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Road trips offer the flexibility to access places that are difficult to reach by train or plane.
Published June 19, 2024 • 6 minute read
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The medieval town of Dinant in southern Belgium. Photo by Philippe Brau/Agence VU for The Washington Post.
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One of the first words you should learn in France or Belgium is the French word for “strike” – “grève” – ​​because you'll hear it a lot on the local news.
Over the past few years, strikes have caused frequent disruptions to European airline and train services. Rather than endure the hassle of international connections, travelers should consider renting a car, especially if you're a small group who likes to get off the beaten path.
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When Americans head to Europe for the summer, many try to pack multiple countries into their itinerary. Road trips offer the flexibility to reach places that are hard to reach by train or plane, making road trips a fun option even for locals.
“I love driving, flexibility, and accessibility,” says Jane Birch, founder of Parisian cooking school La Cuisine Paris and author of The French Ingredient. “Avoid the highways and stop in small villages for lunch and shopping. I love buying food and wine as souvenirs, and not having to lug luggage on a train or plane is a plus.”
If you're looking for a 10-12 day trip to explore the three countries, we've designed an itinerary below (this Google Map has all the driving directions you'll need).
Renting a car in Europe
If you're used to driving in the United States, driving in Europe may seem more relaxed. The rules of the road are pretty much the same on the continent, except in the UK and Ireland, where you drive on the left side of the road.
Note that the speed limit is in kilometers per hour, not miles. After almost a decade living in Europe, I still have to do the math in my head. The easiest way to calculate it is to multiply the number by 0.60. It's 0.62 to be exact, but the easy way should be employed if you want to avoid getting a speeding ticket (you will get one!). In the Netherlands and Belgium, there are speed cameras that capture the average speed of your trip, not a single moment on the road. Set your cruise control and you won't have to worry about people passing by.
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Renting a car is easy in Western Europe. Most of the big US brands (Hertz, Budget, Avis, Enterprise) are available at most major airports. I stick with these brands because they allow me to collect airline miles and I can handle the issues at a corporate level back home.
The Biesbosch National Park, one of Europe's last freshwater wetlands, is visible from the road from the Netherlands to Belgium. Photo by Philippe Brau/Agence VU for The Washington Post
Regarding driver's licenses, I have rented a car from Austria to Greece and have never been asked to show an international driver's license. However, if you are stopped by the police, an international driver's license will help you avoid fines. It's easy to apply for one through AAA and it only costs $20.
Be careful about the size of your rental car, as roads and parking lots in most European countries are often much narrower than in the U.S. You can rent a small SUV, but we don't recommend anything larger than a Volkswagen Tiguan or BMW X3. Also, if you can't drive a manual car, specify an automatic when booking, as manual cars are still fairly common throughout Europe.
Electric cars are more popular in Western Europe than in the US, and there are plenty of charging stations along highways, in parking lots, and in most urban areas. If you rent an electric car, plan your stops around charging times. This is also a great way to explore small towns. Buy some lunch and take a short walk while your car charges. Use an app like PlugShare to find a charging station; it will show you availability and what types of chargers are supported.
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Google Maps is a great tool for road trips, as it works equally well in Europe as it does in the US. Another tip is to prepay for parking when visiting big cities. For example, when driving to the Netherlands, I use a website called Parkbee. Amsterdam is notorious for expensive parking, but you can still find a parking space for 20 euros a day. In France, Onepark offers a similar service.
Departing from Amsterdam
After spending a few days strolling along the city's quaint canals and admiring Dutch Masters at the Rijksmuseum, rent a car at Schiphol Airport and head south to Brussels, a journey that takes less than three hours.
Stop in Gouda, Holland
Karswinkeltje is the oldest shop in downtown Gouda. It has specialized in farm cheeses for generations. Photo by Philippe Brau/Agence VU for The Washington Post
Gouda is famous for its cheese, but also for its history – the city is over 750 years old. Its charming town centre, warm stroopwafels and tempting cheeses represent a more laid-back side of Holland, without the tourist throngs of downtown Amsterdam.
Visit the many cheese farms outside Gouda, one of my favourites is Kaasboerderij De Twee Hoeven.
Brussels City Hall on the Grand Place. Photo by Philippe Breaux/Agence VU for The Washington Post
Stop in Brussels
Brussels is known for its Art Nouveau architecture, fine food, and of course, chocolate.
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A stop at the Grand Place (where there are also several car parks) is a must, followed by a walk to the Sablon, known for its art galleries, chocolate shops and weekend antique market.
Grand Place in Brussels. Photo by Philippe Breaux/Agence VU for The Washington Post
Park your car and take the metro, tram or bus to Saint-Gilles or Ixelles, a popular local neighborhood full of cozy cafés and lively restaurants, like La Quinciallerie for traditional Belgian fare and a hearty casserole of mussels and fries, or Fernand Obb for crispy shrimp croquettes. You can also sample international cuisine, reflecting the city's diverse population, from Vietnamese to Congolese.
Stop in Dinant, Belgium
Visit this charming, well-preserved medieval town in Wallonia in southern Belgium, take a boat trip down the River Meuse with views of the rolling hills of the Ardennes, see the Citadel of Dinant and stock up on chocolates and local artisan cheeses.
The medieval town of Dinant in Wallonia, Belgium. Photo by Philippe Brau/Agence VU for The Washington Post
Stop in Reims, France
The Champagne region is less than a 3-hour drive from Brussels, and from Reims you can easily reach many Champagne producers by foot, bus, tram or other public transport.
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A car allows you to explore the picturesque Champagne-producing towns of Aÿ, Bouzy, and Avize. Many of these small towns don't have train stations or have limited train schedules. These towns are home to independent producers whose products are rarely available outside of France. Make sure you hire someone to drive.
“If you're going on a wine trip, make sure you spit it out. The legal limit is the equivalent of a blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent (the US standard is 0.08 percent). Depending on your pour and your size, even one drink can put you over the limit,” says Caro Feely, co-founder and director of Chateau Feely, a winery and guesthouse in the south of France.
Stop in Lyon, France
Known as the gastronomic capital of France, Lyon has a completely different atmosphere to Paris, with cozy taverns (bouchons Lyonnaises) serving local specialities like pâté and sausage-stuffed brioche accompanied by Côtes du Rhône wines, a less touristy atmosphere and restaurants and bars catering to locals. As with other cities, there are plenty of car parks where you can reserve a spot in advance.
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French cuisine lovers should stop by Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a gourmet hotspot with several restaurants where you can enjoy oyster shucking, rich cheeses, charcuterie and wine.
For fantastic city views, take the funicular up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
Sunday morning in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district of Paris. Photo by Philippe Breaux/Agence VU for The Washington Post
Stop in Dijon, France
Known for its mustard, Burgundy's capital has a beautiful city centre that's well worth a stop: with its cobbled streets and Gothic architecture, it's the perfect place for a quick break.
Stop in Paris
You could also return your rental car in Lyon and take the TGV (high-speed train) to Paris, which takes 2 hours, but if you're feeling more adventurous, why not drive back to Paris and stop off in the small city of Auxerre in Burgundy.
Alternatively, a car will allow easy travel to attractions outside of Paris such as Versailles and the Parc du Bois, home to the Louis Vuitton Foundation and home to amazing artworks as well as equally impressive Frank Gehry-designed buildings and gardens.
Jessica Van Dop De Jesus is a travel and food writer, digital content creator, and author of The Dining Traveler's Guide to Puerto Rico. She is based in Brussels, Washington DC, and Western New York. Follow her on Instagram at @diningtraveler.
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