EXCLUSIVE I slept in my car 1,500m up the Alps - here's the luxurious element that made it much more comfortable than a tent
Like many people around the world, I've been camping plenty of times, and always in the standard way - with a trusted tent and sleeping bag, and stones on the ground in place of a mattress.
But the idea of camping in a car is a new one on me - especially as the vehicle I'm spending the night in has a very comfy mattress and refrigerated drinks compartment included.
Not only that, but I'm parked 1,500m up the Alps, with a perfect view of a snow-covered Mont Blanc peak in front of me, and grassy, imposing hills, peaks and mountain ranges on either side.
It's a far cry from what I've been used to - roughing it in muddy fields and competing with huge families for the toilets and showers.
I've driven up to the Mayeres Refuge in Sallanches - only accessible by foot or 4x4 vehicle - in a Dacia Bigster, along with only five other cars parked up to spend the night outside.
While there's no nearby coffee shops or supermarkets to escape to, there's also no risk of being surrounded by screaming kids or loud snorers in the tent next door.
However, as with any camping trip, the biggest challenge is setting up the tent - or, in this case, the car's Sleep Pack.
It's available for £1,740 as an add-on when you buy a Dacia Bigster, Jogger or Duster, and is already halfway surmounted to begin - with no need to assemble any poles, dig holes into the grass, or fight with anyone else about which way up things go.
It really is quite simple.
The back seats of the car flip down and - hey, presto - a sleep pack essentially folds out inside the car to create a mattress.
Underneath the box is storage space, so I have none of the usual hassle of condensation leaving my trainers soggy, and the storage box even flips out into a ledge or table.
So with my 'bedroom' in order, I manage to set myself up with coffee and a book to enjoy the vast landscape and the quiet, before rolling over on to my comfy mattress to gaze up at the stars through the sunroof without a hint of pollution.
The view is magical, and the perfect way to ease me into one of the other big challenges of camping - getting a full seven hours.
And, thanks to no loud snorers in the tent next door, as well as amazing blackout blinds, I'm far more comfortable than I've ever been in a standard tent.
In fact, I sleep all the way through to my 5.30am alarm (no way was I missing the sunrise over the top of Mont Blanc) and I'm not mad about the early wakeup at all.
The first two hours of the morning, spent entirely alone, watching the sun rise over the mountain range, while tucked into a cosy nest of pillows, are beyond compare.
There was no need to worry about being too far away from civilisation.
I'm truly disconnected from the hustle of London and the big city, without any WiFi to so much as check in with my friends, and all I can think about is these beautiful views - pink, orange and blue haze from all angles.
Even if you aren't a huge fan of the outdoors, there is something indescribable about an alpine sunrise - and here, the silence only adds to it.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
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EXCLUSIVE I slept in my car 1,500m up the Alps - here's the luxurious element that made it much more comfortable than a tent
Like many people around the world, I've been camping plenty of times, and always in the standard way - with a trusted tent and sleeping bag, and stones on the ground in place of a mattress. But the idea of camping in a car is a new one on me - especially as the vehicle I'm spending the night in has a very comfy mattress and refrigerated drinks compartment included. Not only that, but I'm parked 1,500m up the Alps, with a perfect view of a snow-covered Mont Blanc peak in front of me, and grassy, imposing hills, peaks and mountain ranges on either side. It's a far cry from what I've been used to - roughing it in muddy fields and competing with huge families for the toilets and showers. I've driven up to the Mayeres Refuge in Sallanches - only accessible by foot or 4x4 vehicle - in a Dacia Bigster, along with only five other cars parked up to spend the night outside. While there's no nearby coffee shops or supermarkets to escape to, there's also no risk of being surrounded by screaming kids or loud snorers in the tent next door. However, as with any camping trip, the biggest challenge is setting up the tent - or, in this case, the car's Sleep Pack. It's available for £1,740 as an add-on when you buy a Dacia Bigster, Jogger or Duster, and is already halfway surmounted to begin - with no need to assemble any poles, dig holes into the grass, or fight with anyone else about which way up things go. It really is quite simple. The back seats of the car flip down and - hey, presto - a sleep pack essentially folds out inside the car to create a mattress. Underneath the box is storage space, so I have none of the usual hassle of condensation leaving my trainers soggy, and the storage box even flips out into a ledge or table. So with my 'bedroom' in order, I manage to set myself up with coffee and a book to enjoy the vast landscape and the quiet, before rolling over on to my comfy mattress to gaze up at the stars through the sunroof without a hint of pollution. The view is magical, and the perfect way to ease me into one of the other big challenges of camping - getting a full seven hours. And, thanks to no loud snorers in the tent next door, as well as amazing blackout blinds, I'm far more comfortable than I've ever been in a standard tent. In fact, I sleep all the way through to my 5.30am alarm (no way was I missing the sunrise over the top of Mont Blanc) and I'm not mad about the early wakeup at all. The first two hours of the morning, spent entirely alone, watching the sun rise over the mountain range, while tucked into a cosy nest of pillows, are beyond compare. There was no need to worry about being too far away from civilisation. I'm truly disconnected from the hustle of London and the big city, without any WiFi to so much as check in with my friends, and all I can think about is these beautiful views - pink, orange and blue haze from all angles. Even if you aren't a huge fan of the outdoors, there is something indescribable about an alpine sunrise - and here, the silence only adds to it. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
