Where there’s a wheel

When the seeds were sown for our summer holiday in Europe, the first thing we decided was to go off the beaten path. There is no better way to discover the unspoilt beauty of European countryside than with a road trip. Not only does it offer the convenience of having a vehicle at your disposal — but driving on well-maintained motorways and country roads that offer breathtaking views can be an enriching experience.

It also throws up challenges. From hiring the perfect car that could accommodate two couples plus an infant, and luggage, to planning the best route and understanding the complex traffic rules and emission laws, it required meticulous planning and a lot of research. From booking flight tickets and procuring the visas, to choosing the best travel insurance, rental car and accommodation, we did everything on our own!

Meat croquettes at a restaurant in Vaalserberg

We zeroed in on Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands in Western Europe, and our 12-day trip began in earnest as soon as we picked up the rental car at Brussels airport. To drive around Europe, a child car seat is a must for an infant passenger. Though the car rental company offered baby seats (for ten Euros per day), we decided to carry our own, all the way from here, and it saved us a lot of money. It’s not common for Indian families to carry car seats, when travelling abroad, but with some research we learnt that one can check-in the seat for no extra charges.

The best thing about driving is you can be spontaneous and improvise on your itinerary; pause every time you see something beautiful, capture those moments to flaunt on social media, and break for coffee and a quick bite at self-service gas stations that dot the motorways.

A street in Ghent, known for its medieval architecture in Belgium

The long drives, especially on Autobahns (the German motorways with no speed limit), are far from tiring. Disciplined motorists and lane adherence make for a pleasant experience. Imagine cruising at 120 kmph, fields of tulip on either side — an A.R. Rahman playlist in the background!

An Indian licence is good enough to drive around most of Europe. But it is advisable to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) in case you get pulled over by the traffic police. Navigating can be tricky for a first timer, but Google Maps comes to the rescue here.

Zaanse Schans, a postcard town known for its traditional Dutch windmills.

Tough environmental laws and parking restrictions are reasons Europe is able to keep a check on pollution and maintain its pristine environs. Enroute Cologne from Brussels, we had to stop for an environment (low-emission) permit which is mandatory in Germany’s big cities.

For just about six Euros, the permit sticker is issued at any vehicle testing centre, and here again, Google Maps directed us to the nearest one just across the border. Hefty fines are levied for entering cities without the sticker on your windshield.

The point at which three countries — Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands — meet A demarcated line between the Netherlands and Belgium in the border town of Baarle-Nassau

Just before the border crossing is a quaint town, Vaalserberg, where the three countries-Germany, Belgium and Netherlands-meet at a point. No barbed-wire fences or gun-toting guards here. Just a large forest-like area with walking paths, hiking, cycling trails and eateries. At its summit, you can pose with one foot in Germany, the other in Belgium, and stretch your arms over to the Netherlands with flags of the three countries in the backdrop!

A field of tulips in the Netherlands

A similar confluence can be experienced in the border town of Baarle-Nassau, where we stopped for lunch on our way back to Brussels airport from Amsterdam, at the end of our trip. Here, the border lines between Belgium and the Netherlands run through restaurants, shops and houses, and are neatly demarcated on the roads. Strolling through its lanes, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of this cheery town was the perfect end to our 2,000-km road trip!