In early September we left the French Alps to explore southeastern France, an area that neither of us had experienced previously. Our destination was the Luberon region in Provence, it is France at it’s finest. With a spectacular countryside of vineyards & orchards, fascinating villages perched right at the top of rolling hills, quaint markets,…
Our Adventures
Madeira, an Island paradise
At the end of September Hana flew back to the land down under for a wedding, while I went to a 30th birthday adventure for a couple of my kiwi mates in Madeira. Madeira is a reasonably large Portuguese island located off the coast of Africa at approximately the same latitude as Casablanca, Morocco. Alex…
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)
In September we undertook the challenge of biking “The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)”, a hiking and/or mountain biking circuit around Mont Blanc (4810m), the highest peak in Europe. The full tour is approx. 180 km in length and has an accumulated height gain and loss of around 8,000m. With 10 mountain passes, 7 valleys,…
Wonders of the world in Italy
We have visited the Dolomites Three times this year during our travels around Europe. A destination needs to be pretty damn epic to bring us crawling back for more and more, it appears that the Dolomites has what it takes! The massive vertical cliffs, 3000m+ peaks, crystal clear water, technical bike tracks (hiking trails), world…
The most amazing alps yet, The Swiss Alps!
On the last evening of Trail Days in Kransjka Gora we met a lovely Swiss couple (Nik and Daniela) who were camping in the same freedom camping area next to the river as us. Hana had been on a ride with Daniela as part of the Specialized Women’s Ambassador Rides so we got chatting. Daniela…
Rychlebske Stezky – Riding Bikes in Czech Republic
After a somber morning in Auschwitz, Poland, and while planning our next move to travel from Poland to the Czech Republic we stumbled across a cool little biking area, Rychlebske Stezky. It’s located in Czech Republic just across the border from Poland. If you are into biking, hiking or just being outdoors & amongst a…
The glorious mountains in Slovakia, The High Tatra’s
The High Tatra Mountains are an epic mountain range located at the border between northern Slovakia and Southern Poland. Formed of Granite the Tatra’s rise out of the Carpathian mountain range to over 2500m. Everyone we talked to as we approached Slovakia recommended the Tatra’s as a must visit location. They did not disappoint! We…
Grand Architecture, unique cultural traditions & incredibly tasty baked goods, Budapest
Budapest is a remarkable city to visit, the buildings range from beautiful, grand and immaculately kept to grungy, falling to pieces and riddled with bullet holes (some still unpatched). With the last Hungarian Revolution occurring in 1956 (where approx. 3000 were killed after a student demonstration escalated) and the Russians only leaving the country in 1991,…
Eating like Kings in the homeland of Nicola Tesla, Serbia
A local guy in Slovenia told us that Belgrade was an amazing must-see city, and incredibly cheap, he was not wrong! On the back of this advice we took a beeline across the top of Croatia, after Zagreb, towards Serbia. Serbia has a rich history with the first slavs settling in the Balkans in the…
Quaint fishing villages, endless swims & tasty seafood in Croatia
Lets start by saying that Croatia is a MUST SEE for any self-respecting Antipodean visiting Europe, especially if you are in a camper van! The food is amazing. The beaches are phenomenal. The water is sooooo clear and the people are lovely. The 10 days we spent in Croatia were a real standout; from camping…