About us
What is VanSite?
VanSite is an online platform that lets campers discover unique, nature-close campsites on private properties across Europe and book them. For motorhomes, caravans and (rooftop) tents.
Or earn money easily with your property and offer your unused green space for camping.
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Table of contents
About VanSite
VanSite offers across Europe an online platform and app for landowners who want to make their private property (e.g. garden, farm, vineyards, woodland, etc.) available for short overnight stays and thereby earn themselves a additional income. With VanSite, travellers can campsites and activities/offers from hosts across Europe book online.
With VanSite, travellers can easily nature-close pitches near them find and book. From a simple green field at the edge of a field track to a lakeside spot with shower and toilet, everyone finds their dream spot with VanSite. The platform offers, with over 3,000 campsites and a user-friendly app, a simple and accessible solution for nature lovers.
The VanSite concept
Before VanSite, it was only possible to stay at official campsites, because wild camping, that is staying overnight in the open countryside or in public spaces in tents, cars, vans or motorhomes, in Germany and many other European countries is prohibited. The VanSite concept appeals to both those who love nature and want to experience unique campsites, as well as those interested in nature camping, "Slow Tourism" and conscious travel.
Problem:
Traditional campsites are often overcrowded, they offer little closeness to nature and camping in the wild (wild camping) is complicated in many countries or, as in nature reserves, completely prohibited.
VanSite as the solution:
The private nature campsites on VanSite offer a legal alternative to wild camping and are ideal for nature lovers who also like to stay alone in nature for several days. With the free app you can easily book your pitch while on the go. If you travel a lot and want to save on accommodation costs, there is also the AnnualPass from VanSite with which, from the date of purchase, for one year at all VanSite campsites stay for free.
Your benefit:
On the nature pitches of VanSite you experience as a camper the freedom of wild camping, completely without stress and risk. In addition, through the ever-growing range of private campsites experience nature across Europe in its purest form and gain access to unique places and experiences that would otherwise remain undiscovered. Feel at home with the locals and get the best insider tips for the area!
VanSite, wild camping or other apps?
VanSite offers many advantages compared to free standing or "wild camping" as well as to other campsite apps. With wild camping, fines are a risk in many countries, and finding a suitable pitch is often stressful and uncertain. There is no guarantee that the spot is free, and you often end up at unattractive spots like roadsides or car parks, usually near other campers. On top of that come possible conflicts with residents and authorities and the fact that wild camping is usually only possible for a short time, making it hard to explore and enjoy the surroundings. Also missing important services like toilets, showers, electricity, fresh water, waste disposal and Wi-Fi.
Also other campsite apps have their drawbacks: many require a paid membership or payment for the app itself. The selection of campsites is often limited, and there are only a few images available, which on top of that not very informative are. Often the accommodation options are limited to farms and only available in German-speaking countries (DACH) available. A stay is usually limited to 24 hours only, and the availability of spots is not shown. Prior contact with the hosts by phone is required, and there is often an obligation to make purchases at the farm shop.
VanSite on the other hand makes legal overnight stays on private properties across Europe, and the pitches are diverse: from idyllic spots at the forest's edge in the Sauerland to farms in Bavaria and mountain huts in Austria, coastal spots in Spain or vineyards in France. These exclusive and unique pitches are mostly in secluded locations in nature and offer a peaceful retreat. Booking is simple and straightforward online, a paid membership is not required, and the app is free. Pitches can be conveniently booked online, either via instant booking or on request, with availability visible in the calendar . Flexibility is a priority: multiple nights are possible, and the arrival times are flexible. Prior contact with the host is not necessary, but after the reservation there is the option to communicate with the host via the chat function - without language barriers thanks to the built-in translator. There is also no obligation to shop at the farm store. The VanSite hosts also offer a wide range of extras, such as fresh breakfasts, alpaca walks, horse riding, farm tours, wine tastings or wellness offerings.
VanSite is continuously equipping more pitches with informative pitch photos, including drone shots and 360° views, to make choosing the perfect spot easier. In the app, users can filter specifically for services such as toilets, showers, electricity and fresh water, as well as search by activities and surroundings to find the ideal pitch.
Check it out for yourself and have a look at the free app or the website "VanSite.eu". There you can also see without registering all pitches and of course book them individually too, if an annual pass isn't for you.
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Team VanSite
The VanSite team consists of passionate campers and nature lovers who bring their enthusiasm and expertise to build a unique platform for nature-based pitches. The current core team combines several specialists as well as highly motivated student workers. Every member enriches the team with their varied perspectives and works as equals, with flat hierarchies.
The founding of VanSite
2020 VanSite was founded by three passionate campers and students at the University of Paderborn and then grew during the development phase to a founding team of five people.
"After a three-week trip through Scandinavia with my girlfriend, dog and caravan, I was completely taken by wild camping. Being out in nature independently and undisturbed with a self-sufficient caravan has been my idea of a perfect holiday ever since.
However, we found that it is not easy to find suitable spots in nature. This was mainly because it was unclear beforehand whether using the spot was permitted. On top of that, the spots we had researched in advance were often already occupied by other travellers.
After the holiday, I sat down with Max, a friend and fellow student, over lunch in the canteen and we thought together about how we could tackle this problem. The idea came to us to develop a booking platform for pitches on private land in nature. With this idea, we then contacted the start-up network at the University of Paderborn to ask for advice and support.
That was in October 2019 and since then we have been working week by week on implementing this exciting concept. From the beginning we were supported by Garage33, the innovation quarter of the University of Paderborn, and in March 2020 we also received funding through the Gründerstipendium NRW. In summer 2020 we opened the platform to the first interested users." - Sebastian Siegbert (founder)
Mission and vision
The mission of VanSite is to connect campers with unique and nature-close pitches and thus create the opportunity to experience nature in a new way. The platform wants to build communities and connect people through shared interests and experiences. In doing so, VanSite supports local landowners and promotes European tourism.
The company wants to offer a constantly growing and most diverse network of private pitches to create a unique camping experience that exists in harmony with nature and environmental awareness promotes. Together they are working to make VanSite a leading platform for nature-based pitches.
