FAQ's

• Is it easy to drive in Europe? – Except for driving on the other side of the road, the driving conditions we will face will be very similar to country driving in Australia. The only place we will strike major traffic is in Paris. The other towns we visit are much smaller and easier to deal with. Some town roads in Italy tend to be narrow (why European cars have folding mirrors). Roads in Europe are well maintained and well signposted as well as relaxing driving.
• Can I extend my trip? – Apart from the initial 17 days, you can extend the use of the car and thus your holiday as much as you like. We can arrange for the car to be picked up earlier or returned later or both. We can also vary the pickup and return points depending on your requirements. You can even extend your tour while in Europe by calling the Citroën office in Paris. The friendly staff at ReHo Travel on St. Kilda Rd.or our other Travel Partners are happy to assist in planning any extension of your holiday.
• Are singles allowed? – Absolutely! Due to the necessity of sharing a car with other singles, we will organise any single travellers into teams of 2 or 3. One member of the team will need to be team captain for car registration purposes. Accommodation will be twin share on a like gender basis (or you can choose a single room). We will arrange get togethers for single travellers to meet your other team members well in advance of the trip. If you prefer, you can also have the use of the car on your own, but extra charges will apply.It may be neccessary for singles to take a single room if there are uneven numbers of singles.
• What does the suite package include? - The suite package includes everything included in the standard package but the accommodation is upgraded to a junior suite or higher level room if a suite is not available. In addition the car is upgraded to one of the luxurious Citroen DS5 vehicles.
• What should I allow for fuel and other costs? – Our experience is that the total cost for fuel should not exceed $700 AUD for the whole trip. The total distance for the trip is 3797kms (excluding running around in town).The cost of a litre of diesel fuel varies between €1.48 in Italy ($2 AUD) and €1.24 in Slovenia ($1.72 AUD). The published fuel consumption of the Citroen C4 Picasso is 6lt/100kms. This gives a consumption of 227 litres at a price of $370 AUD (using the average between the highest and lowest cost of fuel). Most countries in Europe impose either tolls (France, Italy) on their motorways or require permits (Switzerland, Austria) to use motorways. These costs would probably add another $200-300 AUD onto your costs. Some of the hotels will also charge for parking, which can be around 20 Euros per day
• What about credit cards? – Most places take credit cards nowadays, but be aware that AMEX and especially Diners are not popular outside the larger tourist spots & hotels. Credit cards are generally not as universal in the eastern countries. You will need to take some cash in Euros for some of the more out of the way places.
• What currency will I need? – Euros are used or can be exchanged easily in all the countries we visit. Switzerland has its own currency, but have extensive ATM networks for cash. Exchange booths are located in most places in the eastern countries.
• Will I need Visa’s? – Australian passport holders do not need visas for any of the countries we visit for a tourist stay of up to 90 days with the exception of Russia. Our staff will assist you in obtaining the Russian Tourist Visa. You should ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from the end date of your trip. Holders of other nationalities passports should check with the relevant countries embassies for visa requirements.
• Can I use my mobile phone? – 3G coverage is almost universal in Europe and the countries we travel through (3 bars at the top of the Alps!). You should check with your provider regarding global roaming. Be aware that global roaming charges can be exorbitant (especially data for smartphones & Blackberries). We have some recommendations regarding mobile phones in our tour guide.
• What about airfares? – Airfares are not included in the tour but the staff at ReHo Travel or your local Travel Partner can assist in arranging these. Earlybird fares generally come out for the month of October only, so it may be wise to book early.
• Travel Insurance? – Travel Insurance is compulsory for this trip. You can either purchase this from ReHo Travel or your local Travel Partner or maybe you have insurance through a credit card. If your insurance is through a credit card such as AMEX, we need to know about it.
• What should I allow for meals costs? - A rule of thumb when travelling is that if it costs a dollar at home it will cost a Euro (or USD) abroad. The further east you go, the cheaper things will be. You could probably count on lunch being 10-15 Euros and dinner being 40-60 Euros per person. Of course, there’s always McDonalds if you don’t want the local cuisine.
• How do I use the GPS? – For those unused to using a GPS (or street navigator) we will provide an introduction and instructions on how to use it. Your GPS will be provided in advance of the tour so you can get used to using it around the local streets before taking it to Europe. You will find that it is relatively easy to get used to and they are very accurate.
• Can I take children? – Children as young as 10 can gain a lot from travel. They will retain these memories for the rest of their lives. Nowhere on the suggested route is unsuitable for children. Most hotels can cater for one child with a rollaway bed, but two children will require a separate room. Please enquire with the organisers regarding children, but be aware that we cannot offer children’s discounts.
• What are hotels like in Europe? – You should be aware that rooms in Europe tend to be smaller than we are used to in Australia. This especially applies to Italy and the eastern countries. All of our hotels have airconditioning (which is sometimes not available in European hotels). Most also have free WiFi either in the rooms or, at worst, in the lobby.
• Do I need an International Driving License? – Some countries do require them and some do not. Best be sure and acquire one at your local motoring organisation (RACV, NRMA, RACQ etc etc). They cost about $30 and are valid for 12 months. You’ll need to take your local license and a passport photo when applying. You’ll also need to take your local license with you on the trip as well as the International License.
• Are there any health issues? – There are no significant health issue to worry about at this stage for the countries we pass through. It may be prudent to check with your local GP regarding any vaccinations that may be required. The Australian Governments Smart Traveller website is also a good reference. The address is www.smartraveller.gov.au