As I get older my thoughts turn from exciting adventures in South America, Australia or Asia and settle closer to home and I have to confess that my perfect mid life adventure would be to go on a gap year spent caravanning around Europe.

Caravans such as Sprite caravans are a world away from what they were a few years ago and if you invest in a good caravan you can expect to live in relative space and comfort with all the mod cons such as a small fridge freezer, toilet and shower and TV.

It is the freedom of life in a caravan which really appeals to me as you do not have to plan ahead if you do not want to, you can take off where you want and settle in any caravan park for the night.

While you have excellent facilities on board the caravan, many of the caravan parks today have excellent facilities with top class restaurants and bars, so you will certainly not be slumming it. Alternatively, find a more basic and far cheaper stopping place for the night and get closer to nature.

The dream of visiting a local market to pick up fresh bread, cheese, olives and wine, then finding the picture postcard spot to stop and have an impromptu picnic – a perfect holiday.