Willem the Wonder-er Q&A

The life of an influencer solo van traveller.

As we’ve discovered solo travelling can be a wild, scary, and absolutely exhilarating experience. It can take an awful lot to convince someone to take the brave jump. However, Willem also known as Willem Explores is a seasoned solo traveller who spends his life travelling around Europe in his Volkswagen van.

In case you need any more convincing on how incredible this lifestyle is Willem has kindly broken down the pros and cons of solo travel and van life in a recent Q&A we had.

What inspired you to start van life?

“I’ve always wanted to travel, but I've always put it off because of various reasons, relationships, work, mortgage. Then I went out to the mountains and ever since I have loved it. I’ve become obsessed with them, which is predominately what has motivated me to continue this adventure".

Have you always been a confident person and felt comfortable in your own company?

“I haven’t always been a confident person. Throughout school I wasn’t actually shy, but I definitely kept myself to myself and didn’t particularly put myself out there. But then once I decided to sod it and get a van it really changed everything for me".

Do you have any top hacks for dealing with being by yourself for long periods of time or do you find that solo travel is sociable enough to keep you entertained?

“The fact that I document everything online really keeps me entertained, I spend a lot of time recording, editing, and then getting back to my followers’ comments and questions which keeps me entertained. I’m always meeting new people along the road when I park up and am walking so I’m never alone in that sense. The key is to just go for it, if you’re feeling lonely just make the move and say hello to someone, everyone is happy to be friends. There's also an app for van lifers, you can tell people where you’re going to park up and particularly in summer people come together to make friends. Most of the time if you meet someone else that is also living out of a van, they will want to be friends".

How do you plan where you’re going or is it predominantly spur of the moment?

“I very much so just follow my nose. Next week I’m off to Italy because I have some work there and I’m going skiing. But after that I’m off to France for my birthday. But that is all the plans I have, its very much so follow my nose and just see where life takes me".

What never fails to make you fall in love with solo travel and van life?

“Predominantly the fact that you make so many amazing connections. The people you meet, the self confidence you get, and how your intuition develops is brilliant. When I achieve things by myself, I always feel such a grater sense of reward".

Is there anything that makes you question your life choices?

“Nope I don’t regret anything, yes I've made some mistakes but I don’t regret them. I’ve given up a lot of comforts but I don’t regret it one bit".

What has been your favourite location so far?

“Its my least favourite question because it changes every single time – but if I had to choose it would be the dolomite. There's nowhere I’ve been that I would say don’t go there".

Do you think solo travel is for everyone?

“Solo travel is definitely not for everyone; some people are dependent and that’s ok. Just because you solo travel doesn’t mean your better than anyone else, all travel is good travel and I think everyone should just get out there. Being lonely and being alone are very different things. You are alone a lot of the time but I never feel lonely".

You only have bit of advice to inspire someone to solo travel what would it be?

“If you wait for yourself to be ready you’ll never do it, the stars will never align perfectly. You’ve just got to go! There will never be a perfect time.".

Willems expertise in travelling and solo traveling lifestyle should be enough to reassure anyone. It definitely is enough for me – I'm already van shopping.