From Holidaymakers to Headliners! Our Esterel Media Interview
Hello and welcome to Carvin Escapades. Hope everybody's keeping safe and well. Uh well, this video is one that I kind of mentioned something about early on in the year. In fact, over summertime while we were at Eststerl Caravaling. Uh while we were there, I was very, very lucky to get interviewed by their media team. Uh and we' just been given permission to put the video out. So, it's out on their YouTube channel. I will give you a link to them and to their YouTube channel. And now you can see it on our channel as well. Their channel's got the French subtitles. This one is minus the subtitles. But why don't you take a look at when I got interviewed by Esther Caravaning. [music] >> My name is James Brown. Um I run a channel called Caravan Escapades. um been doing it really since COVID. Uh the reason I started the channel was we couldn't go away in the caravan getting frustrated, but I wanted to start putting some caravan content together. I'd seen a few other vloggers, so that's why we did it. We started Caravan Escapade, and we've gone from success to success ever since then. I I think definitely. And interesting enough, we were booked to come to Eststerell in 2020 when COVID hit. Uh and unfortunately, we couldn't come. So, the frustration not being able to come to Estreel is what what do we do? We brought the caravan back to the drive and we had our own caravan holidays on the drive. We'd seen other vloggers. Um, and we thought, let's give this a go. It can't be that hard. Our first caravan holiday at Eststerl was in 2022. Again, because of COVID, we were booked to 2020. You guys were good enough to postpone it till 2021. Unfortunately, things were still a bit up in the air then and too risky. So, again, you were um you you were good enough to honor the booking and our first visit here was in 2022. How did I find about So I was part of a uh Facebook camp Facebook channel called um European camping caravaners. Everybody should have one. Um and our first trip to France was in 2018 when Darcy May was just um I think she was a year old. Um and we put out some recommendations or basically we put out a shout out saying where would you recommend us going? A lady emailed us or messaged us and said you want to go to Eststerell. We've been many years. In fact, at the time, our pitch or our car is featured within their u within their footage on the on the Facebook page. So, that's how we found out about Eststerl. Uh I I think what made us choose us was the versatility or the family friendliness of the site. I think for us, we had a young child at the time. She's now nine, but I think she was um 3 4 years old the first time she came. Um and we wanted something that would have facilities both for Darcy May but also suit um CLA and ourselves as well. But not only that, I think the location's important for us. We don't when we come to France, we don't like to stop in one location. We like to base ourselves somewhere and then basically go off exploring and you've got San Chair, you got San Raphael, San Maxine, you know, Nice not too far away as well is you've got Monaco and that sort of stuff as well. I think the big one for us and CLA will always say we need a decent pool for Darcy May. She's definitely a water baby. Uh and I think having that child-friendly pool um certainly at that time with all the splash area and the water area where she could play safely uh and we could be confident that she could play safely was was definitely an aspect and now we can't keep her out of the big pool. Now she's a confident swimmer. We can't keep her out the big pool. So So I think that for us and having that facility was certainly a big factor in our choice. Um yeah. I mean, our first impressions were wow, were great. Um, I think at the time we had u a pitch which is down on one of the other lanes. It was it was big enough for us. In fact, we had a different caravan at the time, although it was a twin axle. Um, but there was plenty of room on the pitch for us. Um, I I I guess it's it's kind of what we expected, what we'd seen. We'd done a lot of research. We'd looked at your YouTube channel, your Facebook page, u, and those sorts of things before uh before we came. So, I I think we weren't overly surprised, but the expectations were definitely there. Um, have things changed since we were here in 2022? Absolutely. And you've made some fantastic improvements. I mean, the the bar area now and the restaurant area. Uh, it's really got quite a chic Mediterranean feel about it. In fact, we were sat up there this afternoon um just having a a mocktail. Uh, we will have a proper cocktail later on. Um, but just to kind of chill out. Uh it's just the relaxing feel. Um and and the other thing, this this new RFID tag, being able to pay um certainly within the pool area, in the bar area, and that sort of stuff, that's a big improvement. Uh we've only been here two or three days already, but we haven't started exploring yet, but we've certainly seen some improvements, particularly on the pitch facilities, although we have a pitch here that doesn't have any [clears throat] additional facilities. And that's our fault because we booked late in the season. We left it last minute to book. Um, but looking at some of those facilities with the new bathroom facilities, the washing facilities, they really do look amazing. So, I think when we were here, there was just a handful of pitches that had those sorts of facilities. Now, there seems to be a big um a big increase in the the pictures that have those facilities. I mean, we've always chosen sites along the southern French coast, right the way to the French border, right the way up to sort of this sort of area. Uh, and I think it's definitely in that high percentage of the or or the high expectations of of what's on offer from the site. I think basically the pool facilities, the campsite facilities, um the play park, all those sorts of stuff. We've been to other campsites which have been fine um but have been limited a within the pitches and I think also within the facilities that the um the camp so I think this is definitely within our top three of favorite sites. Um memories I think location. I think we love exploring for us love exploring and um you know those famous areas that we all know about the uh the San Trae the Monaco. Um we went to um cans last time we were here as well. Uh and we'll be doing the same again. I think to be able to have those areas within easy reach and having conversations with you as well cuz we we were you know we jump in the car normally explore but actually understanding how easy it is to jump on the train. We've been talking about this afternoon how we're going to jump on the train and have a head over to Monaco and have a bit of an adventure that way as well. So, I think for us this area uh is definitely I think have has plenty around that we can explore. Yeah, I think I think definitely from um you know from the vlogging side of things I think yes that has a factor. Uh I mean firstly I've got to remember that this is our holiday uh and the vlogging must always come second. But I think to be able to um do some filming um create some good content that our um subscribers like. In fact, I've got a bone to pick you guys. I need to be on commission cuz looking at all the comments I've had particularly on Facebook and Instagram from some of my subscribers have said, "We were here in July. We booked because we saw your your vlog back in 2022." So, there must have been at least a dozen of our uh our subscribers that have come to Westel just based on our vlog anyway. So, uh so yeah. know I like to give good content, useful content, um yeah, I think as although the vlogging for us is a hobby, um it's always nice to to be able to provide content that people find useful. And the big thing for me is the fact that people have said we've booked because of um your vlog or we've been because of your vlog. And you know, the rest of it, the subscriber count, all that sort of stuff doesn't really matter. is the fact that what we've been able to provide has been able to um give our subscribers an informed choice about where they want to go for their summer holidays. Oh gosh, it's do you know on our travels I think our explorations, the places we go, the days out we have, the markets we visit, um the towns we visit, all those sorts of stuff. But our channel is a good mix of not only our trips away, it's tips and tricks, how to improve your caravan, um you know, what mistakes we've made and all those sorts of stuff. So, it's a good mix of both travel content and practical content. Yeah. No, definitely. Um, I think it's only, interesting enough, it's only on this second trip that we've put that we're here again that have actually been commenting and saying, "Oh, we booked we've been to Esel. We're coming to Estreel." In fact, I think there's a subscriber arrives today um because they've seen our content from 2022, but we're only hearing about it now. Um, you know, I think we have some great interaction with our subscribers, but actually until you start mentioning things again or saying you're going back there again, they're actually saying, "Oh, yeah, we went to Estrel or we booked to Estreel because we saw your content last time." Go for it. Just do it. Um, I mean, we have lots of uh I mean, look, follow our channel anyway because there are lots of tips and tricks and advice about particularly caravanning in France. Um, you know, if you're used to put towing a caravan around the UK, towing in France is an absolute dream. It is something totally different, a lot easier. We take our time. We make it a bit of an adventure. We never plan any of our stops on the way down here. The only thing we do is book the main site like we have done with Eststerell. Um, but I think particularly if you've got a uh a family um from toddlers right the way through to teenagers, Eststerell is definitely one you should check out. I think because it has something to offer all. Oh, we I can't remember what it was and I must find it. There's there's a little bay probably about 10 15 kilometers up the coast. There is a bit of a steep um steps down to it, but it was such a lovely secluded little area, particularly if you want to have a day or an afternoon out on the beach. The real highlight of being uh in that bay was as a boat comes in that sells ice cream and alcohol. And you can't ask for more than that. Ice cream and alcohol when you're away in a little secluded cove. Excellent. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. I know we'll definitely be back again without a doubt. Yeah. No, listen. If you thought about Eststerell um and you fancy coming, I don't think you guys will be disappointed, particularly if you want um one of the pitches that's got all those extra facilities. We're a little disappointed that we missed out this time um cuz we do like having those facilities here. But if you're a family, you want a holiday in the south of France, Eststerell is definitely a choice for you. >> [music] [music]
What a moment! While staying at the stunning Esterel Caravaning in the sunny South of France this August, we were invited by the Esterel Caravaning Media Team to sit down for a proper on-camera interview.
In this vlog, we take you behind the scenes of the interview, chat about why we love caravan life, and share what makes Esterel such an incredible campsite for families, sun-seekers, and anyone who enjoys life on wheels.
From the resort’s incredible facilities to the gorgeous coastline of Agay, this was one of the highlights of our summer trip — and we’re excited to share the experience with you!
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@esterel-caravaning
Website: https://www.esterel-caravaning.co.uk/
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