9 countries, 9 capitals: Southeast Europe by camper (3.5 tons)

4 weeks of vacation! 4 weeks on the road with the camper! A dream.

As mentioned in our first blog post: https://vakantio.de/binoculars/binoculars-uber-uns, we are total 'cityholics' and we want to get closer to our goal of visiting all countries in Europe with this road trip. Let's combine that and plan a route where we visit 9 countries with their capitals.

You can find pictures from the trip here: https://findpenguins.com/binoculars/trip/road-trip-sudosteuropa

In this blog, we want to give you tips for the ride with the camper (3.5 tons) in each country, list city-near camping sites, and report on our personal top highlight in each city.

9 countries! 9 capitals!

Here is an overview of the route:

* Czech Republic - Prague
* Austria - Vienna
* Slovakia - Bratislava
* Hungary - Budapest
* Serbia - Belgrade
* Bulgaria - Sofia
* Macedonia - Skopje
* Kosovo - Pristina
* Albania - Tirana

Let's go!

After making a rough travel plan, here is our tip no. 1: ADAC Tour Set

If you are an ADAC premium member, we recommend requesting a free tour set. It is free once a year. You provide your planned route and are equipped with maps, information flyers: data, facts, rules of the respective countries, and additional materials such as camping information, mobility information, etc.
And yes, when our navigation system said goodbye and our internet connection was rather poor, we switched to old-fashioned map driving. We always gladly take advantage of ADAC's offer to be well prepared before our trip.

# 1: Czech Republic

Vignette:

10-day vignette up to 3.5 tons = €12.50
- Available: ADAC on-site, order in the ADAC online shop, or simply at the border crossing, petrol stations, or post offices
Dipped headlights must also be switched on during the day.

Camping:

We stayed at Praguecamp: Císařská louka 162, 150 00 Praha 5-Smíchov, Czech Republic - https://www.praguecamp.cz/de/
The campsite is very close to the city. It's a 5-8 minute walk to either the tram (tickets available at the reception) or the ferry.
We used the tram, which took us to the beautiful city center of Prague in less than 15 minutes.

PRAGUE - Our top highlight:

It's always hard to limit yourself to one thing. Especially when it comes to such an enchanting, beautiful city like Prague. I may not manage it, but I'll keep it brief.

For our first top highlight, we chose the view from the Old Town Hall. Climbing up to have a view of Prague from the city center is worth it for 250 crowns per person, approximately €10. When you're back on the ground, make sure to keep an eye on the time. The famous Astronomical Clock of the Old Town Hall goes into motion every hour.

Another free highlight:

An absolute must is the (slightly strenuous) walk up to the Prague Castle. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the rooftops of Prague. It's worth every step of the way! It's here that you'll truly fall in love with the golden city. And here too: keep an eye on the time. At 12 o'clock, the Changing of the Guard takes place every day and it is truly worth seeing!

To conclude Prague, since I wanted to keep it short: Let yourself be magically guided through the streets of the Old Town, stroll across Charles Bridge, enjoy a delicious Baumstrietzl (here: Trdelník), and soak up the magic of Prague.

# 2: Austria

Vignette:

Here, the 10-day vignette for €9.50 up to 3.5 tons is sufficient. Although you will need another vignette for the return journey, the 2-month vignette for €27 is not worth it for us. It is available in digital form or as a sticker vignette. Also, have cash ready - additional road tolls apply for the route.

Camping:

We highly recommend the Motorhome Parking: Perfektastraße 49, 1230 Wien, Austria - http://www.reisemobilstellplatz-wien.at/
Simple, well-maintained, and uncomplicated for a city trip. The absolute plus points are the U-Bahn station just 2 minutes away, which takes you to the city center in about 20 minutes, and the supermarket next door.

VIENNA - Our top highlight:

We simply love viewpoints in cities. We are always on the lookout for them because they help us get a rough overview of the city and admire it from a different perspective. Ideally, I would recommend the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater, which offers a spectacular view as a 65-meter high landmark of the city. It is also the oldest still rotating Ferris wheel in the world, and the cabins exude that old charm as well. Unfortunately, it is €12 per person for just one rotation. The ride itself takes about 15 minutes due to the many stops, but I had the feeling that I wanted to experience the spectacle for longer. Nevertheless, if you have no fear of heights, you MUST experience the ride and savor every minute.

Lastly, since you're already in Vienna, how about having a Wiener Schnitzel?

#3 Slovakia

Vignette:

10-day vignette: €10 up to 3.5 tons. This is an e-vignette. Simply available here: https://eznamka.sk/de or at the border crossing, petrol stations, and post offices. Carry the purchase receipt!

Dipped headlights must also be used during the day.

Camping:

For example, Autocamp Zlate Piesky: Zlaté piesky 4370/8, 821 04 Bratislava, Slovakia - https://intercamp.sk/
The site is mainly large, and you have plenty of space to find your spot. It is definitely ideal for quickly reaching the city. The tram (tickets available at the reception) is conveniently located nearby and runs every 5-10 minutes to the city center. The campsite is located by the lake - perfect for winding down at the end of the day.

BRATISLAVA - Our top highlight:

I don't dare mention that it is an observation tower. But from the UFO, https://www.u-f-o.sk/de/index.html, you can experience the wonderful panoramic view of Bratislava. We don't want you to miss this view.

Quick tip: I was fascinated by the Blue Church (St. Elisabeth). The beautifully blue façade is a contrast to the usual Roman Catholic churches that one knows.

# 4: Hungary

Vignette:

You should get the E-vignette online and in advance: https://www.virpay.hu/index.html . Here you will also find the price category that suits you. Remember to keep your dipped headlights on during the day on motorways and outside built-up areas.

Camping:

We recommend the Camping Arena: Budapest, Pilisi u. 7/a, 1106 Hungary - https://arenacamping.eu/
The campsite is very well maintained, beautifully landscaped, and even in the height of summer, we were pleasantly shaded. To get to the city center, it takes about 3 minutes to walk to the bus stop, from where a bus goes to the metro station. With the metro, you can reach the city in a few stations. Overall, you should plan about 30 minutes from the campsite to the city center.

BUDAPEST - Our top highlight:

You definitely have to visit the Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya). The magnificent view with its many stairs and turrets almost reminds us, as Harry Potter fans, of Hogwarts. It is simply magical, and the view is fantastic, but experience it for yourself and be enchanted.

Our top tip: If you are looking for a culinary delight, you should visit the little Street Food Karavan. They also serve traditional dishes such as Hungarian goulash soup. A variety of dishes are offered in a cozy atmosphere. Bon appétit!

# 5: Serbia

Vignette:

You pay for toll highways, and you receive a ticket at the start of the section, which you pay for when you exit. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card and is divided into different price categories. The entry from the EU to non-EU can entail waiting times at the border.

Camping:

Camping options near the city are very limited. The Camp Dunav: Batajnički Drum 12, Beograd 11080, Serbia - http://www.campdunav.com/ serves our purpose. When you drive on the 'dirt road' that leads to the campsite and you think you're in the wrong place, you're in the right place. There is a bus to the city. The bus stop is a 10-minute walk away and is located on the main road. With the bus, it takes about 20 minutes to get to the city. In general, you should lower your expectations a bit. But for camping lovers, it shouldn't be a problem.

BELGRADE - Our top highlight:

Belgrade has a few sights to offer, and they should definitely be seen. Especially the Belgrade Fortress and the magnificent Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.

We consider the Skadarlija our highlight. Numerous restaurants line this old pedestrian zone. Green facades and floral decorations adorn the houses and restaurants, giving the artist's quarter charm. This makes the old street colorful and lively.

AND: You should plan to eat cevapcici during your Belgrade trip, delicious!

# 6: Bulgaria

Vignette:

7-day vignette: €8 up to 3.5 tons, available at the border crossing, petrol stations, and post offices. Part of the vignette is to be affixed to the windshield, and the second part serves as a receipt.

Camping:

Camping Ivan, bulevard 'Lomsko Shose' 220, 1231, Sofia, Bulgaria - https://www.campercontact.com/de/bulgarien/oblast-sofia-stadt/sofia/50402/sofia
A lovely spot in the garden of the owner Ivan. The place is monitored by video and you feel safe. We were blown away by the lovingly decorated place. You have to experience it.
€11 per night - Don't miss out!
With the metro, which is a 3-minute walk away, you can quickly reach the city center.

SOFIA - Our top highlight:

Here we visited our first mosque. That's why the Banya Bashi Mosque is our personal highlight. In summer, I was wearing shorts and a top. Polite men and women in front of the mosque offered me a headscarf and a floor-length robe so that I could enter. We have no comparison to other mosques, but we were impressed by the atmospheric blue-red color scheme and the simple, stylish flair. Above all, however, we were impressed by the politeness of the believers, who seemed to be happy about our interest.

Quick tip: Everywhere you can find quirky little kiosks (almost like small cellar kiosks) on the street. Just kneel down and buy a soft drink or something else through the little window.

# 7: Macedonia

Vignette:

No vignette required.

Camping:

Stellplatz Hotel Bellevue: Street 32 No.:24, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia - https://www.campercontact.com/de/nordmazedonien/opstina-aracinovo/skopje/19748/camping-bellevue
It is the only campsite we found in and around Skopje, and actually, it is only casually affiliated with the hotel. It's not really inviting, but you have plenty of space, it's secure, and it serves as a starting point for visiting Skopje. You can take a taxi, which the receptionist called for us. It costs €5, and there is always a taxi waiting somewhere for the return journey.

SKOPJE - Our top highlight:

Falling in love with Skopje! We set off for the capital with low expectations and left it fascinated. We found the combination of magnificent new buildings on one side of the river and a quaint old town on the other side charming, and on the stone bridge, we let our gaze dart from left to right.

Our personal highlight was the Old Bazaar. Here you'll find cafés and many small market stalls selling all sorts of stuff. And how I love stuff! Take your time to browse through, take home one or two souvenirs, and enjoy a few delicious sweets like Baklava for just a few cents. Attention: sugar shock. Because these pastries are dripping with syrup.

# 8: Kosovo

Vignette and Camping:

Here, no tip from us. We decided not to drive with the camper to Kosovo because:
From Skopje, there is a bus connection that takes us to Pristina for €10 per person. - Bus Station Skopje (Google Maps). The journey takes about 2 hours, but you can hardly travel cheaper on your own. Especially since half a day to three-quarters of a day is sufficient to explore Pristina. The trip is therefore perfect for a day trip!

PRISTINA - Our top highlight:

To be honest. We love traveling. We love cities. We love discovering new places and their beauties/peculiarities. BUT...
It was personally difficult for us to awaken our enthusiasm for Pristina. There are certainly very beautiful spots in Kosovo, but Pristina itself is rather unspectacular and somewhat lackluster for our taste.

There are a few 'sights' that we visited. Our highlight was actually the trip there, expanding our Europe checklist, AND:
In each country we visit on this road trip, we buy a magnet to pin it to our map of Europe back home. We actually found ONE souvenir shop and bought a magnet. For us, that was THE highlight. We were also able to get a giant sandwich for €1, so we at least drove back with a full stomach.

# 9: Albania

Vignette:

No vignette required.

Camping:

Hotel Baron - https://www.camping.info/de/campingplatz/hotel-restaurant-baron
Not a campsite, rather a parking lot with power outlets. The sanitary facilities for campers are located in the hotel. It is the only option for camping in Tirana, and it is okay for that purpose. It takes about 20 minutes by bus to get to the city center for approximately €0.50 per person. The receptionist exchanged a little money for us.

TIRANA - Our top highlight:

What we could experience is the national pride that the locals show here. We received a long lecture about the national hero 'Skanderbeg' from the receptionist, who enthusiastically raved about him, Albania, and the capital.
As non-Albanians, we don't quite share this elation, but we try to understand the perspective and view the city through different eyes, especially in Skanderbeg Square.
We liked the Pyramid of Tirana for no particular reason. It may be very old, but its unique appearance makes for a nice photo motif.
Traveling makes you hungry: so as a conclusion, we treated ourselves to a delicious souvlaki sandwich.

Those were our 9 countries, 9 capitals!

Personally, after the sightseeing city trip, we were overwhelmed with impressions and spent the next two weeks processing them on the beaches of Croatia.
At the most beautiful spot on the Peljesac Peninsula: Camping Nevio - https://www.nevio-camping.com/de/startseite/

https://vakantio.de/binoculars/peljesac-kroatien-tagestour-must-sees

On your way back from Albania to Germany, you will also pass the borders of:

Montenegro: No vignette, potentially toll roads
Bosnia and Herzegovina: No vignette. The ticket is calculated for toll roads, depending on the distance travelled.
Croatia: No vignette. Motorways are subject to tolls - ticket at the start of the toll road, payment upon exit
Slovenia: 7-day vignette - motorhome: €15
And once again Austria

So if you still have the desire and time, you can make additional stops. Just go for it, because...

... ending the blog with a quote:

'The world is a book. Those who do not travel only read one page.'

And don't forget:
We report on our personal experiences, opinions, and impressions. We are happy to receive further tips :-)

P.S:
We have already visited the countries where we did not make a stop on this road trip in a separate journey.
A blog post about: Slovenia - Ljubljana, Croatia - Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Dubrovnik, Montenegro - Podgorica, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo, Austria - Salzburg will follow.