervans at Flamenco Campers is easy. All you need is a B1 driving license that is at least three years old and to be over 28 years old. You don’t even have to pack a suitcase. They have an ample selection of products for rent including a GPS system, bikes for adults and kids alike, outdoor tables and chairs, child seats, hammocks, barbecues, tents and just about everything you’ll need if you’re going to go hiking, kayaking or body boarding. They’ve even got a Spanish guitar for those of you wanting to add a flamenco soundtrack to your journey.

Manuela is pet friendly and all three campers love crossing borders. Andalusia plays host to fabulous locations including the Sierra de Cazorla, Sierra de Hornachuelos, Sierra de Grazalema, as well as Cabo de Gata and Tarifa (highly recommended by both Gonzalo and Carolina). But don’t forget that Flamenco Campers can travel all over Spain and abroad (for an extra charge).

Whether you’re young, footloose and fancy-free or a retired couple looking to make the most of your newfound freedom, Flamenco Campers is for curious and nature-loving travellers filled with the spirit of adventure. Over half a century after its creation, this campervan maintains the aura of its hippie past despite technological advances and improvements that have seen it evolve into what it is today. Camper rental companies such as Flamenco Campers champion a genuine and inexpensive way to explore the unknown. Just what the doctor ordered in these times of economic and spiritual crisis.

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Flamenco Campers
Parque Empresarial Lauro Torre
C/ Reserva, Nave I-9
Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga
(+34) 951 701 291, info(a)flamencocampers.com