The best motorhome destinations in Europe in January!

January: the month of New Year's resolutions. Something that, in our opinion, should definitely be considered a New Year's resolution is to hit the road with your motorhome as often as possible! Of course, you don't have to wait for nice weather in spring, but you can already pack your bags and hit the road in January. In this blog, you will discover what to do in Europe in January and where to stay!

Industrial city Chemnitz is located in eastern Germany and bears the title European Capital of Culture this year. A surprise to many, because what was once Germany's richest city has in recent decades mostly been snowed under as a working-class city you quickly drive past. Nevertheless, the label ‘cultural capital’ is not stamped on this city without reason. After a long and bumpy history in the shadow of big sisters Leipzig and Dresden, Chemnitz has formed its own culture - with an industrial edge - in recent years. For instance, the walking or cycling route Industriekultur takes you past the city's treasured gems, passing various historical buildings such as the Jacobi Church and the Old Town Hall, and visiting old factories. Housing several museums, exhibitions and venues, these factories, or so-called ‘garages’, also form the heart of the city's culture. Young entrepreneurs are given room to sprinkle a touch of modernity over the industrial history, resulting in innovative culinary developments, but without blurring the history with it. Enjoy the cosy atmosphere, fine culture and special industry, which in Chemnitz comes back to life in the places where it once began.

The opening ceremony of the European Capital of Culture takes place on 18 January, but you can of course visit this interesting city all year round. Spend the night in the city at Campingplatz Oberrabenstein. Would you rather see more of the surroundings? Then park your motorhome at Stellplatz am Parkplatz Aqua Marien in Marienberg or Parkplatz am Museum Frohnauer Hammer in Annaberg-Buchholz, from where you can explore the Ore Mountains and maybe even try your hand at skiing!

- Discover Chemnitz's treasures by foot or by bike!

Historic Bruges is a fun motorhome travel destination all year round, but the winter atmosphere that blankets the city in January makes a visit even more special. With a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a stroll through Bruges' historic city centre is therefore the perfect way to kick off the new motorhome year. In the first week of January, for instance, you can still enjoy the so-called Winter Glow, of which the Light Experience Walk is a sure recommendation. During a three-kilometre walk, you will be taken past a dozen unique light installations centred on the combination of fire and ice. Once the Christmas lights are removed, Bruges regains its natural charms and the medieval influences create a still-warm atmosphere in the city. Splendour decorates the city centre, such as on the Burg, Bruges Market Square and the Historium, while the Beguinage is just beautiful in its simplicity. For a unique journey through the city, book a trip on the open canal boat or board a horse-drawn carriage. Do you want to put off your healthy New Year's resolutions for a while? Then be sure to enjoy delicious Flemish fries at the Frietmuseum, step into the life of the Belgian sweetsaholic at the chocolate museum and toast to the new year with a frothy pint at Bruges' oldest and only city brewery, De Halve Maan. That's a great start to the new year! 

The Winter Glow takes place until 5 January, but without Christmas decorations, a winter visit to Bruges is also in one word: magical. Motorhome stopover Het Kanaaleiland is located right next to the city centre and in the vicinity of the city you can stay at Camperpark Zuienkerke or Camperpark Blankenberge. Ideal if you want to combine a weekend in Bruges with an afternoon at the beach.

- Hop on a canal boat and explore atmospheric Bruges!

Would you prefer to leave the dark days of January behind as soon as possible in the new year? Then a road trip across the southern Italian island of Sicily is highly recommended! Here, the chances of sunshine are considerably higher and temperatures are just a bit more pleasant. A ‘discovery tour’ is what you can call a road trip on this island, as you will find treasures just as the Greeks, Romans and Spanish did hundreds of years ago. One of Italy's most beautiful Greek temple complexes, for example, can be found in the Valle dei Templi near the city of Agrigento. Dating back to the fifth century BC, the Concordia temple has been well preserved all these years and, on a clear day just before sunset, shines with a golden glow over the flat wooded landscape, an extraordinary play of light! You will discover more remnants of Greek ancient times in Taormina, where the upper tier of the Teatro Greco-Romano provides expansive views over the Ionian Sea. On a clear day, you can also see the 3,000-metre smoking crater of the volcano Etna in the distance. Do you enjoy getting up on your skis? Then you can indulge your adventurous heart here, as Etna boasts two ski resorts. Ski resorts Etna north and Etna south are at 2300 and 2600 metres respectively and are among the smallest in Europe, but the spectacular experience of skiing on a volcano is a reason alone to take the lift up. Do you prefer to stay a little further away from a smoking volcano? Then stroll around Palermo's lively street markets, taste sweet wines in Marsala or tour the island and make occasional stops in one of its cosy villages. Sicily offers something for everyone! 

Sicily has a rich array of fine motorhome stopovers. Sosta Camper Pier Giovanni in Taormina, Area Camper Mondello in Palermo and Camping Lilybeo Village in Marsala are examples of centrally located motorhome stopovers, but it is definitely recommended to stay overnight in smaller villages during a tour as well. Buon viaggio!

- Enjoy not only pleasant temperatures, but also the remains of Greek antiquity!

Time to pack your things and open the new motorhome year! Still haven't got enough inspiration? Then also read this article or subscribe to our newsletter!