Meet the woman pole-dancing her way around Europe in a luxury van fitted with an 8ft portable pole

A self-described pole-dancing 'addict' splashed out on a luxury campervan and installed an 8ft portable pole - so she could continue to dance while travelling. 

Keri Bailey, a pole instructor from North Yorkshire, had always dreamt of exploring Europe with her husband Ricky and bought a Citroen Relay van so she could do just that.

Having travelled extensively in the past, Keri admitted that she often felt 'desperate' to get back home so she could pole dance. While she frequently found pole studios on the go, Keri was hell-bent on finding the ultimate solution for her big trip.   

She researched companies that could convert the van and found one that had installed a pull-up bar in a vehicle belonging to a previous client.

It was a lightbulb moment. She told MailOnline Travel: 'My brain immediately went to: if it's possible to have a horizontal pole, there is definitely a way to make it vertical.'

Keri Bailey bought a luxury campervan with a portable pole so she could continue dancing while travelling. She's pictured here showing off her skills in the South of France 

Keri had previously found 'regular travel' difficult as she was often 'desperate' to get back to her pole. She's pictured above spinning on the 8ft pole in the Yorkshire Dales

Vanlife Conversions accepted the challenge and three months later, Keri and Ricky picked up their van, complete with the unique renovation. 

She said: 'We were so blown away by it we got a little teary.'

Keri said that she now feels 'complete' as she can pursue both her passions, travel and dance, and even bring her two dogs, Rupert and Tilly, along for the ride. 

Their converted van, which they named Valerie, has a sleek interior with a double bed, shower, toilet and a functional kitchen.

As for the pole, Keri said you would find the same equipment in a regular studio. It can be easily detached from the roof of the van and only takes eight to ten minutes to set up. 

'It is both spin and static, which makes me super happy because I am a huge spin pole fan,' she said. 

The only limitation, she said, is its proximity to the van and restricted height. But that hasn't stopped Keri from spinning.

Keri said she feels 'complete' as she can pursue both her passions; dancing and travel, and even bring her two dogs, Rupert and Tilly (above), along for the ride

Keri is travelling with her husband, Ricky (pictured). The pair were 'blown away' by the completed van conversion 

The couple named their luxury campervan 'Valerie'. It features a sleek interior with a double bed, shower, toilet and a functional kitchen

So far their travels have taken them from the Lake District in the UK to Saluzzo in Italy's Piedmont region as well as several spots in France, stopping at the likes of Saint Maxime, Saint-Tropez, Nice and France's wine capital, Bordeaux.

Despite having visited some sensational locations, Keri said: 'Poling by the south coast sea near Saint-Tropez was a definite highlight.' 

When asked what she loved about travelling in the van the most, she replied: 'The complete freedom. We can have a rough travel plan or idea of where we want to go but decide before we set off if we want to change because someone has told us about a must-see place or we love where we currently are and want to extend staying there.

'It feels more like living abroad as opposed to typical travel.'

Keri said she loved the 'freedom' the van has given her

Keri said: 'Poling near Saint-Tropez was a definite highlight'

Keri is looking forward to using the pole more in the next few months as the weather improves. 

She said: 'We have no limitations on where we want to go and our plan is to explore as much as possible.

'I'm looking forward to finding as many remote mountainous or seaside spots as possible to get a poling and nature fix.'

The couple, who are based in the UK, plan to start with some smaller journeys before venturing into full-time van living. 

Italy, Portugal, Norway, Greece and Turkey are just some of Keri's wish-list locations. 

Later this year, she’s hoping to head to the Dolomites to pole dance amongst the beautiful mountain landscapes.

Keri has been posting her van life and pole-dancing journey on Instagram. To see more, visit her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/keribpole, www.instagram.com/vanlifevalerie, or www.instagram.com/fussytravellerclub.