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Planning a road trip across Europe is something many of us dream of at some point in our lives. Whether it is during a long college break or for some much-needed time off from work, experiencing the beauty of Europe and all that it has to offer is best done through a well-planned road trip.
With so many incredible places offering the best culture, heritage and food in the most luxurious fine dining hotels, there are so many things to look forward to. However, to make sure you enjoy the trip to the fullest, you’ll also need to keep yourself well informed and prepared.
From considering automatic van hire in London or any other city and sorting out your licence to deciding your path and stops, there’s a lot you need to keep in mind.
If you’re still in the planning stage, we’ve got a few tips that could help you have an enjoyable road trip in Europe.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Tips to Keep In Mind for Your European Road Trip
1. Make Sure You Have the Correct Licence and Consider a Rental
If you belong to one of the countries in the EU, then your licence will be acceptable across. However, if you’re from outside the EU, you will need to get an International Driver’s Permit.
Ideally, this needs to be done at least a month or two in advance so that you don’t face any issues or last-minute surprises. Moreover, since these can usually take a fair share of time, you don’t want to be left hanging.
Along with this, you’ll need to consider renting a vehicle. Whether it is a van hire in London or a car rental, make sure you speak to different companies and sort out your rental van as early as you can.
2. Head Off the Tourist Trails and Explore Off Beaten Paths
While this more or less depends on how much leeway you have with your time and schedule, if your trip is long enough, you must plan to see the beauty of Europe by finding hidden gems along the way.
There are some gorgeous paths and trails that are popular amongst tourists for a reason. However, if you explore offbeat paths you might come across something equally, if not more, fascinating.
Additionally, when it comes to smaller roads, not only do you tend to save more money whilst travelling but you also get to take in views that not many travellers are often privy to. However, if you’re short on time, you can avoid the rush and long waiting times of popular tourist sites may be like shopping centres and head up to see the mountains or perhaps some beautiful lake instead.
3. Try to Avoid Peak Seasons
The summer months are usually peak tourist season where most spots are crowded with people from across the globe. While this also depends on the country you are visiting, if you’re looking to avoid the crowd, consider travelling during the shoulder season.
The shoulder months are usually months that follow before or after the peak season, meaning you get to experience the countries without having to rush everywhere.
During these months, the weather is more bearable and the accommodations become more affordable as well. Additionally, since every country has shoulder months, make sure to plan out everything before time to make the most of this period.
4. Don’t Schedule Too Much Travelling for One Day
Constantly worrying about reaching a particular destination on your European road trip will take away the fun associated with this. If you’re planning too much for one day trip, you might want to take a step back and reconsider.
Since everyone is bound to come across unexpected situations at any given time, if you plan too much for one day and fail to cover it, there’s a chance that your entire planning will get thrown off. Additionally, the feeling of stress that creeps in with such situations can possibly hamper the overall experience.
A few hours stopping over in a quaint town or exploring some off-beaten path will only add to your road trip memories. So you need to factor in some time for such things that won’t spoil the entire road trip.
To Sum Up
Your European road trip is going to open your eyes to some of the best destinations and experiences.
However, you also need to be prepared for unexpected situations so that you have a smooth trip. Put simply, from making arrangements to rent a van in London or any other city to planning places you want to visit, take care of the essential arrangements so that you have a fun and memorable trip!