Though the route from Tallinn to home was technically the same, it felt entirely different. We began by refueling with B0 diesel—a pure, additive-free fuel that made our Opel run noticeably smoother and more efficiently. It performed so well that we made it all the way to Lublin without needing to refuel again.

In Pärnu, we finally got to ride the famous elephant-shaped slide into the sea. Last time, strong winds and cold weather kept us away, but this time the sun was shining and the conditions were perfect.

Since we’re saving a deeper exploration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for a future trip, we headed straight to the Labirynt campsite, where we had stayed on our way north. It was just as charming, with plenty of activities for kids—an extra-long zipline, pedal cars, a boat, a playground, and great facilities all around.

The next day we crossed into Lithuania, aiming to spend the night in Masuria. To avoid the speed-controlled highway sections, we detoured west—and it turned out to be a great decision. We visited the hauntingly beautiful Hill of Crosses, explored several castles and palaces, and drove a long stretch along the Kaliningrad border on a washboard gravel road. You could either crawl at 5 km/h or fly like the locals—over 80 km/h!

Eventually, after a brief border check and a quick inspection of the van, we re-entered Poland. We made a stop at the tripoint border marker and then visited the monumental Stańczyki bridges. These twin viaducts, built in the early 20th century, stretch over 180 meters long and rise nearly 36 meters above the valley floor—once part of a railway line, now a stunning viewpoint.

Our final night was spent at a lively campsite in Kukowo, full of surprises—including a kayak capsize that turned into a hilarious adventure. The last day was a peaceful drive home, filled with reflections and quiet joy.

Map of this trip:

Trip Photos: