Solo Traveling Europe and “The Stans” in a Campervan with Maria Glaser

How do you build the confidence to take off on a long-term solo vanlife journey, especially through lesser-traveled regions?

Maria Glaser has been traveling solo in her self-converted van across 16 countries, from Germany to Mongolia. What started as a pandemic project turned into an epic adventure spanning thousands of miles, unexpected challenges, and even a surprise four-legged travel companion.

Maria shares the highs and lows of vanlife on the road, from navigating tiny medieval streets in Europe to traversing the vast deserts of Kazakhstan. We dive into what it’s really like to live and work from a van, how she adopted a stray dog along the way, and the unexpected ways solo travel can push you out of your comfort zone.

She talks candidly about facing fears, handling adversity, and the ways travel has reshaped her perspective on home and cultural identity. She shares her best tips for vanlife, budget travel, and making connections on the road, even in the most remote places.

Would you take off on a solo van adventure like Maria’s? What’s one big travel goal that feels out of reach but might be closer than you think? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

• How Maria’s van journey started as a pandemic project inspired by her mother’s dream
• The shift in her family relationships and the harrowing experience of her mom getting attacked by dogs in Turkey
• Why she originally planned to travel with a companion but ultimately decided to go solo
• How traveling with a dog has changed her experience on the road
• How her expectations of solo female travel compared to the reality of it
• Her favorite places for vanlife in Southwest Europe, the Balkans, and Central Asia (and where to avoid)
• The biggest lessons she’s learned about resilience, independence, and making peace with uncertainty
• And so much more

Resources:

• Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport
• Sign up for our FREE newsletter
• Visit Maria’s website
• Follow Maria on Instagram
• “Stufen” by Hermann Hesse

Want More?

• Vanlife In Europe (A Beginner’s Guide), Moving To Spain, and 5 Tips For Running A Successful Remote Work Retreat With Chase Warrington From About Abroad
• New Zealand: Top 10 Hidden Gems, Campervan Lifestyle (Tips and Tricks), and Doing Life Differently With Lisa Jansen
• Overland Travel 101, the Pros and Cons of Full-Time Travel, and Favorite Hidden Gem Destinations (After 10 Years as a Nomad) With Eric Highland

Thanks To Our Sponsors

• Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com.
• Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order.
• Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices