WHAT’S GOING ON? We’ve left our house! - Summer 2023 Update

We tell you about what’s happening! So…moving house, turning our dream into a reality and what’s going on with our Channel. Plus what to expect next!
We are Jordan, Jo, Holly, Izzy and Poppy, the calicamperfamily. Our current van is a 2022 Ford Nugget Plus. It is a 5 seater and sleeps all 5 of us too. We are British and live and work permanently in Northern Italy alongside Lago Maggiore.
We are about to embark on a building our dream home…this is very exciting and something we have been planning for over 5 years! We will be showing you regular updates on the progress and we hope will be an interesting addition to the mainly campervan content. Afterall, it’s our family home and where we live as the calicamperfamily- when we are not away exploring and having family adventures in our campervan, of course!
Tell us what you think by commenting and we try and answer everyone. Give us a like and subscribe if you haven’t already. Thanks for watching!
Equipment used to film and produce our videos:
IPhone 13 pro
IPhone 12
IPhone SE
DJI Spark drone
Insta360 Go 2
Viofo A119 Mini Dash Cam
Lumafusion editing App
IPad Pro.

[@ebh246]

It was lovely to have a catch up with you all and to hear what is happening in your lives. Good luck with the house renovations. I’ve lived through one of those in the past and definitely wish that I’d moved out while it was happening! Perhaps you could offer Airbnb when it’s complete and we could all come and visit?! 😄 Your future video plans sound good too and I’m really looking forward to seeing last summer’s vlogs. What I particularly like about your vlogs is that they are very natural and I feel that we’re almost like extended family sharing your holiday tales. Like others, I was wondering how long you’ve lived in Italy, do your girls go to an Italian school, what your Italian is like etc.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hello! 👋 yes, moving out is a lot of work but in our case we all want a sanctuary away from the dust and noise of a building site! Haha, are you sure you’re not part of the extended family as your Airbnb comment is very good and something we’ve recently decided to do; the architect has just adapted the plans a few days ago 😂😂😂. This will definitely become a feature of the videos and the project. Last summers vlogs will be really interesting, I can’t wait to publish those. To answer your other questions, can we reference ebh246 (or your name?) in a forthcoming Q&A? That would be cool. Thank you for your great comments 👍🏻🤗

[@ebh246]

@@CaliCamperFamily . Great news re. Airbnb! You have a fabulous site there. No problem referencing me with either, ebh246 probably better as the other is a variation on my actual name. Hope you all have a good summer. 😊

[@manuvac8607]

I see a family with happy children who are kind and grateful. I love your camper-van and wish I could convice my husband...your trips are so nice and your plans for the house building is absolutely my thing; I do love that. I was also the project manager of our house; know what it means...Have 3 children, live near Basel, have relatives in Mesolcina and relatives in Italy. Go for the house project, don't worry. ->Be yourself, that's enough 😊You do not need ideas. Follow the intuition you already have. Show us the progress of the house-building, it will turn out great. Un caro saluto a voi tutti, manu

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi Manu, some lovely words of encouragement and advice, thank you! I hope you can convince your husband, we think it’s one of the best things to do as a family! And, with 3 kids like us, it is entirely possible with the right van! Glad you’ll be following our house project too, we are really looking forward to it all. Basel and valle Mesolcina both lovely places! Buona estate e grazie per i tuoi gentili commenti!

[@richardcope3850]

Awesome! If you could get the renovation finished by September we can pop in when we go to Gardaland 😂😂😂 Don't worry about posting videos, quality over quality anytime! Having 3 boys myself I've no idea how you find the time! Not just the filming but all the editing as well. No harm in product reviews. If people are not interested then they don't have to watch. Good luck with everything!

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi Richard! I’ll do my best 😂😂😂…whats that….just over 8 weeks?!!! If we miss the September 2023 deadline, let’s try again for September 2024…you could critique our new camper parking area by trying it out ☺️👍 Thanks for the the other comments too, nice to know we have good support out there…😃 All the best and have a fabulous trip to Gardaland with your boys!!!

[@eEllistonEnsor]

Hi there! I have worked my way through all your videos over the last few weeks since we bought our California at the end of July. I haven’t noticed any production issues that have put me off and love the on the go style of the videos and edit. It sounds like you will all be super busy. We have now had our first trip in our California and loved it. Our family calendar is now filling up with weekends that we will camp! Even though you are in the Ford now, I still get inspired and take tips and tricks away from your content. Safe travel’s. 😊

[@CaliCamperFamily]

That’s wonderful! Glad you have done it and it’s great to hear that you’ve enjoyed the content. Also, the feedback you give is good to know. Yes, mega busy but all worth it! When we first got a camper, we didn’t realise just how much of a superb family hobby it would turn out to be! Safe travels to you too and glad to hear you’ll still give us a watch 😃👍🏻

[@odd_job_007]

Wow, what a setting to have a house! All the best with the renovations and looking forward to seeing the result!

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thank you! We’re looking forward to the finished result, can’t wait! Thanks for watching ☺️👍

[@broadpete]

Thanks for taking on the feedback. I realise there is so much pressure on KZbinrs.... Volume of content, camera techniques, sound quality etc 😮. Just to say I'm here and very relaxed. Had never noticed any sound problems or jerky camera action. I'm guessing you've a good career so not you tubing for the cash, so I'd just relax, film things as they come along and enjoy your trips and lovely family. I think I've got about 180 seconds of cine8 footage from my childhood, so the girls are already well documented! Thanks again for the content.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Pete and nice advice…good to hear. We do it for the love of it, being part of a great community of like minded people who love to have road trips and adventures, especially as a family! Also, as you say, it documents the children’s journey too which becomes more valuable as time marches on. Cine8 footage!!! Nice you have that! Best wishes from us all 🇮🇹

[@arwelwilliams6954]

Look forward to seeing how the house renovations come along.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Arwel, looking forward to showing you! ☺️👍

[@bsheene916]

Good to hear, always great video’s !

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thank you 😃👍🏻

[@pt712]

It all sounds good 👍

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Cheers and thanks for that 👍🏻

[@lisalord-dm6oh]

Cannot wait to see your house renovation! How exciting!!

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Lisa! Looking forward to showing you!

[@robertdon777]

Still one of the best channels on youtube. No hard sells, and all easy to watch, listen to.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Robert, very kind of you to say, lovely comment 😃👍🏻

[@frenchboy2005-mp1ui]

Good to see you guys again. Looking forward to the videos. Bonne chance with the build.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Grazie mille! Thanks for commenting 👍

[@OJW2407]

I really love your videos. Even early videos - actually, especially the early videos. Such a lovely family and always up for an adventure. Hope the build goes well. Thankful for your lovely videos that inspire us ❤

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Ciao Olivia, many thanks for your lovely comments! We especially love the early video too 😊👍🏻

[@daytripdebbie2006]

How exciting. It’s really lovely to feel like a (very small) part of the family! Excellent channel.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

That’s great you feel like that, lovely! Makes us feel very happy 👍🏻. Best wishes from us all 🇮🇹🤗

[@LifeistooshortCK]

We will watch anything from you. Very interested to see the house build 👍❤

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks guys, and we are every happy that you watch along! It’s going to be a busy year, and we are determined to document and share the progress! Best wishes from Lago Maggiore! 🤗

[@Wheres_wanda_wandering]

Looks like we are going to get some exciting videos coming up. Your house renovations sound amazing. Take care Gill

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Gill! We are looking forward to the build and are excited about it all…the girls are looking forward to getting their own rooms, Jo can’t wait for a new kitchen and I’ll be more than happy tinkering in the new garage! Best wishes from us all 🤗

[@sylviapage8572]

Wow! Lots to look forward to. 😁 Thanks for sharing all your adventures with us.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Sylvia! Lots to do, but all fun (we hope!) all the best from us all 🤗

[@russellrivers-scott365]

Great video, love how you filmed it inside the camper. Looking forward to your future video's and the home renovations, you make them so interesting and always interesting with your lovely girls.😊

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Russell! Yes, we tried different camera angles to include us all and make it a bit more interesting to watch. Although Poppy’s yawning made me laugh…I only noticed that during the edit! Thanks for your lovely comments, best wishes from Italy 🤗

[@bienaspieters-muller9648]

Awesome! Good luck and look forward to seeing the videos 👍🏻

[@CaliCamperFamily]

That’s great, thank you! Best wishes from us all 🤗

[@alecporter1784]

Great update, looking forward to the upcoming videos

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Cheers Alec 😎👍🏻

[@evelynspanner2963]

How exciting for you all. Always thought your location was perfect and now realise the house was a means to an end. And what an end it will be! Obviously has been a slog to get your permissions etc, but will be the most fabulous home. Looking forward to all your normal trip videos and with a spot of house renovation thrown in, I’ll be in more than usual anticipation for the next vlog. Good luck, I’m sure it will be stressful but worth every crazy moment.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Evelyn! Yes, it’s always been the plan to make it our dream house, but we didn’t know for sure we would get the permission for what we want to achieve. Thanks for watching and I’m looking forward to seeing what you think as we go!

[@TheArcticNinjaa]

Looking forward in seeing the home project over the year

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks! We are really looking forward to seeing the transformation and we can’t wait for the finished house! Thanks for watching!

[@MrFord1933]

Hi , looking forward to your new adventures 👍 just one thing, have you won the lottery 😂😉👍

[@CaliCamperFamily]

😆….you’ve just reminded me to put my numbers in!!? Thanks for the fun comment 😂🇮🇹👍🏻

[@robertrauter8459]

OO great you are back,long time no see,,,,,currious at best to see what are you up to......so far love it..

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Robert, should be an interesting year! 👍🏻

[@robertrauter8459]

@@CaliCamperFamily just record it please....courious and all that........that said forget the house ....that is one great van!!!!!!!

[@gillianh]

Good to see you guys back, we will be very interested in following your house renovation project, it’s sounds amazing. Budget camper? Caddy California maybe? 😊

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi Gillian! Good to see your comment…and glad you’re interested to follow our project too 👍🏻….Caddy California is a great guess….as the host of catch-phrase used to say, “it’s close, but it’s not right” 😁🤪. One thing is for sure though; our Nugget is staying! Best wishes from us all 🤗

[@minivandokker4freelife]

first comment ✌️✌️✌️...great ...👍👍👍you are lucky ...only 5 years...i live near Rome in a little town and for an autorization of bulding i have wait 7 years....this is Italy...🙈🙊🙉...and i am italian .....best wishes for all your project and amazing family...

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Haha should be a 🏆 for the 1st!!! 😃👍

[@broadpete]

I don't know if (1) you've already covered it or (2) it's too intrusive, but I'd be interested to know a bit about your lives as (I'm assuming) x-pats, and how the girls are schooled, are they learning Italian etc. I did it for a few years in Belgium but was single. Even so I still worried about house prices back home etc. Has Brexit changed your plans....

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi Pete, no, it’s not too intrusive…these are the sorts of questions we are happy to answer. Would you mind if I referenced @broadpete and used these on our Q&A episode? We can then expand a little when talking about it…but, yes…we moved to Italy for 1 year (!) 12 years ago for work and are now Italian citizens too…we are now Brexit proof, but the whole process reinforced our plans to stay in the EU. Girls are schooled locally/international school and all speak Italian and complain at mine and Jo’s accents when we speak it! House prices?! Well, immediately around the Italian lakes (lakeside properties) the prices remain strong for many reasons, hence they are usually good investments (location). But, a valid point you make and one which we could elaborate much more on…! Many thanks and stay with us for the ride! 😃👍🏻

[@broadpete]

@@CaliCamperFamily thanks. Sounds like it's working out well! Very happy to be referenced if it makes the editorial cut 😉

[@TheBenilady]

Cor that's a lot to do, microphone much better, hope it all goes well for you. Have been missing you all, take care

[@CaliCamperFamily]

It is a lot to do…I’m sure there will be ups and downs and we’ll be glad when we’ve finished, but we are going to (try!) and enjoy the whole process! Best wishes from Northern Italy 🇮🇹

[@d2chiro]

Hey just noticing you had the soft top version of this van also. Is your high top much heavier on fuel consumption (this is the version we want to buy)

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hello! I was wondering the same when we moved to the LWB high top, but there is hardly any difference in economy. Pop top I was getting about 9.5 to 10 litres per 100km. Now it’s around 9.7 to 10.5 litres per km. It is a little slower on top end speed…180km/h vs 165km/h ish…but its still pretty swift for a camper!!

[@helentinkletoesadvsfromacb]

I'd love to know how you balance the kids needs and the sort of things you consider when traveling. I want to start getting away more. We're hoping to get a caddy maxi next year as our family car and im planning to get a boot jump so I can get away with my 7 year old who is autistic and my 3 older kids. We already have a tent so the big 3 and sleep in there. Have a look at the buzzrack for the bikes. I use one for plastic tubs because I have a zafira and we have no boot space.

[@helentinkletoesadvsfromacb]

It's the buzzrack p10

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hello! Many thanks for your nice message. A caddy maxi would be cool, also very good as a daily driver too. Having the camper and a tent would make it all the more versatile. The kids all have their needs and are all different from each other! We have to power through sometimes, as we have difficult days. However, we (almost!) always look back and say that it was worth it. Typlically what we do whilst touring is an activity in the morning and then drive a couple of hours, stop for an hour or so for late lunch and then drive for another couple of hours, arriving late afternoon/early evening. If ok with you, I’ll add this to the Q&A and give you a shout out, and elaborate a bit more. I’ll check out the Buzzrack p10, thank you! Best wishes from Italy 😎👍🏻

[@helentinkletoesadvsfromacb]

That would be fine with me :) I'm really jealous to be fair. I adore Italy and we seriously considered moving ourselves but navigating the UK education system has been traumatic enough!

[@johnjones8572]

I dont think we can buy the hardtop in the UK, I've only ever seen one in The Helix carpark (where I work). Could you do a comparison on the Nugget Plus pop up and your van. I was thinking in terms of noise and insulation from upstairs.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi John, you’re right. At the moment, the hightop is not available in the UK…I’ve never had a proper explanation as to why, only speculation. However, I think I should start a partition as I’m sure it would do well on the UK market. Yes, thats a good idea…pros and cons of hightop versus poptop….I’ll look into that one, thanks 👍🏻

[@Kurkess]

@@CaliCamperFamily Same in Denmark - We've asked Ford - they couldn't quite explain why. I don't understand - it rains plentiful in both the UK and Denmark - which makes it a great choice for the climate with the high top. For DK it's probably the insane taxes on cars that makes it way too expensive. A new Cali today with bells and whistles is way about 100.000$ today.