Planning the perfect driving holiday

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by: bythesea
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Word Count: 415
Date: Sun, 10 Jul 2011 Time: 1:45 AM
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Heading to the airport and flying to your holiday hotspot may well be the most time efficient way to travel, but there's something undeniably special about driving all the way to your destination. Maybe it's the sense of achievement or simply the more laid back atmosphere offered by taking to the road and making progress at your own pace; either way, driving all the way from home to your chosen location is an experience like no other.

As well as the journey itself a notable experience, taking your car away with you offers a degree of flexibility that you just wouldn't otherwise have by allowing you and your family to take off from your base camp at the drop of a hat in search of a new piece of excitement. Turning the whole trip into something of a driving holiday will ensure that you get the maximum value from your time away as you see new sights with each passing day.

Such a trip takes meticulous planning, though, so make sure that you are sufficiently prepared. Many people nowadays like to rely on satellite navigation to get them from A to B, but not only are such units expensive to purchase - they're also susceptible to error when in an area with poor reception. Don't rely purely on a satnav system; your best bet is to consult an online route planner and plan your journey from start to finish. The software will allow you to avoid certain types of roads, so if you prefer to steer clear of motorways in favour of a more scenic route then that's a valid option.

Once your route is finalised, print off the resulting directions and map. Although it's likely that you'll have somebody with you in the car that can act as navigator, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the route fully before you set off rather than setting off on the big day with no overall view of the roads you'll be taking.

If you'll be taking your car abroad for your holiday, you should make all the necessary checks to ensure that you won't run into any trouble. Do you need an international driving permit to drive your car in your chosen country? If you're unsure then don't assume it's a ‘no'; check online to make double sure. Does your insurance cover you for driving outside of the UK? Again, if you don't know get in touch with your provider to make absolutely sure.

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If you're going on a long journey, why not check out the route planner at www.greenflag.com/routeplanning/