Couple Enlightens Son with a 4-Month Adventure to 41 European Countries on a Motorcycle

For many people, it's a dream to drop everything and explore a new part of the world. In the summer of 2015, photographer Mihai Barbu and his girlfriend Oana Leulescu made this their reality and took their 4-year-old son Vladimir on an adventure he'll never forget. They spent four months traveling across Europe, through 41 countries, spanning 28,000 kilometers (roughly 17,400 miles).

The couple had a simple goal for the trip: to show their son the world. Documenting much of the journey through photos, it's clear that Barbu and Leulescu did just that–in lieu of staying in hotels, the family often experienced nature firsthand by camping in desolate areas of Italy, Scotland, Morocco, and more. They saw gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, made friends with wildlife, and played in the ocean. To see the sites, they rode in a 2014 Ural Ranger sidecar they lovingly nicknamed Zair. Take a look at some images from their incredible adventure, below.

Above: Mihai, Oana, and Vladimir in Scotland.

The map of the family's journey, starting in Bucharest, Romania.

The view from wild camping in Finland.

Enjoying a swim in Austria.

Ferrying from Tallin, Estonia to Helsinki, Finland.

Seeing the Doonagore Castle in Ireland.

Meeting a new friend in Ireland.

On the road in Spain.

The from wild camping in Spain.

Colorful doors in Porto, Portugal.

Looking off a cliff in Montenegro.

Meeting a wild monkey while in Morocco.

Riding camels in the Sahara, Merzouga, Moroco.

A sand storm in the Sahara desert.

Love in the Lofoten Islands, Norwary.

Family portrait in Norway.

Adding the last travel sticker.

Mihai Barbu: Website | Facebook
via [Bored Panda]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content