NIX | The Ultimate European Grand Tour 2026 🚐🌍🔥

22 Days | Approx. 4,800 Miles | 11 Countries | One Epic Campervan Adventure

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Some trips are weekends away.

Some trips are nice little breaks.

This is neither of those.

This is the full-fat, full-noise, proper grand European road trip.

The sort of trip that starts in Stafford before sunrise with a flask of coffee, a packed fridge, a fully charged Jackery, a tank full of diesel and Depeche Mode ready on Apple Music.

Then, twenty-two days later, you roll back into Stafford with thousands of miles on the clock, dust on Vanilla, bugs splattered across the front bumper, a phone full of photographs, a head full of memories and the absolute certainty that this was one of the greatest adventures of your life.

This is the sort of trip people talk about for years.

This is Stafford to Dubrovnik.

This is coffees in French service stations, schnitzels in Austria, grilled seafood beside the Adriatic, pizzas in Italy and mountain roads in Switzerland.

This is city walls, castles, harbours, waterfalls, vineyards, mountain passes and sunsets.

This is one enormous rolling European adventure.

Dubrovnik to Montenegro.

Montenegro to Bosnia.

Bosnia to Croatia.

Croatia to Tuscany.

Tuscany to Bologna.

Bologna to the Alps.

Then home.

And somehow, every single day gets better.

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The Big Numbers 🚐📏

• Total duration: 22 days

• Total distance: approximately 4,800 miles

• Total driving time: around 80 hours

• Total countries visited: 11

• Total overnight stops: 21

• Total campsites and aires: 18+

• Biggest driving day: around 430 miles

• Highest mountain roads: Furka Pass and Grimsel Pass

• Biggest scenery day: Furka Pass to Lauterbrunnen

• Most beautiful city: Dubrovnik

• Best food section: Tuscany and Bologna

• Most dramatic coast: Croatia and Montenegro

• Most “I cannot believe I am actually here” moment: arriving in the Swiss Alps

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Countries Visited 🌍

1. United Kingdom

2. France

3. Belgium

4. Germany

5. Austria

6. Slovenia

7. Croatia

8. Montenegro

9. Bosnia and Herzegovina

10. Italy

11. Switzerland

That means you cross 11 countries in total, which is still enough border crossings to make you feel like a low-loader driver with a passport addiction.

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Week 1 | The Dash Across Europe 🚐💨

Day 1 | Stafford → Folkestone → Calais → Reims

This is where it all begins.

The alarm goes off in Stafford before dawn.

You step outside into the chilly morning air, load the last few bits into Vanilla, check the fridge, check the diesel, check the passports, check the cables, check the snacks, then immediately check them all again because this is Europe and you do not want to realise you forgot your sunglasses halfway down the M20.

Then you are off.

Folkestone.

Eurotunnel.

Calais.

Then France opens up in front of you.

Long roads.

Huge skies.

Little villages in the distance.

The first coffee stop somewhere in northern France where everything feels strangely exciting just because it is foreign.

By evening you arrive in Reims.

The first proper overnight stop.

A cold drink outside the van.

The evening sun.

That brilliant feeling of knowing that tomorrow you will wake up already in mainland Europe.

Day 2 | Reims → Strasbourg → Munich Area

This is one of the biggest motorway days of the whole trip.

You cut right across France.

Past vineyards.

Past Strasbourg.

Into Germany.

The roads suddenly become smoother.

The service stations become cleaner.

The traffic becomes much faster.

And before long you are somewhere near Munich watching enormous German estate cars appear in your mirrors at roughly the speed of a Tornado jet.

By the time you settle into Camping München-Obermenzing, you feel like you have already travelled a very long way.

Because you have.

Day 3 | Munich → Salzburg → Ljubljana → Zagreb Area

This is one of those magical European days where you keep crossing borders and every few hours the entire scenery changes.

Germany becomes Austria.

Austria becomes Slovenia.

Slovenia becomes Croatia.

You pass mountains.

Lakes.

Forests.

Huge valleys.

By the time you reach the Zagreb area, it feels properly adventurous.

You are no longer just “in Europe.”

You are now properly on the road.

Day 4 | Zagreb → Split → Dubrovnik

This is one of the greatest driving days of the trip.

Possibly the greatest.

You head south through Croatia and everything becomes more dramatic.

The mountains rise.

The sea appears.

The roads twist.

The scenery gets better with every mile.

You keep going all the way down the Adriatic coast until finally Dubrovnik appears.

And Dubrovnik is magnificent.

Bright stone walls.

Blue water.

Boats.

Palm trees.

Warm air.

The sort of place that instantly makes you want to stay longer.

You settle into Solitudo Sunny Camping and know instantly that the huge drive was worth it.

Days 5–7 | Dubrovnik ☀️

You spend your days walking the mighty city walls, exploring the narrow streets of the Old Town, seeing the harbour, Fort Lovrijenac, the Rector’s Palace, the Franciscan Monastery and the famous stone stairways.

You can take the cable car up Mount Srđ for one of the greatest views of the whole trip, looking down over Dubrovnik, the islands and the deep blue Adriatic.

You eat grilled meats, fresh seafood, pizzas, cold beer, local pastries and probably far too much ice cream.

In the evenings the whole city glows orange in the setting sun and the harbour fills with people wandering along the waterfront.

Three nights in Dubrovnik is perfect.

Enough time to slow down.

Enough time to enjoy it.

Enough time to wander around the old town, walk the walls, sit by the harbour, drink coffee in little cafés and watch the world go by.

This is where the trip changes from “long drive across Europe” into “this is now becoming one of the best holidays I have ever had.”

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Week 2 | Montenegro, Bosnia and the Adriatic 🌊

Day 8 | Dubrovnik → Kotor

Leaving Dubrovnik feels difficult.

But then you reach Montenegro.

And suddenly you realise the trip is only just getting going.

The Bay of Kotor is one of the most dramatic places in Europe.

Huge mountains rise straight from the water.

Tiny villages sit on the edge of the bay.

The roads are narrow, twisting and unbelievably scenic.

You will stop constantly for photographs.

You will almost certainly say “bloody hell” at least five times.

Day 9 | Kotor → Budva → Mostar

Kotor itself is unforgettable.

The old town is full of churches, tiny squares and ancient stone streets.

You can climb the city walls to St John’s Fortress for one of the greatest views in Montenegro.

You can walk the old city walls, look out across the bay, see the medieval churches and climb to the fortress above the town.

Budva feels livelier with beaches, bars, little old streets and a lovely old town sitting beside the sea.

You can also stop at Sveti Stefan, one of the most photographed little islands in the Adriatic.

Then you head inland into Bosnia.

Budva gives you a final blast of Adriatic glamour.

Then you swing inland into Bosnia.

And Bosnia feels different.

More rugged.

More emotional.

More real.

Mostar is one of those places that catches you by surprise.

You stand on the famous Old Bridge, look down at the river, wander the cobbled streets and eat grilled meat, flatbreads and proper Bosnian food while surrounded by mountains and old stone buildings.

The bridge.

The river.

The history.

The atmosphere.

It ends up becoming one of the most memorable stops of the entire trip.

Day 10 | Mostar → Split

Split has the famous seafront promenade, Roman ruins, Diocletian’s Palace, old squares, markets and a harbour full of boats.

You can explore the cellars beneath Diocletian’s Palace, climb the bell tower of Saint Domnius Cathedral and sit on the waterfront watching ferries and yachts come and go.

Back into Croatia.

Back to the coast.

Split feels lively and energetic.

There are restaurants everywhere.

People everywhere.

Boats everywhere.

It has that perfect mix of old city, waterfront and summer atmosphere.

Day 11 | Split → Zadar

Zadar has Roman ruins, little cafés, old churches, the Roman Forum, the Church of St Donatus and the famous Sea Organ where the waves create music against the waterfront.

You can also watch the Sunset Greeting to the Sun light installation glowing beside the sea in the evening.

Zadar is more relaxed.

This is a chance to slow down a little.

Wander the old town.

Sit by the sea.

Watch the sunset.

Listen to the famous sea organ.

This is one of those evenings where you realise you have completely stopped thinking about work.

Day 12 | Zadar → Rovinj

Rovinj has a beautiful harbour, old colourful houses, seafood restaurants and tiny streets climbing up towards the Church of St Euphemia on the hill.

From the top you get amazing views across the rooftops and out over the sea.

Rovinj is absolutely beautiful.

Little harbour.

Colourful buildings.

Narrow streets.

Golden evening light.

It feels almost too perfect.

Like somebody designed a town specifically for campervan travellers with cameras.

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Week 3 | Tuscany, Bologna and the Alps 🍷🏔️

Day 13 | Rovinj → Trieste → Florence Area

You leave Croatia behind.

Cross into Italy.

And then Tuscany begins.

This is where the scenery becomes softer.

Rolling hills.

Cypress trees.

Vineyards.

Stone farmhouses.

Beautiful villages sitting on top of hills.

The Florence area becomes your base for the next part of the trip.

Days 14–16 | Florence, Chianti, San Gimignano, Siena and Pienza

Florence gives you the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, the Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio and some of the greatest architecture in Europe.

You will eat pizzas, pasta, steaks, gelato, pastries and drink coffee that is better than almost anything back home.

Then comes Chianti with vineyards, wineries and little wine villages.

San Gimignano with its medieval towers.

Siena with the Piazza del Campo and its cathedral.

Val d’Orcia with winding roads, cypress trees and famous viewpoints.

Pienza with little alleyways and perfect countryside views.

Montepulciano with wine cellars, hilltop streets and huge views across Tuscany.

San Gimignano with its towers.

Siena with the Piazza del Campo.

Val d’Orcia with the most beautiful rolling hills in Tuscany.

Pienza with little streets, stone buildings and views across the countryside.

This is postcard Italy.

Florence is magnificent.

The architecture.

The history.

The food.

The coffee.

Then you head out into Chianti.

And this is where Tuscany becomes everything you imagined.

Roads through vineyards.

Tiny hilltop towns.

Warm evenings.

Beautiful light.

You drive through San Gimignano, Siena, Val d’Orcia, Pienza and Montepulciano.

This part of the trip might end up being your favourite.

Vanilla parked beside a vineyard.

A coffee in your hand.

A quiet evening.

Underworld playing softly.

The hills glowing orange in the setting sun.

That is the sort of memory that stays with you forever.

Day 17 | Lucca → Pisa → Bologna

Lucca has old walls you can walk around, lovely little squares and peaceful streets full of cafés.

Pisa gives you the Leaning Tower, the cathedral and the famous square.

Bologna has the Two Towers, Piazza Maggiore, endless arcades and brilliant little food markets.

Pisa has the Leaning Tower.

Bologna has huge arcades, towers, beautiful squares and some of the best food in Italy.

Then comes Bologna.

And Bologna is brilliant.

Less polished than Florence.

More lived in.

More food.

More atmosphere.

This is where you eat huge bowls of pasta, lasagne, tagliatelle al ragù, pizzas and probably the best Bolognese of your life while wandering around the old arcades and lively squares.

Day 18 | Bologna → Lake Como

Lake Como brings elegant lakeside towns, beautiful villas, mountains, cafés and ferry crossings.

You can visit Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna, all linked by ferries and all ridiculously pretty.

The mountains begin to appear.

The roads start climbing.

The air feels cooler.

Lake Como feels elegant.

Stylish.

Properly classy.

This is where you begin to feel the Alps pulling you north.

Day 19 | Lake Como → St. Moritz → Andermatt

St. Moritz feels glamorous and expensive in the best possible way.

Beautiful hotels, mountain railways, lakes, perfect roads and mountain scenery everywhere.

You can stop beside lakes, take photographs of the Bernina scenery and simply enjoy the feeling of being high in the Alps.

Beautiful hotels, mountain railways, lakes and perfect roads.

This is another huge scenery day.

Switzerland arrives.

Snow on the mountains.

Deep valleys.

Huge lakes.

Perfect roads.

Tiny villages.

You reach Andermatt and feel like you have somehow driven into a luxury watch advert.

Day 20 | Andermatt → Furka Pass → Grimsel Pass → Lauterbrunnen

This is the day you will probably remember most.

The Furka Pass is one of the most famous roads in Europe.

The Grimsel Pass is just as dramatic.

You pass lakes, glaciers, mountain tunnels, waterfalls and endless sweeping views.

Then Lauterbrunnen arrives with its famous waterfalls, little chalets and towering cliffs.

You can visit Staubbach Falls, Trümmelbach Falls and take in some of the most dramatic scenery anywhere in Europe.

This is the greatest driving day of the trip.

Possibly one of the greatest driving days in Europe.

The Furka Pass.

The Grimsel Pass.

Hairpins.

Snow walls.

Huge views.

Roads carved into mountainsides.

Then finally Lauterbrunnen.

Waterfalls.

Cliffs.

Tiny chalets.

The sort of place that does not look real.

Day 21 | Lauterbrunnen → Interlaken → Colmar → Reims

Then the trip slowly starts turning for home.

Switzerland becomes France.

The mountains fade into the distance.

The roads flatten.

You stop in Reims for one final night.

One last campsite.

One last drink.

One last look at the map.

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Day 22 | Reims → Calais → Folkestone → Stafford

Then suddenly you are back.

Back through the tunnel.

Back onto British roads.

Back into Stafford.

Vanilla is filthy.

The fridge is empty.

The washing bag is full.

But you have just completed one of the greatest campervan trips imaginable.

You will have driven nearly 5,000 miles.

You will have crossed 11 countries.

You will have seen some of the finest roads, mountains, cities and coastlines in Europe.

And before you have even unpacked the awning, you will already be wondering where Vanilla should go next.

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Overnight Stops 🚐

• Reims — Camping La Montagne de Reims / CIS Champagne Aire

• Munich Area — Camping München-Obermenzing

• Zagreb Area — Camping Zagreb

• Dubrovnik — Solitudo Sunny Camping

• Kotor Area — Camping Lara

• Budva — Camper Stop XL Budva

• Mostar — Auto Camp Green Park

• Split — Camping Stobreč Split

• Zadar — Camper Stop Marni

• Rovinj — Veštar Campsite

• Florence — hu Firenze Camping in Town

• San Gimignano — Camping Boschetto di Piemma

• Pienza / Val d’Orcia — Area Sosta Camper Pienza

• Lucca / Pisa Area — La Valle Agricampeggio

• Lake Como — Camping Alpe Fuin

• Andermatt — Gotthard Camping Andermatt

• Lauterbrunnen — Camping Jungfrau

• Reims Return Stop — Camping La Montagne de Reims / CIS Champagne Aire

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Final Thought 🌍

This is not just a holiday.

This is a proper European grand tour.

The sort of trip that reminds you exactly why you bought Vanilla in the first place.