Road trips have their own unique thrill, not to mention their unique convenience. No getting up early for flights, no waiting in line to clear security, and no need to plan your journey around specific flight times. If you’re traveling overseas via ferry, then you will experience each part of the country that you pass through via the view from your windscreen. This is a uniquely inspiring experience, and so you will want to make the most of your time spent in each country.
Get the absolute basics
Before you even think about what you’re going to see along the way during your road trip, it’s important that you get the absolute basics. This should include:
Sat nav: you can only make the most of your time driving if you don’t get lost.
A first aid kit: this shouldn’t just include band aids and antiseptic wipes, but also antihistamines and painkillers. A headache can be the difference between a good day’s driving and an almost impossible one.
Being fully prepared before your journey ensures that your time abroad goes without a hitch. On top of the necessary formal documents, you may also wish to take some home essentials and comforts with you. This will save you from having to trek around a local town for supplies when you arrive. Kitchen utensils and other staples such as coffee and sugar will help to get you started.
Treat yourself to some hospitality
Road trips are great for saving some cash, but don’t forget to treat yourself along the way. Take some time out to spend a night in a local B & B or hotel, and put some money aside for a night in a fancy restaurant. You can cook with local ingredients for most of the time for an authentic taste of the country, but a night out in a restaurant will show you how it’s really done.
Travel via travel home
If you’re traveling via car you will need to mark out stops on your map to spend the night in motels and other accommodation. An RV removes this need entirely, and it can be quite a liberating experience. It can also be quite a cost-effective option if you opt for a second-hand model. For example, if you searched for a Class C RV for sale, you will find plenty of vendors selling a model for much cheaper than if you purchased the newest version out of the showroom.
Bring your pet with you!
One benefit of opting for a road trip, whereby you take the ferry, is that it’s possible to take your pet with you (provided you are traveling in a motorhome, such as an RV). Taking your pet with you helps you to see as much of a country as possible and get out on outdoor trails. If you’re planning on taking extended time out for your trip abroad, this may also be a much more practical option for you.
Get chatting
If you’re the shy and retiring type, you may want to change your approach when traveling. Starting conversations with locals is the best way to uncover hidden secrets and must-see sites. It also helps you to arrange your time more effectively. For example, you may discover that your day out to a small town may not be worth your time, and that there’s a nearby city that’s much richer in terms of and activities. It’s only by talking to locals that you’ll discover just how accurate your handbooks are.
Plan your routes in advance
In order to make your routes as efficient as possible, it’s better to plan them in advance. If you get yourself stuck in an area with no data signal to use Google Maps, for example, you will at least be able to follow the road signs to the right destination. This will also save you from wasting time debating where to go during your actual vacation. Instead, you can just get up in the morning and go, ideally using a saved route on your maps app or sat nav device.
The best way to make the most of a road trip abroad is to plan your journeys well in advance. Leaving your preparation to the last minute means that your valuable vacation time will be spent arguing over where to go and organizing the route. While you’re there, be sure to think like a local too. Chat to people in restaurants and shops and find out where the locals rate: it’s likely to be far more trustworthy than a small pocket guide.