After three days of sightseeing, we drive a few kilometers further east to Porvoo. It’s a charming little town with picturesque wooden houses. We stroll through the town and enjoy a bowl of salmon soup for lunch. Then we continue on for 40 km to a beautiful campsite by the sea. We like it so much there that we decide to take a day off and enjoy the sunny weather. In the afternoon, Hans stops by—a German who emigrated to Finland 32 years ago. We sit together in the sun and learn a lot about the economic situation in Finland and the challenges the country has faced since the closure of the eastern border with Russia. 

Karin’s knee problem has mostly healed, and on May 1 we set off on our big Scandinavian tour. We say goodbye to our grandchildren, who shed a few tears because they won’t be seeing Grandpa and Grandma for a while. We drive along nearly empty highways to Bamberg, a World Heritage Site in Upper Franconia. The city’s landmark is Bamberg Cathedral, with its four imposing towers in Romanesque-Gothic architecture and the famous Bamberg Rider. An architectural highlight is the Old Town Hall, built on an island in the Regnitz River. In bright sunshine, we enjoy lunch in the beer garden on Town Hall Square and watch the colorful hustle and bustle. Afterward, we drive another 100 km or so to Mittgenfeld, where we find a nice spot at the sports field.

Now that our MOMO has undergone a thorough tune-up over the past few months, we’re heading to northern Italy today. Around noon, we’ll start the engine and set off for the Brenner Pass. First, we have to buy a GoBox and fill up the tank. Both of these tasks bring tears to our eyes given the prices. But we’re on our way to vacation, after all. Aside from the currently inevitable traffic jam at the Lueg Bridge, we make it over the mountains without a hitch and stop for our first overnight stay in Sterzing. There, we immediately soak up the Italian atmosphere and spend a lovely evening.