Welcome to VanLifeTails!
Hey there! We’re Ben, Zsofia, and Hank — your friendly neighbourhood van-living trio — traveling Europe one mile (and tail wag) at a time in our beloved VW T4 camper van, Rosie.
Our Story: From Restaurant Hustle to Road Hustle
Once upon not too long ago, Ben was whipping up culinary magic as a chef, Zsofia was the queen of front-of-house (and occasional behind-the-scenes superhero), and together we ran our own restaurant. Sounds fancy, right? Well, it was — but we craved something different: freedom, adventure, and a rather charming camper van lifestyle. So, in the summer of 2023, after a long and determined search, we found Rosie. It was love at first sight — a VW T4 with tons of character and even more potential.
But here’s the thing… owning a camper van *and* running a restaurant? Yeah, that was like trying to juggle knives while riding a unicycle. We had the van, but little time to actually enjoy van life. So, as the year wrapped up, we made a bold call: sell the restaurant, close that chapter, and hit the road.
First Taste of Freedom
By early 2024, Rosie and our little family rolled away on a magical trip to Cornwall. Imagine long beach walks with Hank (our four-legged adventure buddy), hunting out those local farm shops brimming with fresh goodies, and cooking up delicious meals in our cozy van kitchen. The freedom was intoxicating — no endless hours of work, just endless open roads and new places to discover.
Temporary Pit Stop, Then Full Speed Ahead
Life threw a few exciting curveballs, pulling us back into “more work, less play” mode, but with a little more balance. However, in June 2025, we hit our van-life jackpot: quitting our jobs completely to hit the road full-time. First up — drive through France and Spain, chase the Sun and enjoy as many beach as we can. Finish with a visit to Hungary to see Zsofia’s family. Before this trip and, importantly, Rosie was given the ultimate makeover.
Rosie’s Big Transformation
What started as a simple spruce-up turned into a full van renovation adventure. We stripped Rosie down to the bones, sold her original furniture, and got to work transforming her into the perfect mobile home. Picture this: sanding floors till our arms protested, welding up rusty wheel arches (thankfully with the help of some very talented friends), and layering on insulation to keep us cozy no matter where we roam.
Ben became the van-renovation ninja, carefully carpeting wheel arches and floors while Zsofia mapped out the dream layout. We sourced the best materials and learned a ton along the way — like how carpet adhesive is the ultimate test of patience.
Why VanLifeTails?
Because every adventure has a story — and ours includes laughter, some seriously muddy paws, countless epic sunsets, and of course, Rosie’s quirky charm. Whether we’re parked beside a quiet lake, wandering through ancient villages, or chasing the next delicious meal, we’re here to share it all with you.
Join the journey and never miss a moment
Feeling inspired? Follow us on Instagram, TikTok for daily vanlife vibes and Hank’s cutest moments.
So buckle up (or leash up, in Hank’s case) and join us on this wild, wonderful, van-fueled ride!
