Do you dream of a life as a digital nomad and already see yourself traveling around the world in a van? Then read the story of Michel Kleinjan. This professional adventurer and offgrid blogger has been traveling around in his van for 9 years and is happy to share his experience and tips with you. A Digital Nomad chooses freedom and adventure. A 9-year journey through Europe taught me all about perseverance. You too can go wherever you want and discover the world. Adventure means starting something and not knowing how it will turn out. That’s what a Digital Nomad chooses to do. It started in 1994 with an old cab bus to discover the world. Now the 3rd RV trip is already a reality. Young people in their camper vans along the way often say, “So cool! What a boss, already 9 years on the road with his camper van.”
In 2015, there was suddenly the possibility of working independently. An Internet connection is all it takes to make money on the go. Writing articles and blogs for websites generate income. In this article you will read how to achieve this, sustain it and be happy.
What makes the Digital Nomad happy?
Positive emotions come with adventures. When I am not at my laptop, free-climbing on steep rock cliffs, backpacking in the wilderness or swimming in the sea is my favorite activity. Being happy is very personal but always depends on three factors: behavior, genes and circumstances. Choosing the Digital Nomad life in an RV means a roof over my head with a crackling hot air heater. The luxury of a private bathroom. A nice bed and a hefty turbo engine under the hood for freedom of movement. My ideal environment consists of rugged mountain landscapes and idyllic coastlines. Go ahead and find out what your ideal remote working environment is.
Take action!
Taking action starts with realizing your ideal environment. Then minimize your costs; only necessary expenses remain. Now is the time to get moving! Invest in a vehicle that you can finance independently. In 1994, I transformed an old cab van with my daily wage as a freelancer. Unfortunately, it was later totaled.
The second motor home was financed with a loan, a big mistake.
Fortunately, the motor home was sold quickly, and it only cost a year’s worth of interest. In 2015, I used the profits from the sale of my home to buy a rugged 10-year-old RV. With this vehicle, I still travel about 15,000 km crisscrossing Europe every year. What should you do to enter into a remote working period or go on a workation? Discover the possibilities on the website of workingremotely.co.uk and take the first step towards your adventure!
Are you planning a Digital Nomad trip?
In Europe, five countries are perfect for a life on the road: Sweden, Germany, France, Spain and Portugal. All of these countries lend themselves well to doing your thing as a Digital Nomad. You can spend the night in the wild in addition to designated RV sites. Deep in the woods or on top of a mountain. Sometimes in a residential neighborhood because you have a meeting in the city with a client. These five countries have advantages that make Digital Nomads happy: a good mobile network with affordable and easily obtainable SIM cards, well-organized health care and readily available fuel and groceries. If you travel climate conscious, then visit each country once a year depending on the season. What countries do you dream of visiting while at work?
A year in my life as a Digital Nomad
Winter
January and February are the Portugal months. The finest spots are the very tip of the Algarve around the town of Sagres, a true Digital Nomad hotspot. The province of Castelo Branco inland and the Atlantic Silver Coast. Inland, you sometimes imagine yourself in Africa. Life there is cheap and simple. In early March, the trip continues toward the northwest coast.
Spring
In March, I trek along the Atlantic coast of Galicia. Via Santiago de Compostela along the northern coast of Spain where you can wave surf in thick wetsuits. Then through Spanish and French Basque Country, into one of the most beautiful parts of France. I always spend the night there next to the cemetery in Hasparren to celebrate the arrival in France. A beautiful village with sublime take-out pizza “Au feux de bois”. April and May are the French months with freeclimbing in Provence. This sport is great to combine with work in the morning and climbing in the afternoon when the spring sun has gained strength. In June, I visit clients and family in the Netherlands. June 21, as the longest day, is a symbolic date for the crossing to Sweden.
Summer
For Digital Nomads in RVs, summer is a hellish time. The heat can reach well over 40℃ in an RV, and it’s crowded everywhere. Both designated RV spots and public parking lots are often full. Right after the corona period, the number of RV tourists exploded. Sweden offers redemption. The further north you go, the fewer tourists. The wilderness there is endless and with a little courage you can spend the night deep in the forests and hear the wolves howling at night. The mobile network is extremely good if you use at least a local Swedish provider. And of course you can swim there in the nude because there is no one around anyway.
Autumn
Autumn is chasing me back south through the Netherlands. It is the ideal time to get new assignments. If possible meet new clients and then go 100% digital. Every year, a visit to the Netherlands is inevitable because there is an obligation you cannot avoid with a vehicle: the APK for your camper. Slowly the sun and heat is shifting towards southern Europe. Trek through the interior of Spain through the rugged Sierra’s. It teems with vultures and the nature reserves are home to the Iberian wolf and the rare Lynx. Spend the night deep in the forests in the midst of rugged nature or high in the mountains on a lonely col.
The nomadic life as it should be
Travelling around with the seasons. Work can be done anywhere. In my camper I use a 4G receiver so the Internet is almost always perfect. The possibilities are endless. Anyone who can do their work remotely should once in their life spend a few months or preferably a few years traveling across Europe. Live the adventure and live your life as the very last hour. Go on the road and embrace uncertainty. You will get in return the most beautiful emotions that exist: wonder and emotion. See an amazing sunrise, experience that swim in a hot spring in the mountains. Stroll languidly along a warm beach in January. Digital Nomads-to-be: go remote once in a lifetime! When in doubt, you are always welcome for advice. Then decide whether to move on or stay where you’ve always been. Contact Michel via LinkedIn.
