Welcome
Europe has been a popular tourist destination for several decades, in recent years touring Europe has become even easier due to the vastly reduced requirements for crossing borders within the European Union. All of the major international and European hire companies such as Hertz, Avis, Europacar, Budget and Sixt can be found operating in every major city and every international airport. Although Western Europe is the most popular touring area, the possibilities in Eastern Europe have expanded somewhat in recent years. The only major problem with touring in Europe by car is the fact that driving regulations can change considerably from country to country. Additionally some countries would insist that the driver switches on the car's headlights at all times, other countries insist that certain pieces of safety equipment must be carried at all times.
A further complication lays in the fact that some countries in Europe drive on the left-hand side of the road and other countries drive on the right hand side of the road. In 1994 channel tunnel was opened linking Calais in France to Folkestone in the UK via an undersea tunnel. This now allows holidaymakers are touring Europe by car to include the UK in their itinerary; the channel tunnel also enables UK residents to begin a European tour from their own country. One thing should be noted by visitors who are not residents of Europe, in many countries such as Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and many Eastern European countries, you will be required to hold a valid international driving license to be able to rent and drive your own car. |