Crossing Canada from East to West: which routes are best?

Hi,

How do you manage to charge your battery using a solar panel while keeping your vehicle in the shade so it doesn’t turn into an oven?

I have a Renault Trafic, unfortunately black, and my cooler, battery, and BougeRV solar panel.

My battery is mainly used for my electric cooler.

https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0CQ4LFVVR?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3

Thanks in advance! Nath

Hello,

Today is January 7th, Orthodox Christmas Day.

It’s the perfect occasion to share on VF a religious site that left a lasting impression on us.

For a long time, we’d admired photos of the Makaryevo Women’s Monastery on Russian websites. They’re always taken from cruise hydrofoils that, in season, depart from Nizhny Novgorod.

This gave us the idea for a crazy challenge: to visit the monastery during a river cruise, with our little plumber’s van that’s become the common thread of our travels!

This challenge seemed impossible to pull off.

The equation was indeed impossible to solve

1. Find a dock 2. Load the van onto a boat 3. Cross the Volga 4. Arrive at sunset 5. Sail past the monastery 6. All with no reliable information. NONE!

Incredibly, every obstacle fell into place one after another! Gifting us unforgettable moments.

The photos follow our exact journey.

1. We arrive on the southern bank of the Volga, searching for a ferry to Makaryevo. First attempt, first failure—we’re way too far east. We find a second ferry, but it serves a different town on the northern bank.



2. We keep going and meet some fishermen. But even they don’t know where to board a vehicle for the monastery.



3. After several fruitless searches, a young man who speaks a few words of English points us to a dock where, in summer, boats *might* serve the monastery. Miraculously, at the end of a rough track, we find an old ferry moored. But no one’s on board, and a chain blocks the entrance. After an hour of waiting, a worker arrives and tells us they *will* cross the Volga tonight, but the exit ramp at Makaryevo isn’t accessible for our vehicle. The captain joins him, and seeing our disappointed faces, they confer, discuss, and load some planks to raise the ramp!

Another miracle!

4. We board, with just one passenger accompanying us— the Trafic is the only vehicle on board.



5. The crossing was magical. And longer than expected, since the Volga here is several kilometers wide, and we’re navigating between countless islands!



6. Under a sky that gradually clears, we discover there are homes on the river— invisible from the banks—that form small communities where people get around by boat!



7. Then, suddenly, around a bend in the channel, the monastery appears in the distance on the northern bank.



8. At the exact moment our boat rounds the buoy and nears the monastery, the sun breaks through the clouds!



9. A breathtaking sight, with our boat gliding along the monastery walls in absolute silence.



10. The sky, now a deep blue, makes the vibrant colors of the onion domes pop.



11. We sail slowly past the monastery under extraordinary light— something our little compact camera can’t fully capture.



12. As promised, the captain and his crew adjust the exit ramp. You can’t tell from the photo, but even with the planks, it was a close call— the van’s chassis barely cleared the ramp. We thanked them warmly.



13. By the end of the day, the monastery is, of course, closed. But another miracle happens! It turns out the passenger who crossed with us is the mayor’s wife. When Sylvie told her we were from France, she called her husband, who immediately contacted the Mother Superior. Like in a dream, the monastery opens just for us. A nun and a guard come to meet us and take us through the chapels and gardens!



14. A visit all the more intimate since only the silent nuns, deep in prayer, are present in these sacred spaces.



15. After dinner in our little van, we enjoy the exceptional light illuminating the now-closed monastery. We’re the only visitors, and the site feels like a massive ship anchored on the Volga.



16. The setting sun now bathes the monastery walls in gorgeous pink hues!



17. Gradually, the legendary Volga itself takes on magical colors! For the night, I’ll just back the van up to level it. It’ll take us a while to fall asleep after such intense moments.



18. Just as inexplicably, the magic continues the next morning! Seeing I’m struggling with my knee, the guard lets us drive slowly along the monastery’s perimeter path. So there we are at dawn, solitary wanderers between the Volga and the monastery walls.



19. The morning light now illuminates the monastery’s eastern façade, which we hadn’t admired yesterday. An exceptional moment.



20. Even more impressive when we realize we’re on the nuns’ prayer path. We cross paths with them—tall, silent, black-clad figures, fully covered.



We leave Makaryevo with regret, following the Volga toward Kostroma on the Golden Ring. That’s about all there is to add.

We’ve already taken three long trips through Russia in our little van. The travel journals are shared in the link in our signature.

Best regards, Sylvie & Bernard

Hi everyone. We’re planning a two-month trip to Morocco and Mauritania this fall (2026). We’d like to use this trip to get some bodywork and paint done on our VW T4 camper bus. Does anyone have recommendations for trustworthy auto body shops (either personally tested or firsthand recommendations)? Thanks in advance.

"Hey fellow road-trippers! 🚐🔥 After 4 years on the road, I’ve noticed something simple: we’re all looking for the same things. Authentic welcomes, great local eateries, and stops that don’t feel like supermarket parking lots. But it’s always bugged me to see small producers or local guesthouses getting their margins eaten up by big booking platforms. That’s why I created TerraNomad. The concept is straightforward:

The pro (farmer, restaurant, small campsite, guesthouse) pays no commission to be on our map. In return, they offer a special welcome or discount to members.

It’s direct, local, and human. We’re starting in France, then heading together toward Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Quick question: Does this kind of "no-middleman" network speak to you? I’m opening the first 100 Founding Member spots this Friday night (special launch price at 12 € for the year—just 1 € per month). Can’t wait to read your thoughts and see if you’d be up for this adventure! 🌍✋"

Is it complicated to rent a car and drive in Morocco? Also, is an international driver’s permit mandatory? Thanks

hi where can you park a camper van in Trieste to sightsee and sleep? thanks

Hi there, Does anyone have a good agency recommendation for renting a camper van in Morocco (Marrakech or Essaouira) for about two weeks in March 2026? Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone,

We’re a family of four—two adults with two kids aged 4 and 7—about to embark on a year-long round-the-world trip in a camper van. I’m currently planning the Asia leg, which should last about 6 months. We’ll arrive in Thailand in January, head north, then move on to Laos. Ideally, we’d continue to Vietnam, Cambodia, and then return to Thailand to head south into Malaysia. If the budget allows, we’d love to include China and Japan. The big question after lots of research is: how easy is it to temporarily import a vehicle into these countries? The info I’ve found is outdated (2019–2020), and given how quickly regulations change, I’d love to hear from anyone currently (or recently) traveling in these countries with their vehicle. I’ve read that you need a local guide in Vietnam, local license plates in China, and that importing a vehicle into China is quite complicated—are these rules still in place? More generally, is there a recommended route for this part of the world with a camper van?

Thanks in advance!

hello fellow travelers For my golden years, I'd like to drive to India in my 508. I want to avoid Iran and Pakistan. Instead, I’m thinking of going through Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, then taking the ferry from Baku to Türkmenbaşy in Turkmenistan, followed by the Silk Road through Central Asia—Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

After that, China? I’ve seen that some travelers manage to drive through China with their own vehicle... Then Tibet, Nepal, and India... But things get tricky with the Himalayan crossing. I’ve checked on Google—it looks tough.

Any tips or info on these routes? Thanks

Hi, It seems that vans and campervans aren't allowed on Hurtigruten ferries? We have a California van with a bike rack—length: 5.70 m / height: 2.20 m / width: 1.95 m. We'd like to take the ferry from Trondheim to the Lofoten Islands this coming September. Thanks for sharing any info!

regions Brittany, Rhône-Alpes, and Massif Central (Auvergne Limousin)

Hi fellow travelers, We’re planning our first trip to Iceland. We’re considering renting a 4x4 where we could sleep from time to time. My question is: What’s the current regulation in Iceland? Which areas allow sleeping in your vehicle, and where is it prohibited (requiring you to stay in campgrounds)? In June, is it possible to find spots without having booked in advance? Sergio

Hi there,

We’re traveling in our camper van from Haute-Savoie.

We’ve got 2 weeks in April and want to explore northern Portugal.

We’re thinking of:

- Peneda-Gerês National Park - the Douro Valley - Porto

We love nature, hiking, and culture (and also good food and wine).😉

Do you have an itinerary to suggest?

Thanks in advance for your replies

Hi there,

We're planning a full week in Iceland in April. Given the short timeframe to prepare, I’m asking for some help on the forum.

We’re considering renting a camper van to be more independent with our travel. - Is this really a good idea at this time of year due to weather conditions (cold nights, poor road conditions, etc.)? - Can we just "park" anywhere for the night to sleep, or do we absolutely have to go to a campsite? What are the approximate rates for a van with 2 people? Do we need to book in advance? - If this mode of transport is recommended, do you have any good places to rent one?

Iceland is still a big island with lots of points of interest, so I think it’ll be tough to see everything in 8 days. - Are there parts of the island we should prioritize in April? We like hiking (nothing too long—6 or 7 hours is out of the question) and unique landscapes. - Are some sites inaccessible at this time of year? - Is Reykjavik worth stopping for a day or two?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

Jeff

Hi there,

Most of the time when I travel, I tow a trailer with an ATV for my local trips... I’d love to hear from anyone who’s traveled with a trailer and a second vehicle of any kind—especially the downsides of towing a trailer in Norway, aside from ferry costs.

Thanks!

hi, I’m planning a trip to Albania in a camper van, most likely between May, June, and early July (2027), for about 60 days. On the way down, I’ll go as far as Bari (or Brindisi) and cross by ferry, and on the way back, I’ll go through the former Yugoslavia (or maybe take the return ferry?). Has anyone been there recently? What are the roads like, the must-see spots, and any general tips you can share? There’ll probably be two of us traveling together. Thanks

Hi there, During our last trip to Greece in 2021, we used Anek Lines' open deck offer, which allowed us to spend the night in our van on an open deck by the sea with access to the ferry's bars, restaurant, and showers (on the Ancona-Igoumenitsa route). From my initial research, it seems this service no longer exists—can anyone confirm this? Any alternatives? Thanks

Hi everyone, I’m planning to drive my camper van to southern Spain in autumn 2026. Ideally, I’d like to find a ferry leaving from France (Marseille or Toulon, doesn’t matter) that drops me off as far south in Spain as possible. I’ve done some research but haven’t had any luck. Thanks for your tips! Vanouk

We’d like to spend 15 days in August visiting Normandy by camper van, starting from Lyon. Has anyone got an itinerary to suggest for exploring Normandy?

We’d like to go to Calvados to visit: Flower Coast, Honfleur, Cabourg, Deauville, D-Day landing beaches

Mont Saint-Michel

Alabaster Coast, Étretat cliffs, and maybe Rouen Fabienne

Hi there, I have a bit of a crazy dream... I'd love to drop everything and hit the road with my wife and kids in a camper van. I want to visit villages to learn, immerse ourselves in other cultures, and see different perspectives on the world. To teach my kids different values.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a campervan road trip and would love some tips from those who know these countries: Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia again. At the moment, nothing’s set in stone, but for example, is it better to visit Slovenia or Bosnia? My preferences lean toward landscapes (rivers, sea, lakes)—basically anywhere there’s water! :) Wild camping, cheap or even free spots, and a *very* tight budget—it’s the discovery, curiosity, and meeting locals that drive me. I’ll visit cities and sites only if access is easy (by bike, for example, or by train from an affordable campsite) and if visitors aren’t treated like cash cows. Just reasonable stuff, really. So, any advice is welcome—like swimming spots or easy hikes along coasts or rivers. I love caves and offbeat visits (salt mines in Poland, La Roque Saint-Christophe in France, etc.). Castles and old ruins? Not really my thing... Thanks for your help! Sylvia

Hi, I’m planning to pick up a camper van in Dubai and drive it back to France... is this even possible? What’s the best route? What are the main challenges? Are there secure parking areas along the way? Is diesel fuel available for the whole trip? ... So many questions... Thanks for your help! See you soon!

I'm planning to drive to the UAE by road, going through Iraq. Has anyone done this and can give me some info? Specifically about the border crossings Turkey/Iraq and Iraq/Kuwait.

Hi there, I’d love to hear your thoughts on a trip to New Zealand in a campervan. Is it a good idea to mix hotels and a car on the North Island and a campervan on the South Island? Or should I do the whole trip in a campervan—though visiting big cities seems trickier that way. Other questions: which companies do you recommend, and what are the least tiring or most sensible routes? 😄 Thanks for sharing your experiences and ideas!

Hi there, We’re planning to tour Scandinavia by camper van—Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway (in that order)—for 5 weeks from late May to late June 2026. I’ve done it before, but that was way back in 1980 😎 and by hitchhiking! We’d love to hear from anyone who’s done this trip about the best routes, great tips, must-know advice, and what to do or avoid (ferries, campsites, etc.). Thanks in advance!

hi there,

We’re heading to southern England this summer in our camper van, including a stop in London.

Does anyone have a good experience with a campsite near London that has easy access to public transport to get into the city center? Ideally, we’d like to leave the camper van at the campsite...

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip with my camper van in autumn 2026 to head to southern Italy from Genoa by ferry. Ideally, I’d like to leave from Genoa for southern Italy (like Messina) or another city in the boot. I’ve done some research online but haven’t had any luck. Can you help or give me some advice? Thanks in advance! Vanouk

Hi there, we’ll be in Portugal from March 9 to April 14, 2026. We’ve booked our first five days in Lisbon for sightseeing. After that, we’d like to rent a campervan (RV), but we’re having trouble finding a good site for the rental. The rental would be for about three weeks. Do you have any suggestions for us? We think it’s best to book the campervan before we arrive. And since we’re not mechanics, we need a vehicle in good condition...

Thanks so much for your suggestions. We’re open to everything—even route ideas and places to visit! Pierrette

Hi everyone, We’re leaving from New York and want to head to Quebec in January to visit friends. We’re traveling in our camper van with all-terrain tires and have chains. Is that possible? From what we’ve heard, winter tires are mandatory, which we get—otherwise, there are heavy fines. Can anyone give us some info? Thanks