Our travels through Bulgaria have been a tale of two seasons—our first visit in September was warm, welcoming, and full of adventure, while our second in February 2025 was an entirely different experience, with winter proving to be a significant challenge. From breathtaking monasteries to ancient fortresses, beautiful coastlines to mountainous terrain, Bulgaria offered us a rich and diverse journey.

We timed our visit perfectly to experience the Midsummer celebrations at Gammelstad,a UNESCO-listed church town near Luleå. The atmosphere was electric—locals dressed in traditional attire, the sounds of folk music, and the sight of families raising the Midsummer pole. Donna even crafted a floral headdress, embracing the local traditions.

Spain has a way of drawing you in. Its landscapes shift from rugged coastlines to sun-scorched deserts, from bustling cities to medieval villages frozen in time. For six weeks, we explored this incredible country in our truck camper, traveling day by day with no fixed plan—just the open road, a sense of adventure, and Park4Night guiding us to unforgettable park-ups.

In September 2023, we traveled through Türkiye, a country where East meets West, and where ancient history blends with modern life. From the lively streets of Istanbul to the remote landscapes of Eastern Anatolia, every region had its own unique character, shaped by centuries of change and tradition.

It’s been six months since we started our journey through Europe—exploring historic cities, remote villages, and the landscapes of the Balkans. The experiences have been unforgettable, and there’s a lot to process.

Why Pause?

Our Romanian adventure began in Deta, a small town that offered a quiet introduction to the country’s rural charm. From there, we made our way to Cîrtișoara, where the drive itself became the attraction. With stunning mountain views stretching as far as the eye could see, the journey felt like stepping into a postcard.

We arrived in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s enchanting capital, under dark storm clouds. Rain pelted down, drenching the cobbled streets, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We joined a walking tour, umbrellas in hand, and discovered a city with a fascinating past. Ljubljana has been shaped by Romans, Habsburgs, and Yugoslav history, and yet, it has retained a distinct, easy-going character. 

Our adventure began at the breathtaking Stelvio Pass, 0ne of our bucket list adventures. Stelvio Pass is the highest and most dramatic mountain roads in Europe. At 2,757 meters above sea level, this historic pass was originally constructed in the early 19th century by the Austrian Empire to connect Lombardy with the rest of its territory. Today, it remains a pilgrimage for driving enthusiasts, with its 48 hairpin bends descending into Italy’s alpine landscapes

As we mark our first couple of weeks on the road with @WeDriveTheWorld, our journey has already been filled with unforgettable moments, from exploring charming French villages to making new friends along the way.

It all began when we were scammed by YourStyle Leisure, which left us in a tough spot. Instead of letting that define our journey, we decided to keep moving forward. We made the decision to head to Poland to buy a Toyota Hilux half-cab, import it to the UK, and wait in Edinburgh for a few weeks. It felt like something out of an action-comedy film, but we were determined to make it work.

We’ve sold the house, cleared out most of our things—clothes, furniture, the lot. The exception? Donna’s “collection” of 560 pairs of shoes (she’s never thrown a pair away). But aside from that, we’ve donated almost everything, leaving us with just a few essentials. Once the last charity shop run was done, all that’s left will fit into our Sprinter van, which we’ve aptly named Scamper (Sprinter + camper = Scamper—get it?).