Future Europpomeet: where and when? Polls!

"duurtlang" (duurtlang) 07/23/2017 at 03:25 • Filed to: europpomeet

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Given the success of the previous long weekend meets at the Nürburgring in March and in the Alps in June we thought it would be a great idea to have a poll for a future destination. There are 4 polls below:

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I would like to ask you to only enter your preferences if you at the very least are considering actually coming to that location during our meet. The personal preferences of those who already know they won’t be coming anyway are not that relevant to the rest of us. Everyone can give suggestions though.

Poll 1: Where would you like to have the next meet? Multiple selections possible, as are open suggestions!

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Poll two: where would you NOT like to go? Again, multiple selections possible:

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Poll 3: When?

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Poll 4: When NOT?

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All polls allow you to add comments. You can add comments below as well. I can always add options to the polls if needed. Let me know!

pip bip - choose Corrour > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:05

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Sark.

8)

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:06

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So what’s the best way to rent something interesting without paying some ridiculous amount in Europe? Obviously different countries will vary. But if I went to something like this, I definitely dont want to end up in a diesel Opel or a smart car or CUV lol.

Just curious if there is something like Turo out there or companies that rent things like the FRS or Renault on that trip. Older/classic stuff would be preferred as well.

duurtlang > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/21/2017 at 11:11

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Assuming you’re not too young (at least 21+) there are more interesting cars you can rent. For our Alps trip I’ve seen the Mazda MX5/Miata, Abarth 500 and Abart 124. For example. All manual, all three affordable, all three not available at every location. I’m sure you could get something like an M3 as well, but that’ll break the bank. edit : I’ve seen cars like the Golf GTi and Audi TT as well.

I do believe there are Turo alternatives too.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:18

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I think something Italian would be perfect. Abarth 500, or rather something not available in the US. Maybe even an Alfa, although i doubt it would make it without breaking down lol. But yeah like you said, at least everything is manual!

fintail > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:18

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I’ll be in Germany in November and potentially could have about 8 free days, just saying.

duurtlang > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/21/2017 at 11:20

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Everything was manual a decade+ ago. Nowadays manual is only the default option on compacts and below and certain sporty vehicles, although I’m sure you can still get a manual Passat or something. It is something to focus on when selecting the rental company and vehicle. It might even be useful to contact a rental company in advance to make sure.

I like Italy and I want to keep all options open, but I fear (the south of) Italy is not going to be overly realistic. Most live in the UK/Germany/Benelux/Northern France and many have a tight-ish budget. Especially when people want to drive their own cars the most realistic locations will be within a days drive.

DutchieDC2R > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/21/2017 at 11:24

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Most European countries have ‘turo’-like services that allow you to rent something more adventurous than a Smart or a CUV. I think for Germany it would be www.miet24.de, for Holland you have www.snappcar.nl, just to name a few.

DutchieDC2R > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:26

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Voted! Already excited as hell. If the Slovenia/Croatia thing goes through, ah man, I have a few spots we need to see/go to.

duurtlang > fintail 07/21/2017 at 11:29

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Where will you be, and when? More specifically.

Tareim - V8 powered > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:30

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as I don’t have a passport yet (one day I will lol) I had to vote for Wales so will definitely join in then

duurtlang > DutchieDC2R 07/21/2017 at 11:33

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You could always post those suggestions here and create some enthusiasm among those that read it as well ;)

Didn’t you have roots in that part of Europe?

fintail > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:34

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I’ll be in Hamburg til the 6th, not due in Stuttgart til the 14th through the 19th (much free time there too). I have no firm plans for the time between, I was going to amble over to Prague and Vienna for a few days, but nothing is decided yet.

DutchieDC2R > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:34

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I am Croatian!..:D

Also: That sounds like such a good idea, that I will do it right away!

duurtlang > Tareim - V8 powered 07/21/2017 at 11:35

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As long as Brexit hasn’t been completed you should be fine with a drivers license or a standard ID, if I’m not mistaken (double check this yourself!). Skip Switzerland and other non-EU countries though.

DutchieDC2R > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:51

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As far as the Slovenia/Croatia option goes, I’d skip Slovenia as a ‘stop’ and move on to either just Croatia or incorporate a crossing of the Adriatic Sea/Roadtrip towards Istria and head into Italy. Slovenia is.....nice to see if its your first time there, but as far as a roadtrip country goes, I’d opt to drive through it and be done with it.

Now, Croatia, on the other hand, well, I can go on and on and on endlessly about Croatia, which I wont. I do, however, have a couple of interessting suggestions as far as driving/visiting goes:

- National Park Plitvicka Jezera: A national park with numerous waterfalls and water so bright you can litterally count the number of fishing swimming around you just by looking at them. This is a place that is always on my ‘must visit’ list when Im there. A perfect location to unwind after some hard driving on the coastal roads.

- National Park Krk: Similar to the above, but quite a bit bigger, with plenty of locations to set up camp nearby. It is a bit closer to the coast compared to Plitvice.

- Velebit: The ‘alps’ of Croatia, the national mountain, if you will. We dont not have enormous mountainous areas like Austria/Switserland have, but, the mountainous area that we do have, is a blast to drive through, with on one side the Adriatic Sea welcoming you and on the other, the Velebit mountains greeting you.

-The various islands (We have over a 1000 of them): Not all of them can be visited, but there are plenty of boat tours to choose from.

As far as driving roads go, search for ‘Magistrala’, it is the number 1 route to the coast and it is a magnificent drive!

Check it out: http://www.mototrip-tours.com/blog/road-radar/best-croatian-roads-for-riders/

Tareim - V8 powered > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 11:58

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after doing a quick search online it seems the main issue would be getting back into the UK without a passport

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > DutchieDC2R 07/21/2017 at 12:07

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I’d love to go on vacation to Croatia sometime with the only pain in the ass being the way through Austria.

DutchieDC2R > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 07/21/2017 at 12:12

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Austria is doable, right? Or is it just that you have a thing against Austrians...:P

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > DutchieDC2R 07/21/2017 at 12:18

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Nothing against the Austrians but their speed limits and toll Pickerl :D

duurtlang > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 07/21/2017 at 12:21

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The speed limits are everywhere that isn’t the German Autobahn and the toll in Austria is annoying, but their regular (10 days?) sticker is only something like €8. Shouldn’t hold you back.

duurtlang > DutchieDC2R 07/21/2017 at 12:22

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That’s a compelling argument you’re making there. The pictures make it better ;)

DutchieDC2R > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 12:26

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Whenever we go through Austria, we tend to use the Vignette as well. They always sell some sort of package deal here in Holland for Slovenia and Austria.

DutchieDC2R > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 07/21/2017 at 12:29

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I can understand the Toll argument. When my parents go back home for holiday, the Vignette becomes the talk of the day, especially the price that goes up on a yearly basis. They need one for the full 5 weeks, so have to pay a bit more for it.

As far as the speed limit goes, our route anyways, is full of tunnels, so going blatantly fast is not recommended anyways. But I have to give it to you, there are sections of highways in Austria that could go without a limit, IMO.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 12:44

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I know I know. No big deals but minor annoyances.

duurtlang > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 07/21/2017 at 12:47

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Are you 21 yet? ;)

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > DutchieDC2R 07/21/2017 at 12:49

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The Austrian highway patrol used to hunt down any car coming from the German border before they even had the chance to buy the Vigniette (I know the Vigniette is available in Germany close to the border but still). Fines are (too) high.

Speed limits just bore the hell out of me but that’s just my immature opinion.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 12:50

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Finally on monday.

Chinny Raccoon > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 14:30

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Something worth mentioning is that the ferry to the IOM is expensive- around £200 return if you book well in advance, or closer to £300 if you don’t. Not a wide choice for local car hire either.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Chinny Raccoon 07/21/2017 at 14:31

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Ouch!

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 14:32

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Possible addition: Mallorca!

Clemsie McKenzie > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 15:00

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Voted! Given how fun it was this year, I can’t wait to do it again. Wales might be a bit expensive for me though, if we go there it will depend on if I get a job on the side or not. But all sound like very fun destinations! I suggested the Le Mans 24hrs too, you never know. I know it’s a bit far for most of you, but it could make a sweet secondary meet in June! The roads around it are quite fun, too.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 16:24

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Oh agreed, we can drive anywhere. I just like the idea of an Italian car somewhere in Europe. I had fun in the Smart 4 four I rented in Italy (mid engined, rear wheel drive!) but that was more because of the experience. But yeah I would be pretty much down for anywhere that my girlfriend would approve of going to. She really wants to do London around the time of Wimbledon (the tennis tournament in July) so that would line up easily to convince her to go to England/Wales/Scotland.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DutchieDC2R 07/21/2017 at 16:25

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I gotta brush up on some non-english languages haha. It would certainly open up the opportunities I imagine.

DutchieDC2R > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 07/21/2017 at 17:17

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Yep, while going to Croatia with my parents, I noticed the same thing. They even checked us, but my dad is religious about the Vignette, he buys it about a month up front.

I agree on the speed limit thought...:P

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > duurtlang 07/21/2017 at 22:04

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Highly interested in flying over. One major question is how much more dificult are the roads in Northern Europe compared to the USA? Specifically are the drivers as nuts as their southern counterparts in Spain and Italy. I’ve been to both and found the folks on scooters completely nuts.

Secondary question is how tricky are the one lane roads? Maybe I watch too much bbc, but it seems like all the country roads are one lane? Or is that fear unfounded?

duurtlang > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/22/2017 at 02:03

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To be honest, I’ve never driven in the UK so someone else will have to answer that one.

Compared to the US roads might be a bit narrower but so are the cars, and the infrastructure tends to be better. I like it better, in Western continental Europe, than in the US. Don’t worry about the other drivers, at least don’t worry more than in the US. When everything is new you just take your time to adjust and everything will be fine. Don’t rush, keep right. I did the same thing the first time I was in the US (last year). One thing you could do in advance though is to check different road sign and rules. You’ll be fine without doing so, but being better prepared is a plus.

Scooters aren’t much of an issue outside of the Mediterranean countries. Driving in countries like Germany is much easier than in southern Italy.

Chinny Raccoon > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/23/2017 at 04:19

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For the UK, they are narrower, but you’ll get used to it fairly quickly. As an example this is a good B Road local to me , it’s a popular biker route. Fast, and with a lot of sweeping fast bends. Mostly a 60MPH limit - apart from a small 30 section through a village.

Most of the roads that a potential trip would use would be similar to this, or the (theoretically) larger A roads. The Evo triangle uses a combo- the A5 section being a very open and fast route, although still 60MPH (And the North wales police are well known for being very keen on speed enforcement)

The A roads do vary though, this is a section of a main route between a couple of reasonably sized towns- it’s quite common to get a couple of arctic trucks meeting each other with a bus thrown in the mix.

 The lanes do vary in quality- some are quite wide and fast with good surfacing and visibilty for oncoming traffic. On this section it’s possible to exceed the 60MPH limit by quite a lot...

Others, not so much . The hill behind you is much steeper than it seems in the streetview. In the day you need to be aware that there might be a car, tractor, cow etc around the corner you can’t see, and whatever it is may not be able to stop as fast as you can. At night it’s easier- I’ve run road nav events that use most of the roads in this area.

These are fairly typical of roads in the Welsh border area. Most don’t have marked passing places, that’s more of a thing where the majority of the roads aren’t like this. You just find a space, reversing some distance if the other vehicle isn’t able to do so. It helps to drive something you don’t care too much about the appearance of too!

UK rural drivers are usually fairly good, we get some dawdlers and the influx of tourists from cities who don’t know how to drive, but they’re nowhere near as nuts as the Italians. Mostly.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/23/2017 at 06:30

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Driving in Italy wasn’t that bad. I mean I’m used to NJ and LA so maybe I truly know what bad/crazy driving is. But aside from the scooters having a death wish, cars were just very mild mannered, especially on the highway. It was crazy seeing people actually move out of the left lane and use turn signals and go through roundabouts properly. The death defying scooters in Rome and Positano though are only really risking themselves so I didn’t mind it.

Cé hé sin > duurtlang 07/23/2017 at 07:01

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No, he’ll need a passport. Apart from anything else you won’t get on to a ferry or plane without one.

RT > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/23/2017 at 08:29

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In general don’t worry too much about the one-lane roads, they have plenty of passing places on the side of the road for overtakes - and they don’t even have much traffic on them.

duurtlang > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 07/23/2017 at 14:13

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Mallorca added! It’s arrived a bit late to the party though, I forgot to include it initially.