After living inside my Model X in North America for 2 years, aka Beluga, I wanted a change, so I decided to buy a plane ticket and reconnect with the continent I once called home. I picked up a Tesla Model Y from Mister Green EU (rental company) with the Fruble Camper Kit installed and set sail. I had 45 days with the Model Y, aka Baby Beluga, opting to take the roadless travelled.
This was my first time living in a Tesla in Europe, and having the Fruble Camper Kit made life pleasant. I brought my own Dometic water dispenser with me from my set up, so that I had running water and picked up a burner stove from Oliver (Jimmys friend with whom he swapped Teslas with last year) to be able to cook and set sail into Europe.
After leaving Germany I drove to Austria and met up with some friends in Salzburg before continuing to the Czech Republic, where I slept in random fields before ‘settling’ in Croatia along the Mediterranean coast. I found this secluded overlanding spot where I spend a few nights quietly stargazing.
I then backtracked into Italy, where I explored Venice, the city of water. It was fascinating to see how the ‘locals’ travel throughout the city using the canals as there are no motorized vehicles in the city. I ate an Italian classic, pizza, before taking the bus back into the mainland where I had parked.
I had overhead a conversation that there was a location on the Swiss Border where one can stand in 3 different countries simultaneously, Austria, Italy and Switzerland if you didn’t mind a 10km hike into the Swiss mountains. The next day I hiked into the mountains and located the famous ‘drielandsteen’.
After that I met up with few old friends in Switzerland before driving through France to get into Barcelona. What’s super nice about driving an EV is that major cities in EU have strict Emission Zones, to reduce emissions. where special permits are needed if you drive a combustion car. Because I drove a foreign registered Tesla, I had the right to drive into the city without a restrictions. I spend 3 days in Barcelona, and discovered many beautiful places, but unfortunately this was the first time I had experienced heavy rain so I left to Madrid.
I ended finding this small piece of public land near Madrid, where I slept for 4 nights, and cooked out using the Fruble Camper Kit. It streamlines cooking and helps keeps my camping equipment organized.
One of my favorite places was a place in the South of Spain called ‘El Desierto De Gorafe’, which I can confirm, is some of THE BEST stargazing spots I have camped at. Driving through the desert feels a bit like driving along the rims of the Grand Canyon, a spectacular sight where I had to pinch myself to believe what I am seeing.
After spending 2 weeks total in Spain, I drove to Sagres Portugal, one of the most South Western points in Europe. The coastline is a sharp drop-off, just like you are driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in California. This was also the first time in 45 days that I socialized with other vanlifers as where were all there for the same reason, SUN! We shared travels stories late into the night!
On my way back to Amsterdam, I stopped in Geneva France to link up with an old mate that I met a few months earlier in the Yukon when I did my expedition to the Arctic Ocean. He was cycling the Pan-American to South America but had stopped somewhere in Mexico and returned home to France. He shared his insight what his life was like after we parted ways on the road and why he decided to stop the journey after 11K kilometers (wasn’t in love with the traveling anymore). It made me reflect back on my own life and the choices that I make. It takes courage to admit to yourself when something isn’t serving you anymore to stop. But, I really love this roadlife and want to do this expedition to Central and South America! Once I returned back to Holland, I spend the last remaining days with family before flying back to North America.
I really enjoyed this adventure, mostly winging it. Without the Fruble Camper Kit, I don’t think I would be able to explore the places that I did! I had so much fun and it’s sometimes hard to reminder exactly everything I did!
The full-story is on my YouTube page - Everyday Sandro
Living in 10 Countries in 45 Days | Tesla Expedition Europe
Drive Safe, Beluga & Sandro
Thanks so much for sharing your adventure in Europe, Sandro! I'm glad you were able to reunite with family and old friends. There are so many great things in Europe that I miss, and I'm always looking forward to the day I can return and explore more! I'm definitely adding Drielandenpunt to my list for when that day comes!