Spring/Summer 2022 we took a 14 week road trip through Italy and France in our 2014 VW bus “The Trooper”. Needless to say, you learn a lot about each other, yourself and the world living in such a small space. Here are our Top 5 learnings:

Never base your travels around other people’s plans

They will inevitably let you down and leave you feeling disappointed and angry. It’s not always their fault – life happens.  People get sick.  Relationships fail. People change their minds.

Our learning: If we happen to be there at the same time, cool. If not…then not.

Work really interrupts the flow

On our 3-month road trip, I was determined to keep working.  I wanted to ensure my students didn’t fall behind and that I had work to come back to.  Frankly, it was a pain in the ass.  Around Saturday, we had to start planning for Tuesday/workday/washing day.  We had to look for a campsite with strong Wi-Fi, a washing machine and that we could stay in for at least 2 nights.  We came to the conclusion that if we were travelling longer, it wouldn’t be so bad, but 3 months wasn’t long enough to stay still for 2 days a week.

Our learning: Take the holidays.

Stay away from other traveller’s “Best of…” lists

We read a lot of “Best Beaches in Sicily” type lists and without fail I HATED every beach they reported on.  The beaches were apparently everyone’s favourite places.  I mean EVERYONE in Sicily was there.  I despise endless Lidos with beach chairs. I despise lying next to groups of people playing loud music through a shitty system.  I despise having to climb over people to get into the water.

Our learning: Use the “Off the beaten track” type blogs.

Less is more

In the start of this trip, we tried to do and see everything.  This is exhausting.  It causes unnecessary and unwanted drama.  Take it easy.  The world will not end if you don’t see EVERYTHING.  And as our friend Luis says, “Save something for next time”.

Our learning: Slow the fuck down.

Not everything is open when you want it to be

At least know when the thing you want to see is open!  We wanted to see some big trees in Calabria.  We travelled on the worst roads I have seen in Europe and stayed in a disaster camping spot.  Guess what?  The national park was closed the day we had planned to go.  There was not another day spare (see point 2).  So, no big trees.

Our learning: Do some research.