This High-Tech 'Glamavan' Unfolds Into a Luxury Solar-Powered Home
Love travelling but don’t like doing without your home comforts? There’s no need to rough it now, thanks to the clever sCarabane, which combines the benefits of an easily transportable caravan with the comfort of a two-bedroom apartment.
While the trend for transforming trailers into luxury dwellings is on the increase, the sCarabane takes the concept to the next level. On the road, it’s the size of a regular caravan, but it can be transformed within 30 minutes into a spacious 39 square-metre mobile apartment that’s equipped with two good-sized bedrooms, a six-seater dining table, bathroom (with washing machine) and the best bit – your very own outdoor terrace that’s ideal for eating al fresco in the summer evenings.
The sCarabane isn’t just convenient, the design by French company Green Cat Technologies is entirely self sufficient. Built on a circular, rotating base, the dwelling turns 360 degrees in order to maximise the solar energy collected, which powers the renewable tech on board. A telescopic wind turbine provides an impressive 500 watts of clean power, while solar cells and a solar concentrator offer back-up power and hot water.
There’s a sense of being connected to the outdoors at all times, too – those cooking in the kitchen can enjoy the view while socialising, thanks to a hatch that can be opened up onto the full-length deck area outside. In addition, both of the bedrooms can be opened up via a full-sized door, plus a rotating ‘bubble’ window features an innovative reflective shade that can control the light and heat, depending on your surroundings.
Clever space-saving features include the dining area that can be transformed into sleeping quarters for extra guests, a fold-down desk in the master bedroom, a mini dishwasher and washing machine, plus some pretty smart built-in storage solutions.
Given the fact that this futuristic camper is jam-packed with high-tech eco features and innovative design, the sCarabane isn’t going to be a cheap and cheerful travel solution, but is bound to transform the mobile home industry going forward – we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for a launch date.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.