My passion for road trips started back in the summer of 2020. Just after graduating high school, I decided to drive 2,500 kilometers from my small hometown in Eastern Europe all the way to Paris, France — during COVID. All I had was around 1,000 euros in cash and a 20-year-old Mercedes sedan.

Despite the odds, the trip was incredible, and I fell in love with the freedom of exploring new places by car.

Soon after, I took another road trip to the south of France, Italy, and Croatia in a Volvo estate before finally deciding to go all-in and buy a full-size van. The goal? To convert it with all the essentials and live on the road full-time on a budget, exploring new places every day.

And let me tell you: it’s the best feeling ever. Building your first van is stressful. It’s full of unknowns, unpredictable challenges, and yes — you will mess up. But every mistake teaches you something, and in the end, it’s 100% worth it. The experience you gain is priceless.

If you're new to van life or dreaming of starting, my best advice is to plan carefully and connect with people who’ve already done it. It’ll save you tons of time, money, and energy.

I’ve now been traveling around Europe and living in a van for some time, with a goal to explore every single country on the continent. Once you start doing it full-time, you quickly learn what you truly need and what you don’t in your van.

This blog exists to help you through that learning curve.

Whether you’re wondering which van to choose, how to wire your setup, install water systems, or just want weekly travel inspiration — you’re in the right place.

Cheers to van life!