Corfu was already a favourite destination for Joe and his girlfriend, who regularly visited the island by air. Once they had their Free Spirit campervan, they decided to try reaching it a different way. Their first European road trip took them through France and Italy before a ferry crossing to Corfu, putting their Mercedes Viano to use on a much longer journey than their usual weekends away.
Summary
After collecting their campervan in May 2026, Joe and his girlfriend built up experience through local camping trips and a longer drive to Yorkshire. They then travelled through France and Italy to catch a ferry from Bari, spending ten nights in Corfu before returning home. Joe enjoyed how the campervan handled the journey and came back with ideas for making their next European road trip even better.
Choosing Corfu for Their First European Road Trip
Joe and his girlfriend already knew where they wanted to go. They usually visited Corfu twice a year, and owning a campervan gave them the opportunity to explore an alternative to flying.
Their aim was to find out how the journey would work with their own vehicle, combining the roads through Europe with a ferry crossing to the island.
“We wanted to see if it could be done, and obviously it can be done.”
Choosing a familiar destination gave their first major trip a clear purpose. They were changing how they travelled while keeping a holiday they already enjoyed at the centre of their plans.
With annual leave to work around, the next step was fitting the outward journey, time in Corfu and return drive into their available dates.
Getting to Know the Campervan Before Departure
Joe began using the campervan soon after collecting it. Nearby camping trips gave the couple time to become familiar with their setup, while everyday driving helped him get comfortable behind the wheel.
A trip to Yorkshire provided an opportunity to experience a longer journey before heading abroad. Joe wanted to understand how the vehicle handled distance and get a better feel for its fuel consumption.
“I just wanted to see what the vehicle itself was like”
These early outings were useful preparation for their European road trip. By the time they left for Corfu, the campervan was already part of their routine.
For someone planning a first longer journey, that gradual introduction can be helpful. Familiarity with the vehicle allows you to concentrate on the route and the day’s travel, while knowing how your own living space works when you stop.
Travelling Through France and Italy to Bari
Their route took them south through France and Italy to Bari, where they caught a ferry to Corfu. Joe described allowing three days for the drive down, with their sailing providing a fixed point to plan around.
“We had to make sure that we got to the ferry in Bari by Monday evening.”
This was a journey focused on reaching their holiday destination. They kept sightseeing detours for another occasion and concentrated on making their connection.
That distinction helps when planning a European road trip. A journey with a booked ferry at the end needs a different timetable from an open-ended tour where you can extend each stop.
For readers exploring their own options, Superfast Ferries’ ports and destinations information includes Italian and Greek ports. Check the sailings available for your dates before settling on the driving route.
Enjoying the Mercedes on Longer Journeys
One of Joe’s strongest impressions was how much he enjoyed driving the campervan over that distance.
“It drives like a car.”
He had chosen the Mercedes Viano partly because he wanted a campervan that could also replace his everyday car. The longer journey gave him another opportunity to appreciate that familiar driving feel.
Joe described the vehicle as well suited to cruising and was pleased with how it handled the journey through Europe. Having used it locally and on the trip to Yorkshire, he now had experience of taking it much further afield.
That enjoyment mattered because driving was a substantial part of the holiday. His enthusiasm for the vehicle remained clear when he returned, and the trip gave him confidence to start thinking about doing it again.
Finding Places to Stop Along the Way
Joe and his girlfriend used roadside service-area stops during their journey through France and Italy. He appreciated being able to stop along their route and described parking areas separate from the fuel pumps.
“There’s like a separate sort of picnic area that you can go and park up in”
He was also pleased with the facilities available at the places they encountered, describing options including food, toilets and, at some stops, showers or laundry facilities.
These were useful discoveries for their particular journey. When planning your own stops, check each location’s facilities, parking arrangements and permission for overnight stays.
The French motorway service-area guide is a useful starting point for finding information about facilities along the motorway network. It distinguishes service areas with facilities such as food and fuel from simpler rest areas.
Arriving in Corfu by Ferry
After reaching Bari, the couple took the ferry to Corfu and spent ten nights on the island.
Joe particularly enjoyed their experience of boarding and travelling by boat. He described the crossings they used as quiet and praised the onboard facilities, making the ferry part of the holiday that he remembered positively.
For a couple accustomed to flying to Corfu, arriving with their own campervan was a new experience. They had worked out the route, made the connection and brought their vehicle to a destination they already loved.
Their return journey broadly reversed the outward route, bringing them back through Italy and France to the UK.
Planning Their Next European Road Trip
The first journey gave Joe plenty of ideas for the next one. Fuel and tolls were significant parts of the cost, so he began thinking about how a different route and a steadier driving pace could improve the overall trip.
He was considering leaving Italy from a port farther north, such as Ancona, or investigating a route from Venice towards mainland Greece before continuing to Corfu.
Those were possibilities to explore rather than confirmed plans. His thinking was to compare the cost of a longer ferry crossing with the fuel and driving involved in travelling farther south.
He also wanted to allow more time for the journey. With one successful trip behind them, they could approach the next with a clearer understanding of what suited them.
Taking Their Campervan Adventures Further
Joe’s first European road trip achieved what he and his girlfriend had hoped: they reached Corfu with their own campervan and enjoyed trying a different way to travel.
They returned pleased with the vehicle and ready to build on what they had learned. From local weekends to a journey across Europe, their Viano was giving them more opportunities to use it.
If you are considering a campervan for your own travels, explore our Mercedes Viano conversions or contact Free Spirit Campervans to arrange a visit. Call 01243 649087 or email info@fscltd.co.uk to discuss your plans.
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FAQs
Where did Joe go on his first European road trip?
Joe and his girlfriend travelled through France and Italy, then took a ferry from Bari to Corfu. They spent ten nights on the island before making the return journey.
Why did they choose to drive to Corfu?
They already visited Corfu regularly by air and wanted to try travelling there with their campervan. It gave them a new way to reach a destination they knew and enjoyed.
How did Joe prepare for the longer drive?
He used the campervan daily, took local camping trips and drove to Yorkshire. These journeys helped him become familiar with the vehicle and its performance over longer distances.
Which campervan did they use?
They travelled in their long-wheelbase Mercedes Viano, converted by Free Spirit Campervans. Joe also uses the vehicle as his everyday car.
How long did they allow to drive to Bari?
Joe described allowing three days for the outward drive. This was their own schedule, rather than a recommended driving time for everyone, and their booked ferry shaped the plan.
Did they stop for sightseeing on the way?
Their priority was reaching Bari in time for the ferry, so they kept the outward journey focused on travelling to Corfu. Joe would like to allow more time on a future trip.
Where did they stop overnight?
They used roadside service-area stops along their route. Anyone planning a similar journey should check the facilities and overnight-parking arrangements at each intended stop.
What did Joe enjoy about driving the campervan?
He liked its car-like driving feel and felt that it handled the longer journey well. The experience reinforced his enjoyment of a vehicle he had originally chosen for everyday use too.
What would they change on their next European road trip?
Joe wanted to allow more time, adopt a steadier driving pace and compare alternative ferry departure ports. He was considering whether a longer crossing could reduce the amount of driving through Italy.
Are they planning to take the campervan to Corfu again?
Yes. Joe said they were already planning another Corfu trip. Their first journey gave them practical experience to draw on when comparing routes, travel time and costs.
