Discover Eastern Europe at your own pace
Honest travel stories and practical tips about mountain lakes, camping, cottages and hotels.
Welcome
Peace, space and a touch of adventure
Eastern Europe surprises. Clear lakes beneath steep mountain walls, coastal villages that are still quiet, and hospitable people. We travel there ourselves and share what we learn along the way: where to camp beautifully, which cottages are worth it and when a hotel is the smarter choice.
Travel ideas by season
What suits best right now?
Ideas with sources, by season.
Camping gear
Well prepared for the campsite
No special offers, just what we take with us ourselves and what we pay attention to.
Tent and sleeping bag
Choose a tent that stands firm in mountain winds. In the Julian Alps it cools down a lot at night, even in summer: pay attention to the comfort temperature of your sleeping bag.
More about tents · More about sleeping bags and mats
Photo: ModalPeak · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
Cooking on the road
A compact gas stove with a screw-on cartridge is easy to find in Slovenia and Croatia at outdoor shops and larger supermarkets.
More about cooking on gas · Cooking at the campsite
Photo: Mikael Korpela · CC BY-SA 3.0 · all photo credits
Shoes and clothing
Sturdy hiking boots for the mountain trails, water shoes for pebble beaches on the Adriatic coast, and always a rain jacket in the backpack.
More about clothing and shoes: the packing list · More about hiking
Photo: DocteurCosmos · CC BY-SA 3.0 · all photo credits
Water and hygiene
Bring a reusable bottle. Wild camping is prohibited in Slovenia and Croatia: choose a campsite or a small-scale camp.
More about sanitary facilities · Wild camping and campsites by country
Photo: BLMArizona · Public domain · all photo credits
Camping in the low season
Travelling in the early or late season? With the CampingCard ACSI you pay a fixed, lower rate per night at participating campsites, including pitch, two adults, electricity and a hot shower. Tourist tax is extra, and which weeks count differs per campsite. So check the period for your campsite. Source: CampingCard ACSI
More about costs and saving money
Photo: Dreamy Pixel · CC BY 4.0 · all photo credits
Rules worth knowing
A few things we looked up in the official sources, so you don't get any surprises.
Slovenia: campsites only
Wild camping is prohibited throughout Slovenia. With a camper van you stay overnight at a campsite or at a special camper van area; these have electricity, water and a place to empty your toilet. Source: Slovenia.info
More about this country · More about choosing a campsite · More about wild camping and campsites by country
Photo: Alex Sirac · CC BY 4.0 · all photo credits
Triglav National Park
In the park you may not pitch a tent or spend the night outside the designated places. A camper van may also only stay overnight at a campsite: there are no parking areas intended for that. Swimming in the high mountain lakes and streams is not allowed (this does not apply to Bohinj or Bled). Source: Triglav National Park
More about this country · More about choosing a campsite · More about wild camping and campsites by country
Photo: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
Croatia: registered campsites
Camping outside registered campsites is punishable in Croatia. With a camper van you may also stay on parking areas that are expressly designated for it. Many campsites have a spot at the entrance for a short stop. Source: Camping.hr
More about this country · More about choosing a campsite · More about wild camping and campsites by country
Photo: Stefanocek · CC BY-SA 3.0 · all photo credits
Tourist tax in Croatia
Anyone who stays overnight at a campsite or other accommodation pays tourist tax. Children under 12 are exempt, young people aged 12 to 18 pay half. Ask your campsite what the amount is. Source: gov.hr
More about this country · More about costs and saving money · More about wild camping and campsites by country
Photo: Avij · Public domain · all photo credits
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