Hey! I’m Chantal. My boyfriend is Donny, and my travel buddy is Ollie—my ginger adventure cat and the true star of the show. We have been full-time travellers for almost four years. Together, we live and travel around Europe and now drive the Silk Road in our self-built Volkswagen Crafter van. In a search for a place to permanently settle around Europe, I packed up my life (and a ton of cat treats) and decided to hit the road.
One-and-a-half years ago I met Donny, also travelling in his campervan and we decided to convert our campervan together last year. I guess Ollie must be the most travelled cat in the world by now. Together with the van, we have been in 27 countries and 3 continents. Much more will follow, hopefully!
Vanmates, Soulmates & A Ginger Cat Who Runs the Show
I guess what inspired me to start travelling was this feeling that life is just too short to stay in one place. I wanted to wake up to new views, explore different cultures, and give Ollie a life filled with endless adventures — and endless snacks. Every new place brings fresh surprises, new friends, and a reminder that home is wherever we park the van. And speaking of home… you’ve probably seen Donnie pop up in my stories by now!
Somehow, between van breakdowns and unexpected detours, the universe decided to throw us together—and we haven’t looked back since. From friends to travel buddies to full-time van roommates, we’ve built a life that’s chaotic, adventurous, and (mostly) organized in our tiny home on wheels. At this point, there’s no pretending girls don’t poop, no hiding the messy bed hair, and definitely no escaping Ollie’s 5 AM zoomies. But that’s van life!
Grateful every day for meeting someone who just gets it—the love for the road, the joy in the little things, and the fact that snack breaks are non-negotiable. And hey, if accepting my ginger van-destroyer wasn’t proof enough, I think we’re in it for the long haul. I still don’t know where (or if) I’ll ever settle down — maybe it’ll be a lifelong search. But for now, as long as I’ve got my van, my furry co-pilot, my new co-driver, and a stash of snacks, I’m happy to keep rolling wherever the road takes us.
Right now, we’ve just rolled into beautiful Turkey—new country, new adventures, and probably a new round of van repairs. Our big plan? Following the legendary Silk Road! But before diving into that, we swapped van life for ski life and hit the slopes on a wild Balkan ski trip.
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Van Build: Trial, Error, and Chaos
The first van I built with my ex-boyfriend. We went all in and built our own van! After endless debates over what vehicle would work best for us, we landed on an extra-high Opel Movano. The whole transformation started during the pandemic when we were lucky enough to snag a spot in Utrecht to get to work.
The build process took several months — and a fair bit of trial and error, since we had zero experience in van building. From trying to figure out solar panels to installing a water system and a diesel heater, it was a mix of excitement, confusion, and some questionable decisions. But we had a blast doing it!
After all these building days, we were the proud owners of a custom van that was more “home on wheels” and less “mobile chaos,” although there’s definitely still a little chaos in there!
After the first van and a breakup, I partly converted my second van. Which was smaller: a Renault master which homed my solo travelling Europe for a while. After meeting Donny, I decided to start the build for a third time. Not exactly the plan, and every time it´s a big struggle, but the result of a self-build van is so satisfying.
My favourite feature of our current Crafter camper has to be the custom roof rack we built. It was a must for us from the start. We needed space for solar panels, lights, a WIFI antenna, and of course… a rooftop terrace! We used aluminium profiles, which are lightweight, strong, rust-free, affordable, and super versatile.
Building it was quite the project—cutting the profiles, making everything watertight with T-nuts and bitumen tape—but it was so worth it. We can even attach our awning to the rack! The best part? Our rooftop terrace is perfect for enjoying a coffee with a view. It’s those little touches that turn our camper into more than just a vehicle; it’s a home on wheels with everything we need to live and work from anywhere.
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Cat, Van, Adventure: The Ultimate Combo
Since starting van life, everything has shifted – for the better, mostly! We’ve become much more spontaneous, constantly on the move and embracing the unexpected. There’s no more waiting for the weekend or a holiday to go on an adventure – every day is an opportunity to explore new places, meet people, and experience different cultures. We’ve learned to live with less, which means our focus has shifted from accumulating things to collecting experiences.
On a more practical level, we’ve had to get creative with space, manage our time a lot better, and become expert problem solvers (because van life is full of surprises!). And, of course, there’s Ollie, who’s now officially the most well-travelled cat in Europe.
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The Road Less Taken (and Almost Not Taken)
One of those moments in our daily life on the road… It all started on our way to Rogla Ski Resort. We were following our GPS blindly, as usual, trusting it to guide us on some scenic adventure. Then, out of nowhere, it directed us down this tiny, icy, unpaved mountain road. We still had 45 minutes to go. We looked at each other, silently wondering, “Is this a bad idea?” But then I remembered my motto for 2025: “It’s a good idea, or it’s a good story.” So, naturally, we decided to go for the story.
We rattled up the mountain, battling a 1500-meter elevation with snow chains that were probably still virgins. The road was so slippery we couldn’t even walk without feeling like penguins on a slip ’n slide. My heart was pounding, my armpits were sweating, but Donny? He was calm as ever, handling the situation like a pro. I was gripping the seat like it was a rollercoaster, praying we’d make it. And we did—barely. The next day, a local casually told us, “You took the old road… nobody uses that anymore.” Thanks for the heads-up, buddy.
The next day, we reached the tiny ski resort, hoping for some sunshine. It was the kind of adventure that only van life can bring, even when things go a little haywire. But, if you think that was wild, let me tell you about crossing the border from Montenegro to Serbia.
Ollie, the Baby Tiger: Van Life’s Secret Weapon
We rolled up to the border with Ollie, our “baby tiger,” nestled in his cozy Cat Cave, a secure little hideout we built to keep him safe at crossings. When the border officer looked in the window, he stared at Ollie and asked, “You have no cat, you have a baby tiger?”
The officer’s eyes went wide as Ollie, woken from his nap, gave him a look that could only be described as “royal disdain.” The officer burst out laughing, and before we knew it, all his colleagues gathered around to see our “baby tiger” in action. They were laughing, asking about Ollie, our travels, and where we were headed next. Ollie, of course, just sat there, staring at them like they were interrupting his very important nap.
It’s moments like these that make van life so much fun. We didn’t just cross a border that day; we made a bunch of new friends, all thanks to our grumpy little cat. We’ve got our “Cat Cave” for moments like these, and so far, it’s worked like a charm—keeping Ollie safe and giving us a good laugh along the way. Even at the Moroccan border, no one asks for his documents. They just wave him through like he’s royalty.
That’s the thing about van life—it’s full of unexpected adventures, funny moments, and stories that keep you smiling long after they happen. And who knows what tomorrow will bring… hopefully, something with fewer icy roads and more sunshine.
Chasing Mice and Dreams Across Europe
The absolute best part of van life is the freedom it brings. One day we’re scaling mountain peaks, the next we’re lounging on a beach after a kite surf session, and by evening, we might be exploring a quaint little village. No matter where we roam, we always return to our familiar, cozy home on wheels — complete with our beloved cat, Ollie.
Building the camper ourselves makes our lifestyle even more special. Every inch of space has a purpose: the bed transforms into a comfy couch, the pet crate doubles as a seat, and with a simple wooden plank, the steering wheel becomes a handy desk. It’s a small space, but it holds endless possibilities — and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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Mess, Missed Friends & Misplaced Socks: The Reality of Van Life
One of the toughest parts of van life? The constant mess — and missing my close-knit Utrecht crew. We do our best to keep the van tidy, but it’s a losing battle sometimes. You peel an apple, the cat kicks around litter, you walk in with dirty feet, toss your socks in a corner, and suddenly the van feels (and smells) like a mini petting zoo.
Then there’s the homesickness. Even in the most stunning locations, there are moments when you wish your friends could be there to experience it with you. Or you catch yourself out of the conversation with your partner — because when you do everything together, silence eventually sneaks in. And yes, seeing photos of loved ones cheering on their favourite club at De Kuip on a Sunday can sting a little.
Freelance Life: Skiing, Sunsets, and Deadlines!
We fund our travels through a combination of freelancing and seasonal work. I started off doing a few hours a week from the camper, which was already awesome and then added winter season work to help fund our adventures. Now, I’m officially a freelancer in marketing and communications with my business, ‘ChantiConnects,’ and I’m diving deep into the digital nomad world.
Of course, it’s not all lounging on a beach with a cocktail in hand while typing away on the laptop. (I wish!) It’s a lot of hard work, but the flexibility and freedom to do it from anywhere are totally worth it. It’s a balance of work and adventure—like squeezing in a ski session before a deadline or finding the best spot in nature to get the creative juices flowing!
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Van Life: Embrace the Mess, Cherish the View
For those considering van life, remember that it’s a journey of freedom, creativity, and adaptation. It’s easy to get swept up in the romanticism of life on the road, but it comes with challenges—small spaces, no luxury amenities, and constant change. But if you’re open to the adventure, it’s an experience that teaches you a lot about flexibility, making the most of what you have, and creating your own version of “home.”
Surround yourself with a supportive community, embrace the messy moments, and always make time to appreciate the simple joys—like the peace that comes from waking up to a new view, or sharing your space with those you love (even if that means a mischievous cat). And most importantly, stay true to your dreams—whether that means following them across the world or finding a little peace and quiet in a temporary home along the way.
Instagram: chanti.and.ollie
Find Chantal, Donnie and Ollie here
