On August 19, I celebrated my 82nd birthday by completing the Octogenarian Odyssey 3.0, an 8,000-kilometer journey that began in Lisbon, Portugal, and concluded in Istanbul, Turkey. Unlike my previous adventures, which involved tackling deserts and mountains, this tour felt more like a grand sightseeing trip across Europe. We cycled through cities that felt familiar even to first-time visitors, like Lisbon, Seville, Barcelona, Monaco, Pisa, Florence, Venice, and Dubrovnik. These are places known for their beauty, history, and architecture, and we soaked in the atmosphere of bustling tourist spots—though with the crowds and steep prices, some places felt a little too well-known.

One notable distinction of this trip was the absence of the rugged terrains and remote areas that characterized the previous two Odysseys. There were no grueling battles against the elements like wind, rain, or freezing temperatures. Instead, our primary challenge was the heat, especially in the 40-degree weather as we cycled through Croatia and Greece. The landscape was dominated by coastal villages, farmland, and fruit orchards, with plenty of welcoming locals along the way. I also got the chance to visit Albania and Montenegro for the first time, and they were far more modern than I had imagined—pleasant surprises.

This trip had plenty of highlights, but a few memories stand out. Climbing Mount Ventoux in France was an exhilarating challenge, and the beauty of the Leaning Tower of Pisa caught me by surprise. Spain offered endless stretches of sandy beaches, which contrasted sharply with Croatia’s rocky coastline. One of the most delightful parts of the journey was riding through Turkey. It felt like stepping into a completely different world—new languages, new foods, and stunning coastlines. Turkey left a lasting impression on me with its modern highways and friendly people.

The trip wasn’t without its logistical challenges, though. When we tried to ship our van from Uruguay to Spain, we ran into an issue with our temporary import permit, which allowed only 90 days in the EU. We had a bit of an adventure navigating that situation, exiting and re-entering the EU through Albania and Montenegro. Unfortunately, that didn’t pause our 90-day limit. We faced even more difficulty shipping the van and bikes back from Istanbul. No one in Turkey seemed willing to handle the task, so we drove to Hamburg, Germany, to finish the job. Even then, shipping the van’s batteries turned into another headache!

Despite these obstacles, the camaraderie among the group made the journey worthwhile. I am immensely grateful to Donna, Bernice, Greig, Craig, Mike, Gloria, and Joanna, who kept things running smoothly. Now that we’ve wrapped up this European adventure, I’m excited to start planning our next one: Octogenarian Odyssey 4.0, a circumnavigation of Australia. This upcoming trip promises to be the longest and most challenging, as we’ll travel through the remote Outback. Stay tuned for updates as we prepare for this incredible journey!