Europe Discovered
We were fortunate to visit Europe travel destinations on a backpacking adventure. We later discovered the most cost-effective way to travel to Europe through an eye-opening experience. This is our story.
In 2000, my sister won two first-class flight tickets to London and was only using one. Rather than wasting the other ticket, she offered it to me. The idea was that I would spend a couple of days sightseeing in London.
My wife and I saw this as an opportunity to visit Europe travel destinations. We booked an additional flight and planned a two-week backpack trip. We confirmed a stay with friends in London and from there crossed the channel to travel Europe’s mainland. We visited Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Amsterdam and Paris on the recommendation of family who had travelled.
We also did a half-day boat trip down the Rhine which was a welcome break from walking and a wonderful opportunity to to see numerous castles, churches and towns.
All our travelling was with public transport, mainly trains and buses. Each new town we arrived in filled us with excitement, curiosity and wonder.
Minimum Planning
It was a budget trip in all respects, but we were resourceful. We needed to cash in a policy to be able to afford the extra air ticket. We took all our food from home, mainly a supply of 3-minute noodles, packet toppings and a camping stove. When we returned to London at the end of our adventure, we used the last few cents of our money to get to our friend’s home before our flight home.
We made no advance bookings. So, when we arrived in each town, we found a pay phone and called hostels for that night’s accommodation using the attached paper phone book. We dropped our backpacks at the hostel and went to Tourist Information to get information about the local attractions. Then, armed with our spool camera, we walked until we were ready to drop.
Reflecting on our Europe tour, we were astounded by how much we accomplished with so little. We had no digital devices or gadgets, minimal information, and no prior experience. Yet, this lack of modern conveniences only fueled our passion for travel and inspired us to continue exploring Europe.
Europe Explored
The seeds of all our future Europe tours were planted when we spent a weekend with friends.
Our journey into the world of motorhome travel was ignited by a weekend spent with friends. Their Swiss parents had imported a motorhome from Germany, a surprisingly spacious vehicle given its external size. It was well-equipped, boasting a cosy sleeping area, a compact kitchen, and a small bathroom.
We were fortunate enough to experience a night in the motorhome, and were amazed at convenience and comfort of this piece of German engineering. The potential of this unique way of travel captivated us instantly. As we delved deeper into the popularity of motorhomes in Europe, the seed of our next adventure was firmly planted.
We started dreaming, which became planning after a few years, and the dream became a reality in 2005 when we had another opportunity to travel Europe.
The internet was very limited back then, and our dial-up connection was too slow for any online research. Fortunately, a friend of ours was blessed with an ADSL connection, so I would spend hours at his place downloading information from the Fodor and Lonely Planet websites, the only decent sites available back then.
In addition, our parents loaned us a small selection of Fodor travel books, which we scanned and printed what we thought might be valuable. We put together a very ambitious Europe tour with a rough route, not knowing how long we would need or how far we could get in the time available.
Everything was guesswork. At that time there was no motorhome related information available on the internet and we did not know anyone who was brave or stupid enough to have to have attempted it!
Despite this, our rudimentary plan was to travel Europe by visit seven countries while seeing thirty cities and towns, all within a thirty day period in a motorhome.
Emboldened by our backpacking trip, we were prepared to rely mostly on instinct, determination and good fortune. Little did we know that all three would be required in abundance.
With our two young daughters by our side, we set off on a daring adventure. Armed with only a rough route and printed guides, we stepped into the unknown, unsure of what lay ahead. Our determination and courage were our only companions as we embarked on this fantastic journey.
The first day in Dusseldorf, Germany, where we picked up the motorhome, was a disaster. The idea was that I would use public transport to pick up the motorhome, and the family would do some sightseeing. There were no cell phones back then, so there was no way of communicating with each other. We made plans and hoped for the best.
Things started deteriorating when I was requested to show my driver’s license, and I realised I had left it at home. This resulted in hours of delay, missing our family meeting, and losing the family in an unknown foreign-language city. We eventually found each other seven hours later.
There was also no GPS device, so our recently purchased German language map book was our only navigation. Having always found navigation challenging, Ann did her best with the foreign language map book and street names. It took us hours to get out of Dusseldorf, with street names changing between blocks and complicated one-ways, resulting in us driving around in circles.
Adding to the challenge, I was attempting to drive motorhome which was the largest vehicle I had ever driven on the wrong side of the road, with German road signs adding to the difficulty.
We arrived at our first stop, Cologne, just before midnight. After a stressful day that felt endless, we decided to walk over the Cologne bridge to see the Cathedral lit up, which helped make us feel much better. We had not had the opportunity to purchase sleeping bags as planned, and I could not get the internal heating to work yet, so our first night in the motorhome was freezing.
This was just the beginning of our many challenges, like finding ourselves stuck with the motorhome in an underground parking area with no way forward or back. We made a plan, stayed positive, and bonded as a family through it all.
Conversely, we were blessed with an abundance of unique experiences every day. From stumbling upon local festivals to meeting interesting people, every day was a treasure trove of special blessings, leaving us constantly intrigued and amazed.
Our limited planning and technology, the blessings and challenges, the awe of coming face to face with so much history, the unforgettable memories, the convenience of the motorhome and being pushed out of our comfort zones combined to make it a life-changing adventure of epic proportions.
We lived our dream!
Europe Experienced
The Procession of the Holy Blood - Bruges, Belgium
One of the highlights of our 2005 trip was our arrival in Bruges, Belgium which is a top Europe travel destination. As we rode the bus into town, we stumbled upon ‘The Procession of the Holy Blood’ (Dutch: Heilig Bloedprocessie), a significant religious Catholic procession dating back to the Middle Ages that takes place each Ascension Day. And it was happening that very afternoon!
This impressive procession, dating back to 1304, brings Biblical and historical stories to life in a visually authentic and colourful way.
People from all over the world organise their trips around this once-a-year event or travel large distances to see it, and we were blessed to stumble upon it. The feeling of privilege and excitement was palpable as we realised the unique experience we were about to have.
Unbelievably, we arrived in town at 2:00 p.m., just an hour before the parade began. We managed to secure a prime spot along the route, on the outside of a corner. We were absolutely mesmerised by the spectacle that unfolded before us!
There are over 28 sections, each unique. The Biblical stories are acted out at frequent intervals along the route, with regular dancing and singing in between.
There were Bible scenes from Adam & Eve to the Resurrection.
There were live animals – sheep, camels, donkeys and horses.
Different bands participated, each playing various instruments. Some sections featured dancing, often as part of a Biblical story, while others showcased performances like juggling and jesters.
In addition to the numerous street performances, there were also floats enacting various scenes, some with the front and back depicting a different part of the story.
Here, we have Joseph with Pharaoh on one side and God’s provision during the seven years of drought on the other.
Then Roman soldiers guard the sealed tomb where Jesus was buried on one side, and the surprised soldiers find the tomb empty on the other.
Some primary Old Testament stories were depicted, and most parade sections would stop regularly to act out each story.
From Cain and Able to Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers, to Moses with the Ten Commandments and King David with his harp.
From the New Testament there was the life of Jesus from His birth, being interrogated by Pilate with the accusing Pharisees in the foreground, His whipping and ridicule and then His crucifixion, death and burial.
Towards the end, a priest came along, holding up the vial which contains the Heiligge Bloed (Holy Blood). The vial is said to contain a cloth stained with Jesus Christ’s blood, brought to the city by Thierry of Alsace after the 12th-century Second Crusade.
Over 1,700 people of all ages participated in the one-and-a-half-hour procession, which went around the whole town and ended at the Chapel of the Holy Blood in the town square, where the relic is kept. After a short ceremony, it was returned to safekeeping.
What a day! What a way to end an incredible adventure!
We were supposed to go to Ghent and Antwerp but spend the following day in Brugge and then left for Dusseldorf to fly home!
Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix Circuit
My highlight was visiting Monaco and it was abuzz with construction and grandstands being erected everywhere. Then suddenly it all made sense when a we drove under a large sign that said ‘Grand Prix Automobile F1’, it was preparations for the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix that was due to start in two weeks time.
Having entered the circuit area I followed the road and managed to complete a full lap of the circuit in a motorhome! It was amazing to drive through all the parts of the circuit I knew so well.
This is out ‘hot lap’ with pictures from the ‘passenger cam’.
We have just left Sainte Devote (01 on the map) after the starting straight and heading up the hill to Rivage (02).
Through Rivage (02) and climbing to Massenet (03) and Casino Square (04).
Out of Casino (04) and heading downhill on the way to Mirabeau (05) and then to the Hairpin (06) which was a very tight turn in our large motorhome.
After braking hard into Portier (08) we head into the infamous tunnel (09).
Out of the tunnel, into the bright light and speeding towards the Nouvelle Chicane (10+11). With a super-yacht in the background.
Approaching the Swimming Pool section (13-16) with grand stands, armco barriers and safety netting already in place.
I’m sure we would have qualified for the slowest lap ever but it was an incredible experience.
Perfect Timing!
Sweet Spot Confirmed
Our experience with motorhome touring in Europe has led us to what we call the ‘sweet spot’ of travelling Europe. This is a mode of travel that offers the perfect balance of freedom, comfort, and adventure. Since then, we have not considered any other touring option. All we have seen and experienced is testimony to our conviction that the motorhome coupled with bicycles is the Sweet Spot of travelling through Europe!
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