Being on the road with your close friends whilst exploring new countries and cities can be one of the most fun and memorable holiday experiences of your life. With nothing but the road ahead of you, road tripping gives you the freedom to explore the world at your own pace, allowing you to have new experiences and a lot of fun along the way.
While the States is the home of the road trip, there’s really no better way of getting to know Europe’s many delights than spending a summer driving around. From the Alps to the stunning Greek Islands, the variety to be found there is jaw dropping.
Here are some tips for people planning a European adventure.
GPS
Europe is not as easy to navigate at the United States. Being able to navigate properly whilst on your road trip is hugely important as you may find yourself going round in circles for hours trying to find obscure places. Modern GPS systems are relatively inexpensive and can save you huge amounts of time and hassle in the long run, so you have little excuse not to have one.
Bring a tent
Staying in hotels or motels can be a huge drain on your finances when road tripping, especially for those going on a tight budget. Europe is blessed with many high-quality campsites which provide a cheap alternative to hotels and give tired drivers an opportunity to rest overnight. Even if you don’t intend to camp, having a tent as backup is always a good idea.
Always have money for motorway tolls
Many of the large roads around Europe require that you pay to use them. The amount you are expected to pay will largely depend on how long you spend on the motorway. There are many ways of avoiding these roads; however it may take you twice as long to cover the same distance if you go down smaller, winding roads.
Insurance
Having all the right insurance documents is hugely important when embarking on a European road trip as there is no telling what could happen. Make sure that you have your international driver’s license as well as your international certificate of motor insurance as you will need these documents if you have an accident. If you’re a young driver, being insured to drive internationally can be quite expensive so be sure to get some car insurance quotes to get the best deal.
Safety
In Europe there are rules about what safety items you need to have in your car at all times. It will change depending on where you travel, and if you are renting a car then the rental company should provide you with all the necessary equipment. But, just in case, be aware that a high-visibility vest, a reflective triangle and even a breathalyser might be essential baggage. It’s always worth having a flashlight too.
Cool boxes
When travelling, you can end up spending most of your budget on food and drink, especially if you eat out all the time. Having a cool box allows you store food brought from supermarkets as well as keep your drinks cold, and trust me, this is something you will most definitely need when spending hours driving through remote parts of the countryside during the searing European summers.