Adria Twin Takes Europe: A 10 day adventure across 4 countries.

Imagine waking up every morning in a new and exciting location.

Well that’s exactly what our customers, Kat Steve and Jack Mercer, did in their Adria Twin Sports 640 SLB. They decided to take a 10 day trip to explore Europe, and shared the entire experience on their Instagram account.

Let’s start at the beginning. We were introduced to Kat and Steve Mercer in March 2024, during their visit to our show ground in Hurst Green. They were excited to see the Adria Twin Sports that we had available for sale.

Feeling it was time to upgrade from their VW Campervan, they sought out something a bit bigger. A few weeks went by and on the 27th March 2024 they collected their brand new Adria Campervan from Sales Manager Richard.

They began with short trips here and there, familiarising themselves with the van and enjoying the UK, until it was time to bite the bullet and venture into Europe. Europe offers countless spots where you can park and stay overnight without reservations. Their approach? No concrete plan, just a desire to go with the flow and discover new places. Boarding a ferry, they set off towards Calais.

Upon arriving in Calais, their first pit stop, just 40 minutes into the journey, was Dunkirk. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, they continued on to their initial destination, Belgium. Along the way, Kat discovered a free car park in Brugge, conveniently located within walking distance of the city. Upon reaching the car park, they ventured into the nearby village to wander through the cobblestone streets, where horse-drawn carts appeared to be the primary mode of transportation.

Morning came and they decided over breakfast that they would head towards Luxembourg. However, when following the sat nav, they got diverted due to an accident and decided they would head straight down to Black Forest, Germany instead.

After an epic drive from Brugge, they landed in Black Forest Germany, which is about an hour from the border of Switzerland. Kat found a site called Wohnmobilstellplatz Campsite in Elzach, Freiburg on the Search4Sites app and took a gamble that they had a pitch. To their delight, the site had availability, €15 a night with electric hook up, waste and water. It was perfect for families, offering an outdoor swimming pool with activities for children, along with ample grassy areas for play and relaxation. The Mercer’s camped out here for 2 nights, totalling at €36.60. 

Around their pitch, goats roamed the hills wearing tiny bells on their necks, their sounds echoing from a distance. Amongst this picturesque scene, occasional paragliders soared, soaking in the breathtaking views. While exploring Black Forest, they leisurely walked to the quaint village of Oberprechtal in Baden-Wurttemberg and unexpectedly encountered a local parade that they thoroughly enjoyed watching.

Kat shares all her travel adventures on Instagram, and when one of her followers recommended that she 'go with the flow', she took the advice on board. As a result, they changed their plans and found themselves in Switzerland! Without any obstacles holding them back, they embraced the detour and managed to explore four countries in just three days.

After reaching the Swiss Alps in Lauterbrunnen, they explored the Staubbach waterfall, enjoyed a meal, and found a campsite for the night with the most breathtaking view. Camping Rutti was their overnight stop, arriving just before 11 am to find an available pitch. The cost for 2 adults and 1 child was £44, including electrical hook up and stunning scenery of mountains and waterfalls.

After a long walk exploring, Steve opted to try the external cold shower that came fitted on their Adria Twin. External shower points are perfect for times like this, when you want to cool off outside. And yes, he is wearing crocs.

During their time in Switzerland, they were amazed by the numerous tunnels they passed through, so much so that they lost count after reaching double digits. The Swiss infrastructure impressed them, with smooth roads and no potholes!

They journeyed to Furka Pass and ascended into the clouds, but had to pause due to thunder. Despite the interruption, it was an unforgettable adventure. Steve brewed everyone a traditional British cup of tea on the roadside, allowing them to appreciate the clearing skies and stunning views.

Before heading towards Gotthard Pass, they seized a photo opportunity at Hotel Belvedere. Along the way, they stumbled upon a free parking spot and decided to spend the night there.

It was time to say goodbye to Switzerland, so the following morning, they journeyed north through France. Along the way, they made a stop in the Champagne region of France, in a charming village named Pogny, where they found a delightful free spot on the Camping Car Park app.

There wasn’t a soul in sight, and they couldn’t work out why. No shops open, and not many cars on the road. After a google from their son Jack, they soon realised it was a bank holiday. The 15th August is the festival of L'Assomption, celebrated by Catholics throughout France and commemorating the departure of Mary from this life and the assumption of her body into heaven. The roads were pretty empty and they had a lovely drive through France.

Morning came and they enjoyed a croissant, a must have when in France, before heading back on the road. They took a visit to the Soissons Memorial, which commemorates the British, German and French soldiers who fought in July and August 1918.

The day was filled with sightseeing, including a visit to the Chateau de Pierrefonds. This destination had long been on the Mercer's bucket list due to their admiration for Merlin and the series. They were thrilled to find that it lived up to their expectations.

As their trip was close to an end, and it was their last full day in France, they decided they wanted a campsite with a pool and to just chill out. They found a lovely site just 90 minutes from Calais, (their final destination to get on the ferry back to England). This site, Camping du château et de l’oseraie, had clean facilities and cost them £27 with an electric hook up pitch. They wanted something reasonably close to Calais but stress free and safe, and this fit the bill perfectly.

It was then time to head back to Calais to get on the ferry, and just like that their trip was over... for now. They have another adventure planned just around the corner. If you want to keep up with their travels, make sure to follow them on Instagram, as they share camping tips, tricks and locations - @mercers_on_the_move.

‘Sometimes, we have to come out of our comfort zone and try new things’. Kat says this trip has definitely done that for them as a family. There's nothing quite like creating unforgettable memories with your family.

If this trip of a lifetime sounds like something you would like to experience, our team at Caravan Tech are here to help. From compact Campervans to spacious Motorhome or even Caravans, we can provide you with the ideal vehicle to accompany you on your next adventure. Your adventure starts with us. Contact us today to get started.