Planning the Adventure and Preparations for Departure
After the trip to Norway, returning to everyday life felt too abrupt, and the motorhome in the yard was a constant reminder of the new adventures it could enable. Finland's slushy weather wasn't appealing, and soon my mind started to drift towards sunny beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, and good food and wine. Winter limited many European destinations from our list – we needed a destination with sun, warmth, and stunning natural sights.
After studying Google Maps for a moment, the route began to take shape. The goal was to drive south as quickly as possible and be back for Christmas. The route went by ferry from Vuosaari to Muuga in Estonia, then along the Via Baltica to Germany, and finally through France and Spain to Portugal. Spain's southern coast was our main destination, but we definitely wanted to make a stop in Portugal – I had never been there before, so this would be a great opportunity.
I warmly recommend the ferry route between Vuosaari and Muuga if you're planning a road trip to Estonia. It helps save money and avoid the traffic jams in central Tallinn, as well as the numerous delays caused by roadworks.
Starting a trip with a motorhome is much easier than traditional travel planning. There's no need to book accommodations or plan daily schedules too precisely – all you need to get going is a packed vehicle and a full tank. It was precisely this freedom that allowed us to set off on short notice as soon as the opportunity arose.
First Stages – Through the Baltics to Poland
On the first day, we drove straight to Lithuania and spent the night in the shelter of a forest, in the yard of a deserted summer restaurant. As before, we found our overnight spots using the Park4Night app whenever we didn't feel like driving any further. Although we were hoping to escape the cold and slushy weather soon, the ground in Lithuania was still covered in gray slush.
The next day, we continued on to the southern parts of Poland. Along the way, it's worth taking advantage of the gas stations on the Lithuanian side, where fuel is cheaper than in many other European countries. However, it's wise to be cautious – at some stations, the prices on the signs don't always match the final charge, as happened to us. English proficiency at the station was poor, so we couldn't figure out the exact reason for the price difference, but usually, special offers flash on the signs if there are conditions attached to the price.
Poland is a surprisingly large country, which only becomes truly apparent when you're driving through it. The Via Baltica is mostly a well-maintained single-lane asphalt road, but the motorways are constantly expanding, and on this trip, we also encountered numerous roadworks. In Poland, the driving culture becomes significantly more fast-paced – especially west of Warsaw, traffic is aggressive, and cars in the fast lane practically tailgate. However, this isn't a problem for a motorhome driver, as you can cruise along peacefully at your own pace in the right lane.
We spent the night in Poland in the yard of a small village church. The place was quiet, but at the same time, it had an eerie atmosphere – the whole village seemed completely deserted, and the only sound during the night was the constant barking of dogs in the distance. We slept peacefully, but this will likely be our last night in a churchyard. The experience was peculiar enough that we wouldn't do it again in the future.
To Germany and the Decision to Change Route
In the morning, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and continued our journey. The German border was already close, and the day's drive would be entirely through Germany. Driving in Germany is easy and smooth, even though a motorhome doesn't allow you to enjoy the high speeds of the Autobahn. We drove peacefully through the day, but after a long stretch of driving, it started to feel like it was time for a short break.
As evening fell, we saw a familiar name on a motorway sign: Baden-Baden. This spa town in the heart of the Black Forest piqued our interest – although we've driven a lot in Germany, this area was still new to us. While driving on the Autobahn, the decision had to be made quickly: do we continue straight to Spain, or do we stop to enjoy the peaceful spa atmosphere for a moment? We decided to detour from our route and head to Baden-Baden – and this soon proved to be an excellent decision!
