On September 25, 2025, we returned to Europe after crossing the Black Sea by ferry from Batumi (Georgia) to Burgas (Bulgaria). We were lucky with the calm and sunny weather during the sea voyage, as it was quite windy during the first few days in Burgas. We found a nice place to stay for the night on its northern beach, where we could play with the waves of the still pleasantly warm water of the Black Sea.
Old bunker with a beautiful painting on the Burgas beach promenade
Kitesurfing in Burgas - one person in the air
From Burgas we continued westward to Kabile and the old village of Cabyle, where we spent a few hours strolling around including the touching little museum – admission was free. The parking lot of the modern Kabile Monastery was a good place to stay the night.
Ancient city of Cabyle founded by the Thracians more that 4000 years ago and destroyed at the end of the 6th century AD
Figurine from the Cabyle Museum dating from the 5th millennium BC.
Exotic flower in the garden of Kabile Monastery
Another interesting city in this region is Stara Zagora, which was one of the largest towns in the Roman province of Trace.
People watching the final volleyball world championship match between Bulgaria and Italy in the ancient forum of Stara Zagora
The monument to the defenders of Stara Zagora was opened in 1977 about two kilometers east of the center.
Beautiful Sofia, with over 1.2 million inhabitants, is by far the largest city in Bulgaria and also its capital. We were thrilled to find Nicolay's campervan workshop, Kambanite, in eastern Sofia, where we could also camp and take bus number 3 directly into the exciting city center. Nicolay and his friend expertly and immediately replaced the silicone seals on our two skylights and other parts – thank you so much, Nicolay. Furthermore, he recommended the car repair shop Rp Auto Eood, which also did an excellent job in fixing the strange noises at the front of our car and carried out some maintenance work such as an oil change.
Mural in a basic mountain hut in the Ikhtimanska Sriedna Ghora, about 40 kilometers southeast of Sofia
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia
Samuel, King of Bulgaria betwee 997 and 1014, in front of the cathedral
Ivan Vazov National Theater
About 40 kilometers northwest of Sofia, near the Serbian border, we spent a few days in the Dragoman area, first in the Draghomansko Blato Wetland and then we went on a half day hike in the mountains.
Plants in the wetland
Cross on top of 1205 meters high Petrovski Krst - Peter's cross in western Bulgaria close to the Serbian border
We crossed Serbia quickly with two stops in the village of Gradasnica near the Bulgarian border and in the interesting city of Niš, which with around 250,000 inhabitants is the third largest city in Serbia. From Gradasnica we hiked few kilometers to the Thermal Springs Dag Banjica through a rocky and marvelous valley.
Alfred in the Thermal Springs Dag Banjica - water temperature approx. 28°C
Mural in the fortress of Niš
We decided to travel through eastern Croatia and Slovenia on our way home. In Croatia, we explored the pretty town of Slovanski Brod, which lies on the banks of the mighty Sava River, one of the Danube's largest tributaries.
Houseboats on the river Sava in Slovanski Brod
Mural on the waterfront promenade of Slovanski Brod depicting the Croatian War of Independence (1991 - 1995)
Modern but impressive church Cerkev Sv. Trojice in Odranci, Slovenia
In Styria, Austria, we enjoyed the thermal baths in Bad Radkersburg, opposite Gornja Radgon in Slovenia. After a short stop in Leoben, we continued quickly to the 1225-meter-high Präbichl Pass, as the weather forecast was excellent. On a warm and sunny day, we climbed the rocky peaks of the Tac-Spitze (2019 meters) and the Vordernberger Griesmauer (2015 meters) in the Hochschwab group in the far east of the Eastern Alps.
Southwestern view with the top of Vordernberger Griesmauer
Marion on the short via ferrata Herbert Wieser Klettersteig to the summit of Tac-Spitze
View to Vordernberger Griesmauer from the summit of Tac-Spitze
Pinnacle with the western mountain ranges
Our last stop was Kremsmünster in Upper Austria, where we discovered some interesting things surrounding the historic Benedictine Monastery, which is still in use and houses, among other things, a public secondary school.
In the convent of Kremsmünster
Mathematical Tower with astronomical observatories in Kremsmünster during Indian summer
Sexy advertisement in Kremsmünster opposite the abbey and in front of a retirement home
On October 14, 2025, we returned to Munich in our little camper after a journey of more than four months through Southeast Europe, Turkey, Armenia and Georgia.
For more pictures, please click here
For a map of our itineraries, click here
To download our GPS coordinates files of Bulgaria, Serbia or Austria, click here