Pure vanlife: a campervan journey through Russia

‘We will set off in search of new horizons. It is a journey into the unknown, full of adventure and challenges that await us even before we set off. In order to really understand Russia and its people, we need to form our own picture, open up the drawers, question our preconceptions and be prepared to be surprised,’ explains Nicole.

Bureaucracy and patience

We have to deal intensively with the necessary documents in advance. The visa application is just the beginning. We also need other documents, such as a customs import certificate for our campervan. The border crossing itself is a lesson in patience - numerous checkpoints, countless forms and penetrating glances from the officials who call us in for questioning. Hours pass before our names are called out. We walk through a narrow corridor.

‘Locked doors. One is open, revealing a barren room ... The table is flanked by two men, as if they were referees in a game unknown to us, while we sit on the hard chairs on the long side. My heart beats faster ...’, Nicole summarises the moment.

The art of communication

In addition to the bureaucratic hurdles, communication is always a real challenge for us. Our translation aid fails again and again as soon as the internet gets lost in the vastness of the country. Hands, facial expressions and the omnipresent smile - they become our new vocabulary as we manoeuvre our way through adventurous encounters.

Our ADRIA TWIN Supreme - a reliable home on wheels

From the very first moments of our journey, our ADRIA TWIN Supreme has been a reliable partner. In the morning, we make coffee in our kitchen and enjoy breakfast with a view of the vast forests and glistening lakes through the panoramic windows. The intelligent storage space solutions ensure that we always have everything to hand.

Our campervan takes us on the roads of Russia. We pass through towns and villages that have centuries of history behind them and take in the passing landscapes. After a day full of experiences, we reflect on the day's adventures, enjoy the small challenges of travelling and plan our next stage.

Our challenges on the journey

The search for a pitch always presents us with challenges. It's often like looking for a needle in a haystack. The internet disappears like hot coffee vapour in the vastness of Siberia when we need it most. But every hurdle we overcome brings us closer together as a family. We learn to rely on each other and celebrate the small successes - whether it's finding the perfect pitch or deciphering a menu.

‘On our journey through Russia, there are always sections of the route where our navigation system fails completely. This time, too, it let us down. It can't find us. The navigation system shows us in the middle of a river that is not visible to us or gets stuck and thinks we are travelling at 246 km/h through the deserts of Africa - we have never experienced anything like it. We concentrate on the Cyrillic letters and follow the signs. In towns, we keep our eyes open and follow our intuition. On the way, we always find beautiful places in the middle of nature, even without GPS.’

Some stages of our journey to Lake Baikal

In Yekaterinburg, a city known not only for its impressive architecture but also for its eventful past, we immerse ourselves in history. It was here that the fate of the Romanov family ended on a dark night. We stand at the place where history buries an era with a final blow.

We visit other metropolises. Each city reveals its own flair. In Moscow, we admired the majestic domes of the Kremlin and the pulsating streets, while in St. Petersburg we marvelled at the splendour of the Tsarist era and experienced Russia's cultural diversity at first hand.

One city that gives us food for thought is Volgograd: a few streets behind the Volga, the facades of the buildings that are inextricably linked to the Soviet legacy are fading. The grass is growing between the slabs and the once proud buildings are crumbling, as if trying to shed the burden of history. The name Stalingrad echoes in the streets, a constant call to remembrance, deeply anchored in the city's identity. Volgograd leaves us pensive. It is an impressive city full of history and culture, and its sights are captivating. Its location on the Volga gives the city a picturesque backdrop, while the numerous monuments and museums keep the memories of its eventful past alive.

Lake Baikal welcomes us with silence, deep and calm like a reflecting sky. It is a place where time seems to stand still and nature can be felt with the senses. We let our minds wander and glide across the water with a stand-up paddle. Waves glisten like millions of diamonds in the sunlight. ‘Lake Baikal is an experience and an invitation to discover the wonders of the world with open eyes and to treat them with respect,’ says Nicole.

Our travel experiences summarised in a book

We would like to share our journey to Lake Baikal and the fascination of Russia with you. Get into our ADRIA, which has always been a faithful companion. It is not just a vehicle, but a home on wheels and our retreat. It is our ADRIA TWIN Supreme, which has always given us a feeling of security in the vastness of Russia and without which we would not have experienced the Russian adventure.

Our book ‘Russia - With the motorhome to Lake Baikal’ is a guide for all those who are looking for adventure and would like to embark on a similar journey. It is a mixture of personal diary, practical guidebook and historical reference book that authentically captures the beauty and challenges of Russia. We describe the stages of our journey with precise campsite coordinates, the most impressive highlights and important travel information. From the picturesque roads through the endless expanses of Siberia to the hidden gems along our route.

In a separate chapter, we look at the history of Russia - from the beginnings of Rus to the present day and also refer to the places we visited in this historical perspective.

 Come along! Yours sincerely, Nicole, Daniel and Ole from donventure.de

For more adventures follow us on Instagram!

Eure Nicole, Daniel und Ole von donventure.de

Follow us on Instagram!