Europe roadtrip - miscellaneous

Favorite camping: Darna

Refilling the tank: 15 times

Favorite picture from the trip:

Most Beautiful lake: Lugano

Favorite meal of the trip: PIZZA NAPOLI

Best song: camping patrullen

Scariest thing: opening the door in the abandoned house, and the storm hike

Warmest moment: walk to La seize to meet Vanja

Coldest moment: Freizeitgelände evening

Favorite camping meal: final barbeque

Favorite persons met: the Germans

Portions gelato: minimum 10

Best ice cream: pistachio in Varenna

Most mysterious: the steering man on the boat

Weirdest: the free-spirit house on the hike towards Monterosso

Worst storm: Darna

Kilometers driven: 4171

Overtakings on the road: 7

Trips with trains: 8 (Monterosso - Levanto, Levanto - Rio maggiore, ria maggiore - Manarola, Manarola - levanto, Levanto - Corniglia, Vernazza - Levanto, pisa - Lucca t/r)

Trips with boat: 8 (Menaggio - Bellagio, Bellagio - Varenna, varenna - Menaggio, sightseeing with the Germans on Lugano, Trelleborg - Rostock, Rostock - Trelleborg, 2 trips on Bolmen).

Trips with bus: 4 (return trip Porlezza - Menaggio, return trip la Quercia - Gardaland)

Number of kinder eggs: 12-15

Best purchase: Mazzetti grappa

Amounts of TP questions asked: 1308

Number of campings stayed at: 9 (ställplats, Olympiasee, Bannwaldsee, Darna, aqua Dolce, Torre pendente, la Quercia , freizeitgelände, Kloster, wursterhause )

Nummer of tunafish salads eaten: too many to count...

Number of eggs eaten: too many to count...

Funniest thing that happened during the trip: Gardaland

Hardest thing that happened during the trip: one of the caravans legs breaking down

Most beautiful scenery of the trip: Levanto mountain storm, and Lugano view from the beach.

Favorite animal of the trip: The cat "kissen" that became our friend at the camping Acqua Dolce.

Favorite snack of the trip: Kinder and Maoam! And bolognese crisps.

Hardest workout on the trip: The start of the hike between Levanto and Monterosso. Or maybe the uphill bicycling in Porlezza, trying to reach a church in the mountain.

Best thing while in the road: The serpentine road in Switzerland, that was pure madness. And also the surprise of seeing Noeswainstein!

Funniest thing on the road: Zigzags between stuff in Bannwaldsee

Best nap: In my chair under my tree at camping Darna.

Thoughts about stuff:

I really really really have enjoying staying in a caravan and at campings!! This has been a totally new experience for me and I'm hooked. 

I even see myself going back to camping Darna to stay a few weeks.

I was a bit thorn when I left home as to whether I was gonna do any workout during the trip. On the one hand, I have the Tjejmilen race coming up, on the other hand, I really need to rest. I think has worked out rather brilliantly, at precisely the right level where I have kept my body awake and even worked some new muscles on the bike, which has replaced the gym so it wont be tough going back. And hence, I should be able to run as on Vårruset.

Europe roadtrip - miscellaneous

Favorite camping: Darna

Refilling the tank: 15 times

Favorite picture from the trip:

Most Beautiful lake: Lugano

Favorite meal of the trip: PIZZA NAPOLI

Best song: camping patrullen

Scariest thing: opening the door in the abandoned house, and the storm hike

Warmest moment: walk to La seize to meet Vanja

Coldest moment: Freizeitgelände evening

Favorite camping meal: final barbeque

Favorite persons met: the Germans

Portions gelato: minimum 10

Best ice cream: pistachio in Varenna

Most mysterious: the steering man on the boat

Weirdest: the free-spirit house on the hike towards Monterosso

Worst storm: Darna

Kilometers driven: 4171

Overtakings on the road: 7

Trips with trains: 8 (Monterosso - Levanto, Levanto - Rio maggiore, ria maggiore - Manarola, Manarola - levanto, Levanto - Corniglia, Vernazza - Levanto, pisa - Lucca t/r)

Trips with boat: 8 (Menaggio - Bellagio, Bellagio - Varenna, varenna - Menaggio, sightseeing with the Germans on Lugano, Trelleborg - Rostock, Rostock - Trelleborg, 2 trips on Bolmen).

Trips with bus: 4 (return trip Porlezza - Menaggio, return trip la Quercia - Gardaland)

Number of kinder eggs: 12-15

Best purchase: Mazzetti grappa

Amounts of TP questions asked: 1308

Number of campings stayed at: 9 (ställplats, Olympiasee, Bannwaldsee, Darna, aqua Dolce, Torre pendente, la Quercia , freizeitgelände, Kloster, wursterhause )

Nummer of tunafish salads eaten: too many to count...

Number of eggs eaten: too many to count...

Funniest thing that happened during the trip: Gardaland

Hardest thing that happened during the trip: one of the caravans legs breaking down

Most beautiful scenery of the trip: Levanto mountain storm, and Lugano view from the beach.

Favorite animal of the trip: The cat "kissen" that became our friend at the camping Acqua Dolce.

Favorite snack of the trip: Kinder and Maoam! And bolognese crisps.

Hardest workout on the trip: The start of the hike between Levanto and Monterosso. Or maybe the uphill bicycling in Porlezza, trying to reach a church in the mountain.

Best thing while in the road: The serpentine road in Switzerland, that was pure madness. And also the surprise of seeing Noeswainstein!

Funniest thing on the road: Zigzags between stuff in Bannwaldsee

Best nap: In my chair under my tree at camping Darna.

Thoughts about stuff:

I really really really have enjoying staying in a caravan and at campings!! This has been a totally new experience for me and I'm hooked. 

I even see myself going back to camping Darna to stay a few weeks.

I was a bit thorn when I left home as to whether I was gonna do any workout during the trip. On the one hand, I have the Tjejmilen race coming up, on the other hand, I really need to rest. I think has worked out rather brilliantly, at precisely the right level where I have kept my body awake and even worked some new muscles on the bike, which has replaced the gym so it wont be tough going back. And hence, I should be able to run as on Vårruset.

Europe road trip day 25 - June 26th

The final day of this whole trip.

Me and Vanja took a very slow and nice morning and just relaxed before cleaning the car, and with that all cleaning was done. 

In the afternoon Vanja drove me to the train in Herrljunga, and so I was on my way home. We could hardly believe it was time to say goodbye; after spenidng 25 days together it felt very strange and unreal. 

I was practically unable to carry my bag and had to get help from several strangers in getting it into the train and into the luggage stand, but finally, with a lot of pain and bloody traces on my shoulder, I was home.

Why it was so heavy? Well - I bought enough stuff to open my own shop at home. 

Europe road trip day 24 - June 25th

Time to go home to Borås again, still not knowing for sure in which country I'm in.

When I woke up I started to clean and prep the caravan, as I had slept my final night i it. Then it was breakfast time, and I ate a hearty meal. Hoping to be able to catch our own lunch, we headed out on a fishing trip. Unfortunately, and very fortunatelyt at the same time, we didnt catch anything. I would have been really fun to get a fish, but I could never have killed it afterwards.

So instead of our own caught lunch, we ate a second midsummer lunch, which I loved as much as the one yesterday.

Then it was time for the final drive home, the last part of our jorney with the caravan. On the way we picked up Lykke (a VERY dear rejunion) and then, not sure if we'd really been away, we were back.

While Vanja took Lykke on a nice long walk I started to clean and empty our trusty old caravan. It went really well and I actually finished it, meaning that tomorrow would involve a lot less cleaning.

We ended the evening with Ice Age 1 and then crashed, my first night in a bed for a very long time.

Europe road trip day 23 - June 24th

Second last night in the caravan, and when I woke up it was midsummer!!

After a big and hearty breakfast, in an already decorated patio, we all set out do some more preparations for the day. Me and Agnes did the classical midsummer crowns from leaves and flowers, Vanja, göran and wilmer "lövade" the house and garden. It started to really look like midsummer!

We had an amazing classical midsummer lunch and some snaps, and I ate and ate and ate. Delicious!

After lunch we decided to take a trip on the lake in the boat, and go to a store where they sell very fresh fish. We bought some salmon to put on the barbeque, yum, and just really ejnoyed being on the water!

The dinner was as delicious as the lunch, and we ended the night with a photo show from our trip. 

Europe road trip day 22 - June 23d

The alarm didn't even have time to wake us up; suffering a bad nights sleep the both of us were wide awake around five.

We did the last preparations and then it was time to head towards the ferry. We arrived in plenty of time and were almost first in line. We don't like to stress.

On the ferry we were both really tired due to the lack of sleep, and sat in sun chairs on deck for a while, and then went inside when it got cold and laid down on the floor to rest.

When the ferry arrived in Sweden it didn't feel like home, it rather felt like some new country we were going to explore. Probably because the south of Sweden is a bit different to home for me. I also felt a bit restless, like I didn't want to sit in the car anymore but just arrive.

We stopped at a trusty ICA and bought some food and then drove the last hours to Görans awesome summer house, ready to celebrate midsummer!

Europe road trip day 21 - June 22nd

It is beginning to dawn on me, like a very dark cloud on the horizon, that this trip is coming to an end.

I can't decide whether it feels like I've been gone for a few days or for a few months, it a mix of both.

It feels sad, at the same time as it's nice to come home, but also terrible that it's over... mix and match the feelings.

We drove the last three hours up to Rostock this morning, arriving at lunch to a camping just outside the city, so we'll be close to the boat tomorrow.

The alarm is set to 05:45 and we'll drive from the camping at 06:15.

Except for a 1,5 hour walk I took in a beautiful nature reserve next to the camping, I haven't moved a muscle. I've been strangely restless, the very particular feeling I get when I'm exhausted.

Tomorrow at this time we'll be in Halmstad, ready to get up the next day to celebrate midsummer.

Europe road trip day 20 - June 21st

Another very relaxed travel day, taking us up further north.

We left the camping at around nine in the morning, and headed back to the autobahn, where we pushed many kilometers before taking a smaller and cozier road very close to the one we came down on. We could actually wave to Olympiasee, it was just a few hundred meters behind the trees from us.

We found a nice camping, again by a lake, and arriving at 15 we had a few hours in the grass with our books before dinner time.

Tomorrow we have about 3 hours left to Rostock, we haven't decided whether to go to a camping or just sleep in the dock to be close to the ferry on Thursday morning.

Soundtrack of the day: if I were sorry

Europe road trip day 19 - June 20th

Directly after breakfast we packed up and left what has been, in my opinion, the least favorite camping. Something about the feel of it just wasn't right. Then a few hours of driving commenced which took us a good part through Germany as we were driving along highway 9. Around 2 o'clock we took of on smaller roads in a quest for food, and after many small villages with even smaller streets we found an Edeka and could stock up.

Then we headed to a camping we had seen on the map, situated next to a lake. We spent the afternoon relaxing and reading in the grass and used our last barbeque for dinner.

Soundtrack of the day: heroes

Europe road trip day 18 - june 19th

All things must come to an end, as did our time in Italy. Early morning, we packed up and left la Quercia and drive along the lake Garda on our way north. As we wanted some scenic routes before getting on the highway, we drove a small and winding path from the north point of Garda out to the A22.

We decides to take the Brenner pass through the alps this time, and it provided a nice view, though nothing compared to our way down.

We payed our last toll and entered Austria, where we stopped at a Autogrill to have lunch. This is one of my worst food experience I've had so far in my life - I simply could not eat it and had to leave most of my expensive plate of food untouched. I bought two kinder eggs and some biscuit to heal the wounds, and we were back in the road.

Entering Germany, we took aim toward Bannwaldsee again, hoping to be able to see Neuschwainstein when we arrived. Unfortunately we missed an exit from the highway though and decided not to turn around but instead let fate guide us another route. So we set sail toward a camping west of Munich called Freizeitgelände, which is by the lake Ammersee. This caused quite a few extra hours of driving as the (small) road passed once again through the mountains and many small villages. But it was absolutely worth it because it was beautiful.

Arriving late in the afternoon due to our scenic routes, in pouring rain, we took a walk in our rain gear and then I laid down in bed, reading for the rest of the evening.

Soundtrack of the day: walk the dinosaur

Europe road trip day 17 - June 18th

Another very restful day at the beach has passed. I have not moved at all but to walk to the camping grocery story and buy myself some picnic for lunch and then to the restaurant for dinner and gelato. 

I have slept in my chair, 

I have read, I have done crosswords, 

I have laid still listening to the water.

During dinner it really got me; this has been our last day in Italy. Tomorrow, we'll drive back trough Austria into Germany, where we plan to land at Bannwaldsee again.

It feels both strange and a bit sad, as well as a bit nice as it is always good to come home. This trip has been really good, a perfect mix of relaxation and doing things. And for me it has been a whole new world with the campings, and a positive experience at that!

Europe road trip day 16 - June 17th

My, my... what a day!

I am completely spent after a full day at Gardaland. And what a place, it was magical!

I left the camping at 08:45 after breakfast, and headed to the bus stop. Gardaland is only 5 kilometers away and I could hence have walked, but I figured that I'd better save my energy for the many hi ours to come.

The bus don't run too often so I arrived at Gardaland 09:10 which is 50 minutes before they open. Lucky for me, they opened the gates to the ticket office at 9:30 and since I already had my ticket I could head straight for the gates to the park, first in line!

First in line was awesome, except for the fact that when 10 o'clock came there was some show number on top of the roof under which is was standing, so I missed it and instead got to see the several thousand people not under the roof dance and sing together with the show.

When the gates to the park opened, there was a stampede to get in. Most knew exactly where to go as they were locals and hence ran full speed the best way towards the best attractions. Me, was totally lost but mostly lost in amazement over the park. It was spectacular! I took my time, a walking slowly and looking at everything u passed. Going in the general direction of the running teens I quite quickly found what I was looking for, the adrenalin filled grown up rides! I decided there was no time to waste and took the biggest I could find straight away.

I must have been very fortunate with picking today of all days to come here, though many people waited in line to get into the park, there were NO lines anywhere. The longest I waited the while day was 6 minutes, the rest of the time I could basically step right on any ride I wanted. Super!! I guess this weekend won't be the same though, poor souls getting stuck there.

So, what could a Linnéa do except to run around for 6 hours straight, only stopping for pizza and fruit? I went on all the rides I wanted to, some twice, and I felt like a kid on Christmas. If €60 can buy 6 hours of happiness like this, it's worth every cent!!!

As 4 o'clock came I was so tied I could hardly walk anymore. I dragged myself to a stand selling French fries and ate them as I walked back towards to bus station and headed back to the camping.

Stepping into the shower was bliss after this day, and afterwards I sat down in my chair in the shade and had some sallad. 

Then when it was time, I started walking to La seize where I was to meet Vanja when she got back with the ferry from her all-day trip to Lemone and back.

When I arrived in la seize Vanja texted me that she was late, so I sat down with some gelato in the shade, relaxing and enjoying the memories of this perfect day.

Then we walked together back to the camping in the setting sun. 

Europe road trip day 15 - June 16th

What a true vacation day! Waking up at 6 as always, we took a morning walk into la sizie, finding the ferry and taking a look around the town, which was very nice.

Then began a calm, wonderful day in the shade if a tree at the beach. I slept for a few hours, did some reading, some crosswords, listening to the water.... true relaxation.

Tomorrow I plan to visit Gardaland if the weather is OK, I am so excited it feels like Christmas is coming up! Vanja will take a boat tour in that case, and I'm sure we'll both have a super day. I have already bought my entrance ticket and bus ticket at the camping, they had a €7 discount in here. So, my stomach is already filled with butterflies and excitement!

In the evening we took a walk to La seize again, where we ate dinner outside at one of the thousands of cozy restaurants (I ate spaghetti with tomato and basil) and bought some gelato to eat on our way home.

Europe road trip day 14 - June 15th

Directly after breakfast we left Torre pendente and kicked of a day of transport.

Using Google maps we had mapped the route from Pisa to lake Garda, and to make the trip a bit more scenic we decided to go on a smaller mountain road a bit of the way and then get on the freeway the last bit.

When we arrived in Garda it was only early afternoon so we would have many hours to relax still. 

Driving towards the camping took us through town, and wow this is the most touristic place we've been so far on this trip. They even have their own water land, movie land and amusement park (which I plan to visit one day) and everything as far as the eye can see is adjusted for tourists. But then, this ia one of the biggest touristic attractions in all of Italy, so what to expect.

The camping we went to, La Quercia, was recommended by a Dutch couple on Acqua Dolce, and it's H-U-G-E! 5 pools, a spa, tennis courses, gold courses, theatre, restaurant, supermarket, kid clubs... I don't even dare to guess how many pitches they have.

We got a great spot right next to the beach so we can again take our food to the beach.

This is actually kind of great, because this means that during my first camping trip ever I have managed to see the full scale of campings, from the tiny, quiet and cozy Olympiasee to this crazy spectacle, and some in between. I got say, I have enjoyed then all in different ways.

We spent the whole afternoon and evening of the beach, reading, resting, doing crosswords and just enjoying the heat.

Europe roadtrip day 13 - 14th June

I woke up around 4 by another crazy storm roaring outside. It was almost impossible to get any more sleep, the rain water hitting the caravan so hard it sounded like we had little trolls playing drums on the caravan roof.

So instead of a morning walk, we had a cozy morning, doing some reading. I ate the last piece of last night's pizza for breakfast in bed (nice!) and when the rain had stopped we started to pack everything together.

It was quite tricky to get the caravan out of the pitch, but thank God Vanja really is a pro at the wheels and managed to get us out.

We said goodbye to the manager (two kisses on the cheek for me and a gentleman's kiss on the hand for Vanja) and headed towards the auto shop. We didn't get a chance to say goodbye to the cat, she normally came around lunch. But I said goodbye yesterday.

It was a very quick drive to the auto shop, where they hadn't opened yet (they told us yesterday "we open around 8:30....9....") so we waited by the gate, watching the very cute dog that unfortunately had an injured paw.

Finally the mechanic showed up (and gave the dog food and attended to the paw, which made me and Vanja relax a lot!) And told us to leave the caravan for 1,5 have hours. So we did, talking a final walk through Levanto, some orange juice, gelato, and a final trip to the supermarket.

When we got back to the auto shop, the leg was as good as new, and hence we can hopefully close this adventure's chapter.

On the road again, we headed to the E80 that would take us to Pisa. On the way, we drove past Carrara, a huge marble which we had actually marked on our map as one site of interest. So now we got to drive by it, seeing the mountains with the marble ready to be taken, and the highest chunks or marble already on the ground.

We had selected a camping already yesterday, and it is situated right outside Pisa, with walking distance to the town and the tower. We simple checked in, dropped the car and caravan, had some lunch and then were on our way towards the tower. I was very excited.

After heading through a very long tunnel with very much traffic and very much noise and very much graffiti, we arrived in the city. The atmosphere was very different compared to what we've experienced so far; though quite a small city, it was filled with plenty(!!) of tourists, people selling crap on the streets, a general feeling of unease, like someone would grab my course any second. I simply didn't feel safe and I really did not like it.

But the tower and its surrounding buildings were magnificent, very beautiful and majestic. Of course, I just HAD to get the classical tourist photo where it seems like I'm supporting the leaning tower with my hands.

Apart from the tower, Pisa didn't offer much of interest to us, and after a quick walk around town we headed to the train station to go to Lucca.

Lucca was the opposite of Pisa; calm, safe, beautiful and historical. It is an medieval town with one of the only fully preserved walls around the town left from that era, and it is massive! 4 kilometers long, there is a broad walkway on top of it that is very popular to walk both by tourists and the locals. This was one of out other goals we'd marked on the map of places to go, so it was really great to experience it. The town itself was filled with old medieval houses mixed with the traditional Italian stone houses, and they blended really well. Lucca, I recommend!

We bought focaccia in I small bread shop to eat for dinner, and then took the train back to the camping.