The content of the article:
- Top countries to travel by car
Car travel, like no other, will allow you to get acquainted with the peculiarities of any country, move mobilely through its cities and stop at any colorful, photogenic places.
Our review presents the best countries for auto tourism.
Top countries to travel by car
USA
It seems that America, its endless expanses, such dissimilar states, its vibrant nature and no less impressive megacities are created for roads and road trips along them.
Beautiful, well-kept tracks, straight as an arrow, are a pleasure in themselves. In America, a car rental service is widely developed, the receipt of which will take only a few minutes, and driving is permissible with a Russian driver's license.
Selling paper state maps are tagged with points of interest, making it easy for travelers to map out their travel itinerary.
There are many toll roads near large cities, so the driver should study in advance the procedure for acquiring a transponder, with which it will be easy to pay for travel.
The cost of gasoline in this country is comparable to Russian prices, but may vary from state to state due to differences in tax bases. The maximum distance between filling stations is 200 km, so that the traveler will never be left with an empty tank during the trip.
Finally, in addition to numerous hotels, roadside motels, restrooms, gas stations in the States have special recreation areas. They are equipped exits from large highways, where there are toilets, drinking water, vending machines and where you can safely and safely spend the night right in the car, saving your travel budget.
Canada
Another ideal country for a motorist, whose picturesque and well-groomed trails will allow you to quickly move between attractions.
Here, in the same way, tourists are quickly and simply given a car for rent, and the rules of the road are pleasantly pleasing with their laconicism. Basically, they call for observing road signs, watching traffic signals and controlling speed.
The Canadian police are not prone to gratuitous nagging, and the drivers themselves respect the measured, trouble-free traffic, so even the fines in this country are small.
In general, the condition of the Canadian roads is very good, but it depends on the weather conditions. For example, after the winter, which is more severe here than the Russian one, the roads are covered with potholes. But road services work quickly and efficiently, instantly eliminating all the shortcomings. Moreover, information on repairs can be seen on the website of the city administration and plan your route in advance.
The country has a very high quality fuel, the cost of which is about 1.25 CAD for gasoline and 1.15 CAD for diesel.
Parking lots in cities are paid and differ in the time at which and for which parking space is provided. This information is detailed on information signs, and for violation of these rules, parking police officers, city officials or even specialists from private security organizations have the right to issue a fine.
Canada is incredibly beautiful with its snowy peaks, national parks, relict forests, wild animals walking right along the roads - bears, deer, foxes. Therefore, it is recommended to watch it exactly on the car in order to cover as much as possible and get the impressions as vividly as possible.
Italy
Traveling by car in Italy has a number of undeniable drawbacks. In cities, there are very narrow streets, maneuvering on which causes tremors in the hands from tension and dents on the sides from the inevitable contact with walls, curbs and other cars.
The cost of fuel here is frankly high - 1.5-2 euros for gasoline and 1.4 euros for diesel. Due to the popularity of the country, car rental is not cheap, but even though it is expensive, it requires early, very early booking.
Big cities are mired in huge traffic jams, and Italians themselves are vigorously expressing themselves at the wheel, without hesitation in words.
But with all these disadvantages, it is simply necessary to look at Italy on your own, because it is so multifaceted, colorful and densely saturated with attractions that no organized tour is able to cover all its splendor. In addition, thanks to the car, you can competently combine an excursion vacation with a beach one.
Traffic rules here differ little from Russian ones and are rarely followed by local drivers. Crossroads, as in the rest of Europe, are mostly replaced by roundabouts, and parking lots are paid and densely packed.
Finally, when going on a long trip from one city to another, remember about siesta. In the period 13-16 hours, you can easily be left without gasoline and lunch, since many organizations are closed, which means that it is recommended to stock up on food and fuel on your own.
France
Renting a transport in France makes sense if you plan to travel out of town: to French villages, castles, at sea.
In cities, however, travelers will face congestion, lack of parking spaces, fines, and spoiled moods. In addition, in key tourist destinations, renting a car will cost two or even three times more than a similar model in some Reims or Orleans.
Fines in France are colossal, so a tourist is advised to first familiarize himself with all the intricacies of traffic rules, especially with speed limits.
It is on your own wheels that you should visit such places where expensive and infrequent excursions are offered, and also public transport does not go.
Loire castles, which cannot be reached either by train or by bus, Provence, where you should definitely stop on lavender fields, and Bordeaux with Champagne, where you should definitely buy a couple of bottles of excellent wine, will be ideal.
Thailand
Avid travelers will be surprised by this country in the ranking, because, on the one hand, it is oversaturated with tourist services, on the other hand, it offers very affordable prices for excursions, on the third, it is famous for its crazy traffic with no rules.
It turns out that if you take a break from beach relaxation and crazy night parties on Walking Street for a few days, take a car and go to the northwestern part of the country, then the popular resort will open from a completely different side.
Not far from Bangkok, you can walk almost all day in Muang Boran Park, which is an imitation of the whole Kingdom of Smiles with key attractions.
In the province of Samutprakarn, you should visit a crocodile farm, feed dangerous predators with chicken and even dine on their meat.
And, for example, if you go to the Khao Yai Park to observe gibbons, gauras, hornbills, you basically cannot do without a car. After all, the territory of the park is 2168 sq. km., which cannot be bypassed on foot, except on a motorbike, which, again, is offered to be rented for a certain amount.
Of the main inconveniences of travelers, the most frightening thing is the unusual left-hand traffic, although when moving outside the city it will not cause problems.
The second point is the need to obtain an international driver's license, as well as the presence of a bank card with a certain amount, which will be blocked for the duration of the car rental.
Highways between large cities are not much inferior in terms of coverage to European roads, and road police officers are practically never encountered, and even they mostly fine motorcyclists for not wearing a helmet.
So if we put aside fears and stereotypes, this exotic country will no longer look like a place for adult entertainment and beach recreation.
Conclusion
Car travel, like any other, has both a number of advantages and certain disadvantages.
The benefits include:
- freedom of movement;
- the opportunity to visit non-tourist, inaccessible places;
- a chance to get to know the local population and get to know the customs and way of life better than as part of an organized group;
- cost savings.
The disadvantages include:
- difficult to predict costs for gasoline, parking, fines;
- potential troubles in the form of an accident, evacuation of the car, theft of things from the passenger compartment, a broken wheel.
If you choose the right country and its specific regions, which will not tire with traffic congestion, poor coverage, difficult routes, then a car trip will become the brightest event that requires repetition.
