Hey,
In a few days, I’ll leave the UK and start one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever taken on.
I’m travelling from the Arctic to the Mediterranean, crossing 14 countries without taking a single flight — and for most of the journey, I’ll be doing it alone.
I’ll start in Lofoten, in Arctic Norway, and make my way slowly south through Sweden, Finland, the Baltics, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Albania before eventually reaching Corfu in Greece.
No flights.
Just trains, buses, ferries, cars… and maybe a bicycle if things go really wrong.
I’ve just published a video explaining the whole project, why I’m doing it, why I chose this route and why I decided not to wait for the “perfect time”.
Watch the announcement video →
This isn’t just about crossing Europe.
I want to explore places I haven’t properly experienced before, take on different adventures along the way and document what the journey is actually like.
Some days that might mean hiking or kayaking.
Other days it might simply mean trying to work out how to get from one country to another when the connection I planned doesn’t exist.
And honestly, that is part of what excites me.
As I’ve got older, I’ve become more convinced that adventure doesn’t have an age limit.
Life naturally becomes more comfortable and predictable, and I think sometimes we need to deliberately do things that challenge us.
Not because we need to prove anything.
Just because staying curious, trying new things and stepping outside our routine keeps life interesting.
I’ve travelled a lot over the years, but I’ve never done anything quite like this.
I’ve never crossed this many countries in one continuous journey without flying.
I’ve never attempted a project of this scale mostly alone.
And I’ve definitely never tried to film an entire documentary series while carrying everything myself.
So yes, there will probably be moments when I wonder what on earth I was thinking.
But I’d rather try than spend the next few years saying, “I wish I had done it.”
Want to follow the journey while it’s happening?
The finished documentaries will come later. I’m expecting at least 10 long-form episodes from this trip, and I want to take the time to make them properly.
But while I’m on the road, I’ll share behind-the-scenes updates through Instagram, this newsletter and Basecamp, my new YouTube membership community.
Basecamp is where I’ll share more informal updates from the road, route changes, behind-the-scenes moments and live chats while the journey is actually happening.
Join Basecamp on YouTube →
Support the Next Mile
Over the years, many of you have asked how you can support my projects and the channel more directly.
So after almost 10 years on YouTube, I’ve finally created something called Support the Next Mile.
There is absolutely no pressure to contribute.
Watching my videos, subscribing, commenting and sharing already helps me enormously.
But if you would like to support this journey directly, your contribution can help towards trains, ferries, accommodation, activities and filming costs along the way.
And I’ll also be giving shout-outs to some Next Mile Supporters during the series.
Support the Next Mile →
By the time you read this, I may already be on my way north.
I know where I’m starting.
I know where I want to finish.
And I know one rule I cannot break:
Everything in between is the adventure.
See you from the road,
Mansoureh
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