The new NCC Events: Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at London's ExCel.

I made it down to the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at London’s ExCeL venue… only to find a real mixed bag. But, it was certainly a great opportunity to explode some myths in this caravan blog.

Myth One. ExCeL is a nightmare to reach if you drive.

Simply not true. Even with roadworks on my approach down the M1, my sat nav glided me in perfectly, coming round the North Circular ring road and straight into the Docklands home of ExCeL. Of course, I avoided rush hour, but returning to my Midlands home having left the show at 6pm on Friday was a doddle, with not a single hold-up. Lucky me?

Savings all round - the Bailey Orion Evo-4 caravan.

Small stuff is about to be big news in the capital. Yes, there’s what promises to be a major show kicking off in London this week. Tomorrow, in fact. Running from February 14 all the way through to the 19th is the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at the trendy ExCeL complex in London’s Docklands.

It’s well worth a visit. If you want to catch up with the very latest caravans and motorhomes, not forgetting a fair few tents, or even just to get a feel for what the “travel lifestyle” is all about, what better place to start?

I’ve already told you about the Bailey Retreats (see previous caravan blog), but plenty of other manufacturers are taking the wraps off exciting new leisure vehicles.

For permanent pitching - the new Bailey Retreat.

It’s kind of apt that, whereas in my last blog I told you about some great touring ideas for the season ahead, this time around I’m able to talk about something that’s a little bit more permanent. That’s the thinking behind the all-new and appropriately named Bailey  Retreats.

Bailey represents Britain’s biggest single caravan brand. The Bristol-based manufacturer is also enjoying considerable success with its first ever venture into motorhomes, too. But here is something just a bit different again.

It’s just announced its retreats (although readers of Practical Caravan magazine will have had an earlier preview than most – check out the March issue, in the shops now).

Floriade in Holland, a flora extravaganza billed as the World Horticultural Expo.

There’s always a good time to plan ahead for your holidays, so why not now? Where are you off to this year? Time for a holiday abroad? Or visiting one of the UK’s many, often brilliant islands? Or staying firmly on British terra firma (and praying for some decent weather)?

I hope you don’t mind me sharing some of my touring plans for the season ahead – and, if it gives you any inspiration for travel, so much the better.

Whether you haven’t been abroad before or you’re s seasoned Europhile, it’s worth seeing what’s on offer. I’m always reassured, for example, by any news from the Alan Rogers Travel Service as well as any advice I can get from the foreign travel departments of both the Caravan Club and Camping and Caravanning Club.