You may not realize that there are only 21 miles between the towns of Dover, England and Calais, France. The two countries are separated by a part of the English Channel known as the Strait of Dover. Because of this handy location, many travelers use this point to begin and end vacations.

There are several ways to get across the Strait of Dover. If you’re in top physical shape and train for months, you can attempt to swim across. I must immediately state that we do not recommend this at all. It was first officially done in 1875 by Captain Matthew Webb. Since then, thousands of people have successfully completed the daunting swim. Nowadays, there several groups that exist for the purpose of verifying and supervising people who wish to attempt the swim. The fastest verified swim was done in 2007 by Petar Stoychev. He managed to swim the entire distance in just under seven hours.

For people who would like to cross in a more conventional method there are a couple of options. You can opt to take a ride on a Eurostar train in the Chunnel. The Chunnel is an underwater tunnel set up for this purpose. At it’s deepest point, passengers ride about 250 ft below the sea level. The Chunnel is actually buried under the ocean bed. Around 16 million people per year use this method to cross.

The other common approach to crossing is by taking one of the many ferries that are available. The Dover-Calais ferry is pretty popular. The ride usually takes just over an hour and it is relaxing and beautiful, unless you get seasick . Regardless of how you choose to cross the English Channel, if you need a car rental in Dover, or a rental car in Calais, Auto Europe can make it happen!

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Congratulations to Allison, Damien, and Ella for getting the answer to last week’s trivia! The location was Portofino, Italy and there was a statue of Christ placed under the water to protect divers and fisherman. Sure looks like a great vacation destination to me! Now for this week’s trivia:

Q. Over the next two weeks, nearly a million visitors will come to enjoy the food, drink, and dance in this city. Where are they going and what are they celebrating?
Good luck!

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Next time you travel to Florence to see the Uffizi Gallery, make sure to watch your step. Last week, a woman visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York lost her balance and fell into a Picasso painting, ripping it. It was valued at $130 million dollars. Fortunately, the museum has stated that the tear did not effect the focal point of the piece. Also fortunate for the woman, the tear in the painting will most likely be able to be repaired by the museum.

Everyone makes little mistakes while traveling, sometimes they can really make you feel silly. For example, I once realized while on a bus to Boston from Portland, that I had left my passport in Maine! It all worked out in the end, but not before I had a serious freak out at the airport, worried I would not catch my flight. Sometimes a gaffe may feel like the most embarrassing moment of your life, while other times you may not even realize you are committing one.

What is your most embarrassing travel moment?

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If you’ve ever driven in Europe, you’re probably aware that different countries have different driving laws. For most travelers the biggest challenge would be having to drive on the opposite side of the road in the UK and Ireland, or learning a new set of road signs. However many people are shocked when they get pulled over and get a ticket for doing something that is legal in much of the US: talking on a cell phone.

Most people would agree that talking or texting on your cell phone while driving is distracting, and more states in America are growing less tolerant of it. Here in Maine, there is legislation that most likely will ban the use of hand held cell phones while driving. It’s a trend that is growing in the States but in Europe, the use of cell phones while driving has been illegal for quite some time.

For the record, we’re not saying don’t use a cell phone in Europe. In fact, that’s the opposite of what we’re saying. You should have a cell phone with you, if nothing else for safety. Europe is extremely cell phone friendly, just not on the roads while driving. This applies to every country in Europe. If you must make a phone call in the car, and there is no passenger available to make the call, try to find a place to safely pull over. If you absolutely positively must talk while driving, (as of today) the use of hands free devices is legal everywhere in Europe except Portugal. Check out the full list of countries that have banned cell phones while driving.

Remember, wherever you go in Europe, it’s best to brush up on laws and customs beforehand so you don’t end up in an embarrassing situation! Safe travels!

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Looks like Misha had the answer to last week’s trivia! The building featured was none other than the Bunratty Castle in County Clare, Ireland. For this weeks trivia, take a look at the image below, wouldn’t you love a vacation in one of these villas?


Q. In 1954, the city of ________________ placed a statue underwater to offer protection for fisherman and scuba divers. What city is it, and what is the statue of?

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People vacation for many different reasons. For some the draw of warm climate, soothing beaches, relaxing sunsets and the shorts/t-shirt combo is the stuff that dreams are made of, while for others, the thrill of the ski slopes, frozen ponds for ice skating, and staying warm by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa is the ultimate vacation. What’s your opinion? Would you rather be warm and relaxed on the beach in the summer, or hit the slopes of the Alps in the winter?

For summer sunshine hunters, Barcelona is a must visit location. With miles of coastline, delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and a lively nightlife, it has been one of Europe’s hottest summer locations for years. What’s great about Barcelona, is its proximity to Travel up the coast into France and set your sights on Nice for some more fun.
If you prefer to stay in Spain, you can always head south from Barcelona over to Valencia. It’s a very traditional Spanish ocean side city, and the surrounding towns and villages are charming and scenic, which makes for a fun drive.

If it’s the time on the ski or snowboard slopes you seek, the European Alps are one of the most exciting locations in the world visit. Spanning across 7 countries (Slovenia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein), Mont Blanc is the Alps highest point at over fifteen thousand feet. From December to April, there are ski tours available in many of the mountain towns, such as Chamonix (FR), Innsbruck (AT), and Bern (CH). All of these towns offer lodging and have just what you would expect of thriving ski towns: great food, big fun, and a laid back atmosphere. You don’t need to be an expert to want to ski or snowboard in the alps either! There are plenty of mountains and trails set up for beginners and first timers. Be sure to wear a helmet just in case!

Whatever kind of vacation you are looking for, if you need a car rental in Europe, Auto Europe is your one stop travel shop.

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For hundreds of years, the Carnival of Venice has been entertaining people from all over the world. It’s estimated that close to a million visitors will come to the city this year for one of Italy’s most fun filled celebrations.

If you plan on going to Venice Carnival, make sure you pack your robes and mask! Masks have been a central theme to the carnival for hundreds of years. They generally cover the upper half or the entire face and are made of plastic or more traditional ceramic material. Colors and sparkles are commonly used to decorate them.

Don’t be surprised if you see large groups of people dressed in the same robes and masks. They are often performing troupes, or just groups of friends looking to have some fun. Feel free to take photos with everyone as generally no photo ops are denied.

If you’re lucky, you may get an invite to one of the formal parties that are held in some of the beautiful halls of the city. At these parties, you will dance the night away with hundreds of masked Venetians and tourists. This is the more traditional approach to the carnival that many feel is what makes it a special event.

It’s not just adults who get to have all the fun! Kids of all ages are often in full dress, and it’s not uncommon to see family themed events held all over the city. If you are in town for Venice Carnival, you will be entertained!

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Nice job Damien and Alison for getting the last trivia correct. The image was in fact the beautiful Roussanou Monastery in Meteora, Greece. This week’s image comes to us from Ireland.

Q. Can you tell me the name and location of this Irish castle?
Good Luck!

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The transformation of Ireland over the past 15 years is nothing short of inspiring. Over that time, Ireland has become one of the top European travel destinations. There are many theories why, but many would say that the down to Earth approach of local businesses and willingness to change, while still holding onto traditional roots, have made the people of Ireland some of the friendliest you will ever meet.

In Dublin you will find all kinds of people, from all over the world, selling all sorts of things. From traditional Irish meals to outstanding Asian food, there’s no shortage of good restaurants throughout the city. Cranes visible on the skyline are proof that the Dublin is doing well and still growing. What’s interesting about Ireland’s success is that they haven’t had to rely on gimmicks or attractions to get people to want to visit. What draws people to the Green Isle are things that have been there for hundreds of years. Friendly locals who can engage in fun, light hearted conversation, beautiful countryside’s, and quaint fishing villages are just some of the many typically Irish draws. Of course, the draw of a fresh pint of Guinness is hard to resist.

There’s no better way to see more of Ireland than with a car rental through Auto Europe. Our car rental rates in Ireland are so low that you won’t be able to resist a drive to one of the many charming small towns that are scattered throughout the country.

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Essen, Germany
Essen was one of the three cities named as one of the Culture Capitals of Europe, and will not disappoint. Buildings that have stood for over thousands of years can be found at some of the cities many beautiful historical sites. Take a guided tour of Essen and learn more about a culture that has existed and evolved there for more than 2000 years. If you have an interest in history, this will be a must visit location this year. Visitors can celebrate art in any of the cities museums, or catch a musical performance at any of the cities venues. Whatever you decide to do, Essen will be a delight in 2010.

Foggia, Italy
Instead if trying to deal with the crowds in the busy cities of Italy, one unique travel opportunity presents itself in the city of Foggia. While the city itself is a great place to stay and visit, the real treasure is found outside the city limits in the beautiful Peninsula of Gargano. The beautiful beaches are surrounded by warm water that simply begs you to go scuba diving or snorkeling, while the stunning National Park will leave you breathless. You’re sure to experience good food, good views, and a real local vibe if you head to this area.

Pecs, Hungary
The city of Pecs, Hungary may not have been on your travel radar as of late, but it’s well on it’s way to becoming one of Europe’s finest travel destinations. One of three cities named a European Culture Capital, the history of the area runs deep. Ancient cathedrals, bath houses and mausoleums are must visit for history buffs, as are the city’s many castles and other ruins. Whether you are exploring the Ruins in Tettye, or studying the beautiful architecture in Pecs main square, you will be feel a real sense of history, in this “Borderless City”.

Annecy, France
Whenever a city makes a serious push for an Olympic bid, you can be sure that there will be improvements in certian areas. It’s hard to imagine what could be improved in this scenic French city that has placed a bid for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Resting on the northern tip of Lake Annecy near the Swiss-French border, Annecy has a history dating back thousands of years, and is breathtakingly beautiful. A river flows through the city, making it one of the most romantic cities in Europe.

Ohrid, Macedonia
Macedonia has long been a top travel destination for Europeans, and it seems the rest of the world is beginning to catch on. Macedonia was once part of Yugoslavia, and is landlocked by 5 countries (Albania, Greece, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria). Its capital, Skopje, is home to around a half million people, but the real treasures are found near the small city of Ohrid. Lake Ohrid, which is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes (over 900 feet), is simply amazing. Nearby Ohrid Airport will be getting a huge renovation this year, with the goal of bringing in more people who want to experience the natural beauty of the region. Of course the nightlife is active in the major cities, but the real reason to visit is to explore ancient castles and hike on any of the country’s many mountains.

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