Van Life In Europe: A Guide for Adventurers and Van Life Lovers
Traveling in EuropeI started traveling full-time in 2015 after graduating college. My goal was to visit every country in Europe within three years. While I didn’t quite reach that goal, I ended up visiting over 30 countries and living in five different cities.
After spending two months in Paris, I decided to travel south towards Spain. From Barcelona, I took a train to Valencia, then another bus to Murcia. There, I rented a van for $50 a week and drove north into France. But then I decided to extend the adventure, and went to Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands.
During my travels, I met tons of awesome people who were just as passionate about adventure and freedom as I was. Here are some tips for making the most of your adventures while living in a van.
Where to Go
Europe is home to some of the world’s greatest cities, beautiful landscapes, and fascinating history. But beyond the touristy destinations, there are plenty of places to explore off the beaten path. Whether you’re looking for adventure or just a quiet place to relax, here are our favorite spots to visit in Europe.
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. Home to Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and Rembrandt House, this city offers visitors a unique experience unlike anywhere else.
2. Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a cultural hub boasting impressive museums, galleries, and architecture. From the Checkpoint Charlie Museum to Pergamon Museum, culture vultures love visiting this European capital.
3. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a modern metropolis offering travelers a rich tapestry of sights including Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. Take a stroll along Passeig de Gracia, a shopping avenue lined with fashionable boutiques and fine restaurants.
4. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest attracts tourists with its charming cobblestone streets and classic architecture. See Parliament building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and Chain Bridge.
5. Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is a vibrant city featuring historic buildings, art galleries, and elegant squares. Don’t miss Manneken Pis, Grand Place Square, Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and Atomium.
6. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is filled with stunning cathedrals, castles, and palaces. Highlights include Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and Temple Bar.
7. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is a lively city bursting with energy. Explore Princes Street Gardens, Greyfriars Bobby Statue, and Holyrood Palace.
8. Florence, Italy
Florence is a romantic destination renowned for its artistic treasures and delicious cuisine. Visit Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, and Galleria degli Uffizi.
9. London, England
London is a shopper’s paradise featuring iconic department stores and designer brands galore. Shop on Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, and Carnaby Street.
10. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a captivating city surrounded by 14th century walls and fortified gates. Wander through Bairro Alto, Chiado, Baixa Fluvial, Alfama, and Graça.
See also our article about Portugal The Biggest Decision So Far. Why we’ve chosen to settle in Portugal (through golden visa) and why since then, we are thinking on applying for Portugal citizenship by investment after 5 years!
How to Get There
Getting to Europe is easier than ever. With budget airlines offering cheap flights to destinations like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Glasgow, London, Madrid, Milan, Nice, Paris, Prague, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna, Zurich, and others, it’s never been cheaper to visit Europe.
But while flying to Europe is easy, traveling within Europe can be tricky. Many countries require visas for entry into their borders, and finding affordable accommodations can be difficult. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available online to help travelers navigate the continent.
For example, Lonely Planet offers detailed guides to each country in Europe, including maps, itineraries, and insider tips. And TripAdvisor has reviews of hotels, restaurants, attractions, and other travel services in cities worldwide.
And finally, Google Maps provides directions and driving instructions to help visitors plan their trips. Plus, Google Translate allows users to translate text from English to Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Turkish.
So whether you’re planning a trip to Europe or just curious about the continent, there’s no shortage of helpful resources online.
Living on the Road
It’s no secret that living on the road is tough. There are endless challenges, including finding places to sleep, food, and water. But it’s possible to overcome these obstacles and still enjoy life on the open road. Here are five tips for making van life easier.
- 1. Find a place to park. Finding a parking spot can be difficult, especially if you’re traveling solo. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources online that can help you find a safe and legal spot to park overnight.
- 2. Make friends. When you’re living on the road, it’s easy to feel isolated. Making connections with other travelers can help you meet new people who share similar interests.
- 3. Keep a positive attitude. Living on the road requires patience, flexibility, and resilience. Don’t let negative thoughts distract you from enjoying your adventure. Instead, focus on the positives and look forward to future adventures.
- 4. Stay organized. Keeping track of your belongings while on the road can be challenging. Create a system that works for you and remember to back up regularly.
- 5. Take care of yourself. Traveling on the road takes a toll on your body. Make sure you eat healthy meals and drink enough water every day. Also, try to exercise daily to maintain your energy levels.
Finding Work
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that finding work online is going to be a walk in the park. But the truth is, it takes a lot of effort and persistence to land a job via online channels.
There are plenty of jobs available online, but you still need to put yourself out there and apply for positions. And while it might seem like applying for multiple jobs at once is a quick fix, it’s actually a bad idea. Instead, focus on applying for just one position at a time.
This strategy will allow you to build relationships with employers who are interested in hiring you. Once you’ve built trust with potential employers, you can then pitch your skills and experience to them directly.
Also, remember that you shouldn’t expect to receive a response after sending off a single application. Employers typically spend anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours reviewing applications. So instead of submitting dozens of applications every day, try targeting specific companies and industries that interest you.
And finally, don’t forget to network! Networking is a crucial part of landing a job, especially if you’re trying to break into a competitive industry. Make sure to attend events related to your field of study, join groups on LinkedIn, and connect with other professionals through Twitter and Facebook.
Travel Tips
There are plenty of reasons to travel, including experiencing different cultures, meeting new friends, and learning new skills. But traveling solo can be difficult, especially if you’re just starting out. There are tons of resources online to help travelers plan trips, but sometimes it’s easier to hear directly from someone who’s done it themselves.
To learn more about van life in Europe, I interviewed two women who had traveled extensively throughout Europe. One was a professional photographer, while the other was a writer and artist. Both were able to share valuable tips and tricks for making your trip successful. Here are some of their suggestions:
Advice from a van owner
I’m going to share some tips and tricks I picked up over the years while living in a van. These aren’t just random ideas; they’re based on real experience and practical solutions.
One thing I learned early on was that having a home base is really helpful. Having somewhere to park your vehicle gives you a place to rest, relax, and recharge. Plus, it’s much easier to meet other travelers when you’re staying in one spot.
It’s also important to have a plan for when you run into problems. When I lived in Germany, I had no idea how to deal with broken down cars or finding gas stations. Fortunately, I found a local mechanic who could fix my car and gave me directions to nearby gas stations.
Having a reliable source of income is another key component of van life. Whether you’re working full-time or part-time, having money coming in every month allows you to focus on enjoying yourself instead of worrying about bills.
Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Living in a van is a unique lifestyle, and it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Make sure you spend time doing fun activities outside of driving. Go hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, or whatever else takes your fancy.
These are just a few tips, but hopefully they’ll prove useful to others who are considering van life.
Originally posted 2022-01-12 12:39:22.