Have you actually seen that we’ve published a book? “Off Road – Abenteuer pur. So planst du deine Offroad-Reise.” (Off Road – Pure Adventure. How to plan your off-road trip.) Some of you may remember that a few months ago we put out a call and asked you for travel reports. The finest travel reports were then selected by us and the Pietsch publishing house and were given a place in our book.
Besides the travel reports, we also packed the most important tips for off-road trips into the book. We listed what equipment you should take on your off-road trips, how you can prepare your vehicle for smaller and bigger trips, which tools make sense on the road, how to plan routes beforehand and how to navigate off-road while travelling.
We’d like to briefly introduce the authors and their travel reports to you today.
Here’s the direct link to our book: Off Road – Abenteuer pur
Madeleine & Sebastian Gebhardt – a thirst for adventure from south of Munich
Madeleine (44) and Sebastian (50) Gebhardt come from the lovely south of Munich, Bavaria. Both work full-time – Madeleine works in human resources, while Sebastian is active in the pharmaceutical industry. But despite their demanding jobs, they use every opportunity to enjoy their passions – travel and photography – to the full. Thanks to their flexibility at work, they can often combine their trips with mobile working and head off on exciting adventures.
From camper kid to off-road adventurer
Their passion for travel has accompanied them since childhood. As “camper kids” they gathered their first experiences with tents, caravans and VW buses. But the off-road fever only gripped them later, when they travelled through Europe for over ten years in a Fiat Ducato Karmann (2WD). Despite many unforgettable experiences, it eventually turned out that the limited ground clearance and the long wheelbase kept holding them back from the most remote places.
The solution? An upgrade to a 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter Hymer Grand Canyon S – their faithful companion named “Humboldt”. Since 2021 they’ve been discovering the most remote and fascinating corners of the world with it.
“Türkei on the Rocks” – a winter adventure
In their article in our book, Madeleine and Sebastian take us along on one of their finest trips: a winter adventure in Turkey. Their 4×4 Sprinter celebrates its Asia premiere on this trip and masters every challenge with ease. For this tour they had five weeks and covered a total of 9,000 kilometres – true to their motto “the journey is the destination”.
What must never be missing on their trips
Madeleine and Sebastian place particular value on certain essentials on their trips. Indispensable is their photo equipment – no trip without a camera or drone, to capture the breathtaking landscapes. Also always with them: paper maps, in case there’s no network coverage, and cast-iron cookware for cooking over an open fire – a passion they like to pursue on the road.
You’ll find the two on Instagram at: @4x4terraxplorer
Here’s the direct link to our book: Off Road – Abenteuer pur
New book from the online magazine: adventure up close – readers tell their stories
Our new book is finally here! It’s a collection of gripping travel reports, written by our readers, who share their exciting off-road adventures with us. One of the articles that particularly catches the eye is “Schwer in Ordnung – Schwanger auf Roadtrip durch den Oman” (Heavily Fine – Pregnant on a Road Trip Through Oman), written by Paul Royer and Antonia Günzberg. Here the two take us along on an extraordinary trip through Oman – baby bump and plenty of thirst for adventure included.
Paul Royer & Antonia Günzberg – two off-road adventurers from Graz
Paul (41) and Antonia (34) live with their two children Theo (4) and Yolandi (1) in Graz, Austria. The couple love to explore the world together. In their VW T5 they’ve already covered countless kilometres on their trips. They used their parental leave in particular to travel several thousand kilometres through Europe and the Middle East with their camper – and that while Antonia was heavily pregnant!
How it all began – a passion for off-road since youth
Paul discovered his passion for off-road driving at a young age on the motocross track. When he took Antonia along on their first joint holiday in a Land Rover Defender, it was clear: this kind of travel suits them perfectly. They’ve been on the road for over eight years since then, by now with their two children. Off-road driving is for the family not only a great adventure, but also offers the chance to experience unforgettable moments in nature off the usual routes.
“Schwer in Ordnung” – a road trip through Oman
In 2019 Paul and Antonia undertook a special road trip – and that during the pregnancy. Their destination: Oman. With a rented off-roader, a Toyota Land Cruiser 4.5, and plenty of thirst for adventure, they drove through the sultanate and covered around 1,300 kilometres in 13 days, of which about 250 kilometres off-road.
On their trip they not only experienced the beauty of the desert sand and the oriental culture, but also mastered the challenges that a trip brings for a pregnant woman. Despite the bumpy tracks and food cravings, this trip was an unforgettable experience and proof that great adventures are possible even with a baby bump.
Indispensable travel companions
What may never be missing on Paul and Antonia’s off-road adventures? Offline map material is right at the top of their list, because in remote areas you can’t always rely on the mobile network. They also always have a collection case with them, in which all the important items like charging cables and keys are well organised. That way everything has its place and is quickly to hand. And last but not least: good music – not only for the parents, but also for the children, to get through longer stages in a relaxed way.
An adventure for the whole family
Paul and Antonia show that there are no excuses when you’re seeking adventure – not even a pregnancy. Their trip through Oman is an inspiring example of how, with the right planning and a bit of courage, you can gather extraordinary experiences. The two are part of a growing off-road community that shares its passion for travel and nature with us.
You’ll find the two on Instagram at: @docaut
Here’s the direct link to our book: Off Road – Abenteuer pur
Berit Hüttinger – creativity meets a thirst for adventure
Berit Hüttinger is a graphic designer, illustrator and author. She comes from the lovely Upper Palatinate in Bavaria. Together with her husband Heppo and their faithful companions, dog Sidi and the Mercedes-Benz Kurzhauber “Frau Scherer”, she explores the world. When she’s not on the road, you’ll find Berit at her Bavarian base – ready for the next adventure.
From circus wagon to off-road life
Berit and her husband Heppo came to off-road travel in a special way. Their decision to buy a lorry came in a phase of downsizing – they wanted to reduce costs in order to be able to live out their greatest passion, travel. Their new way of life led them from a circus wagon and a motorhome straight into the world of off-road adventures.
“Magisches Marokko” (Magical Morocco) – a road trip of a special kind
In her article, Berit impressively describes the entry into Morocco, which began with a bureaucratic obstacle course and finally ends in a moment of calm. As soon as they had passed the border, the country held its breath for a moment. The street sweepers interrupted their work, smiled and waved: “Welcome! Merhaba!” This warm welcome was only the beginning of a four-month trip on which Berit and her husband explored the country over around 3,500 kilometres.
Morocco showed itself at its most beautiful: from the breathtaking desert landscapes to the lively bazaars, Berit’s travel report captures the magic of the country and lets the reader almost feel the dust of the desert themselves.
“Frau Scherer” – a faithful companion on adventures
On the road, Berit and Heppo are in their Mercedes-Benz LA710 Kurzhauber, lovingly called “Frau Scherer”. The special thing about their vehicle? The complete interior conversion as well as all the modifications were carried out by the two of them. Their 1964 Kurzhauber is not only an eye-catcher, but also a reliable companion that has brought them safely through the most remote regions of Morocco.
Indispensable on trips
Berit has three things on her adventures that she doesn’t want to do without: a water filter, which is often vital in remote areas, her photo camera, to capture the breathtaking landscapes, and of course a toolbox, which always has to be at hand on such long trips.
A road trip to dream about
With almost four months in Morocco and a total travel distance of just under 9,000 kilometres (including the journey there and back through Spain and France), Berit Hüttinger experienced a trip that was marked not only by the vastness of the landscapes, but also by the warmth of the people. Her report is a must for everyone who’s interested in off-road trips and on the lookout for a new adventure.
You’ll find Berit on Instagram at: @roadtripfrauscherer
Here’s the direct link to the book!
Björn Eldracher – globetrotter and adventurer
Björn Eldracher is, as he says himself, a globetrotter and adventurer from birth. (And, by the way, a long-standing author at our magazine). Even in his childhood he was shaped by camping and travel. Over the years his trips became not only longer, but also more adventurous. He travels the world to discover new things, to get to know interesting people and to enjoy the beauty of nature to the full.
The road to off-road driving
Björn discovered off-road driving early. He remembers his first drives in a second-generation Mitsubishi L200, on which he learned proper driving. Later, numerous trips with off-road-capable enduros were added. Today his 110 Land Rover Defender, a symbol of wanderlust, offers him the independence he needs for his trips. The DIY interior conversion and the pop-top roof make the Landy his perfect companion for off-road adventures in the most remote regions of the world.
“On a journey of discovery in fascinating Georgia”
Björn and his girlfriend Mareike are true adventurers who don’t shy away from long trips. On one of their multi-month long-term trips, the two of them travelled in 2018 through Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia and even as far as Vladivostok on the Pacific. On the way back westwards, they made a detour through southern Russia to Georgia. This stage became one of the most fascinating parts of their trip.
For three weeks, from mid-September to early October, they explored beautiful Georgia. The first signs of the approaching winter were already to be felt, but that didn’t stop the two of them from getting to know the breathtaking nature and the warm-hearted people of Georgia. Their trip led them on through Turkey, Greece and finally by ferry to Italy, before they returned to Germany again.
Indispensable travel companions
On his trips there are three things Björn would never do without: coffee, to start the day, a warming campfire that makes evenings under the starry sky perfect, and paper maps, to always keep an overview – even where the technology fails.
You’ll find Björn on Instagram at: @eldracho.on2r
Here’s the direct link to the book!
Dagmar and Thomas Girod – adventurers through and through
Dagmar Girod (born 1966) is a true globetrotter. Even at a young age she set off to explore the world – whether in the caravan with her parents or later on her own adventures on the motorbike or in the Land Rover Defender. After an exciting career as an event manager and marketing specialist, she fulfilled her wish to discover the world beyond the beaten track. To this day, Dagmar has travelled almost 80 countries and always has her photo camera and a travel diary in her luggage.
Thomas Girod (born 1965) is not only an experienced graduate engineer, but also a passionate adventurer. With a background in electrical engineering and communications technology, combined with his international professional experience in the mobile communications sector, he brings an impressive mix of technical expertise and a thirst for adventure. Thomas loves to move around in nature – be it jogging, hiking or mountaineering. He’s especially drawn with his expedition vehicle to Africa, where he explores distant regions and difficult tracks.
Setting off into adventure with “Rhino” – their expedition vehicle
For Dagmar and Thomas, travelling with a normal vehicle was never enough. In 2010 they decided to leave everything behind and start a trip with no fixed return date. For this they converted and travel-optimised their expedition vehicle “Rhino” – an all-wheel-drive 12-tonne lorry with a 6.9 l turbo-diesel engine and 200 hp – themselves. The robust lorry, originally a flatbed truck, was once used by an energy supplier for transporting paint. Today “Rhino” is their faithful companion on expeditions into the most remote corners of the earth.
“150-litre diesel auxiliary tank to give away” – breakdown adventure in Kenya
During their 14-month trip, the two of them covered an impressive 54,000 kilometres, experienced 15 tyre punctures and mastered numerous adventures. But no matter what difficulties they encountered, their passion for discovery and travel remained unbroken.
In their article, Dagmar and Thomas take you along on part of their trip. On this stage the two of them not only had to contend with the broken auxiliary tank, but also with numerous other breakdowns and repairs, which they describe in their article in an exciting and entertaining way.
They documented the complete trip on their travel blog: https://gotoafrica2010.wordpress.com/
Here’s the direct link to the book!
Alexander Wollert – an adventurer with family
Alexander Wollert and his partner Sara Bahrieh are passionate travellers who introduced their son Leon, then one and a half years old, to the world of adventure from an early age. Together they live in St. Peter in the High Black Forest, near Freiburg. Alexander and Sara both work in IT and use every opportunity to pursue their thirst for adventure.
The trip begins – off-road adventure with a small child
Long before Leon was born, Alexander and Sara were out and about all over the world. Alexander has already travelled remote regions in Russia, the Caucasus and Iceland by motorbike and off-road vehicle and has even explored Siberia by kayak. This enthusiasm for discovering new places quickly rubbed off on Sara, and they’re teaching their son Leon the fascination of travel early too.
Their eight-month trip through South America took them on an impressive route of about 7,000 kilometres – from the wide swamps of the Pantanal all the way to the dangerous Death Road in Bolivia.
On the road in the Toyota HiAce
For their South America trip, Alexander and Sara chose a Toyota HiAce Cruising Cabin High Roof 4WD, built in 1996. They bought the vehicle in Paraguay and had it converted locally so that it met the requirements of their trip. The HiAce proved to be a reliable companion on their long route through some of the most remote and beautiful places on the continent.
A trip full of discoveries and challenges
But the trip was not without smaller and bigger challenges. Alexander reports how the family was repeatedly stopped by supposed police officers, how at 4,700 metres altitude in the Andes the engine warning light suddenly lit up and the vehicle would go no further. At the same time, though, he also describes the wonderful moments in nature that they experienced together with their son.
Their report is more than just a collection of breakdowns and adventures – it shows how you can undertake great trips even with small children. Alexander and Sara prove that the combination of a thirst for adventure and family life is not only possible, but incredibly enriching. Their story is an encouragement for everyone who wonders whether you can explore the world off the all-inclusive offers with children.
Indispensable travel companions
Three things that Alexander and Sara always have with them on their trip: tools, to keep their vehicle in shape, nappies for Leon and of course toilet paper – definitely indispensable on long off-road adventures.
You’ll find the two on Instagram at: @dustoftheworldcom
Here’s the direct link to the book!
Peter and Angela Wolff – travellers with passion
Angela and Peter Wolff live in Mülheim an der Ruhr and are both deeply engaged in their respective fields. Angela is involved in voluntary work with the Kinderschutzbund (child protection association) and in the hospice movement, while Peter is active as an entrepreneur and investor. But their shared passion for travel has led them to some of the most remote and exciting corners of the world.
On the road in the MAN M90 – an experienced companion
Peter and Angela were on the road on their trip with their faithful companion: a MAN M90 12.192, built in 1994. The robust 4×4 motorhome already has impressive trips behind it, including from Aachen to Cape Town and back. The MAN has accompanied them on many adventures – from Iceland to Africa – and is their reliable home on wheels.
The fascination of Iran – more than just a trip
In “Welcome to Iran”, Peter Wolff tells of a trip that goes far beyond ordinary holiday experiences. His memories of Iran are marked by breathtaking landscapes and deep, personal encounters with the people they met along the way.
The two experienced Iran as a country full of cultural treasures and new perspectives that only reveal themselves through extended trips. But as is the case with every real adventure trip, there were also exhausting and demanding moments that they mastered together.
For the two of them, travel is more than just exploring new places – it’s an opportunity to broaden their own viewpoints, shed old patterns of thinking and leave the comfort zone again and again. So on their roughly 20,000-kilometre trip, which also led them through Iran, they gathered many unforgettable moments.
Three indispensable things on their trips
On their extended trips, three things are particularly important for Angela and Peter: the Omnia, a versatile camping oven that provides a warm meal everywhere, a good overlander network, to get useful information and tips in the respective region, and a SIM card that keeps them in contact with the world – no matter how remote their location.
You’ll find the two on Instagram at: @wolffontour
Here’s the direct link to the book!
Winter adventure in the USA – Caroline Zwetsloot
This report comes from Caroline Zwetsloot, who together with her partner Sven has been experiencing an impressive adventure along the Panamericana since April 2022. Caroline and Sven cross the American continent from north to south in their Volkswagen T3 Syncro, a true off-road classic. They like to spend the winter months in particular in the USA, where in some states they brave icy temperatures. In her report Winter Adventure in the USA, Caroline tells us of the rough, icy expanses of the USA and shows that an off-road adventure can be unforgettable even in frosty times. The Angels Landing hike in the snow-covered mountains of Utah in particular will stay in the two of them’s memory for a long time.
Sven discovered his passion for off-road driving during a one-and-a-half-year stay in Australia, when he got himself a Jeep Cherokee. Since then, both of them have been accompanied by the wish to own a vehicle with which they don’t have to worry about whether a route is passable – and they found exactly that with their VW T3 Syncro.
The Volkswagen T3 Syncro
Their faithful companion is a Volkswagen T3 Syncro from 1988, fitted with a 1.6-litre TD engine JX and 69 hp. The differential locks on the front and rear axle as well as the low-range off-road gear make the former passenger transporter the ideal travel vehicle for the adventurous routes that Caroline and Sven master.
Indispensable on their trip
On their trips, three things may never be missing: a toilet for independence, an air compressor and their recovery equipment – because it does happen that they have to help others out of the mud. ;-)
Here you’ll find the two on Instagram: @expeditionsyncro