Europe by Car
September 14, 2009 | Laura Carroll
Photo: Dettaglio for Forbes
Generally speaking, the thought of a European sojourn evokes images of walking, biking and riding trains to any and all destinations. Europeans definitely know their public transportation, and one of the greatest study abroad treats is not having to rely so heavily on a car.
Sometimes, however, renting a car in Europe – even just for the day – makes for a great adventure with loads of freedom. Not only can you leave when you want to, you can also stop and explore things that you’d whizz by in a train or bus and fly right over on a plane. But besides the convenience, a car allows you to see the European countryside – a charming and diverse sight. The drive I took from Italy through Austria and into Switzerland provided phenomenal views, like the snow-covered Alps and those quaint, barely-on-the-map towns. It was a wonderful experience.
A recent Forbes article offers some scenic suggestions. After consulting “eight travel and motoring experts,” Forbes came up with a list of drives to suit every cross-continental commuter – Scotland’s Loch Ness, Germany’s Black Forest and Croatia’s Adriatic Coast are just a few recommended routes.
Taking a drive into consideration? Check out sites like Europe by Car, AutoEurope and STA Travel for rental pricing and regulations (particularly age restrictions). In some cases, an American or Canadian driver’s license is all you’ll need to rent a car in Europe, but an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended – it’s cheap, and it translates your license into several languages.
Lastly, be sure to know you’re route (not all borders in Europe are open) and have your passport on hand for any borders you may cross.
Of course, walking and public transportation is the way to go in Europe’s cities – it’s cheap, safe and eco-friendly. But, if you’re in the mood for a little adventure and some awe-inspiring scenery outside the city walls, consider hitting the road in a rental.
