Bertha Sees Europe!
Bertha, admiring distant Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany (Disney’s inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle!)
Hi, I’m Bertha! I live in Copenhagen with my mom and my two human friends. They say my Leafve pot arrived just in time for me to come on vacation.
Do you want to come too?
Then just keep reading - I’m taking notes!
We get up really early to catch the ferry to Germany. We travel in a tiny car with a roof top tent on it, and I am impressed by how much stuff my friends are able to bring.
Just look at all of that - I’m right behind there somewhere, safe in the cupholder.
After the ferry, it is a long drive to The Czech Republic.
They say my roots are still too fragile to come on adventures in castles and caves, churches and ossuaries - after all I was only planted a few days ago.
Good thing I’m safe and cozy right here in my cup holder.
Anyway, we make it to Austria, and right now we are camping in Poysdorf - a little town in the wineland, pretty vineyards all around, and quiet streets.
Next stop is Hallstatt!
It’s still Austria, but it’s so different. This is a beautiful lakeside mountain town.
It’s a bit touristy, but the salt mine and hike to the waterfall is a must-do for my friends.
I’m making sure the camp stays tidy while they’re gone.
Welcome to Italy.
We are staying near the Ligurian coast.
My friends are sipping Aperol Spritzes, and I’m sipping from my self watering pot, while we relax and go shopping for local foods and do laundry.
My friends are still scared that they will break me if they bring me along, so I’m guarding the camp while they explore the pretty towns of Cinque Terre.
Now, here comes a history lesson from Tuscany!
Do you want to see something really old?
These are the city walls of Lucca that my friends showed me. The walls wrap 2,6 miles around the historic center, and have been there since the city was founded almost 2000 years ago.
After that, we come to Florence to see the famous Cathedral and more. There is a lot of reading about history in the car, and I definitely do not fall asleep, Nope.
It’s time to go back north.
I am just getting used to the heat - it’s almost 90 degrees out, so you can imagine how hot it gets in the car sometimes.
I’m really glad I have my water reservoir!
We’re driving through Germany now. I want to be mad about leaving Italy, but Germany is beautiful!
It has mountains, campsites and fairytale castles. We are stopping at castles Neuschwanstein and Wartburg.
I’m not kidding when I say we get around.
What is the silliest thing people do in your country?
We are at the border to Denmark, and let me tell you about the most Danish of Danish things!
Taxes on alcohol and sugar are lower in Germany, so the prices are lower too… Tadaah, the Bordershop!
It’s this enormous shop of alcohol and candy, that is placed on the German side of the border. Many Danes make day trips to stock up, or at the very least shop when they’re driving back from somewhere.
So of course, we do too - the car is now packed with chocolate and beer. Weird thing to do, if you ask me.
Ferry time.
We’re sailing home now. I’m finally able to really get out, and let me tell you; the sea air is amazing!
My friends take me in their backpack up on the deck of the ferry, and I see the waves and the birds, and Germany disappearing behind us, with Denmark appearing in front. I’m totally not getting too excited about this.
Bertha & Mama plant.
That.was.a.lot!
It was 16 days, 4,400 kilometers (2.700 miles), 4 countries, and I am exhausted.
I’m really happy to be home safe again. I enjoy the view from my window - and I can’t wait to tell my mom everything that happened.
Where do you want to go on a roadtrip with your Leafve friend?
Until the next adventure, xoxo Bertha.
