From Spain to the Alps: How Our Four-Week European Motorhome Adventure Came Together

Sometimes the best adventures don't begin with a fixed plan—they evolve.

Over the past few months, our summer road trip has changed direction more times than we can count. It started as an idea to explore Spain and Portugal. Then we were convinced Croatia and Italy would be perfect. At one point we were even planning to cross the Adriatic by ferry.

Now?

We're heading for the Alps.

And honestly, we couldn't be more excited.

A Route That's Taken on a Life of Its Own

The turning point came when I realised there were two places I'd always wanted to visit: Berchtesgaden and the Eagle's Nest in southern Germany.

Once those destinations made it onto the map, everything else naturally fell into place.

Our journey now looks something like this:

• Ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff

• A few relaxing days in western France to unwind

• Crossing France towards Switzerland

• Zig-zagging through the Swiss Alps

• Austria via Innsbruck

• Berchtesgaden and the Eagle's Nest

• Slovenia and the beautiful Lake Bled

• Possibly Croatia if time allows

• Northern Italy and the Italian Lakes

• Back across France and home

The best part?

We've got four whole weeks to enjoy it.

For us, that's a luxury. Normally we're trying to squeeze everything into two weeks, but this time we can slow down and actually enjoy the journey rather than simply ticking destinations off a list.

We're Chasing the "Real" Switzerland

When we travel, we love experiencing places rather than simply driving through them.

Switzerland is somewhere we've visited before, but this trip we want to discover the Switzerland you picture in your imagination.

The wooden chalets.

The mountain passes.

The cows with bells around their necks.

The crystal-clear lakes.

The local cheeses.

The regional food.

Our plan is to research each area as we arrive, finding out what it's famous for and making the most of local food and traditions rather than rushing from one tourist attraction to another.

Why We Changed Our Plans

People often ask why we decided against Spain and Portugal.

The simple answer is...

Our two Springer Spaniels.

They'll be travelling with us for the entire trip, and temperatures of over 40°C simply didn't seem fair on them.

Instead, the mountains of Switzerland, Austria and northern Italy should give us much more comfortable weather while still offering spectacular scenery.

Croatia hasn't disappeared from the bucket list either—it'll just have to wait for another adventure.

Travelling with Two Dogs

Anyone who's travelled with dogs knows they somehow manage to take over the entire motorhome!

To make life easier, we've stripped the van down as much as possible.

The dining table has come out to create extra floor space, giving the dogs more room to stretch out during the evenings.

There'll also be another important stop before we head home—a visit to a local vet.

Before returning to the UK, the dogs need a health check and a tapeworm treatment between 24 hours and five days before boarding the ferry.

Just another little job to add to the list!

Preparing the Motorhome

Planning the route has been one thing.

Preparing the motorhome has been another.

This year we've made some major upgrades that should make wild camping far more comfortable.

We've installed:

• A large 314Ah lithium battery

• A powerful 4kW inverter

• Additional portable solar panels

• Starlink internet

• A Dyson cooling fan for warmer evenings

The battery and solar setup should allow us to stay off-grid for much longer without worrying about power.

Starlink is another worthwhile investment because Susan still needs to keep an eye on work while we're away, so reliable internet is essential.

Learning to Travel More Lightly

Every trip teaches us something.

This time we're paying far more attention to weight.

Water weighs roughly one kilogram per litre, so carrying a full tank can add a surprising amount of unnecessary weight.

Since we're travelling overnight on the ferry and spending our first night before reaching a campsite, we've decided we only really need around 50 litres of water rather than filling the entire tank.

It's amazing how these little decisions can make travelling easier.

Using Technology to Plan Better

One thing that's changed since our previous European trips is how much we're using technology.

We've been using ChatGPT to help build the route, suggest scenic drives and recommend places we might otherwise have missed throughout Switzerland and Austria.

Combined with paper maps, campsite apps and our motorhome sat-nav, it's become another useful planning tool rather than replacing the adventure.

We're also trying not to over-plan.

It's tempting to schedule every day, but one of the joys of motorhome travel is the freedom to change your mind.

If we discover somewhere we love, we'll stay longer.

If the weather changes, we'll adapt.

That's exactly how we want this trip to feel.

One Decision We're Still Debating

There's still one question we haven't answered.

Should we take the panoramic railway in Switzerland?

It looks incredible.

The scenery would almost certainly be unforgettable.

The problem is the cost.

By the time we've paid for both of us and the dogs, we're looking at well over £350 for a single journey.

That's a lot of campsite fees, fuel and great meals.

We'll make that decision when we're there.

Sometimes it's better to keep a little flexibility in both your itinerary and your budget.

The Countdown Begins

We're sailing on 2nd August, catching the overnight Brittany Ferries crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff.

There's still plenty to do before then:

• Service and check the electric bikes

• Finish packing

• Organise the dogs' paperwork

• Finalise the sat-nav

• Complete those last-minute motorhome jobs

But after months of changing our minds, researching routes and weighing up options, the plan finally feels right.

Now all that's left is to set off.

And if experience has taught us anything, it'll probably change a little along the way.

But that's all part of the adventure.

Are you planning a European motorhome trip this summer? We'd love to hear where you're heading—or if you've visited any of the places on our route, let us know your must-see recommendations in the comments!