Once in a Lifetime - your adventure awaits!
Feb 6, 2026from hinterland.camp
On a mountain lake, on a pontoon in the harbor or in a blooming lavender field - Once in a Lifetime takes you to places where experiences are created that last. Are you with us?
Imagine spending the night in a camper right next to a quiet mountain lake. Or on a pontoon in the harbor, gently rocking on the water. Or in the middle of a blooming lavender field, surrounded by fragrance, space and absolute tranquillity.
Together with our partner VW Commercial Vehicles, we make moments like these possible. At our "Once in a Lifetime" events, we are giving away exclusive overnight stays in places where you would normally never be allowed to camp. Extraordinary places, special moments and outdoor adventures that you don't plan, but experience. The California fleet creates experiences that redefine freedom, adventure and being truly outdoors.
And best of all: several extraordinary campaigns are already planned for 2026. The competitions will be announced and raffled off exclusively via Instagram - follow us to make sure you don't miss any of these special moments.
Outdoor adventure at the mountain lake
At our "Once in a lifetime" event at the mountain lake, the winners were treated to an adventure weekend full of action with climbing, abseiling, a zip wire and much more. The large area of the former quarry was then explored with the T6.1 California and the ID. Buzz - and found the perfect place to spend the night above the lake. Psssst... The event at the mountain lake will take place again in 2026. Follow us on Insta to make sure you don't miss anything, we'll be announcing the exact dates and conditions of participation for the competition there soon!
To the event recap
Campfire popcorn at the Vankino
Fall asleep while watching a movie? No problem! At our drive-in movie event, the winners were allowed to spend the night in the California vans right in front of the huge screen. The program included an idyllic walk to the lake, a BBQ together, popcorn from the campfire and, of course, the perfect road trip movie: "Little Miss Sunshine" - starring a bright yellow T2 van.
To the event recap
Bulli ahoy on the floating pitch
No sooner said than done: our Hinterland van was manoeuvred onto a floating pontoon measuring six by twelve meters and placed together with the van in the middle of the Elbe in Hamburg's Travehafen. Equipped with fairy lights, candles, a chill-out corner and a fireplace, the floating pitch was transformed into a first-class camping spot. The perfect musical accompaniment rounded off the evening perfectly: Fridolin Fröhlich, accordion player and Hamburg veteran, joined the two winners on board and performed a few classics from his Quetschkommode.
To the event recap
Outdoor cooking with a star chef
It was a Bulli dinner at its best - we took outdoor cooking to the next level at our Farm to Table event! Michelin-starred chef Jens Rittmeyer had prepared fantastic vegetarian recipes. The menu included delicacies such as pumpkin soup with lovage croutons, colourful tomatoes with bronze fennel and capuchin, Brussels sprout roast with thyme and choron sauce and caramelized apples with crumble and English cream. All of these creations were prepared exclusively in the camper kitchens of the three VW Californias and on a large fire bowl.
To the event recap
A pitch in the sea
"A night in a foreign bus, with the sound of waves in the background, the taste of seawater on your lips and the smell of a campfire in your hair. A heart full of joy and the certainty of having just created a memory that will last a lifetime." Wow! This is how Maren and Flo describe their "once in a lifetime" camping adventure in the VW Grand California at the lighthouse on Rügen.
To the event recap
Maybe we'll see you at the next event...?
Some very cool events are already planned for 2026 - Pssssst... the event at the mountain lake will definitely take place again this year! If you'd like to take part in one of our "Once in a Lifetime" adventures, follow us on Instagram! We'll always keep you up to date with our competitions there - and maybe we'll see you at the next event...?