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Remembering the One-Off Opera Camper Trailer: Untouchable Glamping at Its Finest

There I was, minding my own business, when I suddenly took a wrong turn, or at least it felt that way. But, to my surprise, I was confronted with a one-of-a-kind travel trailer that, unfortunately, we can't own. Nonetheless, our journey through the Opera camper will be a memorable one, to say the least.
Opera Camper 9 photos
Photo: Axel Enthoven
Opera CamperOpera Camper BathroomOpera Camper InteriorOpera Camper InteriorOpera Camper GalleyOpera Camper StorageOpera Camper StorageOpera Camper
Folks, some concepts never make it into machines that can be purchased by the masses. This seems to be the case with the Opera camper trailer designed by Axel Enthoven, an industrial designer from Antwerp. While most folks haven't heard of this gentleman, his design firm has created over 1,900 different products in various industries. Did I mention that these goods are distributed worldwide?

Now that you have some idea of the mind(s) behind the Opera let's take a journey through this dreamy mobile habitat. Since there are no longer any designer or manufacturer webpages with the Opera, I had to research this bugger based on specs detailed on Gessato; I'm glad some folks still showcase this wondrous machine.

If you've had a look in the image gallery, you've picked up why I'm calling this bugger a wondrous machine. Technically, the Opera is considered a pop-up camper, with the living space or habitat being formed out of nothing more than tent textiles and an underlying frame upon which that canvas sits. Yet, what sets the Opera apart from other campers, and the reason for its name, is that it's a design inspired by the Sydney Opera House.

Opera Camper Bathroom
Photo: Axel Enthoven
While acoustics aren't the forte of this design, the body's shape reveals an interior that can only be described as spacious, equipped, and stylishly nomadic. Heck, if I saw this in some campgrounds, I'd ask lots of questions, take some photos, and even try to track down an available manufacturer.

As I dove deeper into the design to understand what we're missing out on these days, I realized that the Opera is a fully loaded machine equipped with a toilet, vanity, and a galley, all inside the unit. If there's a shower, it'll probably be external. There are two beds, plenty of storage, and lighting that shines upward from the floor. Talk about ambiance. Exterior storage options are also available and built into what appears to be a fiberglass shell.

Speaking of fiberglass, I'd like to point out the level of craftsmanship used in creating this habitat. Looking closer at the unit, the level of expertise that went into this RV soon becomes apparent. Furnishings with rounded edges ensure you don't hurt yourself as you move about the space but also bring an appealing feel to the eyes, while the LED lighting I mentioned shines through a floor that looks ripped right off a luxury yacht. Come to think of it, the furnishings remind me of those found inside sea-faring vessels too. Even the rear entry looks like it's on a similar mechanism to those spotted on ships, very beach club-like.

Opera Camper Galley
Photo: Axel Enthoven
Just imagine driving down the road, towing a unit that's half the size of everything else, and when you finally make it to your preferred campgrounds, watch your mobile home explode into view as heads start to turn in your direction. Once set up, you drop the rear hatch, climb inside, seal the gates, and go to sleep. The following day, breakfast and coffee are served without you ever having to exit the camper, and when you finally do, you're set to tackle the day's adventures. It even looks like there's an e-bike rack integrated into the Opera.

At the end of the day, it doesn't even matter that we can't buy such a unit anywhere. I'm sure that if you put a few industry engineers in the same room and offer them this article and everything else you find on the internet, you may just be bringing the Opera camper trailer back to life. Be careful with patents and copyright laws.
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About the author: Cristian Curmei
Cristian Curmei profile photo

A bit of a nomad at heart (being born in Europe and raised in several places in the USA), Cristian is enamored with travel trailers, campers and bikes. He also tests and writes about urban means of transportation like scooters, mopeds and e-bikes (when he's not busy hosting our video stories and guides).
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