Nine months ago, I wrote on my vision board that one of my goals for 2025 was to experience van life in Greece. Fast forward a few months, and that dream turned into reality when WebCamper invited us to share our adventure with one of their campervans.
We picked up our Knaus Boxlife 600 in Diekirch, Luxembourg, packed everything we needed, and set off on what would become one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever done.
The plan was simple: drive all the way to Greece and return by ferry to Italy before heading back home to Luxembourg.
We started early on day one, hoping to avoid traffic at the borders, but nothing can really save you from Germanys endless highway construction sites. Most of the first day was spent driving through Germany, and by lunchtime, we were already crossing into Austria.
The rain finally stopped, and the mountain views were breathtaking, enough for us to decide that Austria deserves a trip of its own someday.
That night, we stayed at the municipal campsite in Leibnitz, Austria.
Price: €30 per night for two people.
Facilities included clean bathrooms and a fully equipped shared kitchen, a great first stop.
The next morning, the sun was shining again as we continued toward Slovenia. We stopped for lunch at a highway fast food restaurant and couldn’t believe our eyes: Ten different pistachio flavored items on the menu. Thats when the beauty of van life really hit us. You can stop whenever you want, enjoy your meal comfortably inside, and keep going whenever you are ready.
We continued through Croatia smoothly, choosing highway routes to keep things easy. The only real challenge came at the Serbian border, where the atmosphere felt tense and the queues endless. Drivers were walking between lanes, sitting on the median, waiting for hours.
A few kilometers later, we got a text message saying we had reached our data roaming limit, both of us. Total chaos. With no internet and a confused GPS, we relied on the vans built in navigation system, which honestly saved us.
Pro tip: avoid driving through Serbia during rush hour. It is not worth the stress.
As the day ended, we entered Bulgaria in the dark. Even on the highways, there were big potholes, so take it slow.
By midnight, we finally reached the Greek border, and just 30 minutes later, we parked for the night at Elodia Restaurant. The lovely owner told us we did not need to pay anything since we didn’t use any facilities. So kind!
The next morning, we woke up to sunshine and the first taste of Greek summer. All the stress from the previous day instantly melted away.
After two days on the road, we were already in love with the van. For me, one of the biggest highlights was having a private bathroom, no need to rely on gas stations or public restrooms.
By the end of the trip, what I loved most was the simplicity of having everything in one place. No endless packing routines and not being able to forget anything in hotel rooms.
When we stopped for the night, we didn’t even need to step outside. We just parked, closed the door, and four steps later, we were in bed. And honestly, the bed was way more comfortable than I expected.
We had everything we needed: the freedom to stop anywhere, comfort while driving, and a van interior that felt like home. The seats were cozy even after 10 hours on the road, and the large windows made every drive a scenic experience.
If you are planning a similar trip, September is the perfect month, cool nights, fewer tourists, and an ideal mix of cozy and adventurous lifestyle.
Day 3 marked the start of our real Greek adventure. First stop? A freddo espresso, obviously.
Then we explored Lake Kerkini National Park, an underrated area that feels worlds away from the typical Greek islands. Surrounded by nature, birds, and peaceful water views, it was one of the most surprising parts of the trip.
After lunch, we continued south toward Lefkada, one of the few Greek islands connected to the mainland by a bridge, making it super convenient for van travelers like us.
We visited Pefkoulia Beach, Porto Katsiki, Paralia Agios Ioannis, and the beaches around Nidri. The roads were calm and easy to navigate, and the island itself was perfect for beginners.
When we arrived at the local campsite, the owners gave us one golden tip:
“No matter what your GPS says, do not take the west side roads with a van. Always go south via the east side.”
They were right, and it saved us from a lot of stress.
Our favorite moments?
And while we had restaurants on our list, nothing compared to the joy of ordering takeout to the van and enjoying dinner with the best view in the world.
Many people ask, “Isn’t it tiring to move every night?”
The truth is, not at all!
From day 4 to day 12, we stayed at the same campsite in Greece (€30 per night with electricity). Every morning, we would leave to explore beaches, leaving our table, chairs, and BBQ setup ready for when we got back. Even when changing campsites, the only thing that changes is your view, because everything else stays inside the van.
The 80L fridge was a lifesaver. Powered by the van’s battery while driving, it let us store food easily and cook whenever we wanted.
And then came our next adventure, taking a ferry with a camper van. We chose an overnight route from Igoumenitsa, Greece, to Brindisi, Italy, about 9 hours long. We couldn’t stay in the van during the trip, so we booked comfortable seats inside, and honestly, it was much smoother than expected.
By the next morning, we were driving again, this time through Italy.
We started the drive back home through Italy, reliving every moment of our time in Greece. After five years of traveling there, we didn’t think we could still be surprised, but seeing the country through van life changed everything.
Would we do it again? 100% yes!
The only real challenge was Serbia and the roaming limit surprise. But the highlights?
Italy was a breeze to drive through, one long highway for more than 700 km. We had planned to stop in Lugano, but a storm was approaching, so we decided to stay at Monte Generoso Camping, on the Swiss border. The owners kindly let us park overnight for free as well, since we did not use the facilities there either.
Driving through the rain, we realized something important: we enjoy quiet moments together far more than crowded places.
Two days of driving, talking, laughing, and sharing stories, that’s what real connection feels like. And that’s what van life is all about.
After this journey, we feel even more aligned with WebCamper’s mission:
Freedom on wheels.
Because that’s exactly what this trip gave us, the freedom to explore, to slow down, to connect, and to truly live the road.
Thank you to WebCamper
A huge thank you to WebCamper for making this adventure possible and for trusting us to share our story.
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Europe at your own pace, this is your sign to do it, because some roads change more than just your view.
