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Chantal (from the Netherlands) and Lukas (from Switzerland) were dating long-distance and tired of being apart but didn’t know where to settle down. So they decided to ignore the question, convert an Opel Movano bus, and travel Europe! In the past two years, they’ve visited 24 countries and have big dreams to see more of the world from their van.
They call themselves a “traveling circus” with their ginger cat Ollie and newly adopted rescue dog Lefka along for the ride. Ollie rules the roost, but Lefka is finding a happy spot inside their little van. Enjoy their tour below and check out their van dreams at the end of the post!
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Their “Traveling Circus”: Two Adults & Two Pets
Images via @chantilukiollie
Their bed is a couch during the day and slides out into a bed at night.
Images via @chantilukiollie
There’s a two-burner cooktop and little sink.
Images via @chantilukiollie
A compact dorm fridge keeps food cold.
Images via @chantilukiollie
Some art, some meters, a fruit basket.
Images via @chantilukiollie
Their cat, Ollie, is the star of the show.
Images via @chantilukiollie
Ollie, trying to drive.
Images via @chantilukiollie
Meeting some other cats on the road.
Images via @chantilukiollie
A sunny nap. Her sheepskin on the dash is her favorite spot.
Images via @chantilukiollie
They have a pretty short van with a stealthy exterior.
Images via @chantilukiollie
Lefka, their adopted dog, is a new member of the family.
Images via @chantilukiollie
I love the twinkly lights inside the van.
Images via @chantilukiollie
They’ve enjoyed traveling Europe in the van.
Images via @chantilukiollie
Ollie didn’t love vanlife at first, but now she’s a rockstar.
Images via @chantilukiollie
Life on the road suits them.
Images via @chantilukiollie
They have big travel dreams! Read them below.
Images via @chantilukiollie
Their Dreams (And some inspiration for your travels!)
QUEEN MARY DREAM
Taking the Queen Mary 2 cruiseschip, where you can take your animals from UK to USA. Than they don’t need to fly. Ship our van by boat and travel from Alaska to Argentina.HIPPIE TRAIL DREAM
Driving via Romania (🐻) to Turkey. From there following the hippietrail (including skiing in Iran & Pakistan) to Kathmandu, Nepal. The country where Chanti lost her heart. Maybe if we’re anyways on the road, somehow drive on to Japan? Because why not?SANTA’S POLAR DREAM
“Just” a crazy wintertrip towards Lapland.. and maybe ship the van to Iceland? Ollie sais no to snow. And Chanti wants to be able to freeride on ski’s before doing that.BLUE SEA & BLUE BIRD DREAM
Buy a piece of land in Lefkada, Greece or somewhere else. Build up a place to be during spring, summer or autumn. And than spend the winters somewhere in the Alps or Dolomites.KITE & TRUCK FLIGHT DREAM
Buy a beachhouse in the Netherlands near Brouwersdam. Live in there in summers and the rest of the year rent it out. Build a truck van to live the autumns and springs on random places. And put the big truck in winters near a ski area.THE GOLDEN DREAM 💫💫
Have the happiness, financial stability, love, safety, peace and health to keep on dreaming. Start everyday with a coffee, a hug to each other and the animals, a walk in the nature and being surrounded by the kindest friends, family and other people. 🤮, BUT TRUE!!
Learn more
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Our big thanks to Chantal for sharing!🙏
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Natalie C. McKee
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This did it for me —- the cat!! Nice to see they’ve added another pet. Looks great to me — in many ways!!
So cool! I love i!