Expert tips for the perfect European road trip

Seasoned traveller Mark Charlton knows the route to success for a European road trip.

There are many ways to enjoy a road trip through Europe – and the chances are Mark Charlton has tried them all.

Mark, a former communications director, drives regularly around Europe. But even when he’s not loading up his mini-van for a trip to his holiday home, he’s a frequent traveller across the continent.

As well as France, Mark has enjoyed travelling to Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. “My philosophy is that you are what you do,” says Mark, who recently turned 60. “I still freelance part-time and want to make the most of my spare time to enjoy a full and rewarding life.”

Setting off from the UK

Mark and his wife Jane have a tried-and-tested formula for their trips abroad. They head straight from their Pembrokeshire home to an appropriate ferry terminal, as they both feel a journey to Europe starts best with a sea voyage.

“The ferry feels like a part of the adventure,” says Mark. “It is somehow more romantic than the Channel Tunnel.”

Another tip is to get across the Channel before stopping for an overnighter. “We like our first night to be in France, even if it’s just in a motel near Calais,” he says. “That way, you get straight on with your road trip the next morning.”

Choosing the long way round

One of the delights of a European road trip is the freedom to go where the mood takes you. It’s all about the sense of meandering from A to B, even if you take several detours in between.

Mark is all in favour of meandering and has found there are two ways to do it.

“Sometimes, we do a big drive on the brilliant European motorways, then start using the scenic routes deeper into our journey,” he says. “On other occasions, we’ll go off-piste the minute we reach France, knowing we’ll have less time at the other end.

“It’s probably a question of where you most want to visit,” he reflects. “I love mountains, so I’m often keen to get south. But the north of Europe offers so many interesting sights. We’ve certainly discovered some gems by lingering nearer to Calais.”

Being open to new places

The key to success is an openness to discovering new places – or, as Mark puts it, “being alive to the moment”. One of his favourite towns is Troyes, to the south-east of Paris. He stopped there on a whim and fell in love with the medieval architecture and cobbled streets.

“Other places that have become firm favourites include Luxembourg, the Rhine Valley and Belgium,” he says. “We often plan a loop involving a fast route to the Alps and a more circuitous return journey.”

Embracing technology

To help make the most of such adventures, Mark embraces technology. He has a toll tag in his windscreen so he can pay for European toll roads without stopping. He also has mobile apps for his favourite hotels and says their cancellation policies give you the security of a booking with the flexibility to change plans up to the night before if the mood takes you.

Mark’s freedom is enhanced by the fold-out camping unit he keeps in the boot of his mini-van. Jane’s not a fan, but when travelling with his sons, he’ll often overnight in a French aire (a car/motorhome stopover) rather than booking accommodation. They are, he says, a step up from UK service stations.

Words of wisdom

Other top tips include using downloadable GPS routes if you’re not confident navigating through Europe and being certain to have European accident recovery as well as breakdown cover.

Mark also recommends taking bikes on a road trip, so you can park on the outskirts of cities and explore on two wheels. And, of course, a translation app is a must.

“My other important advice is born from recent experience,” he adds. “Be sure to have travel insurance. I had my gallbladder removed in a French hospital last year and was grateful to have a safety net in place.”

This experience hasn’t dimmed Mark’s enthusiasm for adventure. Planned trips for the coming months include a weekend drive to Bruges, a week in a Tuscan villa and a motorcycle ride from St Davids to Santander.

“My appetite for travel remains as strong as ever,” he concludes. “Some people go on massive global tours when they reach my age. But for me, a journey through Europe is the greatest pleasure of all.”