Four Weeks, Seven Countries and a Snow-Covered Rebellion
Welcome to the next instalment in our ‘Traveller Tales’ series, where we share the stories behind the adventures of RP owners.
This time we join Danielle, Adam, Grayson and George as they take their beloved Rebellion, Reggie, on a four-week winter journey through Holland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg — complete with snow, Christmas park-ups, mountain scenery and memories to last a lifetime.
Rebellion Reggie
The best family memories were made, Sledging in Oberammergau
Where did you go on your trip?
Holland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg.
How long were you away for?
We were away for four weeks over Christmas and New Year.
What was the inspiration behind going where you did?
It started as a long-awaited trip back to Bergen in Germany, where I (Danielle) was born and lived for the first couple of years of my life. What began as a journey to see places I’d only ever known from old photographs quickly turned into an epic adventure exploring seven beautiful countries together as a family.
A beautiful sunset over Lake Lucerne
Were there any challenges along the way?
Snow. And lots of it. To be honest, apart from a frozen drain pipe due to temperatures hitting -20°C, the snow wasn’t an issue at all for Reggie (our beloved Rebellion). We were well prepared for all weathers and just made sure we always had plenty of food, fuel and warm clothes for our trips out. It reminded us that with the right preparation, you really can keep exploring no matter the conditions.
If someone asked why they should follow in your footsteps, what would you tell them?
Do it and enjoy every second. Life is too short for the ‘what ifs’. Travel, have amazing adventures and make the best memories with your loved ones that will last a lifetime. Every country we visited on this trip was absolutely stunning and so welcoming.
Two very happy boys on one big adventure!
Three favourite locations along the way?
There were so many beautiful places to choose from. Christmas Day at Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald, the tree top walk in Bad Wildbad, Germany, was unforgettable. Stunning scenery, fresh snow and the perfect setting for a magical Christmas.
A Beautiful Christmas Day Treetop Walk. Sommerberg. Bad Wildbad
Jungfraujoch in Switzerland was another highlight. The scenery was incredible and getting there was all part of the adventure, with an exciting ski lift ride followed by the highest cogwheel train in Europe. The ice caves were amazing to explore too, especially sliding around amongst the beautiful ice sculptures.
Titisee Lake was another favourite. A stunning lake surrounded by a lovely little town full of shops selling handmade items and cafés serving homemade cakes.
The ice caves at Jungfroujoch
Bergen Memories
But there has to be a number four. Returning to Bergen and seeing, in real life, the flat we lived in, the army camp and the places I’d seen so many times in photographs was really emotional. It felt surreal recognising places that I had no real memory of, yet somehow still felt familiar.
For the boys though, it was the Transport Museum in Lucerne. They could easily have spent a few more days there… and that includes the big boys too.
Any hidden gems you didn’t expect to find?
Bad Wildbad was really special. After following a dirt track to a simple little park-up beside a field, we found ourselves with access to a wooden hunter’s cabin and a huge fire pit. Then the snow came, meaning we could spend Christmas sledging down the field. Somehow Santa even managed to find us there too, which completely surprised the boys.
Boxing Day. Forest park up Calmback, Bad Wildbad and the fire pit.
Nothing better than family time, snow and a sledge. Boxing Day Forest park up Calmback, Bad Wildbad
Grindelwald was another unforgettable stop. We stayed on a little farm and showered in the cow shed… with the cows.
Then there was Oberammergau. We followed directions up an icy track late at night trying to find a park-up in thick snow and complete darkness. Unable to find the exact spot, we pulled over where we thought it should be and decided to sort it in the morning. When we woke up, we realised we’d parked at a closed ski slope overlooking a stunning snow-covered valley. Needless to say, the sledges came straight out and we spent the whole day racing down the slopes and having the best time.
If you could go back to one place, where would it be and why?
Honestly, we would do it all again. But if we had to choose one place, it would probably be Grindelwald. We didn’t get the chance to properly explore it and there are some incredible hikes there that we’d love to go back and experience.
Getting lost somewhere in the Black Forest National Park!
What advice would you give to someone planning a similar trip?
Go for it. Plan, but not too much, so you still have the freedom to go where your heart takes you. As long as you have plenty of food, fuel, drinks and the right clothes for the season, you’ll have the most amazing time.
It’s also surprisingly easy to find wild camping spots and park-ups, so there’s no need to book campsites too far in advance. And the RP vans can absolutely handle it. Four weeks, four people and not once did we need to plug in.
An accidental park up which meant a ski slope all to ourselves in Oberammergau
What did you learn from your journey that you’ll carry into future travels?
Snow won’t stop us in the beast of a van we have. There really are no limits to what you can do. We love exploring and already had experience with different types of trips before this one, but every adventure teaches you something new. That’s part of what makes travelling so addictive.