Planning the Perfect Road Trip Across Europe
As much as we love a good staycation and really getting to stop and to know a town or a city, there are few types of holidays quite as adventurous and exciting as getting out in the open air with a road trip. Whether it’s by bike, by car, or by RV, exploring the countryside, stopping off at any sight that captures, and exploring a bit of the culture of towns and cities along the way can really make it feel like a true journey. But if you’re planning a trip across Europe, how do you really make sure that it hits the spot?
Make Sure You’ve Crossed Your I’s and Dotted Your T’s
Given some recent political changes, people who are planning to go to Europe for a road trip might find that there are a few additional requirements to ensure that they’re able to visit and stay where they want to. You should keep up to date with any potential visa requirements, and rule changes, as well as whether or not you’re going to need an International Driving Permit. Things are a little up in the air at the moment, as we’re still in a period of transition following Brexit, so you should try to keep an eye on news updates when you stop for the night on your trip, as well.
Plan Your Route
Yes, one of the big benefits of taking a road trip is that you’re able to change your mind and decide where you want to go at any given moment. It’s the best way to really explore a country (or a few, as the case may be.) But that doesn’t mean you want to head out there without any kind of plan or any kind of map in your mind (or on your phone.) Check out some European road trip maps and routes that you can copy or download directly, and plan out a few key stops along the way.
Know where your next sleep, feed, and fuel will be
It’s not just getting a little lost that you want to keep on your mind, you have to remember that you have some very human (and mechanical) needs to take care of, as well. When you’re plotting out a route, or even going a little off-track, you should aim to bear in mind where your next essential stop is. Get an idea of where you will be able to get food, refuel your vehicles, and stop for a place to sleep. Even if you have sleeping bags and tents ready to go, you want to make sure that you’re pitching them in a suitable place, not where there’s no good camping land for miles around.
Keep a Primer on the Rule of the Road
You should have an idea of which country (our countries, as the case may be) you want to visit. If that’s so, then make sure that you print or buy a copy of the rules of the road. In particular, find those that can give you an idea of which rules are different from back home. Which side of the road you drive on, which road safety items you need in the car, and other things can differ from country to country. A little studying before you cross the border and the occasional refresh can make sure that you don’t inadvertently get into any hot water along the way. Different countries have different rules for how you have to accommodate children in the car, as well.
Get a Little Help Along the Way
Want to make sure that you don’t get a little too off the beaten track? Perhaps you have a few must-sees that you want to hit on your trip. If that’s the case, then you should look at the prospect of getting a guide to come with you. For instance, there are plenty of great motorbike tours across Europe that can ensure you see as many of the highlights as possible on your trip, and can help you find all of the little hidden gems that you might miss if you went on your own. You might sacrifice a little of your freedom of choice, but the quality of the tour can certainly make up for it.
Have Some Translation Tools at the Ready
A lot of us can get pretty comfortable with the notion that locals are going to know some conversation English, which can be the case if you’re visiting the big tourist stops, in which case many service employees are expected to. However, when you’re on the road, stopping at towns, villages, and gas stations along the way, it would be presumptuous to expect anyone is going to know your language. Instead, you should consider downloading Google Translate offline so that, even when you’re not connected to the net, you’re able to get some basic translations done. That way, you at least know how to ask for the services that you need along the way.
Plan to go off your route
As mentioned above, you should have an idea of the major stops that you want to hit up along the way, especially any crucial food, fuel, or rest stops. However, given that it is a road trip, there’s nothing wrong with taking a detour now and then. Just make sure that you have a working map of the area, preferably in GPS, so that you’re able to always find the road back to your primary route. If you’re not able to see how you’re going to get back, then you might want to leave that detour for now. It’s not worth getting lost for two hours to go out of your way to see an extra sight or two.
Freedom and choice are a huge part of road trips. The tips above can help you plan it so that you cover as much ground and see as much as possible, but if you want to go your own way, then there’s no problem with doing that too.
