History Starts in Ventura: First-Ever Global Van Expedition Kicks Off This May

Tiny Planet’s Round-the-World Drive Begins at Adventure Van Expo, Blending Innovation, Exploration, and Family Resilience

CA, UNITED STATES, May 5, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Ventura will make history this May as it becomes the official launch site for a bold, first-of-its-kind global expedition that is redefining what it means to live off the grid. At the Adventure Van Expo on May 10–11, attendees will witness the departure of the Tiny Planet Round-the-World Expedition—a family-led journey set to become the first true circumnavigation of the globe by camper van.

Sacramento-based innovators and founders of Tiny Planet, a leader in luxury off-road van conversions, Denis and Sofia, along with their 1-year-old daughter Amelia, will depart Ventura in their signature high-tech Mercedes Sprinter vans - to explore the future of housing and redefine what mobile living can be.
Built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, the van is a mobile home for extreme environments, packed with cutting-edge technology and five-star comfort.

A Global First—Starting in Ventura
Unlike previous symbolic road trips, this journey will span 30,000+ miles across three continents, tackling remote deserts, alpine passes, and ancient trade routes. And it all begins here, in Ventura, California. The Adventure Van Expo will host the public unveiling of the van and serve as the official send-off celebration for the Tiny Planet family.
Visitors will be the first to tour the van and meet the family behind the mission—just before they cross the country, ship the van overseas, and continue through Europe and into Central Asia, Mongolia, and beyond.

Exploring the Future of Housing
“Our goal isn’t just to travel—it’s to explore how we can live sustainably and independently in a changing world,” says Denis, co-founder of Tiny Planet. “With climate shifts, resource instability, and new global challenges, we may all need to rethink how we live—and even where.”
The Tiny Planet Round-the-World Expedition is both a human adventure and a proof-of-concept for a new kind of living. Their mission is to test the limits of mobile housing while meeting others who have embraced alternative lifestyles—off-grid homesteaders, vanlifers, yurts and tiny home dwellers—people challenging the conventions of permanent, urban-based life.

The family will set off from Los Angeles, weaving through Utah’s fiery red rock canyons and Colorado’s towering peaks before racing toward the East Coast. From there, their van will cross the Atlantic, launching them into the heart of Europe, where they’ll immerse themselves in the vibrant cultures of Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. But the real test begins beyond the well-trodden paths:
The Russian Taiga, where relentless isolation will push both their van—and their resilience—to the edge.
The Mongolian Steppe, where they’ll ride alongside nomadic herders beneath endless skies.
The Old Silk Road, where ancient trade routes, rugged trails, and unpredictable border crossings will turn the journey into a true expedition.

"We’re Not Just Traveling – We’re Exploring the Future of Living"
“The future is unpredictable. None of us truly know what conditions or circumstances we may face in the coming years. Climate change, resource shortages, economic shifts—our way of life could change in an instant. What if, one day, we are forced to leave our homes, our cities, or even our planet? Perhaps humanity will have to colonize Mars or adapt to extreme conditions here on Earth. This overland expedition is not just about adventure—it’s about exploring how we can live independently, sustainably, and resiliently, no matter where the future takes us," - says Denis, founder of Tiny Planet.
The mission of the Tiny Planet Round-the-World Expedition is to explore and showcase a new way of life—one that is free from urban infrastructure, fully autonomous, and seamlessly connected with nature.

“We are not just travelers; we are explorers of the future of housing. From high-tech van life in the U.S. to the ancient nomadic traditions of Mongolia, we are studying how people live across the world to develop new standards of freedom and conscious travel,” says Sofia, co-founder of Tiny Planet. “Along the way, we will meet like-minded individuals who have chosen alternative lifestyles—those living in tiny houses, huts, yurts, and RVs. People who have dared to break free from conventional living, embracing independence and self-sufficiency. Their stories will inspire a global audience to rethink what’s possible and explore new ways of living beyond traditional boundaries.”

Tiny Planet’s cutting-edge expedition van is designed for full-time living and the harshest travel conditions. It features: a powerful off-grid electrical system with solar charging; a state-of-the-art hydronic heating system with heated floors, a 12V air conditioner for energy-efficient cooling; a smart home system for seamless automation; a full kitchen with an induction cooktop, dishwasher and fridge; a spa-like indoor hot shower; Japandi interior design blending minimalist aesthetics with functional luxury.
Tiny Planet proves that leaving your house doesn’t mean leaving your comfort behind. With their innovative van design, you can take the luxuries of a five-star hotel wherever you go. Ultimate freedom no longer requires compromise.

Follow the Journey
The Tiny Planet family will share real-time updates, stories, and challenges through their YouTube and Instagram channels, offering a behind-the-scenes look at off-grid family life, nomadic culture, and the intersection of technology and survival.
“The world is changing fast,” says Sofia, “and this journey is about understanding how people are adapting. We want to learn from them, share their stories, and help others imagine a freer, more intentional way of life.”

Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1C4Hj_mV3Yb6WQq6dlWGmEi4rMVSNPVuX?usp=share_link

Mirella Miranda
Tiny Planet
marketing@tinyplanet.group
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