Goodbye Cologne, hello Europe: 6 weeks, 4 courses and the pure attitude to life
Hello, this is Justine from Tussy Van! 💛 In mid-August the time had come: the van was packed, the key was in the ignition, and in Cologne it was simply - departure! Six weeks of absolute freedom lay ahead of me, which would take me across the continent: from the Alps through the cultural metropolises of Italy all the way up to the Polish Baltic Sea. I was on the road until the beginning of October - a trip that I will never forget for the rest of my life.
It was the perfect time from the picture book, which gave me wonderful weather, countless stories and pictures that I will carry in my heart forever until October.
Lake Constance and a transmission with character
My first big stop took me south to the beautiful Lake Constance. I stopped at the idyllic Langenargen and in the fascinating Zeppelin Museum in nearby Friedrichshafen. Anyone who has ever been there knows how impressive these giants of the sky are.
But it already became clear here that this road trip would be a real adventure. My converted T4 - my first bus back then, powered by a powerful V6 engine - suddenly developed its own personality: the fifth course was completely abandoned. What are you doing there? Turn around? Absolutely not! I had four others. And that's how I am with maximum four courses through all of Europe chugged. Who needs fifth gear when you want to celebrate the slowness of travel anyway?
This is how we drove.
scroll — and the van drives the route off!Cologne → Lake Constance → Genoa · Pisa · Florence · Rome · Venice → Częstochowa · Krakow → Gdansk on the Baltic Sea
Bella Italia: From the coast to the cultural pearls
We went over the mountains in four gears. Italy welcomed me with open arms and this incomparable lightness. My route was an absolute dream:
- Genoa — the proud port city with its narrow streets.
- Pisa - of course the obligatory view of the Leaning Tower couldn't be missed.
- Florence - the heart of Tuscany, art and Culinary delights on every corner.
- Rome - the Eternal City has overwhelmed me with its millennia-old history.
- Venice — the magical city in the water as the crowning, romantic conclusion of my life Italy adventure.
Course Northeast: Culture and the Sea in Poland
After the Mediterranean flair, I changed direction and headed for Poland. The diversity that this continent offers is simply unbelievable. The first stop was the historical place of pilgrimage Czestochowa (Częstochowa) with the famous Black Madonna (my report on it →), followed by the beautiful Krakow — a city full of life, young culture and impressive architecture (my Krakow highlights →). But I was drawn even further up, following the call of the north, all the way to the Baltic Sea coast at Gdansk (Gdańsk). You can read my honest look at Gdansk, the Tricity and the amber gold here →
The real thing Camper happiness
What remains after six weeks and thousands of kilometers? It's not just the famous sights. It's the feeling of sliding open the sliding door of the T4 in the morning and looking straight out at the sparkling sea. It's the peace and quiet when you stand in the middle of the forest in the evening, breathe in the scent of nature and look at the silhouette of the mountains in the evening light.
This trip showed me how rich this continent is in landscapes, cultures and impressions. And that for the greatest happiness in life, sometimes you just need four courses and the right accompaniment. Europe, you were beautiful!
See you soon and always have a good trip,
your Tussy 💛