A boat trip in Venice
Road Trips
Terri

Our Winter Road Trip

8 weeks, 10 countries, and over 6,000 miles of adventure!

It’s been over a week since we arrived back home, and we’re finally feeling settled (or as settled as we can be when life on the road has become our normal). After eight incredible weeks exploring Europe in Peanut, it feels surreal to be standing still for a moment.

Looking back, this trip was everything we dreamed of – and more. We explored in stunning landscapes, tried incredible vegan food, tackled some seriously long driving days, and even faced a few unexpected challenges along the way.

Enjoying some hill reps and a cheeky kiss in Spain.
Enjoying some hill reps and a cheeky kiss in Spain.

The Route – From Ferries to Forests

Our journey started with an overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam, where we officially began our 8-week adventure. From there, we clocked up just over 6,000 miles, weaving our way through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Gibraltar, France, Spain and Portugal before making our way back home.

Each country had something special to offer – whether it was the peaceful running trails in Austria, the bustling Christmas markets in Hungary, or the endless coastal trails of Portugal.

One of the many borders we crossed on our journey.
One of the many borders we crossed on our journey.

Running Across Europe

One of our biggest goals was to keep up our running routine, no matter where we were. From early morning city jogs to forest trails and even a few post-drive evening runs in freezing temperatures, we kept our legs moving across every country. Some of our favorite runs included:

A crisp, scenic 5-miler in Liessel, Netherlands
A crisp, scenic 5-miler in Liessel, Netherlands
A freezing but beautiful run in Pressbaum, Austria
A freezing but beautiful run in Pressbaum, Austria
Sweaty, sunny miles in Alberfeira, Portugal
Sweaty, sunny miles in Alberfeira, Portugal

Highlights & Surprises

No road trip is complete without a few surprises, and ours had plenty! Some of our favorite moments included:

Reuniting with family – Stephen got to see his daughter Vivian and his son Milan.
Reuniting with family – Stephen got to see his daughter Vivien and his son Milan.
As well as his brother David, sister-in-law Malinda and many of his friends in Tótkomlós, Hungary which made our journey even more special.
As well as his brother David, sister-in-law Malinda and many of his friends in Tótkomlós, Hungary which made our journey even more special.
Fun at the shooting range – We tried target practice in Hungary and even handled a Desert Eagle
Fun at the Magnum shooting range – We tried target practice and even handled a Desert Eagle
Exploring Portugal’s coastline – returning to our favourite spots
Exploring Portugal’s coastline – returning to the Algarve
A visit to Gibraltar – We made it to the famous Rock of Gibraltar, where the views were breathtaking and the monkeys kept us on our toes!
A visit to Gibraltar – We made it to the famous Rock of Gibraltar, where the views were breathtaking and the monkeys kept us on our toes!

The Road Ahead

Now that we’re back, it’s a strange feeling adjusting to being in one place again. Being on the road (even for a short period) teaches you so much – about resilience, adaptability, and appreciating the little things.

This trip has only fuelled our love for adventure, and we’re already dreaming of where we will explore next. But for now, we’re enjoying some much-needed rest, catching up with loved ones, and reflecting on the memories we’ve made.

To everyone who followed our journey – thank you! Whether you cheered us on from afar, sent messages of encouragement, or supported us in any way, we truly appreciate it. If you have the deep desire to explore new places just do it! you wont ever regret it.

Where will we go to next i wonder.
Where will we go to next i wonder.