First Euro Trip in the Tam - Any suggestions
Discussion
Hi Guys
I'm going to a wedding in Austria in March and i'm planning on driving. I have already sorted out a place in Champagne but was wondering if any of you have done that route and could suggest some other places to stay or go to.
Also I don't want any car issues and if i do i want them easily sorted, other than getting insurance and RAC European cover what else should i do to minimise any potentially issues I might encounter.
Thanks in advance
Luke
I'm going to a wedding in Austria in March and i'm planning on driving. I have already sorted out a place in Champagne but was wondering if any of you have done that route and could suggest some other places to stay or go to.
Also I don't want any car issues and if i do i want them easily sorted, other than getting insurance and RAC European cover what else should i do to minimise any potentially issues I might encounter.
Thanks in advance
Luke
im going on my first trip to europe also next week, off to the nurburgring and i cant wait!!!
other than RAC breakdown cover and a few spare tools/fuses/bulbs and a water temp sensor i cant think of much else to take, a can or two of tyre weld maybe but theres not much else this side of a full tool kit that will be much help.
other than RAC breakdown cover and a few spare tools/fuses/bulbs and a water temp sensor i cant think of much else to take, a can or two of tyre weld maybe but theres not much else this side of a full tool kit that will be much help.
Well, you have to visit the old Reims GP Circuit, and the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay is the best location for Champagne visits (although there are roadworks at the moment, these should finish by then!).
Then drive across to the Alsace region (between Mulhouse & Colmar), through the Black Forest into Switzerland - hop on the motorway (make sure you buy a vignette and be aware there are 3.6 billion speed cameras and no signs! Okay, slight exaggeration!), and drop into Austria.
Austrian Rules:
Lights: Passing lights (dipped headlights or daytime running lights) compulsory at all times, for all vehicles; fine for non-compliance.
Seat belts: Compulsory for front and rear seat occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted. Fine €35.
Speed limits: Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers. In built-up areas: up to 31 mph (50 km/h), outside built-up areas: 62 mph (100 km/h) and motorways: up to 80 mph (130 km/h). The maximum recommended speed limit for vehicles with snow chains is 24 mph (40 km/h). Vehicles equipped with spiked tyres must not exceed 100 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on other roads.
Special features: Compulsory to carry a warning triangle that conforms to EC regulation 27 and a first-aid kit. All vehicles using Austrian motorways and expressways must display motorway tax sticker (vignette). The stickers, which are valid for one calendar year, two months or 10 days, may be purchased at some petrol stations located close to the border in neighbouring countries and in Austria: at the frontier, at post offices or in ÖAMTC offices. Tolls are also payable when passing through certain motorway tunnels. The fine for driving without a motorway sticker can be severe. The use of the horn is generally prohibited in Vienna and in the vicinity of hospitals. When a school bus has stopped to let children on and off, indicated by a yellow flashing light, drivers traveling in the same direction are not permitted to overtake. Every car driver has to carry a reflectorised jacket / waistcoat (compliant with European regulation EN471) which has to be used in the case of a breakdown or accident and even when setting up a warning triangle on the road. In winter months, winter tyres are highly recommended and, in extreme conditions, the authorities may require cars to be fitted with snow chains. The international road sign for the compulsory use of snow chains is then used. It is prohibited to use radar detectors.
Swiss Rules:
Lights: Use of dipped headlights during the day recommended for all vehicles; compulsory when passing through tunnels even if they are well lit, a fine will be imposed for non-compliance.
Seat belts: Compulsory for front / rear seat occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted.
Speed limits: Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles with or without trailers. In built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h), outside built-up areas 49 mph (80 km/h), semi-motorways and motorways 62 mph (100 km/h) and 74 mph (120 km/h) respectively for cars and 49 mph (80 km/h) for cars with trailers or caravans. Minimum speed on motorways: 37 mph (60 km/h).
Special features: Warning triangle compulsory, this must be kept within easy reach (not in the boot). The Swiss authorities levy an annual motorway tax and a vehicle sticker (costing CHF40 for vehicles and known locally as a 'vignette') must be displayed in the prescribed manner by each vehicle using Swiss motorways and semi-motorways. Fine for non-display cost of vignette(s) plus CHF100. Motorists may purchase the stickers in UK (telephone the Swiss Centre on free-phone 0800 100 20030 for information) or in Switzerland from customs offices at the frontier or service stations and garages throughout the country. These are valid from January to January. Radar detectors prohibited even if not switched on. All vehicles with spiked tyres are prohibited on motorways and semi motorways except for certain parts of the A13 and A2. Snow tyres are not compulsory, however vehicles which are not equipped to travel through snow and which impede traffic are liable to a fine. Snow chains are compulsory in areas where indicated by the appropriate road sign. They must be fitted on at least two drive wheels. Drivers who are involved in an accident who decide not to call the police must complete a European Accident Claim Form - please ask your Insurance company for one before you depart.
We sort of went that way on our last trip - piccies can be seen here - click on the Eurotrip 2007 link.
HTH and have a great time!
Jo
Then drive across to the Alsace region (between Mulhouse & Colmar), through the Black Forest into Switzerland - hop on the motorway (make sure you buy a vignette and be aware there are 3.6 billion speed cameras and no signs! Okay, slight exaggeration!), and drop into Austria.
Austrian Rules:
Lights: Passing lights (dipped headlights or daytime running lights) compulsory at all times, for all vehicles; fine for non-compliance.
Seat belts: Compulsory for front and rear seat occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted. Fine €35.
Speed limits: Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers. In built-up areas: up to 31 mph (50 km/h), outside built-up areas: 62 mph (100 km/h) and motorways: up to 80 mph (130 km/h). The maximum recommended speed limit for vehicles with snow chains is 24 mph (40 km/h). Vehicles equipped with spiked tyres must not exceed 100 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on other roads.
Special features: Compulsory to carry a warning triangle that conforms to EC regulation 27 and a first-aid kit. All vehicles using Austrian motorways and expressways must display motorway tax sticker (vignette). The stickers, which are valid for one calendar year, two months or 10 days, may be purchased at some petrol stations located close to the border in neighbouring countries and in Austria: at the frontier, at post offices or in ÖAMTC offices. Tolls are also payable when passing through certain motorway tunnels. The fine for driving without a motorway sticker can be severe. The use of the horn is generally prohibited in Vienna and in the vicinity of hospitals. When a school bus has stopped to let children on and off, indicated by a yellow flashing light, drivers traveling in the same direction are not permitted to overtake. Every car driver has to carry a reflectorised jacket / waistcoat (compliant with European regulation EN471) which has to be used in the case of a breakdown or accident and even when setting up a warning triangle on the road. In winter months, winter tyres are highly recommended and, in extreme conditions, the authorities may require cars to be fitted with snow chains. The international road sign for the compulsory use of snow chains is then used. It is prohibited to use radar detectors.
Swiss Rules:
Lights: Use of dipped headlights during the day recommended for all vehicles; compulsory when passing through tunnels even if they are well lit, a fine will be imposed for non-compliance.
Seat belts: Compulsory for front / rear seat occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted.
Speed limits: Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles with or without trailers. In built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h), outside built-up areas 49 mph (80 km/h), semi-motorways and motorways 62 mph (100 km/h) and 74 mph (120 km/h) respectively for cars and 49 mph (80 km/h) for cars with trailers or caravans. Minimum speed on motorways: 37 mph (60 km/h).
Special features: Warning triangle compulsory, this must be kept within easy reach (not in the boot). The Swiss authorities levy an annual motorway tax and a vehicle sticker (costing CHF40 for vehicles and known locally as a 'vignette') must be displayed in the prescribed manner by each vehicle using Swiss motorways and semi-motorways. Fine for non-display cost of vignette(s) plus CHF100. Motorists may purchase the stickers in UK (telephone the Swiss Centre on free-phone 0800 100 20030 for information) or in Switzerland from customs offices at the frontier or service stations and garages throughout the country. These are valid from January to January. Radar detectors prohibited even if not switched on. All vehicles with spiked tyres are prohibited on motorways and semi motorways except for certain parts of the A13 and A2. Snow tyres are not compulsory, however vehicles which are not equipped to travel through snow and which impede traffic are liable to a fine. Snow chains are compulsory in areas where indicated by the appropriate road sign. They must be fitted on at least two drive wheels. Drivers who are involved in an accident who decide not to call the police must complete a European Accident Claim Form - please ask your Insurance company for one before you depart.
We sort of went that way on our last trip - piccies can be seen here - click on the Eurotrip 2007 link.
HTH and have a great time!
Jo
I can really recommend Nick Smith and his company Dettaglio here if anyone is thinking of going to Europe and wants advice on roads, hotels, etc. He is a top bloke and I've used him for a 10-day trip for me and the missus in 2005 and a 14-day trip all round Europe this year in the T350C. He even provides a sat-nav with each day's route on and the roads and hotels are incredible and great value. Plug over! I'm sure he won't mind if I list some of things he recommends.
• credit cards
• foreign currency
• passports
• health and travel insurance documents (e.g. EHIC)
• sun screen
• sun glasses
• medication
• water – keep at least 1 litre in the car for emergencies
• mobile phone and chargers (mains and in-car) plus hands free set
• European plug adapter(s)
• camera and film plus charger
• comfortable driving shoes
• detailed maps
• car insurance documents (including Green Card if necessary)
• driving licence for each driver
• vehicle registration documents (V5 or VE103) or letter of authority
• manufacturer’s handbook
• car breakdown recovery papers and contact numbers
• car cleaning materials and products
• oil and coolant
• First Aid Kit
• warning triangle
• fire extinguisher and tool kit
• spare tyre or tyre foam
• spare bulbs
• tow rope
• national identity sticker
• high visibility jacket for each person in the car (orange colour for Italy)
Have a great trip. You will not regret it!
• credit cards
• foreign currency
• passports
• health and travel insurance documents (e.g. EHIC)
• sun screen
• sun glasses
• medication
• water – keep at least 1 litre in the car for emergencies
• mobile phone and chargers (mains and in-car) plus hands free set
• European plug adapter(s)
• camera and film plus charger
• comfortable driving shoes
• detailed maps
• car insurance documents (including Green Card if necessary)
• driving licence for each driver
• vehicle registration documents (V5 or VE103) or letter of authority
• manufacturer’s handbook
• car breakdown recovery papers and contact numbers
• car cleaning materials and products
• oil and coolant
• First Aid Kit
• warning triangle
• fire extinguisher and tool kit
• spare tyre or tyre foam
• spare bulbs
• tow rope
• national identity sticker
• high visibility jacket for each person in the car (orange colour for Italy)
Have a great trip. You will not regret it!
A couple of years ago the missus and I took the Griff and Chimaera south after Le Mans. We took this book - http://www.amazon.co.uk/French-Breakfast-Alastair-... – most are between 70 and 120 Euros for the night….
We picked an area, chose a B&B, then spent two nights there before moving on…. Anyway, a few pics...
We picked an area, chose a B&B, then spent two nights there before moving on…. Anyway, a few pics...
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