Jo Doran -
Amy and Jo’s Road Trip 2010 – Europe’ s not that big really. (26/07/2010)
I am very aware that for many people the thought of driving in Europe is a tiny bit scary. The whole driving on the right, mad Italian driving and expensive road toll thing can be pretty daunting. I have done it before but driving my Grandma round the south of France for a couple of days was quite a different experience to the adventures we were facing. 6 countries and 3000 plus miles seemed like quite a lot for two weeks.
When we got to the car hire desk in Munich the reality of the task ahead was looming large and the thought of driving round 6 European countries seemed all a bit surreal and sounded like very long way. Driving on the right seemed like an almost impossible task and would clearly be completely impossible!
How wrong we were. We went from Germany to Austria, to Slovenia, to Italy, to Western France, to the French Alps, the Bavarian Alps and then back to Austria before heading to Munich again. It was 3000 miles of driving but it was a real joy to do.
It also made me realise a few things:
- That when all the cars are also on the right it is the logical thing to drive there too.
- Satellite navigation is a wonderful thing as our map reading skills are terrible.
- Our destinations are far closer to one another than they may sound and a car can be a real bonus in them – especially for the eternally curious like Amy and I.
- Italian driving is ‘efficient’ rather than scary.
- An Ipod is the most important invention after the car and sat nav.
- Europe is stunning and we have some truly special destinations for holidays, lots of which can be combined with each other.
- Road side facilities in Europe are far better than in the UK (with a much better selection of ice cream) and distances decreasing in kilometres is far more satisfying.
- Check the speed limits and requirements for driving in each country before you go as they sometimes keep them remarkably secret.
- We are very reliant on planes to travel and I think sometimes we miss out on an awful lot of experiences by flying from place to place. Cars are pretty handy!
- Amy and I can spend two weeks in a confined space together and still come back laughing.
Europe’s not that big really and I will certainly be recommending self drive to clients in summer.
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