My European adventure continues, and this time, it’s been full of surprises—some planned and some, well, let’s just say, unexpected. From visiting a legendary knife-making town in Italy to running out of gas in the middle of Tuscany, crossing six countries, and dealing with yet another mechanical issue, this trip has been a wild ride. Here’s how it all unfolded.

A Special Invitation and an Epic Road Trip Begins

This journey started with an exciting invitation from a good friend that led me on an incredible road trip across six countries. But, of course, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

Discovering Scarperia: The Town of Knives

After spending Christmas in Pisa with my daughter and her friend, I hit the road again. First stop was Scarperia, a town famous for its knife-making heritage. For hundreds of years, artisans here have been crafting high-quality blades, and I was determined to take home a little piece of that history.

I visited a family-run knife shop that has been operating since 1891, passed down through four generations. Watching the skilled craftsmanship that goes into each knife was incredible, and yes—I bought one! I was particularly fascinated by how the shape of the ox horn used for the handle dictates the final design of each blade.

My Gas Crisis in the Heart of Tuscany

Not long after my knife-buying success, I ran into a bit of a problem—I ran out of gas.

All across Europe, my campervan has a connector that allows me to fill up at gas stations. But in Italy, I learned the hard way that filling gas for leisure vehicles is prohibited unless it’s for a vehicle’s motor. No gas meant no heat, no cooking, and no hot showers. And to make things worse, thick fog rolled in over the Tuscan hills, making for a very chilly night.

A Night of Comfort Before the Next Adventure

Faced with the lack of gas and freezing weather, I made a very uncharacteristic decision—I booked an apartment for the night! For just €35, I had two bedrooms, a kitchenette, and most importantly, hot showers. It was a small luxury that felt like a massive treat after days on the road.

The Search for Gas Continues

The next morning, I doubled back to Barberino after being told I could get gas at a certain station—but it was closed. Thankfully, I found another station just around the corner that could fill me up. Crisis averted!

Unexpected Repairs: Tires and an Alternator Warning

While in Barberino, I also took care of another critical issue—my tyres.

A few weeks earlier, I had swapped my spare tire onto the van after noticing one of my tires was bald. Turns out, that tire was from 1996! That led to an emergency replacement of four new tires and an ominous warning from the mechanic about a potential alternator issue in the future.

Crossing Borders: Slovenia and Croatia

Feeling much more confident with my new tires, I drove through the stunning Northern Italian mountains and crossed into Slovenia. My first night in Slovenia was spent in a remote park-up, completely alone but surrounded by breathtaking views. It was peaceful, and I left just in time—before snow hit!

Then came Croatia, where I experienced the most dramatic weather shifts I’ve ever seen—from sunny Adriatic coastlines to snow-covered pine forests in just 20 minutes!

The Alternator Issue Becomes Real

Remember that mechanic’s warning about my alternator? Well, I should have listened. As I crossed into Croatia, I noticed a faint battery light glowing on my dashboard. It was barely visible, but I caught it while driving through tunnels.

I immediately found a mechanic in Rijeka, but since it was late on a Friday afternoon, they couldn’t fix it until Monday. They ordered the part, and I spent the weekend parked in a car park, grateful that at least I wasn’t stranded in the middle of nowhere.

The Perks of a Mechanic Stop

There’s always a silver lining! While waiting for my new alternator, I made a new friend—Rocco, the shop dog. He was rescued from an accident and now lives happily at the garage. He became my best companion over the weekend, demanding belly rubs at all times.

Finally Free and Heading South

With my van repaired, I continued my journey through Croatia, finally making it to Split, a city that truly lived up to the hype. The warm sunshine and coastal views were exactly what I needed after days of mechanical stress.

From there, I crossed into Bosnia and Herzegovina, making the hilarious mistake of not realizing I was at a border crossing. “What country am I entering?” is not a great question to ask a border officer, but I survived!

The landscape was breathtaking, with turquoise rivers and stunning mountain views. Plus, diesel prices dropped dramatically—always a win for a long-term traveler!

Montenegro by Night

As night fell, I crossed into Montenegro, navigating foggy, mountainous roads in the dark. When I arrived at my planned campsite, I wasn’t confident about the steep road leading to it. Instead, I stopped at a roadside restaurant, asked if they’d feed me, and then kindly requested to stay in their car park.

Next Stop: Albania!

After Montenegro, I set off for Albania, where I was about to meet up with my friend Sue from Sue and Nigel Adventures for a two-women, two-vans road trip!

Albania has been described as the “New Croatia,” and I was excited to experience it for myself. Stay tuned for our adventures together!

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