Europa on the road – Von Skandinavien bis Griechenland

In the organizer's words:

At least six months on the road - that was Lena and Bobo's only fixed plan before they set off on their journey in their 32-year-old bus. But the route they ultimately took took them through icy Scandinavia in winter and all the way to Greece in spring. Temperatures as low as -22 °C presented numerous challenges: frozen water tanks and interiors, non-functioning batteries (essential for heating), almost frozen fingers during repairs and triggered fire alarms.

The short winter days, with sunsets as early as 2 p.m., made the walls of the already cramped bus feel ever closer together, which didn't always improve the mood between the two of them. But the cold also brought unique moments: they experienced the raw beauty of Scandinavian nature all to themselves - while hiking, stand-up paddling and on the 25,000 or so kilometers they covered. The fascinating play of light and color in winter, which would have been unthinkable in summer, compensated for many exertions.

When the winter finally became too long, they changed direction and headed south. It was supposed to be the beginning of the cycling season - but a damaged bike rack and the loss of a bike put an early end to this plan. With more sun, there were finally no more battery problems, as the electricity now came from solar power. Nevertheless, difficulties remained their constant companion: they got stuck on muddy Albanian gravel roads to the point of hopelessness, overheated the clutch until it smoked, and broke down in the middle of Greek no man's land. Something always seemed to break - but somehow they always found a solution, which often led to unforgettable encounters.

Looking back, it was exactly the right route. Lena and Bobo experienced the impressive diversity of Europe with all its transitions in landscape, language, culture and mentality. The challenges and mishaps turned into valuable lessons, even if they certainly won't save them from new difficulties on future trips. For them, this trip remains an adventure that was characterized by unforgettable moments, magical landscapes and the art of seeing an opportunity in every difficulty.