Plucky Survivors See Europe
The Plucky Survivors road trips I took with Mary covered over 8,000 miles in the United States and we often talked about someday taking the concept abroad with a tour of Europe. It’s something that stuck in my head and became a bucket list item.
2026 marks the 20th anniverary of the first Plucky Survivors road trip and the 60th anniversary of my birth, a confluence of events that seemed to scream “do it!”
So, I’m embarking on the biggest Plucky Survivors trip ever – nearly 8,000 miles, 13 countries, over 70 days.
And yes, even though I’m doing this by myself, I’m calling it Plucky Survivors, plural. Mary would have loved this and the memory of her will be traveling with me.
See you on the road…
Prologue
How does one plan an 8,000 mile road trip through Europe? Hint: high blood pressure and tears are involved. Follow along as I get ready for the grand adventure.
Day 1: Savannah to Berlin
I go to the airport and the universe explains to me that no matter how carefully you plan, there is always something that can go wrong.
Day 2: Berlin
I spend way too much money on a computer that will only talk to me in German, see some disgusting food, visit the wall, and get some unexpected good news.
Day 3: Berlin
I go on a tourist blitzkreig of Berlin, hitting museums, memorials, and more. Oh, and apparently I want people to get off my lawn.
Day 4: Berlin
Some surprise street food, some weird art, some optical illusions, drag queens on stilts, and the HOFF. Berlin is not disappointing.
Day 5: Berlin
A sobering visit to the Berlin Wall, a walk through a creepy crypt, some incredible Greek food, and another variety show. All this plus random observations about Berlin!
Day 6: Berlin
A ridiculous amount of walking took me all over Berlin to discover multiple outdoor markets, lots of food, my Berlin souvenir, and a few oddities. Oh, and then there’s the musical about a brick.
Day 7: Berlin
A fairly lazy day that involved laundry, packing, and some really good food plus some observations about Berlin before I hit the road tomorrow.
Day 8: Berlin to Prague
A death defying trip on the autobahn to Prague led me to what I felt like was my first real taste of European charm. Lots of goofy grinning while I wandered and took tons of pictures.
Day 9: Prague
Torrential rain scuttled most of my plans but I still managed to get in a few offbeat museums, some good Czech food, and a visit to a Prague casino.
Day 10: Prague
Exploring Lesser Town, storming the castle, seeing a variety show with LOTS of variety, and climbing 207 steps. Yes, 207. I counted. And nearly died.
Day 11: Prague to Vienna
A day of driving through the countryside… or countries-side, as I travel from Czechia to Austria and encounter the ultimate Roadside Attraction in an unexpected place.
Day 12: Vienna
A day of exploring Vienna including a visit with some butterflies, a place where they filmed an action movie (aka the National Library), and an entertaining show.
Day 13: Vienna
I have one of the most truly remarkable days in Vienna as the city celebrates Pride and I get a special rooftop view of the entire thing. Don’t miss the pictures!
Day 14: Vienna to Venice
I take a breathtaking drive through The Alps and make it to Venice where I visit the Carnival Museum and see Jewel in concert. Yes, Jewel. Why? Find out here.
Day 15: Venice
I explore Venice, take a terrifying boat ride, have two fantastic meals, visit an opera house, and more. Check it out!
Day 16: Venice to Milan
I find myself in the middle of an action movie as I discover what driving in Italy is really like. Then I make it Milan and manage to knock out a few of the must-sees.
Day 17: Milan to Florence
I make my way to Florence where I immediately feel like a philistine because I don’t get fine art. I make up for it with my appreciation for food!
Day 18: Florence to Rome
I manage to survive driving in Rome – no easy feat – and then go to a weird horror movie museum and take in the usual sights while battling the heat and crowds.
Day 19: Rome
A morning spent visiting iconic sites, museums, and markets and an afternoon spent in the air conditioning without any shame. It’s freakin’ hot here, people!
Day 20: Rome
A full day in Rome asI try to keep from getting heat stroke by visiting the Rome Opera House (lovely, indoors, a/c) and marching in the Pride parade (hot, outdoors, clack fans don’t cut it).
Day 21: Rome
The heat wins and I take most of the day off, but I still managed to get in a little sightseeing and a lot of food, some of which I cooked myself! I made pasta in Rome!
Day 22: Rome to Genoa
I take a drive up the Italian coast and make a pit stop to see what that whole Leaning Tower thing is all about. Then it’s on to Genoa where I receive multiple indecent proposals. Read all about it.
Day 23: Genoa to Zurich
A drive through the Alps leaves me struggling for the right words to describe them. Then I become totally enchanted with Zurich and not just because of all the chocolate I ate.
Day 24: Zurich to Dijon
A relatively uneventful day as I drive from Zurich to Dijon and then find it too hot when I get there to do too much. I did have some gingerbread from a 200+ year old maker of it!
Day 25: Dijon to Paris
A trip through the French countryside leads me to Paris, where I find more driving drama, the Eiffel Tower, an incredible light show, and more heat.
Day 26: Paris
The heatwave changes a lot of plans but I still get a chance to see Notre Dame, visit a cheese museum, and sweat a lot