Embrace a Slower Pace on a European Journey of Your Own Making

PHOTO: © KRISTY ALPERT

It hadn’t been three days into my road trip through Eastern Europe, and already I had pulled over more times than I ever had while commuting through America. An abstruse hill adorned with more than 100,000 crosses caught my eye while driving through the countryside in Lithuania, and a local paper found at a gas station pointed me to an Estonian Cider maker with a new tasting room … and obviously I needed to see both. I was in the rare position when vacation time and airfare sales aligned, so I booked the flights and a one-way rental car from Vilnius to Tallinn and decided I would figure out the details along the way.

I had driven often through Europe — cruising through Germany’s Romantic Road in a BMW X1 and test-driving a Maserati Levante rental through the Italian Alps — but this was my first time exploring Eastern Europe, and I knew the best way to soak in the local culture and beauty of the region would be by car. I’ve learned two things from living and road- tripping through Europe: First, the true charm of each country is often found between its major cities, and, next, the road trip itself can quickly become the destination. I was reminded of the second of those lessons as I boarded a ferry bound for the small island of Muhu in Estonia, sipping strong espresso from a paper cup alongside passengers who regularly made the crossing.

Few around me spoke English, and many weren’t accustomed to seeing a tourist so far from their capital city. I struck up a conversation with the woman next to me, who was eager to regale me with stories about how the strait freezes over during winter and locals drive the ice road to the island instead. She offered tips on where to try the best dark bread while I was on the island, but then jotted down her family’s recipe for me on a paper napkin instead, claiming no restaurant could compete with her homemade version.

© JĀNIS EGLIŅŠ | DREAMSTIME

Like most of the places I visited on my Eastern European road trip, Muhu Island was not even on my radar when mapping out my route, and I would have missed it entirely if I had chosen to only stick to airport hubs. To this day, the island and the short ferry ride over to it are some of my fondest travel memories, and now my family relives the memories with me as I still make the dark rye bread I learned about from that woman I met on the ferry.

In my experience, driving through Europe proves the best way to capture the true soul of a destination, where back roads pass through picturesque villages and locals are eager to share their culture with someone brave enough to venture off their country’s traditional tourist tracks.

“Exploring Europe beyond highways opens up a world of hidden gems and scenic routes,” said Catharina Rijstenbil, vice president, brand, Omio, and an avid traveler through Europe. “While many Americans associate European trips with train travel, the ferry is another essential part of the European experience. Many islands and coastal regions are only accessible by ferry, offering opportunities to explore destinations that might otherwise be missed. These remote areas often have unique cultures, landscapes and attractions waiting to be discovered.”

Having a car proves a great advantage while traveling through Europe, yet it doesn’t come without its own set of considerations. Renting a car is the first step, and many of the main international hubs (both airport and train) offer a range of international rental car options. Popular choices are SIXT, Hertz, Europcar and Avis, but peer-to-peer rentals are gaining popularity, with Turo operating out of France and the United Kingdom. Most base-line European rentals are on the small side and have manual transmissions, but larger models and automatics are available for a premium.

A valid driver’s license is the next step, but some European Union countries will accept a U.S. driver’s license … and some will not. It’s always a good idea to check the requirements for your destination, but to be on the safe side, you can get an International Driver’s Permit from the American Automobile Association. The process is simple and inexpensive, and with just a few dollars and a few weeks of waiting, you can save a lot of headaches once overseas. Along with a valid U.S. driver’s license and a U.S. passport, the IDP can expedite any road issues that may come up by acting as a universal guarantee you’re legal to be on the roads.

PHOTO: © KRISTY ALPERT

The final piece, planning the route, is where a good map (or offline maps on your GPS), and a good booking company come in. Downloading offline maps from Here We Go, Google Maps (the preferred map in most of Europe) or Waze proves wise, even if your rental car comes loaded with its own GPS. Although many travelers use Omio for booking flights and train tickets, the app actually helps compare, book and store tickets all in one place across all modes of transportation, even ferries, which the company claims will be the preferred mode of transportation as consumers increasingly look to make the travel experience part of their getaway.

“The emerging trend of slow travel offers a transformative travel approach, enabling travelers to fully embrace the journey and immerse them- selves in the vibrant European culture,” Rijstenbil added. “Whether aboard trains or driving through charming towns, travelers have the chance to cultivate genuine connections with fellow travelers, too. This is in stark contrast to hurried travel, which often overlooks the essence of a destination. Beyond mere destinations, slow travel allows travelers to have a perspective that enriches.

“With road tripping, you have the freedom and flexibility to take an exit and visit a town or stop you may not have been able to if traveling by train or plane. Europe is steeped in history and culture, with ancient ruins, medieval towns and iconic landmarks scattered throughout the continent. Road tripping allows you to immerse yourself in this rich heritage, visiting historic sites, museums and cultural attractions as you travel from place to place — all at your leisure and at your own pace.”

© ARSTY | DREAMSTIME

The pace in Europe is one of its greatest strengths, where the mindset is “work to live,” and not the other way around; this is why road tripping through the continent is such an important piece to immersing into the European way of life. It’s not about seeing as many countries as possible, it’s not about getting from Point A to Point B, and it’s not even about the miles driven. When it comes to driving around the continent, the point is to enjoy the journey. You’ll see this in gas stations throughout Germany and France, where playgrounds welcome younger travelers and drivers hang around standing tables to enjoy a coffee (or a beer in some countries) while taking a break from the roadways.

Driving through Europe may not be the quickest or most efficient means of getting around the continent, but it’s a chance to slow down, see the lesser-known gems of the countries and, yes, maybe even pick up a new recipe or two from a fellow road tripper bound for a new-to-you destination.