We are Dana and Claudiu, originally from Romania, but for the past five years, we have found a home in our DIY camper on the road.
I, Dana, have always been passionate about travelling—it brings me the most joy. When I met Claudiu, we started taking camping trips to Greece, but soon realized that having a van could be even better. While searching online for inspiration, mainly on YouTube and Instagram, we fell for the phenomenon of “van life.” We were captivated by a van tour of a British couple, so much so that it became our motivational video—we watched it over and over, dreaming of having a camper of our own.
DIY Camper Build: A Leap into the Unknown
With this dream in mind, we began searching for the perfect van. Our main concern at the time was size—we believed “the bigger, the better.” Eventually, we found a Fiat Ducato that had previously been used as a mobile shop for an Italian phone company. With 9m² of living space, we decided it was the right choice and started converting it—without ever having seen a real DIY camper before!
It took us a year of working every day after our jobs to complete the build. We planned to quit our jobs, rent out our house, and start travelling. However, by the time we finished our camper in June 2020, the world was in the middle of a pandemic. Everything was at a standstill, and we questioned whether this was the right time for such a life-changing decision.
Despite the uncertainty, we went ahead, left everything behind, and set off for Greece. We stayed there for a year, living our dream life by the beach. But at the same time, we felt like we were playing it safe and not truly travelling. There was so much more to explore beyond Greece.
Switching to a Smaller, Off-Road Camper
After a year of beachside living, we craved real adventure. However, our first camper was not ideal for what we had in mind. We needed something smaller, more capable of off-road travel, and reliable enough to handle different fuel qualities worldwide. So, with a heavy heart, we sold our Fiat Ducato and bought a 1991 Mercedes 210 D, also known as a T1. This van had rear-wheel drive, a locking differential, and “only” 4.8m² of space—perfect for venturing off the beaten path.
The second conversion took five months, and if you’re interested in how we transformed our Mercedes into a DIY camper, we documented the entire process on our YouTube channel.
Overlanding: A Journey of Constant Change
With our new camper, we embarked on a true overlanding adventure, deciding to spend the winter in the Arabian Peninsula. However, our journey didn’t stop there—we eventually found ourselves in Central Asia the following summer. This wasn’t planned, but van life has taught us that plans are always changing. Some changes bring joy, while others force you to adapt. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is to embrace each day as it comes.
The most beautiful aspects of van life are the freedom and the constant change—new landscapes, cultures, food, and the people who become lifelong friends. We’ve become addicted to this lifestyle; it’s the best learning experience, not just about the world but also about ourselves and our relationships.
Of course, van life isn’t always easy. Our toughest time was in Kazakhstan. The extreme heat (without air conditioning), terrible roads (forcing us to drive at 20 km/h), and lack of inspiring scenery made us question what we were doing. It was exhausting rather than rewarding. But as soon as we crossed into Kyrgyzstan, everything changed—we fell in love with the country, and our enthusiasm returned.
Many people back home think we’re on a never-ending vacation, but that’s far from reality. Van life is a lifestyle that gives us freedom, but it’s definitely not a holiday.
A Day in Our Van Life
Despite the ever-changing surroundings, we like to keep a bit of routine. We always have breakfast in bed—unless we need to cover a lot of distance, in which case we grab something on the go. After breakfast, we explore the area or take care of essentials like refilling water, getting diesel, or buying food, which can take up half the day.
Lunch is always at 1 PM. Afterwards, we either continue driving or, if we find a great spot, we settle in for the day. If we’ve been on the move for several days, we take a break to relax—always in nature, never in cities, which now feel too loud and stressful after years on the road.
Keeping our small living space organized is crucial. Everything has a designated place, as things can’t be left lying around, especially when driving on rough terrain. Daily tidying is a must; otherwise, the van quickly feels cluttered.
How We Fund Our Van Life
Part of our budget comes from renting out our home, but this doesn’t cover all our expenses, so we rely on our savings as well. We are mindful of our spending, knowing that careful budgeting allows us to travel longer. Our biggest expense is diesel, followed by food, visas, car insurance, and SIM cards. Occasionally, we buy small souvenirs, but overall, we live simply.
Taking the Leap into Van Life
When we first started, we had so many fears. Everything was unknown and a bit scary, yet exciting. The hardest part wasn’t adapting to the lifestyle—it was deciding to leave in the first place. Looking back, we often think, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”
For anyone dreaming of van life—or any other big adventure—our advice is simple: just go for it. Taking that leap of faith opens doors to new possibilities, and you might just find the life you were always meant to live.
