FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF SICILY! Italian Van Life Continues!
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
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✏️ www.overlandingsophia.com
Hello! We’re Chesca & Ben, and we live full time in our self converted sprinter van, Sophia. We spent 6 long months converting our tiny home on wheels, turning her from a workhorse into a place we call home. At the beginning of 2020, we were chasing the winter sun around Spain and Portugal. But when the pandemic hit, we found ourselves back home and waiting it out on Chesca's mum's driveway. Life suddenly took on a different rhythm. But now, 6 months later, we're back on the road and ready to chase some adventure 🌍 🚐
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I loved driving in Italy, once I worked out how it worked. It does need competence and confidence but once you get it, it's easy. Enjoy Sicily and document it all because it's on my list
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Drove around Sicily for 3 weeks. Was apprehensive at first but I had seen a post somewhere prior to my trip saying, yes the driving is crazy however, no one is out there to get you. Keep vigilant and keep eye contact with other drivers. They communicate this way and it’s true.
Ciao ragazzi sono contento che siete in Sicilia. Io abito vicino RAGUSA.. Ciaoooooo
(Hi guys, I'm glad you are in Sicily. I live near RAGUSA)
The second shortest book in the world is the Sicilian Highway Code, beaten only by Malta. I've just looked back through the two and a half thousand photos we took as we travelled around and was reminded of the contrasts between old and modern roads and towns, the industrial and the agricultural scenery., the ancient and the modern housing.
❤ GR8 VID ~ LOVED IT ❤ Sicily Vibe .. gorgeous ❤
Haha, Myla kept reacting on the sound of River's squeaky toy. Lovely spots you have managed to find guys xo
....if there is something good about major stress it's that you're so filled with gratitude when you find your "portkey" (see what I did there with HP ref) to peace ...even River seems to have caught the chill vibes...happy for you🤍
I think that was good that you showed that poor section on your way to Sicily, people need to see that and be aware that there a lot of people who have fallen on hard times. Oh my goodness and how lucky you were to find such a wonderful empty place to camp on Sicily when you got there. River looks like he is having a ton of fun. Enjoy the sights and we will see you on Wed. Ciao
Thank you. I think so too! It’s a real part of this country, not everyone lives in beautiful seaside villages like Positano, Sorrento etc. The south of Italy in particular seems poor, but it makes finding the beautiful places even more special. River is loving it here! The beach is her new favourite 🐶 💕 Ciao Bella! xx
Love the two videos a week guys ! Also Bens comment if he thought he was towing a car at one point really made us lol 😂 enjoy Sicily having that view of a volcano 🌋 super cool xxx
So grateful that this channel exists🥺
Oh thank you Moksh! We're grateful people like you exist! Thank you for all your support!
Sicily looks peaceful at the moment! Glad you arrived safely. Hope you're finding your travels OK with the new restrictions in Italy. We are currently traveling by van in Portugal and have been enjoying your Portugal series :)
I cannot explain why exactly but the vibe I get from you both always gets me thinking of the renaissance time with a modern twist to it. Fun Story and Thank you.
Haha well, that's one we haven't had before! 😜 🌟
Good day my favourite couple and there fur baby! I’m so glad to see you guys relaxing and living life on your terms. You guys continue to light up the world with your laughs smiles and positive energy! Those roads scare me lmao. The biggest form of intimacy is when you can sit in utter silence in your better halfs company and feel happy and at peace. Your love for each other is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your life and your journey. Be safe lots of love from Canada!
Thank you Crystal for coming along with us on our adventures and sharing the highs and lows with us along the way 💕 Sitting on a beach, reading a book with my loved one is one of those things that will always make me happy ☺️ Can’t wait to show you more of Sicily xx
just watched all of you vlogs from start to now amazing content amazing ppl you both are looking forward to watching what happens next stay safe
Great to catch up with your adventure guys and to see you happy and relaxed at a beautiful place,always look forward to your vlogs...thankyou.
Stay safe,take care.
That’s such a good way of looking at it, and so true for Italy 😂 Ben says you have to drive thinking about both sides of the van, the front and the back - so you summed it up well 🙈🚐
What a great way to finish the evening, watching your latest upload!😄. Love this one as always guys, and thank you for the tips at the end!! I never knew about the gas refilling bit, so when I eventually go on my travels I'll keep that in mind so that I'm not stuck without!! Soo looking forward to Wednesdays upload now😍😄. Take it easy you three! Xx
What beauty. We are already in deep autumn. You have beautiful views of nature and the sea there...
Isn’t it beautiful?! Autumn is one my favourite times of the year though, a little sad we won’t get to see it much this year 🍁
@@OverlandingSophia , Autumn is incredibly beautiful, but our leaves have already fallen and the rainy season has begun. In some places, snow has already started to fall.
Eye opening scenes, nice to follow your journey. Hope weather is good !
Thank you Martin! Weather is treating us well so far 🌞 xx
I do love driving in the south, they are nutty as a fruitcake whilst driving but you get used to it... 😂😂👍
Don't mean to show off or anything BUT we beat our record and managed to get here 21seconds after this went live! 🤪 Whooop Whoop! We are so excited to watch now!! 🚐💕xx T
Erm... 21 seconds late Miss Zorilla! 😉💕
@@OverlandingSophia Yes, yes... I need to up my game! We loved the top tips your shared at the end... River being all cute and playful in the background made it all that more entertaining. Also the blooppers were brilliant... I particularly enjoyed the wind blowing everything away!!🤣 💕xxx T
@@JitsIntoTheSunset haha that was so much more of a nightmare than the camera let on 😂 River being “cute”... aka being very naughty and demanding 🙈 She sends lots of kisses and says she misses you and Jits xx 🚐
Another great Vlog with awesome scenery, worth knowing about the LPG fill up, it's not really legal here to fill up your LPG bottles, as you must only fill them up max of 80%, but make sure mine is completely empty then sneak into a couple I know don't notice me until it's too late 😉😁🙄 Looking to the next part of your journey x
Absolutely love the videos guys! My girlfriend and I are converting a van next year and can't wait to be living this life, but for now we're happy to live vicariously through you too :)
I've driven UK to Bulgaria over 10 times, winter tyres are a must. I buy mine in Bulgaria,much cheaper than the UK, safe journey, great video as always 👍
Always look forward, the journey is all about you enjoying yourself and letting us tag along please continue to share, stay safe Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺❤️
Thank you Barry, wise words as always 💕 Love to you down under from Italia! Xx
@@OverlandingSophia ❤️
What a beautiful spot you found. Being out of season and with Covid must help see these incredible sights. Enjoy Sicily ! xx
Thank you Sharon! You hit the nail on the head - out of season AND covid have made some parts like a ghost town. Which sometimes is a shame, but sometimes we get beaches like this to ourselves 😍 xx
So totally honest , love you videos, thanks for the info on driving in Italy , I'm taking notes , other half is reconsidering my plans to travel to Italy in our van 😀
I used to drive in Marseille where the moto was just look after your own 4 corners. Hopefully this has trained me for driving in Italy.
yea! looks idyllic, and so quiet, all yours to enjoy as your just reward. Looking forward to your impressions, (I was surprised by the greek influences, but I don't get out much)
Great vlog guys great tips 👍🏴👍
Thank you!! 💕☺️
Ahh a beach to yourselves. Brill👍😊
Ah I know, it’s the best! Especially for River who can run to her hearts content 🐶💕
Toarmina, a must see in Sicily
Thank you! Just bookmarked it from your recommendation, it looks beautiful!
@@OverlandingSophia You could easily park Sophia and catch the cablecar up into Toarmina, if you go dont miss the public gardens
Always seem to bump into the most interesting people with the most incredible storys, whilst travelling. Some of which may be true.👌
As far as driving is concerned, basic rule is "keep your foot in" they don't crash into you on purpose. ☺
So true! Love meeting people on the road, always a good story to be shared. If it's true then it's a bonus 😅
With love and thanks.Things ain't going so well here in the UK you three ( or four including Sophia) are a welcome destraction.Cheers
Thank you Nick, sending so much love to you from Italy. All bad things come to pass, stay strong xx 💕
@@OverlandingSophia I've have had my holiday last week from Burnley to Scarborough cancelled due to corvid by the hotel!
Welcome to Sicily! I'm near Palermo if you ever need any info etc, I hope you enjoy your time here.
Thank you! We’re hoping to head to Palermo in the next week or so. Do you have any recommendations?! X
@@OverlandingSophia Visiting Monreale and its beautiful cathedral would be easy with the van as there's a big safe car park just beneath the town with steps up that bring you right into the main square. If you want to visit Palermo city centre there's secure parking at the ferry port and if you decide to visit one of the historic markets visit the 'Capo' market as opposed to the more famous 'Ballarò', which has become a bit seedy!
Another great video ❤
I was hoping you'd take the cat along 😂
Haha if we didn't have River, I think we would have done too 😬
This looks like so much fun :)
It really is! A nice change after some long driving weeks recently ☺️ xx
Awesome video, thanks guys. Where did you get your folding chairs from? Can you share a link please...
Hello again you will need to grease that sliding door because they deteriorate fast when there that dry. It won't be just the coats that fall off :) Loving the vids
Wow. Thank you!! Ben just put some oil on the sliding door and it’s got rid of an annoying sticking sensation we’d started to notice. Thank you ☺️
Awesome guys cheers 👍🏻
Thank youuu 🥰
I'm on time yay! (love those instagram reminders you're doin)
I really want to visit the south of Italy and Sicily sometime. Would love you to make a must visit list or something like that 😂
What a wonderful today's episode, much love xx 🥰
Yay! That’s good to know that you find them helpful! Maybe we’ll write a blog on Sicily once we’re done here - there is SO much to see here it’s almost overwhelming! 💕 xx
@@OverlandingSophia No doubt, how long do you think you're staying in Sicily? Any plans yet 🥰
@@revyera Hopefully until December! Plenty of time 😍
loving the video hoping to get my build on the road after the new year
Amazing! Best of luck, keeping our fingers crossed for you 🚐 🤞
Who’s reading 100 Years of Solitude? Love that book! (Although I haven’t read it in over 20 years 🙈). Thanks for the tips! Do you see many larger campers there? Our bus is over 8m long 😬
Really enjoying your videos!!! So wanna do a van life!! 😩
Thank you!! We really hope you get to do it one day, nothing beats the freedom of the road! 🚐 💞
@@OverlandingSophia I’ve got it in my plans!!! Please keep sharing your journey it’s great to watch ☺️
great update
Thank you Stephen! 💕
What are using for internet connectivity in Sicily? Another great video - thank you.
You should try and meet up with LEAW Leave Everything And Wonder while you are in Sicily.
Yes! If our paths cross we’re hoping to meet up with them 💕
Really beautiful
I did Italy 45 years ago in a Morris 1000 and didn't find it too bad until I hit Rome where it was complete madness. There was a traffic island with 5 or 6 exits off it and if you didn't know where you was going you would end up on a continuous loop,. The Italians drive bumper to bumper so no other can push in between for one thing they are not is considerate motorists, well it was my experience anyway.
Sounds horrific! Thankfully we’ve avoided city driving so far - especially in Italy. Saying that, Sicily has been an experience to say the least. Bumper to bumper is exactly how they drive! Just the way it is here I guess 🤯
Good information
Thank you Joan! Hope you found it useful 😊
Are you able to share the pin on where you park each night?
Last time I was near Naples we had a car, and I swear most people just reverse their car without even looking 😂 definitely have to have your wits about you
Doesn’t surprise us at all! 😂 Hats off to you for driving around Naples! So brave!
Sicily gems tour: 1 the UNESCO Avola/Noto/Modica/Pachino/Isola delle correnti /Marzamemi/Ragusa Ibla
2 Marsala/Mazara del Vallo /Selinunte /Erice/Egadi Isles
3 Valley dei Templi Agrigento /Sciacca/ Scala dei turchi/Licata /Piazza Armerina/Caltagirone
4Palermo/Monreale / Mondello/Castellammare del golfo /Isola delle femmine / S. Vito lo capo
4 Cefalù /Mistretta /Isole Eolie
5 Taormina/Zafferana etnea/ Bronte Catania /Siracusa
You forgot to add how they make a two lane road into a 4 or 6 lane ! 😂
I drove trucks all over Europe and the Middle East for many years,and Italy is one of the craziest place to travel,but generally it's completely without malice!I have a lot of family in Italy and they all frighten me to death if they collect from the airport,chatting away while driving like lunatics.GPL on autostradas is usually impossible to get,as you've found out go to small local garages and rules don't apply,it's the same with many things in Italy.Safe journeys 👍Paulo
aaah I'm early today!! 🥰
Yay! 🥳 Hope you enjoy Emma! 💕
@@OverlandingSophia I sure did! I always love watching your video’s and I’m secretly hoping it will be me one day, traveling around the world in a nice and cozy van ✨
I love u guys xxxxx
Ah, we love you too Emilia! xx 💞
We jumped in a taxi in Hong Kong. We thought we were in a Formula 1 Car. INSANE!
I drove a delivery van around Italy for a few years, and done that route you're on to Palermo.
When we lived outside Naples , we used to get gas for the cars ,from places that filled calor gas bottles....not legal ..but what is ...cheaper as well.
Another thing I would say is bad ,is the vehicle crime..and I experienced that a few times . We all ended up around Verona..and I had a few vehicles done , and stuff stolen.
Ah so you know these roads well! 😅 Thank you for the heads up regarding vehicle crime, it's something we're constantly trying to be aware of, which is a shame but just something you have to deal with I guess x
Heyyy! Was that €108 return??
Nope!! One way!! 😭
@@OverlandingSophia whaaaaaa
@@OverlandingSophia we were literally driving to the port when I saw your video and flicked through like nooo so expensive. You can book online, we just got one way for €54! So maybe you did get a return? www.traghettilines.it/ 💙
@@rwilson6637 - Hey Rach 👋🏽
Yeah that does seem expensive 🤔
From memory there was a 3 month open return ticket, so maybe that is what Ben and Chesca bought ?
PS - Rach and Pete are our van buddies from the Alps 😍
@@rwilson6637 - I mentioned to Ben and Chesca last week that as they have found out, the drive down the south of Italy along the boot wasn't very inspiring, so to save having that return journey you might consider the ferry from Palermo to Salerno on the Amalfi coast.. Costs are currently coming up between £80 - 90 and saves you 440km drive plus fuel 💡🚐💨🇮🇹
Winter tyres.... If you have BFG all terrains they count as winter tyres.. just look for the snow flake Icon on the side of the tyre.
👍 Thanks for sharing this!
I hope you guys can meet up with ruclips.net/user/LeAwvlog they are awesome and your in same areas 🤗❤️
Great to see you all okay . Yes , not the the greatest drivers in the world are the Italians , and when they are up your backside , whoa . They have a habit of invading Spain in the summer , pulling in to service areas at midnight and jabbering at the back of your van . Enjoy your trip , look forward to your vlogs , take care .
❤❤❤ Hi !, Do you know Luca and Sara? They are the same place In Italy, and driving in a low white van, with (former owner's company advertising) on the sides, their name is L.E.A.V
Leav Everything And Wonder ..
on RUclips ❤❤❤
Yes we do! We’ve loved following their travels through Italy. We’re hoping to meet them at some point! 💕
❤❤❤
I was thinking the same thing.
I want to join the fun
Great video guys 😍👍🏽
Ha ha the italian roads and drivers are something special 😆
I actually thought getting off the ferry and driving through Messina was the most crazy I've encountered anywhere in the world (Having said that Kathmandu would have topped that if we'd driven there)..
Read up on the parking before you go into Palermo..
www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art66.htm
The Mafia charges tourists to park when it should be free.. As we pulled into the kerbside, we were approached by a large guy and he made signs that we couldn't park there and he directed us around a corner and into a dodgy looking side street in a suburban area.. Once parked he then stood at the drivers side window and waited for me to lower the window.. He spoke no english and I no Italian, so through google translate we established that he was called Salvatore and he was the father of his family ! It became apparent that he wanted money for allowing us to park our camper there.. I explained that we were meeting friends for dinner that night and we were looking for somewhere to park where we could sleep..
Eventually we understood that for 7euros we could park there as long as we wanted, and he would watch our vehicle from the small pizza shop opposite and make sure it came to no harm, and then at 7am his uncle "Salvatore" would take over.. So as we had driven round and round trying to find somewhere suitable to park for an hour we paid the 7euros crossed our fingers and went to meet our friends.. We returned later that night to be greeted with a Bouna Sera from Salvatore and our camper van still intact ..
Sure enough after a great nights sleep, we opened our blinds to be greeted with a friendly "Buongiorno" by Uncle Salvatore 😆
The locals obviously object to being charged to park when its free but as the alternative was to pay 30euros to stay in a secure overnight car park, we actually quite enjoyed our (1st) brush with the local Mafia 😊
Have Fun 🚐💨❤️
Haha you’re so right - getting out of Messina was absolute chaos. People in the far right lane turning left, cars coming out of nowhere. It was like a dance that everyone else knew the steps to 😂
But Ben has taken to it like a duck to water. Thanks for the cool story about Palermo parking! While we’d love to meet Salvatore (they both sound like legends) - we think we’ll stick to the secured parking 😎 xx
@@OverlandingSophia 😆😘
First - woohoo LOL
Yay! Gold medal for you! 🥇🥳
@@OverlandingSophia Now I'm gonna needa chest for it LOL