hello Aelita

Van life, hiking and outdoor adventures across Europe

Tag: Road Trip

  • Van Life in Europe from the UK: A 2026 Starter Guide

    Van life in Europe in 2026 means navigating three things that didn’t exist when most of the advice online was written: biometric border checks (EES, live since 10 April 2026), updated pet travel rules (changed on 22 April 2026), and the Schengen 90/180-day rule that shapes everything from route planning to how long you can…

  • Giau Pass van life guide (2,236 m) – parking & hiking

    Giau Pass (Passo di Giau) is a high mountain pass in the Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy, sitting at 2,236 metres. It is one of the highest paved passes in the region, accessible to campervans, open between June and October. This guide covers overnight van parking at the summit, the Lago Federa loop hike en route,…

  • Sella Pass Van Life Guide (2,240 m) – Parking, Climbing & Sassolungo Loop

    Sella Pass (Passo Sella) is the highest pass in our four-pass Dolomites van life series, sitting at 2,240 metres on the border of South Tyrol and Trentino. It is the busiest pass in the series but also the one with the most concentrated climbing and hiking options within walking distance of the parking area. This…

  • Gardena Pass Van Life Guide (2,121 m) – Free Parking, Via Ferrata & Waterfalls

    Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena) is a mountain pass in the Dolomites, Italy, sitting at 2,121 metres and the starting point of our four-pass Dolomites van life series. It is the most practical entry point from the west and the only pass in the series with completely free, spacious gravel parking and on-site toilets during peak…

  • Weekend Getaway in the Lake District

    After a rainy start of 2022, we have decided to spend long a weekend in the Lake District. Our usual weekends involve lots of climbing and hiking and we often try to cramp too much in 2 days. So for a change, we decided to have a relaxing weekend with some nice walks and spend…

  • 14-day dream UK holiday under £500

    How we completed the NC500 road trip in 14 days for under £500 – two people, one dog, wild camping the entire route. This post covers sleeping arrangements, a full kit list, petrol and food costs with a complete breakdown, and what we actually spent. Written in 2020 during COVID-19 when international travel was off…

  • NC500 hikes – the most memorable trails in the North of Scotland

    Eight of the most memorable hikes on the NC500 and Isle of Skye – including Beinn Eighe (18 km, 1,116 m ascent), Sandwood Bay (13 km), the Quiraing loop, Old Man of Storr, and Fairy Pools. Each trail listed with distance, time, and honest notes from the route. With all the COVID-19 going on, it…