Members of Nortrip have access to free mobile home parking at farm sales, cheeseries, microbreweries, cideries and much more, practically all over the country. From a start with 30 hosts last summer, Nortrip’s offer to motorhome tourists is already about to triple!
This could be exciting. For the campervans, the Nortrip experience is somewhere between staying at a campervan camp and free camping, but with the offer of varied and authentic experiences as well.
Picture above: Standing by the car are from left: Bjørnar Valbø, Patrik Alesand and Eivind Briseid, the men behind Nortrip. They are visiting the Nortrip host Reddal Ressursgård in Grimstad. Sitting behind is a Nortripp couple visiting the farm. Photo: Martin Haugen, Grimstad Adressetidende.
Non-binding and simple
The concept came to Norway last year, and is about Nortrip hosts and Nortrippers.
The hosts run farm tourism, horticulture, catering, mountain seats, activity centre, honey or silk production. Or something else that might be interesting to experience on the motorhome trip. They offer 24 hours of free accommodation, in return the hosts get increased visits from potential customers.
You become a member of Nortrip by purchasing the Nortrip guide, an experience guide for motorhome travellers. Membership lasts for one year at a time, is completely non-binding and costs less than a group’s overnight stay at a campsite. The Nortrip guide comes both as a physical book and as an app, with mention of the hosts and what they can offer.
Promising season
– At the launch of the 2022 guide, we have approx. three times as many hosts as when we launched the first guide, on July 1 last year, and the number is still rising. Now we have 85 hosts. The offer for Nortrippers has almost tripled in less than a year, says Bjørnar Valbø.
He is one of the three travel-loving and enthusiastic men behind Nortrip.
Among the advantages of this form of camping is that you get to be more to yourself, while standing in a safe place where you know you are welcome.
– You started Nortrip last year. What are the experiences so far?
– Nortrip was well received last year, even when we didn’t have that many hosts. We now have a wide range of hosts to offer, including hosts who offer activities for their visitors. So this is promising, replies Valbø.
Many possibilities
A survey shows that typical Nortrippers are couples between 40 and 70 years old. Most people travel without children and want to experience what the hosts have to offer.
All caravan parks you find in the Nortrip guide are reserved for Nortrip members with a valid membership card. In order for the experience to be the best possible for both Nortrip guests and hosts, Nortrip has designed a set of golden rules .
Membership in Nortrip also gives access to a closed member group on Facebook, where members share experiences and tips with each other.
Here is an article from a Nortip visit to Aagrekk farm at the foot of the Briksdalsbreen deep in Oldedalen, and here is one at the very other end, from a Nortrip visit to the brewery Nøgne-Ø in Grimstad.
Facts:
- The Nortrip guide comes both as a physical book and as an app, with mention of the hosts and what they can offer.
- It is possible to buy only the app.
- A Nortrip membership lasts from March 15 to March 14 of the following year.
- This year’s guide costs NOK. NOK 399 and gives you the opportunity to park for free at over 85 hosts.