Ever dreamed of backpacking across Europe, but never got the chance? Well now you can have a one of a kind experience with a motorhome rental from Auto Europe.  Many travelers agree that it can be a very rewarding way to see the continent.

If you are looking for freedom in your travels, a motorhome or RV is definitely the way to go. With a motorhome, you can leave when you want to leave. There’s no worry about making the right check out time, waiting for the train, finding tickets, or catching a flight. Plus, if you get to a destination for whatever reason and aren’t thrilled with it, you can simply hit the road to another location.

Imagine spending the day in a beautiful city like Barcelona. You wake up when you want, and enjoy the city at your own pace.  After shopping and sightseeing, make your way back to the camper and eat a meal made of fresh local ingredients you just bought. Each meal can be as intimate or casual as you want. Not only will you save on food, you are also saving by combining your hotel and your car rental costs into one!

Generally campgrounds in Europe are nice clean locations, with modern amenities and proper security to make sure you and your possessions are safe.  For me, the best part about the experience is that you get to sleep in your own bed and if you can drive a car, you can drive a motorhome.

Auto Europe currently offers motorhome and RV rentals in Australia, New Zealand, Freance, Germany and Spain. Just something to think about when planning your next vacation.

Bookmark to

Congratulations Damien on knowing the correct answer to last week’s trivia was in fact the Rathaus in Dresden! This week’s question focuses on a location in an Eastern European city. Towards the end of the 19th century this thousand year old church was restored to its original 13th century design. During that time, several Gothic elements were uncovered, including the addition of gargoyles.

What is the name of the church and where is it located?

Bookmark to

Hopefully you will never have to use this information, but if you ever need it you will be glad you have it. Something most travelers are unaware of is the number 112. It is the European equivalent of 911, and is now operational in all 27 EU member states.

While there are individual emergency numbers for each country, 112 was introduced so that European citizens would only have to remember one number. It’s been almost 20 years since the number was first introduced but unfortunately it is widely unknown, even by European citizens.

You may ask yourself, what can I do about this? The answer is simple: spread the word! Tell everyone you know who even has interest in Europe, email your European friends, and post on message boards. It’s a basic service that everyone should have access to in the event of an emergency.

Bookmark to

For travelers, online mapping is one of the most important tools you can use while gearing up for your next vacation.  While seeing a map of an area is great, many electronic mapping systems are now using satellite images to help you find your way.  If you have ever used Google for this purpose you may notice they have a Street View feature.

The Street View allows the user to actually see the street and surrounding buildings with 360° horizontal and 290° vertical panoramic views.  Cars with cameras actually have to drive down each street to create the images. If the streets are too narrow, bikes are sometimes used.  If you haven’t experienced it, you should check it out. If you live in any major city in the US you will most likely be able to access the feature.  As of right now this feature is available in the following European countries: France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and most recently, the United Kingdom.

The Eiffel Tower as seen with Google Street View

While it’s good to know what a location may look like before you get there, you know you will always find your way with a portable GPS rental from Auto Europe while on your next vacation.

Bookmark to

Congratulations to Damien who had the first correct answer, and to Kat, who also guessed correctly. The location was in fact Castel Nuovo in Naples. Those two seem to be winning a lot lately, I wonder if anyone different will get this week’s trivia!

Q: Where is this Gothic building located?

Good luck to everyone! Answers will be posted next week!

Bookmark to

Communication is the one of the most important aspects of travel, and learning a second language is a valuable asset when overseas. Studies show that the earlier you learn a language, the more it will stick, and the easier it is to learn more languages once you get older. This is why many people in the US are trying to get language programs introduced into more elementary schools.  For many of us, it’s hard to master a language without being immersed in it, but it can be done, even as we grow older.

It’s never too late to learn a second language, and technology makes it significantly easier than ever before. Computer programs are now specifically designed to teach language, complete with voice recognition technology. Thanks to the internet, you can access pretty much any website in a variety of languages, to help find reading material. There are also many free online translation sites which can help if you out if you get stuck.

Once overseas, there are books and electronic pocket translators you can use that will make communication fast and easy. Brushing up on language may not seem like an important part of travel, but it’s something you will be glad you did once you are there. While English is spoken throughout most of Europe, it’s important to at least try to speak the native language. It shows respect and can often lead to new friendships and conversations.  Many times travelers will find that when practicing a new language overseas, they often are told, “Don’t worry, I speak English,” before the conversation even begins.

In short, learning at least some of a foreign language will help you on your next vacation in Europe.

Bookmark to

Each year St. Patrick’s Day brings out the Irish in everyone. Green dye sales experience a boost, and people all over the world dawn their finest green attire. The St. Patrick’s Day parades are always popular, and the city of Dublin, Ireland hosts a legendary celebration.

But did you know that the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland, but in New York City? It’s true!  On March 17, 1762 Irish soldiers marched through the city to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as other fellow Irishmen.  This has since grown, and each year, nearly three million people come out in New York to watch the five hour long procession. Other notable parades and celebrations are held in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Savannah.  Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world including locations you might not expect, such as Japan, Singapore, and Russia.

Wherever you are this St. Patrick’s Day, remember to stay safe with a designated driver or by using public transportation if you are going to drink.

Bookmark to

Last weeks trivia was a tough one, but congratulations go out to Lilly and Kat who knew that the Rosenborg Castle is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. And now for this weeks trivia:

Q: What is the name of this Italian fortress?

Good luck to everyone!

Bookmark to

Here’s a story with a happy ending. A friend of mine was recently traveling in Eastern Europe, specifically Budapest, Hungary. He took his car rental in Budapest to a downtown hotel, and was about to check in. As he was waiting in line, he set his luggage down, and forgot about it. Sure enough by the time he remembered, he had already taken a few steps forward and the luggage was no where to be found. This was bad news. His carry on bag was with his luggage, and it included his passport. This was definitely a major situation. He had a money belt with all his cash in it, but that was of little assurance. All he could think of was the movie Midnight Express, as he had watched it on the flight over, on the laptop that was now currently missing.

He then remembered that his bag contained his cell phone, which had been outfitted with an international SIM card. He went to the front of the line and asked the hotel to call the phone. Imagine his shock when someone answered!

The voice on the other end only spoke Hungarian, so my friend gave the phone to the clerk and frantically asked him to convey his message. The clerk looked at my friend and started laughing, and then hung up the phone. Apparently a passing security guard had spotted the lonely luggage, and asked everyone around if it belonged to them. Unfortunately, my friend doesn’t speak Hungarian, so he never heard the announcement. The guard was just bringing it to the lost and found on the other side of the hotel when the phone rang. By the time my friend got to his room the luggage was already there, and the rest of the trip was fantastic.

It’s little stories like this that remind me to always keep track of my personal belongings when traveling, no matter how tired I may be. If you are looking for a way to avoid this situation, check out our cell phone rental page. Have you been saved by a cell phone? Leave a comment and tell us all about it!

Bookmark to

Recently, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced plans to construct a suspension bridge that will connect Sicily to mainland Italy over the Strait of Messina. The cost of the bridge is slated at 6.1 billion Euro. Mr. Berlusconi has been in favor of building this bridge for some time, and said he will donate 1.3 billion Euro of his own money for the project. If completed, it would be the largest suspension bridge in the world, at 3.3 km long and 60 m wide. The bridge would be supported by two massive pillars, each over a thousand feet tall. There would be six lanes for cars, a railway that could handle around 200 trains a day and two pedestrian walkways. Currently the only way to get to Sicily is by taking one of the many ferries or flights that currently service the Island.

The idea of building a bridge across the Strait of Messina has been around for thousands of years, as the ancient Romans had discussed building a flotation bridge. Since then, many architects and engineers have discussed the idea of designing tunnels and bridges for various leaders and administrations, but construction was never as close to starting as it is now.

There is currently a debate taking place in Italy about the construction. Supporters of the project see the bridge as a way to create jobs and boost tourism, while opponents worry about the ecological impact, and fear the bridge would be vulnerable to high winds and earthquakes, which the area is prone to.

What are your thoughts? Should there be a bridge to Sicily, or should the Italians continue to use the ferries and planes that have been use until now? Would you want to walk, train, or drive your car rental in Italy over this bridge? Let us know what you think!

Bookmark to