https://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/11/24/drink-driving-in-the-loire/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/12.jpg12The biggest issue on leaving is how to pack nearly fifty bottles of wine in car already considered to be over-stuffed. Carefully is the answer. La Grande Maison can store excess wine in their underground wine caves - but could you bear to leave it behind?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/paleine.jpgpaleineTwenty first century winemaking at Domaine de la Paleine - computer controlled, spotless stainless steel vats sit in a purpose built glass sided building overlooking the vines. More traditional methods are still employed in the wine caves underneath.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/loire-2-little.jpgloire-2-littlehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/drink-driving-loire.jpgdrink-driving-loirehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/10.jpg10The distinctive triple spired church at Le Puy Notre Dame, a motif used on many of the wines produced in the area. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/9.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/8.jpg8The La Grande Maison fortified wine estate includes two rooms in the main manor house and two cottages in the garden https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6.jpg6The distinctive triple spired church at Le Puy Notre Dame https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/5.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/4.jpg4Sailing on the Loire with La Grand Maison's Sue at the wheel and Tzigane captain Alain on the sails. Born and bred in Le Thoureil, beside the river where the boat is moored, Alain is a naturalist with an encyclopedic knowledge of the local wildlife, birds and fauna. 2018-02-22T11:11:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/about/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/de-liseran.jpgde-liseranAround France, September 2016: one of our best trips, no doubt about it, mainly because the dog was welcomed everywhere and the people were great. Our hotel game picked up too with a succession of great places to stay - from a 17th century wine estate in the Loire to a chateau in the Cevennes, an incredible beachside hotel in Bandol and a hugely enjoyable return to L’Alta Peyra in the Alps. A catered chalet in Morzine, just south of Lake Geneva, was a new one on us. In amongst this lot was a string of mountain roads including 2083m Col du Mont Cenis and 2770m Col de l’Iseran (above). The scariest however was not in the Alps.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/atomium-b1.jpgatomium-bBrussels + Antwerp, April 2016: a long weekend, double-city break. Not one of our greatest trips. We’re losing it on hotels, probably because we now pre-book we think. Meanwhile we got stung at Eurotunnel for not pre-booking (though the five day return was much better value). The overall biggest issue however was it left us thirsting for more… Photo: parking up almost beneath the Atomium, northern Brussels.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/cloud-break-galibier-21.jpgcloud-break-galibier-2Dog Holiday, September 2015: much closer to home this time with a relatively gentle drive south through the French, Swiss and Italian Alps then the French, Andorran and Spanish Pyrenees, accompanied – for the first time ever – by the dog. In another first we caught the overnight Brittany Ferries Santander-Portsmouth boat home, staying in a pet-friendly cabin. Photo: spectacular cloud breaks on Galibier, 2645m (8678ft) near Grenoble.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/atomium-b.jpgatomium bBrussels + Antwerp, April 2016: a long weekend, double-city break. Not one of our greatest trips. We’re losing it on hotels, probably because we’re pre-booking them we reckon. Meanwhile we got stung at Eurotunnel for not pre-booking (though the five day return was much better value). The overall biggest issue however was that it left us thirsting for more…https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/85.jpg8Otztal Glacier Road, 2830m (9285ft) – the second highest paved road in the Alps and theoretically open all year (except when we were there). Still great though, but you need Winter or All-Season Tyres.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ukraine-tyre.jpgukraine tyreUkraine, 16 days, 4,500+ miles, June 2015. Across Germany and southern Poland to Ukraine capital Kyiv then coastal city Odessa. Home through Moldova, northern Romania, eastern Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Prague before heading down to the Austrian Alps and home via Wurzburg and Brussels.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/cloud-break-galibier-2.jpgcloud break galibier (2)Dog Holiday, September 2015: much closer to home this time with a relatively gentle drive south through the French, Swiss and Italian Alps then the French, Andorran and Spanish Pyrenees, accompanied – for the first time ever – by the dog. In another first we caught the overnight Brittany Ferries Santander-Portsmouth boat home, staying in a pet-friendly cabin. Photo: spectacular cloud breaks on Galibier, 2645m (8678ft) near Grenoble.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/paris-cover.jpgparis coverParis, four days, 570 miles, March 2015. A routine city break staying further up the Champs Elysee from the Arc de Triomphe in ‘business-oriented’ La Defense. Occupied ourselves with a recreation of the notorious 'Rendezvous'.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/hotel-milan2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMonza, eleven days, 1,781 miles, Sept 2005. Two tickets to the Italian Grand Prix + newly bought Mazda MX-5 = road trip. Ferry Harwich-Hook of Holland then Cologne-Lugano (Switzerland)-Milan (pic)-Innsbruck-Nuremberg-Cologne.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/cover.jpgcoverBox Ticking Groningen-Gibraltar, October 2014: 4,592 miles, eleven days: 2017-03-21T10:58:42+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/11/29/bareback-mountain/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/a1.jpga1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/61.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/51.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/41.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/31.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/21.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1.jpg12017-03-09T09:34:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2017/03/07/notes-on-interlaken-trip/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2591.jpg2591https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2580.jpg2580https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2576.jpg2576https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2573.jpg2573https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2565.jpg2565https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2557.jpg2557https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2538.jpg2538Interlaken, Switzerland, 1920 miles March 2017: a week-long chalet rental in Habkern, in hills above Interlaken central west Switzerland. Included 703 mile day-long dash on way there and 824 miles on the way back, both on Black Saturday weekends (though traffic wasn’t really an issue via Strasbourg, avoiding the French Alps). Also included a day trip to Geneva (270 miles) and a £105 (each!) cable car trip to Piz Gloria – featured in James Bond On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - from Lauterbrunnen, 20km south of Interlaken. After overnight snow, the drive down the very steep lane from the chalet was extremely dicey, even with our much-vaunted M+S ‘mud and snow’ tyres, and Land Rover’s famous Hill Descent Control (the advice to ‘just put it in first and don’t touch the brakes’ worked in the end).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2530.jpg2530https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2521.jpg2521https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2510.jpg25102017-03-08T13:15:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/daily-brief/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lugano-hotel-straight.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERArandom pic: Hotel Intercontinental, Lugano, Switzerland. Shame about that crane. On our way to Monza. Lugano is one of the major towns in the Italian speaking part of the country, almost the last stop before the border.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/731a.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERArandom pic: inching towards a deserted Port de Larrau (5,100ft) on the border between Spain-France.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/4155a.jpg4155arandom pic: the back way into Switzerland, at Basel, avoiding having to buy a motorway vignette.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/714a.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERArandom pic: lost in the Pyrenees, again.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1161a.jpg1161aNarrow-laned, banked and very fast, it's not in accurate to describe Italy's A1 motorway as a thinly disguised race track.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/6521a.jpg6521ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/5397bsmall.jpg5397bsmallhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dyke-mway-102.jpgdyke mway 102North Holland, May 2006, five days, 575 miles. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/4352a.jpg4352aRandom pic: quite high on the Bernina Pass, east Switzerlandhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1291a.jpg1291aNo not a tunnel. Actually on the otherwise rather nice - wide, smooth, flat - A4 motorway between Amsterdam and Hook of Holland ferry port. It's one thing in a car - if the worst happened you can make a run for it - but there are whole towns in the Nertherlands below sea level. A receptionist at a hotel in Lelystad once said proudly that we were 15m (50 feet) below sea level. We happily paid extra for a room on the top floor. 2016-10-12T09:01:00+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/10/07/friday-1800-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/france-accidents.jpgfrance-accidentsPhoto Ministere de l'Interieurhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/a81-ntal.jpga81-ntalhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/a81-ntal-use.jpga81-ntal-useThere are no traffic warnings in France until later in the month – and then only minor ones – or in Austria or Italy, either. Switzerland may see some minor action at the Gotthard Tunnel over the weekend, on Saturday particularly, and in both directions. Otherwise, all eyes are on Germany. States in the west start their two week autumn school holiday this afternoon with those that go away heading for the Alps, Central Mountains and the coast today and tomorrow. However, huge jams are not expected – especially considering the forecast cold and windy weather in Central Europe (though the really grotty stuff will be in the Southeast according to the BBC).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/071016.gif0710162016-10-11T04:36:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/10/03/monday-1800-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/stel.jpgstelOnly light snow at Stelvio this morning - but the temperature is -3C.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/stel-cover.jpgstel-coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/nufie-ice.jpgnufie-iceSwitzerland’s Nufenen Pass – also called Passo della Novena – closed overnight and remains closed today due to ice according to TCS. The 37km mountain road in the Gotthard region – connecting Gotthard Pass to Grimsel and Furka – rises to 2480m (8136ft) between Airolo and Ulrichen (crossing from Ticino canton to Valais). While no Alpine passes have closed for the winter as yet they will start to later this month. Several places have been short lived snow and ice in recent weeks, notably the southern French Alps. Best squeeze in that high altitude driving now while you still can. Photo @DriveEurope, June 2014.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/031016.gif0310162016-10-05T04:43:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/17/wednesday-1002/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/154.jpg154Carsington Water, Derbyshire Peak District. Moving north @DriveEurope might have been disruptive but it comes with many benefits.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/170816b.gif170816bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/170816.gif1708162016-10-05T04:41:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/09/06/tuesday-1800-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/vision-van.jpgvision-vanWith a range from 80km to 270km depending on the application, Mercedes-Benz new adVANce ‘Vision Van’ is the second all-electric concept vehicle launched by the firm in the past month. As well as the full suite of connected technology you might expect, Vision Van also includes an automated cargo loading system to put packages in their optimum position for deliveries and cut down time at both ends. Meanwhile, drones are integrated into the roof to make Vision Van a mobile drone hub. The system is developed in partnership by Silicon Valley autonomous drone logistics start-up Matternet in which Mercedes has a stake.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/ginnie2.jpgginnie2At just 327m (1072ft), Col de la Gineste is hardly the highest road in southern France. But it is on the D559 scenic route east from Marseille, 20km of twists and turns across the Calanques National Park to the port of Cassis (and after that to near Cannes, following the coast from La Ciotat). Unfortunately, a second spate of wild fire in the Marseille region has seen Gineste shut for the second day running according to the local prefeture. The fire was brought under control overnight but there is still a high risk of it reigniting. Photo Portail-PACA.nethttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/eu-160906.gifEU-160906https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/060916.gif0609162016-09-13T10:09:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/09/05/live-blog-calais-blockade-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/img_0628.jpgIMG_0628Screen grab from RT.com live feed.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/cracg1txyaabqi0.jpgCracG1tXYAABqI02016-09-06T08:38:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/09/02/friday-1800-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/528.jpg528Heavy holiday traffic in France skewed much later this summer than anyone expected, but with the kids now back at school we can endorse with some confidence roads monitor Bison Fute's assertion https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/020916.gif0209162016-09-03T08:24:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/09/01/thursday-1600/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/calmig-camp.jpgcalmig camphttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/luc.jpglucThe Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne features a 'sign wall'. More later. Photo Verkehrshaus.chhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/010916n.gif010916nhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/010916.gif0109162016-09-02T09:51:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/30/tuesday-1800-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/op-escargot.jpgop escargothttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/transhumance-crop.jpgtranshumaNCE cropDrivers in the French Alps were already being warned last weekend to beware large herds of cattle heading down the mountains. ‘Transhumance’ is the seasonal movement of livestock between pastures: low in the winter and high in the summer. Called Almabtrieb – cattle drive – in German, the second, third and fourth weekends of September will see the largest movements, in Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol in Italy and Bavaria in Germany says ADAC. Drivers have to cope not just with the animals but with extra traffic as tourists flock to watch. Depending on the weather, large parades are scheduled in Seeg and Pfronten on 10 September, Nesselwang on 16 September 16 and Immenstadt and Hohenschwangau on 17 September (all in Germany). The last are in Austria’s Gerlos and Hintertux on 24 September. Diversions are often in place but otherwise drivers should be prepared for lengthy delays. Photo @RadioValdIserehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/300816.gif3008162016-08-31T13:41:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/19/scandinavia-ferry-mars-dfds-largest-lego-ship/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/vw-rally.jpgvw rallyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/panzerplatte.jpgpanzerplatteSlippery in the dry and treacherous when wet, the infamous tank proving ground ‘Panzerplatte’ waits to catch out the world’s best rally drivers at this weekend’s Rallye Deutschland. Like Finland’s Ouninpohja, Panzerplatte is one of the sport’s toughest challenges. Concrete ‘Hinkelsteins’ line the kerbs on the ‘maze’ of roads running through the 10,000 hectare military area at Baumholder, between Frankfurt and Saarbrucken in western Germany. Photo @VolkswagenMotorsporthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cqntlvwwyaaszb_.jpgCqNtLVWWYAASzB_https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dfds-leg-2.jpgDFDS leg 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/t2016_0311.jpgT2016_0311Volvo's 2400bhp land speed record monster. More later.2016-08-25T05:48:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/15/monday-1800-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/n-cov.jpgn covhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/nurbie-2.jpgnurbie 2Nurburgring 'tourist drivers' wait to go out onto the circuit this morning. More later. Photo @Nuerburgringhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cqjr9dbxyaaxlkp.jpgCqJR9DBXYAAxlkpBusy but not exceptional return traffic had been forecast for France this weekend, but now looks optimistic.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/m20-truck-park.jpgm20 truck parkConsultation launched on proposed M20 truck park. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1508162.gif150816https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1508161.gif150816https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/150816.gif1508162016-08-24T15:10:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/16/tuesday-1800-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/instab-control.jpginstab controlhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/instab-c.jpginstab chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/volvo.jpgvolvoAs the world waits to see the long-awaited new Scania on 23 August - next Tuesday - Volvo announces today it has big news of its own, due tomorrow. 'It's a bird, it's a plane, it's.. a truck,' it said on twitter today. See more. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/160816.gif1608162016-08-24T11:22:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/06/blow-by-blow-black-saturday-1601/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/vd-image.jpgvd image16:00BST: as this final summer Black Saturday draws to a close it’s time to spot the trends and draw the conclusions. At just over 600km just after 12:00, peak jams today were not only hugely down on the 944km record from 2014 but even less than last week – itself relatively quiet – despite France’s second Black Saturday traditionally being the busier. Drivers have left super-early, dodged the worst days, or – according to the Daily Telegraph this week - gone to another country entirely on their holidays this year. Elsewhere in Europe however the traffic has been as bad as ever, especially in Germany, particularly the north. Despite that early window, see below, queues at the Gotthard Tunnel have been consistently horrendous –though at a maximum 1h45 delay today, the Mont Blanc Tunnel France to Italy is far off its typical three hour delay at the worst times. Photo @VIDhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/millau.jpgmillau07:00BST: there's been a definite lull as day breaks - delays have come down (slightly) on the A75 south from Clermont Ferrand (pic Millau, above), the A7 to Avignon and the A8 towards Avignon. Last week's damp squib Black Saturday was partly attributed to so many drivers heading off overnight and it seems the same thing has happened today. It makes sense for many but a note of caution - a German family a few miles from their destination in north east Italy early this morning were involved in a head-on crash, apparently after driving all night. According to local reports, the mother was killed and the father seriously injured, but it seems the three children escaped with minor injuries, as did the three local women in the other vehicle. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/mobil200051.jpgmobil20005110:30BST: as our traffic updates grow to take up three tweets it's clear this is already a much busier Black Saturday than last weekend (when they all fitted into two). It's not clear yet any records will be broken in France however - total jams stand at 400km, two thirds of last week's total with a couple of hours to go before the (likely) peak.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/naxns_00001.jpgnaxns_00001It looked pretty bad at the Gotthard Tunnel at 05:30BST - in fact, the delay southbound was only 30mins and it was clear northbound. How much longer will that go on?2016-08-19T16:11:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/12/friday-1800-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gp.jpggphttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/j-carrion.jpgj carrionIn a worrying escalation from the near nightly road blocks, Jungle residents are now setting fire to objects thrown on the road, and even the trucks themselves. Early yesterday morning, a vehicle was apparently ‘firebombed’ Calais regular Sam tells us today. The driver behind was threatened with an iron bar to prevent him moving. It comes after truck driver Hannah Scott escaped unharmed early Tuesday morning when migrants threw petrol soaked blocks wood onto the road. Police fortunately intervened before they could be lit. Late last month, a French vehicle was also set on fire on the port road, above. The driver also escaped unharmed. Meanwhile, the number of migrants living in the Jungle has reached 9000 according to local reports today, up from 5000 before the summer, as the president of the Nord Pas de Calais region calls for a ‘dawn to dusk’ curfew. Photo Les Calisiens en Colerehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cpkynp1wgaalgji.jpgCpkYnP1WgAAlGjiAustria might be looking forward to a quieter weekend but for the MotoGP at the Red Bull Ring. See more below. Photo @ASFINAGhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/120816.gif1208162016-08-19T16:10:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/09/tuesday-1800-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/spain-c.jpgspain chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cover-y.jpgcover yhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/spain.jpgspainNothing so boring as a fire engine to put out a refrigerated truck fire on the AP7 northbound to France at Girona, Spain. Delays stood at 2h00 at 14:00 but have subsequently dropped to just thirty minutes. Photo @BomberScathttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/calpor.jpgcalporSometime today, Calais Port will open a new buffer zone for trucks, near the old hoverport, before the check-in lanes. Full details are scarce so far, but the picture above shows separate lanes for hard-sided and soft-sided vehicles. Calais Port calls it 'intelligent parking'. There's no news yet either on security features. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/090816.gif0908162016-08-19T16:08:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/11/thursday-1602/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/recent_default-gg.jpgrecent_default ggAll looked much improved on Austria's Grossglockner mountain road first thing this morning after yesterday's snow - when summer tyres were not allowed, snow chains were mandatory and two-wheelers were banned. Since then however, the cloud has descended and extinguished all views. On the other hand, the road is fully open without restrictions according to the latest update from Grossglockner.at. To be updated.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/pennes.jpgpennesThe A7 north of Marseille threatened by wildfire yesterday. Photo @SDIS13https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/popmp-cut.jpgpopmp cutForest Fire: the A7 remains closed north of Marseille - between Vitrolles and Les Pennes Mirabeau. The A8 reopened last night at Coudoux, between Aix en Provence and Orange (near the A7 junction). https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/110816.gif1108162016-08-19T16:05:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/05/friday-23-1801/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/glein.jpggleinAustria's Gleinalm Tunnel - on the north-south A9 between Graz and Leoben - in the south east could be shut for a month or more following a bus fire yesterday afternoon. The diversions have seen pretty hefty delays so far today, especially northbound which currently stands at 2h00. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/glein-crop.jpgglein crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dhl-2.jpgdhl 2A DHL freight plane landing early this morning at Bergamo’s Orio al Serio Airport overshot the runway apparently in bad weather and careered partially onto the SS591Bis ring road to the west of the airport. No-one was injured, either crew or drivers in the vicinity. The airport reopened within a few hours but passengers are warned to expect disruption and delays. The nearby A4 Milan-Brescia motorway was not affected and has been running smoothly so far this morning, though there are long delays on local roads. Photo via @Emergenza24https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/050816.gif0508162016-08-09T14:40:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/08/monday-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/e.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACol de Larrau, Pyrenees. See more at PassFinderhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/mr12c_2-l.jpgMr12C_2 lIt’s fair to say McLaren’s first sports car, the awkwardly named MP4-12C, was not universally praised on its debut in 2011. Its ‘generic’ supercar looks and lack of ‘soul’ saw it placed at least a notch behind the (Italian) competition. But detail updates for the open top Spider version released a year later – including dropping the MP4 part of the name - raised the car in general estimation. It certainly suits Swiss businessman Urs Tschudin. He drives it day in day out around Europe to visit customers for his precision machine toll business. In just over three years he has amassed an amazing 81,000 miles (130,000km) making it the highest mileage McLaren in the world. ‘It’s so comfortable and effortless, and it’s still big fun after three years,’ he says. ‘I usually keep my cars for five years, so I’ll push the mileage towards 250,000km (155,000 miles).’ Time has also been kind to the Spider’s looks too, no? Look no further than the car’s residuals for further evidence of its renaissance. From an original list price of £195,000, the only official used example for sale in the UK today – a black 2013 model – is selling for £149,990. Photo McLaren Cars.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0808161.gif080816https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/080816.gif0808162016-08-09T05:11:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/29/friday-23-1600/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/s302_gross.jpgS302_grosshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/e0bae81f-065b-4351-ab49-79cefb78bf0e_teaser_original_720x1_5.jpge0bae81f-065b-4351-ab49-79cefb78bf0e_teaser_original_720x1_5Until 30 December, visitors to both the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums in Stuttgart get 25 percent off the entrance price of the second museum, on presentation of their ticket from the first. This reduces the ticket price from €8 to €6. ‘Many visitors tell us that the museums are the only reason they travel to Stuttgart. We are honouring this with a joint campaign,’ says Christian Boucke, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic and Customer Centre. A 1966 Mercedes-Benz W111 230S is on display in front of the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen and a 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 is outside the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Bad Cannstatt to promote the deal. See more at Porsche Museum and Mercedes-Benz Museum.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/a8-wendlingen.jpga8 wendlingenhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/290716.gif2907162016-08-04T14:38:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/03/black-saturday-france-italy/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/b-s.jpgb sTraffic starts early on Black Saturday and can last until late.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2.jpg2What with everything going on recently, last week’s Ennstal Classic seems to have slipped through the net. Austria’s best-of-the-best-of-the-best classic car rally was run, as ever, on roads in the centre of the country around Grobming and Schladming. Most of the 30 stages are secret and take in the narrowest, most remote roads but headline passes this year included Stoderzinken, Nockalm and Tauplitzalm, as well as side trips to the Red Bull ring and Niederoblarn airfeild. Priceless vehicles included a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, Mark Webber in a 1960 Porsche RS 60 Spyder and, our favourite, this 1957 BMW 507. See more photos at Ennstal-Classic.at, or find the mountain roads at PassFinder. Photo Martin Huber for Ennstal Classic.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/030816.gif0308162016-08-04T11:30:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/02/tuesday-10-1800-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ka.jpgkaPhoto @Koenigsegg - see more photos.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/malaga-use.jpgmalaga usePorsche might have something to say but arguably Mercedes leads on driver services with its ‘experience centres’, package tours and classic car hire. It has now gone a step further with downloadable tour itineraries. There are 21 in total, fourteen of which are in Europe (and three, strangely, around Frankfurt – Spessart, Taunus and Wisper valley). Otherwise all the major road trip destinations are included from the Alps, Cote d’Azur, Tuscany, Spain, Corsica, Portugal and Slovenia. The full down load service is only available to drivers with the Mercedes’ COMMAND infotainment system, but the maps and details are on the website for anyone wanting to be sure of the best roads. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/k.jpgkPhoto @Koenigsegg - see more photos in a slideshow. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/020816.gif0208162016-08-03T10:05:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/08/01/monday-17-1601/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/meeke.jpgmeekeBritish rally driver Chris Meeke was a incredible 13.8 seconds faster than his nearest rival on the legendary Ouninpohja stage on this weekend's Rally Finland. Photo @FIA https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dover-p.jpgdover pThere was a beautiful sunrise over Dover this morning but it had been a torrid night for passengers. A check-in system failure at DFDS late yesterday afternoon was only fixed at midnight. DFDS said this morning, ‘Sincere apologies to all caught in traffic in and around Dover last night. IT issue meant it took longer than normal to check customers in.’ Queues built up on the A20 and A2 throughout the evening, topping out at five hours and 90 minutes respectively in the early hours. Though the roads into the port cleared relatively quickly, drivers still faced a two hour delay in the port itself first thing - though that dropped to 90 minutes at 09:00. Meanwhile, the TAP freight traffic management is still in place. The big fear ahead of the weekend had been a repeat of last weekend’s border chaos in Dover which, ironically, passed off without major delay. Photo @Port_of_Doverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/010816.gif0108162016-08-02T17:14:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/30/black-saturday-blow-by-blow-1600/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/pute.jpgpute16:00BST: Putin caught mid-wave as he departs Slovenia's Vrsic Pass following the commemoration service. More on this later. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_0259.jpgIMG_025914:30BST: the peage on the A8 towards Aix en Provence says it all.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/fernpass.jpgfernpass11:30BST: queues in Austria might be significantly lower than expected but vignette-dodgers have still clogged the B179 Fernpass southbound causing delays of more than 2h00. Drivers do not need the motorway vignette on the single-lane cross-border road between Germany's fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle to just tot he wets of Innsbruck. Photo Tirol Webcams.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/gottie.jpggottie10:00BST: there was a substantial queue southbound overnight, edging up to 14km mid-morning, a delay of more than two hours. Since then however, it has fallen to a mere 12km. Northbound currently stands at 7km, 1h50. Keep an eye on Gotthard queues at the TCS website, or see @TCSGotthard.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/258.jpg258Vinci Autoroutes' drone views of traffic around the network are fascinating. This is Peage de Virsac just north of Bordeaux on the A10, the southbound lanes on the left hand side. Note the much quieter queue on the far left for the free-flow auto toll tag lanes.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vdm1.jpgvdmHealthy amounts of traffic but no jams so far this morning on the A75 Millau Viaduct in the South of France. See the webcam at LeViacducdeMillau.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vdm.jpgvdmhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/300716.gif3007162016-08-01T08:22:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/27/wednesday-13-1800-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/16c679_003_d312227.jpgWeltpremiere für den Mercedes-Benz urban eTruck: lokal emissionsfreier und leiser VerteilerverkehrMercedes-Benz Trucks; Urban eTruck; Elektro-Lkw; Weltpremiere; Elektromobilität; modulares Batteriekonzept; Verteilerverkehr ; Mercedes-Benz Trucks; Urban eTruck; Electro-Lkw; world premiere; electric mobility; modular battery concept; distribution;https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/e-truck.jpge truckOperators will have to wait until the IAA show in Hannover in September to see Mercedes’ new Urban eTruck in all its glory. What we know so far from its reveal in Stuttgart this morning is it has a range of 200km and will be available to buy at the beginning of the next decade. Mercedes says it is the first full electric truck for heavy distribution operations at a total weight of 26 tonnes. ‘Electric drive systems previously only saw extremely limited use in trucks. Nowadays costs, performance and charging times develop further so rapidly that now there is a trend reversal in the distribution sector: the time is ripe for the electric truck,’ says Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, responsible for Daimler Trucks & Buses at the Board of Management. eTruck is based on a heavy-duty, three-axle short-radius Mercedes-Benz distribution truck with a new electrically driven rear axle with electric motors at the wheel hubs. Power is supplied by three lithium-ion battery modules housed in a crash-proof location inside the frame. On potential road safety issues due to silent running in busy cities, the firm says it will reveal more at IAA, but the vehicle is likely to include a pedestrian and cyclist radar detection system. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/a3-salerno-b.jpga3 salerno bPhoto @StradeANAShttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/270716.gif2707162016-07-29T15:31:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/26/tuesday-10-1800-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/sog.jpgsogAfter revealing plans for a floating bridge across Bjornafjord back in March, the NPRA Norwegian Public Roads Administration has now unveiled plans for a floating tunnel across the massive Sognafjord. Both structures would replace ferries on E39, reducing the driving time from 21 hours to ‘just’ 10.5 hours over the 815km between Kristiansand and Trondheim. At 1310m deep and 1005m wide, Sognafjord is too big for a conventional bridge which would otherwise spoil the pristine landscape. The twin-tube tunnel would hang 30m below the surface from pontoons and probably be anchored to the fjord-bed by cables. Challenges remain, not least potential collisions with submarines, and the weather. However, the idea is ‘not actually that crazy’ Arianna Moretti, senior NPRA engineer tells Wired. The €23 billion project could be in place by 2035.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/6521_finland-vw-latvala-2015_31_896x504.jpg6521_Finland-VW-Latvala-2015_31_896x504Just off E63 between Tampere and Jyvaskyla in south central Finland is a road regarded as the WRC World Rally Championship’s ‘biggest test of bravery and commitment’. Ouninpohja runs 33km from west of Ouninpohja town via Kakaristo – see map - over more than 75 jumps with virtually no straights. Current champion Sebastien Ogier holds the stage record at an average 130.75kmh. Spectators measure the length of the jumps from the biggest - 6km from the start, next to the ‘yellow house’ (above) – with the longest held by Markko Martin in 2003 at 57m (187ft). Due to safety fears, Ouninpohja has been on and off the schedule since 2004 but returned in 2012 and will be star attraction on Saturday during this weekend’s WRC Neste Oil Rally Finland. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/260716.gif2607162016-07-29T14:30:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/28/france-black-saturday-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/norway-rock-2.jpgnorway rock 2the major east-west E16 route between Bergen and Oslo was shut between Voss and Gudvangen on Tuesday afternoon following a massive rock fall (see pictures). Work since then has established the area is now stable and the huge boulders can be removed. Unbelievably, considering the damage, it is expected to reopen within 2-3 days roads agency Vegvesen tells us. In the meantime, detours are in place – see a map, marked in blue - but Vegvesen warns drivers to 'take it easy', and allow extra time on alternative routes since some include ferries... https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/sanef.jpgsanefhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/timthumb-1.jpgtimthumb (1)Most of Europe might be going on holiday this weekend but that is not expected to affect drivers headed to the Spa 24 Hours race in eastern Belgium. Roads will be busier than usual, heading south predominantly. That does include the E25 Liege-Luxembourg, which runs west of the circuit, but not E42 from Vervier which cuts down immediately to the east. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding whatever jams there are on the E42 Lille-Charleroi-Liege (or, even better, pick up N90 at Mons). The meeting kicked off on Wednesday with testing and a parade through Spa itself, above, but the main race starts at 16:30CEST on Saturday. More at 24HoursOf Spa.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/280716a.gif280716ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/280716.gif2807162016-07-29T07:51:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/18/monday-17-1800-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/e40-dunkirk-border-b.jpge40 dunkirk border bFrench authorities have actually closed E40 Ostend-Dunkirk/Calais at the border, forcing drivers off the motorway and through a security cordon leading to long delays in recent days. Photo @VID https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_0196.jpgIMG_0196As it looks to regain the momentum and make the final leap to among the safest roads in Europe (and the world), Spain unveils a new road sign to alert drivers to particularly dangerous stretches. Like in most other countries, the majority of accidents and fatalities occur on the secondary road network and this is the focus of a new raft of measures coming on stream now. So far this year it looks like Spain is set – at best - for another year of stagnation. At the end of June, road deaths stood at 544 compared to 503 by the same point last year (an 8 percent increase). Photo @DGTeshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/180716.gif1807162016-07-25T14:30:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/19/tuesday-10-1430/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/mb-fture-bus.jpgmb fture busMercedes-Benz in self-driving bus. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/road-to-russe.jpgroad to russeEurope's most dangerous roads are not the dizzyingly high mountain passes but regular roads in its most dangerous country. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/190716.gif1907162016-07-25T13:58:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/22/friday-1800-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/international-lorry-drivers-swiss-truck-stop-876-body-image-1469024151-size_1000.jpginternational-lorry-drivers-swiss-truck-stop-876-body-image-1469024151-size_1000Insightful interviews with international truck drivers by Vice.com, detailing declining pay, conditions and prestige - though with no mention of Calais.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/horain-traffic-crop.jpghorain traffic crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/22b0716.gif22b0716https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/220716.gif2207162016-07-25T10:01:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/23/saturday-32-1600-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/sc.jpgscNorthern Scotsman Russell Shand piloted his special edition Porsche 911 SC Sports Classic on a 4700km European road trip, all featured in Porsche Newsroom. Three members of the family headed out on the overnight DFDS Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry, then to Stuttgart and the Porsche Museum before turning south to Stelvio, Davos, Lake Maggiore, Monaco and Cannes – then back via Milan, Lucerne and Cologne. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dover-23-july-crop.jpgdover 23 july crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dover-23-july.jpgdover 23 julyPhoto via @VIDhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/230716.gif2307162016-07-25T09:55:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/07/thursday-7-1800-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/royale.jpgroyaleFrench Ecology minister Segolene Royale unveils an updated 'Bison Fute' traffic app. Available for iOS and Android, it contains traffic forecasts and real-time info, updated every 3-6 minutes. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/scania-steering-wheel-cover.jpgscania steering wheel coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/scania-steering-wheel.jpgscania steering wheelScania says its very long awaited brand new truck will be launched on Tuesday 23 August. First up will be the units designed for the European long haul market. Other variants will follow. For the time being, the current generation will be sold alongside. The firm, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, says it is not providing any more information about the new truck at the moment, aside from this teaser photo of the cockpit. Photo @Scaniahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/070716.gif0707162016-07-10T07:45:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/02/saturday-1600/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/calais-port-road-cc-l.jpgcalais port road cc lA second serious overnight crash on the Calais port road this week. Photo : Les Calaisiens en Colerehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ford-gt-tdf.jpgford gt tdfhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/sky-ford.jpgsky fordThe Tour de France bike race kicks off today at Mont Saint Michel in north west France. More later.2016-07-11T19:22:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/04/monday-17-1900/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/a43.jpga43A tanker driver was killed and a car driver seriously injured this afternoon in an accident on the A43 towards Lyon. Local reports say a broken down truck was hit by a jack-knifing tanker which also collided with the car. The three vehicles then caught fire. The road has been closed in both directions and is unlikely to reopen before tomorrow. Photo @Gendarmeriehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/porsche-parking.jpgSONY DSCFree parking for Porsches in an interesting venture for the firm's new digital subsidiary. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/040716.gif0407162016-07-06T14:02:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/05/tuesday-10-1800-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/maxresdefault-crop.jpgmaxresdefault cropThe latest ina series of Securite Routiere adverts trying to impress on drivers the aftershock among family and friends after road accidents. They don't seem to be working.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/thun-l.jpgthun lA quick look at Lake Thun. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/050716.gif0507162016-07-06T12:29:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/07/01/friday-23-1800-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/paris.jpgparishttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ltmbattlebus-l.jpgltmbattlebus lDue to technical trouble, the former London Transport ‘Battle Bus’ has not been able to make its planned tour of the Battle of the Somme front line this week. Instead, the 102 year old B2737 – one of 900 such vehicles used to transport troops – is on display at Albert-Picardie airport, not far from Thiepval, site of the commemorations today to mark 100 years since the beginning of the battle. The five month conflict claimed more than one million lives including 19,240 Allied soldiers on the first day alone. B2737 is normally on display at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. Follow along at @LTMBattleBushttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/010716.gif0107162016-07-03T15:22:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/30/thursday-7-1800-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/turk.jpgturkDaredevil World Supersport rider Kenan Sofuoglu broke the Land Speed Record on a production motorbike on Tuesday on the brand new Izmit Bay Bridge near Istanbul. Riding a Kawasaki Ninja H2R, Sofuoglu hit 400kmh (248.5mph) in 26 seconds (watch the video). The new bridge is part of a new road connection between Istanbul and Izmir. When fully open in 2020 it will cut the current nine hour journey to just 3h30. Izmit Bay was officially opened today by Turkish president Recep Erdogan.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/db11-a.jpgdb11 aPotential owners get their first taste Aston Martin's brand new DB11 in the Tuscan countryside - and will pay for the privilege. More later. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/300616.gif3006162016-07-03T14:50:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/29/wednesday-13-1800-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/calais-mig-block-fix.jpgcalais mig block fixSteven Swinscoe's car written off after collision with Calais migrant blockade. Photo https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stelvio-b.jpgstelvio bRock fall overnight has closed the southern stretch of the Stelvio Pass. The landslide cut SS38 between the Bagni Vecchi Hotel on the Bormio side up to the turning for Umbrail Pass. Stelvio is apparently still open from the north. Ultra-runner 'Run Geordie Run' - on a round the world endurance run - reports the mayor expects the road to reopen at noon tomorrow. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/290616n.gif290616nhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/290616.gif2906162016-06-30T11:29:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/28/tuesday-10-1800-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/a9.jpga9The A9 Nuremberg-Munich at Pfaffenhofen gets the works this summer: narrow lanes, contraflow and reduced speed limit. Avoid at all costs. Photo Bayern.infohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/mdbl.jpgmdblSix drivers on this year’s Modball Rally were caught speeding according to French police today while three had their driving licences confiscated. @Gendarmerie tweeted pictures of a Mercedes-AMG GT, Lamborghini Hurracan and BMW X5, all emblazoned with the rally stickers. Modball started on Pall Mall, London, on Sunday. The organisers claim 180 teams from 28 countries on its seven day adventure with stops in Paris, Lyon, Monaco, Barcelona and Valencia. Photo @Gendarmeriehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/storebaelt-l.jpgstorebaelt lRoad works on Denmark's Storebaelt bridge caused such huge traffic jams yesterday they were called off in the afternoon and will now be completed at night, or postponed to August. It's far from the only work causing delays for holidaymakers around Europe. More later. Photo Storebaelt Facebookhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2806161.gif280616https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/280616.gif2806162016-06-29T05:34:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/25/livigno-munt-la-schera-landslide/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/livigno-rockfall.jpglivigno rockfallPhoto Comune di Livignohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lotus-mont-blacn.jpglotus mont blacnhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/250616.gif2506162016-06-28T12:30:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/22/wednesday-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/can-am-l.jpgcan am lThree hundred Can-Am Spyder trikes make it to the top of Austria's Grossglockner. More shortly.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/xxeaas.jpgxxeaasSummer traffic starts in Germany this weekend. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/220616a.gif220616ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/220616.gif2206162016-06-28T09:57:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/23/thursday-7-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/4-1_in_kuerze1.jpg4.1_in_kuerzeSchollenen Gorge. Photo Schollenen.chhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/4-1_in_kuerze.jpg4.1_in_kuerzeSchollenen Gorge. Photo Schollenen.chhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/slr-c-1-c.jpgslr c 1 cAfter what was described as an 'eventful' ferry crossing, the first SLR Club members arrived in Oslo on Sunday ahead of the 'Midnight Sun Tour'. Quite what has happened since then is not clear. Stay tuned it says on its Facebook page. Meanwhile, @Fletchdale is nearly at the end of his two week Norway tour, see the pictures. Photo SLR Club. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/230616.gif2306162016-06-27T15:54:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/24/friday-23-1800-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/6523.jpg6523https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/240616.gif2406162016-06-27T09:36:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/13/passo-rolle-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/po-queue.jpgpo queueEnhanced security checks during the Euro16 football tournament are really starting to bite on the British side of the Channel. Delays were expected at the weekend, but drivers waited for up to ninety minutes this Monday lunchtime, with three days still to go until the next England match (against Wales in Lens near Lille on Thursday afternoon). Drivers heading for Le Mans are also affected. Peter Adams arrived at 12:30 for the 13:55 sailing but missed the boat due to the queue. ‘It's wise to get here much earlier than usual,’ he told us. P&O says it will put delayed passengers on the next available sailing. However, by around 15:00 it seems the queue had disappeared. Photo @POFerriesUpdate https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ckg-e8lxaaapzft.jpgCkg-E8lXAAAPZFTIn among the its list of the best Dolomites mountain roads last week – which also included the well-known Mont Cenis, Petit and Grand St Bernard, Simplon, Bernina, Stelvio, Pordoi, Falzarego and Wurzjoch – Touring Club Italia named the much lesser known Passo Rolle. No surprise really with this view. One of the most southerly Dolomites high roads, in the east anyway, Rolle runs 20 miles between Predazzo and San Martino di Castrozza, mainly looking at the Dolomite group Pale di San Martino, and in particular Cimon della Pala, above, also known as Cimone or The Matterhorn of the Dolomites (3184m, 10,446ft). The paved road way is narrow but not quite as bad as the track shown in the picture. Rolle would be a great road to take on the cross-country route between Venice and Bolzano. Best of all, despite peaking at 1989m (6525ft), Rolle is open all year. More at PassFinder.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1306161.gif130616https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/130616.gif1306162016-06-23T20:33:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/21/tuesday-1802-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/kw-t.jpgkw tFancy Façade for Upcoming Karawanke Tunnel Tube 2 Building starts at the end of next year on a second tube for the Austria-Slovenia Karawanke Tunnel. When complete in 2021, the notorious summer bottleneck – currently with just one lane in each direction – will have an architect-designed façade. The winning firm, Hertl of Steyr, was announced today after a nationwide competition. The non-load bearing aluminium façade is designed to look ‘soft and translucent’ from a distance. It was described by the judges as ‘serene and elegant’. Roads manager ASFINAG says architectural input embeds the buildings into the landscape, and helps orientate drivers to improve road safety. The 7864m tunnel between Villach and Ljubljana costs €7.20 for a car. More at ASFINAG.athttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/210616.gif2106162016-06-22T12:58:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/20/monday-17-1800-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/radio-6.jpgradio 6Calais port road this afternoon. Photo Radio 6 Dunkerquehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/munt.jpgmuntThe Italy-Switzerland Munt La Schera Tunnel is having a rethink on opening times. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/200616.gif2006162016-06-21T08:54:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/fuel/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2011-singer-porsche-911-white-fuel-cap-1280x960-2.jpg2011-Singer-Porsche-911-White-Fuel-Cap-1280x960 (2)Photo via Singer Vehicle Design2016-06-19T15:29:20+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/16/1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/fuel-andorra-l.jpgfuel andorra lhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lrdstrainpull16061605-resize-1024x682.jpglrdstrainpull16061605-resize-1024x682https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/fuel-andorra.jpgfuel andorrahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lr_ds_train_pull_160616_01_lowres.jpgLR_DS_TRAIN_PULL_160616_01_LowResA standard Land Rover Discovery Sport - aside from the fitment of rail wheels - has pulled 100t of rail carriages across the Rhine in north east Switzerland. The 180bhp SUV allied to a regular 9 speed automatic gearbox has a certified towing weight of 2.5t. Land Rover credits its range of towing and traction aids - tow assist and tow hitch assist among others - https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/160616.gif1606162016-06-19T15:27:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/14/france-minimum-wage-driver-truck-lorry/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/min-wage-dmo.jpgmin wage dmoDrivers from eleven EU countries held a (peaceful) protest in Brussels today on the French minimum wage rule. Last week, their governments published an open letter at the EU Council meeting of transport ministers in Luxembourg urging action on the new law.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/transalpina.jpgtransalpinaTransalpina: Romania's second blue chip mountain road - after Transfagarasan - opened for the summer last Friday (10 June) according to @RomaniaTourism. D67C Transalpina runs parallel to its more famous neighbour, 70 miles west. EVO magazine's mountain specialist Henry Catchpole drove both roads in a Jaguar F-TYPE in 2013. Meanwhile, its not clear when Transfagarasan will open fully. Last year it opened on 1 July. More later. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/140616.gif1406162016-06-19T15:03:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/18/calais-closed-overnight-migrants-in-the-water-1700/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/13445698_1445914758767473_6208488439989785066_n.jpg13445698_1445914758767473_6208488439989785066_nLamborghini is on the move again after its 50 Anniversary Miura tour last week. The first day of its Italian Tour for modern vehicles today was a loop south from Rimini on the east coast taking in San Marino, with lunch at the medieval fortress Montegridolfo. Drivers stayed at Rimini's Grand Hotel. Follow along at #LamboTourhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/calais-6.jpgcalais 6Calais port closed for 90 minutes shortly after 02:00 this morning after migrants were spotted swimming in the water according to reports. Details are still sketchy though P&O Ferries confirmed the incident to us. While services have resumed and operated normally since 2016-06-19T10:39:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/15/wednesday-13-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/a7-germany.jpga7 germanyA horrifying accident today as an under-construction bridge on the A7 autobahn north of Wurzburg collapsed killing two workmen and seriously injured six others. Around 40 meters of the bridge at Schraudenbach near Werneck fell onto the local road below, along with a scaffold. It is not clear what caused the accident. The new structure was being built alongside the existing 50 year old bridge, part of Germany’s wholesale bridge infrastructure programme as it attempts to reverse decades of under investment. Photo @DoroBaer.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/006631.jpg006631A combination of the climate, scenery, curves, road condition, traffic and facilities make Norway’s spectacular Atlantic Road Europe’s ‘Ultimate Summer Drive’ according to TomTom. Psychologists analysed a survey asking drivers what they most wanted for a great summer drive – 70 percent want scenery, 25 percent want gentle bends and good visibility and 20 percent a remote, quiet road. Atlantic Road beat Portugal’s Estoril Ocean Drive into second and the roads around Italy’s Lake Como into third. The issue for UK drivers is getting to Norway since there is no ferry to Scandinavia - though hopes are high of a new route soon. Atlantic Road – known as Atlanterhavsvegen locally - runs for 36km just west of Kristiansund in south west Norway and is one of 18 official Tourist Routes. See more at NasjonaleTuristveger.nohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1506161.gif150616https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/150616.gif1506162016-06-17T16:32:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/05/first-vehicles-finally-freed-from-flooded-a10-orleans-1630/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/a10-uleans-l.jpga10 uleans lThursday: the A10 north of Orleans is finally flood-free. However, operations continue to clean the road way and make any repairs. There is still no reopening date according to VINCI's latest update.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/orlanes-a100-100-l.jpgorlanes a100 100 lMonday: the remaining stranded vehicles were rescued from the A10 at Orleans overnight according to the latest update from VINCI Autoroutes. Meanwhile, the A71 northbound to Orleans is now open from Salbris, 15 miles north of Vierzon. It is still not clear when the A10 might reopen. More water than 22 Olympic swimming pools is still on the carriageway, 80,000 m3 in all says France TV Info. Aside from that, the issue is potential damage to the road. Vinci says pumping and inspection is likely to take several days.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ckqnxwvwyaaxteo.jpgCkQnXwVWYAAXtEOhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/6-tuesday.jpg6 tuesdayTuesday: long stretches of the A10 and A71 around Orleans have been closed due to flooding.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/5-wednesday.jpg5 wednesdayWednesday: Nearly 400 stranded drivers and passengers were evacuated by the armed forces and given emergency accommodation last night after flooding closed the A10 autoroute just north of Orleans yesterday morning. 250 cars remain stranded and 200 truck drivers have stayed with their vehicles. There is still no word on when the road will reopen. For the latest see VINCI‘s update page (French only). In the meantime, drivers are diverted via the A11 and A28. Photo @VINCIAutorouteshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/4-thursday.jpg4 thursdayThursday: still no sign of the when the flooded A10 (and A71) at Orleans will reopen. The situation remains essentially unchanged says the latest update from VINCI Autoroutes. Drivers with stranded vehicles have spent another night in hotels, or been taken home says VINCI. Fans heading for Sunday’s Le Mans 24 Hour test day are advised to give the area a wide berth. Official diversions are in place via the A28, A11 and A85. Update: great detail in VINCI’s latest update. The A10 at Orleans is flooded in four places over 7km to a maximum depth of 1.3 metres. 100 trucks and 200 cars are stranded on a 3km dry section. VINCI is deploying 200 people this afternoon to pump out the water – at 4000 m3 per hour – and build temporary dikes with 6000t of rubble to create a ‘dry corridor’.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/3-friday.jpg3 fridayFriday: two long sections of the flooded A10 north of Orleans were reopened last night, both southbound – Allainville to Artenay in the north and Château-Renault to Meung-sur-Loire to the south of Orleans (see this map). This is for local traffic – through traffic is still being redirected via the A11 and A28. The A71 remains closed northbound from Vierzon according to the latest VINCI Autoroutes update. Efforts continue to lay two lines of tightly packed rubble sacks along the motorway – 6000t in all – to create a ‘dry corridor’ and allow 300 stranded vehicles to escape. Photo @VINCIautorouteshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2-saturday.jpg2 saturdaySaturday: sections of A71 between Vierzon and Orleans reopened yesterday afternoon - on top of the A10 sections reopened on Thursday - otherwise efforts continue to free vehicles still stranded on the A10. Two columns of rubble bags are being placed along the carriageway to create a 'dry corridor'. More later. In the meantime, the road openings are mainly for local traffic. Transit traffic should continue to bypass Orleans on the A11 and A28, or A85 via Tours. Update: progress on reopening more sections including junctions and interchanges but the vehicles remain stranded for the time being. Photo @VINCIAutoroutes. Latest updates in French at Vinci-Autoroutes.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/cklc06hwsaamcok.jpgCkLc06hWsAAMCOKhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/a10-free-vehciles-c-finally.jpga10 free vehciles c finallyThe first vehicles stranded on the A10 at Orleans have been freed. Around 100 trucks and 200 cars, spread over 3km, have been trapped between two flooded sections of the motorway north of Orleans since Tuesday. VINCI Autoroutes has been working since Thursday to create a ‘dry corridor’ from a line rubble bags covered by a waterproof membrane. It finally succeeded late yesterday enabling water to be pumped out overnight and tow trucks to move in first thing this morning. In its latest update, VINCI Autoroutes says the rest of the vehicles will be given back to owners throughout the day. Meanwhile, more sections of A10 have reopened to local traffic, including the A19 junction both ways at Artenay. However, through traffic should continue to avoid the area on the A11-A28 via Le Mans.2016-06-11T18:20:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/08/driving-to-euro16-euro2016-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/kufstein-c.jpgkufstein chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/kufstein.jpgkufsteinAfter many weeks of free-flowing traffic, queues have returned to the A12-A93 border crossing between Innsbruck and Munich - Austria and Germany - at Kufstein as the German authorities step up checks ahead of Euro16. Photo @foto-webcam.eu.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/border.jpgborderhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/gt-pari.jpggt pariAlas the Ford GT Le Mans challenger is confined to the back of a clear truck this morning as it embarks on a tour of central Paris. Its lap of the French capital is modelled on the Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe with the Mulsanne Straight along the Champs Elysees and Tuileries and the Porsche Curves at Montparnasse. The tour starts at the Arc de Triomphe at 09:00 and finishes there at 14:00. See the schedule. Photo @FordFrancehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/paris-sss.jpgparis sssAlas the Ford GT Le Mans challenger will be confined to the back of a – clear – truck this morning as it embarks on a tour of central Paris. Its lap of the French capital is modelled on the Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe with the Mulsanne Straight along the Champs Elysees and Tuileries and the Porsche Curves at Montparnasse. The tour starts at the Arc de Triomphe at 09:00 and finishes there at 14:00. See the schedule. Photo TheClearIdea.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ford_london_.jpgFord_London_Alas the Ford GT Le Mans challenger will be confined to the back of a – clear – truck this morning as it embarks on a tour of central Paris. Its lap of the French capital is modelled on the Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe with the Mulsanne Straight along the Champs Elysees and Tuileries and the Porsche Curves at Montparnasse. The tour starts at the Arc de Triomphe at 09:00 and finishes there at 14:00. See the schedule. Photo TheClearIdea.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/080616.gif0806162016-06-11T18:17:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/09/miura-tour-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lamb.jpglambhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/miura.jpgmiuraLamborghini's 50th Anniversary Miura Tour kicked off yesterday in Bologna with a line up along Piazza Minghetti. It runs until Sunday though it's not clear yet exactly where they are going.. Follow along at #Miura50. Photo @Lamborghinihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/090616.gif0906162016-06-10T16:08:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/06/all-150-germany-scenic-routes-online-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/gotthard.jpggotthardAll of Germany’s 150 ‘Scenic Routes’ are now collected together online. Also, Gotthard Tunnel shut every weeknight this month as Swiss voters reject new road fund but accept new Geneva ‘lake crossing’. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/11_ramsauerchurch-l.jpg11_RamsauerChurch lAll Germany’s 150 brown-signposted official ‘Scenic Routes’ have been assembled on one webpage by the national tourist agency. As well as the well-known German Alpine Road, 450km from Lake Constance almost to Salzburg via Berchtesgarden; the Baden Wine Route through the Black Forest or – of course - the Romantic Road from Wurzburg to the Austrian border at Fussen, eye catching alternatives include the German Avenues Route, 2900km from Rugen on the Baltic to Lake Constance, all on tree lined roads; the Energy Route of Lusatian Industrial Heritage north of Dresden, 250km through a post-industrial landscape of power stations and open cast mining; and even the Thuringia Route of Human Rights and Democracy. Photo Ramsauer Church, on the Alpine Road. More at Germany Travel.2016-06-07T05:20:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/02/france-flood-orleans-a10-1801/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/a10-orleans.jpga10 orleanshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/a10-oreeens.jpga10 oreeensStill no sign of the when the flooded A10 (and A71) at Orleans will reopen. The situation remains essentially unchanged says the latest update from VINCI Autoroutes. Drivers with stranded vehicles have spent another night in hotels, or been taken home says VINCI. Fans heading for Sunday’s Le Mans 24 Hour test day are advised to give the area a wide berth. Official diversions are in place via the A28, A11 and A85. Exits are barred to HGVs at A10 Mer and Blois, A71 Lamotte Beuvron and Salbris and A85 Romorantin and Selles-sur-Cher, Saint Aignan. Peage Romorantin (A85) and Lamotte Beuvron (A71) are closed in both directions for cars.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ecce-homo.jpgecce homohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/news_hill_climb_.jpgnews_hill_climb_The classic hill climb 'Ecce Homo - 'Behold the man' on the streets of Sternberk in the east Czech Republic is coming up this weekend. More later.2016-06-05T13:46:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/06/01/green-rail-smashes-100-miles-through-the-alps-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/a10-orleans-2.jpga10 orleans 2Nearly 400 stranded drivers and passengers were evacuated and given emergency accommodation last night after flooding closed the A10 autoroute just north of Orleans. There is still no word on when the road will reopen. In the meantime, drivers are diverted via the A11 and A28. Photo @Vinci_Auorouteshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/gbt.jpggbtGotthard Base Tunnel unveiled today. Photo Gottardo2016.ch2016-06-02T07:43:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/27/france-fuel-shortage-friday-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/stel-1.jpgstel 1A few weeks after it was originally supposed to open – though, at the end of May, bang on its usual schedule – Italy’s blue chip mountain road Passo dello Stelvio (aka Stilfersjoch or just plain old Stelvio) has finally thrown off its winter lock today. Even better, according to Bormio.eu, most other high roads in the area are open too, apart from Forcola di Livigno, Gavia and Mortirolo. Meanwhile, according to Graubunden Strasseninfo, Ofenpass – a few miles west of Stelvio, over the Swiss border – and Fluelapass and Albula are all open too. Photo Stelvio webcam.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/lake.jpglakehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/macca-lake-l.jpgMcLaren P1™ Winter Testing in Arjeplog Sweden 2013Car makers in trouble for not paying to use Sweden's frozen lakes for winter testing. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/270516.gif2705162016-05-30T16:39:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/25/no-let-up-in-france-fuel-shortage-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/5686.jpg5686Looking down on Switzerland's A2 motorway, just north of the Gotthard Tunnel. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/road-collapse-h.jpgroad collapse hA road near the famous Ponte Vecchio in central Florence collapsed early this morning. There are no reported injuries. A 70 metre stretch of Lungarno Torrigiani, between Ponte Vecchio and Ponte alle Grazie beside the River Arno sank by up to 7 metres. The incident is being blamed on a ruptured water pipe according to local press. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/250516.gif250516https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2405161.gif2405162016-05-29T10:34:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/26/france-fuel-shortage-maybe-overstated-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/rolls-sardinia.jpgrolls sardiniaRolls-Royce kicks off the ‘International Summer Season’ with the opening of its by-now traditional pop-up dealership on the Promenade du Port in Porto Cervo, on Sardinia’s Cost Smeralda.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bf-pont-aven-l.jpgbf pont aven lBrittany Ferries services may be affected by the strike today - but at least Pont Aven is back. More later. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/260516.gif2605162016-05-27T05:24:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/20/moscow-most-improved-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/lamborghini-miura-on-passo-del-grand-san-bernardo.jpgLamborghini-Miura-on-Passo-del-Grand-San-Bernardolamborghini-miura-on-passo-del-grand-san-bernardo.jpghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/moscow-mst-impro-l.jpgmoscow mst impro lMoscow won a prize from the International Transport Forum yesterday for its efforts to clear congestion in the city. More later. 2016-05-25T16:26:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/24/still-france-fuel-shortages-major-demo-brussels-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/le-mans-16.jpgle mans 16Porsche racers run out of fuel on the way to Le Mans. Not. Or at least not yet. Photo @FIAWEChttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/240516.gif2405162016-05-25T05:21:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/22/frances-car-free-motorway-fuel-shortage-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mille-m-2.jpgmille m (2)One writer describes the Mille Miglia as ‘The Old Man’s Gumball’ but – apart from an upturned Austin Healey from which the occupants escaped ‘almost unscathed’ – the event seems to have passed off without major incident. The most obvious difference between the two is that police on the re-creation of Italy’s storied road race rare the drivers on. Here #36 Giovanni Luca Murri and Massino Destro Castaniti pause after a lap of Monza in, fittingly, their 1927 B.N.C. 527 Monza. Photo @Lesmo27 https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cipn4ssw0aam_vv.jpgCipn4SsW0AAm_VvFete de l'Autoroute sees - for the first time - fifteen sections of motorway hut to vehicles to 'just do what you have never done on a motorway, run, stroll, watch, celebrate'.2016-05-24T09:55:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/18/expo-on-route-des-grandes-alpes-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/grand-a-l1.jpggrand a lhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/grand-a-l.jpggrand a lCol du Lautaret. Départ des autocars du chalet du P.-L.-M., 1922 Négatif sur verre, 13 × 18 cm. BnF/Agence Rol2016-05-20T14:13:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/16/monday-17-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_0258.jpgIMG_0258https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1030_lm-b.jpg1030_lm bGood morning from the Berggasthof Wallackhaus off Grossglockner, Austria at 2304m (7559ft). Doubles from €78. Photo: foto-webcam.euhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/0640_lm.jpg0640_lmGood morning from the Berggasthof Wallackhaus on Grssglockner, Austria. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/slov-10.jpgslov 10The 10 most beautiful roads in Slovakia. More later.2016-05-17T14:10:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/11/alpine-epicentre-saint-veran-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/7980.jpg7980Scrubby grass heathland – almost – on the southern stretch, and traditional endless curves and switchbacks in the north, are punctuated in the middle by an extraordinary pile of flaking dark grey granite, Cime la Bonette (2802m, 9192ft). It proves that height is might when it comes to mountain roads.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/10.jpg10The top of Col Agnel (2744m, 9002ft) marks the border between France and Italy. The twisting ascent from the north along a shallow valley turns briefly to steep, barrierless curves but the reward is a stunning, panoramic view into Italy from the top. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/9.jpg9Blooming marmots everywhere. Our dog did his best to deal with them but there were just too many.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/8.jpg8Col d'Izoard's credentials as a driver's road are unimpeachable (it's where BMW partly developed its new M4 GTS and M2). Everyone else will be amazed by the unique Casse Deserte (Broken Desert) landscape - fine scree slopes punctuated by jagged rock chimneys.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/7.jpg7Looking down on Saint Veran from one of the thirty trails around the village. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/6.jpg6The Hotel L'Alta Peyra is particularly strong on rooms (and beds) with a view.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/5.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/3.jpg3Saint Veran: sprinkled on a (deceptively) steep mountain side.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2.jpg2Saint Veran: the shabbiest chic imaginable but underneath it all very well cared for, and authentic.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1.jpg1Looking down on neighbouring Molines-en-Queyras and the first stretch of Col Agnel.2016-05-17T13:07:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/12/drivers-sue-paris-for-e1bn-over-car-ban-1800/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mallorca.jpgmallorcaThe smaller Balearic Islands could ban cars this summer in a bid to limit overcrowding. The four islands have a combined population of 1.1 million but expect 13.5 million visitors this year reports The Guardian. The smallest island, Formentera, crams in 20,000 cars at the busiest time despite being just 19km long. There are 22 different ferry routes across the islands from three ports on the Spanish mainland according to Direct Ferries. Quite what the operators make of the potential ban remains to be seen. Thankfully not included is the largest island Mallorca, home of Ma-2141 Sa Calobra, EVO magazine’s ‘Greatest Driving Road in the World?’ Designed by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, hand built, without the need for tunnels, through the Tramontana mountains, it opened in 1932. Like the other EVO-recommended road to Cap Formentor – both in the north west – it is a dead end. The 6h30 sailing from Barcelona costs from around €300 return. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/car-free.jpgcar freeMotoring campaign group 40 Millions d’Automobilistes is mounting a €1 billion class action law suit against Paris city hall in compensation for the upcoming car ban. As of 1 July, cars registered before 1 January 1997 will not be allowed in the city from 08-20:00 on weekdays. The measure affects 870,000 cars claims the group with each one losing an average €1250 in value thanks to the new rules (making a grand total of €1.08 billion). That poorer drivers should shoulder the burden of cleaning Paris air is a sensitive issue. The national government's system of 'pastille' environmental car stickers was delayed, and does not correspond to Paris' own vehicle classes, due to fear of 'stigmatisation'. Deputy mayor Christophe Najdovski, responsible for transport, said on Twitter that, 'Some want an unconditional right to pollute, we want the right to breathe healthy air.' 2016-05-17T13:05:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/13/catching-up-with-frances-rock-fall-roads-1801/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ciwfpdfvaae6u15.jpgCiWFPdFVAAE6u15Aston Martin flew over its new DB11 and the James Bond DB10 to mark the opening of its first dealership in Russia, on Moscow's dealer mile Volgogradsky Prospekt south east of the city centre. Photo @AstonMartinhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/am-moscow.jpgam moscowhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/goes-de-larly.jpggoes de larlyThe Gorges de l'Arly should reopen today but Grenoble-Briancon is still closed. More later.2016-05-17T08:33:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/09/no-let-up-in-may-holiday-traffic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/champs4-hig.jpgchamps4 higParis held the first of its regular car-free Sundays on the Champs-Elysees yesterday. It was originally due to be held last Sunday but was shifted forwards to take over after the 8 May ‘Victory in Europe’ commemoration. The session was held from 12:00 until 20:00. The event will held on the first Sunday of every month, the next being Sunday 5 June. Paris will hold a much bigger Car-Free day in September as part of European Mobility Week.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/traf1.jpgtraf12016-05-16T16:14:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/passfinder/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/das-loops.jpgdas loopsFigure of Eight: just off the A2 motorway near the Gotthard Tunnel in south central Switzerland are five major, storied, famous mountain roads which can be driven in a continuous loop: Gotthard (and Tremola), Nufenen, Grimsel, Susten and – last but not least, depending on which way you drive it – Furka. Start early, get lucky with the traffic and it’s possible – and highly recommended - to do it all in one day (FYI Andermatt, above, is the north stretch of the Gotthard Pass, aka Schollenen Gorge; Oberalppass heads east from Andermatt (the Figure of Eight roads are all west); Goschenen is the main road which runs parallel to the A2 motorway, very handy with big queues to the Gotthard Tunnel).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/b24_su_04487_rt-df2_lowres.jpgb24_su_04487_rt-df2_lowresSurprisingly, most mountain roads stay open throughout winter, including there very highest of them all: Otztal in Austria - 2830m, 9285ft - where scenes from james Bon's Spectre were filmed earlier this year.2016-05-12T16:25:35+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/10/wake-up-calls-about-driving-on-the-right/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mega-camines-11.jpgmega camines 11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mega-camines.jpgmega caminesNew 60 tonne, 25.25m ‘Mega trucks’ save 15-25 percent of fuel; could cut the number of vehicles on the road by a third; do not increase road maintenance costs; and there is no switching from rail to road, problems with braking, or major stress on the driver says a field test in Germany. Thirteen of the country’s sixteen states have now joined the trial, due to finish at the end of the year, announced the transport ministry. There are currently 145 mega trucks on the road divided between 56 operators with an authorised network length of 11,600km, up 900km on previously. See more. However, over in Spain – where ‘megacamiones’ went into service on controlled routes last month - the CETM Spanish Confederation of Goods Transport says a lack of proper testing beforehand means operators face ‘a situation of legal and economic uncertainty’ as the rules could be amended at any time depending on how they work out in the real world.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/golf.jpggolfhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/nurbx-1.jpgnurbx 1Last week's wrong-way accident near the Nurburgring. Photo Adenau Police 2016-05-12T11:29:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/05/which-is-worse-gotthard-or-mont-blanc/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/prague-hilton.jpgprague hiltonGumballers stayed at the Prague Hilton last night, one of two Hilton hotels in the city (the other being in the old town). Overlooking the Vltava River and Stvanice island, the 11 story hotel built in 1989 has a roof top bar with views of the castle (and a large car park). Rooms start at around 2500CZK (€90) but can be double or triple that. Unusually, we really struggled to find a hotel in Prague when we rolled up last June, ending up at the comely Boscolo (with a live harpist at breakfast).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mb.jpgmbComparing and contrasting the Mont Blanc and Gotthard Tunnels, for queues and costs. More later.2016-05-09T17:26:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/06/eu-border-controls-delays-checks/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bucharest.jpgbucharestThe Gumball 3000 arrives safely in Romania - last stop Bucharest - after a fairly uneventful rally. Photo @Betsafehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bel.pngbelhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/nurb.jpgnurbhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/060516.gif060516Just the perennial amber alert for avalanche for Norway weather warning this morning, 2016-05-09T12:39:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/04/grossglockner-open/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/gg-cv.jpggg cvhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/grossglockner.jpggrossglocknerAustria’s Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse finally opened today, almost a week later than expected following heavy spring snow. However, there is a catch. The road is only passable between Fusch/ Ferleiten and Heiligenblut, north and south of the pass, with snow chains, and even then only to cars and buses. Since Grossglockner tops out at 2504m (8215ft) – and it’s quite foggy today according to the webcams – we’d be happy to sit it out until the weather clears a bit. Tickets start at €35 per car. See more at Grossglockner.at https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/13131500_10154051633645993_7011028941165954826_o.jpg13131500_10154051633645993_7011028941165954826_oThey were hit by ‘disastrous’ bank holiday traffic on the way down to London and it looks like Gumballers will suffer the same problem in Germany. The ADAC warns of ‘very heavy traffic congestion’ today ahead of the Ascension Day holiday tomorrow. The only hope is to set off early as the worst queues start mid-afternoon. But with roughly 800km to cover between Europa Park and Prague via Bodensee, jams will be almost impossible to avoid - though Gumballers should be heading in the opposite direction. Normally participants can chose their own route. However, on their passage through Germany last year, drivers had to stick to a set route, and not exceed 130kmh. Traffic will also be heavy in France and Switzerland today, especially the Mont Blanc and Gotthard Tunnels. See more.2016-05-07T14:14:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/03/driving-brussels-pedestrian-zone-no-car/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/maser-fix.jpgmaser fixhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/maser.jpgmaserMaserati on the Bosphorus - see more at #Quattroporte. Photo @Maseratihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/brux-peds.jpgbrux pedsBrussels city centre no-car zone looking north up major thoroughfare Anspachlaan with the Beurs stock exchange on the right. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/gross-ggg.jpggross gggAustria's Grossglockner is due for a delayed opening today. Snow last week set it back a few days. It marks the start of the mountain driving season. If it opens. More later. 2016-05-05T05:18:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/05/02/monday-16/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jon-olsson-bio.jpgjon-olsson-bioA Gumball 3000 stalwart has cried off this year citing the drinking and the route. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Swedish freestyle ski entrepreneur Jon Olsson - who normally takes part in an array of lary Audis, or his Rebellion R2K – says he has already visited many of the places on this year’s rally and has been on a health kick since last summer… meanwhile, the Gumball 3000 cars departed Dublin yesterday afternoon on the first leg of this year’s event, to Edinburgh. From there they call in at a further nine control points or overnight stops on their way across the Continent - via Luxembourg, Germany, Czech Republic and Hungary – before the finish in Bucharest on Friday 6 May marked, of course, with a huge party. Drivers are free to pick their own route between stops. Follow live tracking here, or see more at Gumball3000.com. Photo Jon-Olsson.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/traffico.jpgtrafficohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/020516.gif020516See more at Meteoalarm2016-05-03T08:19:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/29/a-quick-look-at-turku/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/roads-rijig-spainmini.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/turku.jpgturkuTurku: the ferry shortcut between Stockholm and Helsinki.2016-05-02T16:51:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/25/austria-arlberg-tunnel-starts-summer-closure/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/vid.jpgvidOnly a week or so after most drivers swapped back to summer tyres, wintry weather makes a comeback today at many places around the Continent. In Germany particularly, it is important to remember that ‘winter tyres’ (marked M+S) are compulsory in ‘wintry conditions’, i.e. with snow or ice on the road. Photo northern Netherlands via @TeamVerkeer_NNhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/europabruecke_dsc00210-f29l.jpgSONY DSCSONY DSChttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/s16_arlberg_maut_080.jpgs16_arlberg_maut_080The S16 Arlberg Tunnel in western Austria starts the second of its third summer maintenance closures today (Monday 25 April). Like last year, the alternative to the 13.9km tunnel between Innsbruck and Bregenz is the 1640m Arlberg Pass. However, unlike last year, the tunnel is only closed overnight - 20:00-05:00 – while all vehicles can use the pass (last year trucks were sent on a long detour). On the as-yet-unspecified 21 days when the tunnel is not closed overnight, an alternate traffic system will be in place with a maximum 30 minute waiting time. Also, the tunnel will not close in poor weather. Arlberg reopens for the winter on 31 October 2016. The next and final summer closure starts 18 April 2017. Photo ASFINAG2016-05-02T13:13:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/28/european-commission-germany-uk-foreign-driver-discriminatory-unfair-road-tolls/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/man-wrth.jpgman wrthhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/benters.jpgbentersA police escort into Palazzo Vecchio in Florence for drivers on the latest Bentley Grand Drive. More later.2016-04-29T07:56:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/27/mega-strike-rate-for-speed-blitz-lithuania-police/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/get.jpggetLithuanian police had an amazing strike rate in last week's Speed Blitz. More later.2016-04-28T05:11:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/26/zaha-hadid-fab-ferry-terminal-salerno/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/giau.jpggiauLike everywhere else in the Alps this week, Passo Giau in the Dolomites has received at least a smattering of snow. 2236m Giau is one of those rare 'surprisingly high mountain roads which stay open all year'. Meanwhile, it was announced today that 2250m Col d'Allos in the French Alps was open, a month ahead of usual. It was also https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/salernohada.jpgsalernohadaZaha Hadid’s posthumous Stazione Marittima di Salerno. Photo Comune Salerno.2016-04-27T16:53:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/24/old-road-exposed-col-du-mont-cenis/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/splugie.jpgsplugie2048m Oberalppass east from Andermatt near Gotthard in south central Switzerland opened on schedule last Wednesday and the first drive films are already posted on YouTube. Meanwhile, 2188m Splugen Pass, above, which marks the border of the West and East Alps between Switzerland and Italy, opened on Saturday, just a couple of days later than expected. The next lot of high alpine passes start to open from Sunday 1 May. However, with fresh deep snow over the weekend on its recently cleared roads, doubts remain about Stelvio, normally open in early May.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/mont-cenis.jpgmont cenisThe lake at the top of D1006 Col du Mont Cenis 2083m has been drained for winter maintenance. Lac du Mont Cenis is an artificial storage lake feeding two hydroelectric power plants. Col du Mont Cenis is the scenic (and free) mountain bypass of the Chambery-Turin Frejus Tunnel across the France-Italy border (one way toll €43.50). The lake is due to be refilled on Friday (29 April) but in the meantime, the original dam and water works dating from 1921 are exposed as well as – particularly – the bridge for the original pass road and customs house which marked the old border. Sadly, mere mortals won’t get to see it since the pass won’t open until 1 May at the earliest – but see Les Hydros du Mont Cenis Facebook page for more extraordinary photos.2016-04-25T10:19:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/21/german-blitz-marathon/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/bulc-brussels-vc.jpgbulc brussels vcEuropean Commission Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc. Photo @Bulc_EUhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/polizei.jpgpolizeiIt was though the migrant crisis would see police so stretched they couldn't stage the now traditional '24h 'Blitz Marathon' anti-speed campaign. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/210416.gif210416Amber alert avalanche Norway.2016-04-23T08:48:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/02/is-it-safe-to-drive-through-calais/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oberaar2.jpgoberaar2Porsche unveiled the purist 911 R in Geneva yesterday: 500bhp, manual gearbox only, lightweight and no spoilers – everything enthusiasts say they want. The launch was accompanied by a video filmed in the Swiss Alps. This one looks to be parked beside the Oberaar Lake at the top of Grimsel Pass with the Oberaar Glacier in the background. The question is, when could they possibly have filmed it? Grimsel normally closes at the beginning of November. The 911 R must have been sat on the shelf for months…https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/12804767_582614091887217_3334910043703413075_n-e1456861924187.jpg12804767_582614091887217_3334910043703413075_nA truck damaged in Calais on Monday evening. Photo Les Calaisiens en Colere Facebook.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oberaar.jpgoberaarPorsche unveiled the purist 911 R in Geneva yesterday: 500bhp, manual gearbox only, lightweight and no spoilers – everything enthusiasts say they want. The launch was accompanied by a video filmed in the Swiss Alps. This one looks to be parked beside the Oberaar Lake at the top of Grimsel Pass with the Oberaar Glacier in the background. The question is, when could they possibly have filmed it? Grimsel normally closes at the beginning of November. The 911 R must have been sat on the shelf for months… see the film here.2016-04-21T14:27:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/15/winter-tyres-end-italy-and-austria/2016-04-16T08:49:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/01/from-winter-to-spring/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tour-auto2.jpgtour auto2Peter Auto is out in force at this weekend's Jarama Classic in Spain as it looks ahead to Tour Auto later this month. This year's 25th anniversary route heads south east from Paris to the Cote d'Azur and features the first ever night stage. Detailed route maps have been published this week at @PeterAuto. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/finland-winter-pic-crop.jpgfinland winter pic cropFinland moves to summer speed limits. Plus checking up when it's time to dump the winter tyres. More later.2016-04-15T08:25:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/13/gotthard-passes-start-to-open-next-week/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/gross-ggg.jpggross gggSnow clearing on Austria's Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, see more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/formule-e-768x576.jpgFormule-E-768x576Next Saturday’s all-electric Formula E race in central Paris is denounced as an ‘ecological disaster’ by the city’s elected Green Party politicians. As well as objecting to the ‘toxic’ temporary asphalt laid on top of Les Invalides’ cobblestones, the Group Ecolo de Paris says, ‘While pedestrians, bicycles and public transport gradually regain their share of space monopolised by the car in Paris, this event sends a message against the grain: pedestrians must give way to cars going round and round.’ Ironically, Paris deputy mayor responsible for transport Christophe Najdovski is a member of the Green group. He has been noticeably quiet about the race. His boss Anne Hidalgo has hardly been over-flowing with enthusiasm for the world-class-event visiting her city next weekend either, but has said she sees the racing as an ecological way to promote alternatives to combustion engines according to the Greens.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/furka-l.jpgfurka lhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/furka.jpgfurkaSWITZERLAND. The opening dates of the high major mountain passes around Gotthard have been announced (via @tds Tour de Suisse). Oberalppass to the west of Andermatt towards Disentis is the first to throw off its winter lock, on Tuesday 26 April, a couple of weeks earlier than usual. More on its usual schedule is Klausenpass to the east of Altdorf which opens on Friday 20 May, as does Gotthard itself. Furka opens on Monday 6 June followed by Susten Pass on Friday 10 June. There’s no word yet on Nufenen Pass, the southern border of the six ‘Das Loop’ roads around Gotthard – that normally opens in mid-June.2016-04-14T14:30:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/12/how-much-can-volvos-750-really-handle/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/bren.jpgbrenNo obviously sign of building at Brenner today. Photo ASFINAGhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/brenner.jpgbrennerhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/volvo.jpgvolvoVolvo’s FH16 750 will already pull 325 tonnes with its new I-Shift transmission with crawler gears. Today the Swedish manufacturer releases a film shot in Port of Gothenburg showing how much the new set-up can really handle. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/750.jpg750Volvo’s FH16 750 will already pull 325 tonnes with its new I-Shift transmission. Today the Swedish manufacturer releases a film shot in Port of Gothenburg showing how much the new set-up can really handle. More later.2016-04-13T14:04:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/11/catching-up-with-north-coast-500/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/via-dob-fix.jpgvia dob fixGerman Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt, left, and French Transport Minister Alain Vidalies.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/nc500.jpgnc500Rounding up the latest news from Scotland's premier road, the North Coast 500. Photo: Heilam Brae looking toward Loch Eriboll, between Durness and Tongue.2016-04-12T11:57:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/06/belgium-truck-toll-protest-demonstrations-blockade/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/scania-platoon.jpgscania platoonAfter journeys of nearly 2000km in some cases, the six ‘truck platoons’ from around the Continent arrived safe and sound in Rotterdam this afternoon. Truck platooning is two or three trucks connected by wifi in a column, with the first truck determining speed and route. It is said to be safer and more efficient than single vehicles, saving 10% of fuel and cutting CO2 emissions. Aside from more testing, the next step is to harmonise European rules and regulations – some German states refused to allow the vehicles to pass - and ensure market demand. Unilever and some major Dutch supermarkets have expressed an interest. Platooning will be on the agenda at the Informal EU Transport Council on 14-15 April in Amsterdam. Ten-vehicle platoons are due to take to UK roads though last night AA President Edmund King took to twitter to express some misgivings. Meanwhile, the first ‘mega-camion’ Ecocombi made the first trip in Spain on Monday. The 25.25m, 60t Scania drove 35km to the SEAT factory near Barcelona. Photo EUTruckPlatooning.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/brussels-trucks.jpgbrussels truckshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/platooning23.jpgplatooning23The European Truck Pontoon Challenge has arrived safe and sound in Rotterdam. More later.2016-04-10T11:36:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/07/belgium-truck-toll-protests-blockades/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/galibier.jpggalibierBig sandstorms in the Sahara have combined with strong southerly winds to drop a layer of fine sand across Europe, not least on Col du Galibier in the French Alps. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/balkan_classic_tr_-12.jpgBalkan_Classic_TR_-12Photo BalkanClassic.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/balkan-classicv.jpgbalkan classicvPhoto BalkanClassic.com2016-04-08T09:25:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/04/belgium-truck-toll-blockade-protest/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/blcoakde-selfie.jpgblcoakde selfie@Geordie_Driver's 'blockade selfie' on E411 at Habay this morning. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/bb-toll-cover.jpgbb toll coverTruck drivers block the E411 Namur-Arlon (Brussels-Luxembourg) on Friday.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/battered-lamborghini.jpgbattered lamborghiniDriver fined thousands of euros for driving his crashed Lamborghini through Germany. More later.2016-04-08T08:28:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/09/unmarked-speed-camera-cars-privatised-in-france/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/evo-conv.jpgevo convFirst sight Range Rover Evoque Convertible: it weighs a very substantial 270kg more than the hard top. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/france-spped-limit-2.jpgfrance spped limit 22016-04-07T12:52:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/03/sunday-33/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18a.jpg18ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/bbtoll-cover-b.jpgbbtoll cover bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/bbtoll-cover.jpgbbtoll coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cam_1.jpgcam_1Slightly clearer this morning at Switzerland's Simplonpass.2016-04-07T11:36:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/04/05/anlassen-nurburgring/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/11-fix.jpg11-fixAlbula Pass, Switzerland. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/pont-aven.jpgpont avenBrittany Ferries has finished fitting its fleet of six cruise ferries with new low emission technology. So-called ‘scrubbers’ in the funnel remove sulphur at an average cost of £10 million per ship. From January 2015, all ships in EU waters must use Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO), or existing Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) alongside scrubbers. The former is around 40 percent more expensive. The regulations were forecast to see fares rise by up to 15 percent but passengers have so far been insulated from significant increases thanks to current low fuel prices. Meanwhile, last year Brittany Ferries saw passenger numbers on its UK, France and Spain routes rise by 7.5 percent, and freight by 22 percent, partly due to the migrant crisis in Calais. The bulk of crossings, 38 percent, are on the Portsmouth-Caen route which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/nurb-bikers.jpgnurb bikers2016-04-06T11:05:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/31/eu-road-safety-statistics-2015/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/satellic.jpgsatellicLess than 24 hours before the Belgium truck toll does live, anxiety is reaching fever pitch. The IRU International Road Transport Union says it has received an ‘increasing number of complaints’ about non-delivery of the OBU On-board Units, technical problems and unclear installation and user guidelines. It questions whether the system is really ready and says it will ‘not hesitate to intervene with authorities at the appropriate level, including with the European Commission, if necessary.’ Operator Satellic tells Flanders Today that 90% of problems have been fixed with an automatic over-the-air update and tells truck drivers to leave the unit switched on – or call in at one of the firm’s nearly 150 service stations dotted around Belgium and its borders. For those still stuck, see Road Pricing’s complete guide. Photo IRU.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/france-road.jpgfrance roadThe latest 'Shock wave' road safety ad from France's Prevention Routiere,. this time focusing on motorbike riders. Two wheelers, 2016-04-03T13:39:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/30/a9-update-france-biggest-dustiest-motorway-project/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/primula-seaways-l.jpgSONY DSCDFDS primula Seaways, one of the ships use don the Immingham-Brevik route. Photo DFDS Seawayshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/a9.jpga9An update on A9 at Montpellier - France's biggest and dustiest motorway project. More later.2016-09-28T10:56:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/29/complete-overhaul-for-brussels-r0-ring-road/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/scania23.jpgscania23The first vehicles competing on the European Truck Platooning Challenge left Stockholm this lunchtime. Three Scania R 410s departed the factory in Sodertalje heading for Rotterdam for next Wednesday (6 April). For the first leg to Malmo they will be in full 32m guise before dropping the second trailer for the rest of the 1500km trip. Scania is one of six European manufacturers taking part. The idea is to test semi-autonomous ‘platooning’ technology in real-life conditions. Positioned around 10 meters apart, reduced drag can save 10 percent in fuel says the firm. The Platooning Challenge is organised under the current Dutch EU Presidency – see more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/scania.jpgscaniaThe first vehicles competing on the European Truck Platooning Challenge left Stockholm this lunchtime. Three Scania R 410s departed the factory in Sodertalje heading for Rotterdam for next Wednesday (6 April). For the first leg to Malmo they will be in full 32m guise before dropping the second trailer for the rest of the 1500km trip. Scania is one of six European manufacturers taking part. The idea is to test semi-autonomous ‘platooning’ technology in real-life conditions. Positioned around 10 meters apart, reduced drag can save 10 percent in fuel says the firm. The Platooning Challenge is organised under the current Dutch EU Presidency – see more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/r0_wemmel_1967-1.jpgr0_wemmel_1967 1The first part, in the west, opened in 1958 with the rest opening in stages until complete road in the north finished by 19772016-03-30T05:14:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/23/driving-through-molenbeek/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/f-bridge-m.jpgf bridge mNorway is planning the world’s longest floating bridge to cross the 5km wide Bjørnafjord in the south west. A depth of up to 550m makes conventional crossings impossible. The bridge is part of a ‘mega-project’ to establish a ferry-free coastal motorway between Kristiansand and Trondheim – dubbed Ferjefri E39 - over a distance of around 1250km. The Norway National Transport Plan 2014-2023 says E39 needs to be realised within the next 20 years. Picture via https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/6770.jpg6770Driving through the notorious Brussels suburb of Molenbeek. More later.2016-03-28T19:35:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/22/brussels-attacks-travel-traffic-borders-closed/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/border.jpgborderPhoto @Gendarmeriehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/brussels-terror.jpgbrussels terrorBrussels airport this morning. Photo Piers Scholfield, @Inglesihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/stelviolive_11.jpgstelviolive_11ITALY’s premier mountain road Stelvio opens for the summer on Saturday 28 May according to Valtellina Turismo. That’s reasonably early by super-high mountain pass standards (though bang on its usual schedule). At 2757m (9045ft), Stelvio is considerably higher than Swiss passes like Nufenen 2478m and Susten 2224m which throw off winter locks in mid-June, if not later. The mild winter saw many roads close much later than normally (Stelvio closes quite late too, at the beginning of November). Keep an eye on Stelvio via the webcam, or see more on mountain passes at PassFinder. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/stelviolive_11-2.jpgstelviolive_11 (2)2016-03-27T11:17:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/25/good-friday-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/a6-nurbs.jpga6 nurbsMaunday Thursday was supposed to be the busiest day of the year on German roads. Instead it seems drivers paced themselves and spread the misery over three solid days instead. Roads are expected to quieten now until the big return on Monday.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/naxns_00001.jpgnaxns_00001Dodging the Gotthard Tunnel - more later.2016-03-27T11:12:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/21/330km-new-expressways-poland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/gib2.jpggib2Gibraltar border queue. Keep up to date with what's happening via @GibraltarFrontier though https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/cdrwhyjuaaalnef.jpgCdrWhyjUAAAlNEfA major new expressway-building programme announced for Poland. More later.2016-03-23T09:43:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/18/deadline-approaching-for-belgium-truck-toll/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/a12-innsbruck.jpga12 innsbruckThe A12 near Innsbruck. Photo ASFINAGhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/gantry-blue.jpggantry blueSunday 20 March is the final date to apply for the On-Board Unit for Belgium's truck toll before it goes live on 1 April. More later. 2016-03-21T12:00:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/getting-started/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/waldstatterhof.jpgwaldstatterhofhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/xxeaas.jpgxxeaasWhen not to go: the busiest days on the roads are commonly referred to as Black Saturdays (though they are not all Saturdays). In France, the times to avoid are mid-February, early July and much of August. In Germany – where heavy traffic is normal - the hotspots are early April, mid-May and from late June to mid-August. In Switzerland, the number one transit country: early April, mid-May and from late June to early September. Austria: February, late March-early April, late May and all July and August.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/headlights-get-started.jpgheadlights get startedThe days of the headlight sticker are, thankfully, numbered. Cars with xenon or LED lights will almost certainly switch for driving on the other side of the road. Other cars do it too, notably Citroens. It’s worth checking the manual to see if yours does. Also, digital speedos will very handily switch to read in kilometers per hour. Registration plates with the EU flag on the border mean the car does not need a GB sticker.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/descent-larrau-cc.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADriving on the right: not always a bad thing. Descending Pot de Larrau, Pyrenees. Photo @DriveEurope.2016-03-21T10:53:06+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/17/retro-classics-stuttgart/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/retroc.jpgretroc2016-03-20T10:45:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/16/solution-for-botlek-bridge/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/botlek-cl.jpgbotlek clhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/con-lib.jpgcon libhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/botlek-c.jpgbotlek cWithin five months of opening last July, the New Botlek Bridge on the A15 between southern Rotterdam and Europoort notched up its fiftieth failure (and there have been several more since). It makes the introduction of Condor’s Liberation look plain sailing. The fault has now been traced to the locking bolts and cable tensioning system according to an independent engineer’s report via infrastructure manger Rijkswaterstraat. Work starts immediately to implement the report’s recommendations with high hopes of an end to the frequent, embarrassing failures. 2016-03-19T15:31:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/15/the-latest-at-the-borders/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bssls.jpgbsslsJams were dow in Brusselsand in Belgium overall though it is still Europe's most congested country. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2016-kochertalbruecke-pfeilerinstandsetzg-lap-x.jpg2016-Kochertalbruecke-Pfeilerinstandsetzg-LAP xGermany’s Kochertalbrucke has won the German Bridge Design Award 2016 it was announced today. Opened just before Christmas 1979, it underwent a 30 month rehabilitation which finished in December. The judges said the ‘innovative and minimally invasive’ restoration techniques were an outstanding engineering achievement. In a country where forty percent of bridges reportedly need some kind of maintenance or repair, they will be valuable lessons as the country embarks on an enormous infrastructure overhaul. Kochertalbrucke runs 1.128km over the River Kocher on the A6 at Geislingen between Heilbronn and Nuremberg in Baden Wurttemberg, southwest Germany. At 185m it is the country’s highest viaduct, and the highest so-called ‘simply supported’ beam bridge in the world.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lux-bel.jpglux belRounding up recent border hotspots. More later. Photo Valerio Vincenzo - the Belgian-Luxembourg border, part of a series Borderline, Frontiers of Peace2016-03-16T12:51:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/14/monster-traffic-on-the-way/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/maunday.jpgmaundayhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/rr_evqc_born_richard_orlinski_sculpture_110316_01_lowres.jpgrr_evqc_born_richard_orlinski_sculpture_110316_01_LowResAfter static displays in cities around the world, the next stop for Land Rover’s Evoque wire frame is Courcheval in the French Alps, part of an installation with artist Richard Orlinski. With one of Orlinski’s signature gorilla sculptures in the driver’s seat, the ensemble is meant to reflect the key values of the Evoque: a car born in the wild but adapted for the city. The artwork marks the Land Rover sponsored BORN AWARDS for excellence in design strategy and execution due to be awarded in Courcheval. Meanwhile, journalists are enjoying first drives of the imminent Evoque Convertible: the disappointing concensus – considering we have one on order - is that it is overweight, impractical and thirsty though all that is not expected to impact on runaway sales…https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/cctkt13xiaavxqq-2.jpgCctKT13XIAAVxqQ (2)Next week sees the busiest day of the year on German roads - with elsewhere following suit by the weekend. More later. 2016-03-15T10:32:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/09/catching-up-with-bentleys-15k-extraordinary-drive/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/di-stato.jpgdi statoPolice parked up beside the Arch of Constantine and Colosseum today having arrested a young Somali Imam asylum seeker. They say, ‘Maybe he was planning an attack in Rome?’ @PoliziadiStato is a handy account for travelling in Italy with tweets often in English.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/12778815_1212324972115168_6068285111630187051_o.jpg12778815_1212324972115168_6068285111630187051_oLucky Bentley owners went on a reassuringly expensive 2016-03-14T13:36:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/11/friday-22/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/stradeanas-it-a3-sarc.jpgstradeanas it a3 sarcA section of A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria in-build. Photo Strade ANAShttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/jaguar_xe_graham_bell_03_lowres.jpgJAGUAR_XE_GRAHAM_BELL_03_LowResSki world speed record - training in the Austrian Alps behind a Jaguar XE. More later.2016-03-13T18:09:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/08/off-roading-with-land-rover-in-spain/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/l-rover-spain.jpgl rover spainGo off-roading with Land Rover in Spain in September. The three day course centres around the multi-peaked Montserrat mountain near Barcelona. It also includes the Les Comes Estate, site of the annual 4x4 Festival with 60km of tracks used in the qualifying stages of the Camel Trophy and G4 Challenge. Overnight at Can Bonastre Wine Resort, the mediaeval Parador de Cardona and the El Palace Hotel in Barcelona. From £3995 per person based on two sharing, including meals. Organised by Abercrombie & Kent.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/l-r-cover.jpgl r coverGo off-roading with Land Rover in Spain in September. The three day course centres around the multi-peaked Montserrat mountain near Barcelona. It also includes the Les Comes Estate, site of the annual 4x4 Festival with 60km of tracks used in the qualifying stages of the Camel Trophy and G4 Challenge. Overnight at Can Bonastre Wine Resort, the mediaeval Parador de Cardona and the El Palace Hotel in Barcelona. From £3995 per person based on two sharing, including meals. Organised by Abercrombie & Kent.2016-03-10T10:10:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/07/an-almost-complete-guide-to-crossing-the-channel/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/91438.jpg91438Photo via the European Truck Platooning Challenge.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/xc90.jpgxc90Volvo is recruiting 100 commuters to test its self-driving cars in Gothenburg according to the BBC. The real world experiment takes place next year on specially selected roads which avoid cycle and pedestrian routes and – importantly – have clear white lane markings which are vital for the technology. It comes after a ‘truck-platooning’ experiment was announced in the UK. Convoys of up to ten, closely-spaced self-driving vehicles will ply the M6 near Carlisle later this year. More details are due on 16 March from Chancellor George Osborne. Meanwhile, the European Truck Platooning Challenge starts on Thursday 31 March. Six platoons of two vehicles each will converge on Rotterdam in the Netherlands - from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden – finishing on Wednesday 6 April.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bettie.jpgbettieLuxembourg PM Xavier Bettel was one of many people caught up in heavy snow on the E411 in the Belgian Ardennes this morning - though he apparently still made it on time to the Brussels EU Council meeting on migrants however. There were long delays in both directions at Rochefort and Leglise until mid-afternoon. Meanwhile, the major roads around Dusseldorf were gridlocked first thing. Jams peaked at 300km according to Welt.de. Also particularly badly affected was the A4 between Metz and Strasbourg at Saint-Avold. Snow had been expected, but in northern France and western Belgium – both of which saw light flurries at worst. Photo @Xavier_Bettelhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/crossing-channels.jpgcrossing channels2016-03-10T10:06:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/05/weekend-traffic-weather/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/3.jpg3Switzerland: the A2 heading south to the Gotthard Tunnel via TCS.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/vdi-c.jpgvdi cNot quite snowmageddon this morning but significant snow fell overnight north of Paris, and in southern French Alps and across the border into Italy and up into Switzerland. More later. Photo @RadioValdIsere2016-03-06T15:25:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/20/stuttgart-museum-weekend/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/5a.jpg5ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/4.jpg4Photo Peter Herridgehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/3.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1.jpg12016-03-06T14:10:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/03/a-quick-look-at-mont-aigoual/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/brussels.jpgbrusselsCentral Brussels, February 2016. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/aigoual.jpgaigoualTour de France regular 1912m Mont Ventoux is thought of as the windiest place in France – Venteux means windy - but 1567m Mont Aigoual, on the other side of the A7 at Avignon in southern France, is where the highest wind speeds have been measured – 360kmh in 1966 – and where MeteoFrance keeps a monitoring station. Already today speeds of 135kmh have been reached, and that on not a particularly windy day. Aigoual is served by twisty roads from the A75 Millau Viaduct, 60km west, or Ales at 80km east. On a clear day, Mont Blanc in the Alps, the Mediterranean and Pyrenees are all visible. Be warned, like Ventoux, Aigoual’s roads are frequently closed by high winds (or indeed snow). Photo Mont Aigoual Facebook.2016-03-04T15:22:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/03/01/facts-figures-and-photos-last-minute-skiing-in-austria/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/11.jpg11Pretty busy on the cross-border Germany-Austria B179 Fernpass, but luckily no major delays.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/10.jpg10Testing our All-season tyres on the first part of Otztal Glacier Road. See more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/9.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/8.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/7.jpg7The fairy tale beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle – built by mad King Ludwig in – a few miles from Fussen at the top of Fernpass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/6.jpg6A quick stop off at Cinquintenaire Park east of Brussels city centre, home of the Autoworld Museum.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/5.jpg5Brussels ‘Palais de Justice’, the biggest building built in the 19th century, from the 28th floor of The Hotel.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/41.jpg4Nutty skiers enjoying Soelden off-piste.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/31.jpg3The Ice Q restaurant as featured in James Bond Spectre. Open every lunchtime but only on Wednesdays for dinner. Book via Das Central Hotel.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/21.jpg2Soelden in south west Austria, a few miles from the Italian border. At the bottom of famous mountain passes the Otztal Glacier Road, and Timmelsjoch, only the latter of which closes in winter.2016-03-02T09:57:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/29/all-season-tyre-test-driving-on-snow-and-ice/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/img_1443-2.jpgIMG_1443 (2)Switzerland: a national referendum yesterday saw 60 percent of voters in favour of building a second Gotthard Tunnel tube. The highly controversial plan – rejected previously in 2004 - will not see capacity increase on the major Alpine crossing, a notorious bottleneck. Instead, each tunnel will ultimately carry one lane of traffic. Until then, the second tunnel will relieve the original during renovation. The €2.5 billion project should be complete by 2027.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/otztal.jpgotztalOur All-Season tyre shod Range Rover Evoque on the Otztal Glacier Road, Austria, February 20162016-03-01T10:59:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/18/bulgaria-ditches-gotthard-tunnel-rival/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/mclaren-volvos.jpgmclaren volvosFormula One team McLaren-Honda has taken delivery of 24 brand new Volvo FH trucks to transport the race team and hospitality units around Europe. The vehicles come in three different specifications depending on the use. The engines meanwhile are all 13 litre 540bhp units. For power-obsessed F1 that’s slightly disappointing since the FH is also available with a 16-litre 750bhp unit. There is form here however. Ringmeister Bernie Ecclestone also specified his fleet of Mercedes-Benz Actros at 510bhp, when he could have had 625bhp.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/kresna-mini.jpgkresna-miniBulgaria has apparently cancelled plans to build a tunnel through the sensitive Kresna Gorge, between capital Sofia and Greece. More later.2016-02-19T08:56:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/16/colcorsa-is-go/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/6874.jpg6874German roads: when they are good they are very, very good - like here on the A4 near Chemnitz - but most often they are horrid. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/verdon1.jpgverdonSara Nase is on a mission to ‘show people the world’s greatest driving roads in the best driver’s cars’. The Finnish-native, formerly with Zurich-based Ultimate Drives, now has her own venture: Colcorsa. The initial collection of tours nails just about every classic road in the Alps, plus Tuscany and the Spanish and French Pyrenees, with a season lasting April to October. Meanwhile, there’s a long list of exotic cars available to hire, both current and classic. Colcorsa is inviting expressions of interest now with prices available in March. See Colcorsa.com. Photo: Gorges du Verdon from ‘Verdon & Alpes Maritimes’.2016-02-17T06:31:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/15/unesco-threat-to-dolomites-mountain-passes/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sella-pass.jpgsella passSella Pass. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/7170.jpg71702016-02-16T13:09:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/12/friday-20/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/eurotunnel-freight.jpgeurotunnel freightEurotunnel freight cut the ribbon this morning on the new access lanes and check-in at the Folkestone Terminal. In addition to five access lanes, to separate freight and car shuttle customers (who should stay right), there is also a new ‘Freight Driver’s Centre’ for assistance. Meanwhile, more info has come to light on the new terminal at Dunkirk ahead of the official opening on 17 March. The new facilities came into operation overnight 16-17 January, now with separate entry points for light and heavy vehicles according to Dunkerque Port. There also a new reception for DFDS ferry customers, a specially designed security building and improved routes to the boarding area, which has toilets and a giant info screen. The last phase is demolition of the old buildings, freeing up space for three ship loads of vehicles inside the secure area.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/rally-sweden.jpgrally sweden2016-02-14T13:00:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/10/four-million-drunk-drivers-in-the-eu/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sloovakia.jpgsloovakiahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/balaton.jpgbalatonhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/d-drive.jpgd driveA recent drink drive enforcement campaign by European police says there are four million drink drivers in the EU. More later. 2016-02-12T10:45:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/11/few-fined-over-swedens-partial-mobile-phone-ban/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/suede2.jpgsuede2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/suede.jpgsuedehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/rochefort.jpgrochefortFrance minibus-truck crash: six children have died and two people were seriously injured at 07:15 this morning in a collision between a minibus and truck in central Rochefort, south of La Rochelle in western France. The minibus was heading from the island of Oléron to Surgères carrying 17 people, 15 children and two drivers, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry. See a photo of the scene. It comes a day after two children were killed after an accident involving a school bus in eastern France. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sweden-l.jpgsweden lFew drivers have been fined over Sweden's new too-difficult-to-police partial mobile phone ban. More later.2016-02-12T09:41:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/09/the-busiest-roads-in-germany/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/8157.jpg8157https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/afsluitdijk.jpgafsluitdijk2016-02-10T07:05:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/08/jam-dodging-in-the-french-alps/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/p2-of-the-day.jpgp2 of the dayAlps' Black Saturday 2015, 23 February: massive queues on A43 as a snow dump coincided with heavy holiday traffic. Delays compounded as drivers pulled over to fit snow chains, blocking access to snow ploughs. See more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/air-de-chainage-raie.jpgair de chainage raieNothing can be done about the weather but there are ways to avoid at least some of the most jam-prone stretches on the way tot he French Alps. Raie 'Aire de Chainage', photo @RadioValdIsere2016-02-09T13:15:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/03/will-customers-come-back-to-calais/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/3689-c.jpg3689 chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/3689.jpg3689https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/mediterrannee-1927-l.jpgmediterrannee-1927 lThe Retromobile show which kicks of the vintage car season in Paris today also features an exhibition by photographer and artist Jacques Henri Lartigue. His evocative ‘Mediterranean Sea, 12 September 1927’, above, certainly set off one fevered imagination with 2013’s ‘Amilcar and Bugatti. Tied in a fatal embrace.’2016-02-08T18:53:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/05/winter-traffic-kicks-off-this-weekend/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/pw-fix.jpgpw fixhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/porsche-winter.jpgporsche winter2016-02-06T14:04:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/04/surprisingly-slight-savings-from-schengen/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/slavonice-fratres-cz-a-2.jpgslavonice fratres cz a (2)The Slavonice-Fratres border crossing from 'After Schengen' by Ignacio Evangelista.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/chevril.jpgchevril2016-02-05T06:17:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/01/31/amilcar-and-bugatti-tied-in-a-deadly-embrace/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/vuitton1.jpgvuitton1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bibi_et_michele_verly_dans_on_amilcar_route_du_revard__mai_1928_4ff8340007d68.jpgBibi_et_Michele_Verly_dans_on_Amilcar_Route_du_Revard__mai_1928_4ff8340007d68Photograph by Jacques Henri Lartigue © Ministry of Culture – France / AAJHLhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/amilcar1-xx.jpgamilcar1 xxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/1931_006web.jpg1931_006Webhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/0057v55.jpg0057v552016-02-03T09:32:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/02/winners-and-losers-2015-road-safety-europe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/vlvo-2.jpgvlvo 22016-02-03T06:14:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/02/01/fuel-tourism-falling-in-luxembourg/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dfds-ships.jpgdfds shipsCannot come soon enough: the two former-MyFerryLink ships – now leased to DFDS by owner Eurotunnel – are due to start on the Dover-Calais route within the next week. According to DFDS’ last set of results, the renamed Cote des Dunes and Cote de Flandres will be deployed on the 6 and 9 of February respectively (Saturday and Tuesday). They were due to start in the last quarter 2015 but needed an extended overhaul in the Damen Shipyard Dunkirk after their occupation by MFL strikers in the summer. DFDS will then operate three ships apiece on its Dover-Dunkirk/Calais routes which should drastically reduce the chronic hours-long queues seen at all three Channel ports in recent months.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cap-lux-l.jpgcap lux LAire de Capellen, Luxembourg: the enormous services on the A6 a few miles from the Belgian border is reputedly one of the biggest in the world. According to BP, which just operates the south side, it sells more than 100 million litres of fuel each year with a shop turnover of €20 million.2016-02-02T06:26:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/02/road-tolls-and-vignettes-in-europe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/untitled.jpguntitledAutopay tags attach behind the rearview mirror.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/hungary.jpghungaryHungary paper vignette: a week's driving on Hungarian motorways costs 2,750HUF, or about £8.50. It takes a few minutes to get and you must keep it for one year after expiry - Hungarian authorities can track you down in the UK.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/vignette-screen.jpgvignette screenVignette stickers crowding the windscreen is the bane of every Euro driver's life. On the other hand it is quite cool that all the neighbours can see where you've been on holiday.2021-06-23T14:11:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/28/france-farmer-taxi-road-blocks-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shck-ave-2.jpgshck ave (2)Shock Wave: a new road safety film makes the point that the effect of road accidents are felt among the friends and family of those involved. Photo https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/paris2.jpgparis2New 'Solar Wind' show beside the peripherique in south east Paris. More later.2016-01-29T05:57:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/25/millau-gourmet-pitstop/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/img_6847-2-l.jpgIMG_6847 (2) lParis traffic. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/capucin-millau-l.jpgcapucin millau lA restaurant from the man named best Chef in the World last week – Michel Bras – offers drivers a world class taste of the Aveyron region while drinking in views of the extraordinary Millau Viaduct in the South of France. With prices ranging from €5.90 to €15.70, Capucins is a great value too. The name comes from the local ‘Capuchins’, cones of bread filled with delicacies. From the north, come off the A75 at the ‘Aire du Viaduc’ just before the bridge. From the south, take J45 then follow signs to the aire along the D911. Open daily, all day April-November.2016-01-26T13:44:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/24/sunday-26/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/taxi-orly-big.jpgtaxi orly bigLast June's Paris taxi strike.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ogier.jpgogierSebastian Ogier on this weekend's Monte Carlo Rally. More later.2016-01-29T18:13:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/23/saturday-25/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/calais-solidarity.jpgcalais solidarityP&O's Spirit of Britain occupied by migrants in Calais. Photo @CalaisSolidarity https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/b2-s.jpgb2 s2016-01-24T15:51:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/21/off-roading-kitzbuehel/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/img_6541.jpgIMG_6541https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/merc-benz.jpgmerc benzThe Mercedes-Benz off-road course in Kitzbuhel, Austria, sounds a bit more fun that your average manufacturer off-road experience. More later.2016-01-22T15:24:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/20/built-for-bond/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cal.jpgcalPhoto via Radio6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/pol_4472bwverkleind-light.jpgpol_4472bwverkleind lighthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/pol_4472bwverkleind.jpgpol_4472bwverkleindAston Martin concludes its 'Built for Bond' tour with the DB10 made specially for Spectre. More later.2016-01-21T11:19:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/18/porsche-on-the-future-of-mobility/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/14c600_35sdd1.jpg14C600_35sddDer neue smart fortwo, 2014 Bodypanels in lava orange (metallic), tridion Sicherheitszelle in black The new smart fortwo, 2014 Bodypanels in lava orange (metallic), tridion safety cell in black Stuttgarthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/nurbs.jpgnurbsa beautiful sunrise, a snow covered Nordschleife and -10 degrees Celsiushttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/14c600_35sdd.jpg14C600_35sddAfter recent measures in Paris, Madrid, Milan, Naples and Rome, Stuttgart in southern Germany is the latest city to try traffic restrictions due to air pollution. Until at least Wednesday, the city is on alert for particulate matter with commuters advised to leave their cars at home. Residents are also being asked not to use wood burning stoves. A statement on the city website says the measures will be made binding for fires from 2017, and for cars from 2018, if the current voluntary regime not successful.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/porsche-urban-mobility-l.jpgporsche urban mobility lA Porsche engineer lays out the firm's vision on the future of mobility. More later.2016-01-21T06:22:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/19/porsche-on-the-future-of-mobility-2/2016-01-20T09:24:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/14/taminabrucke-on-course-to-open-in-2017/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bentey.jpgbenteyA look at Bentley's £15,000 per couple Alpine road trip. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/taminab.jpgtaminabSwitzerland’s dizzingly high Taminabrucke is on schedule to open next year. The new bridge towers more than 650ft above the arm-span-at-its-narrowest Tamina Gorge, hence the name, and is set to become a tourist attraction in its own right when complete. It’s just off the A13 near Chur in east Switzerland. Watch the construction live on the webcam at Taminabruecke.chhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/tamina.jpgtaminaSwitzerland's dizzingly high Taminabrucke is on schedule to open next year. The new bridge towers more than 650ft above arm-span at its narrowest Tamina Goreg, hence the name and is likely to become a tourist attraction in its own right when complete. Watch the construction live on the webcam at Taminabruecke.ch2016-01-15T06:38:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/13/max-in-the-mountains/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/inarticle_studdedrear_514131212.jpginarticle_studdedrear_514131212Toro Rosso Formula 1 star Max Verstappen will attempt an ‘extremely ambitious’ downhill stunt on a Kitzbuhel ski slope on Thursday. The 18-year old Dutchman will pilot a specially adapted 2011 championship winning Red Bull RB7 - sporting studded tyres, a raised ride height and interim ‘snow livery’ featuring new sponsors TAG Heuer and Puma - on the Streif ski course in Hahnenkamm, more than 1600m high up in the Austrian Alps. The action kicks off at 11:00CET. See more.2016-01-14T06:26:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/12/ice-roads-open-in-estonia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/waw.jpgwawhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/estonia-ice-roase.jpgestonia ice roaseEstonia’s first ‘ice road’ opened for the winter yesterday reports Estonian Public Broadcasting. It runs 3.9km between Haapsalu and Osterby on the Noarootsi Peninsula in the north of the country. Drivers must not wear seatbelts in case they have to bail out quickly, must not stop, must leave 250m to the vehicle in front, and must not drive between 16-25mph which might create a dangerous resonance in the ice layer. Estonia has Europe’s longest ice road, 26.5km between Rohukula and Hiiumaa Island, set to open in the coming weeks. Photo Visit Estonia.2016-01-13T06:25:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/11/new-toys-for-calais-cops/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bulc-dobrindt.jpgbulc-dobrindthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/vbrg2.jpgvbrg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/vbrg.jpgvbrg2016-01-12T09:11:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/01/awesome-andorra-top-tip-for-2016/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/7-2.jpg7 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1a.jpg1aPort D'Envalira 2408m (7900ft), the highest paved road in the Pyrenees and easterly access road into Andorra. Bypassed by the tolled 3km Port D'Envalira Tunnel.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/8.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/7.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/6.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/5.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/4.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/3.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/21.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/1.jpg12016-01-11T06:50:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/30/ten-best-photos-of-2015/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/13.jpg13https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/calais-lump-22-2.jpgcalais-lump-22 (2)A migrant threatens a truck driver with a lump hammer in Calais in December. A shocking reminder, as strike action is threatened again, that none of the issues which caused such problems in the summer are done and dusted just yet. Photo via Les Calaisiens en Colere/Facebook.2016-01-11T06:49:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/06/flemings-first-foreign-assignment/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/genarmes-calais.jpggenarmes calaishttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/use23.jpguse23James Bond author Ian Fleming's first foreign assignment with Reuters was as co-driver on the Alpine Trial. More later.2016-01-10T11:23:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/14/paris-attacks-travel-traffic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/cvnkoc2wwaa-eir.jpgCVnkoc2WwAA-EiRMonday 7 December: a relatively quiet weekend save for persistent, substantial queues at the Spanish-French Mediterranean border, on the AP-7/A9 Barcelona-Perpignan, mainly inbound. Same again this morning though much quieter this afternoon. On the roads around Lille and Valenciennes the delays – up to 1h20 for the latter – were inbound too. Meanwhile, the Belgium haulage association FEBETRA says border queues have so far cost its members €3 million.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ge.jpggeBack road border control France-Belgium photo via @Gendarmeriehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/svinesund.jpgsvinesundhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/police-policia.jpgpolice policiaJoint police border controls, France-Spain. Photo @https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ct9f4znxaaapeew-2.jpgCT9f4ZnXAAApeEw (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/cuag_qxwwaandwx.jpgCUAG_qxWwAAndWXhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/12240931_991970784200450_4252571312778886154_o.jpg12240931_991970784200450_4252571312778886154_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/gena-p.jpggena phttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/genad.jpggenadhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/border.jpgborder2016-01-04T14:59:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2016/01/03/france-border-queues-red-cross/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/red-cross.jpgred crosshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/passo-bernina.jpgpasso-berninahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/passo-bernina-c.jpgpasso-bernina c2016-01-04T12:12:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/28/alarming-winter-getaway-dry-run/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/audi-quattro.jpgaudi quattroSnapshot from Audi of the 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1 rally car, with around 500bhp and 480Nm torque at 8000rpm. It weighed 1,090kg and got to 100kmh (62mph) in 3.1 seconds.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sued-1-2.jpgsued (1) (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fernpass1.jpgfernpassVery busy holiday traffic into the Alps on Boxing Day Saturday. Thank goodness there was no snow. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/felbertauernstrasse-w.jpgfelbertauernstrasse wReportedly closed today due to a ski race but no news on the official website. Meanwhile, the https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/felbertauernstrasse-w-c.jpgfelbertauernstrasse w c2015-12-31T15:51:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/27/sunday-23/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hahntenjoch-still-open-2-3.jpghahntenjoch still open 2 3Some ice patches, but Hahntennoch is still open. More at Tirolhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/agent-47.jpgagent 47B-movie budget and stars - Star Trek's Zachary Quinto excepted - but with a cult-movie feel, Hitman Agent 47 follows the antics of genetically enhanced killing machines as they rampage around, among other places, Berlin. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/lexus-transfag-crop-fix.jpglexus transfag CROP FIX2015-12-29T09:16:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/10/christmas-traffic-travel-europe-new-year-2015/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/santa-line-2.jpgsanta line (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/santa-line.jpgsanta linePushing the boat out for Christmas: Stena Line rebrands Santa Line for the holidays.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fluela.jpgfluela2015-12-28T21:47:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/24/madrid-pollution-evite-usar-el-coche/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/b2163aed-06e4-48b6-b4b9-200dd0c3f25e_teaser_original_720x1_5.jpgb2163aed-06e4-48b6-b4b9-200dd0c3f25e_teaser_original_720x1_5An end of year photo series from Porsche called No night at the museum (1). Various of its historic models are pictured outside Stuttgart’s architectural landmarks, including this 909 Bergspyder from 1968 outside the firm’s very own Porsche Museum. See more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/spain-madrid-pollution.pngspain madrid pollutionAnother episode of Madrid pollution today - speed cut to 70kmhon M-30 ring. 'Evite usar el coche - avoid using your car'.2015-12-28T21:22:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/25/merry-christmas/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/j-crew-23-cover-christmasfix2.jpgj crew 23 cover christmasfix2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/j-crew-23-cover-christmasfix.jpgj crew 23 cover christmasfixhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/j-crew-23-cover-christmas.jpgj crew 23 cover christmasMerry Christmas! Wishing all readers a fantastic day, whatever you may be doing. Photo: pinched from this winter’s J Crew catalogue, shot on Ireland’s 1500 mile tip-to-toe Wild Atlantic Way. ‘The landscape was so green it felt like a movie set,’ they said. See more at WildAtlanticWay.com2015-12-26T16:49:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/17/louwman-museum/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/lou-cover.jpglou coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/calais-lump-22.jpgcalais lump 22A migrant attacks a truck driver with a lump hammer in Calais today in violent scenes described by the FTA as ‘unprecedented’. Photo via Les Calaisiens en Colere/Facebook.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/1507306_591204000956311_1061506855_o.jpg1507306_591204000956311_1061506855_o2015-12-24T18:36:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/16/eurotunnel-myferrylink-ferry-union/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/dsc_8708-2.jpgDSC_8708 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/img_0045.jpgIMG_0045https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/regera-2.jpgregera (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/regera.jpgregeraKoenigsegg Regera. More later.2015-12-24T18:31:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/22/cable-car-unimog/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ammi-traffic1.jpgammi traffichttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ammi-traffic.jpgammi traffichttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/favourite-picture-tightrope-in-the-alps-header-2.jpgfavourite-picture-tightrope-in-the-alps-header (2)Betten in the Valais in south central Switzerland – beside the 23km Aletsch Glacier – was, and is, only accessible by cable car. Rather than manhandle stinking piles of rubbish, the residents decided just to sling their 9.5t Unimog underneath the gondola. It took seven minutes to descend 1100m and 2.43km to the incinerator in the valley below, on the H19 between Brig and the Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen Passes. Photo Mercedes Benz Road Stars.2015-12-24T18:25:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/23/brussels-lamborghini-christmas/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/verico.jpgvericoThere has been a rash of roads opening recently, in Italy, Austria, a few in Germany and some detail improvements in France. Coming up.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/veniee.jpgveniee2015-12-24T18:24:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/21/the-highest-driver-training-centre-in-the-world/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/galardo.jpggalardoBritish drivers can be caught speeding red handed, but can't have fines sent by post, yet.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/high-drive-bmw-d.jpghigh drive bmw dBMW has been running winter driving courses at Solden in Austria since 1990. At 2800m – 9000+ft – the firm is undoubtedly correct to call it the ‘highest driver training centre in the world’. The Otztal Glacier Road is not just the highest paved road in the Alps but stays open all year too (see more open all year high mountain roads). It was also where scenes from James Bond’s Spectre were filmed earlier this year. A wide selection of vehicles from the BMW line up is available – ‘from M4 to X5’ – with courses tailored to beginners, advanced and professionals. Prices start at €410 per person for a half day course rising to €1690 for two nights-three days, staying at the Das Central hotel in Solden. BMW also has a winter driving centre at Arjeplog in Sweden with three and five day courses, from €2290pp. See more.2015-12-22T10:38:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/traffic-webcams/2015-12-19T16:45:33+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/15/bmw-oled-lights/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/home3_porsche_mieten4_01-2.jpghome3_porsche_mieten4_01 (2)After kicking off in Stuttgart last March, the official 911-by-the-hour ‘Porsche Drive’ programme has now expanded to Berlin, and Switzerland. Prices range from €69 per hour for a Boxster or Cayman to €2599 per week for a 911 (the full Porsche model range is available). The cars can be hired from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart and the dealerships in Franklinstrasse, central Berlin, and Rotkreuz, beside Zugersee in north central Switzerland, just above the Alps (between Zug and Lucern). Drivers must be at least 27-years old and the deposit is quite hefty but the package does include suggested driving routes. Gift vouchers from €30 are also available. See more, or see Porsche Drive.com. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/m4-gts-ll.jpgm4 gts llhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/m4-gts-l.jpgm4 gts lIt was BMW who invented fancy lighting with its - supposedly - iconic ‘halogen rings’ almost two decades ago, but it wasn’t until Audi’s much later LED day time running lights that the idea really caught on. Despite first showing new OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) at the 2013 Los Angeles Consumer Electronics Show, Audi has been beaten to the production punch by BMW with its new M4 GTS. Made up of wafer thin material which illuminates across the whole surface - unlike LEDs which emit points of light - OLEDs dispense with lenses and the rest to allow compact light systems featuring, in the words of BMW, ‘exceptional precision’. The next stages are 3D tail lamps then OLED body panels. Expect to see these flashing past on the autobahn soon. See more. Photo BMW.2015-12-16T08:40:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/14/france-lifts-luxembourg-border-controls/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/border.jpgborderThe France-Belgium border. Photo @Gendarmeriehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/guy-martin.jpgguy martin2015-12-15T20:56:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/17/rows/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2a.jpg2ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/untitled334444.jpguntitled334444<em>Hire a 911 from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart from €99 per hour. More prices, and the other models available, below</em>.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/untitled223.jpguntitled223Hire a Porsche 911 Carrera S, 4S, 4S Cabriolet or Targa 4S, all with PDK double clutch gearbox, for €99 per hour (100km), €249 for three hours (250km), €399 for one day (500km), €799 for a long weekend (750km) or €2599 per week (1500km). https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/5.jpg5Hire a Cayenne S Diesel with Tiptronic S automatic gearbox for €79 per hour (100km), €199 for three hours (250km), €319 per day (500km), €599 for a long weekend (750km) or €2099 per week (1500km).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/4.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/3.jpg3Hire a Panamera S E-Hybrid (auto) or GTS (PDK) for €89 per hour (100km), €229 for three hours (250km), €369 per day (500km), €699 for a long weekend (750km) or €2399 for a week (1500km).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2.jpg2Hire a Boxster or Cayman GTS, or Macan S, all with PDK double clutch gearbox, for €69 per hour (100km), €179 for three hours (250km), €299 per day (500km), €499 for a long weekend (750km) or €1899 per week (1500km).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/1.jpg1Hire a 911 from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart for €99 per hour (100km), https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/row.jpgrow2015-12-15T14:50:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/11/m20-truck-park-operation-stack/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/gov-uk-stack1.jpggov-uk-stackhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/gov-uk-stack.jpggov-uk-stackroundup: OPERATION STACK. Two sites have been earmarked for the new truck park in Kent to replace the M20 Operation Stack says Highways England. The new facility might also double as a - sorely needed - 24h truck park. Consultation now begins on the sites, both just north of J11 of the M20 west of Folkestone, within easy reach of the motorway. The first of eight public information meetings are being held over this weekend in Sellindge with the rest to come over the next few weeks. The consultation closes at midnight on Monday 25 January. See the consultation documents here.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/roads-to-rome2-2.jpgroads to rome2 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/roads-to-rome2.jpgroads to rome2All roads lead to Rome as the old saying goes and three graphic designers from Stuttgart set out to prove it. Actually what they did was select almost 500,000 starting points from all over Europe and had a computer plot the routes to the Italian capital. The roads used the most came out darkest to create this leaf-like pattern. They also plotted similar maps of all the countries in Europe, and the states in America. They are all available to buy as posters too. See more at Moovel Lab. 2015-12-13T10:11:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/09/fluela-pass-open-until-january/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/flu.jpgfluFluela Pass, Graubünden, east Switzerland, June 2014. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/cu-8grcwcaagrss.jpgCU-8grcWcAAgrsS2015-12-10T11:54:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/04/migrants-dieppe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/rrdst.jpgrrdsthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/arctic-silverstone.jpgarctic silverstoneLand Rover recreated Silverstone race track in the Arctic to test its new 550bhp Range Rover Sport SVR. The full size replica of the British Grand Prix circuit – which, incidentally, is under consideration as Jaguar Land Rover’s new headquarters – was carved into Lake Uddjaur near Arjeplog in northern Sweden. ‘Brand ambassador’ and polar explorer Ben Saunders was tutored in the fine art of ice driving by former rally champion Minna Sillankorva. ‘The first thing is, be very careful with the throttle,’ she says. Watch part one of the resulting film here. See part two next Tuesday 8 November.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/dieppe-2.jpgdieppe 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/dieppe-1.jpgdieppe 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/arctic-silvertoen.jpgarctic silvertoenLand Rover recreated Silverstone race track in the Arctic to test its new 550bhp Range Rover Sport SVR. The full size replica of the British Grand Prix circuit – which, incidentally, is under consideration as the site of Jaguar Land Rover’s new headquarters - was carved into Lake Uddjaur just south east of Arjeplog in northern Sweden. ‘Brand ambassador’ and polar explorer Ben Saunders was tutored in the fine art of ice driving by former rally champion Minna Sillankorva. ‘The first thing is, be very careful with the throttle,’ she says. Watch part one of the resulting film here, and watch out for part two next Tuesday 8 November.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/rrs_svr_arctic_silverstone_271115_07_lowres.jpgRRS_SVR_Arctic_Silverstone_271115_07_LowResRange Rover recreated Silverstone race track in the Arctic to test its new RR Sport SVR. More later.2015-12-09T10:13:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/08/france-virtual-driving-licence-ghost-shadow/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/cvlqaosxiaaq0rx.jpgCVlQAosXIAAq0rxRemoving trucks from the M20 hard sh . Photo @KentPoliceRoadshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/europabrucke.jpgeuropabruckeAs trucks are banned in Austria (and Italy) today – for the Feast of Immaculate Conception – it emerges truck tolls on the A13 Brennerautobahn - from Innsbruck to the Italian border – will be cut by 25% next year, and by 5% on the A12 Inntalautobahn from Innsbruck to the German border. The controversial move brings the charges into line with the EU Eurovignette Directive which says revenue cannot be more than the cost of the infrastructure. Critics say it will stimulate traffic on an already busy route which currently costs half the Gotthard Alps crossing, and a third of the Frejus Tunnel, Lyon-Turin. Meanwhile, plans to ban certain types of loads from the A12 have been put on hold until at least next summer.2015-12-09T08:51:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/05/driving-in-iceland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/iceland-1.jpgiceland 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/reynisfjall_1.jpgreynisfjall_1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/myvatnsoraefi_1.jpgmyvatnsoraefi_1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/kolas_1.jpgkolas_1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/halfdan_1.jpghalfdan_1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/gautavik_1.jpggautavik_1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/haffjardara_3.jpghaffjardara_3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/eldhraun_1.jpgeldhraun_1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/bulandshofdi_1.jpgbulandshofdi_1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/untitled.jpguntitled2015-12-08T20:19:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/07/marine-le-pen-calais-migrant-crisis/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/093026439-67e4f099-1781-4ae2-877e-d366726951a2.jpg093026439-67e4f099-1781-4ae2-877e-d366726951a2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/le-pen-calais.jpgle pen calaisMarine le Pen on a visit to Calais Chamber of Commerce on 1 December. Photo via MarineLePen2015.frhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/093026410-c01cb39c-625a-4aef-b89d-216edaa8e7f2.jpg093026410-c01cb39c-625a-4aef-b89d-216edaa8e7f2The Italian state police ‘Polizia di Stato’ 2016 calendar features photos taken by Massimo Sestini, winner of this year’s World Press Photo. Sestini specialises in aerial – rather than drone – shots. His winning photo is a bird’s eye view of a boat crowded with refugees taken 25km off the Libyan coast (with a Canon EOS 1 DX). The calendar is available through UNICEF Italia for €3-8 with the proceeds going to help protect children in southern Sudan.2015-12-08T09:00:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/01/tuesday-8/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/agne-gintalaite.jpgAgne GintalaiteAgne Gintalaite photographs Lithuanian garage towns. More later.2015-12-07T20:26:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/02/taking-your-car-to-tenerife/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/tenerifej.jpgtenerifejGetting your car to the Canary Islands. More later.2015-12-07T12:25:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/26/migrants-calais-dunkirk/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/alpine-trial2.jpgalpine-trial2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/alpine-trial.jpgalpine trialERA's 2016 Alpine Trial is on but switches from its usual base in Annecy. More later.2015-12-06T17:03:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/12/03/col-dizoard-closes-six-weeks-late/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/m2-izzie.jpgm2 izziehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/izzie.jpgizziehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/iz4.jpgiz4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/iz-3.jpgiz 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/izzie2-2.jpgizzie2 (2)France's Col d'Izoard closes six weeks late. More later.2015-12-05T17:39:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/30/europe-most-expensive-fuel-petrol-diesel-gas/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/europes-most-expensive.jpgeurope's most expensiveStrange: Europe's most expensive fuel is clustered in the Northwest and the Southeast. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/seiten_aus_kalender_2016_1-2.jpgseiten_aus_kalender_2016_1 (2)2015-12-01T15:39:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/18/eu-secret-road-toll-report/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/puttgarden_vogelfluglinie_h_high1.jpegPuttgarden_Vogelfluglinie_h_highDenmark-Germany ferry operator Scandlines will take the European Commission to the European Court of Justice saying its approval of the financing model for the upcoming Fehmarn Link amounts to unfair state aid. Due to open sometime early next decade, the tunnel underneath the Fehmarn Strait – on the direct route between Hamburg and Copenhagen - will be in direct competition with the Scandlines’ Puttgarden-Rodby route. The link was awarded €589 million funding in June under the Commission’s CEF ‘Connecting Europe Facility’. A Commission transport spokesman declined to comment on the case.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/austria-road-toll-thing-little.jpgaustria road toll thing littleElectronic road toll gantry, Austria. Photo ASFINAGhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/puttgarden_vogelfluglinie_h_high.jpegPuttgarden_Vogelfluglinie_h_highScandlines, the operator of the Germany-Denmark ferry is to sue the European Commission over financing dfor the upcoming Fehmarn Fixed Link tunnel. More later.2015-11-29T12:27:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/25/paris-suspects-a1/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/mui-mui.jpgmui muiPossibly the most famous driving in Europe car of all time - barring James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 – is for sale. Expect to pay around £2m for the 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 – chassis number 3586 – which starred in the opening sequence of the Italian Job. The mint condition Miura with 19,000km on the clock, in Arancio Miura with a white leather interior, was delivered to the first of its five owners on 2 July 1968, shortly after three day’s filming on the Grand St Bernard Pass between Switzerland and Italy. See Cheshire Classic Cars for more. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/a6ae007cea366ad41bbfa0414369631e.jpga6ae007cea366ad41bbfa0414369631eOn the run. Police looking for Paris Attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini. More later.2015-11-26T10:07:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/24/ferry-security/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/untited.pnguntitedLast week’s budget cut Denmark’s infamous registration tax for new cars from 180% to 150% reports Copenhagen Post. It means Porsche’s 911 Carrera S can now be had for the bargain price of 2,006,250DKK (€268,000) compared to €110,000 in neighbouring Germany. However, because of the high 170,000DKK threshold when the registration tax kicks in the effect is less for cheaper cars. The entry-level VW Golf still costs a whopping €27,500 (compared to €17,650 in Germany).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/original-caledonian.jpgoriginal caledonianPictured are Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group, based at HMNB Clyde, conducting underway boarding exercise, in conjunction with the CALMAC Ardrossan Ferry. The evolution is designed to highlight the work that 43 Commando’s Fleet Contingent Troop (FCT) carries out on counter-narcotics and counter-piracy operations around the world. The troop consists of around 30 men, who are the Royal Navy’s boarding specialists, trained in enhanced access and entry techniques.2015-11-25T06:15:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/23/monday-14/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/trivium-2.jpgtrivium (2)Photo TISPOLhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/radiovaldisere2.jpgradiovaldisere22015-11-24T08:37:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/12/dunkirk-ferry-route/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dunkirk-calais.jpgdunkirk calaishttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dfds-dunkirk2.jpgdfds dunkirk2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/couvronmain.jpgCouvronMainMotor Sport Vision, the UK company behind Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Cadwell Park and Oulton Park is expanding onto the Continent with a new circuit at Laon, beside the A26 Calais autoroute in northern France (the mediaeval, walled town coincidentally mentioned in last week’s report on the A2 Paris-Brussels upgrade). The five-mile track with a 200mph main straight, on a disused former military airfield, should open in April 2018. Laon is 160 miles from Calais, 170 miles from Spa-Francorchamps and 270 miles from the Nurburgring. See more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/lautaret.jpglautaretTwo years ago, drivers needed chains or winter tyres on Col du Lautaret in the French Alps, and every other mountain road was shut. This year, apart from Agnel, they are all - as far as we know - still open. More later. Photo @Meteovilles2015-11-23T19:48:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/19/snowmageddon-ahead/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dunk-truck.jpgdunk truckhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/silvretta.jpgsilvrettaFrance's Col de l'Iseran closed today ahead of the expected 'Snow Mageddon'. Switzerland's awesome grisel Pass has also closed, until 19 June 2016 according to TCS, and Austria's Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse has also shut for the winter since our last roundup, but overall the amazing thing is that most high roads are still open. That might change tonight. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/col_de_liseran_2-2.jpgCol_de_l'Iseran_2 (2)Col de l'Iseran finally closes ahead of expected Alp's Snowmaggedon. More later.2015-11-23T13:07:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/20/passo-san-boldo/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/borders.jpgbordersA bad week for borders. More later.2015-11-23T06:31:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/17/paris-terror-traffic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/norway-cover.jpgnorway coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-traffic.jpgparis traffichttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/norway.pngnorwayGreat film from Medier24 about driving in snow storms in Norway. 2015-11-22T19:00:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/hotels/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/hot-4.jpghot 4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/hot-3.jpghot 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/hot-2.jpghot 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/hot-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA2015-11-22T11:39:13+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/16/arlberg-puymorens-reopen/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sanef.jpgsanefhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/lechzuerstourismus_bychristophschoech-32-1-2.jpglechzuerstourismus_bychristophschoech--32--1 (2)The S16 Arlberg Tunnel in western Austria - on the A14/S16 between Innsbruck and Bregenz - reopened on schedule on Saturday for the winter. It saves car drivers using the Arlberg Pass, above, and truck drivers the major detour via Munich. Meanwhile, however, the N20 Puymorens Tunnel in the French Pyrenees, on the direct route between Toulouse and Barcelona, skirting eastern Andorra, remains shut. It was expected to reopen this weekend, right up until Thursday. Renovation works are complete, and security checks, but some ‘administrative procedures’ are still outstanding reports La Depeche. The opening date is expected to be announced today. More later. Photo Arlberg Classichttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/arlbergclassiccarrally_bychristophschoech-497.jpgarlbergclassiccarrally_bychristophschoech--497-Arlberg + Puymorens tunnels have reopened. More later.2015-11-18T14:47:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/04/timmelsjoch-opening-late/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/austria-vignette.jpgaustria vignetteAustria vignettes. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1-2.jpg1 (2)Timmelsjoch. More later.2015-11-17T16:56:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/13/madrid-pollution/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/madrid.jpgmadrid2015-11-14T17:42:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/11/migrants-calais-port-n216/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/529897.jpg529897https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/calais.jpgcalaishttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/fgt.jpgFGTFantastic photos of upcoming Ford GT in Paris. More later.2015-11-12T06:15:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/10/the-great-road-safety-lie-about-driverless-cars/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-tint.jpgparis tintTinted glass is outlawed in France from 1 January 2016, but for the front windows only reports Prevention Routiere. The fine https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/autodrive.jpgAutonomous drivingAutonomous driving2015-11-11T06:13:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/06/upgrade-paris-brussels-n2-rn2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/killary-harbour.jpgkillary harbourhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/killary-harbour-2.jpgkillary harbour 2Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way: the glacial fjord at Killary Harbour is located at the heart of Connemara's famous rugged and dramatic landscape. More at WildAtlanticWay.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/benz2-1.jpgFUSO Canter E-Cell Event, 10th July 20142015-11-09T12:24:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/03/alternate-traffic-paris/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/img_6799-2.jpgIMG_6799 (2)Paris fog, not smog. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2-1-2.jpg2 (1) (2)Austria's Timmelsjoch to stay open for a bit longer this year. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/solkpass.jpgsolkpass2015-11-08T11:56:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/05/on-tour-with-mercedes-benz-classic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dalen.jpgdalenThrow Back Thursday: R45 Eidsborgvegen at Dalen, on the west end of Lake Bandak in south central Norway in the late 1930s. Photo @Elusive_Moosehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/mc-merc.jpgmc merchttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/mc-merc-l.jpgmc merc l2015-11-07T15:54:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/20/operation-evocab/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/aaaagnel.jpgaaaagnelThe first permanent winter closure this year is confirmed as the cross-border France-Italy Col Agnel, 2744m (9003ft). The summit is still open from the French side but the road is closed in both directions on the Italy side reports @TRAFSud. Expected to reopen on 26 May 2016. Find Agnel on PassFinder, or more information on high mountain roads that stay open through the winter. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cr286q2wuaasfr3.jpgCR286Q2WUAASfr3Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/agnel-cover.jpgagnel coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/euue.jpgeuueThe EU Transport Commissioner and Chairman of the EP Transport Committee were shown around Eurotunnel by chief executive Jacques Gounon today. Photo @Bulc_EU https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/agnel.jpgagnelThe first permanent winter closure this year has been confirmed as the cross-border France-Italy Col Agnel, 2744m (9003ft). The summit is still accessible from the French side but the road is closed in both directions on the Italy side reports @TRAFSud. Expected to reopen on 26 May 2016. Find Agnel on PassFinder, or more information on high mountain roads that stay open through winter. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/range_rover_evoque_convertible_testing_at_eastnor__2__lowres-2.jpgRange_Rover_Evoque_Convertible_testing_at_Eastnor__2__LowRes (2)Operation EvoCab: it's done, we've ordered a Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet, and it's due to arrive at the end of May next year. More later.2015-11-06T19:35:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/01/james-bonds-spectre-review/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/5.jpg5in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/3.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2.jpg2Dave Bautista in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1.jpg1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/bond-spectre.jpgbond spectreObsessive James Bond fan writes Spectre review. More later.2015-11-05T22:49:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/04/20/the-foreign-office-goes-top-gear-in-tajikistan/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/1z.jpg1z"Spectacular scenery and roads generally good despite terrain," reports Turner.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/16.jpg16Like many of its neighbours, an important industry in Soviet times was uranium mining but it has substantially diminished since. The size of Tajikistan’s remaining uranium deposits is a state secret. The US has been closely involved in combating nuclear trafficking. Tajikistan is a signatory to all the international treaties and organisations. The biggest problem is dealing with its 55 million tons of radioactive waste.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/15.jpg15Silver mining has been ongoing in Tajikistan for over a thousand years though these mine tailings are more modern. An existing Western investor in Tajikistan is Silverhill Resources, a Swiss based company, which holds a licence for the Kanjol Ore Field in northern Sugd.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/13.jpg13The VSO charity - Voluntary Services Overseas - has been working in Tajikistan since 2008 with ‘with marginalised youth and women from low income households to make sure vulnerable people and communities are benefiting from economic growth.’ VSO also runs an ‘ethical tourism’ programme.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/12.jpg12The visit includes a visit to the Free Economic Zone near Khujand where they visit factories making Solar panel factory, paint factory, window frames. Businesses tell Leigh Turner they are ‘desperately short of trained staff’, one area in which the UK can help.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/11a.jpg11aTajikistan was devastated by a civil war after the collapse of the Soviet Union but since 1997 has been at peace. Deputy Governor of Khudzand tells HMA Dushanbe and me region grew 8.2% in Q1 2012 and the country by 7%.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/11.jpg11Khujand second largest city Khudzand - or Khujand, formerly Leninabad - on the Syr Darya river at the mouth of the Fargana Valley, capital of the northern province, Sughd. Major staging point on the Silk Road. 100 miles south of Tashkent and 175 miles east of Samarkand. Height 1,000 ft.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/10.jpg10Poppies in Fergana valley. Tajikistan is a major transit route for opium products from Afghanistan. Legitimate business includes cotton and aluminium. Tajikistan is landlocked and has no navigable waterways but a major export is hydroelelectricity. At nearly 1,000ft high the Nurek Dam, 47 miles east of Dushanbe, is the world’s highest. Remittances from the one million Tajiks who work abroad make up over a third of GDP.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/9.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/7.jpg7What do the English do when stranded in a ditch? Have a cup of tea of course. Served by HM Ambassador to Tajikistan, Robin Ord-Smith.2015-11-05T18:19:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/11/02/spain-toll-roads/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/m12-toll-peaje.jpgm12 toll peajeThe M-12 autopista, Madrid-Barajas airport. Photo OHLhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/d1.jpgd1As of yesterday (1 November), until 15 April, cars in Austria must be fitted with ‘winter tyres’ – marked at least M+S – during wintry conditions, i.e. with snow or slush on the road. Vehicles heavier than 3.5t must have winter tyres fitted to at least one drive axle whatever the conditions – with a minimum of 5mm tread depth - and carry snow chains for at least two driving wheels. A spot check by police on the A4 Vienna autobahn today found 80% compliance. More roads in Italy also require winter tyres or chains from 1 November. See more on Winter Tyre Rules. Photo: testing the original Audi Quattro on Turracherhohe, Austria, 1978, Audi AG.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/12-2.jpg12 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/12.jpg122015-11-03T13:54:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/30/man-racing/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/man-wrth.jpgman wrthhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tgx.jpgtgxA quick National Lorry Week look at the MAN TGX. More later.2015-10-31T09:37:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/29/volvo-power/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/vv.jpgvvhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ecotax-protes.jpgecotax protesFrance has been desperately trying to replace to revenue from the failed Ecotaxe truck toll system.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/volvo-power-cover.jpgvolvo power coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/volvo-power.jpgvolvo powerThe most powerful truck currently on sale, Volvo's FH16 750. More later2015-10-30T14:01:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/26/national-lorry-week/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dova.jpgdovaPort of Dover. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/renaut-t-l.jpgrenaut t lTo mark National Lorry Week this week we will work our way through the main international trucks, starting with the Renault Trucks T. More later. Photo Renault Trucks.2015-10-30T13:57:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/27/national-lorry-week-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/rail-freight.jpgrail freightNew 'lorry rail' terminal at Calais with side-load bays. Photo VIIAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/merc-bgp.jpgmerc bgpMercedes-Benz Actros, Belgian Grand Prix 2013. More later. 2015-10-30T13:10:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/17/anti-speed-week/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_2324.jpgIMG_2324https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/chuvqziwoae4msv.jpgCHUVqZIWoAE4msvIt's TISPOL anti-speed week, police forces across the Continent concentrating on enforcing speed limits.2015-10-29T19:52:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/28/daily-daf/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/gotthard.jpggotthardNorthbound into the Gotthard Tunnel. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/daf.jpgworkhouseDaily DAF. More later.2015-10-29T12:38:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/22/lake-koman-ferry/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cr1p0bqwwaa_kfa.jpgCR1P0BQWwAA_KfaThe 2016 Le Man calendar is out, see more.2015-10-26T14:02:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/23/one-of-the-worlds-classic-ferry-trips/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/migrants-inside-calais-2.jpgmigrants inside calais 2A call for ‘something to be done’ at Calais by the British Freight Transport Association this week was happily answered almost straight away as police reinforcements drafted in on Thursday put an immediate stop to the nightly migrant incursions plaguing Eurotunnel services recently. Most worrying was that the migrants had penetrated the secure zone at Calais port, above, an area thought to be impregnable for some months now and, unlike Eurotunnel, where newly beefed up security has been fully installed. We put a call into one of the Dover-Calais operators for more details but, as is routine these days, on these matters, are yet to receive a reply. Photo via FTA.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/beauvau.pngBEAUVAUPhoto @Place_Beauvauhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/img_0876-1024x575-2.jpgIMG_0876-1024x575 (2)'One of the World's Classic Ferry Trips', Lake Koman Albania. And ridiculously cheap too. More later.2015-10-25T10:43:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/21/to-vrsic-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/evoque_convertible_wireframe_12_lowres.jpgEvoque_Convertible_Wireframe_12_LowResLand Rover aren't doing the Evoque Cabriolet any favours by https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/on-the-way-to-vrsic-pass-ejcheberle-u.jpgon the way to vrsic pass ejcheberle uNice autumn picture: 'on the way to the Vrsic Pass', Slovenia. Photo EJ Cheberle via @IGSlovenia2015-10-22T15:31:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/18/paris-car-bans-extended/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/telemark-cover.jpgtelemark coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/telemark.jpgtelemarkhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/seine.jpgseine2015-10-22T11:14:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/19/some-surprisingly-high-roads-stay-open-all-year/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/b24_su_04487_rt-df2_lowres.jpgB24_SU_04487_RT-DF2_LowReshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/vars-winter-2.jpgvars winter 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/vars-winter-1.jpgvars winter 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sella-cover-3.jpgsella cover 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pordoi.jpgpordoihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bernina-winter.jpgbernina winter2015-10-22T05:40:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/16/off-road-austria/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/et-fence.jpget fenceNew security fencing at Eurotunnel in France is clearly not up to the task. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/driving-winter-offroad-advanced-experience-austria_1180x559-2.jpgdriving-winter-offroad-advanced-experience-austria_1180x559 (2)Off-roading in wintry Austria. More later.2015-10-20T05:22:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/15/winter-tyre-day-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/winterreifen-cvr.jpgwinterreifen CVRhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/winterreifen.jpgwinterreifenhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/winter_tyres-small.jpgwinter_tyres smallWinter tyre day. Compulsory to have winter tyres, or snow chains in the car, on the A5 to Turin south from the Mont Blanc Tunnel. More later.2015-10-16T13:07:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/14/the-cheapest-fuel-in-europe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/nurbs2.jpgnurbs2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/fuel-andorra.jpgfuel andorraCheap high: the filling station at the top of Port de Envilira, Andorra (https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cover.jpgcover2015-10-15T05:32:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/13/on-the-poo-deck-taking-a-dog-on-an-overnight-ferry/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/jack-alps.jpgjack alpsWhatever indignities were involved early on during the ferry crossing, it was a price worth paying for being able to take the dog on his first ever foreign holiday (and avoid too-long days in the car). Here in the French Alps above Saint Veran.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dog-alps.jpgdog alpsWhatever indignities were involved early on during the ferry crossing, it was a price worth paying for being able to take the dog on his first ever foreign holiday (and avoid too-long days in the car). Here in the French Alps above Saint Veran.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/3.jpg3Turn up early at the Santander ferry terminal and leave the car in a secure area while you explore the nearby, not unattractive city centre. Handy to give the dog a run before the long crossing. Santander is, not surprisingly, the original home of Santander bank. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1.jpg12015-10-14T10:03:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/12/intelligent-transport-systems-not-driven-by-you/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/merc.jpgmercTecDay Mercedes-Benz S500 Inteligent Drive/TecDay Autonomous Mobility Sunnyvale 20142015-10-13T05:22:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/11/wrong-way-brits-austria/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/a1_allhaming_den8875.jpgA1 Westautobahn, Rastplatz Alhaming, Foto von Wolfgang Simlinger, www.simi.atThe wrong-way warning sign as used in Austria and Germany. Photo @ASFINAGhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/balkans-bugatti.jpgbalkans bugattiScenic drives. Amazing journeys. Unique destinations. The Grand Tour’s organized by Bugatti are always special and outstanding. This year’s drive took place in a picturesque scenery around Croatia and Montenegro discovering breathtaking views between the mountains and the sea.2019-03-03T07:29:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/01/paris-car-free-days-to-become-monthly/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/lodeve.pnglodevehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/paris-taxi.jpgparis taxiPhoto @DriveEurope2015-10-10T12:29:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/09/formula-e-rome/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/104-t.png104 tIn the week that German junior transport minister Dorothee Bar told a conference that 60t trucks would not be allowed in Germany, Scania reveals a 104t log truck on test in Finland. Despite lower emissions per unit of weight carried due to larger permitted loads, and long-term use in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, so-called eco-Combis – currently limited to 25.25m and 60t - remain controversial in many parts of Europe over safety concerns in the event of an accident. The European Commission reaffirmed recently that their use, particularly cross-border, is a matter for the countries concerned. Belgium and Luxembourg are both currently evaluating trials.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/formula20e201.jpgformula20e201The car-banning mayor of Rome has (half) resigned in an expenses scandal. Does this mean the all-electric racing series Formula E will finally return to the place it was launched in December 2012? More later.2015-10-10T12:27:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/07/grand-dixence/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dix-12.jpgdix 12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dix-1.jpgdix 1Spectacular dams have been on the agenda since Chris Pointon’s adventures at the ‘Goldeneye’ Moiry Dam earlier this summer (see the video). Just an hour’s drive west of Moiry, in south west Switzerland, is Grande Dixence. It may lack the James Bond heritage but it has an equally interesting road winding up to its north east corner, with the added bonus of the keenly priced Hotel du Barrage at the top. Photo Grande-Dixence.chhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/untitled1.pnguntitled'You never will do better as a safety device in a car' - one of anumber of striking road safety ads published in France as it tackles road safety head on.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/damn.pngdamnGrand Dixence dam in south west Switzerland. More later.2015-10-10T10:25:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/06/ds-paris/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pais-2.pngpais (2)Peak traffic in Paris this morning, via @RFTrafichttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ds-paris-2.pngds paris (2)To mark sixty years to the day since the iconic DS was launched, at the Paris motor show, Citroen is offering free rides around the city. On a first-come-first-served basis, from 10-18:00, fifteen DSs will treat the lucky few to a 30 minute tour of the city centre, picking up from the Trocadero fountain opposite the Eiffel Tower via the Champs Elysee and Grand Palais to DS World at 33 rue François 1er. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mardi-6-octobre-2015-venez-feter-les-60-ans-de-la-ds-a-son-bord-212346-36-2.jpgmardi-6-octobre-2015-venez-feter-les-60-ans-de-la-ds-a-son-bord.212346.36 (2)Big procession this afternoon to mark sixty years of the Citroen DS.More later. 2015-10-07T15:50:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/04/flood-disaster-cote-dazur/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/vinci.pngvinciClearing mud and debris from the A8 autoroute this morning. Photo @VinciAutoroutes2015-10-05T17:32:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/03/saturday-19/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/et-fence.pnget fenceNew layers of security fencing currently being installed at Eurotunnel in France. Photo @DriveEurope2015-10-04T15:16:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/02/migrant-crisis-cancels-german-speed-blitz/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/untitled.pnguntitledAfter two days on torrential rain, flooding, collapsed roads and cancelled stages, the sun returns for the final day of the Tour de Corse World Rally https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/blitz.jpgblitzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mauubbtta.pngmauubbttaAs of today (1 October), trucks 7.5t+ are now included in the German electronic toll system. Up until now the system has just applied to vehicles 12t and over. Also, as of 1 July this year a further 1100km of federal roads was added to the scheme meaning. The official website is Mauttabelle.de but further information in English, including a map of tolled roads and ordering the on-board unit (OBU), can be found at Toll-Collect.de2015-10-03T14:34:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/10/02/new-virtual-licences-for-foreign-drivers-in-france/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1__mg_5813.jpg1__MG_5813Top government ministers arrive for today's 'Inter-ministerial Council on Road safety'. Photo @Matignon2015-10-07T19:53:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/09/08/coming-up-in-september/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/gib.jpggibDespite repeated requests, we failed to get an answer from the authorities on what was happening at the infamous frontier in Gibraltar since a new e-Border system was installed on the Spanish side recently. One haulier told us he’d been advised to use a local firm for the crossing since UK trucks were subject to particularly lengthy checks. For the record, our impression is that things have settled down again. However, from Friday 11 September there certainly will be disruption as the airport runway is resurfaced (for the first time in 23 years) says Gibraltar News. It is being replaced fifty meters at a time overnight for the following six weeks with a sweep scheduled for 08:30-10:00 in the morning before it reopens to planes during the day. Drivers are warned of lengthy delays.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/11894518_723641794408888_8451438867023630342_o-2.jpg11894518_723641794408888_8451438867023630342_o (2)It’s easier to get to than the Schlumpf Collection in Mulhouse – and housed beside the spectacular Cinquantenaire arch in east Brussels - so, among British enthusiasts anyway, Autoworld is increasingly carving out a name for itself among the top rank European motoring museums. Following a successful Jaguar retrospective, next up is an exhibition of 50 Years of the Porsche Targa (until 1 November), a highpoint of which is the ‘Targa and Coffee’ event on Sunday 27 September with a photogenic display of owner’s cars. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/img_0442.jpgIMG_0442While we are away: Paris car-free day on Sunday 27 September. More later.2015-10-01T04:47:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/09/07/seatbelt-week-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/calais.pngcalaisPhoto @UKinFrancehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/img_3664-2.pngIMG_3664 (2)It's TISPOL Seatbelt week, when police forces across Europe will be on the lookout for drivers who aren't strapped in. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/20150803160504229_007-2.jpg20150803160504229_007 (2)2015-09-09T16:21:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/09/04/road-safety-europe-2015/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/10847469_10153053621378552_3555636257831355947_o.jpg10847469_10153053621378552_3555636257831355947_oThe number of accidents involving foreign drivers in Iceland has never been higher with the number of injuries jumping forty percent in the first half of this year. More later.2015-09-09T15:46:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/14/mercedes-grossglockner/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_0112.jpgIMG_0112https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/merc-gloc-b.jpgMercedes-Benz SSK Baujahr 1927 Großglockner Grand Prix 2012, Österreich.Mercedes-Benz SSK Baujahr 1927 Großglockner Grand Prix 2012, Österreich.2015-09-07T16:10:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/09/03/speed-merchant/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/thurday-farmm.pngthurday farmmTractors head into Paris this morning. Photo @FNSEAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ricc-tagra.pngricc tagraRed Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo recreates the Targa Florio, in an Alfa Romeo. More later.2015-09-05T10:00:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/09/01/porscheplatz-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pp2.jpgpp2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/c8cb7996-1624-45f7-8577-4540bdf5163b_teaser_720x406x2-2.jpgc8cb7996-1624-45f7-8577-4540bdf5163b_teaser_720x406x2 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/6539.jpg6539https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ppl-2.pngppl (2)Porsche unveiled a new sculpture on Porscheplatz outside the factory and museum in Stuttgart last night, and with it the new facelifted version of the 911.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ppl.pngpplPorsche unveiled a new sculpture on Porscheplatz outside the factory and museum in Stuttgart last night, and with it the new facelifted version of the 911.2015-09-05T08:11:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/31/monday-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/alfa-nivolet.pngalfa nivolethttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/austria-border.pngaustria borderThe Austrian border on the M1-A4 motorway from Budapest. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rifsavoia1.jpgrifsavoiaColle del Nivolet this morning. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rifsavoia.jpgrifsavoiaColle del Nivolet. More later.2015-09-03T16:03:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/09/02/solcava-panoramic-road/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/solcava-cerkev-2.jpgSolcava-cerkev (2)Solcava village.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/loibl3444.jpgloibl3444A (usually closed) section of the original Loibl Pass, as used on the 2013 centenary re-enactment of the 2013 Alpine Trial. Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/solcava-panoramic-road.jpgsolcava panoramic roadSolcava Panoramic Road, Slovenia. More later.2015-09-03T11:27:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/29/james-bond-klassik-wild-camper/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/a1-lille-2.pnga1 lille (2)Repairing the A1 carriageway after fiery blockade. Photo @sanef_autoroute2015-08-30T16:21:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/27/atomium-tbt/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/d_25516.jpgd_25516The truck with Hyza logos blanked out by Austria police. Photo https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lindseyhilsum.pnglindseyhilsumPhoto @LindseyHilsumhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/atomium.pngatomium2015-08-28T05:23:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/road-tolls-vignettes/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/arlberg-1-128.jpgarlberg 1 (128)Maut is the German word for road toll (the Austrian name for the toll sticker is Pickerl). Peage - pronounced pay-arge - is the almost universal word work toll booths. Vignette - pronounced vin-yet - is also widely recognised, even in the Balkans.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/4z1-21.jpg4z1 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/4z1-2.jpg4z1 (2)The glamorous world of road charging. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toll.pngtollAutomatic payment is compulsory in Portugal and optional in Norway and France. Depending on the road, drivers in Portugal either register their car number plate and payment details at the border crossing, or rent a transponder unit, both of which automatically tot up at at gantires above the motorways, above, and charge the users account directly. See this official info page, or better still this run down from The Portugal News. More than 30,000 British drivers use the Liber-T auto toll tag in France, via the UK-based Sanef Tolling. See more on the pros and cons. Foreign drivers have a range of methods to pay road tolls in Norway – prepay, postpay, autotag, cash or card. Read the official run down for the one that suits you best.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/4z1.jpg4z1The glamorous world of road charging. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/swiss-vignette.jpgswiss vignetteSwitzerland de-pegging its currency against the Euro this year saw the price of the Swiss motorway vignette increase for the first time in more than a decade, for foreigners. It still costs 40CHF but this now equates to €40 (up from €33). There are a limited number of places outside Switzerland where they can be bought but they are available at border crossings. You can pay in pounds sterling or dollars but the change comes in Swiss francs. Photo A40 at Bardonnex/Geneva, @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/millau-decade.jpgmillau decade(Separate) bridge and tunnel tolls are also very expensive, currently €43.50 one-way for a car at the Mont Blanc and Frejus Tunnels (or €54.30 return). In contrast, the spectacular Millau Bridge is just €9.40 in the summer (€7.50 in the off-season; 20% discount with the Liber-T toll tag).2019-06-23T14:20:27+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/25/austria-vignette-fines/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/xbow_philosophy__13_.jpgxbow_philosophy__13_Only vehicles type-approved without windscreens – such as the Austrian designed and built KTM X-Bow, above – are exempt from the need to stick the vignette on the windscreen. Even then the sticker ‘must be kept on the driver’s person’, and left clearly visible inside the car when parked up at a motorway service station.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pio_014x7.jpgPIO_014x72019-05-18T17:30:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/19/belgium-farmer-blockades/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/a15-gouy.pnga15 gouyBelgian farmers reasserted themselves in style last night with a blockade of the E40 junction outside Liege. A column later moved in slow-time westwards to the local airport. This morning the action shifted south to the Brussels-Luxembourg A4 with a full scale block in which only cars were allowed through, slowly, and – briefly – on the A15 near Charleroi, above. The next stages are not clear yet - more strikes are expected between now and a meeting in Brussels on Monday 7 September - but the current focus is uncomfortably close to the Belgian Grand Prix circuit at Spa. Farmers could not wish for a higher-profile target as thousands of cars converge for the weekend. Watch this space.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_0498-3-2.jpgDSC_0498 (3) (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/belg-farmers.pngbelg farmersBelgian farmers resume blockades, especially - so far - in the south east of the country. More later. Photo via @VID/@PhilippeBo22015-08-25T08:20:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/24/beautiful-transfagarasan/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/truck-a1-antwerp.jpgtruck a1 antwerpAs if to rub the point home on truck accidents, a chemical tanker rolled down the embankment beside the A1/E19 towards Antwerp Monday afternoon, shutting the road for 17 hours. Luckily there were no injuries reported on this occasion.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/begie.pngbegieDrivers put off by the fast and furious motorways in Belgium should definitely consider the N-road network, here N4 to Arlon. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_3629-2.pngIMG_3629 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_3626-2.pngIMG_3626 (2)2015-08-25T08:10:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/20/throw-back-thursday-denmark/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/theresa.pngtheresaUK Home Secretary Theresa May and French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve in Calais today. Photo @Place_Beauvauhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/a.jpga2015-08-24T16:31:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/23/black-saturday-south-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1024x768-1-2.jpg1024x768-1 (2)French drivers have opted for the A75 more than ever this year - but is it because of the Millau Viaduct, or because this is one of the few free French autoroutes?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/eau.pngeauEau Rouge and Radillon, Belgian Grand Photo 2015-08-24T16:01:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/21/motorhome-fines-portugal/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cm6_2xlwiaakwdr.jpgCM6_2XLWIAAKwDrhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/van-on-beach1.jpgvan-on-beach1Photo '48 Hours in Lisbon' from Mercedes-Benzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/auto-union-wanderer-streamlne-special-1938.pngauto union wanderer streamlne special 1938An Auto Union Wanderer Streamline Special from the 1939 Liege-Rome-Liege race on the day its modern successor Liege-Sofia-Liege departs. More later.2015-08-22T17:33:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/18/driving-to-the-belgian-grand-prix-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1743-3.jpg1743 (3)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_3657-2.jpgIMG_3657 (2)No-one would call the E42 via Charleroi pretty exactly but, lined with trees, it is better looking than the E40 to Brussels, and - generally - significantly quieter.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_7822-2.jpgIMG_7822 (2)R0 Brussels ring road (east>west): If you do go the Brussels way – and why not, this is the way the @MercedesAMGF1 team go - try to avoid it at rush hour, i.e. 07:30-09:30 and 15:30-18:30. Good luck!https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_1724-2.jpgIMG_1724 (2)The main entrance to the circuit is off the E42 south from Liege via Verviers. Traffic management on practice, qualifying and race day means there’s only one way to go so don’t worry about directions. Try not to do what we did and think ‘official parking’ is the parking laid on by the circuit, as opposed to parking for officials which is what it really is… https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bel-2.pngbel (2)N4 southbound from Namur to Bastogne. Enough said.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2.jpg2N90 on the way into Namur, beside the River Meuse. The road takes you through the centre of many of the town and villages so at least you get to see some of Belgium.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1743-2.jpg1743 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1809.jpg1809Spectator tip: can’t think where else spectators can get closer to F1 cars in action than from the inside of the Rivage hairpin at the top of the circuit. Nico Roseberg, 2013.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1743.jpg1743Fernando Alonso at Fagnes, Belgian Grand Prix 2013. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1718d.jpg1718d2015-08-21T14:44:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/31/felbertauernstrasse/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/11164550_474750952674599_8584765659124630162_o.jpg11164550_474750952674599_8584765659124630162_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/11102965_467101876772840_9083771888223098815_o.jpg11102965_467101876772840_9083771888223098815_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/11054850_457666487716379_8742065627515116064_o.jpg11054850_457666487716379_8742065627515116064_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/10604630_390170531132642_8275968563827435203_o.jpg10604630_390170531132642_8275968563827435203_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/1613802_427676207382074_8978351844670569223_n.jpg1613802_427676207382074_8978351844670569223_nhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/1534885_394050444077984_3835035344491899556_o.jpg1534885_394050444077984_3835035344491899556_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/felbs.jpgfelbsA new roadway will speed progress on the southern section of Austria's Felbertauernstrasse next month. More later.2015-08-18T11:12:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/13/the-manston-plan/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cal-strike-light.jpgcal strike lighthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cisqkwkwoaa2zzi.jpgCIsQKwKWoAA2ZziThe Manston Plan for the next Operation Stack freight queue is not be all that it seems. More later. Photo @KentPoliceRoads2015-08-14T07:42:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/12/no-regional-ecotaxe/2015-08-13T05:19:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/21/daily-brief-21-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/transbucegi.jpgtransbucegiPhoto via www.transbucegi.rohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/transbucegi_drumul_babelor037.jpgtransbucegi_drumul_babelor037Transbucegi. Romania now has a trio of top flight high altitude roads. In addition to Transalpina and Transfagarasan now comes Transbucegi. All three run in parallel, from west to east. Transbucegi runs https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/img_1655.pngIMG_1655Your worst nightmare. Not just caught on a drawbridge as it lifts up, but the front wheels are hanging over the edge, you are in a foreign country and everybody waiting in the traffic opposite has a smartphone/video camera. The driver of a French-registered Toyota RAV4 heading into Bruges on the N9 from the north west apparently decided to chance it when he saw amber lights flashing on the Scheepsdalebrug. Clearly he came within moments of pulling it off. Photo, screen grab from YouTube ‘Car gets stuck on Bruges bridge’.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/91.jpg9Random picture: driving into central Sarajevo. Photo @DriveEurope.2015-08-12T15:23:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/11/how-to-avoid-the-gothard-tunnel/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ecotaxe-back.jpgecotaxe backEcotaxe is back, this time on a regional level. More later.2015-08-12T12:49:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/10/aston-berlin/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/skanstullsbron-little-coverl.jpgskanstullsbron little coverlhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/skanstullsbron-little.jpgskanstullsbron littleStockholm Congestion Zone, photo via TransportStyrelsen.sehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/29655225-32863826.jpg29655225-32863826No end in sight: the Swiss will hold a national referendum, probably in October, to decide on whether to build a second tube for the Gotthard Tunnel. A recent poll in Blick says more than seventy percent of voters are in favour but, even if it is built, it won’t mean an end to the queues. After the first tube is refurbished, by 20206, at best the second will carry one lane of traffic (it might even be filled in). Meanwhile, the only hope of – some - relief is if freight traffic is transferred to the new Gotthard railway tunnel due next year.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/a2-southbound-gotthard.jpga2 southbound gotthardLooking down on the A2 north of the Gotthard Tunnel from Sustenpass. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/car2_28.jpgcar2_28Travelogue from Aston Martin in Berlin. More later.2015-08-11T16:24:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/09/lukmanier-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/le-amns-scrut.jpgle amns scrutLe Mans 48 Hours: scrutineering - Pesage - takes place yesterday and today on Place de la Republique in the city centre ahead of the race this weekend. Despite the thousands of fans driving there from across Europe, particularly the UK, no https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lukmanny.jpglukmannyThe Medel Valley on the northern section of the Lukmanier Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/medel-valley.jpgmedel valleyThe Medel Valley on the northern section of the Lukmanier Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/poland.jpgpoland25 Years: the Polish and German presidents held a ceremony to mark twenty five years since the country's first free elections with a commemorative stone on the A2 Berlin-Lodz-Warsaw motorway.2015-08-11T14:33:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/08/saturday-17/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/black-sat-1.jpgblack sat 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cl1pmecweaak-a2.jpgCL1pMeCWEAAk-a22015-08-10T05:31:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/07/classic-tv/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cpover.jpgcpoverThe film of @HERO_CRA’s Classic Rally up through southern Italy is on TV tonight at 20:00 (on MotorsTV, SkyUK 447, Virgin Media 545 and Freeview 71). The route started from Lecce, in a region described as ‘largely tourist free’, in the spring. See more on the route and region here, and more amazing photos here. Meanwhile, in a discussion this week about the future of Porsche’s iconic circular Nardo test track, also in southern Italy, on the western side of the heel, Chairman of the Executive Board Francesco Nobile said, ‘Routes outside of the grounds also offer a plethora of excellent driving opportunities.’ Also check out the late Lord McAlpine’s nearby B&B. Southern city Lecce is 1340 miles from Calais.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/classic-tv.jpgclassic tvThe film of HERO_CRA's Classic Rally through southern Italy this spring is on TV tonight: Classic Marathon2015 tmrw @8pm on @MotorsTV @SkyUK 447 @virginmedia 545 @FreeviewTV 712015-08-09T08:33:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/06/another-belluno-landslide/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/p12.jpgp12A Panamera driver was picked up by the Spanish police Pegasus helicopter near Toledo on Tuesday at a top speed of 218kmh (135mph). https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/belluno.jpgbellunoAnother major landslide in the High Dolomites, this time claiming three lives. More later.2015-08-07T05:29:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/04/tuesday-7/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cllqovhxaaawagh.jpgCLlQoVhXAAAWaghA helicopter drops water on a burning car at Carataunas in the Sierra Nevada near Granada, southern Spain, to prevent the fire spreading to nearby forest. Photo via @Plan_INFOCAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11822451_1037544289590899_986903933320371603_n.jpg11822451_1037544289590899_986903933320371603_nhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cle0r9jwgaa0luu.jpgCLe0R9jWgAA0LUuFurther to yesterday's news from France that autoroutes were five times safer than other roads, traffic manager DGTes in Spain says nventional roads: 90% of the road network, 42% of trips, almost 80% Deaths.2015-08-05T16:10:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/29/farmer-blocks-iv/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pulp.jpgpulphttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/volkswagen-rally-driver-races-world-skiing-champion-in-norway-video_1.jpgvolkswagen-rally-driver-races-world-skiing-champion-in-norway-video_1Norway's Lysevegen Road.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cruising-along-the-final-straight.jpgAthlete ActionAndreas Mikkelsen and Aksel Lund Svindal Performes during WRC Lysebotn Norway.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/clevjvdwwaedavo.jpgCLEvJVdWwAEdAVOhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/you-have-reached-your-destination.jpgyou-have-reached-your-destinationhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/tunnel-vision.jpgtunnel-visionhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/time-is-of-the-essence.jpgtime-is-of-the-essencehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/the-wrc-world-title-winning-car-on-the-move.jpgthe-wrc-world-title-winning-car-on-the-movehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/the-long-and-winding-road.jpgthe-long-and-winding-road2015-08-04T12:29:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/03/traversee-paris/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/gottie.jpggottieThe southern approach tot he A2 Gotthard Tunnel in Switzerland. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/img_0329.jpgIMG_0329Despite long running doubts 2015-08-04T05:27:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/08/02/black-sunday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/schloss-dijk.jpgschloss dijkSchloss Dijk: the German Goodwood Revival says 'Electric Blue' Bristol Fighter driver @Only9Built who made the drive this weekend.2015-08-03T05:26:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/22/everyone-okay/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/clg3l0hwgaaewsw.jpgCLG3l0hWgAAEWsWThe Paris Car-Free Zone for https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ckba7fjucaakb1e.jpgCKba7fjUcAAKB1ERandom: a driver heading towards Goes on the A58 in the south west Netherlands yesterday had a lucky escape after apparently mounting the guardrail and ending up in the field beside the motorway. Occupants shaken but suffered no injuries according to Rijkswaterstaat road inspector @WIS_Jaccohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/frr-vacantie.jpgfrr vacantieAccident yesterday in the Netherlands. Everyone okay. More later.2015-07-30T14:44:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/20/an-internet-guide-to-france/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/hahnntenjoch-l72c.jpghahnntenjoch l72chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/hahnntenjoch-l72.jpghahnntenjoch l72A bit 'frosty' on L72 Hahntennjoch Strasse in west Austria this morning. 2015-07-30T10:08:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/27/state-help-to-rebuild-grenoble-briancon-road/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/frommie.jpgfrommieTour de France winner Chris Froome toasts victory on the Champs Elysee. Photo @Jaguarhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/lac-chambon-small.jpgLac-chambon small2015-07-30T05:26:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/28/france-farmer-blocks/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/italy-tanker.jpgitaly tankerFrench farmers empty an Italian tanker onto the D910 near Metz on 22 July. Photo via @NRCP_Poitiershttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nurbs.jpgnurbsSportcars, mainly Porche 911s it has to be said, queue into the Nurburgring at the weekend. Photo Nurburgring.dehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/fdsea-53-fix.jpgfdsea 53 fix2015-07-29T15:55:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/24/live-blog-france-farmer-blockades/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hochalpenstrasse.jpghochalpenstrasseGrossglockner. Fuscher Torl is centre left.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cklg_w_w8aaf8zh.jpgCKlg_W_W8AAf8ZHhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ckhifxqwiaayrdr.jpgCKhIFXqWIAAYrdR2015-07-27T04:47:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/23/53714/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/lyon-farmers.jpglyon farmersFarmer blockade in Lyon this morning. Photo @JKU_Jeephttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/roma.jpgroma2015-07-24T10:21:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/21/car-free-days/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/calcov2.jpgcalcov2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/calais-cover.jpgcalais coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/calais.jpgcalaisA16 Eurotunnel approach this morning. Photo Rachel Brunton, @RachBrunthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/stockie.jpgstockieStockholm leading the way on car-free days for European Mobility Week. More later.2015-07-22T10:45:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/20/tauplitzalm-alpenstrasse/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/tdf-cover.jpgtdf coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cjzpb4vxaaakvcu.pngCJzpb4vXAAAkVCUhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/tauplitz.jpgtauplitzIt’s not that high in the scheme of things at 1586m (5203ft), nor that steep at 9%. It really doesn’t look all that great from the photos either but Tauplitzalm Alpenstrasse must have something going for it since it was a feature road on this year’s monied and storied Ennstal Classic. With most of Austria’s famous mountain roads within easy reach they must have good reason to come here. Tauplitz is a toll road - €9.80 for a car, €5 for a motorbike - and open all year round, at the Liezen end of the B145 from Salzburg, running in a loop between Bad Mittendorf and Tauplitz village. Find it on PassFinder or see more at Alpenstrasse.at2015-07-21T13:22:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/16/cruise-ferry-norway/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ennstall-porsche1.jpgennstall porschePorsche 911 on this week's Ennstal Classic in Austria. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nordkapp-light.jpgnordkapp lighthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cj9-mwyueaa3yck.jpgCJ9-MwyUEAA3yckSail n a five day cruise ferry from Bergen to Kirkenes on the Russian border via Nordkapp. More later. Photo @TeslaMotors2015-07-20T15:54:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/19/sunday-11/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/enn-4.jpgenn 4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/enn-2.jpgenn 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/11.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/enn-11.jpgenn 116.07.2015, Groebming, Steiermark, Oesterreich (Austria): 23. Ennstal-Classic, Geolyth-Prolog, Mauterndorf im Lungau. (c) Ennstal-Classic / Werner Luidolthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/10.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/8.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/7.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/6.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/4.jpg42015-07-20T04:41:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/france/2015-12-10T16:02:58+00:00weekly0.6https://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/10/friday-14/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/et-posterbig1.jpget posterbigA new poster at Eurotunnel France tries to make the risks clear to migrants.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/wild2.jpgwild2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/wild.jpgwild2015-07-17T13:41:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/08/bernina/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/fpace.jpgfpaceThe Jaguar F-Pace prototype SUV made its public debut alongside the Team SKY on day one of the Tour de France in Utrecht on Saturday; unfortunately it won't accompany the riders in the Alps.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cayene2.jpgcayene2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cayene.jpgcayenePorsche’s in-house Christophorous magazine takes a Cayenne on a road trip from Trabazon in eastern Turkey to Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, via the ‘Lord of the Rings’ landscape of the S2 Georgian Military Road through the Caucasus mountains. ‘We quickly learned that in Georgia, even if your road is marked on the map with a thick red line, it means nothing more than that the road exists… the further we drive into the countryside, the worse the roads become. They start off well paved, then we see a few potholes here and there, and suddenly we’re on a bumpy gravel road which soon begins climbing and winding its way through the Meskheti mountain range.’ https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/bernina.jpgberninaBernina Pass, Switzerland. More later.2015-07-17T10:54:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/13/fire-fighting/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/13510113871436721805.jpg1351011387@1436721805The queues at the Saint-Arnoult peage on the A10 towards Pars last night clearly show few drivers using the automatic toll tag lanes (right). Maybe the SanefTolling.co.uk tag – available for an upfront payment of €39.10, or with a €13 discount via Eurotunnel – really is worth having at the busiest times. See more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/monday-morning.jpgmonday morningMore than 1000 military firefighters deployed to five major forest fires around Spain last week. The fine for dropping cigarettes out of car windows is €200. More later. Photo @UMEgob.2015-07-16T17:22:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/15/rally-estonia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/jelle-boonstra-tln-beleid2.jpgjelle boonstra tln beleid2EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc (centre, left)meets with MEP Dennis de Jong (centre, right) and representatives of the https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cjysrh2uwaakeuy.jpgCJySRh2UwAAkEUyRally Estonia. More later. Photo @FIA.2015-07-16T15:13:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/14/bastille-day/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/select.jpgselecthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/bastille-day.jpgbastille dayDriving in central Paris today will be tricky during the Bastille Day celebrations. A large exclusion zone has been set uparund the 2015-07-15T08:08:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/12/panoramastrasse-oberaar/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2pano.jpg2panohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pano.jpgpanohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/9363cover.jpg9363coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/9636.jpg96362015-07-13T18:53:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/09/thursday-6/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nurburgring.jpgnurburgringhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/21.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cjzzvxzwiaakgxt.jpgCJZzVXZWIAAkGxtAtlantic Road, Norway. More later.2015-07-10T10:40:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/06/monday-9/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/lyon-a466.jpglyon a466A link between the A6 and A46 north of Lyon opened on Saturday morning, smoothing the way on the so-called ‘TransEuropean’ axis between Bordeaux and Geneva, France’s first full length east-west motorway. Meanwhile, work is due to start imminently on the connection between the A89 and A6 to the north west of the city for completion in late 2017. Of more immediate use is the newly widened three-lane A71 north of Vierzon, a regular bottleneck on Black Saturday headlong rushes south.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/frace-ferrari.jpgfrace ferrarihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/porsche12.jpgporsche12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/porsche1.jpgporsche1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ci0rfqtwiae9654.pngCI0RfQtWIAE9654Traffic police to swarm the road network this summer. More later.2015-07-09T11:02:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/02/calais-strike-day-four-f-pace-on-tour/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/eurotunnel-fence.jpgeurotunnel fenceStrike leader Eric Vercoutre calls security at the Tunnel a ‘joke’ and says strikers can breach the fence ‘like a knife through butter’. Workmen mend the fence at Eurotunnel France yesterday. Photo @YouAreParsons2015-07-08T17:20:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/03/ageing-infrastructure/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/mfl-graffitti.jpgmfl graffittiStrikers occupy the fomer MyFerryLink ships in Calais. Photograher unknwo via @Twitter.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/oresund-toll-tip.jpgoresund toll tipThe Oresund Link between DEnmark and Sweden is fifteen years old this week, the Mont Blanc Tunnel is fifty and the Nardo test track n southern Italy is forty.2015-07-07T17:18:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/05/julier-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/beaver-2.jpgbeaver 2A beaver.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/south-julier.jpgsouth julierLooking back up the southern slope in winter. Photo via Wikipedia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/beaver.jpgbeaverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/3.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2.jpg2Heading south to the Engadin Valley from Julier Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/1a.jpg1aPiz Julier, 3380m (11090ft) which overlooks the pass from the north.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/julier-pass-cover-2.jpgjulier pass cover 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/julier-pass-cover.jpgjulier pass coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/julier-pass.jpgjulier passJulier Pass, Switzerland. More later. Photo @DriveEurope2015-07-06T05:35:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/07/01/d3-calais-strike-live-blog/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/jag_f-pace_tdf_team_sky_image_010715_02_lowres.jpgJag_F-PACE_TdF_Team_Sky_Image_010715_02_LowResNew Jaguar F-PACE prototype to escort Team Sky https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/po-boulogne.jpgpo boulogne2015-07-02T05:34:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/30/operation-stack/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/tack-light.jpgtack lighthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/cisqkwkwoaa2zzi.jpgCIsQKwKWoAA2ZziOperation Stack: 2015-07-01T05:50:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/29/secret-sls-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/strike-spread-calais.jpgstrike spread calaishttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/secret-sls.jpgsecret slsDavid Douglas Duncan's 'Secret SLS' Mercedes-Benz prototype. More later. 2015-07-11T16:09:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/26/brussels-pedestrianisation/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/brussels-ed-23.jpgbrussels ed 23https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/brussels-ed-2.jpgbrussels ed 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/schollie-1.jpgschollie 1Fingers crossed the north stretch of the Gotthard Pass in the Schollenen Gorge (above) does reopen on time this afternoon because it’s a Black Saturday in Switzerland tomorrow. Heavy traffic is forecast heading north and south. Inevitably that means hour’s long delays at the A2 Gotthard Tunnel. Meanwhile it is expected to be a very busy getaway from Paris starting at 14:00 this afternoon, and again tomorrow but less so. Busiest however will be Germany – see here for a roundup. Substantial delays are also possible on the A22 Brennero motorway between Innsbruck and Verona.2015-06-28T17:43:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/27/simplon-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/41.jpg4Considering Ganter Bridge – Ganterbrucke - was built 1976-1980 it is wearing well.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/5801a.jpg5801ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/72.jpg7Switzerland-Italy Simplon Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/111.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/101.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/9.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/81.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/6.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/31.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/21.jpg22015-06-28T13:24:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/25/rolls-sardinia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/tdf-a-dh.jpgtdf a dhThe landslide which cut the Grenoble-Briancon road at Lake Chambon in April has forced the Tour de France to rejig stage 20 – the final day in the Alps – on Saturday 25 July. Instead of Col de Galibier on the 100.5km ride between Modane and Alpe d’Huez, the tour will repeat Col de la Croix Fer from the previous stage, albeit in the opposite direction. The day will finish as originally planned on the ’21 Bends’ of Alpe d’Huez. The overall route, starting in Utrecht on 4 July, crosses the north of France from east to west until Sunday 12 July. It then restarts in the Pyrenees on Tuesday 14 July heading east to the Alps. See more here. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/the20studio202.jpgThe%20Studio%20(2)Rolls-Royce sets up shop again on Sardinia. More later.2015-06-27T11:26:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/22/wave-stelvio/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/all-seaosn-tyre-test.jpgall seaosn tyre testAll-season tyres: good value and widely available too. We even managed to source new ones in war-torn Ukraine. Phot @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/stelvio2.jpgstelvio2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/schollenen-gorge.jpgschollenen gorgehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/stelvio.jpgstelvioBilled as the world's largest electric vehicle rally, this year's WAVE Tour took in Stelvio, above. Mor elater. Photo WAVE Trophy.2015-06-25T13:44:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/24/slr-austria/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a3-wurzburg-frnkfurt.jpga3 wurzburg frnkfurtThe cross country A3 - from Cologne in the west to the Austrian border in the south east - is one of Germany's busiest roads. Avoid it this summer if you can, especially westbound.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/salz-slr-cover34.jpgsalz slr cover34https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/salz-slr-cover3.jpgsalz slr cover3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/salz-slr-cover.jpgsalz slr coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/salz-slr.jpgsalz slr2015-06-25T08:10:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/23/moscow/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/img_2220.jpgIMG_2220Major disruption on the Channel this morning during MyFerryLink blockade.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/mike-horn2.jpgmike horn2Adventurer Mike Horn drives a Mercedes G-Glass from Switzerland to the Himalayas via Moscow. More later.2015-06-24T09:16:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/19/friday-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/arnoya.jpgarnoya2015-06-22T12:22:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/20/driving-in-france/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carte_telepeage-sans-arret.pngcarte_telepeage-sans-arretThe tolled motorway network in France, marked in blue. Notable exceptions include the A16 from Calais to the Belgian border, the A25 Dunkirk-Lille, the roads around Paris, all the motorways in the north west, the A20 Vierzon-Limoges-Brive la Gaillarde and A75 Clermont Ferrand-Montpellier/Beziers (except the Millau Viaduct, €7.50). The A63 Bordeaux-Hendaye/Spain is in the midst of a major renovation; it costs €14.40 to drive the 200km (120 mile) route. Picture via Telepeagelibert.com2015-06-21T13:32:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/17/vanishing-point/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/vp.jpgvpPagani's 'Vanishing Point' Tour. More later.2015-06-21T11:20:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/08/white-beauties/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ukr-police-prius.jpgukr police priusThe latest batch of Toyota Prius hybrids has been delivered to the Ukraine police. ‘I am very pleased that these white beauties will become symbol of a new honest Ukrainian police, will work for the good of the Ukraine and will also serve a symbol of friendship between Ukraine and Japan,’ said President Poroshenko. Nearly 1600 of the cars have been donated by the Japanese government. The first deliveries were in September 2013. The Ukraine traffic police had been notoriously corrupt. However, along with organisational help from the US govt, the reforms appear to be working. See more on driving in Ukraine here.2015-06-19T11:12:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/18/coupe-des-alpes/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/bulc-dobrindt.jpgbulc dobrindtResounding slap: German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt (left) with EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc and Slovenian Minister of Infrastructure, Dr Peter Gašperšič. Photo @Bulc_EUhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/cgxkkwjxiae1isj.jpgCGxKkwjXIAE1iSJCoupe des Alpes starts today. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/col-de-liseran.jpgcol de liseran2015-06-19T09:37:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/17/great-roads-around-the-red-bull-ring/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/rad-746.jpgrad 746Cracking views from the top of the Radstadtler Tauern Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/radstadtler.jpgradstadtlerhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/b99.jpgb99B95 heads back along the Mur valley to the Red Bull Ring. Turn left for the B99 Radstadtler Tauern Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/solk-567.jpgsolk 567Solk Pass: 1790m (5872ft) might not be that high in the scheme of things but make no mistake Solk Pass is a proper mountain road. Pleasingly rough in places and certainly steep enough it's our favourite.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/solk.jpgsolkSolk Pass: 1790m (5872ft) might not be that high in the scheme of things but make no mistake Solk Pass is a proper mountain road. Pleasingly rough in places and certainly steep enough it's our favourite.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/redbull-ring.jpgredbull ringRed Bull Ring: the view back to turn one from turn two with the Lavanttal Alps in the background. Photo via @RachelBrookesTV2015-06-18T04:38:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/16/after-schengen/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/mercator-photos.jpgmercator photosThe former Rattersdorf-Köszegcs crossing between Austria and Hungary, Ignacio Evangelista.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/17_ignacio-s1-0003-indexh-ma.jpg17_ignacio-s1-0003-indexh-maAfter Schengen - 2015-06-17T08:28:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/15/driving-le-mans/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/brussels-r0-2.jpgbrussels r0 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/chhklwuxaaajaql.jpgCHhKlwuXAAAJAQlThe Classic Marathon 2015 kicked off yesterday, from Lecce in ‘largely tourist free’ southern Italy. The ‘heel to head’ route from HERO (Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation) heads up the Adriatic Coast and the roads through mountainous spine of central Italy. See here for an overview, or follow @HERO_CRA. Photo F&R Rastrellihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/porsche-le-mans.jpgporsche l;e mansPolice say there were no major incidents during this weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours. More later.2015-06-16T09:20:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/12/friday-12/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/brussels-r0.jpgbrussels r0What were we thinking? Instead of heading to the Channel on the much quieter E42 via Charleroi – the same way we came out – we decided to head back via Brussels, on the notorious R0 ring road, on a Friday afternoon – at 36⁰C, the hottest day of the year so far - and duly paid the price in a massive traffic jam. Sharing the E40 to Ostend with thousands of jostling Belgians desperate to escape to the coast for the weekend is not an experience we ever want to repeat, but it was a fitting end to this trip.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/f1.jpgfSpis Castle seen from the under construction D1 motorway in eastern Slovakia, just a few miles from Levoca, a UNESCO World Heritage village. We stopped for coffee at the Stela Hotel in Levocahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/e2.jpgeOverlooking Maidan Square in Kyiv (Kiev) from high up in the €45 per night Hotel Ukraine. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/d2.jpgdRomanian babushkas chewing the fat at the end of the day. While some Romanian roads off the beaten track leave a lot to be desired, up here to the west of the Carpathians, just to the south of the Ukraine border, they are brand new.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/c2.jpgcThe outskirts of Chisinau, capital of Moldova.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/b2.jpgbLunch in lovely Linz. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a2.jpgaSecure parking outside the Bristol Hotel in Odessa.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toyoat-cover.jpgtoyoat coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/chqf0kewkaay4kj.pngCHQF0KEWkAAy4kjA Toyota Hybrid in qualifying last night at the Le mans 24 Hours. Photo @Toyota_Hybrid2015-06-15T14:47:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/13/turracherhohe-and-nockalmstrasse/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/e1.jpgeAudi used the steepest part of Turracherhohe to demonstrate the capabilities of the original Quattro prototype to the VW board in 198x.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/d1.jpgdhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/c1.jpgcTurracherhohe: the 23% section is actually baked by trees on one side and a high barrier on the other so isn't as scary as it might sound. The real attraction is the road itself.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/b1.jpgbhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a1.jpgahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/o.jpgohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/na.jpgnahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/m.jpgmApart from a lack of barriers, some cows and horses, the things to watch out for are cyclists, bikers and traffic.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/l.jpglhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/k.jpgk2015-06-15T12:49:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/11/taking-your-car-outside-of-the-eu/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/11a.jpg11aAfter the Giro d’Italia interfered with the opening of some of Italy’s mountain roads after the winter, two smaller scale bike races this month and next will see some big roads – all to the east of the A22 Brennero motorway - shut to cars again reports ADAC. The ‘Sella Ronda Bike Day’ on Sunday 21 June sees Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo shut from 08:30 until 15:30. The ‘Dolomite Cycling Marthon’ on Sunday 5 July closes Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego and Valparola from 05:00 until 17:00. Photo Sella Pass, @DriveEurope. See more mountain passes in PassFinder.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/sella-cover-3.jpgsella cover 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/11.jpg11After the Giro d’Italia interfered with the opening of some of Italy’s mountain roads after the winter, two smaller scale bike races this month and next will see some big roads – all to the east of the A22 Brennero motorway - shut to cars again reports ADAC. The ‘Sella Ronda Bike Day’ on Sunday 21 June sees Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo shut from 08:30 until 15:30. The ‘Dolomite Cycling Marthon’ on Sunday 5 July closes Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego and Valparola from 05:00 until 17:00. Photo Sella Pass, @DriveEurope. See more mountain passes in PassFinder.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/green-card.jpggreen cardTaking your car outside of the EU. 'Green Card' 2015-06-12T08:56:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/06/driving-in-ukraine/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/maidan-sq-1.jpgmaidan sq 1We reach Kyiv at dusk after around six hours driving from Lviv, entering the city centre through Maidan Square, head on to the landmark Hotel Ukraine. This state-run establishment, built during the Stalin-era, is both elegant and opulent (and very cheap), with a fantastic view over the city, but needs updating. Alternatives include the Fairmont beside the river, the Intercontinental near St Sophia’s Cathedral or, just down the road from Maidan Square, the friendly Dnipro Hotel, also with great views.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ukr-police-prius1.jpgukr police priusThe Ukraine House exhibition centre on Europe Square, Kyiv, at the junction of Kreschatyk Street – Kyiv’s main shopping street which runs across Maidan Square – and Hrushevskoho Street. Ukraine traffic police, in their distinctive Toyota Prius hybrid squad cars, are notoriously corrupt but recent American aid has attempted to address the problem, successfully it seems. We were stopped just once, at one of the regular 90-70-50kmh zones where the police hang out. After a quick visual check we are sent on our way. Discerning the speed limit on the open road is an issue because the maximums are not signed (the ‘motorway’ limit is 130kmh and 110kmh on highway). We settled on a 115kmh cruise.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/uk-police.jpguk policehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/16.jpg16https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/15.jpg15https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/14.jpg14https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/13.jpg13https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/10.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/8.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/7.jpg72015-06-12T07:44:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/10/peripherique-art/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/chiyrwawqaaqeut.jpgCHIyRWaWQAAQEUtRecord Road Trip: Andrew Frnkel and Rebecca Jackson in Hungary after 1155 miles. Photo @RecordRoadTriphttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/road-art.jpgroad arthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/road-art-2.jpgroad art 22015-06-11T05:21:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/25/d3-4-berlin-to-rzceszow-via-wroclaw/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/pollie.jpgpolliehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/poland-forest.jpgpoland forest2016-08-22T09:28:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/23/d1-2-london-to-berlin/2015-06-10T13:03:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/06/09/le-mans/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/11257199_10153297464310993_301399319137736280_n.jpg11257199_10153297464310993_301399319137736280_nAccording to pan-Europe police federation TISPOL, a ’co-ordinated action’ saw Dutch police confiscate twelve driving licences and issue €30,000 in fines to Gumball3000 competitors and followers during this year’s event. However, it says there were no ‘significant traffic offences’ and that by paying on-the-spot fines most drivers were able to get their licences back straight away. The European leg of the high profile transatlantic rally took place between Stockholm and Amsterdam in the last week of May. Photo: competitors on the Oresund Link in Denmark, via Gumball3000 Facebook.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/eco-stickers.jpgeco stickershttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/img_3449.jpgIMG_34492015-06-10T08:54:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/15/cash-rocket-tour/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/untitledxx-cover.jpguntitledxx coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/6539.jpg6539MyFerryLink fight it out Dover-Calais. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/untitledxx.jpguntitledxxCash & Rocket: the fourth, women-only charity tour from Gumball 3000 co-founder Julie Brangstrup kicks off in London today. Last year’s Cash & Rocket raised $1.3m for women and children in developing countries. Seventy entrants, in some very snazzy cars, drive 1500 miles to Paris, Lyon, Milan and Cannes, finishing on Tuesday. High-profile drivers include Estee Lauder model Arizona Muse, Hollywood actress Michelle Rodriguez and Valentino designer Maria Grazia Chiuri. For more see CashandRocket.com2015-05-21T05:30:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/14/venturi-alps/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/xxe1.jpgxxehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/xxe.jpgxxehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/venturiantartica-33.jpgventuriantartica-33Prince Albert II of Monaco was among those testing the new prototype Venturi Antarctica in the French Alps. More later.2015-05-21T05:28:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/19/etour-europe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2185.jpg2185https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/21.jpgSAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERAA BMW i8 passes the Berlin Reichstag during last week’s all-electric ‘eTour Europe’. Around 1,000 electric cars took part, on a circular tour starting and finishing in Munich via Basel, Luxembourg, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Bremen, Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna. The total distance was 4200km at an impressive daily average of 450km. Taking part were not just standard production cars or hybrids but specialist conversions such as the Kreisel Electric Porsche Panamera 4S which boast a 300kmh top speed and 450km range. For more information see eTourEurope.euhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/10407284_364676220404293_5662127500990960193_n.jpg10407284_364676220404293_5662127500990960193_nBMW i8 passes the Recichstag 2015-05-20T16:05:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/18/teem-milano/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1402051_546070662136358_119503410_o.jpg1402051_546070662136358_119503410_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ttem-cc.jpgttem cchttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ttem1.jpgttem1The Tangenziale Est Eterna Milano (TEEM) - east outer ring road - opened as planned on Saturday. More later.2015-05-19T10:38:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/17/the-week-ahead-myferrylink-deadline/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/oskar-bakke2.jpgoskar bakke2Events: the Spa Classic – by Tour Auto organiser Peter Auto - takes over the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium from Friday to Sunday (22-24 May). More than 80 prototypes from 1966-79 take part in a series of events including night races. On Saturday (23 May) the famous Gumball 3000 Rally starts in Stockholm before heading to Amsterdam - via Oslo and Copenhagen – by Tuesday evening. Photo: Monaco, Oskar Bakke.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cfnlqj-waaa_5e5.jpgCFNLqj-WAAA_5e5Alex Goy and Ben Cussons take to the Monza banking in a 1952 Jaguar C-Type on the final day of Mille Miglia 2015. Photo @Jaguar_UKPR2015-05-18T04:46:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/05/vidin-zajecar/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paris-beach2.jpgparis beach2More anti-car controversy in Paris today when Mayor Anne Hidalgo proposed a new pedestrian zone on the right bank of the Seine. When joined with the existing summer-only Paris Beach on the left bank, the car-free zone would stretch ‘from the Place de la Bastille to the Eiffel Tower’. There are two proposals, the first a 3.3km stretch from Tuileries Garden to the Port d’Arsenal, the second much shorter, from the Place du Chatelet to Pont de Sully. Both are out for consultation this year. Driver campaign group ’40 Million Automobiliste’ has already launched a petition opposed. Artist’s impression LUXIGON.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/vrashka-chuka.jpgvrashka chukaA Bulgarian politician is not happy about the state of the road between Vidin and Zajecar in Serbia. More later.2015-05-15T16:24:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/14/mille-miglia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/dartford.jpgdartfordM25 Dartford Crossing: you have to pay by phone or over the internet by midnight the day after you use it or risk a hefty fine. It’s very easy to forget when pre-occupied with travelling. Register with DartSave, for instance, who guarantee no fines, for free.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ce9_wicuiaa7ydj.jpgCE9_WiCUIAA7ydJThe Mille Miglia might be, ‘moving away from a hard core test for drivers prepared to suffer, and becoming more of a genteel event for those happy to cope with some challenges, but not too many’ - in the words of the Classic Car Trust - but driving a temperamental racer over long distances will never be an entirely relaxing affair, no matter how gentle the course. Today’s route takes the drivers 310km from the start in Brescia to Rimini on the east coast. It’s a relatively simple navigation, just six roads in total, starting along the southern shore of Lake Garda – with nasty road works at Peschiera del Garda – into Verona then cross-country to Ferrara, latterly along the River Po. The second half is a more-or-less straight run on SS16, again cross country, to the finish. See a map here. For more information see 100Miglia.ithttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/mille.jpgmilleThe Mille Miglia sets off today, with teams from Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, Jaguar and Bentley. More later.2015-05-15T16:10:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/13/colle-delle-finestre/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/shell.jpgshellhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/colle_delle_finestre.jpgColle_delle_FinestreWith its 'endless hairpins' and unpaved final 8km - and so tiny on the map you can hardly see it - Colle delle Finestre makes a fitting finale for this year's Giro d'Italia.2015-05-14T05:08:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/12/italy-alpine-roads-open/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/tonale.jpgtonaleTonale, the central section of the Tirano-Bolzano pass chain, passing the bottom of the fearsome Gavia (2621m) - another regulat Giro stage which links with the bottom of Stelvio (2757m) at Bormio.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/fondo.jpgfondoFondo on Mendola Pass (1363m) near Bolzano.Not used on Giro this year but popular with bikers the same.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/aprica.jpgapricaAprica (1176m), along with Tonale and Mendola, see below, and east-west link between Tirano - at the bottom of the Bernina Pass from St Moritz, east Switzerland, to Bolzano.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/5033.jpg5033Pordoi, Falzarego, Valparola and Giau all within a few miles of Cortina d'Ampezzohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/img_0463.jpgIMG_0463Sella Pass https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/529a.jpg529ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/18.jpg18fedaiahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/5231ab.jpg5231abSanta Maria Val Mustair, on a pass chain – Vinschgau, Ofenpass and Fluela – between Merano in Italy and Davos in east Switzerland. Umbrail (2501m) opening at the end of the month heads south to hit the mid-point of Stelvio (2757m) which opens 1 June. All photos @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/5231a.jpg5231aThe Giro d'Italia bike race is interfering with the opening dates of Italy's alpine rods. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/5231.jpg5231The Giro d'Italia bike race is interfering with the opening dates of Italy's alpine rods. More later.2015-05-13T05:24:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/11/liege-bucharest/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/dobbie-maut.jpgdobbie mautTransport minister Alexander Dobrindt faces journalists' questions after successfully negotiating the 'foreigner toll' through the Bundesrat upper house'. Photo BVMIhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/untitledxxsswww.jpguntitledxxsswwwThis year's 'Liege-Rome-Liege Rally' is actually between Liege and Bucharest. 2015-05-12T16:06:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/02/lunada-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cover.jpgcoverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2a.jpg2aPhoto @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/lunada-pass.jpglunada pass'Nothing like entering Cantabria over the Lunada Pass, even in the cloud!' says @RatonCantabria.2015-05-12T07:46:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/10/sunday-9/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/img_3744xxef.jpgimg_3744xxefhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/img_3744xxe.jpgimg_3744xxehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/img_3744xx.jpgimg_3744xxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/img_3744.jpgimg_3744Italy doesn’t celebrate Ascension Day but Thursday does see the start of the 2015 Mille Miglia re-enactment, the 1,000 mile ‘race’ Brescia-Rimini-Rome-Parma-Brescia, finishing on Sunday. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/simplonpass.jpgsimplonpasshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/simplonpass23.jpgsimplonpass23A beautiful morning at the Simplon Pass between Brig in south central Switzerland and Domodossola in north west Italy. See Simplon.ch for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/simplonpass2.jpgsimplonpass22015-05-11T04:58:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/04/sognefjellsvegen/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cd0l3klwiaav0zr.jpgCD0l3KLWIAAV0zRSpring along Sognefjellsvegen, Scandinavia's highest mountain pass, circa. 1950. Photo via @Elusive_Moose2015-05-10T17:13:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/07/hello-lapland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/timmelsjoch-b.jpgtimmelsjoch BTimmelsjoch on the Italian side of the border, aka Passo del Rombo.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/s-u-ol.jpgs u olSolk Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/22.jpg22The eastern descent of Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2.jpg2The western ascent of Silvretta Hochaplenstrasse. Photo @DriveEurope. More photos below.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/hello-lapland.jpghello laplandCaught in traffic. Photo via @HelloLapland.2015-05-10T17:12:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/09/saturday-12/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/twit-pic-gall1.jpgtwit pic gallhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/twit-pic-gall.jpgtwit pic gallhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/overview.jpgoverviewThe only consolation in this case is that the drivers couldn’t have been going that fast or the cars would have been confiscated (of which there is no mention). As it is their licences were almost certainly taken away, to be returned weeks or months later via the British Embassy in Paris and the DVLA. There are certainly more police on the roads in France these days, but they aren’t sat at https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gt3.jpggt3If you don’t believe that simple logic, read what the Sunday Times wrote on the subject last year, or consider the hand-wringing debate about privacy in France due to new terror surveillance laws. Police do stop drivers at toll booths – having clocked them earlier – because it is easier and safer to do so.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/galardo.jpggalardoBad luck or poor judgement, you decide, but it does serve to highlight a common belief – known as ‘the Peage Problem’ - that drivers are timed between toll booths. It’s wrong. In order for it to be true, police would have to monitor the computers of the – privately owned – motorway operators in real time, and be ready to instantly catch transgressors as their tickets are stamped at the booths. It’s just not feasible.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bayone21.jpgbayone2French police seemed quite chuffed last night to bag this Porsche. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bayone2.jpgbayone22015-05-10T17:09:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/08/timmelsjoch-toll-station/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/hghhhggg.jpghghhhgggTimmelsjoch's new Mountain Point-Xhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/timmelsjoch-toll-station.jpgtimmelsjoch toll stationA futuristic new toll station - among other things - for Austria's Timmelsjoch alpine road. More later. 2015-05-10T12:00:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/06/targa-florio/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/untitled2.pnguntitled2Photo via @GuardiaCivilhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/trga-florio.jpgtrga florioTarga Florio: named after its founder Vincenzo Florio, the legendary Sicilian road race was held between 1906 and 1971. Several courses were used – including a 670 mile tour of the entire island – but latterly the event settled on the 72km Circuit de Piccolo delle Madonie (through the Madonie mountains). The circuit starts and finishes in Cerda, 60km east of capital Palermo, taking in Caltavuturo, Collesano and Campofelice on a circular route with a coastal section at the end. In 1964, the winning Porsche 904 GTS completed the ten lap course in 7h10. Modern sports car racers are too fast but the circuit still hosts a round of the Italian Rally Championship. The 99th event will be held on 28-30 May, alongside a historic rally. The Targa Florio Classica re-run is on 15-18 October.2015-05-07T11:11:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/05/01/may-day/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cover-gross2.jpgcover gross2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cover-gross.jpgcover grosshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gross-glockner.jpggross glocknerGrossglockner re-opens today More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/b-police-a.jpgb police aBrussels police very proud of their new BMWs. More later.2015-05-04T14:07:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/06/faschinajoch/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/5a.jpg5aStrictly speaking Faschinajoch connects the Bregenz Forest Valley in Damuels to the north with the Lutz River, Great Walser Valley in Faschina in the south. It skirts the highest peak in the Bregenz Forest Mountains – Glatthorn, 2133m – to the east.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/3-cover.jpg3 coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2-cover.jpg2 coverL93 Faschinajoch runs a winding 19 miles vaguely north-south between Bludenz and Damuls in the Bregenz Forest Mountains – part of the Northern Limestone Alps – in the northern part of westernmost Austria (Vorarlberg), to the east of Lake Constance (Bodensee).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/6.jpg6We headed six miles east on the rest of L93, the Damuels-Au road (14%, 1428m), to the B200 back to Dornbirn/Bregenz. Due west from Damuls however is L51, Austria’s own Furkajoch (14%, 1761m) running 20 miles to the A14 north of Feldkirch. East from Au on the B200 is Hochtannberg (14%, 1675m) then south on B198 through Lech is Flex Pass (10%, 1784m).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/5.jpg5Schneerreich ski resort, Damuls - Mellau - Faschina, at the top of Faschinajoch.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/3.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2.jpg2xxxxxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1.jpg1Faschinajoch in far western Austria.2015-05-03T14:31:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/13/ofenpass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/border-swiss-italy.jpgborder swiss italyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/124.jpg12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/114.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/104.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/94.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/85.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/74.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/65.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/56.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/45.jpg42015-05-03T13:20:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/16/fluela-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/fluela-10.jpgfluela 10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/flu-cover.jpgflu coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/131.jpg13https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/121.jpg12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/112.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/101.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/91.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/82.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/71.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/62.jpg62015-05-03T13:12:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/13/gotthardpass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/6b.jpg6bGotthard and Tremola finally meet at the bottom. Head east into Airolo and back to the A2 motorway or, much better, head west to Nufenen Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/6a.jpg6aGotthard and Tremola finally meet at the bottom. Head east into Airolo and back to the A2 motorway or, much better, head west to Nufenen Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/61.jpg6Gotthard and Tremola finally meet at the bottom. Head east into Airolo and back to the A2 motorway or, much better, head west to Nufenen Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/51.jpg5The H2 Gotthard Pass road is wide and smooth as befits what is actually a major road, the well trod alternative to the busy Gotthard Tunnel during the summer (it closes during the winter). It doesn’t lack for drama however, the road way curving visibly away from the mountainside in a classic, albeit broad, hairpin descent down into Airolo.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/4.jpg4Cobble-paved in parts and considerably tighter, twistier and steeper than the official Gotthard Pass, Tremola winds its way around the new road, eventually plunging dramatically down the side of Pizzo Centrale (2,999m). To the west is Pizzo Lucendro (2963m) both Lepontine Alps, part of the Western Alps.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/31.jpg3Meanwhile, about halfway along the valley, a few metres before the border of Uri and Ticino – the German and Italian speaking parts of Switzerland – is an innocuous looking turnoff to the right for Passo San Gottardo, aka Tremola, the original pass road which peaks a little higher at 2106m. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2a.jpg2aTiny Andermatt, pop. 1400, sits in the broad, long Urseren Valley, the source of the River Reuss, the fourth longest in Switzerland, which flows down into Lake Lucerne and, eventually, the Rhine and North Sea. East from Andermatt is Oberlap Pass (8%, 2045m) to Graubunden while south is the Gotthard Pass (10%, 2091m) down to Airolo, the most northerly town in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of the country. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/11.jpg1The road (H2) from Goschenen to Andermatt winds up the funnelling, sheer granite walled Schollenen Gorge (extensive road works will be in place until 2019 though they are suspended during summer weekends). https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/das-loop.jpgdas loopGet to Andermatt from Switzerland’s main north-south A2 motorway from Goschenen, junction 40, just north of the Gotthard Tunnel. 2015-05-03T13:06:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/16/klausenpass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/kla-uden.jpgkla udenRudolf Caracciola at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz SSK on Klausenpass in August 1930. Photo via Daimler.com. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/bbt.jpgbbtInteresting that Bentley would recall its iconic Cannes-London Blue Train beating Speed Six with a four door rather than two door model. More later.2015-05-03T12:58:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/22/day-two-tour-auto-vichy-clermont-ferrand/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/charade.jpgcharadeCircuit de Charade, Clermont Ferrandhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/230415.jpg230415Special Stage number 7: Estaing-Sebrazac on the way from Clermont Ferrand to Toulouse. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/partig.jpgpartigChateau Parentignathttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdm_ujrweai8nox.jpgCDM_uJrWEAI8NoxCircuit de Charade, Clermont Ferrand.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2639-enhanced.jpgIMG_2639 enhancedNo. 260 Jean-Paul Droit and Olivier Panis driving a 1983 Ferrari 308 Group IV Michelotto. Ex-F1 driver Panis is one of a number of celebrities at Tour Auto this year. So far we’ve spotted Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon and Red Bull adventurer Felix Baumgartner. All photos @TourAuto.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2644.jpgIMG_2644https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2642.jpgIMG_2642https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2641.jpgIMG_2641https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2639.jpgIMG_2639https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdjzwrtweaajkum.jpgCDJzwRtWEAAjkuMAn Alpine-Renault A310 through the streets of Paris yesterday morning heading tot he start of Tour Auto. More later Photo @Morrisette_Rac2015-05-02T10:08:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/28/futa-raticosa/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/viewmultimediadocument.jpgviewmultimediadocumentUpcoming bus and taxi lanes in Paris. Graphic via Paris.fr2015-04-29T13:02:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/25/day-five-tour-auto-pau-biarritz/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdemphhwgaeompe1.jpgCDeMPhhWgAEOMPeThe Tour Auto finish at Cite de l'Ocean in Biarritz, in sight of the Atlantic.The Tour Auto finish at Cite de l'Ocean in Biarritz, in sight of the Atlantic.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_0222.jpgDSC_0222The Tour Auto finish at Cite de l'Ocean in Biarritz, in sight of the Atlantic.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/regularite.jpgregulariteRegularity: Jean-François Nicoules and François Nicoules (Alpine A110 1600S)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/indice.jpgindiceIndex Classification: Frédéric Puren and Caroline Bertrand (Porsche 356)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/hi.jpghiGroup H: Christophe Van Riet and Kristoffer Cartenian (Porsche 911 RS 3.0)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/groupg.jpggroupgGroup G: Philippe Vandromme and Frédéric Vivier (Ford GT40)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdemphhwgaeompe.jpgCDeMPhhWgAEOMPehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdekwkfwoaarnza.jpgCDeKwKfWoAARNzAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdau3_0w8aajalf.jpgCDaU3_0W8AAJAlfOverall winners: Jean-Pierre Lajournade and Christophe Bouchet (Jaguar E-Type)2015-04-26T19:28:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/24/day-four-tour-auto-toulouse-pau/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/t4.jpgt432: Dominique Jouvin and Claudine Jouvin in a Jaguar XK 120 Roadster pulling in to the Abbaye de l’Escaladieu. Photo Departement des Hautes-Pyreneeshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdv-mn9wyaaycj8.jpgCDV-MN9WYAAYCJ842: Francois Pourcher and Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon in a 1950 Jaguar XK 120https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdv939rwyaag8f5.jpgCDV939rWYAAg8F563: Red Bull daredevil Felix Baumgartner and Hermann Layher in a 1955 Mercedes-Bez 300 SLhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdswd2uw8aav9px.jpgCDSWd2uW8AAv9PX266: Philippe Vandrome and Frederic Vivier in a 1967 Ford GT 40https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2.jpg2218: Ludovic Le Boeuf and Dimitri Le Boeuf in a 1962 Jaguar E-type 3.8. Photo @AlainFigaret2015-04-26T19:20:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/23/day-three-tour-auto-clermont-ferrand-toulouse/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2654.jpgIMG_2654The 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 of second placed overall Ludovic Caron and Charles de Villaucourt at the finish in Toulouse.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2652.jpgIMG_2652Pulling into Toulouse. Photo @AlainFigarethttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdsvl0tweaay3nr.jpgCDSVl0tWEAAY3NRLining up at Circuit d'Albi. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdqs3b9waaavi1i.jpgCDQS3b9WAAAvi1iMichel Chabran and Eric Mallen in 1978 Fiat 131 Abarthhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdqnuuaw8aathkq.jpgCDQNUUaW8AAtHkQ1966 Porsche 911 2.0 of Thierry Lafont and Jean-Claud Penicaud leaving Clermont Ferrand.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/11182253_976121882407506_5872552070128732485_n.jpg11182253_976121882407506_5872552070128732485_nJean-Luc Durand and Francois Marbeck in a 1961 Lotus Elitehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/17798_976121855740842_117940071115030136_n.jpg17798_976121855740842_117940071115030136_nhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ta-cover-23.jpgta cover 232015-04-26T19:13:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/21/day-one-tour-auto-paris-vichy/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ta-2.jpgta 2Richard Meins and Timothy Huxley 1966 Ford GT 40 under service in Vichy. Photo @TourAutohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/gto.jpggtohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cdgqm3fw0aamhlp.jpgCDGQm3fW0AAmHLPhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/5.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/4.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1.jpg1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/tour-aut-map.jpgtour aut mapTour Auto: the official start is the Chateau Courances just south of Paris. The route today is 499km between Paris and Vichy with one special stage at Magny Cours race track. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/merc.jpgCapa CityRandom: Mercedes testing buses in the Arctic Circle.2015-04-26T18:53:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/20/gt3-col-de-turini/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/sara-col-de-turini-cv.jpgsara col de turini cvhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/sara-col-de-turini.jpgsara col de turiniIt's due back in Stuttgart on Wednesday so over the weekend Sara Nase (@getpalmd) took the new GT3 for almost a last blast along France's Col de Turini.2015-04-21T10:18:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/19/the-week-ahead/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cc9utykw4aafa8q.jpgCC9UTykW4AAFa8qhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ta-cover.jpgta coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cc9m4x0wmaipjmv.jpgCC9M4X0WMAIPJmvThe week ahead: the 24th edition of Tour Auto – France and probably Europe’s most prestigious classic racer tour – kicks off in Paris tomorrow (Monday). The list of blue-chip entrants runs to four densely packed pages. They assemble in the Grand Palais, above, as usual (entrance price €10) before setting off for Vichy on Tuesday, Clermont-Ferrand on Wednesday, Toulouse Thursday, Pau Friday with the Grand Finale in Biarritz on Saturday. Being as these people know, and have access to, all the best roads, we’ll be keeping a close eye on progress through the week. In the meantime see @TourAutohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/gp-tour-auto.jpggp tour auto2015-04-21T08:08:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/09/a40-neuenkamp-closed-to-trucks/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/storseisundsbrua.jpgstorseisundsbruaMercedes-Benz Trucks is running a series of Secret Places, spots nominated by drivers as their favourite places. A Norwegian driver chose the curving Storseisund Bridge on R64 Atlantic Way between Kårvåg and Vevang, voted Norway's ‘Structure of the Century’ with its 23-metre-high arch to allow ships to pass underneath at all tides. ‘This bridge always makes for a very special experience,’ he says. ‘You go home every time with a completely different impression, depending on whether the tide is in or out, whether the wind is whipping up the ocean or the sun is shining. If you're in luck, you might even see seals or whales from the cusp of bridge.’ See more Secret Places at roadstars.mercedes-benz.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/neuenkamp2.jpgneuenkamp2The A40 Neuenkamp Bridge over the Rhine at Duisburg. Photo via Wikipedia.2015-08-10T18:17:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/07/norway-antlers/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/norway-antlersc.jpgnorway antlerschttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cbv9dhqxiaai7qg.jpgCBv9dHQXIAAI7QgInterior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, right. Photo @Place_Beauvauhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/norway-antlers.jpgnorway antlersAfter research showed most drivers are oblivious to wildlife warning signs, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration decided to do something a little more eye catching to gain motorist's attention, hence the new dayglo antlers along the side of 2015-04-20T15:41:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/17/top-marques-monaco/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/speed-marathon.jpgspeed marathonThe 24hr Blitz Marathon in Finland. Photo @RistoLammihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/toroidion_1mw_concept_2.jpgToroidion_1MW_Concept_2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/toroidion_1mw_concept_6.jpgToroidion_1MW_Concept_6Particularly eye-catching among the weird, wonderful and very, very expensive cars on show at this weekend’s Top Marques show in Monaco is this Toroidion. Called the 1MW, as in one megawatt – the equivalent of 1340bhp - this all-electric proof-of-concept car was built in Raasepori south west Finland. The company was established in 2011 to develop a new electric powertrain for the Le Mans 24-hour race. It is designed to be scalable for different applications while the high-capacity battery is said to be ‘as easily replaced in the pit-lane as it is in the home garage’. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/tmm.jpgtmmTop Marques, a motor show of the weired, wonderful and very, very expensive kicked in Monaco yesterday. More later.2015-04-19T18:00:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/15/random-latvia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/blitz.jpgblitzPhoto @PolitzeiMainzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ccdunlwumaev7-e.jpgCCduNLWUMAEv7-eRandom Latvia: Kuldīga is the pearl of Latvia - distinctive architecture, the River Venta with the widest waterfall ledge in Europe.2015-04-17T10:38:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/12/week-in-review/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/rockfall2.jpgrockfall2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/rockfall.jpgrockfallMelting snow has seen a spate of road-blocking rock falls this week. The well-trod N90 down into Moutiers in the French Alps was blocked twice, on Wednesday and Saturday, though both were quickly cleared away, without injury. Worse was Serbia where heavy rain exacerbated the situation. Many roads in the west and south were cut off including the main Nis-Pirot road to the Bulgaria border in the south. None have seen quite as close a call as the CV-428 road at Corte de Pallas in the hills above Valencia last Monday. The regional forestry brigade passed through moments before a huge landslide engulfed the road entirely. More than a hundred locals were subsequently evacuated via forest tracks. Photo Diputacio de Valencia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/rock-1.jpgrock 1A spate of rckfalls this week, all around the Continent. More coming up in the Week in Review, later.2015-04-17T09:31:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/13/new-bumper-volvo/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/shmee-getpalmd.jpgshmee getpalmd@Shmee150’s Mantis Green McLaren 650S Spider might not be to everybody’s taste but there’s no denying it makes a striking combination alongside @GetPalmd’s Racing Yellow Porsche 911GT3. The two met up at the weekend at the Cars and Coffee event in Brescia, northern Italy. Schmee is on the almost month long #WheresShmee tour, heading to Top Marques in Monaco next, whereas @Getpalmd is off down to near Sienna in Tuscany via the famous Passo della Futa.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2600.jpgIMG_2600https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/d0bdd0bed187d0bdd18bd0b5_d0b2d0bed0bbd0bad0b8_1.jpgНочные_Волки_(1)The Night Wolves led by "Ночные Волки (1)" by www.volganet.ru. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/vl.jpgvl2015-04-15T14:01:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/08/exit-checks-start-today/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/kka-n-over.jpgkka n overhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/kkl.jpgkklhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2236.jpgIMG_2236Check-in at Dover. Coach tour parties are exempt from new Exit Checks.2015-04-12T16:12:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/06/recreating-rendezvous/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/9a.jpg9aLost in Montmartre.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/8a.jpg8aRue Norvinshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/7a.jpg7aPigalle with the Moulin Rouge along tot he right.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/6a.jpg6aRue de Jean-Baptiste Pigallehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/5a.jpg5aSaint https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/4b.jpg4bThe Palais Garnier, home of the Paris Opera.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/3a.jpg3aPlace des Pyramides and the gold statue of Joan of Arc.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1a.jpg1aRounding the Arc de Triomphe.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/290cover.jpg290coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/290.jpg290Paris Opera. More later.2015-04-12T15:39:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/02/dragoon-ride-home/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/draggoonn.jpgdraggoonnhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/a65-rheinbrucke-traffic3-2.jpga65 rheinbrucke traffic3 (2)https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/10353381_10153177770259872_1570494969476700252_o.jpg10353381_10153177770259872_1570494969476700252_oThe 'Dragoon Ride' Sryker vehicles arrive back at the Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Bavaraia, yesterday after their high profile 1,100 mile road trip through eastern Europe. More later.2015-04-12T15:35:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/10/ile-de-re/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1333.jpg1333https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_1333.jpgIMG_1333The A1 in western Romania, towards the Hungarian border at Arad. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ilr-ee.jpgilr eeThe D735 causeway road out to Ile de Re off the coast of La Rochelle in western France. Photo via @IledeRetourisme2015-04-12T15:33:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/09/tour-auto-pyrenees/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/singer-fuel-1.jpgsinger fuel 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ccekwcjweaesnlv.jpgCCEkWCjWEAEsNlvIn just over two weeks, the word's greatest classic racing cars will be in the Pyrenees on Tour Auto. Highlights include Cols Portet d'Aspet, de Mente and de Soulor. More nearer the time. Photo via @TourAuto2015-04-11T15:34:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/26/spains-highest-viaduct/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/3194a.jpg3194aThrowback Thursday: talking of borders, one of our favourites if the Finland-Sweden border, Tornio-Haparanda, at the top of the Gulf of Bothnia. Not because there’s an IKEA right there but because the time zone change means you gain an hour. In our case – racing against time - it meant reaching Umea that night rather than Lula, Pitea or Skelleftea and getting our highly ambitious six day Baltic Circumnavigation back on track. The same thing happened coming back from Romania to Hungary. Obviously it ain’t so hot going the other way.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/schengen.jpgschengenSchengen in south east Lxembourg, symbolically on the French and German borders where the https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/01-viaducto-de-montabliz-cantabria-22.jpg01-VIADUCTO-DE-MONTABLIZ-CANTABRIA-222015-04-09T08:52:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/27/a20-into-dover-works/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img_2175.pngIMG_2175https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/12959_1a.jpg12959_1aChanges will be made to the traffic management of freight on the A20 into Dover to prevent congestion in the town centre. More later.2015-04-09T08:17:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/04/01/paris-in-the-spring/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cc1.jpgcc1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/rom.jpgromMoscow fell four places off the top of TomTom’s city traffic index for last year though whether that’s because of action from the city council on illegal parking, among other things, or down to the recession is the currently subject of hot debate in the Russian capital. Meanwhile, Bucharest – above – is a new entry at number seven while Istanbul is apparently now the world’s most congested city with drivers taking on average 58% longer to complete journeys compared to traffic-free roads. Five of the top ten were in Europe with St Petersburg in seventh place and Warsaw in ninth. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p1.jpgp1Just back from Paris. More later.2015-04-09T08:15:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/11/norway-by-o-319/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fr-mway.jpgfr mwayhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/691.jpg691Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/wab-daf.jpgworkhouseHungarian haulier Waberer's takes delivery of the first batch of 250 DAF trucks - out of a total order of 600 vehicles - at the manufacturers base in Eindhoven, southern Netherlands. Actually last year but there's still no better illustration that spring has now sprung.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/norway2.jpgnorway2Around Norway in a Mercedes O 319 campervan. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/norway.jpgnorwayAround Norway in a Mercedes O 319 campervan. More later.2015-03-28T08:25:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/25/route-despagne/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/norway-ferry1.jpgnorway ferryhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/norway-ferry.jpgnorway ferryhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/sara-nase.jpgsara nasehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/nase1.jpgnase1Adventurer Sara Nase crosses the Spanish border by D914 Route d'Espagne. See more at GetPalmd.com, or @GetPalmdhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ca4xbqhugaah2fj.jpgCA4XBQHUgAAh2FJAdventurer Sara Nase crosses the Spanish border by D914 Route d'Espagne. 2015-03-26T06:10:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/24/road-building-oise/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ca39wdhxiaagfjh.jpgCA39WDhXIAAgFjhEU infographic of road deaths in 2014 showing clear east-west https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/caylklrwwaasas7.jpgCAyLkLrWwAASaS7Spain: persistent rain over the past few days saw the CV-175 road from Castellon up to Villahermosa del Rio completely collapse yesterday. With an amber Meteoalarm for more heavy rain today in the Valencia region, and flooding already reported https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/france.jpgfranceFrance: road building in the Oise, more later.2015-03-25T08:40:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/23/dragoon-ride/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/n-spain-2.jpgn spain 2Unexpected but moderate snow in north east Spain this morning – pictured AP-68 Zaragoza-Bilbao via DGT.es - reminds that spring is not here yet. Up to 7cm of snow is expected over the next few days in the area, mainly above 1200m. Meanwhile, as Finnish police told drivers last week it is too early to change from winter tyres, their Luxembourg colleagues say exactly the same thing today. The law in the Duchy says winter tyres - or M&S marked all-season tyres - must be used in snow or ice conditions. In practice that means when temperatures are consistently above 7⁰C, in line with the O to O rule (October to Easter – Oktober bis Ostern). Already today there were ice warnings across northern France.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/10329955_821428911226890_4387508860954457915_o.jpg10329955_821428911226890_4387508860954457915_oA column of Strykers heads towards the Chinook-supplied 'Fat Cow' refuelling stop in Lithuania today. Photo U.S. Army/Sgt. 1st Class Jacob A. McDonaldhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/10298306_10152652687471957_1443066912141049936_o.jpg10298306_10152652687471957_1443066912141049936_oNot everybody's happy about the US Army 'Dragoon Ride' between the Baltic States and Germany. More later.2015-03-24T06:12:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/20/electric-sales/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/10952799_782194988532441_558957219495440262_n.jpg10952799_782194988532441_558957219495440262_nA big day tomorrow for Condor Ferries as it launches its brand new Condor Liberation ship in Jersey. The event is expected to attract lots of spectators so passengers are warned to turn up in plenty of time, at least one hour for drivers. From next week, all journeys between the Channel Islands and the UK will be on the new ship. Geek note: despite looking like a three-hulled trimaran, Liberation is actually a stabilised monohull.2015-03-23T22:04:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/22/sunday-8/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/kamera781.jpgkamera78https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/kamera78.jpgkamera78https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/kamera7.jpgkamera7A bit of a racing line beginning to emerge on the Fv976 coast road on Andoya island in northern Norway this morning.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/can-duywqaa2vzc.jpgCAn-duyWQAA2Vzc2015-03-23T11:54:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/18/tour-auto-paris-biarritz/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/panorama-bg018-1024.jpgpanorama-bg018-1024Bergen harbour, Norway.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/b_4iwv4ucaaehwd.jpgB_4iWV4UcAAEHWDThe Tour Auto route between Paris and Biarritz has been announced, including four race tracks. More later.2015-03-20T08:39:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/19/secret-sls/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/cadlfcdukaeerem.jpgCAdlfCDUkAEEremPhoto via @Anne_Hidalgohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/14.jpg14Sales of electric vehicles rose by 36% in Europe in 2014 to 75,331 units. The UK lead the way with a 300% increase followed by Germany (up 70%) and France (up 30%). However, almost 20,000 of the registrations were in Norway alone. Meanwhile, the final quarter 2014 saw a 7.7% fall in sales. Pure battery cars like the Nissan Leaf above – picture on the N329 ‘Glowing Highway’ at Oss in the Netherlands – took half of sales in the final three months (also up 50% on Q4 2014) while range-extender and plug in hybrids were down 35% on the previous year. Source: European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/13.jpg13David Douglas Duncan and his secret SLS. More later.2015-03-20T08:36:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/12/porsche-siberia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/norway1.jpgnorwayhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/norway-tunnel-fire.jpgnorway tunnel firePhoto Monika Blikas, from Statens Havarikommisjon for Transport report on Gundvanga Tunnel fire, aibn.no, see below.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/untitledssssss.pnguntitledssssss2015-03-19T09:34:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/16/game-of-thrones-road/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/b__7chlugaahaq7.jpgB__7CHLUgAAhAQ7Game of Thrones road, northern Ireland. More later.2015-03-17T10:06:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/14/equality-street-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/po.jpgpohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/img_1679.jpgIMG_1679It's Danish functionalism for the DFDS First Class lounge while P&O opts for German modernism with Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hahhnten2.jpghahhnten2Weekend traffic: famously no traffic alerts for France now until 2 April though local congestion around skiing resorts is to be expected. The Geneva Motor Show means roads inbound will be clogged in the morning and outbound late afternoon. Otherwise the next busy day in Switzerland is 28 March, and in Austria too, but not until 2 April in Germany. Weekend weather: hit and miss says the BBC. Cloud and rain east Mediterranean, mixed central Europe and cold in the East. Warm and sunny Iberia, especially south.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hahhnten2-cover.jpghahhnten2 cover2015-03-17T08:39:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/04/scotlands-north-coast-500/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/calais-truck-queues.jpgcalais truck queueshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/nc501crop.jpgnc501cropThere’s no new tarmac as such but the brand new NorthCoast500 website is designed to pull together all the attractions – food, drink, accommodation and landscapes - on the more than five hundred mile circular route around the north of Scotland starting and finishing in Inverness. The Facebook page ‘NorthCoast 500’ is already up and running with a standalone site – NorthCoast500.com – ‘coming soon’. In the meantime visitors can register for updates.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/nc501.jpgnc501Scotalnd's new North Coast 500 road, pulled together in a new website, northcoast500.com. More later.2015-03-12T12:08:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/10/porsche-drive-stuttgart/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/versailles-a1-cover.jpgversailles a1 coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/montenegro-road.jpgmontenegro roadA road called ‘one of the most important in Montenegro’ – on the quickest route between capital Podgorica and the coast at Budva – is being steadily washed away by a massive landslide reports Independent Balkan News Agency. The western Balkans has suffered several episodes of severest weather, most recently heavy rain last week. With the landslide still active it is by no means certain the road will be in action for the summer season. The detour, on much lower grade roads, is around 50km longer. Meanwhile, recruitment has started ahead of the country’s first motorway project, 170km from coastal resort Bar to Boljare on the Serbian border. The first shovelling should start before the end of the year.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/a1-paris2.jpga1 paris2Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres wants to project images of Versailles inside the A1’s Tunnel de Landy at Seine Saint Denis. Photo via Facebook.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/oiiu.jpgoiiuHire a 911 from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart from €99 per hour - or €799 for a long weekend - and they even tell you the best roads to drive it on. More later.2015-03-12T10:16:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/03/alpe-dhuez/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/finland-winter-pic-crop.jpgfinland winter pic cropNo excuses for speeding in Finland. Photo via Finnish Transport Agency, Liikennevirasto.fihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pits.jpgpitshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/aple-dhuez-cover-2.jpgaple dhuez cover 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/alpe-dhuez-cover.jpgALPE DHUEZ COVERAlpe d'Huez, French Alps, more later.2015-03-09T14:58:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/06/paris-goes-car-free/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/6868.jpg6868Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/b_u0p7fu0aafmwu.jpgB_U0p7FU0AAFMWUParis will hold its first car-free Sunday on 26 September. More later.2015-03-08T17:41:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/03/need-for-speed-check-out-the-fastest-german-autobahns/2015-03-08T16:33:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/26/berlinka-poland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/untitled-pp.jpguntitled ppPorsche leads a tour of Siberia this week to prove its hybrid technology in subzero conditions. Twelve journalists with share Cayenne and Panamera hybrids across 7,000km in twelve days, from Irkutsk near Lake Baikal - the world’s largest body of freshwater – to Ekaterinburg in the Urals via Novosibirsk, Tobolsk and Stolby Nature Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temperatures will hover around -20 degrees. Follow along at #PlugIntoSiberiahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/untitledcccccc.pnguntitledccccccPorsche leads a tour of Siberia this week to prove its hybrid technology in subzero conditions. Twelve journalists with share Cayenne and Panamera hybrids across 7,000km in twelve days, from Irkutsk near Lake Baikal - the world’s largest body of freshwater – to Ekaterinburg in the Urals via Novosibirsk, Tobolsk and Stolby Nature Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temperatures will hover around -20 degrees. Follow along at #PlugIntoSiberiahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/b-mipv0w4aauha2.jpgB-mIpV0W4AAUhA2Poland: a stretch of Berlinka, the original Berlin-Konigsberg (Kaliningrad) autobahn. More later.2015-03-03T20:47:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/03/02/istanbul-tripledeck-tunnel/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/102.jpg102Condor Ferries is offering free upgrades to Ocean Plus on its brand new Condor Liberation fast ferry for National Ferry Fortnight, see below. Photo courtesy of Austal.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/use.jpguseThe world's first three decker tunnel will open in Istanbul in 2020. More later.2015-03-03T09:47:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/28/access-val-thorens-les-menuires-blocked/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ebro.jpgebroThe huge snow dump in the Pyrenees in the week turned into massive flooding in parts of north east Spain this weekend. The River Ebro has burst its banks in places and it threatening the same in the city of Zaragoza particularly. The major road network has escaped unscathed so far. See the latest at DGT.es. Photo @InfoEmerghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/vt4cover.jpgvt4coverPhoto via val-thorens.co.ukhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/vt4.jpgvt4France: the RD117 road up to the Val Thorens and Les Menuires ski resorts was blocked yesterday by a huge boulder. It is not expected to re-open until tomorrow (Sunday) morning. There is a detour for light vehicles only in the meantime, the RD96, but traffic will be very heavy today. Authorities are asking drivers to delay journeys until tomorrow. Photo via val-thorens.co.uk. Info via autorouteinfo.fr2015-03-02T21:28:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/27/berlinka-bypass/2015-02-28T11:51:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/17/random-pass-austria/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/b5dx9vzccaiqbvi1.jpgB5DX9VzCcAIQbVI1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/merc-aus-1.jpgmerc aus 1It’s normally really irritating when people post pictures of great roads and don’t say where they were taken. An exception can only be made in this case because a) it’s a particularly fantastic looking road and b) because the photographer really cannot remember where it was taken. We did ask. @GFWilliams took an A45 AMG on a twelve hour drive from Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart to the Dolomites in northern Italy and back, via – obviously - Austria. All we can say is that this photo is from fairly early on in the trip so is likely somewhere west of Innsbruck. That narrows it down a bit…https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/04-a-45-amg-williams-mercedes-benz-680x379-de1.jpg04-A-45-AMG-Williams-Mercedes-Benz-680x379-DE1Somewhere between Stuttgart and the Dolomites. More later.2015-02-26T21:37:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/24/classic-navigation/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/p1.jpgp1Porsche has gone to the trouble of designed and building a retro satnav to fit, in every sense, its early models. More later.2015-11-11T09:22:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/25/cut-fold-sweden/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/cut-and-fold-crop.jpgcut-and-fold cropCut & Fold: Swedish surrealist photographer Erik Johansson is noted for his twisted landscapes. Citing Dali and Magritte among his influences, Johansson only uses images taken by himself, mostly around his parent’s home in Gotene central Sweden (not far from Beowulf’s burial mound at Skalunda, incidentally, on the southern shore of Lake Vanern). See more at erikjohanssonphoto.com.2015-02-26T21:06:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/23/sunday-6/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/pic-of-the-day.jpgpic of the day'Picture of the day,' said @TRAFvacances. Rescue efforts hampered by drivers stopping by the side of the road to fit snow chains. But what choice did they have?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/xx.jpgxxRandom from @VisitRovaniemi, Finland. 'Pedestrian underpasses have snowmobile lanes'.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/b-xofjhicaafk62.jpgB-XOFJhIcAAfK62Snowmaggedon yesterday in the French Alps. Normal today. More later.2015-02-25T21:09:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/20/route-napoleon/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/6039.jpg6039N85 Route Napoleon, more later. Photo @DriveEurope2015-02-24T15:18:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/18/neige-et-glace/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/passport-control3.jpgpassport control3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/003.jpg003The Neige et Glace Rally 2015, through the Jura mountains in the Doubs, east France, finishing in Pontarlier, was aptly named this year. More at Zaniroli.com2015-02-22T14:41:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/19/rolls-royce-future-ferry/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/12.jpg12Spain consolidates impressive road safety record with a new openness on speed cameras, among many other things. Much more later. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ferry.jpgferryhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/out_of_the_blue_630x380px_tcm92-60355.jpgOut_of_the_blue_630x380px_tcm92-60355Rolls-Royce doesn't just design engines. Its Marine division has an interest in designing entire ships. It has recently been thinking about the 'ferry of the future'. More later.2015-02-20T09:36:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/17/hybrid-adventure/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/b-dpb7icaaeaz2l.jpgB-Dpb7iCAAEAZ2LAll truck drivers working in France must be paid at least the national minimum wage, currently €9.61 per hour. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/1.jpg1They made it: after ten days, the mad people towing an Airstream caravan to the Arctic Circle arrived 2015-02-18T12:44:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/16/route-61-at-zegrze/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/1280px-rd_1504_ambc3a9rieu_01.jpg1280px-RD_1504_Ambérieu_(01)D1505 Amberieu-Chambery. A very handy alternative route to the jam prone A43 Lyon-Chambery, as recommended by @TRAFvacances. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/66.jpg66More great road art from Polish roads directorate @GDDKia, this time of national road 61 across Zegrze Reservoir, a popular weekender 2015-02-17T13:25:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/13/rally-sweden/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/rrd.jpgrrdIt's Rally Sweden this weekend, in and around Karlstad at the top of Lake Vanern in the south. see RallySweden.com or follow @RallySwedenhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/b9vksezimaeh8ky.pngB9vKsezIMAEH8KYIt's Rally Sweden this weekend, in and around Karlstad at the top of Lake Vanern in the south. see RallySweden.com or follow @RallySwedenhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/b9t1g0kiaaawauu.jpgB9t1G0KIAAAwauUhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/img_2079.jpgIMG_2079It's Rally Sweden this weekend, in and around Karlstad at the top of Lake Vanern in the south. see RallySweden.com or follow @RallySweden2015-02-16T08:55:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/14/the-busiest-day-in-the-alps/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/179-f1.jpg179 fOne hesitates to say damp squib exactly because the queues southbound on the B179 Fernpass, pictured, between Germany and Austria were absolutely fearsome. In general however, the first 'Black Saturday' on ther oads in 2015 - ahead of the busiest week in the Alps - passed off remarkably well. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/179-f.jpg179 f2015-02-16T07:25:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/02/14/a-romantic-journey-mrs-simpsons-desperate-dash-across-france-to-escape-the-abdication/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ed-car-1.jpged car 1Mrs Simpson’s car was a Buick, identical to the king’s (pictured). To avoid accusations of disloyalty to the British car industry the chassis was re-bodied by Canadian coachbuilder McLoughlin. Powered by a straight eight cylinder motor and over 20 feet long, it could reach 60mph in 18.5 seconds. Dubbed ‘the most romantic car in the world’ at a Bonhams’ sale in 2007, the king's car sold for £100,500. Photo © Bonhams.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cartier-box.jpgcartier boxFor Christmas 1935, Mrs Simpson gave the then Prince of Wales this gold Cartier cigarette case, decorated with a map of their travels around Europe. Each of their holiday stops was marked with a precious stone. Her journey this time was to be almost as convoluted. The box recently sold at Sotheby’s for £181,250.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/kings-car.jpgkings carDubbed ‘the most romantic car in the world’ at a Bonhams’ sale in 2007, the king's car sold for £100,500.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/692a.jpg692aThe Hotel de France at Blois, still open today. © British Pathéhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/edwardscarlhm3.jpgedwardscarlhm3Mrs Simpson’s car was a Buick, identical to the king’s (pictured), though hers was dark blue. To avoid accusations of disloyalty the chassis has been re-bodied by Canadian firm McLoughlin. Powered by a straight eight cylinder motor it could power the car, over 20 feet long, to 60mph in 18.5 seconds. Dubbed ‘the most romantic car in the world’ at a Bonhams’ sale in 2007, the king's car sold for £100,500. Photo © Bonhams.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/686a.jpg686aMrs Simpson’s car arriving back at Villa Lou Viei, Cannes, on 7 December 1936 © British Pathéhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/50194453_lot-16-cartier-gold-and-gem.jpg_50194453_lot-16-cartier-gold-and-gemFor Christmas 1935, Mrs Simpson gave the then Prince of Wales a gold Cartier cigarette case, decorated with a map of their travels around Europe, each of their holiday stops marked with a precious stone. It was recently sold at Sotheby's for £181,250.2015-12-09T01:35:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/11/venturing-past-rome/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/112-brussels-crop.jpg112 brussels cropIt’s European 112 Day to raise awareness of the emergency 112 phone number available anywhere in the EU. Callers can expect to speak to someone in any of Europe’s major languages. A survey last year found that less than 50% of people had heard of the service. This year the Commission says there is ‘significant room for improvement’ in making use of location services on smartphones to minimise response times. Even some Western European countries are surprisingly tardy.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/italy-south.jpgitaly southMonte del Matese, photo @HERO_CRA2015-02-12T21:50:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/10/vito-anywhere/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/gendarmier-tt.jpggendarm,ier tthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/merc.jpgmercDuring winter testing in Sweden, Mercedes boats its new Vito 4x4 can go anywhere. 2015-02-11T12:35:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/09/a89-open-at-brive/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/coppey-hollande.jpgcoppey hollandehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/paris-diddy.jpgparis diddyThe thoroughly previewed vehicle restrictions to prevent a re-run of the ‘Paris Pollution ‘’Crisis’’ were presented to the Conseil de Paris this morning by Mayor Anne Hidalgo. Measures now confirmed include progressive bans on vehicles based on new emissions classes. From 1 July this year coaches and trucks first registered before October 2001 (1 star) will be barred from entering the area inside the Boulevard Peripherqiue during the day and at the weekends. As of the same date in 2016, cars first registered before January 1997 – and bikes before June 2000 – will be excluded. At the same time, ‘ultra-low emission routes’ could be established across the city. From 2017 older vehicles will be gradually banned – and the low emission zone potentially widened – such that by 2020, only heavy vehicles registered after October 2009, cars after January 2011 and bikes after June 2015 will be allowed. There is also €1.7bn in incentives available to persuade businesses and individuals to switch to cleaner vehicles.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/hollande-a89.jpghollande a89French president Francois Hollande and Pierre Coppey meet at the opening of the A89 on Saturday.2015-02-10T12:19:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/08/weekly-review-tales-of-the-unexpected/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/auto-ecole2.jpgauto ecole2Last week's Auto Ecole - driving school - demonstration on the Paris Boulevard Peripherique.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/snow-cover.jpgsnow cover2015-02-09T06:17:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/06/arctic-airstream/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/a6-west-to-heilbronn22.jpga6 west to heilbronn22https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/airstream-arctic.jpgairstream arcticMad people are towing a caravan to the Arctic. More later.2015-02-08T17:25:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/07/alles-gut-auf-dem-fernpass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/fernpass179.jpgfernpass179It will likely be busy later but so far all is calm on the all-important B179 Fernpass border crossing between Germany and Austria. Most importantly the weather is good. 2015-02-07T17:07:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/04/bentley-blue-train/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/bbb.jpgbbbBentley Blue Train: a star of this week’s Retromobile Show in Paris, starting today, is this 1930 Bentley Speed Six, owned by three time Le Mans winner - and Bentley chairman - Captain Woolf Barnarto, one of the original Bentley Boys. The same year the car was delivered he accepted a wager to not only race the famous Blue Train back to Calais from Cannes but to also be in his London club before the train arrived at the Channel. Leaving at 17:54, after finishing his drink, Barnato made it with four minutes to spare just after 15:30 the next day at an average speed of 43mph over the 940 miles. The 6.6 litre, straight six engine developed 180bhp and topped out at 100mph. 2015-02-06T16:11:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/05/roma-thursday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/btog1uoiuaamdtc.jpgBtog1uoIUAAmdtCAs it embarks on a £15bn upgrade programme the British government wants to create ‘a road system in harmony with its surroundings.’ Photo, 20% gradient Long Mynd, Church Stretton, Shropshire via @TheAA_Lifestyle.2015-02-06T11:08:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/03/monte-carlo-historique/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/img_6541.jpgIMG_6541https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/010-3998-c1.jpg010-3998-C1The Historique Monte Carlo Rally. More later.2015-02-05T10:18:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/02/pyrenees-snow-convoy/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/6629.jpg6629The A10 Amsterdam ring road. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/convoi.jpgconvoiColumn – or convoy – driving is quite common in Norway. Divers are prepared to wait, sometimes overnight, for a snowplough escort along hard hit roads. This is the first time we’ve heard of it on mainland Europe however (though that might not mean much). Snowfall was so heavy in the Pyrenees over the weekend that roads up to many of the resorts were closed. Yesterday afternoon, after checking cars had snow chains on at least the driven wheels, police led a convoy of 500 vehicles down from Cautarets and 150 vehicles from Gourette. More major snowfall is expected this week. Photo @SylvieDurruty, Deputy Mayor Bayonne.2015-02-03T14:14:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/02/01/review-of-the-week/2015-02-02T12:38:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/30/everyones-in-the-arctic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/a7-kasel-gottingen2.jpga7 kasel gottingen2The A7 northbound between Kassel and Gottingen, Germany, this afternoon. Photo via @Meteo_Europehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/strooiwagen.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALoving the Dutch name for snowplough/gritter truck: Strooiwagen. According to national road directorate Rijswaterstraat, trucks dumped a barely believable 5.6 million kilograms (5,600 tonnes)of salt on the roads this afternoon in 673 trips driving more than 30,000km.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/moncenisio2.jpgmoncenisio2Road trip destination of the week was definitely north Norway. Tesla Model S driver @Widodh drove 3346km to Setermoen from the Netherlands (for free using Tesla superchargers). Meanwhile Studio Torino took its new Moncenisio Cayman-based sportscar on a test drive to Nordkapp (above). They detoured back through Finland only earn a €400 fine for driving at 74kmh in a 50kmh zone. Fines at more than 20kmh over the limit depend on income says @getpalmd. Student @djzanta says the rules incentivise him to go faster.. 2015-01-31T13:07:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/29/a150-le-havre-rouen-opens/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hollandica2.jpghollandica2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hollandica.jpghollandicaStena Hollandica, one of the two 'superferries' on the Harwich-Hook of Holland route. Photo @StenaLineUK.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/a150.jpga150The motorway link between Le Havre and Rouen north of the Seine is finally complete. The new stretch of the A150, opening today, now runs all the way from Rouen to the A29 Le Havre-Amiens at Yvetot. The 20km section costs €3.10 for cars.2015-01-29T23:18:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/23/monte-carlo-rally/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2185.jpg2185truck drivers must now be paid at least the national minimum wage when working in Germany. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2035.jpg2035The Monte Carlo Rally kicked off last night with two stages between Monaco and Gap. More on the route later. Photo @FIA2015-01-29T17:35:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/28/norways-most-beautiful-road/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/auto-toll.jpgauto tollhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/norway-beautiful-road.jpgnorway beautiful roadSkjarvelandet along the Havoysund Road in Finnmark, right at the top of Norway, has been named the country’s Most Beautiful Road 2014. Also known as Route 889, Skjarvelandet traces the coastline on the way up to the island of Havoya, almost on a par with – and not far away from - Nordkapp, Norway’s most northerly point. Originally a summer route, opened in 1988, Skjarvelandet was redeveloped in 2013 as a year round road. The challenge was to protect it from landslides. The solution was to build out into the bay on 300,000 cubic meters of rubble to create a sculptural form and a great driving experience.2015-01-28T21:56:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/01/jaguar-mille/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/bergen-panorama.jpgbergen panoramaBergen, Norway. Photo via www.VisitBergen.com 2015-04-13T16:00:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/09/norwegian-seaways-is-serious-about-its-new-uk-norway-ferry-service/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bergen-harbour.jpgbergen harbourBergen harbour. Photo courtesy of Bergen Tourist Board/Per Nybo. For more see www.visitBergen.com2021-07-05T18:49:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/27/big-stig-in-amsterdam/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bc-road-safety-france.jpgbc road safety franceFrench Interior Minister Bernard https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/big-stig.jpgbig stig#BigStig outside the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, on the way to Poland.2015-01-27T22:34:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/26/xe-london-berlin/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/brundel-idris.jpgbrundel idrishttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/i-e-xe.jpgi e xeActor Idris Elba2015-01-27T21:20:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/21/sweden-21/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/sweden-motorwayc.jpgsweden motorwaycSweden: final stretch of 2+1 on the E4 Stockholm-Malmo motorway to be widened. More later.2023-03-07T08:51:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/02/looking-ahead/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/xe.jpgxeWithin the next few weeks - we're still trying to pin down the exact date - the first, all-important 'first drive' verdicts should be published on the Jaguar XE. Will the company finally have an Evoque-sized hit on its hands? Thanks to its aluminium construction and new Ingenium engines it's bound to be efficient but so much will depend on how it feels behind the wheel. 2015-01-25T15:18:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/17/five-fantastic-photos-of-the-land-rover-discovery-sport-in-iceland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10920274_10153053621348552_8344401813365080010_o.jpg10920274_10153053621348552_8344401813365080010_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10915031_10153053621363552_7991750995575197509_o.jpg10915031_10153053621363552_7991750995575197509_oMore fantastic photos from the land Rover Discovery Sport launch in Iceland. See the firm's facebook page for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10911273_10153053621448552_2988072435601925081_o.jpg10911273_10153053621448552_2988072435601925081_ohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10847469_10153053621378552_3555636257831355947_o.jpg10847469_10153053621378552_3555636257831355947_oMore fantastic photos from the land Rover Discovery Sport launch in Iceland. See the firm's facebook page for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10835204_10153053621528552_537293297455295210_o.jpg10835204_10153053621528552_537293297455295210_o2015-01-25T14:55:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/22/thursday-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/storm.jpgstormIn a first for a ferry company, DFDS is trialling a ‘stabilized bed’ on its Copenhagen-Oslo route onboard Crown Seaways. It works by sensing the roll of the ship in high seas then compensating with electric motors to keep the bed flat. First developed for the offshore industry the technology has since been used in hospital ships and high end yachts. See stable.no for more. Photo Frederik Reis/DFDS Seaways.2015-01-23T07:19:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/20/architecture-and-landscape-norway/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/007512l.jpg007512lA new book, 'Architecture and Landscape in NOrway' by German photographer Ken Schluchtmann is the result of 20,000km on the Norwegian Tourist Routes. More later.2015-01-20T18:11:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/19/monday-12/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/b7e6hnligaebato.jpgB7e6hNLIgAEBatOGerman activists getting a lot of publicity, even around the world, by spraying cars parked in cycle lanes with cream. Probably coming to a place near you soon. See Clevere Stadte, @wegeheld2015-01-20T15:29:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/16/first-a-rated-winter-tyre/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/rom-a3.jpgrom a3A3 Transylvania Highway. Picture via Wikipedia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/nokkie-tyre.jpgnokkie tyreFinnish manufacturer Nokian has launched what it claims to be the first A rated winter tyre. More later.2015-01-17T15:00:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/15/ruta-via-plata/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/tent-eu2.jpgtent eu2The nine key transport corridors for roads, rail and waterways to receive €700bn of investment up until 2030.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2cv-spain2.jpg2cv spain2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2cv-spain.jpg2cv spainSpain’s Silver Road – or <strong>Ruta Via de la Plata</strong> – built originally by the Romans, stretches 500 miles north to south, coast to coast, down the west side of the Iberian Peninsula from Gijon to Seville. There are plenty of resources available for people wishing to explore this route and its remaining Roman relics - see RutaDeLaPlata.com - but those looking for a fun adventure with like-minded souls, and some guidance on the best sites, should check out 2CV Adventure’s seven day organised tour in late March. The £1,250 per person price - based on two sharing one of the firm’s Citroen 2CVs - also covers return Brittany Ferries sailings from the UK, all hotels and evening meals as well as back up and a road book. See 2CVadventures.co.uk for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/rvdlp.jpgrvdlphttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/dinny-spain.jpgdinny spainRuta Via Plata: Spain's north-south Roman Silver Route. By 2CV in this case. More later.2015-01-16T13:30:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/12/a7-going-underground/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/1897.jpg1897Fuel pumps France, December 2014, photo @DriveEurope. Label on unleaded 95 petrol includes E10 to reflect bioethanol content of 10%. Diesel pumps should also be clearly labelled says ACEA and FuelEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/3040310-inline-i-2-parts-of-this-german-autobahn-will-soon-131017stell14portalnord-copy_0.jpg3040310-inline-i-2-parts-of-this-german-autobahn-will-soon-131017stell14portalnord-copy_0A7: Hamburg is the latest major city to consider burying major roads. More later.2015-01-16T11:53:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/14/wednesday-10/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/delecour.jpgdelecourVisit Romania: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/schengen.jpgschengenThe Schengen Zone came under attack, again, last week after the Charlie Hebdo massacre. It might pay to start planning for if and when Europe's passport-free zone if fully or partially abolished. More later.2015-01-15T16:11:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/04/cracking-brussels/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/7804.jpg7804https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/81.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/71.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/51.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/3.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/21.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/11.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10b.jpg10bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/9a.jpg9aPalais de Justice, Brussels: the largest building of the 19th century, the 160mx150m law court dominates the city skyline in the south, on a hill just inside the R20 'Pentagon' ring road. Under renovation since 2003, the decade old scaffolding is now in need itself of repair. More on driving in Brussels later. Photo @DriveEurope. 2015-01-14T22:13:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/13/vintage-paris-to-vienna/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/22vin.jpg22vinhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/vin-cover.jpgvin coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/vntage.jpgvntageA new vintage rally will run Paris-Vienna in 2016. More later. In the meantime, see rallyrun.co.uk2015-01-14T08:08:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/08/the-viewing-room/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/je-suis-charlie23.jpgje suis charlie23https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/je-suis-charlie2.jpgje suis charlie2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/je-suis-charlie.jpgje suis charlie#JeSuisCharlie: motorway operators in France stand in solidarity with many others today. Photo @AgnesCPoirierhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/659a1822-5658-43c4-85c3-54465e7c9170.jpg659a1822-5658-43c4-85c3-54465e7c9170Porsche's new design studio at Weissach, Stuttgart. Photo via @PorscheNewsroom2015-01-10T09:20:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/09/judgement-day-myferrylink/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/mfl.pngmflEurotunnel-backed Dover-Calais operator MyFerryLink finds out its fate at 10:30 this morning when the Competition Appeals Tribunal publishes its (latest) decision. 2015-01-09T19:57:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/07/adventure-ready/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/rr-evo-conv.jpgrr evo convEvoque Convertible Concept car as revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, March 2012.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lr_def_le_group_rwb_070115_03_lowres.jpgLR_DEF_LE_Group_RWB_070115_03_LowResThree special edition Land Rover Defenders to mark to end of its production this year after well over 65 years, including one adventure ready example with snorkel and underbody protection. More later.2015-01-09T15:36:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/06/riksgransen/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/helena_wahlman-riksgransen-3099.jpghelena_wahlman-riksgransen-3099Riksgransen, the Swedish border 200km north of the arctic circle. More later.2015-01-07T06:12:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/05/back-to-work/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ss121-scorciavacche-2.jpgss121-scorciavacche-2The Italian prime minister is much enervated today over the collapse of a viaduct in Sicily on New Year' Eve just six days after it opened. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/poland.jpgpolandMore cracking shots of Poland's emerging road network from @GDDKiA, this the S2 Warsaw Southern Ring Road. 2015-01-05T18:03:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/03/planai-classic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/planai.jpgplanaiNo ABS brakes, xenon headlights to mark the way - or even bodywork to shield driver's legs from the icy wind - the Planai Classic is mid-way through its traditional three day early New Year run on the mountain roads of Styria in central Austria, around Schladming, Grobming and Planai. See Planai-Classic.at. Morelater. Photo: BMW 340. 2015-01-03T18:24:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2015/01/01/happy-new-year-whats-changed-2015/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/cover.jpgcoverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/nye-france.jpgnye franceHappy New Year: only 940 cars were torched this New Year’s Eve compared to 1067 last year says the French Ministry of the Interior, crediting the ‘substantial, active and dissuasive mobilisation of the security forces’. Setting cars ablaze has become something of a tradition in ‘high rise suburbs’ across the country. Photo @Place_Beauvauhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/palais-de-justice-little.jpgpalais de justice littlePalais de Justice, Brussels: the largest building of the 19th century, the 160mx150m law courts dominates the city skyline in the south, on a hill just inside the R20 'Pentagon' ring road. Under renovation since 2003, the decade old scaffolding is now in need itself of renovation. Photo @DriveEurope. 2015-01-02T08:42:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/30/our-health-safety-concerns-italy-greece-ferry/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/greece-ferry.jpggreece ferry2015-01-01T07:33:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/29/were-off-to-brussels-for-a-couple-of-days/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/7804.jpg78042014-12-29T05:28:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/28/best-photos-2014/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/be-8blqceaemgco.jpgBe-8BlqCEAEMgCO2014-12-28T22:46:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/27/snow-from-rotterdam-to-geneva/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/3194.jpg3194The first thing you might expect to see crossing the Finland-Sweden border is in fact the first thing you do see: an Ikea. The best https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/via-baltica-little.jpgvia baltica littlehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ccvv.jpgccvvThe view from the Seehotel Waldstatterhof in Brunnen, south central Switzerland, just off the A2 motorway near Altdorf. Rossini's Sunrise over the Alps from the William Tell Overture was inspired by this view. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/55.jpg55Tremola, another one of the roads on the Loop, also known as the St Gotthard pass (as distinct from the H2 Gotthard Pass). https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/36.jpg36The sun sets on the DFDS Esbjerg-Harwich ferry between courses on our last night celebratory dinner in the very good on-board restaurant. A few weeks later DFDS announced they would withdraw the service - the final UK-Scandinavia boat - at the end of the summer. Especially gutting because we spent most of the voyage conjuring up ace new trips, to the Arctic circle and beyond.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/26.jpg26The bath house at the Seehotel Am Kaiserstrand. An attendant stood at the top of the stairs with a fluffy white bathrobe ready for when we finished our morning swim in the crystal clear Lake Constance, Bregenz and the mountains in the background. There is no better way to start the day. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/23.jpg23Viveiro: we searched for hours for a place to stay in this almost completely tourist-infrastructure-free north west corner of Spain, eventually lucking in at a Best Western, 100ft above this beach. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/12.jpg12Grimsel Pass from Furka Pass, another road on The Loop, six amazing and very high mountain roads centered on Gotthard in south central Switzerland, all doable in one day.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/11.jpg11Granada. We weren't driving at this point but we would have been, up in the old town beside the stunning Alhambra Palace roads winding back into the mountains behind the city, awesome plain stretching out in front.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/8a.jpg8a2014-12-28T12:22:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/26/moscows-worst-ever-traffic-jams/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/b5utrbsigaas_dd.jpgB5utRbsIgAAs_dD2014-12-26T18:39:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/25/happy-christmas/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/voiture-decoree-1930.jpgvoiture decoree 1930Voitue Decoree: Paris 1930, via @Paris2014-12-25T18:06:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/24/aston-on-ice-ii/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/872.jpg872https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/untitledxx.pnguntitledxxAston on Ice has moved from St Moritz to Arvidsjaur in northern Sweden we are pleased to report. 2015-01-09T10:47:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/22/aston-on-ice-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/3494.jpg3494The views from the Oresund Link are breath-taking, and so is the toll, currently €46. Scandlines passengers from Germany can buy a combined ticket for €77, a saving of at least €8. Drivers determined to go the lngest way possible can drive the entire way to Norway on the E20 via Kolding but must also contend with the €18 toll on the Storebaelt bridge as well as an extra 100 miles.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ribe2-litrtle.jpgribe2 litrtleRibe, Denmark's fastidiously preserved oldest town. This is the family friendly Den Gale Arrest Hotel - 'the old prison' - where rooms start at €77.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/husum.jpghusumLooking out to Nordstrand - not technically a Frisian island since it is connected to the mainland - from the edge of the Wadden Sea nature reserve in Husum, north west Germany. The flat Frisians provide virtually no weather protection to the coastline - it was seriously bracing even in October - but then you wouldn't be heading to Norway in search of guaranteed sunshine, whatever the time of year.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hamburg-may-07-fix-littel.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThere's more to Hamburg than the Reeperbahn: you might not think you would enjoy walking around old docks (and warehouses) but Hamburg's restored Speicherstadt district, in the port area, is impressive in its scale, full of museums and - most importantly - interesting places to eat and drink.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/911-denamrk-spruce-little.jpg911 denamrk spruce littleLost in Limfjorden: drivers don't have to drive all the way to Norway to find gravel tracks criss-crossing fjords (though Limfjorden, despite the name, is not strictly speaking a fjord - it certainly isn't surrounded by towering cliffs - it's actually a long thin inlet which completely separates the top of the Jutland peninsula from the rest). https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/am_st-moritz14_preview-7.jpgam_st-moritz14_preview-7It's nearly time for Aston Martin's dancing on ice. More later.2015-01-01T11:35:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/23/teslas-drive-amsterdam-to-london-direct-for-free-but-how-long-did-it-take/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/tesdla-london-cover2.jpgtesdla london cover2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/tesdla-london-cover.jpgtesdla london coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/eu_supercharger_opennow_12192014.jpgeu_supercharger_opennow_12192014https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/untitled.pnguntitledTesla Model S in central London last night. Photo via @Tesla_Europe.2014-12-24T08:11:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/21/a7gottingenratpoison/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/13c660_01.jpg13C660_01A Unimog clears snow from Grossglockner Hochalpstrasse in Austria. In June! A roundup of the week's pictures and news in brief coming up.2014-12-24T08:10:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/18/bridge-across-the-danube-chinas-first-big-european-project-opens/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/most-bridge-b1.jpgmost bridge b1The first big infrastructure project in Europe built by a Chinese company is due to be opened today in Belgrade. The Mihajlo Pupin bridge crosses the Danube to the west of the city centre and is the first bridge built across the river in the Serbian capital for 79 years. Chinese prime minister Li Keqiang will cut the ribbon. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/most-bridge-b.jpgmost bridge bThe first big infrastructure project in Europe built by a Chinese company is due to be opened today in Belgrade, Serbia, 2014-12-24T07:42:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/20/romanias-worst-road-60km-of-potholes-and-patches/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/romania-worst-road.jpgromania worst roadRomania's worst road. Sixty kilometres of patches and potholes. More later.2014-12-21T11:58:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/05/driving-in-romania-tragedy-on-transfagarasan/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dacia-city.jpgdacia cityPitesti: Dacia cityhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/timisoara.jpgtimisoarahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/fateful1.jpgfatefulA fateful momenthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/12a.jpg12a'Kilomterul 0' Bucharesthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/214.jpg214The A1 Bucharest-Pitesti. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/serban-voda.jpgserban vodaThe Bellu Cemetery, Calea Serban Voda (E70/85).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/fateful.jpgfatefulThe fateful moment: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/50.jpg50Welcome to Timisoara.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/39.jpg39Favourite picture of the whole trip.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/38.jpg38The darkness 2015-05-01T10:41:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/19/uk-snubs-meps-to-win-two-year-reprieve-from-cross-border-prosecution/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/cross-broder.jpgcross broderhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/1911902_701465666609351_2760565556433019570_n.jpg1911902_701465666609351_2760565556433019570_nFrancois Delecour will drive Tuthill's privately entered Porsche 911 at next month's Monte Carlo Rally after a promising debut in the Rally of Germany early this year (pictured). The fans are very excited.2014-12-20T12:23:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/16/random-pass-in-austria/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bphsnh-cuaauway.jpgBPHSnH-CUAAuWaYPhoto @Gendarmeriehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/merc-aus.jpgmerc ausMercedes somewhere in Austria. Photo GW Williams. More later.2014-12-17T09:00:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/13/exit-check-trials/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/start3.jpgstart3A Volvo FH heading down the south side of the H2 Gotthard pass in Switzerland, towards Airolo. Photo from VolvoTrucksBrandStories.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/eurotunnel-security-little.jpgeurotunnel security littleCross-Channel passengers face three challenges this Christmas and New Year: new 'exit check' trials; the spread of the Calais migrant crisis, and increased fares due to new EU clean fuel rules.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/eurotunnel-security.jpgeurotunnel securityCross-Channel passengers face three challenges this Christmas and New Year: new 'exit check' trials; the spread of the Calais migrant crisis, and increased fares due to new EU clean fuel rules. More later.2014-12-16T20:30:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/14/uk-to-turkey-in-three-days-back-in-two-by-campervan/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/millaaaaau.jpgmillaaaaauThe Millau Viaduct, on the A75 between Clermont Ferrand and Beziers in southern France is ten years old today. The oaccssison will bemarked with a frework display at 18:00 toight. Unlikemost of the A75, the bridge is https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/b4gkre7cqaalwet.jpgB4gkrE7CQAALWEThttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/terrier.jpgterrierWellhoue Leisure's Ford Terrier at the Ford Otosan factory in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo @WellhouseCamper2014-12-16T15:42:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/15/fuel-price-roundup-holland-uk-top-charts/2014-12-16T14:26:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/11/amber-alert/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ferrari-austria.jpgferrari austriaIn total defiance of Italian cars’ reputation for fragile electrics, especially when wet, the headlights of this Ferrari F430 Spider continue on full beam despite being submerged in a village fish pond. The lone driver, single car incident occurred on the B83 at Wernberg, near Villach, south central Austria last night. The 36 year old driver, an engineer from Croatia, managed to swim to safety. Photo HRW Villach.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/aaq.jpgaaqWeather conditions were severe in Scotland yesterday but readers should bear in mind that, at worst, the Meteo alert was amber. More later.2014-12-15T15:41:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/12/piva-canyon-road/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/jezero-pivsko-milinko-micanovic.jpgjezero-pivsko-milinko-micanovicPiva Canyon, Montenegro: the road along the top of the Mratinje Dam - at 220m of the largest in Europe, a location from the film Force 10 from Navarone – is to be upgraded as part of an EU project to improve links to Bosnia it was announced yesterday. @theBlondeGypsy drove this road on the way to Sarajevo and tells us, ‘It’s a lovely spot!’ Specifically, €3.5m from the Western Balkans Investment Framework will pay for initial studies on the 17 mile section of E762 from Pluzine to Scepan Polje on the border, where the Piva and Tara rivers meet to form the Drina, in the shadow of Maglic (7828ft), Bosnia’s highest mountain.2014-12-12T18:18:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/10/german-road-signs/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/disco-s-storm.jpgdisco s stormIceland: journalists attending the launch of the brand new Land Rover Discovery Sport this week were treated to the full force of an arctic winter storm. The Irish Times’ Michael McAleer wrote, ‘Far from the soft, wet and fluffy stuff that flutters down in Ireland every few years, this was like shards of icy glass being shot horizontally across the mountainside.’ It was so bad that vehicles had to be abandoned. Despite this, the Disco S has still been very well received. Standard on all models (starting at £32,395 with cheaper versions to come) is an extremely family and friends friendly seven seat layout, unique in the class.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/adac-signs.jpgadac signsThe ADAC motoring club has published its English guide to road sides. Link coming up.2014-12-10T18:10:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/09/riga-re-restored/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_2249.jpgIMG_2249https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/riga2.jpgriga2Riga's iconic city sign has been re-restored to its original glory after a mis-turn by local marketing types. More later.2014-12-09T18:07:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/08/ice-racing-kicks-off-in-the-alps-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/paris2.jpgparis2Champs Elysee, Paris. Photo via @Paris.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/10830826_10150459034934987_7224843761054877724_ob.jpg10830826_10150459034934987_7224843761054877724_obhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/10848054_10150459034934987_7224843761054877724_n.jpg10848054_10150459034934987_7224843761054877724_n2014-12-09T15:52:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/02/air-drive-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/b3tn1y8iaaebl1t.jpgB3tn1Y8IAAEBl1tIceland: photo by Venture4x4.co.uk2014-12-07T19:37:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/07/ice-racing-kicks-off-in-the-alps/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/andros-2.jpgandros 2The Andros Ice Racing Trophy kicked off yesterday at Val Thorens in the French Alps. Guest star of the two day meet is nine time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, alongside series regular and former F1 driver Olivier Panis. Both struggle however against four time recent championship winner Jean-Philippe Dayraut who qualified on pole and won the opening race yesterday. Panis was third and Loeb seventh. Competing manufacturers include Mazda, Mini, Citroen DS, Renault, Toyota and Dacia. The seven date championship pretty much covers all the country’s mountainous regions. It calls next in Andorra then Alpe d’Huez, Isola 2000, Lans en Vercors and Clermont Ferrand before the finale at Saint Die des Vosges in eastern France on 7 February. See TropheeAndros.com for more.2014-12-07T19:28:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/01/air-drive/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/m-190.jpgM-190Air Drive: the magic of Photoshop allows French photographer Renaud Marion to realise boyhood dreams of flying cars. The series of fourteen pictures – all using classic cars from the 50s and 60s – were taken in and around Geneva. See renaudmarion.com for more.2014-12-07T15:39:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/03/parking-mutt-moscow/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/saarbrucken2.jpgsaarbrucken2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/parking-dog.jpgparking doghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/inspector_07.jpginspector_07Parking Mutt Moscow: specially trained dogs remove (and bin) the pieces of paper drivers use to obscure their number plates, and avoid the traffic authorities. Via @EnglishRussia.2014-12-07T13:50:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/06/incredible-journey-condor-102-sets-sail-from-the-philippines/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/condor-102-phill.jpgcondor 102 phillIn the nick of time, Condor’s trick new ship has started the long journey to the UK. On Thursday morning it left the manufacturer’s base in Cebu, Philippines, as eastern parts of the country braced ahead of Typhoon Hagupit. The as-yet-to-be-finally-named ‘102’ is currently crossing the Indian Ocean heading for the Suez Canal and Mediterranean. Actually the journey started before that, from Henderson near Perth in Western Australia where it was built by Austal. This final leg, crewed by Condor staff, will take four weeks and cover 10,500 nautical miles. After the ship’s finishing touches are applied by Trimline in Southampton, and more sea trials, 102 will sail between Poole and the Channel Islands from March. It has already broken booking records: more than 100 bookings per hour were taken on Friday 28 November according to the company. Photo courtesy of Austal.com.2014-12-06T18:07:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/04/thursday-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/spectre2.jpgspectre2James Bonds new car: Aston Martin DB10. Not expected to reach showrooms until 2016 but will be in cinemas this time next year. 2014-12-06T15:32:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/12/05/scotland-lowers-drink-drive-limit/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/scotlanddrink.jpgscotlanddrinkScotland lowered its drink drive limit at midnight, to 50mg in every 100ml of blood from 80mg. For the average man that's less than a pint of regular beer or a large glass of wine; for women around half of that.2014-12-06T11:50:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/17/hot-dates-this-winter/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/norway-traffic.jpgnorway trafficHot Dates this Winter: when you don't want to drive. More later. 2014-12-05T09:27:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/08/driving-across-the-gibraltar-border/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/8.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/7.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/6.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/5.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/4.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/3.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2.jpg2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1.jpg1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/gib-border-small-cover.jpggib border small coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/gib-border-small.jpggib border smallThe Spain-Gibraltar frontier, October 2014. Photo @DriveEurope. More later.2014-11-30T18:40:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/30/sunday-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dartford.jpgdartfordThe new Dartford Crossing remote payment scheme went live at 06:00 this morning. Drivers must either set up an account, or remember to pay the charge - over the phone, or by internet - by midnight of the following day. Not easy, or cheap, for those off in a Continental holiday rush.. Phone 0300 300 0120 or see www.gov.uk/dart-charge2014-11-30T18:37:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/29/catching-pos-bargain-overnighter/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/71.jpg7Heading inland, cross-country from Zeebrugge into Holland on the N253 via Sluis and Oostborg. It's around thirty miles to the N62 Westerschelde Tunnel onto the Zeeland Peninsula - toll €5 - and another twenty five miles to the N57 causeway road which island hops up the southern Dutch coast along the massive Delta Works flood defences.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/62.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/53.jpg5The purpose built Chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/42.jpg4A peculiarity of Port of Hull is the tidal barrier which closes at high tides and can lead to delays. That - plus a medical emergency - meant we were nearly an hour late leaving but it made no difference to our arrival time the next morning. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/3a1.jpg3aIt was a generous and well-cooked slab of 'line caught' Tuna served in the Pride of Bruges' The Brasserie restaurant.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/25.jpg2Hull: P&O's Rotterdam boat leaves from a separate berth.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/bargain-overnighter.jpgbargain overnighterP&O's Pride of Bruges, docked in Hull. All photos by @DriveEurope, more below + map.2014-11-30T09:54:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/28/porsche-drive/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/911l.jpg911lhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/911.jpg911If you took advantage of Porsche's new offer - to hire a 911 from the factory in Stuttgart for an hour at a cost of €99 - where would you go? More later.2014-11-28T19:31:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/27/three-days-uk-istanbul/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/terrier-on-tour.jpgterrier on tourTerrier on Tour: one campervan - a Ford Terrier - and two men took just three days to drive from the UK to the Ford factory in Istanbul. A staggering achievement. More later. Photo @WellhouseCamper.2014-11-27T18:08:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/26/col-de-larche/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/frejus-express-larche-fix.jpgfrejus express larche fixCol de Larche (or Maddalena Pass) between France and Italy - D205T-SP251/SP105 - Barcelonette and Cuneo. Previously Col de L'Argentiere linking Lyon and Italy during the reign of the House of Savoy. Tops out at 1996m, and still open. Photo from @FrejusExpress, same day delivery across Europe.2014-11-26T19:10:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/24/monday-11/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_1516.jpgIMG_1516https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kid-speed.jpgkid speedPolice in the South of France were surprised to find a teenage boy behind the wheel of this Nissan GTR after it sped past them at 212kmh (130mph) yesterday. The seventeen year old was flashed by mobile radar on the N88 at Yssingeaux south west of St Etienne. Drivers caught at more than 40kmh over the speed limit normally face having their licences taken away on the spot, though not in this case as the young lad hasn’t yet passed his test.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kid-speed-cover.jpgkid speed coverPolice in the South of France were surprised to find a teenage boy behind the wheel of this Nissan GTR after it sped past them at 212kmh (130mph) yesterday. The seventeen year old was flashed by mobile radar on the N88 at Yssingeaux south west of St Etienne. Drivers caught at more than 40kmh over the speed limit normally face having their licences taken away on the spot, though not in this case as the young lad hasn't yet passed his test.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_1564.jpgIMG_15642014-11-26T09:38:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/25/tuesday-6/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_15671.pngIMG_1567There was almost a week’s worth of major crashes in France yesterday. So far there’s no rhyme or reason (or indication of how many casualties were involved). It started in the morning with an accident on the outbound A13 in Paris followed later by jams both ways into Strasbourg on the A4/A35. The A1 northbound into Lille and A29 westbound from Amiens both also saw multihour delays in the afternoon followed by more accidents on the A7 into Lyon, the A62 towards Toulouse and the A86 ring in north Paris. Finally, the A10 at Orleans was completely blocked by an overturned truck in the evening, followed by a truck fire at almost the same location overnight with delays lasting until this morning. Photo via @VinciAutoroutes, A10 Orleans.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_1567.pngIMG_15672014-11-25T18:10:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/23/killer-trees-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tlll-lux1.jpgtlll luxBettendorf, northern Luxembourg. All photos by @DriveEurope. More below.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/61.jpg6Route Nationale 5, (Geneva)-Dijon, near Dole.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/52.jpg5Route Nationale 5, (Geneva)-Dijon, near Dole.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/41.jpg4Endless miles of tree-lined roads in Luxembourg, but not for much longer.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/31.jpg3The A10 ring road Berlin. Re-surfaced original Hitlerbahn, note no hard shoulder, but the planting is original, even including trees in the centre line.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/22.jpg2Northern Bulgaria, I-3, Pleven-Ruse. The trunk bases are painted with reflective white rings. Surprisingly effective at night but the trees themselves are an obvious hazard in the event of an accident.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/13.jpg1Route Nationale 7 (RN7), Lyon-Paris, near Nevers.2015-05-24T11:46:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/22/killer-trees/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2-1.jpg2 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/21.jpg2Fuel economy has dipped to 35.4mpg and won't budge.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/all-season-update.jpgall season updateRecent mpg has dipped to 35.4mpg and won't budge.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tlll-lux.jpgtlll luxKiller trees: the end of tree-lined avenues, in Luxembourg at least. More later.2014-11-23T16:02:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/21/europol-in-action-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fin-roads.jpgfin roadsFinland: photo via Liikennevirasto, see below.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/bmw-street.jpgbmw streetLight + Charge: BMW's electric i3 can now be charged from street lights. Not any old street lights obviously, only specially designed BMW 'modular LED' street lights. Now installed at BMW Welt in Munich but no doubt coming 2014-11-23T12:04:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/20/europol-in-action/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/europol-21.jpgeuropol 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_1536.jpgIMG_1536https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/europol-2.jpgeuropol 22014-11-20T18:08:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/18/porscheplatz/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/road-safety-france.jpgroad safety franceThe latest road safety campaign in France. Via @Gendarmeriehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/porcheplatz.jpgporcheplatzPorsche submits a planning application today about erecting this Goodwood-style sculpture between its museum and factory on Porscheplatz in Zuffenhausen north east Stuttgart. Twenty four meters high, and ten wide, each of the three steel spikes has a different 911 model at the top to represent fifty years of the car’s manufacture at the site. Presuming permission is granted, the sculpture will be built next summer and unveiled in the autumn.2014-11-20T12:37:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/19/touring-club-italia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/worlds-first.jpgworlds firstFrom Touring Club Italia. More later. 2014-11-19T18:08:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/13/condor-102/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/condor-102-high-speed-ferry-3-picture-credit-courtesy-of-austal-cc.jpgCondor 102 high speed ferry 3 (picture credit - courtesy of Austal) ccCondor 102: photo courtesy of manufacturer Austal.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_1508.jpgIMG_1508Condor Ferries £50m new ship arrives next year with the first trips available to book already. More later.2014-11-18T15:38:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/16/all-season-tyre-test/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1531ab.jpg1531abhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1531a.jpg1531aFreshly fitted M+S - mud and snow - marked All-Season tyres.2014-11-18T09:30:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/14/great-flood-malaga/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/rom-viaduct.jpgrom viaducthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/malaga.jpgmalaga14 November 1989: twenty five years ago today, the great flood of Malaga. #inundaciones25anos. More later.2014-11-17T09:33:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/15/airport-view/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/13x.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFinally, for all the excitement of roadside airports, there are fewer sights sadder than EAS Service’s plane graveyard from the D117 at Perpigan-Rivesaltes in south west France.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/11x.jpg11xThe (only) road into town from the frontier – you really cannot miss it - actually crosses the runway. One of the very few occasions when it might be even more interesting to walk.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/10x.jpg10xGibraltar’s airport knocks all the others into a cocked hat. This is the first time I’ve ever waited at a level crossing for a plane to land. Sadly in this case it was a false alarm.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/9x.jpg9xEven if it is a boring Ryanair 737.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/8x.jpg8xMeanwhile, the morning commute on the A1 Autoestrada do Norte must be considerably enhanced by the sight of planes landing or taking off at Aeroporto de Lisboa in northern Lisbon.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/7y.jpg7yThere are other auto-aeroplane sights to see on the A4 too like this Tesla Model S taxi, one of 167 recently delivered to the airport’s fleet (which did the company’s controversial quarterly sales figures no harm at all).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/7x.jpg7xOr, even better, two majestic airliners taking to the sky right in front of you.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/6x.jpg6xIf you’re lucky however you’ll see a majestic airliner take to the skies right in front of you.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/5x.jpg5xPersonally have never been so close to a 747, so close you have to wonder if it’s safe. Not just because it’s distracting, barrelling along at 130kmh in the rain, but because a terrorist faking a breakdown could nip over the fence, plant a bomb, and be back in no time.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/4x.jpg4xThe view of Schiphol Airport from the A4 – south east of Amsterdam - is so good we did it twice. Once on the way down to Stena Line’s ferry terminal in Den Haag in September 2012…2014-11-15T16:36:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/11/france-special/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/adt-b.jpgadt bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tgv-small.jpgVeigné prises de vues aériennesA10 Paris-Bordeaux: currently disrupted by works on the parallel LISEA high speed rail line but set to finish next year.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/drievlemag.jpgdrievlemagThe French take on the upcoming ban on smoking in cars with children present. It is not law as yet but was proposed as part of a range of anti-smoking measures announced in September. A similar law was announced in the UK at the weekend, expected to come into force in October 2015. The only country in which it is currently illegal to smoke in a car with under-16s is Cyprus. Cartoon via @DriveLeMaghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/img_1502.jpgIMG_1502France Special: a huge party is planned for the Champs Elysee the New Year's Eve, car-free.2014-11-13T06:23:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/12/tank-jam/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/stuttgart-flughafen11.jpgstuttgart flughafen1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/stuttgart-flughafen1.jpgstuttgart flughafen1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/busy-bee-big.jpgbusy bee bighttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/112b.jpg112bTank Jam: the 3rd (UK) Division - aka The Iron Division - on exercises in Zagan, south west Poland, not far from Stalag Luft III, of The Wooden Horse and The Great Escape fame.2014-11-13T06:22:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/09/driving-the-ronda-road/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/na.jpgnahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/s.jpgshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/r.jpgrhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/n.jpgnhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/m.jpgmhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/l.jpglhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/k.jpgkhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/i.jpgihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/g.jpgghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fa.jpgfa2014-11-11T12:09:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/10/no-short-term-scottish-solution-to-scandinavia-ferry-crisis/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/volvo-koeniggsegg-small-light.jpgvolvo koeniggsegg small lighthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/volvo-koeniggsegg-small.jpgvolvo koeniggsegg smallVolvo Trucks races its 540bhp FH against the 1360bhp Koenigsegg One:1 megacar around the Ring Knutstorp in southern Sweden. The idea is to demonstrate the improved ‘performance, hill-climb performance, acceleration, but also driveability and comfort’ of its new dual-clutch transmission, the world’s first truck to be so equipped. Predictably the One:1 wins around the hilly 2km circuit though only just: it has to complete two laps against the FH’s one. As presenter Tiff Needell says, ‘At least we’ve proved that the Volvo truck is half as fast as the Koenigsegg One:1.’https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/macdonald.jpgmacdonaldFalkirk East MSP Angus MacDonald pointing to Grangemouth in his constituency, one of several Scottish ports mentioned in connection with the proposed UK-Norway ferry service. Others include Aberdeen and Rosyth. Photo via @Angus4FalkirkE.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/austria-road-markings.jpgaustria road markingsAustria: the Dutch are not the only ones experimenting with temperature sensitive road markings. More later. 2014-11-11T12:07:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/16/the-new-transport-commissioner/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/image.jpgimageDelivered new in April 1903 to Ricardo Soriano (y Scholtz von Hermensdorff), the Marques of Ivanrey – the man who discovered Marbella and gave his name to the main road running through town – this Panhard et Levassor Model KB Four-Cylinder Side-Entrance Phaeton – the 18th car ever registered in Madrid hence the numberplate – is the star of Bonham’s ‘London to Brighton’ on 31 October. Soriano was a classic playboy aristocrat with interests in cars, bikes and planes. He also introduced Charlie Chaplin to bullfighting. When he died in 1973 aged 90 he was almost penniless but still owned this car.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/b0daktgccae53-v.jpgB0DaKTGCcAE53-VJe n'ai vecu que 23 ans - I have lived for 23 years. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_0954.jpgIMG_0954https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_0790.jpgIMG_0790Everybody loved Maros Sefcovic, Brussels Commissioner designate for Transport. But he's been replaced already, by a fire-walking shaman worshipper who's been in politics for less than a month. More later.2014-11-08T14:38:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/07/friday-11/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/portugal-foreign-tolls-cover.jpgportugal foreign tolls coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/portugal-foreign-tolls.jpgportugal foreign tollsAbout to cross the Spain-Portugal border A-49/A22 at Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/paraboliqueukc.jpgparaboliqueUKchttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/paraboliqueuk.jpgparaboliqueUKSeasoned, keen continental (Porsche 911) driver Jackal has posted what he's calling the 'Montrachet Tour' for next June. It's a clockwise circuit through France, east and south, ending with this very interesting passage through the Pyrenees. Prime driving country, favourite of the Tour de France. Much like the Alps, but much quieter. See the rest at @ParaboliqueUK2014-11-08T12:49:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/06/the-hanging-bridge-of-cadiz/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/b1rfggzicaax6ws.jpgB1rFGGzIcAAx6WsTwenty five years ago today: gaps start to open in the previous almost impregnable Iron Curtain - from Stettin (Sczcecin) in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic - and immediately queues of Trabbies begin to form, many of them summarily abandoned on the other side. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hanging-bridge-of-cadiz-normal-cover.jpghanging bridge of cadiz normal coverPuente de la https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hanging-bridge-of-cadiz-cver.jpghanging bridge of cadiz cverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hanging-bridge-of-cadiz.jpghanging bridge of cadizThe amazing Hanging Bridge of Cadiz. More later.2014-11-08T08:23:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/06/winter-tyre-rules-in-europe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/c14_1a.jpgc14_1ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/b44a.jpgb44ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/b26a.jpgb26ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/c14_1.jpgc14_1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/b44.jpgb44https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/b26.jpgb26https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/winter_tyres_bild2-crop-big.jpgWinter_Tyres_Bild2 crop bighttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/winter_tyres_bild1-crop-big.jpgWinter_tyres_Bild1 crop bigAustria: a winter tyre is one that https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/winter_tyres-small.jpgwinter_tyres smallhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/italy-winter-tyre-snow-chains-sign.jpgitaly winter tyre snow chains signItaly: 2014-11-07T16:48:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/05/snow-ferrari/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/german-mway2.jpggerman mway2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/german-mway.jpggerman mwayhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sean-cockram.jpgsean cockramRandom: priceless Ferraris in the snow, probably Col de Turini, south east France.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/b1niaeximaesv9a.jpgB1nIAEXIMAESv9ARandom: Ferraris in the snow, probably Col de Turini, south east France.2014-11-07T06:14:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/04/two-years-til-cross-border-prosecution-healy-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cross-border-pro.jpgcross border pro2014-11-05T06:18:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/03/most-mountain-passes-still-open-operation-trivium-results/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ofenpass-open.jpgofenpass openH28 Ofenpass near the Italian border in east Switzerland: Open (Offen, Ouvert, Aperto) as opposed to Closed (Geschlosssen, Ferme, Chiuso). Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/trivium.jpgtriviumFourteen European police forces along with 43 UK counterparts seized 555 vehicles and arrested 1,073 suspected criminals – including 20 on outstanding EAW European Arrest Warrants – during last month’s Operation Trivium, a week long campaign targeting foreign criminals on British roads. See the hour long programme, including footage shot live, at tispol.org/trivium/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/b1vvbhniyaatx5k.pngB1VvbHnIYAATx5KFourteen European police forces along with 43 UK counterparts seized 555 vehicles and arrested 1,073 suspected criminals – including 20 on outstanding EAW European Arrest Warrants – during last month’s Operation Trivium, a week long campaign targeting foreign criminals on British roads. See the hour long programme, including footage shot live, at tispol.org/trivium/2014-11-04T13:52:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/04/new-mazda-mx-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/calais-police-dmeo.jpgcalais police dmeoFrench police gather in Calais to protest over migrant situation this morning.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/stream_img.jpgstream_imgAn edition of ITV's Tonight programme called Back Door Britain - screened 24.9 at 19:30 - filmed clandestines attempting to sneak aboard campervans parked near Calais.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bbc-calais.jpgBBC CALAISScreen grab from BBC Breakfast.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/10378158_790390187650141_6861633330681268669_n.jpg10378158_790390187650141_6861633330681268669_nhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truckers-dover.jpgtruckers doverWith some truckers reportedly taking out personal loans to pay fines for – inadvertently – carrying would-be illegal immigrants into the UK, a Facebook group called Support the Calais to Dover Truckers is organising blockade of Port of Dover on Saturday 27 September. Kent police told the BBC ‘wilful obstruction of the highway’ was illegal, the port said it was monitoring the situation while the Freight Transport Association refused to back the protest but expressed sympathy with drivers facing huge fines.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/calais-8.jpgcalais 8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bwxbeqeicaaci2g.jpgBwxbeqeIcAACI2gAround 200 migrants marched through Calais today to protest about alleged heavy handed treatment at the hands of local police. Photo @Inglesihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/migrants.jpgmigrantsWhile the problem in Calais seems intractable as ever, at the other end of the Continent there are some signs the authorities are at least trying to get a grip. A new division of the EU Frontex border service – Frontex Plus – starts operating in November to relieve the Italian Navy of responsibility for picking up North African migrants in the Mediterranean. The deal is, the southern European countries currently bearing the brunt will get help and money as long as all refugees are registered and prevented from travelling to other EU member states. Meanwhile, ‘dozens’ of Italian taxi drivers were arrested in Germany on Tuesday, charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigration, for transporting Syrian refugees to Munich.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/miata-hi-res-23.jpgmiata hi res 23New Mazda MX-5. Incredibly, it's smaller and lighter than the car it replaces.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/hotel-milan.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOld Mazda MX-5: the compact dimensions and even lighter weight might do wonders for fuel economy, emissions and handling but they'll do nothing to address the MX-5's only serious flaw as a touring car: 2015-07-11T16:00:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/11/02/iberia-circumnavigation/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cover.jpgcoverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/25a.jpg25aBordeaux.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/23.jpg23Viverio.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/14.jpg14A-397 Ronda Road. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/12.jpg12To Gibraltar.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/11.jpg11Granada.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/24.jpg24Iberia Circumnavigation: northwest Spain. More later.2014-11-03T06:08:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/19/over-the-top-riedbergstrasse/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/violeta.jpgvioletaVileta Bulc: EU Transport Commissioner-designate. Will she survive Monday's grilling from MEPs?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ott-cover.jpgott coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/3946.jpg3946Germany: Riedbergstrasse. Back when we thought a 14% gradient was no big deal.2014-10-19T17:32:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/13/knokke-zoute/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/bzrhgy5ceaeeqo2.jpgBzrhGy5CEAEeQo2Sports car legend Derek Bell drives Bentley's 1930 Le Mans winning 'Old Number One' at Belgium's premier classic car event the Zoute Grand Prix at Knokke-Zoute near Zeebrugge on Saturday. See zoutegrandprix.behttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/louvre-lens.jpglouvre lensPhoto @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/derek-bell-knokke.jpgderek bell knokkeDerek Bell driving the 1930 Le Mans wining Bentley 'Old Number One' at this weekend's Zoute Grand Prix classic car event at Knokke-Zoute near Zeebrugge on the Belgian coast. See zoutegrandprix.be2014-10-19T16:05:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/18/trip-planning-groningen-to-gibraltar/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/dyke-mway-1.jpgdyke mway 1The A7 Afsluitdijk causeway motorway in the northern Netherlands. Firm favourite. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cottage-holland.jpgcottage hollandOn the road again: Groningen in the northern Netherlands to Gibraltar on the southern tip of Spain. More later.2014-10-19T13:59:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/07/trojsky-most/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/izmit-mapbig.jpgizmit mapbighttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/izmit-bay-bridge.jpgizmit bay bridgeIzmit Bay Bridge: the world's longest suspension bridge? More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/10631096_10152269236565913_4952424974997381356_o5.jpg10631096_10152269236565913_4952424974997381356_o[5]Prague: after a long and difficult gestation, the Blanka Tunnel Complex took a significant step forward yesterday when the Trojsky Most (Trojan Bridge) opened to the public. More later.2014-10-19T13:17:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/08/silent-walls/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/moldova-wine.jpgmoldova wineIt’s National Wine Day in Moldova to celebrate the new wine finishing fermentation. ‘Wine City’ 15km north of Chisinau featured on last year’s Porsche Performance Drive when the fleet of Cayennes took to the 120km of underground roadways (as did Vladimir Putin for his 50th birthday). Wine is one of Moldova’s most important industries where they’ve been making it for 1,500 years.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hydrogen.jpghydrogenEU countries will adopt a universal charging system for electric cars though targets for the number of charging points to be installed have been dropped according to reports. A new ‘alternative fuels directive’ comes into force at the end of the month. Meanwhile, a number of big name companies including Daimler and industrial machinery maker Linde have come together to build a network of hydrogen filling stations in Germany. They aim for a total of fifteen, mainly around the major cities, by the end of 2015.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/collavini-big.jpg24 001Infrastructure Art: motorway 'noise-reduction walls' protect and isolate Switzerland says Gregory Collavini in Silent Walls. gregorycollavini.com2014-10-19T13:14:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/14/nec-caravan-show/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/brittany.jpgbrittanyCancelled: Brittany Ferries' innovative gas-powered ship 'Pegasis'.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/honda.jpghondaThe Honda Racing BTCC team carvan is the star attraction at this week's NEC Caravan Show in Birmingham from today until Sunday.2014-10-19T11:36:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/17/norilsk-convoy/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/elena-chernyshova.jpgelena chernyshovaBuses in convoy in Norilsk by Russian/French photographer Elena Chernyshova. More later.2014-10-19T10:31:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/10/self-driving-racing-car/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/sotrstrom-bridge2.jpgsotrstrom bridge2Denmark: construction starts next year on the new 4km Storstrom Bridge between Zealand and Falster islands in Denmark, on the direct route between Copenhagen and Hamburg. It will replace the existing bridge, just to the west, and opens in 2021. Meanwhile, building also starts next year on the Fehmarn Tunnel to finally connect Falster with the German mainland. It will be the world’s longest combined rail and road tunnel at 17.6km and is also expected to open in 2021.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/audi-rs-7-driverless-car.jpgAudi-RS-7-Driverless-CarAudi will demonstrate a self-driving racing car, at speeds of up to 150mph, at Hockenheim circuit on 19 October.2014-10-18T19:22:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/12/the-fundamentals-of-off-road-driving/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/153.jpg15https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/114.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/92.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/63.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5a.jpg5ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/53.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/3a.jpg3ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/35.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2a1.jpg2ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/210.jpg22014-10-18T18:48:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/01/dover-revamp/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/dover.jpgdoverDover port + town green-lights £120m redevelopment plan. More later.2014-10-18T15:57:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/09/ottos-journey/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/porsche-cgi.jpgporsche cgi‘Manufacturer commercial CGI reaching new levels of idiocy. I suppose the red car's reversing in this impossible image?’ complains EVO magazine photographer @evoDeanSmith.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/otto-inside.jpgotto insideGerman adventurer Ottos Reise returns to Berlin after a 26 year, 900,000km journey through all 215 countries in the world, in the same Mercedes-Benz 300 GD. See ottosreise.dehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/otto-cover.jpgotto cover2014-10-18T15:54:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/04/peljesac-back-on-the-agenda/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/986023.jpg986023A design study for the Peljesac Bridge by Ponting.si, Slovenia2014-10-17T11:25:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/15/winter-tyre-day/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/caravisio_01-cc.jpgCaravisio_01 cc£500,000 for a caravan, are you mad? German manufacturer Knauss Tabbert thinks the cost of its Caravisio ‘caravan of the future’ concept – unveiled at this week’s Motorhome and Caravan Show in Birmingham - is entirely reasonable considering it features finger-print activated biometric security technology, an integral outdoor terrace, wine cellar and king-size double bed within its aerodynamically optimised 9x2.5m fibreglass shell. The reactive glass sliding rear doors double as a cinema screen. Something similar could be on sale in two years says the company but if you offered them half a mil now you could drive it away today (or after the show ends on Sunday).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/untitledcc-big.jpguntitledcc big£500,000 for a caravan, are you mad? German manufacturer Knauss Tabbert thinks the cost of its Caravisio ‘caravan of the future’ concept – unveiled at this week’s Motorhome and Caravan Show in Birmingham - is entirely reasonable considering it features finger-print activated biometric security technology, an integral outdoor terrace, wine cellar and king-size double bed within its aerodynamically optimised 9x2.5m fibreglass shell. The reactive glass sliding rear doors double as a cinema screen. Something similar could be on sale in two years says the company but if you offered them half a mil now you could drive it away today (or after the show ends on Sunday).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/10-cover.jpg10 coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/103.jpg10Switzerland's Albula Pass is the first mountain road to close for the winter.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/wintres.jpgwintresWinter Tyres: more later.2014-10-16T10:47:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/30/norwegian-seaways-no-news-is-good-news/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/xe-sports-saloon.jpgxe sports saloonA first look at Jaguar's imminent XE compact sports saloon, to be launched at a high-profile, star studded in London on 8 September.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/panorama-bg018-1024.jpgPanorama-bg018-1024Bergen harbour: photo VisitBergen.com/Per Eike.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dfds-photo-comp.jpgdfds photo compA montage of all the photos submitted so far for the DFDS Summer Photo Competition. Win a free ferry crossing and a £250 Amazon voucher. Submit photos at #DFDS by 14 September.2018-08-08T13:02:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/30/road-of-the-ridges/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/mccartney-jaguar.jpgmccartney jaguarJaguar Land Rover doesn't have much luck with its fashion industry tie-ups. First Victoria Beckham's attempts to spruce up the Evoque met with universal derision. Then launch-model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was heard to call the new Land Rover Discovery Sport a Range Rover. Now Stella McCartney has sprinkled the pox on the new Jaguar XE.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1024px-rothenbachkopf_nord.jpg1024px-Rothenbachkopf_nordRoad of the Ridges, Vosges, France. More later.2014-10-14T09:29:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/11/hybrid-drive-trieste-to-split/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/331.jpg33https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/321.jpg32https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/312.jpg31https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/301.jpg30https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/291.jpg29https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/262.jpg26Random Croatia, more later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/252.jpg25https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/241.jpg24https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/232.jpg23https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/221.jpg222014-10-13T12:55:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/23/a-nice-drive-along-n5-geneva-dole-dijon/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dole.jpgdolehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/331.jpg33https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/321.jpg32https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/311.jpg31https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/30.jpg30https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/29.jpg29https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/28.jpg28https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/27.jpg27https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/26.jpg26https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/251.jpg252014-10-12T06:43:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/04/driving-rn67-chambery-lyon-paris/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/28.jpg28https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/27.jpg27https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/26.jpg26https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/25.jpg25https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/24.jpg24https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/23.jpg23https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/22.jpg22https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/21.jpg21https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/19.jpg19https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/18.jpg182014-10-12T06:38:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/20/driving-across-finland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/102.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2a.jpg2ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1g.jpg1ghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1e.jpg1ehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1d.jpg1dhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1ca.jpg1cahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/121.jpg12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/4.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/19.jpg19https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/18.jpg182014-10-12T06:35:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/05/driving-swedens-east-coast-haparanda-umea-stockholm/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/39.jpg39https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/36.jpg36https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/33.jpg33https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/32.jpg32https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/311.jpg31https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/30.jpg30https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/281.jpg28https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/27a.jpg27ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/261.jpg26https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/251.jpg252014-10-12T06:31:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/27/race-around-the-baltic-p1/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/lith-big-sky.jpglith big skyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/batic.jpgbatichttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/epically-big-sky-little.jpgepically big sky littleA brief stretch of dual carriageway heading into Panevezyshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/41.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/9.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/8.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/7.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/6a.jpg6ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/6.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/5a.jpg5a2014-10-12T06:30:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/06/spyder-week/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/campi_bisenzio_-_chiesa_dellautostrada_del_sole1.jpgCampi_Bisenzio_-_Chiesa_dell'Autostrada_del_SoleITALY. Saturday was the fiftieth anniversary of the A1 ‘Autostrada del Sole’, the road that, as of 4 August 1964 cut the travelling time from Milan to Naples from two days to eight hours. Built to mark the A1’s opening (on the Feast of St Francis, patron saint of Italy) was the Chiesa dell’Autostrada – Church of the Motorway – at the Firenze-Nord junction of the A1 and A11 north of Florence, halfway between Milan and Naples. It was designed by Giovanni Michelucci who was also responsible for Florence’s rigorously modernist main SMN railway station, 1934, fashioned from above in the shape of the fascio littorio, (bundle of bound twigs) the Facist symbol. The difference between the two buildings is vast save for their façades of rough-hewn blocks. The Church was considered revolutionary at the time, an ‘organic’ form twisted into various spaces in which different-sized groups of people could meet and is cited - recognisably so – as a major influence for modern starchitect Frank Gehry.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/7a.jpg7a2014-10-08T16:47:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/02/wild-october/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_33101.jpgIMG_3310https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3310a.jpgIMG_3310ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_3310.jpgIMG_33102014-10-07T08:40:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/29/uk-scandinavia-ferry-finishes/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/cover.jpgcoverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/felbertauern-scene.jpgfelbertauern scenePhoto via felbertauernstrasse.athttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/harwich-cover.jpgharwich coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/byop9xmigaaio7z.jpgByop9XMIgAAio7zAfter 140 years, the last ferry link between the UK and Scandinavia came to and end with the final DFDS Harwich-Esbjerg crossing. All hopes are now on the proposed Norwegian Seaways and Regina Line routes. More later.2014-10-06T08:34:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/10/03/friday-10/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/img_0801.jpgIMG_08012014-10-04T09:53:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/26/friday-9/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/dobrindt-bausch.jpgdobrindt bauschBausch (centre) and Dobrindt (centre left) at an earlier meeting, to open the new Mosel bridge between Grevenmacher and Wellen in June.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tuthill-porsche.jpgtuthill porscheSuper-fast French rally driver Francois Delecour will race Tuthill’s Porsche 911 GT3 RGT at the French round of the World Rally Championship in Alsace next month. With the car also allowed more power, the entry will be a big step up from last month’s Rally Germany where Tuthill secured the first WRC championship finish for a 911 in twenty years. This time the team is targeting a top 15 spot. Delecour tried to enter a 911 in the WRC in 2007 but, he says, was barred by competing manufacturers jealous of the attention the car was sure to get. Fellow French rally driver Romain Dumas will also rally a 911 in France, a higher powered 4.0GT3 RS…https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/byymncacyaep4zu.jpgByYMncACYAEp4zUSuper-fast French rally driver Francois Delecour will race Tuthill’s Porsche 911 GT3 RGT at the French round of the World Rally Championship in Alsace next month. With the car also allowed more power, the entry will be a big step up from last month’s Rally Germany where Tuthill secured the first WRC championship finish for a 911 in twenty years. This time the team is targeting a top 15 spot. Delecour tried to enter a 911 in the WRC in 2007 but, he says, was barred by competing manufacturers jealous of the attention the car was sure to get. Fellow French rally driver Romain Dumas will also rally a 911 in France, a higher powered 4.0GT3 RS…https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/dontesk.jpgdonteskQuality: the display Porsche cayenne survives the bombardment at Donetsk airport, Ukraine, in pretty good condition.2014-09-29T12:09:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/28/kuhtai-innsbruck-16-2017m/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/141.jpg14https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/131.jpg13https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/123.jpg12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/112.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/101.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/9a.jpg9ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/92.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/83.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/73.jpg7Super-fast French rally driver Francois Delecour will race Tuthill’s Porsche 911 GT3 RGT at the French round of the World Rally Championship in Alsace next month. With the car also allowed more power, the entry will be a big step up from last month’s Rally Germany where Tuthill secured the first WRC championship finish for a 911 in twenty years. This time the team is targeting a top 15 spot. Delecour tried to enter a 911 in the WRC in 2007 but, he says, was barred by competing manufacturers jealous of the attention the car was sure to get. Fellow French rally driver Romain Dumas will also rally a 911 in France, a higher powered 4.0GT3 RS…https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/62.jpg62014-09-29T07:46:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/27/the-battle-for-dover/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/dover-show.jpgdover showhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/gates.jpggatesThe demonstration in Dover passed off without incident today with the port open and running - more or less - throughout. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/doverr.jpgdoverrDover: how many protestors will turn up, will they manage to shut the port? We might have serious doubts about the wider motives of the people organising the Blockade of Dover today but there's no 2014-09-28T15:47:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/25/new-gotthard-tunnel-safer-skopje/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/roma.jpgROMAROME. The entire area inside the anello ferroviario, railway beltline, significantly bigger than the existing ZTL – Zona Traffico Limitato (Low Emission Zone) – will be made a congestion zone from 1 January 2017 under plans revealed today. Residents will have a limited number of free passes while ultra-low emission vehicles, and the disabled, will be exempt. It’s the latest step in Mayor Ignazio Marino’s efforts to reduce the number of cars in the city following the pedestrianisation of the area around the Colosseum last year and, this summer, around the Spanish Steps. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/gotthard-cover.jpggotthard coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/gotthard.jpggotthardPhoto @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/byskkp-cqaatm2s.jpgBySkKp-CQAATM2SSafer driving for Skopje. More later.2014-09-26T07:43:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/24/zeelandbrug/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/24s.jpg24shttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/24.jpg24Rallye Austria Legends: a two day event last week on the roads around Spital am Pyhrn and Trieben, just off the A9 in central Austria. See arboe-rallye.athttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/82.jpg8Rallye Austria Legends: a two day event last week on the roadsaround Spital am Pyhrn, just off the A9 in central Austria. See arboe-rallye.at https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bykxsrzccaaonuq.jpgByKXsRzCcAAOnuqZeelandbrug: south west Holland. More later.2018-02-03T07:44:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/23/rally-cyprus-chaos/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/viewmultimediadocument.jpgviewmultimediadocumentParis: new 'High Occupany Vehicle' (HOV) lanes.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rally-cyprus2.jpgrally cyprus2CYPRUS. Police say they were not consulted over the road closures for the special city centre stage in capital Nicosia on Friday afternoon. Part of the route ran through the United Nations-controlled buffer zone between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish areas of the historic city. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rally-cyprus.jpgrally cyprusCYPRUS. Police say they were not consulted over the road closures for the special city centre stage in capital Nicosia on Friday afternoon. Part of the route ran through the United Nations-controlled buffer zone between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish areas of the historic city. More later.2014-09-24T08:47:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/22/record-run/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ponte-stretto2.jpgponte stretto2Ponte Stretto: a bridge across the Strait of Messina, linking Sicily and the Italian mainland permanently for the first time, is back on the agenda after the original project was cancelled during the financial crisis. The boss of construction company Salini Impreglio tells ANSA he has discussed it with PM Matteo Renzi and even promised to forgo the cancellation fee due from the last time. Renzi is likely to be open to the idea as part of his ‘Sblocca Italia’ initiative to revive stalled infrastructure projects. Construction is likely to take six years. The route is currently served by high frequency ro-ro ferry between Messina and Villa San Giovanni. The crossing takes twenty minutes with return tickets including car costing €37-73.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/record-run.jpgrecord runRecord Run: the same team that equalled the world record fro the number of countries visited in 24 hours back in May - eighteen - beat it at their second attempt this weekend. More later.2014-09-23T08:12:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/17/rough-ride-in-brussels/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/maserati.jpgmaseratihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bologna-maserati.jpgbologna maseratihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bxvygbbceae4rdp.jpgBxvygbbCEAE4rdPThe Maserati Centennial celebration kick off today in Modena. See maserati100.com, #Maserati100 or find the new, free smartphone app with event listings.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bxubdj5igaaumnf.jpgBxuBDj5IgAAUMNfhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/miguel-arias-canete-es-un-veterano-piloto-de-rallies.jpgmiguel-arias-canete-es-un-veterano-piloto-de-ralliesMiguel Arias Canete.2014-09-23T06:43:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/21/driving-across-bosnia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_5498.jpgIMG_5498https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_5495.jpgIMG_5495https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_5457.jpgIMG_5457https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/191.jpg19https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/181.jpg18https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/171.jpg17https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/161.jpg16https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/151.jpg15https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/14.jpg14https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/13.jpg132014-09-22T05:39:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/19/friday-8/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/parkign-day.jpgparkign dayIt's Park(ing) Day today. Give a parking space a makeover then sit down for something to eat. Surely users will be delighted to have something so singular and dully practical transformed into something everybody can enjoy. Similarly, Help yourself to one of those cakes, It's an annual event in towns and cities across France. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/mfl.jpgmflhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/cover-evoque2.jpgcover evoque2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/cover-evoque.jpgcover evoquehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/heads-up.jpgheads upNot sure the tyre print half Union Jack on the roof spoiler, or white wheels, are in the bst possible taste but the head up display debuting on the new Range Rover Evoque SW1 special edition is definitely a step forward.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/flg-cver-evoque.jpgflg cver evoquehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_0645.jpgIMG_0645Holding historic picture: 'Moscow is Glittering', 967. Via @EnglishRussia12014-09-22T05:36:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/18/independence-roadtrip/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bond.jpgbondMeanwhile, it's fifty years to the day that Goldfinger went on general release in the UK.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/5c.jpg5cCorridor 5c to Medjugorje. Photo via JPAutoceste.bahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bxvpw_biiaedyxg.jpgBxvPw_BIIAEDYXGPepe from Catalonia who’s driven from Barcelona to George Square, Glasgow with two pals for Scotland’s #Indyref 2014-09-22T05:34:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/16/gothenburg-rejects-congestion-charge-plaza-margaret-thatcher/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/mobility-week.jpgmobility weekIt's EU Mobility Week don't you know... have you picked the right mode of transport today asks the @EU_Commission.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/10570480_1473488356242648_5931403309765482197_n.jpg10570480_1473488356242648_5931403309765482197_nDrivers crossing from one side of Geneva’s lake to the other have little choice but to take their chances on the busy Mont Blanc Bridge in the far western corner. Whether or not to build a tunnel short cut has been discussed since the 1960s; finally, on 28 September, citizens will have the chance to vote on the issue. Opponents say it’s too expensive, environmentally unfriendly and might even cause congestion as it pulls traffic through the city. Even supporters fear it might jeopardise another, longer tunnel project further up the lake which qualifies for federal funding. A vote in 1988 saw two thirds vote for a new lake crossing though a similar number rejected the plan in 1996.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/placa-m-t3.jpgplaca m t3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/goth-con.jpggoth conhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/placa-m-t.jpgplaca m t2014-09-17T14:40:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/15/new-austria-vignette/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/maserati-moscow.jpgmaserati moscowhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/geisterfahrer.jpggeisterfahrerMercedes' new wrong way driving system https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/vignettenmuster-2015.jpgVignettenmuster 2015Azure: new Austrian vignette. Prices rise slightly. More later.2014-09-17T14:32:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/10/catching-up-with-iceland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/selfies-top.jpgselfies-topAntwerp: in an effort to personalise speeding, locals are being asked to upload two photos of themselves – one smiling, the other not - to be used on LED traffic signs. The idea is that when a driver passes by under the speed limit the smiling face is shown, and when a speeding driver is detected the angry or disapproving face is flashed up. See graagtraag.behttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/selfies-top-cover.jpgselfies-top coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/msat_visitsk05.jpgmsat_visitsk05New European Commission Transport Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, right. Photo Europa.euhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/iceland-felicity.jpgiceland felicityCatching up with Iceland. Photo @Felicity_Aston2014-09-17T06:47:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/02/slr-club/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/uk-border.jpguk borderFile picture, Harwich @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/gfgfgf.jpggfgfgfSome say it is the best touring club in the world. Members of the Mercedes-Benz SLR. CLUB certainly get around. Founded in 2006 for owners of all Mercedes SLR McLarens – coupe, roadster, 722, 722 S and Stirling Moss (above) – events so far include numerous tours of the Alps, plus Norway. This summer saw them hit the Adriatic coast, island hopping in southern Croatia between Hvar and Korcula, then the coast road down to Dubrovnik. See facebook.com/SLRMercedesBenzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/slr-club.jpgslr clubSLR Club2014-09-16T14:32:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/11/paris-roadscapes/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/merc-truck-2.jpgmerc truck (2)Photo @MercedesBenzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/barcelona.jpgBARCELONAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/roadscapes.jpgroadscapesRoadscapes exhibition, Paris. More later.2014-09-14T15:15:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/12/significant-fall-in-fatal-french-road-accidents-paris-roadscapes/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/summer-road-deaths-france.jpgsummer road deaths france2014-09-14T13:45:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/09/sylt/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/german-disease.jpggerman diseaseThe German disease: decaying bridges and contraflow.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/3858.jpg3858https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/merc-sylt2.jpgmerc sylt2Popularised by playboy Opel heir – and former husband of Brigitte Bardot – Gunter Sachs in the 1960s, the hammerhead island of Sylt, one kilometre south of Danish border on the North Sea coast, remains one of Germany’s most glamorous resorts. Hence presumably why Mercedes think it the ideal place to showcase its new S-Class coupe. Only accessible by car-train - €90 return for the 35 minute journey - there are currently three Michelin starred restaurants to serve the permanent population of 21,000. In the west there is 40km of continuous beach, in the east meadows and heathlands. 606 miles from Calais. See sylt.de. Photo @MercedesBenz.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/merc-sylt.jpgmerc syltSylt. More later.2014-09-10T11:36:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/06/transit-passes-aprica-tonale-mendola-costalunga/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/costalunga-crop.jpgCOSTALUNGA CROPhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/costalunga.jpgcostalunga2014-09-10T05:13:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/08/mille-miglia-the-movie/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/slow-uprising-01.jpgslow-uprising-01Solar Park South: an international design competition to reimagine the A3 motorway bridge in southern Italy.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rosso.jpgrossoMille Miglia the Movie. More later.2014-09-09T16:37:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/07/the-starter-alps-southern-germany/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_4118.jpgIMG_4118The Starter Alps: southern Germany. Coming soon.2014-09-07T17:06:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/03/gotthard-truck/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/bwitt97iyaaobal.jpgBwiTt97IYAAObalTruck descends north section of the Gotthard Pass, Switzerland. Photo via @VolvoTrucksUK, @BrainWeatherle32014-09-07T11:37:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/05/friday-7/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/czech-german.jpgczech germanRelations between the Czech Republic and Germany might not always be tip top but the country has yet to join those complaining about the 'foreigner toll'.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/img_0492.jpgIMG_0492Good to know: the new Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo will be produced in right hand drive.2014-09-07T11:24:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/22/dariali-gorge-landslide/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/baltic-way.jpgbaltic wayTwo million people joined hands in a chain stretching 600km through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on 23 August 1989, known as ‘The Baltic Way’, also the 50th anniversary of the Nazi-Soviet Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact which secretly divided Europe and hived off the three Baltic States under Stalin. The 1989 demo marked the Baltic States’ determination to achieve independence during the breakup of the Soviet Union. The chain followed the route of the now Via Baltica, north from Kaunas to Riga, but then branched off east then north to Estonian capital Tallinn. A number of events will be held this weekend to commemorate the 25th anniversary, see @BalticWay.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dariali-cover.jpgdariali coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/etretat.jpgetretatBrittany Ferries economie ship Etretat, now the budget travellers only option between the UK and Spain.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dariali.jpgdarialiA landslide has cut off the Georgian Military Road in the Dariali Gorge for the second time in three months. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dariali-august21-4.jpgDariali-August21-4A landslide has cut off the Georgian Military Road in the Dariali Gorge for the second time in three months. More later.2014-09-06T17:02:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/26/pontmathilde/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/eu_supercharger_2014_82514.jpgeu_supercharger_2014_82514As Toddinton Harper - @Toddington_H - claims to be the first Englishman to drive to the South of France in a Model S using Tesla’s emerging Supercharger network this weekend, the company tweets a picture of what the Continental network will look like by the winter. Founder Elon Musk responded personally to criticism that Portugal and Spain were sparsely covered – ‘Expansion to Madrid already underway. Map is being updated. All of Spain & Portugal by end of 2015’ – and that the company seems to be unaware ‘the Iron Curtain crumbled 20 years ago’ – ‘I agree,’ he said. ‘We are fixing this plan. Updated map coming soon.’ There is currently just one Supercharger open in Eastern Europe, in Ljubljana, Slovenia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pont-mathilde.jpgpont mathildeThe key Pont Mathilde, on the A(N)28 in central Rouen, closed and rebuilt after a huge tanker fire in October 2012, finally reopens to general traffic at 17:00 local time today. To the south east of the city centre, across the Seine, the bridge’s closure has been massively inconvenient at times for traffic heading south through the west of France, to Le Mans in particular. It was previously used by up to 80,000 vehicles each day. Meanwhile, maintenance on the busy A29 Pont de Normandie between Le Havre and Honfleur means just one lane open in each direction until 15 October, Monday-Thursday 08:00-18:00. Drivers are advised to leave extra time.2014-09-06T16:56:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/14/tesla-superchargers/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/trop-vite.jpgtrop viteHard hitting: current road safety ad in France.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/tesla-s-charger.jpgtesla s charger2014-09-06T15:52:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/11/gibraltar/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/gib-delays.jpggib delaysScreen grab from @GibraltarBorder which keeps drivers up to date with incoming and outgoing queues at the Spanish frontierhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/gib-queue-big.jpggib queue bighttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rrs-svo.jpgrrs svoAn SUV that's as useful on road as it is off? Yes we could do with that. The first official photos of the Range Rover Sport SVR are released today: 542bhp, £93,450, 8m14 around the Nurburgring.2014-09-06T14:25:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/09/01/verstappen-rotterdam/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/max-erasmus.jpgmax erasmusThose who remember Antonio Pizzonia barrel rolling a jaguar 2014-09-06T10:54:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/31/driving-the-dolomites-giau/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/253.jpg25https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/244.jpg24https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/224.jpg22https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/216.jpg21https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/203.jpg20https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/184.jpg18https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/174.jpg17https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/16b.jpg16bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/164.jpg16https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/154.jpg152014-09-03T08:48:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/30/driving-the-dolomites-fedaia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/1c1.jpg1chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/6-cover-2.jpg6 cover 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/6-cover.jpg6 coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/243.jpg24https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/233.jpg23https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/223.jpg22https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/215.jpg21https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/202.jpg20https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/193.jpg19https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/183.jpg182014-09-02T08:48:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/28/trabi-safari/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/maut1.jpgmautGermany: currently only trucks pay to use Germany roads, and then only motorways. The new 'foreigner toll (maut)' for cars applies to all German roads.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/trabi-safari.jpgtrabi safariTrabi Safari in Berlin. More later. Photo Trabi-Safari.de2014-08-30T16:39:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/20/road-works-a16-between-calais-and-dunkirk/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/44.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a16-road-works-crop-cover21.jpga16 road works crop cover2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a16-road-works-crop-cover2.jpga16 road works crop cover2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a16-road-works-crop-cover1.jpga16 road works crop coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a16_en.jpgA16_ENhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a16-road-works-crop.jpga16 road works cropDrivers taking the A26 direction Paris at junction 47 on the A16 near Calais could be affected by the road works too.2014-08-30T07:42:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/29/hamburg-berlin-klassik/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/schwerin-cover.jpgschwerin coverSchwerin: a stop on the Hamburg-Berlin Klassik, on the scenic roads of northern Germany. More later.2014-08-29T17:17:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/27/maserati-in-irkutsk/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/maserati-irkutsk-crop.jpgmaserati irkutsk cropTen day sin, around a third of the way through the trip, the 100 Maseratis that left Beijing last weekend have reached Irkutsk in south central Siberia. 2014-08-28T05:27:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/25/silvretta/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ttt.jpgttthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/silvretta-hairpins.jpgsilvretta hairpinsPhoto via en.silvretta-bielerhoehe.athttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/4b.jpg4bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/silvie-1.jpgsilvie 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/silvie.jpgsilviePhoto Montafon.athttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/252.jpg25https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/242.jpg24https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/232.jpg23https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/222.jpg22https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/213.jpg212014-08-27T16:09:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/24/grossglockner-2504m-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sella-cover-3.jpgsella cover 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sella-cover-2.jpgsella cover 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/f.jpgfhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/e.jpgehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d.jpgdhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/c.jpgchttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/b.jpgbhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a.jpgahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/59.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/cover-sella.jpgcover sella2014-08-25T14:39:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/21/grossglockner-2504m/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sachsen-map.jpgsachsen mapThe Sachsen Classic kicks off today in a little known part of east Germany, in the south, around the border and Erzgebirge Mountains it shares with the Czech Republic. Classics of all kinds are welcome but the three day event specialises in vehicles from former Eastern Bloc countries – so Ladas, Trabants and Wartburgs, but also Horch, Wanderer, EMWs and, interestingly, Rootes Group Hillman Minx and Singer Gazelles. The British manufacturer sold cars in the former GDR from 1960. The oldest car is a 1925 Skoda Laurent and Klement 110. VW is the main sponsor and Porsche has a presence too. The Erzgebirge top out at the 1244m Keilberg, so not so high, but the route includes the 12% Steile Wand through the centre of Meerane. Since 2012 the local attractions have been strung together in the 140km Silberstrasse – Silver Street – highlighting the region’s silver mining and jewellery making history. See en.silberstrasse.de or #SachsenClassic.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/porsche-sacsen-badge.jpgporsche sacsen badgehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/grossg.jpggrossg2504m: Grossglockner. Austria's second most visited tourist attraction. More later.2014-08-25T10:23:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/20/iceland-volcano/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/austal-102-high-speed-ferry-picture-credit-courtesy-of-austal.jpgAustal 102 high speed ferry (picture credit - courtesy of Austal)Austal 102 high speed ferry (picture courtesy of Austal).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/lokanir_vefur.jpglokanir_vefur2014-08-24T11:33:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/19/driving-to-the-belgian-grand-prix-spectator-guide/2014-08-24T11:26:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/18/calais-dunkirk-road-works/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/maserati-100.jpgmaserati 100One hundred Maseratis set off from Beijing on Saturday to drive the 12,000km back to the factory in Modena in just 35 days. The route takes them through Manchuria and across Russia, to Moscow and Prague. Keep up with the action at #RoadtoModena on Twitter.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/millwall-euroferries.jpgmillwall euroferriesMeanwhile, Euroferries refuses to go away. The on/off fast ferry between Ramsgate and Boulogne – crossing time 1h15, prices from £49 - has been announced so many times nobody now really takes it seriously. However, a new ‘five year, six figure’ shirt sponsorship deal with Millwall Football Club, signed in July, has raised eyebrows. The company also aims to operate a scheduled coach service between Ramsgate/Canterbury and London. Like the ferry however, a start date is yet to be announced. See euroferries.co.uk or euroferriesexpress.co.uk for more. Photo @MillwallFChttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hygge-little.jpghygge littleWhat to do in Denmark: it might not be the most obvious holiday destination – almost totally flat, battered by British weather – but there’s more to Denmark than Copenhagen and sleek, modern design. Little kids love Legoland in south central Jutland, the mainland at the top of Germany. Nearby Ribe, the country’s oldest town, is worth a look. The best holiday spot is northern Jutland, separated from the rest by the vast Limfjorden. The coast is lined with shifting sand dunes and dotted with cute cottages. You almost will stormy weather to snuggle up and indulge in the national pastime, Hygge – the candle-lit, strong booze and nibbles-fuelled family and friends social time, ‘enjoying the good things in life with good people around you.’https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a16-road-works-rotate.jpga16 road works rotate2014-08-24T09:56:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/20/nothing-major/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/etretat.jpgetretatOh dear: the first sailing of Brittany Ferries’ economie service from Portsmouth to Santander, Spain, had to be cancelled this morning after a technical mishap. According to a twitter exchange between the company and a member of the BF Enthusiasts club, there was a ‘cable problem with the stern door. One was fixed then another one also failed.’ Brittany Ferries told another passenger they were waiting for a spare part which should arrive soon. Passengers have been offered alternative sailings tomorrow (Sunday).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/adac.jpgadacA random picture culled from the @ADAC's twitter feed this week. Wonder what the problem was? Could it have been a flat battery do you think? A roundup of the embattled motoring organisation's woes coming up later.2014-08-22T07:12:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/08/spa-francorchamps-where-to-watch-from/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/into-pouhon-s1.jpginto-pouhon-sMore or less the same place but looking down towards Pouhon.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/cover.jpgcoverKimi Raikkonen from the inside of the Rivage hairpin at the top of Spa Francorchamps circuit, Belgian Grand Prix 2013. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1783.jpg1783More or less the same place but looking down towards Pouhon. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1691.jpg1691https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1687.jpg1687https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blanchimonts.jpgblanchimontSThe kerb on the inside of Blanchimont with Kemmel in the distance. If they fly up there fast that's nothing compared to Blanchimont where they flit past you eyes so fast it's hilarious. You have to see it, but it's a shame there's no grandstand on the outside where you could see the cars https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1727.jpg1727The interesting roads and pretty countryside don't stop, even on the way out of the circuit.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/into-pouhon-s.jpginto pouhon SObviously there's some camera trickery going on here. Entry to Pouhon.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/at-pouhon-s.jpgat pouhon SYou'll have to take our word for it. Pouhon is a great place to watch the cars, absolutely flat out, no braking, majestic on the exit as they power towards Fagnes. Maybe not such a great place to watch the race though that mini 'giant TV' was visible from around the recovery vehicle andhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1809.jpg1809Nico Rosbery, great driver though he is, went down a notch in my estimation simply because the Swedish fans behind called him Rosberry. That's how you pronounce it in Swedish. Suddenly not quite so cool Nico, I should change that.2014-08-19T16:50:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/17/stelvio-to-st-moritz-p3-albulapass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/tracey-bond.jpgtracey bondhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/151.jpg15https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/142.jpg14https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/123.jpg12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/11-fix.jpg11 fixhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/103.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/93.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/84.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/73.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/6a.jpg6a2014-08-18T15:08:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/15/bank-holiday-friday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/regina.jpgreginahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/topolino.jpgtopolinoCaravana Libellula. Mor elater.2014-08-18T11:37:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/12/retro-speed-trap-alert/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/vinci.jpgvinciFrance: don't be freaked out by the new gantries on Vinci Autoroute network https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/buv8rntigaahhhk.jpgBuv8RNTIgAAHHHKBelgian police in retro speed camera warning. More later.2014-08-13T07:44:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/04/monday-10/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/iron-duke.jpgiron dukeIron Duke: a Mark 2 tank makes its way through Arras in northern France in April 1917. Several events are being held in Belgium today to mark 100 years since the beginning of World war One. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a reception at Liege town hall at noon - along with Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande - then another at Mons town hall at 15:30 along with Prince Harry (who will also be in Folkestone at 10:45). All three britsh Royals then attend a twilight ceremony at St Symphorien Cemetary in Mons from 18:30. 2014-08-13T06:30:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/02/black-saturday-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5916.jpg5916https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3358a.jpg3358aIt's about the economy stupid: thanks to the nine speed auto gearbox - despite having some reservations, it's https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5924a.jpg5924ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3895a.jpg3895ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5924.jpg5924https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3946.jpg3946https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3895.jpg3895https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3367.jpg3367https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3358.jpg3358It's the fuel economy stupid: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3286.jpg32862014-08-15T21:46:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/09/rolls-on-sardinia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/bouchons.jpgbouchonsBeware plugs (jams) on the road! Photo via @Delirius_Fakehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rolls-sardinia.jpgrolls sardiniaRolls Royce takes up a summer residence on Sardinia. More later.2014-08-10T18:08:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/08/taminabrucke/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/taminaschlucht.jpgTaminaschluchtThe structure is attracting tourists already, on top of those who already come to visit the hot springs further down the Tamina Gorge, so narrow at this point there’s barely room for a path. The springs put this region on the map in the first place, hence ‘Bad’ Ragaz. Photo Wikipedia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/kunkel-crop.jpgkunkel cropThe road south between Vattins and Tamins (also on the A13 motorway) is Kunkelspass. It might only top out at 1357m (4452ft) but the gradients reach 20%. As the southern section passes across scree slopes only off-road vehicles are allowed to use it, and even then not without paying a €15 management fee to the local council for permission. Sounds interesting.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/head-for-heights1.jpghead for heightsExactly as they have done for thousands of years - the world’s oldest bridge, Arkadiko in the Peloponnese, Greece, dating from 1300BC, was built basically in the same way - engineers sink the abutments first, the supporting structures on each side. The arch is then built simultaneously from each end to meet at a keystone in the middle. Currently there is 20m of arch from the Valens end and 35m from the Pfaffers end.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/head-for-heights.jpghead for heightsExactly as they have done for thousands of years - the world’s oldest bridge, Arkadiko in the Peloponnese, Greece, dating from 1300BC, was built basically in the same way - engineers sink the abutments first, the supporting structures on each side. The arch is then built simultaneously from each end to meet at a keystone in the middle. Currently there is 20m of arch from the Valens end and 35m from the Pfaffers end.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/klinikum-valens1.jpgklinikum valenshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/tamina-little1.jpgtamina littlehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/kunkelspass.jpgkunkelspasshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/klinikum-valens.jpgklinikum valenshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/april-2014.jpgapril 2014Exactly as they have done for thousands of years - the world’s oldest bridge, Arkadiko in the Peloponnese, Greece, dating from 1300BC, was built basically in the same way - engineers sink the abutments first, the supporting structures on each side. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/64.jpg642014-08-10T14:43:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/06/wednesday-9/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/img_0261.jpgIMG_0261A second lot of devastating floods in as many months hit Bosnia last night, this time mainly affected the north and east of the country.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/img_0260.jpgIMG_0260https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/img_0256.jpgIMG_0256https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/fggfgfgf-toucan.jpgfggfgfgf toucanhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/fags.jpgfagsPublic service announcement from @FCOtravel: don't throw fags out of the window in Spain because you will be fined (Switzerland too). Part of the FCO's current campaign to get holidaymakers to read up on local customs before heading abroad. Apart from the FCO's advice, always worth a read, and the AA and RAC driving abroad guides, the European police federation TISPOL.org also publishes driving rules, written by local police. Best of all is probably the EU's own Driving Abroad app which lists all the important rules like speed limits, for cars and trucks. It's free to download to your phone or tablet but you don't have to be online to use it. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/bux0-32cyaeprel.jpgBuX0-32CYAEprEl1972 Russian land speed record car, CHADI-9 with 5000ft of thrust. If you know anything more about it get in touch with @Oli_Morganhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/butxegaiqaebjlm.jpgBuTXEgaIQAEBJlmA similar thing in Russia though for entirely different reasons. Photo via @IlyaVarlamov.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sochi-f1.jpgsochi f1Work continues at Sochi ahead of the track hosting its first Formula One race in October. Photo Dmitry Christoprudov. See more at EnglishRussia.com2014-08-09T07:56:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/07/trick-bothnia-ferry/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/france-8-aug.pngfrance 8 augFrance: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a65-rheinbrucke-traffic3.jpga65 rheinbrucke traffic3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/wasaline.jpgWasalineA trick new ecoferry will soon be sailing across the Gulf of Bothnia between Finland and Sweden. 2014-08-08T15:46:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/25/weekend-traffic-could-be-worse/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mfl-calais-2.jpgmfl calais 2It's long term future is still in doubt but while legal action is on-going MyFerryLink will continue to serve the Dover-Calais route until the end of the year at least. More later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/jag-tdf.jpgjag tdfTEAM Sky might be out of contention but the squad will still attract its fair share of attention at this weekend’s Tour de France finale thanks to its booming pair of Jaguar support vehicles. Alongside the five litre V8 XF Sportbreak sits a similarly powered, custom built F-TYPE coupe. The latter features special channels cut into the tailgate – among other things – to accommodate two racing bikes, all designed and built by Jaguar’s new Special Vehicle Operations bespoke outfit. With speeds rarely breaking 60mph both cars are totally over the top but it is this latent power that is so sexy, no?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/traffic-275.jpgtraffic 275Weekend traffic: bad in places, but hopefully not too bad.2014-08-08T08:25:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/28/transfagarasan-motorway-still-years-away/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tesla-supercharge-map.jpgtesla supercharge mapThe red dots of Tesla’s operational supercharger network now spreads across the Continent like an angry rash. There are now 42 open - 28 on mainland Europe - stretching from Nordkapp in northern Norway (above) down through Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and now even Slovenia. In the past few weeks six have opened around the main A6/A7 autoroutes to the South of France from Paris. Within a few months the network will have doubled; by the end of the year it will have tripled. The superchargers provide half a charge in 20 minutes at no cost. Tesla says superchargers will always be free for Model S owners. Photo via @Tesla_Europe. See teslamotors.com/en_GB/supercharger for more.2014-08-07T10:58:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/05/tuesday-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/belgique.jpgbelgiquehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/final-bloody-paris-pic.jpgfinal bloody paris picDespite summer road works on the A14 in the west and A86 ring in the south east, August is still the best time to drive through Paris. The locals might not decamp to the South of France for the entire month as much as they used to but this graph shows Tuesday’s normal usual traffic levels (yellow band) against actual traffic levels (black line). Average speed increases from its usual 38kmh to 52kmh on the Peripherique inner ring road while delays due to jams reduce to less than a quarter of what drivers can expect on a regular day.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/parisidf-trafc-over.jpgparisidf trafc overhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/parisidf-traf.jpgparisidf trafAugust: a great time to drive through Paris. Coloured graph, potential traffic levels. Black line, actual traffic levels at 08:30 this morning, the height of the 'rush' hour. After being elected on a popular wave of anti-diesel rhetoric, shortly after March's 'pollution "crisis"', new major Anne Hidalgo has gone very quiet on the subject. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/paris-idf-cover.jpgparis idf coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/paris-idf.pngparis idfAugust: a great time to drive through Paris. Coloured graph, potential traffic levels. Black line, actual traffic levels.2014-08-06T12:15:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/31/vines-in-action/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ferrrari.jpgferrrariClassics on the Common: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/a10-bordeaux.jpga10 bordeauxPhoto @TRAFsudouesthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/vines-in-action.jpgvines in actionVines in Action: off roading through the vineyards of the Loire @FrenchWiineTours. More later.2014-08-05T07:06:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/01/off-roading-vineyards-loire/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a9-montpellier-use.jpga9 montpellier useFor the second day in a row, the A9 along the west Mediterranean coast in France closed yesterday afternoon after smoke from a nearby forest fire engulfed the carriageway. Fire fighters, including airborne crews, brought the flames quickly under control this time and normal service resumed within a couple of hours. With the region now under storm alert, this scenario is unlikely to play out for a third day. Meanwhile, a Geisterfahrer – wrong way driver – caused similar delays on the A2 into Hannover last night. Reports say the man, who unfortunately died, was driving a locally-registered Opel.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a9-montpellier-cover.jpga9 montpellier coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/kirrikale.jpgkirrikaleTurkey: a relatively minor accident. Photo via @radyotrafik06https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/a9-montpellier.jpga9 montpellierFor the second day in a row, the A9 along the west Mediterranean coast was closed yesterday afternoon after smoke from forest fire engulfed the carriageway. Fire crews 2014-08-05T06:47:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/03/four-hours-from-calais-gorge-northern-luxembourg/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/esch1.jpgesch1Ta da! Esch-sur-Sure, tucked into its own tight meander of the river. This photo by visitluxembourg.com. All others by @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/8.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/6.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5.jpg5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/4.jpg4https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3.jpg3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2.jpg2The fairy tale village of Esch-sur-Sure, on a tight turn in the Sure river. In the UK this place would be full of antique shops, gastropubs and boutique hotels. Because it's in no-one has ever heard of it northern Luxembourg, surrounded by wooded hills, it's cheap as chips and only a maximum four hour drive from Calais on Belgium's scenic and fast N roads.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/1a.jpg1ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/1.jpg1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/n-ardenne.jpgn ardenneN4 to Luxembourg: who knew it was so gorge. Literally.2014-08-04T09:17:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/12/saturday-7/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/a9-agde.jpga9 agdeA tanker carrying 36,000 litres of diesel caught fire on the A9 atAgde in the South of France yesterday afternoon shutting the road in both directions. It reopened northbound late in the evening and finally southbound on Saturday morning after being repaved overnighthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/holiday-traffic-crop-fix.jpgholiday traffic crop fixPhoto @DriveEurope, D1090 outbound Grenoble last weekend.2014-07-31T07:59:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/16/thursday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bergen-harbour.jpgbergen harbourBergen Harbour, Norway.2015-01-07T11:03:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/29/shocking-holiday-death-toll-turkey/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/kallas-conference-1.jpgkallas conference 1The European Commssion's Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas. A recent article in a shipping magazine called him 'non-interventionist'. The https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/btoa2aeiqaayr86.jpgBtOa2AeIQAAyr86Roadside rebel recruitment poster in Donetsk, east Ukraine. Photo via @KiritRadia2014-07-30T08:33:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/16/sunday-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/zchedpkau.jpgzchedpkauThe pillarless steel arch bridge on A9 between Zschepkau and Thalheim.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fairing-little.jpgfairing littleThe standing start version of the Mercedes W 154https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bitter-small.jpgbitter smallHigh speed:2014-07-30T07:53:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/24/brebemi-open/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/brebemi.jpgbrebemiThe new A35, direct Milan-Brescia. Photo via @BreBeMi2014-07-28T15:29:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/27/sunday-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/das-loop-hotel1.jpgdas loop hotelThe view from the Seehotel Waldstatterhofhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bernie-avenue.jpgbernie avenueBernie Avenue: access road to the Hungaroring circuit near Budapest. Photo @McLarenF12014-07-28T05:06:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/26/das-loop-6-furka-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tilly-bond-gold1.jpgtilly bond gold1In the book, Bonds tails Goldfinger across France to Coppet, just up the lake from Geneva. In the film, the action takes place on the Furka Pass. Whatever other liberties it takes with Fleming’s original, the movie’s basic sequence is correct – the first shot of Goldfinger’s Rolls-Royce is heading up the mountain from the Belvedere Hotel on the west ascent (i.e. in the opposite to us). Bond and Tilly Masterson follow Goldfinger over the pass until he stops to buy apples from a stall on the final hairpin, just above the Reuss River before Realp. As Bond watches over from higher up the mountain, Masterson, higher still, takes her famous shot, kicking up the dust beside Bond’s foot. Bond then shreds Tilly’s tyres on the H19 between Realp and Hospental, beside the Furka railway line, and drops her at the Aurora filling station on Gotthardstrasse on the way into Andermatt (now the Aurora Garage and Hotel, and restaurant Aelpli).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/161.jpg16https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/151.jpg15https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/142.jpg14https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/132.jpg13https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/114.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/103.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/93.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/65.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/42.jpg42018-02-21T07:48:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/18/friday-6/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/radar-cops.jpgradar copsPortuguese police prepare to burn speeding motorists. British, Irish and Danish drivers will soon be in their sights too.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/at-malibu-info.jpgat malibu infoSpotted on the road yesterday by Mr Malibu, @MalibuInfo. 2014-07-24T13:59:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/03/27/is-it-worth-buying-the-french-automatic-toll-payment-tag-twenty-thousand-uk-motorists-think-so/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/viaduc-de-goutte-vignole.jpgA89-Secteur Rhône et Loire-Photographies Aériennes-Décembre2012- Francehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/quartier-du-danguin.jpgA89-Secteur Rhône et Loire-Photographies Aériennes-Décembre2012- Francehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/le-pont-marteau.jpgA89-Secteur Rhône et Loire-Photographies Aériennes-Décembre2012- FrancePretty expensive: the A89 between Bordeaux and Lyon.2019-06-14T14:50:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/23/wednesday-8/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tractor-touring.jpgtractor touringTractor Touring is now a thing. We didn’t think too much about it after spending a few minutes behind this chap and his trailer on Susten Pass in Switzerland earlier this month. But today’s Daily Mail carries two big stories on epic tractor trips. One man has just driven 1,000 miles in 22 days from near Stuttgart to Port Madog in wales in his vintage Porsche. Meanwhile, Peter Matheson is taking a Massey Ferguson on an 8,000 mile trip around Scandinavia, at a maximum 15mph, with caravan in tow, accompanied by his labrador Amber. The latter is in support of the Tom Bowdidge Foundation, named after a young man who died of cancer last year. Mr Matheson is on the lookout for volunteers to drive a Ford Transit support vehicle, for a few days at a time. Email: peter.matheson63@gmail.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/auto-toll.jpgauto tollThe automatic toll lanes on the A8 near Nice. Photo @DriveEurope2014-07-24T08:25:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/22/das-loop-5-scary-susten-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/141.jpg14https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/131.jpg13https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/121.jpg12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/113.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/102.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/92.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/82.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/72.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/64.jpg6https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/54.jpg52014-07-23T05:13:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/21/ennstal-classic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/austria-fuel-twob1.jpgaustria fuel twobFuel in Austria is notably cheap but the price can vary considerably. As well as this random filling station photographed at Sillian on the Italian border on 26 June - €1.349/l diesel, €1.436 unleaded 95 - the price we paid for standard diesel that week ranged from €1.364 to €1.499. The most expensive was on the S16 expressway at Bludenz. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/austria-fuel-twob.jpgaustria fuel twobhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/enstal-classic-porsche.jpgenstal classic porscheThe Ennstal Classic. More later.2014-07-22T07:59:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/19/grimsel-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/112.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/9b.jpg9bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/9a.jpg9ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/4cc.jpg4cchttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/4d.jpg4dhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/4c.jpg4chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/4b.jpg4bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/101.jpg10After Guttannen - and the 106% Gelmerbahn funicular railway at Handegg - https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/91.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/81.jpg82014-07-21T17:57:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/17/nurburgring-truck-racing/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/gib-180714.jpggib 18071419:32, 17 July 2014: photo @GibraltarBorderhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bsqm4oucqaaui6a.jpgBsqM4OuCQAAui6ATruck racing at the Nurburgring this weekend. More later.2014-07-21T15:14:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/20/defender-in-the-alps/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/lupi-dobrindt.jpglupi dobrindthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dobrindt-lupi.jpgdobrindt lupiAll smiles: the Italian and German transport ministers meet in Rome, in part to discuss the upcoming German 'foreigner vignette'. See below.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/land-rover-glacier.jpgland rover glacierThe winners of this year's Land Rover/Royal Geographical Association bursary are in the Alps surveying glaciers. Where's the most adventurous place you've taken your Defender asks Land Rover? More later. Photo via @LandRover.2014-07-21T08:51:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/15/ultimate-road-trip-luxury/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/portrait3.jpgBundesministerin Doris Bures, Wien, 2013, Copyright www.peterrigaud.comAustrian transport minister Doris Bures. Pic via bmvit.gv.athttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/drive-in-check-in.jpgdrive in check inThe ultimate road trip luxury: a wood-panelled parking garage and drive in check in, at the Inter Alpen Hotel in 2014-07-21T05:11:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/16/wednesday-7/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/eurogs-tagusriver-12.jpgeurogs-tagusriver-12New wood-effect crash barrier have been installed at the Tagus National Park in Portugal by French supplier roadis.fr. Also available in grass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/merc-truck1.jpgmerc truckThe Mercedes-Benz Actros cabin. Manufacturers spend millions to develop comfortable living space for drivers. Will they still need to bother?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/20140701porscheroadtripxt1-922612001200.jpgPorsche Road Trip - 911 Turbo SThe Porsche 911 Turbo S on a UK-Stuttgart road trip to mark the company's 2014-07-20T16:23:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/14/driving-the-loop-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/france-140714.jpgfrance 140714A graphic from @Previtrafic showing the expected traffic levels later today in France as drivers return home after the long 'Bastille Day' weekend. The red sections are the busiest, a step down from black, the worst possible.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/140520-farthinder-005-low.jpg140520-farthinder-005-lowActive Speed Bump: more on the new self-raising (or rather self-lowering) speed bump newly installed on the Oresund Link between Sweden and Denmark.2014-07-20T15:37:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/17/das-loop-3-nufenen-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/griesssee.jpggriessseeThese chaps are starting to clear snow from the off-shoot road to Griesee, a lake fed directly by the 5km long Gries Glacier. The southern edge of the lake is around 100m from the Italian border. Due to the height, Nufenen is one of the last Swiss mountain roads to open for the summer, normally by mid-June. 2014-07-20T09:46:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/11/friday-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/france-rain.jpgfrance rainWhen is it raining in France? Perennial confusion surrounds the point at which drivers must slow down, as shown in the sign above. The legislation is not clear. It merely notes that, ‘In case of rain or other precipitation, the maximum speed is lowered to 110kmh.’ Much is left to the judgement of the police officer. It’s certainly raining when windscreen wipers are used continuously but what about intermittent wipers? We say if the road is already wet then slow down. If the road is dry, then… Either way, the gains and losses can be significant.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/rallycross-mettet.jpgrallycross mettetA new racing circuit in Belgium sees its first competitive event this weekend. The Jules Tacheny Circuit in Mettet, a few miles south east of Charleroi, hosts the third round of this year’s FIA European Rallycross Championship. The 1030m track is one third gravel and the rest asphalt. Local former WRC driver Francois Duval makes a guest appearance alongside series regulars WRC champ Petter Solberg and F1 champ Jacques Villeneuve.2014-07-16T09:47:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/14/albania-at-crossroads/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/albania.jpgalbaniaALBANIA: you have to laugh but, to be fair, there's no date on this classic photo of traffic in capital Tirana. The south west Balkan country is currently struggling with an antiquated road system which varies from absolutely perfect in a few cases to disastrously strewn with massive potholes (according to specialist @DestinationEU). The driving licence system is victim of endemic corruption, the going rate is €100, and many street and road signs have been pinched and sold for scrap. None of this is disputed, even by the authorities. The latest uproar is over a massive sudden hike in insurance fees. High hopes lay on the shoulders of new Prime Minister Edi Rama, elected last September, who has identified modernising the transport system as a top priority. Albania is due to become an EU candidate country in June.2014-07-13T18:59:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/10/new-mountain-pass-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/gibraltar-brder-big-fix.jpggibraltar brder big fixA new twitter account keeps drivers up-to-date with delays on both sides of the Spain-Gibraltar frontier.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bayern.jpgbayernEmpty roads: unlikely this weekend.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/new-pass-3.jpgnew pass 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/new-pass.jpgnew passSpotted: a new mountain road. But what is it, and where is it?2014-07-12T09:05:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/05/makers-on-mountain-passes/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hyundai-furka-cover.jpghyundai furka coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/merc-truck.jpgmerc truckDr. Wolfgang Bernhard, member of Daimler’s Board of Management and responsible for Daimler Trucks and Buses, presents the Future Truck 2025.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hyunai-furka-21.jpghyunai furka 2Spy photographers should abandon the Arctic Circle and the Nurburgring in favour of the Alpine Mountain Passes. Last week we saw on fully burqa'd mid-size SUV at the bottom of Grossglockner in Austria, plus a few Skoda estates on towing duty. Then Hyundai - we think - on thehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hyunai-furka-2.jpghyunai furka 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hyundai-furka.jpghyundai furkaSpy photographers should abandon the Arctic Circle and the Nurburgring in favour of the Alpine Mountain Passes. Last week we saw on fully burq'd mid-size SUV at the bottom of Grossglockner - plus a few Skoda estates on towing duty. Then on the 2014-07-11T05:58:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/09/new-mountain-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/passport-control3.jpgpassport control3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/passport-control.jpgpassport control2014-07-10T09:00:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/18/italy-fuel-strike-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/motorway-slovakia-big.jpgmotorway slovakia bigSLOVAKIA. The “Gordian Knot” of the entire D1 motorway has begun to unravel with the first works on the Zilina southern bypass starting today says TranMin Jan Pociatek. The 13.5km stretch includes the 7.46km Visnove Tunnel which will be the longest in the country. Along with a simultaneous 4.25km extension of the D3 to the west and north of Zilina, the road should be in operation by 2019 for a combined cost of €665m. Currently, 75% of D1 between Bratislava and Kosice is in use with now another 20% under construction. The remaining stretches should be resolved in the next few months says Pociatek.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/bloodhound-ssc.jpgbloodhound sscWing Commander Andy Green in Vienna to discuss the upcoming land speed record attempt in @Bloodhound_SSC. Looks like someone airbrushed the teacup out of his hand. More later.2014-07-09T16:22:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/07/crossing-the-channel/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/transfagarasan-north.jpgTransfagarasan-northNews catch up: Romania’s premier high altitude road DN7C Transfagarasan opened last Monday, 1 July, for the summer and will not close this year until 31 October says Romania-insider.com. DN7C runs from Curtea de Arges to near Sibiu in central Romania. The section at the top however shuts overnight, from 21:00-07:00. Photo via Wikipedia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ctc.jpgctcCrossing the Channel, how much it cost at the last minute, by three different operators. More later.2014-07-09T14:29:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/07/08/eu-looks-kindly-on-german-foreigner-vignette/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/marco-polo.jpgDer neue Marco Polo, The new Marco PoloIf we were going to have a campervan it would probably be this one: the new Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo. Based on the V-Class, it has electric everything – including bed (two doubles) and roof – teak floor, flush glass-topped kitchen units, matching integral outside table and chairs but no shower, or toilet unfortunately. The most powerful engine is a 2.2 litre turbodiesel, 136g/km 190bhp. Available with the usual raft of Mercedes driver assist and safety features. On sale in Germany from 29 July. Prices TBA.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/going-abroad.jpggoing abroadA new app of all the road rules around Europe has been published today by the European Commission. Called 'Going Abroad' it is available for the main app stores to be used o smartphones, tablets and computers and list. As an easy to access and use, simple https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/140707-dobrindt-maut-12.jpg140707-dobrindt-maut-12Alexander Dobrindt spells out the details of the German 'foreigner vignette'. Photo via bmvi.de2014-07-09T13:07:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/22/trip-planning-alps-aston-n24/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/falzarego.jpgfalzarego@DriveEurope on Falzarego, Dolomites, September 2011.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/aston-n24.jpgaston n24Is Aston about to do it again? After a strong showing at last week's Le Mans 24 Hours, 2014-07-05T10:48:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/20/weekend-traffic-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/varna2.jpgvarna2Varna: many parts of central, north east and south east Bulgaria are under state of emergency after flash flooding yesterday. At least ten people have been killed. No meteoalrms have been issued for Bulgaria today though coastal areas of neighbouring Romania are code amber alert for heavy rain. See novinite.com for the latest.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/f1-austria.jpgf1 austriaPreparing for the Austrian Grand Prix, though not quite well enough it seems.2014-06-22T10:05:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/21/saturday-6/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ships-emissions.jpgships emissionsBeautiful ships, ugly emissions. New pollution rules will decimate the industry and see fares soar say the operators.2014-06-22T08:13:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/30/friday-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/austra-lane-ban.jpgaustra lane banAUSTRIA: from Sunday 1 June, trucks 7.5t+ will no longer be allowed in the left-most lane(s) of three and four lane highways on safety grounds. However, the vast majority of motorways in Austria are dual carriageway – three laners account for 700km and four lanes for just 40km out of 2178km in total. Also, national roads operator ASFINAG has clarified the weekend, public holiday and night-time driving ban times which apply to trucks 7.5t+, and other trucks with a trailer of MPW of 3.5t+. See below for link.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/urengoy.jpgurengoyIt's snowing again in Urengoy, a few miles from the Arctic Circle in north central Russia. This region contains ten trillion cubic metres of natural gas making it the world's second largest deposit. You might have boiled your kettle this morning using gas from here.2014-06-22T07:49:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/19/channel-fares-set-to-soar-captain-slow-in-maranello/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/speedig-fine.jpgspeedig finePhoto @TheBenOliverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/may-ferrari.jpgmay ferrariCaptain Slow? Rubber laid down by @MrJamesMay at a Ferrari filming session in Maranello on Tuesday. Photo Jason Harris, @FNEPR.2014-06-21T08:39:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/15/windy500-mystery-tour-911-rsr/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/aston-le-amsn.jpgaston le amsnhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/aston-le-mans.jpgaston le mansToday's picture caption was supposed to be about the sexy extended track and longer wheelbase of the Porsche 911 RSR. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/rsr-cover.jpgrsr coverIt's being bested by both the Aston Martin and Ferrari 458 Italia at the time of writing 2014-06-18T09:08:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/16/georgian-military-road-re-opens/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1280px-us_army_51896_kazbegi_border_crossing_station.jpg1280px-US_Army_51896_Kazbegi_border_crossing_stationThe Kazbegi-Larsi border station Georgia-Russia in the Dariali Gorge at the top of the E117 Georgian Military Road.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/totie-chic.jpgtotie-chicPartial repro of ‘Georgian Military Highway’ by Aleksandr Zhitomirsky, 1939.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kazbegi-cover.jpgkazbegi coverThe Kazbegi-Larsi border station Georgia-Russia in the Dariali Gorge at the top of the E117 Georgian Military Road.2014-06-18T06:48:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/14/saturday-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/qashqai-cover.jpgqashqai coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/qashqai.jpgqashqaiDespite being rather different to its hugely successful predecessor – more SUV than pure crossover – the new generation Nissan Qashqai is outselling the original, even though it is still in the ‘ramp up’ phase after its launch late last year. The news was confirmed to @DriveEurope by Andy Palmer (@NissanAndy) Chief Planning Officer at Nissan Motor Company last week. The good news keeps coming: the 1.6 dCi (130PS) Acenta Premium was the overall winner at this week’s 2014 Tow Car Awards.2014-07-12T06:59:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/09/putins-limo/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/kerch-ferry.jpgkerch ferryThe Kerch ferry, due to replaced by a fixed link, and soon.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/putin-limo.jpgputin limoThe final design of President Putin's new official limousine has finally been unveiled, and with it a new family of vehicles to be bult on the same platform. More later.2014-06-15T16:27:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/13/a-good-weekend-to-get-away/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/porsche-pit-stop.jpgporsche pit stopAlways Open: the Porsche Pit Stop on the A11 westbound, Paris to Le Mans at Chartres-Gasville. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_3906.jpgIMG_39062014-06-15T14:30:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/11/foreigner-vignette-in-court/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/gumball-barcelona1.jpggumball barcelonaSince the first rally in 1999 Gumball3000 has grown into an enormous enterprise - valued at $200m says Forbes - on the back of films, merchandise and live entertainment. Nowhere was the success of the event more apparent than when the rally hit Spain last night. Thousands of fans gathered at the W Hotel at the Plaça de la Rosa dels Vents on the Barcelona waterfront. The teams drive 290 miles down the coast to the Port of Denia today for the boat to their final destination, lbiza. Photo Oskar Bakke via @Betsafehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/gumball-barcelona.jpggumball barcelonahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kufstein2.jpgkufstein2Austria lifted an exemption for its own vignette on a short stretch of the A12 Inntalautobahn last year in a move the irked many German drivers.2014-06-14T15:57:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/12/new-motorway-milan-brescia-next-month/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/martha-monaco.jpgMARTHA MONACOAmerican 'Taste Queen' Martha Stewart shows she hasn't lost her touch as she poses beside an Aintree green Range Rover outside the Hotel de Paris in Monaco. Land Rover provided the VIP transport during last week's Entrepreneur of the Year Awards of which Stewart was a judge.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/brebemi-cover.jpgbrebemi coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/brebemi.jpgbrebemi2014-06-13T17:24:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/10/summer-traffic-hotspots/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/gumball.jpggumballTeam Galag’s Wiesmann MF5 GT and Cobra Daytona apparently fall foul of the law as the Gumball3000 rally hits France. It’s not known whether police were just making their presence felt or if there was a particular problem though it’s a classic MO for drivers to be pulled over at peage after speeding between toll booths. It’s a tense time for traffic police, just a few days ahead of the latest set of monthly figures which are expected to show a large rise in fatal accidents with speeding as the major cause. More when we have it.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/vinci-cover.jpgvinci coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/vinci.jpgvinci2014-06-13T12:21:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/07/rhd-model-s/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/nordkapp.jpgnordkappMeanwhile, existing owners are taking full advantage of the growing network of Superchargers.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/bpiguuscuaiefsw.jpgBpiGuusCUAIEfswThe launch venue, The Crystal on Royal Victoria Dock in east London.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tesla-rhd.jpgtesla rhdRHD Tesla Model S:https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tesla-rcharging.jpgtesla rchargingXXXX Photo Propaganda-Photo.com via @Tesla_Europe https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/el-james.jpgel jamesFifty Shades of Grey author EL Jameshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/bmw-i8.jpgbmw i8Meanwhile, on Thursday night the first BMW i8 electric sports cars were delivered to customers at an event in Munich. The really big, important news however is that BMW has been arch-rival Audi in having the first laser headlights in production.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/bpdk1bbceaaurex.jpgBpdk1bBCEAAuRexTesla: the first right hand drive Model S is due to be delivered today, at an event attended by the great man himself. More later, more than likely.2014-06-12T11:33:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/08/sunday-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jag-atlantic.jpgjag atlantic2014-06-09T15:55:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/04/parking-across-europe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/parking-pic.jpgparking pic2014-06-09T12:16:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/06/friday-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/women-on-tour.jpgwomen on tourAs a survey says British women are too scared to drive abroad, the high powered in every sense 2014 Cash&Rocket Tour departs Venice for London. Photo @VeuveCliquotIT from last year's event. 2014-06-08T17:10:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/05/thursday-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/qe1.jpgqe1Behind the scenes after a visit to l'Hotel de Ville city hall after meeting newly elected Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/qe2.jpgqe2HM Queen departing the Elysee Palace late on Friday evening.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/british-legion.jpgbritish legionD Day veterans about to depart on the Royal British Legion's Remembrance Travel Tour. Photo @PoppyLegionhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/portsmouth1.jpgportsmouthAs they have done all week, a ferry carrying D Day veterans departs Portsmouth with a Royal Navy salute.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/invalides1.jpginvalidesParis: Union Jacks flying on the Place des Invalides taken from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Quai d'Orsay. Photo @FranceDiplo_ENhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/champs-elysee.jpgchamps elyseeParis: the unmistakable rear lights of a British Secret Service Range Rover as the Queen's procession makes its way down the Champs Elysee. Photo @HMARicketts, Peter Ricketts, UK Ambassador to France.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/invalides.jpginvalideshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/map.jpgmapA map of the restricted traffic zone from @Gendarmerie: 'From June 5th to 8th, take the bypass roads to avoid #Calvados if you drive in the West of France.'https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/discrete-arrival-gendarmerie.jpgdiscrete arrival gendarmerie'Discrète arrivée de la @Gendarmerie en Normandie...' photo via @DamienJobhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/bpipol1igaeqcjr.jpgBpIpOl1IgAEqcJrA map and timing of events on 6 June via @Elysee2014-06-08T09:38:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/02/monday-8/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lae-mans-test-day.jpglae mans test dayToyota set the pace at the Le Mans 24 Hours test day on Sunday. While Audi still lagged a little behind the team’s performance has significantly improved since their disastrous outing at Spa. The Porsches were in a definite third. The best news however was that all those attending managed to miss out on the worst of the traffic. There was carnage on many of the main routes on Sunday afternoon, apart from those in north west France.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/rat-rust_style_36.jpgRat-Rust_Style_36Rat-tuning: a new one on us. Where the owner makes every effort to make their car look as old and knackered as possible. One of the exhibits at this weekend's GTi festival at Woerthersee, Austria. Wow.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/portsmouth.jpgportsmouthA Royal Navy salute for D-Day veterans departing Portsmouth for the anniversary next week in France. Photo via @BrittanyFerrieshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/telepass-race.jpgtelepass raceOne should never jump to conclusions, particularly after the country lane 911 crash in Luxembourg last week, but it does look awfully like these two Italian cars were involved in an ill-fated race to the toll booth. There by the grace of God go all of us. Photo @Marcello_Gatto via @Emergenza24 2014-06-07T15:31:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/03/pentecost-traffic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/belgium-border.jpgbelgium borderBELGIUM: the G7 summit in Brussels on 4-5 June means border checks may be reinstated this week. Be prepared for delays. The Schengen Agreement allows for temporary checks during high profile/controversial public events. Drivers are also warned to avoid Brussels if possible on Wednesday and Thursday - enhanced security in the city centre may cause tailbacks even on the Brussels' ring roads.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/a65-rheinbrucke-traffic3.jpga65 rheinbrucke traffic32014-06-05T16:39:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/27/jlr-on-tour/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/xf-jag-windsurf.jpgxf jag windsurfProfessional windsurfer Steven Van Broekhoven is visiting top sailing spots around Europe by Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Currently in Sagres, Portugal. See secretsofthewind.com. This isn't the only JLR sponsored drive event at the moment,. In a few days the latest recipients of the Land Rover RGS Bursary set off on a 6,000 trip across the Alps to quantify landscape change. See grandalpinetour.com. More on both later.2014-06-03T11:12:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/31/saturday-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/911-luxembourg1.jpg911 luxembourgThere you are, taking time out on Thursday afternoon, enjoying the twisting roads of mountainous northern Luxembourg – specifically in this case the CR 306 between Grosbus and Viichten - when the worst happens.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/45450-h98pcqehlcqwj0zl1k4inq.jpg45450-h98PcQeHlcqwJ0zL1K4inQNot only have you sustained major damage to your classic Porsche 911 (993) Carrera Cabriolet – and your passenger taken to hospital for checks – but the world automatically assumes you’re an idiot who, in time honoured fashion, has overcooked it on a bend in the rear-engined sports car and gone into the barrier backwards. The shame!https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/45450-0daiqr97fdtypyfgcrfqxq.jpg45450-0dAiqR97fDtyPYFgCRFQXQTurns out – too late - it wasn’t your fault after all. According to local press reports, this white Audi was the culprit, ramming the poor Porsche after losing control on the gentle right hander. Anyway, the upshot is how this unfortunate incident helps concentrate the mind on northern Luxembourg. At four hours from the Channel Ports via the Ardennes forest – shared with Belgium – bisected by the winding Sure River, rising to 2,000 feet and with some obviously interesting roads, it’s close enough for a weekend away. Intriguing:2014-06-02T07:45:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/06/01/ev-rally-record/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/f.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAscending N116 up the Tet River Valley from Perpignan to Puigcerda.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/e.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/d.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe 1,000ft Mallos de Riglos, foothills of the Pyrenees, from the A-132 heading north from Ayerbe.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/c.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAD25 Port (or Col) de Pailheres, just east of Andorra, above Ax-les-Thermes.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/b.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFree driving in the Pyreneeshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/a.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABiarritz from The President2014-06-02T07:42:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/21/serbia-wildboar/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mfl-po-dfds.jpgmfl po dfdshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/customer-decide.jpgcustomer decidehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/wildboar-cover.jpgwildboar coverSerbia: 2014-05-31T17:00:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/29/thursday-2/2014-05-29T17:09:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/28/wednesday-6/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mini-roadster.jpgmini roadsterhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/gotthardpass-queue.jpggotthardpass queueLong queues to the A2 Gotthard Tunnel in Switzerland are inevitable.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mini-superleggera-mini.jpgmini superleggera miniFinally, a - potential – new entrant in the compact roadster segment, dominated and defined for the past few decades by the Mazda MX-5. It’s electric too. MINI presents its Superleggera Vision concept at this week’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este beside Lake Como, Italy. Designed and built in conjunction with Touring, the storied Milanese ‘Carrozzeria’ – also responsible for the recent Alfa Romeo Disco Volante – using traditional, hand crafted construction methods from large aluminium sheets for sleek, seamless bodywork. The lack of an internal combustion engine means that long rear boot is likely to be complemented by more luggage space under the bonnet. That, more than anything, is what really moves the roadster concept on a stage. As to whether MINI will eventually put Superleggera Vision into production – well they have to, don’t they?2014-05-29T14:14:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/22/shenanigans-transalpina/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/monaco-cover.jpgmonaco coverNot a great day to drive through Monaco, unless you're in a Formula One car.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/transalpina.jpgtransalpinaRomania: the company boss tasked with renovating the blue chip high altitude road Transalpina falls foul of the lgal system, meanwhile the work still hasn't been done. More later.2014-05-29T10:18:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/26/to-book-or-not-to-book/2014-05-27T18:29:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/11/race-around-the-baltic-p2-gulf-of-finland-to-uk/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/5ab.jpg5abhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ba.jpgbaAtmosphere. It’s not something you have time to appreciate on short or even medium length ferry trips, the agreeable bonhomie among fellow travellers either departing on or returning from their Continental adventures. The one thing all our long sailings have had in common is the relaxed feeling aboard. Maybe it’s all the booze. Alcoholic benders and road trips do not normally mix. The only chance you have to get properly wasted is an overnight crossing. The boat might not leave until late but you can generally board early. The bar is the first thing to open, quickly followed by the – proper - restaurant with an extensive wine list. Truly civilised. Drink in hand, there’s nothing quite like a sunset at sea. That’s why it’s so tragic that the Esbjerg-Harwich route, above, closes in September. Not just because it’s the last direct ferry link between the UK and Scandinavia – that’s bad enough – but because the finale of any hoon in and around the Baltic will now be a slog across the most boring, and congested, parts of Germany.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/10a.jpg10ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8a1.jpg8ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/7a1.jpg7ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/5a.jpg5ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2a1.jpg2ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/first-sight-helsinki-cover-little.jpgfirst sight helsinki cover littleMaybe, just maybe, in about a decade’s time there will be a Chunnel-busting Tunnel underneath the Gulf of Finland between Finnish capital Helsinki and Estonian capital Tallinn. Meanwhile, to avoid the 500+ mile round trip and the visa hassle and expense of driving through Russia you can catch a ferry. It only takes two hours and there are so many operators - Tallink, St Peter Line, Eckero Line and Viking Line – it’s like catching a bus. Just roll up to the check-in booth, swipe your card and you’re on. Directferries.co.uk has a special offer at the moment of €72 each way. We paid €97 but have seen advance fares at €49. The terminals are conveniently just off the city ring road in north east Tallinn – you can also catch boats to Stockholm and St Petersburg - and within a few hundred metres of Helsinki centre. From the sea, flat Tallinn looks nothing special but picking your way through the Helsinki archipelago is a great way to arrive in Finland.2014-05-26T08:49:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/23/parking-in-moscow/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/timmelsjoch.jpgtimmelsjochSnow clearing from Timmelsjoch. Photo timmelsjoch.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/moscow-limo.jpgmoscow limoA Moscow limo driver caught in the act sticking a sheet of white paper over the registration plate to avoid parking cameras. It's a great tip, but would you dare?2014-05-23T20:31:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/23/weekend-traffic-23-25-may-2014/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/traffic-240514-maybe.jpgtraffic 240514 maybe2014-05-23T13:00:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/06/the-smart-money-is-on-the-albula-pass-this-summer/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/albulapass23.jpgAlbulapass23Albulapass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/albulastrasse.jpgAlbulastrasseAlbulapass: just you, the road, mountains and cows.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/albula345.jpgalbula345Go left for St Moritz and Albula.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/albula34.jpgalbula34Albula, St Moritzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/schlosstarasp2.jpgSchlossTarasp2Schloss Tarasphttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/albulapas011ab.jpgAlbulapas011abAlbula: not what you thnkhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/a_fgpz2cqaenfnb.jpgA_FGPz2CQAEnFnBJames was very grateful to Tracey for getting him out of a terrible hole.2014-05-23T08:45:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/18/review-of-the-weeks-news/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/bologna-bmw.jpgbologna bmwMille Miglia 2014: Franz Jung and Armando Pirola Fumanelli – in a 1939 BMW 328 Berlinetta Touring - pull into Bologna on Friday night after a long day driving from Rome.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mille-winners.jpgmille winnersMille Miglia 2014: The overall winners were Stefania Biacca and Giordano Mozzi in a 1928 Lancia Lambda Tipo 221 Spider. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_3744.jpgIMG_3744Mille Miglia 2014: Jaguar team mates @MBrundleF1 and @BSenna at speed in their Long Nose D-type. Another competitor said on Twitter, 'It's crazy, the police just tell us to go faster!'https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_3735.jpgIMG_3735Mille Miglia 2014: competitors entering Brescia this morning, the final stage of the three day event. The overall winners were Stefania Biacca and Giordano Mozzi in a 1928 Lancia Lambda tipo 221 spider. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_3733.jpgIMG_3733Mille Miglia 2014: Jaguar team mates Jay Leno (@LenosGarage) and @IanCallum at 100mph in their 1951 Ecurie Ecosse XK 120 roadster.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/slr-club.jpgslr clubQuirky pics from this weeks' Mille Miglia 2014 coming right up..2014-05-23T04:43:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/19/balkans-floods/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/germany-bridges.jpggermany bridgeshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_3746.jpgIMG_3746BOSNIA: More than 3,000 landslides across the northern part of the country - and neighbouring Serbia - yesterday closed roads and displaced mine fields left over from the conflict in the 1990s. The rain has now stopped but the rivers are expected to peak in the next couple of days. Miraculously the YoGypsy tour around the western Balkans last week escaped unharmed. More later.2014-05-21T09:48:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/20/pole-of-cold-exhibition/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mfl-little.jpgMFL LITTLEMyFerryLink: not going anywhere just yethttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/pole-of-cold.jpgpole of coldThe Pole of Cold Land Rover Defender - complete with 35,000km of filth from its expedition to the far east of Russia, in the middle of -60 degree winter - on display outside the Royal Geographical Society in London2014-05-21T09:17:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/17/from-the-archive-foreign-ferries/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/a.jpgaEsbjerg-Harwichhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/goth-1.jpggoth 1You can get the Oresund Link between Denmark and Sweden but for almost the same price there’s the Stena Line ferry between Frederikshavn and Gothenburg. The 3.5 hour sailing costs from €50 two+car and sails right into the city centre at the Swedish end, under the Alvsborg Bridge, finish line for the Volvo Great Ocean Race (Gothenburg is Volvo’s home town). Frederikshavn is an industrial ship building port, just clawing its way back from a devastating recession. Despite the Palm Beach, with trees bred to withstand -20 degrees, it’s unlikely to be somewhere you would want to stay (don’t!). Less than an hour’s drive away are the shifting sand dunes of Skagen, one of Denmark’s most popular holiday regions, on the junction of the Kattegat and Skaggerak Seas, outflows of the Baltic, where the waves lap against each other.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/archive-ferries-twitter.jpgarchive ferries twitterStanding less than twenty feet away as the 55,000t Minoan Lines Cruise Olympia reversed onto the berth made us seriously wonder what we were letting ourselves in for. Apart from having permanent access to the car throughout the 18 hour voyage from Ancona in east central Italy to Igoumenitsa in western Greece, the experience was exactly as per the cruise ferry long sailings between the UK and the Continent. Olympia is quite glitzy inside with its marble reception area and fine dining restaurants. The real surprise was how many other Brits there were on board, many with dogs. It would have been much cheaper had we not wasted money on an outside cabin – just go up on deck – and brought at least some of our own food. Two+car can cross for £250. Waking up the next morning cruising between the Albanian mountains and the coves and beaches of Corfu was amazing.2014-05-18T17:44:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/12/stockholm/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/transfags.jpgtransfagsTRANSFAGARASAN, MID-MAY 2013. INCHIS:CLOSED.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/stockholm.jpgstockholmStockholm: 57 bridges connect the 14 islands on which the city is built. Photo via @VisitStockholm2014-05-18T17:20:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/16/friday-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/jag-xe.jpgjag xeIt must be Jaguar week. Anyway, ahead of its launch in paris in October, jaguar has revealed the latest image of its new XE compact sports saloon. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/brundle1.jpgbrundleMartin Brundle and Bruno Senna line up in their Jaguar D-type ‘Long Nose’ for day two of Mille Miglia 2014, a minimum 500km Padua-Rome: ‘Waiting for first time trial of a 15.5hr drive,’ says @MBrundleF1, ‘Battery issues so mustn't stall car, but mustn't overheat.’ See #JaguarMillehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/brundle.jpgbrundleMartin Brundle and Bruno Senna line up in their Jaguar D-type ‘Long Nose’ for day two of Mille Miglia 2014, a minimum 500km Padua-Rome: ‘Waiting for first time trial of a 15.5hr drive,’ says @MBrundleF1, ‘Battery issues so mustn't stall car, but mustn't overheat.’ See #JaguarMillehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/bpdn0idccaa6yho.jpgBPdn0idCcAA6Yhohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/french-speed.jpgfrench speedDrivers in France should 2014-05-17T15:51:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/14/lisbon-lincoln/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/alcaidesamarina20120802101445.jpgalcaidesa+marina20120802101445https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/portugal.jpgportugalLisbon-Lincoln: three men will drive this almost entirely original Ford Model T - just the brakes have been modified - on an historic route from Lisbon to Lincoln, for charity, starting next week. More later.2014-05-17T12:11:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/15/mille-miglia-2014/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/jag-team-cars-mille.jpgjag team cars milleMeanwhile Jaguar’s entry will be piloted by a team of racing and showbiz celebs including Martin Brundle and Bruno Senna in a 60 year old ‘Long Nose’ D-type, Jay Leno and Jaguar designer Ian Callum in an Ecurie Ecosse XK 120 roadster, model Jodie Kidd and actor Jeremy Irons both in XK 120 coupes and AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and racer Andy Wallace in C-type racers. See #JaguarMillehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/slr.jpgslrNearly 500 cars in total will compete. Any car which raced in or registered for the original Mille Miglia races, 1927-57, is eligible. Official sponsor Mercedes-Benz fields five historic cars, from the SSK 27 in which Rudolf Caracciola won the 1931 race (top) to the W 196 S 300 SLR that Stirling Moss and co-driver Denis Jenkinson drove to victory in 1955 (at an average speed of 157.65kmh). See #MBMille for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mille-miglia-route.jpgmille miglia routeThe event takes place over four days, Thursday to Sunday. Most of today is taken up with scrutineering, the first car won’t leave Viale Venzia in Brescia until six o’clock this evening and isn’t expected arrive in Verona until eleven o’clock tonight. Via the A4 motorway the route is around 150km but using, as much as possible, the original roads stretches that to around 225km. Competitors lose points for being either early or late at check points, Mille Miglia 2014 isn’t a race as such but a succession of 74 ‘regularity tests’.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cover-mille.jpgcover milleMille Miglia 2014 starts today in Brescia, Italy, on a 1,000 mile route to Rome and back. Hundreds of historic cars take part including ‘works’ teams from Jaguar and Mercedes. See #millemiglia2014 on Twitter.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_3703.jpgIMG_3703Mille Miglia 2014 starts today in Brescia, Italy, on a the 1,000 mile route to Roma and back. Hundreds of historic cars take part including 'works' teams from Jaguar and Mercedes. More later, or see #millemiglia2014 on Twitter.2014-05-16T10:37:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/13/maggiore-blue/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/rolls-gardas.jpgrolls gardasMaggiore Blue: Rolls-Royce debuts 2014-05-14T12:06:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/03/10/new-swiss-tourist-vignette-still-bad-value-for-visiting-drivers-maybe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/swiss-roads.jpgswiss roadsThe chargeable Swiss rad netork. In 2015 more roads will be taken into the scheme.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/4189a.jpg4189aWhy drive on the motorways when the back roads are so pretty? Photo: literally ten minutes from the centre of Basel towards Reinach.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/4162a.jpg4162aYou don't have to buy the motorway vignette to drive in Switzerland. Even the major motorway border points have backstreet detours. If you get caught in the vignette queue, in our experience border staff are happy to direct you. Photo: The Swiss suburban border point at Basel, May 2012. Now unused since Switzerland joined the Schengen Area.2016-03-23T11:23:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/13/aston-on-ice/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/112-brussels-crop.jpg112 brussels cropSchoolchildren mark 112 day in Golden Square, Brusselshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/aston-on-ice2.jpgaston on ice2Aston on Ice: 2014-05-12T12:33:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/03/the-weeks-random-photos/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/jasenice-twitter-fix.jpgjasenice twitter fixhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/roma-col.jpgroma colHugely controversial throughout its relatively short life, Via dei Fori Imperiali stretches in a straight line from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum in central Rome. Opened by Mussolini in 1932 it obliterated 40,000 square yards of ancient, mediaeval and Renaissance structures. Latterly, the recently elected mayor Ignazio Marino (Mayorino), a bike-mad former heart surgeon, has closed off the southern portion to private traffic. This view is no longer possible unless from a bus or taxi, and then probably not for much longer.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/lucerne.jpglucerneEverybody takes this picture and you can’t blame them, as the A2 southbound sweeps down beside Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland. The bogeyman is that 45 miles further down this road is the Gotthard Tunnel where, on high days and holidays, delays can easily reach two hours. Two lanes of traffic on one of Europe’s busiest north-south transit routes squeezes into the single track tunnel. Never mind. In good weather take the spectacular Gotthard Pass instead from J40 Goschenen (or wherever you can depending on the queues). The upside is that the A2 south of Gotthard is great too, downhill for 50 miles to Bellinzona along the Leventina Valley.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/lost-in-auvergne-mini-2006.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIf your idea of the perfect road trip involves an open top sports car and the twisty roads of rural France look no further than Auvergne. It lacks jagged Alps peaks – the drops are hundreds rather than thousands of feet - but the 360 degree views from the high hills and plateaux are truly epic. It’s quiet too, sparsely populated with small, unspoilt towns and villages. You can’t go wrong. Where’s this picture taken? Can’t remember, sorry, but it’s very close to the Mont Mouchet Maquis memorial, ten miles south of Brioude, five east of Saint Flour.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/jasenice-twitter.jpgjasenice twitterYou can pick your way right down Croatia’s Adriatic coast and with all the time in the world it would be a wonderful thing to do. Heading for Split though, our only option was to take to the A1. With the Dinaric Alps as the backdrop in the north, smooth tarmac and a speed limit of 130kmh it was no hardship. It was busier in the south but swooping down to the sea, as here into Zadar, more than compensated. The toll for (almost) its full 290 mile length from Zagreb was £19 (€23). Keep up to date with current traffic conditions, border queues, etc, at hak.hr.2014-05-11T14:11:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/10/the-weeks-photos-pyrenees-alps-spain/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/futa-raticosa.jpgfuta raticosaNot traditional passes in the sense of being vertiginous natural passages between mountains – the Tuscan Apennines top out at less than 1,000m (3,300ft) – but the views over lush green steeply rolling countryside are idyllic if you can bear to stop and look. What was once the main road between Bologna and Florence – SS65 still closely shadows the A1 Autostrade del Sole a few miles to the east - is now a playground, mainly for bikers. Over sixty miles of corners linked by short straights with a top speed of around sixty miles per hour. Raticosa and Futa, one after the other, are frantic but fantastic. The challenge is not to lose it but the consequences if you do are likely to be minimal. SS65 is the greatest way to break up a drive from Milan to Rome (and free). Even better, when we were there one late spring sunny weekday afternoon, it was empty.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/julier-little-crop.jpgjulier little cropIt hasn’t exactly been neutered but a large scale overhaul in 2009 did remove many of the cascading curves the Julier Pass was previously well known for. However, it still tops out at 2284m – 7,493ft – so your head is still in the clouds, on a level with some of the surrounding peaks. There’s no better way to get high without scaring yourself half to death. What Julier really is these days is a proper working road, 27 glorious miles on H3 from Tiefencastel to Silvapana, between the storied Engadine Valley – see James Bond’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – St Moritz, and the rest of Graubunden in east Switzerland. It also neatly strings together with the H19 Oberalp and H29 Bernina passes for fabulous mountain roads between the Gotthard Tunnel in south central Switzerland and the Valtellina Valley in northern Italy.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/pailheres-crop.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/julier-little.jpgjulier littleIt hasn’t been exactly neutered but a large scale overhaul in 2009 did remove many of the cascading curves the Julier Pass was previously well known for. However, it still tops out at 2284m – 7,493ft – so your head is still in the clouds, on a level with some of the surrounding peaks. There’s no better way to get high without scaring yourself half to death. What Julier really is these days is a proper working road, 27 glorious miles on H3 from Tiefencastel to Silvapana, between the storied Engadine Valley – see James Bond’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – St Moritz, and the rest of Graubunden in east Switzerland. It also neatly strings together with the H19 Oberalp and H29 Bernina passes for fabulous mountain roads between the Gotthard Tunnel in south central Switzerland and the Valtellina Valley in northern Italy.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/caro.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFly with the Maltese – peregrine – falcons at the top of Mont Caro with the lush Ebro Delta at your feet and the craggy massif of the Els Ports national park behind. Incredible views, and cool whatever the weather below, but getting there can be a trial. Head east from Tortosa on Carrer Diego de Leon, right from the centre of town. After 5km the initial ascent begins, so steep it’s an effort to lift your head off the seat back but you must, else you cannot see the road. It’s only 1447m (4,747ft) high but the drops are sheer, barriers are few and far between and if anything comes the other way you are forced to drive closer to the edge than you would ever dare walk. But it’s strangely addictive too as in once you start you just cannot stop, it’s far too narrow to turn around. If there’s a scarier road in Europe we’ve yet to find it.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/pailheres.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOh so quiet. In the days before we realised just how busy they can get, we took this tranquil mountain pass – the D25 Port (or Col) de Pailhères above Ax-les-Thermes in the French Pyrenees – entirely for granted. Squiggly roads miles away from anywhere will automatically be quiet, right? Unfortunately not. However, apart from the big name roads, the one thing the Pyrenees really lacks beside the Alps is catchment area. Fewer people live within striking distance. Even if that doesn’t guarantee a clear run at the height of summer, going just out of season - June/September – means you are likely to have the place to yourself.2014-05-11T14:10:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/09/driving-into-the-dolomites/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tofane.jpgtofaneTofane dominates the view west of Cortina. This is the third highest group in the Dolomites topping out at 10,650ft.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2199a.jpgIMG_2199asome mountain groups have romantic names like vvv and vvv. Some of them have silly names, like here: Marmolada.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2190a.jpgIMG_2190atruckshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2158a.jpgIMG_2158ashabby chic, but check out the viewhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2154a.jpgIMG_2154aup close and https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2142a.jpgIMG_2142aIs this barrier getting some routine maintenance or are these repairs of the emergency variety. You'd have to be a nutter to cane it along here.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2139a.jpgIMG_2139aksdghskdghsdg ghhghghhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2089a.jpgIMG_2089askdjkgjhg https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2072a.jpgIMG_2072aLost in the Po Basin.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/img_2061a.jpgIMG_2061aFirst sight Dolomites.2014-05-10T07:39:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/20/natural-environment/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/roads-rijig-spainmini.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERANo more surprise road works in Spain. Photo @DriveEurope. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/koenigsegg-south-sweden-light.jpgkoenigsegg south sweden lighthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/koenigsegg-south-sweden.jpgkoenigsegg south swedenNatural environment: 2014-05-09T11:58:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/08/open-for-business/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20-in-24.jpg20 in 2420 n 24 attempt: (l-r) Tay-young Pak, Gunnar Garfors and Oystein Djupvik. Photo via garfors.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unimog.jpgunimogAs we reported last week, Austria's Grossglockner blue riband mountain pass is open and apparently it's all thanks to @MercedesBenz: 'Despite spring storms and over 3m of snow, Unimog handled business. Pass now open for business.' Also, today, Norway's most famous road Trollstigen 2014-05-09T06:01:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/07/driving-through-poland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/21z1.jpg21zOlsztyn, pop. 175k, right in the middle of the Masurian Lake District in north east Poland with 15 lakes in the city boundary. Of more interest for us right at this moment is that, as you can see, it’s within striking distance – 50 miles – of the Russian enclave, Kaliningrad (formerly Konigsberg).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/19zzzxz.jpg19zzzXzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/lith-big-sky.jpglith big skyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8a.jpg8aLakes, and lots of them. Because the landscape is, at best, gently rolling there aren't the epic lake-filled vistas you get in Switzerland, for instance, but there are hundreds of lakes around here (thousands in the east).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/7a.jpg7aSorry, we have a thing about tree-lined roads.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2a.jpg2aSaying goodbye to Szczecin (Stettin), the former Port of Berlin wearing its industry proudly on the skyline.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/23z.jpg23zBakalarzewo: just 20 miles from Suwalki, the big border town, itself just 25km from the Lithuanian border.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/22z.jpg22zThe sun's out and it looks like we're going to make it.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/21zz.jpg21zzRyn: Hotel Zamek., tempting. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/21z.jpg21zOlsztyn: a largeish town quite far up into north east Poland and, as you can see, within striking distance of the Russian enclave, Kaliningrad (formerly Konigsberg).2014-05-08T16:52:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/05/monday-7/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/rolls-midland.jpgrolls midlandRolls Royce at the Midland Hotel, Manchester. 2014-05-08T13:47:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/06/happy-birthday-eurotunnel/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/eurotunnel-crop2.jpgeurotunnel crop2Happy Birthday Eurotunnel: the fixed rail link between the UK and France was inaugurated twenty years ago today. Passengers travelling today get a certificate and a gift to mark the occasion. Its latest financial results show the Chunnel continues to go from strength to strength. The only cloud on the horizon – the Competition Commission investigation into the SeaFrance/MyFerryLink ‘merger’ deal will be a blip – is the emerging/on-going dispute with UK Border Control over lengthy passport queues, particularly at the busiest times. Some of the ferry operators are getting in on the act too. Look out for delays ‘before check-in’, and have your documents at the ready.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/eurotunnel-crop.jpgeurotunnel cropHappy Birthday Eurotunnel: the fixed rail link between the UK and France was inaugurated twenty years ago today. Passengers travelling today get a certificate and a gift to mark the occasion. Its latest financial results show the Chunnel continues to go from strength to strength. The only cloud on the horizon – the Competition Commission investigation into the SeaFrance/MyFerryLink ‘merger’ deal will be a blip – is the emerging/on-going dispute with UK Border Control over lengthy passport queues, particularly at the busiest times. Some of the ferry operators are getting in on the act too. Look out for delays ‘before check-in’, and have your documents at the ready.2014-06-27T09:02:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/10/strangers-in-moscow/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/roosegaarde-crop.jpgroosegaarde crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/roosegaarde-clittle1.jpgroosegaarde clittlePhoto Studio Roosegaarde and Heijmanshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/sandfordmoscow.jpgsandfordmoscowMoscow: 'Irish-registered Merc on Rublovskoye Shosse. Not often you see that. Two men in black leather jackets driving,' says @BBCDanielS, Daniel Sandford.2014-05-07T08:59:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/04/mapping-the-alps-solk-pass-austria/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/b0002338_icv2.jpgB0002338_ICv2Solk Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/b0002271_icv2.jpgB0002271_ICv2Audi drove Solk at the end of day one of its Alpen Tour last year - right after Nockalm and Turracher Heights – part of its 22 mountain pass tour starting in Klagenfurt and ending in Monaco. Also, about 30km either side of Solk Pass is Radstadler Tauern Pass in the west (aka B99 Katschbergstrasse) and Triebner Tauern Pass (B114 Triebnerstrasse) to the east. Our ‘Mapping the Alps’ series tackles all of these roads one by one. See the bottom of the page for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/009.jpg009Solk stretches 25 miles between Stein an der Enns (Schladming) and Schoder (Murau) along the L704 Erzherzog Strasse. What started out as a mule track 6,000 years ago - taking salt north to the Enns Valley and bringing back wine and cereals to the Mur Valley – was made useable for carts in the late 16th century, paved in 1954 and finally fully asphalted in 1986. Its economic significance is long lost but farming still goes on today. The regular cattle grids should alert you to the possibility of cows on the road.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/solkpass-mini.jpgsolkpass miniSolk is less a destination drive than a quiet diversion between Villach/Klagenfurt and Salzburg, say, right in the epicentre of Austria. The YouTube video, below, shows plenty of switchbacks and stunning long valley views while the steepest parts reach 15%. More than anything it illustrates better than most exactly what a pass is: a natural passage between the mountains. The road tops out at 5,840ft (1,570m) right between the Schladming Tauern in the west and the Wolz Tauern in the east, both part of the Low Tauern range of the Central Eastern Alps.2014-05-05T07:43:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/05/02/918-hybrid-targa/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/stirling-moss-belgium-1952-crop.jpgstirling moss belgium 1952 cropHundreds of thousands of images from The Rootes Group archive will be made available on line later this year to coincide with the beginning of a major redevelopment of the Coventry Transport Museum. At the end of WW2 Rootes reputedly employed 1% of all UK citizens and owned brands such as Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam, Talbot, Commer and Karrier. The collection focuses on the period 1930-1980. Meanwhile, Coventry ring road will be closed off at the end of this month for the inaugural Coventry Motofest. Over 100 vehicles, all with a connection to the city, will parade around the 2.3 mile circuit on Sunday 1 June, the culmination of three days of festivities. See coventrymotofest.com for more. Photo, Belgium 1952. Stirling Moss beside the Sunbeam-Talbot 90 in which he came second in that year’s Monte Carlo Rally. See transport-museum.com for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/dfds-boat-dover-crop.jpgCOPYRIGHT PICS FERRIES AT DOVERFerry fire spate: Ten people – three firefighters and seven crew members – were injured, none seriously, in a fire aboard DFDS Dieppe Seaways at Dover yesterday afternoon. All 316 passengers were safely evacuated. Fire crews eventually stood down at 2am Wednesday. DFDS Dover-Calais services will be disrupted until at least 16:45 this afternoon said the company. At the same time yesterday, a failed fuel pump on a classic car caused a fire aboard Condor Ferries Vitesse in Weymouth. No injuries or damage was sustained and no services were affected. Another DFDS boat suffered an incident at sea on Sunday evening. According to the Copenhagen Post, there was an engine failure and explosion on Crown Seaways as it sailed between Copenhagen and Oslo. Again, no injuries were sustained and the boat arrived on time the next morning. Photo via DFDS Seaways.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_3618.jpgIMG_3618Maria Sharapove and Mark Webber take the new Porsche 918 Hybrid out for a spin.2014-05-03T16:36:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/30/alpine-roads-re-opening/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/volvo-goth-little.jpgvolvo goth little‘Drive Me’: Volvo has unleashed 100 autonomous cars onto the streets of its hometown Gothenburg, south west Sweden (180miles from the Norwegian capital Oslo, above). The cars can already handle stop-start traffic, adapt speed and merge into traffic by themselves. The aim is to have the cars control all driving functions. The experiment includes the city and national authorities, roads agency and real customers. 50km of roads in and around the city have been selected to prove the ‘Autopilot’ technology in real driving conditions.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/hochalpenstrasse-little.jpghochalpenstrasse littleAustria's Grossglockner High Alpine Road re-opens today, the first of many mountain passes over the next few days. More later.2014-05-02T12:16:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/22/oresund-top-toll-tip/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/oresund-toll-tip.jpgoresund toll tip2014-05-01T13:40:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/29/visa-free-moldova/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dfds-esbjerg.jpgdfds esbjergThe DFDS Esbjerg-Harwich boat in Esbjerg last week.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/moldova-border.jpgmoldova borderMoldovan citizens are able to visit the EU without a visa as of yesterday. Ergo, EU citizens (including those with an EU visa) can now visit Moldova without worrying about a visa anymore. Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, just cut off from the west Black Sea, Moldova featured on last year's Porsche Performance Drive.2014-05-01T13:16:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/24/the-last-hitlerbahn/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/a11-hitler-bahn-crop.jpga11 hitler bahn cropThe A11 Berlin-Szczecin northbound between J5-4. Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/jens-tesla-norway.jpgjens tesla norwayMeet Jens from Narvik, northern Norway, 125 miles inside the Arctic Circle and owner of the world’s largest collection of Teslas: six Roadsters and one Model S. He owns that many because each of his six adult children need a car when they visit rather than him needing spares for when the batteries run out a la FormulaE racing cars. Actually he extols the virtues of EV traction in snowy conditions, says the winter range is almost the same as the summer range and that the Roadster was able to cope on a recent visit to -40 Sweden when the trains couldn’t operate and the diesel in the buses froze.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/last-hitlerbahn.jpglast hitlerbahnThe Last Hitlerbahn: reputedly the last stretch of original autobahn inside the German border, the A11 Berlin-Szczecin (aka Stettin). Most of the A11 has now been renovated but short stretches of the original road remain, but not for much longer. You can tell the original road because as well as being dead straight it has no hard shoulder (and also because it's hilariously, incredibly bumpy). Opened in 1936, known as Berlinka, it was to connect Berlin and Konigsberg (now Kaliningrad).2014-04-30T16:51:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/28/cccp/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/a65-rheinbrucke-traffic.jpga65 rheinbrucke traffichttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/english-russia.jpgenglish russiaRandom history photo from @EnglishRussia. Cool2014-04-30T12:18:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/25/easy-max-autobahn/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dover-travel-centre.jpgdover travel centreThe Port of Dover Travel Centre highlighted. Photo via @Port_of_Doverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/easy-max-autobahn-cover1.jpgeasy max autobahn coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/easy-max-autobahn-cover.jpgeasy max autobahn coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/easy-max-autobahn.jpgeasy max autobahnEasy Max Autobahn: there are plenty of places to test you and your car's performance on the derestricted German autobahn network, obviously. Our favourite is the east-west A2 between Hanover and Berlin, particularly the latter stretch Magdeburg-Berlin. It's so wide, flat and dead straight in many places even Grandma would feel comfortable with pedal to the metal to see what this baby can do. 2014-04-28T18:33:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/26/from-the-channel-to-east-belgium-e40-v-e42-v-n90/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2.jpg2N90 Mons to Liege on the way into Namurhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1.jpg1N90 in central Namur2014-04-27T17:33:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/23/via-baltica/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cover-crop-vb.jpgcover crop vbhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/via-baltica-cover-crop.jpgvia baltica cover crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/via-baltica-little.jpgvia baltica little2014-04-25T17:11:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/21/holiday-traffic-another-nordic-fart-joke/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/fartcontrolc1.jpgfartcontrolchttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/fartcontrolc.jpgfartcontrolchttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/holiday-traffic.jpgholiday traffichttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/fartcontrol-a.jpgfartcontrol aOn the E20 south of Copenhagen, speed control during road works. Photo @DriveEurope2014-04-22T16:58:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/11/easter-holiday-traffic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/norway-traffic.jpgnorway trafficSit backand relax, you're on holiday! Photo via @Presserom, Vegvesen.no, Norway.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/a8-stutt-munich-tarffic.jpga8 stutt munich tarfficA8 Stuttgart-Munich. Excuse the picture, if it makes you feel any better we are likely to be stuck in it this weekend too.2014-04-21T07:39:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/20/draft-daily-brief/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/norway.jpgnorwayFrom Norway: 'Over fartsgrensen?' - 2014-04-20T19:04:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/12/saturday-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tour-auto-breakvan.jpgtour auto breakvanTour Auto: the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan – aka 250 GTO Drogo – departs from Valence this morning on the final leg of the 2014 Tour Auto Optic 2000 rally. The – really amazing – six day, 2,500km event finishes this evening in Marseilles. Catch up with all the action at @Tour_Auto, and/or see Tuesday’s @DriveEurope for an overview.2014-04-13T06:36:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/11/back-door-to-basel/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ruban-blanc.jpgruban blanchttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dyke-2.jpgdyke 2Afsluitdijk: protestors blocked the A7 causeway motorway this afternoon in a row about new windmills being erected on the Ijsselmeer lake. Built in 1933 it stretches over 20 miles between Den Oever and Zurich in north west Netherlands, damming off Ijsselmeer - Europe's largest freshwater lake, from the North Sea.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/lorrach.jpglorrachBack door to Basel: trucks queuing this morning on the A861 which crosses the Rhein into Switzerland a few miles east of Basel.2014-07-13T13:20:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/08/product-placement/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bentley-balkans.jpgbentley balkansWithout going into any details – like why, particularly – Bentley reveals it has let its new 520bhp GT V8S loose on west Balkan roads. It’s currently driving from Otocec in south central Slovenia to Zadar on the Croatian coast. Avoiding motorways that’s about 180 miles direct via the must-visit Plitvice Lakes and Waterfalls.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tesla-safety-car.jpgtesla safety carLaFerrari: 6.3 litre V12 mated to a 120KW electric motor - check the EV registration plate - to pump out 950bhp and hopefully McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 destroying performance. So why are we more excited about the car in the background? Because this is Monza, and the safety car is a Tesla Model S, another wizard piece of product placement from Elon Musk's upstart auto maker. More later.2014-04-12T12:36:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/09/product-placement-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/maratea.jpgMARATEASanta Caterina and the Statua del Cristo Redentore, outside Maratea, 'the pearl of the Tyrrhenian' about 140 miles south of Naples, south west Italy.2014-04-10T11:11:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/06/polands-pretty-motorways-in-pictures/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/poland-then-and-now.jpgpoland then and nowhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/s19-c59bwilcza-rzeszc3b3w-poc582udnie-kielanc3b3wka.jpgS19 Świlcza-Rzeszów Południe (Kielanówka).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/s17-lublin.jpgs17 lublinNothing illustrates the steamroller nature of new roads ploughing through the countryside than this shot of the S17 at Lublin, 170km south east of Warsaw. On the other hand, the previously Lublin was once the poorest the poorest city in the EU until Romania joined in 2007. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/s5-kaczkowo-korzensko.jpgs5 kaczkowo korzenskohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/s2-warsawy.jpgs2 warsawyA2 Berlin-Warsaw-Belarus is incomplete only between Warsaw and the Belarus border, at Terespol. 79 heads 120 miles south off the Warsaw ring. Sandomierz is a modestly sized town but a major tourist attraction because of its old town.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bkyhiadciaactyo.jpgBkYhIaDCIAActYohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bjhies9ciaafeik.jpgBjhies9CIAAFeIkhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bizp9ewcaaayfpe.jpgBizP9EwCAAAYfpEhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/biucldscmaaelpj.jpgBiUcLdSCMAAelpJhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bh_jscgcaaa9utb.jpgBh_JSCGCAAA9utBA bridge on the all-important A1 motorway which will run north-south from Gdansk on the Baltic coast to Vienna, via Brno. The section north of Warsaw should be complete this year. Construction on the 275km section south from there to the Czech Republic starts in 2015. 2014-04-09T12:58:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/07/parking-conductor/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/estonian-national-opera.jpgestonian national operaRandom: the car park gates of the Estonian National Opera in Tallinn. Pic via @HLintu, Hannu Lintu, chief conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Thank you.2014-04-08T13:11:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/05/evoque-mileage/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bosnia-golf.jpgbosnia golf'Safe to say the Volkswagen Golf 2 automobile is very popular in Bosnia-Herzegovina,' says @BH_Dragons, the English language football/sports channel (might come in handy as Bosnia contests its first World Cup this summer).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/su-27-mikolayiv.jpgsu 27 mikolayivA Ukraine Airforce Sukhoi SU27 'Flanker' - the Russian equivalent of the F15 Eagle - lands on the Mykolayiv Highway near the Crimea border in southern Ukraine. Major roads in former Soviet Bloc countries often double as ad hoc landing strips, Bulgaria has twelve, one of which featured in the recent Autocar trip to Istanbul by new Nissan Qashqai. The M14 Mykolayiv Highway runs dead straight for two nearly 20 mile stretches between Mykolayiv and Melitopol.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/evoque-mpg-cover-crop.jpgevoque mpg cover cropIn its first week, and nearly 700 miles, our nine speed automatic Range Rover Evoque achieved an indicated 38.1mpg. Incidentally, the engine was already run-in at the factory though apparently it settles down completely at around 4,500 miles.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/evoque-mcrop.jpgevoque mcropIn its first week, and nearly 700 miles, our nine speed automatic Range Rover Evoque achieved an indicated 38.1mpg. Incidentally, the engine was already run-in at the factory though apparently it settles down at around 4,500 miles.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/evoque-mileage-crop.jpgevoque mileage cropIn its first week, and nearly 700 miles, our nine speed automatic Range Rover Evoque achieved 38.1mpg (you'll have to take out word for it). Incidentally, the engine is already run-in at the factory though apparently it settles down again at around 4,500 miles.2014-04-07T14:07:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/04/jaguar-on-ice/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/jag-ice1.jpgjag ice‘Alive on Ice’. Sadly, Jaguar’s winter driving course in central Finland does not include a cross country blast by F-TYPE… However, the three day affair does feature cross country dog sledding and ski-doo riding (and a day in Helsinki) and they do promise ‘challenging driving experiences’. See jaguar.com/icedrive for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/audi-neuberg-little.jpgaudi neuberg littlehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/jag-ice.jpgjag iceJaguar On Ice: more later.2014-04-06T12:16:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/03/calais-strike/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/calais-6.jpgcalais 6Photo @DriveEuropehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/volvo.jpgvolvoThe new Volvo FH16 Euro 6: 750bhp, 3550Nm torque. 'The most powerful production truck in the world'. More later.2014-04-05T14:08:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/02/wednesday-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/finland-right-to-roam.jpgfinland right to roamRight to Roam: 90% of Finland is open to the public. Apart from people's back yards, military installations, a thin strip down the Russian border and field s under crop you can hike, ski, cycle and drive pretty much everywhere you want, and you can camp for a couple of nights and help yourself to berries and nuts, etc. There's no off-roading allowed but you can park beside the road and pitch up. Open campfires are not allowed (but you can have a stove). Don't disturb other people,a nd respect the environment and you can basically do what you want. Click the link above for more info. 2014-04-05T11:11:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/04/01/tuesday-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/rom-fuel.jpgrom fuelhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chulyshman-little.jpgChulyshman littleChulyshman: a canyon and a river in the Altai Republic, south central Russia, on the border with Kazakhstan. It runs 241km into Lake Teletskoye. In summer it’s really pretty. In winter it freezes over and becomes an ice road. It was one of the roads used on this year’s Pole of Cold expedition. On 19 May, expedition leader Felicity Ashton will be giving the Monday Night Lecture at the Royal Geographical Society in London, see www.rgs.org2014-04-02T16:14:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/30/donetsk/2014-04-02T12:05:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/31/cascais-overnight/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/road-safety-pic.jpgROAD SAFETY picFrench road safety advert: 'celui qui conduit c'est celui qui ne boit pas' - the one who drives is the one who does not drink. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/van-on-beach1.jpgvan on beach1Cascais: 'Portugal is one of the few places in Europe where you can still stay on the beach overnight,' says Italian photographer Alessandro Puccinelli in the latest Mercedes-Benz web special 'Ocean Calling: 48 Hours in Lisbon'.2014-04-01T10:02:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/28/who-you-gonna-call/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/kallas-conference.jpgkallas conferenceEU transport commissioner Siim Kallas at the Brussels 2012 Road Charging Conference. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/simferopol-police-car.jpgsimferopol police carSimferopol: introducing the new-style Crimea police car.2014-03-31T14:43:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/27/auto-blu/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/a4-cologne-little.jpga4 cologne littleThe A4 doesn't open out until you're within sight of Cologne. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/a4-aachen-little.jpga4 aachen littleThe German border near Aachen, from the A4 to Cologne, the closest autobahn to Britain. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/auto-blu.jpgauto bluAuto Blu: the Italian government has started to sell of its fleet of 'blue cars', chauffeur driven limos used by politicians which irk other motorists as they are waved through traffic jams, symbolic of a self-serving elite. The first batch of 25 are on ebay.it now, a varied bunch including a couple of Jags, Mercedes, Lancias and, of course, Maseratis, all painted that fetching shade of dark, dark blue. 151 will be sold by mid-April. Search 'Le Auto Blu del Governo'.2014-03-31T09:04:27+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/24/monday-6/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/belgium-plates-rub23-little-mini.jpgbelgium plates rub23 little minihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/belgium-plates-rub23-little.jpgbelgium plates rub23 littleBelgium's King Filip has been caught out by new registration plates which mostly start with 1.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/bjwptbmciaaxyen.jpgBjWPTBmCIAAxyENA tragic accident in Grand Canaria on Saturday after an Italian passenger was taken ill on a drive through San Bartolome de Tirajana in the centre of the island. The vehicle had to stop on a dangerous bend in the road. While the driver was manoeuvring, the man was run over and killed and nine others were injured, two seriously reports @AGI_Italy_News. Photo via @112Canarias.2014-03-31T09:01:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/26/audi-do/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/disr2-png.pngdisr2 pngAn employee of Securite Routiere demonstrates how the unmarked camera cars have radar devices hidden behind their number plates.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/audilemanscrop.jpgaudilemanscroptime Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen gave the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro its first public outing yesterday. The diesel hybrid drove 10km from the Saint-Julien du Mans cathedral in the city center to the famous race track. R18 will be driven in anger for the first time on 28-29 March at test at Paul Ricard, South of France, ahead of its race debut at Silverstone on 20 April, round one of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Le Mans itself takes place 14-15 June.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/audi-le-mans-mini.jpgaudi le mans miniNine time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen gave the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro diesel hybrid racer its first public outing yesterday on a 10km drive from the Saint-Julien du Mans cathedral in the city center to the famous race track. R18 first hits a racetrack in anger on 28-29 March at test at Paul Ricard ahead of its race debut at Silverstone on 20 April, round one of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Le Mans itself takes place 14-15 June.2014-03-31T08:39:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/25/stress-test/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/140325-dobrindt-lkw-maut-03.jpg140325-dobrindt-lkw-maut-03Alexander Dobrindt, German Federal Minister for Transport.2014-03-31T08:30:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/29/what-a-cock/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/650s.jpg650sBribery and corruption: eye opening allegations from Autocar’s Steve Sutcliffe after the launch of McLaren’s 650S in southern Spain. In a blog post speculating about the cost of international car launches, the hugely respected road tester implies three times that one of the outgoings is ‘the palming of notes to the local constabulary’. Car launches are indeed expensive. It was revealed recently that Mercedes-Benz will spend €8m on hotels alone this winter in the nearby Algarve. Meanwhile, the Spanish government is closing on a deal to rescue its ailing toll road operators. A state highway corporation will bring together nine ailing road companies and forgive half their combined €4.4bn debt in exchange for a 30 year bond. The banks have until Monday to agree.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/what-a-cock.jpgwhat a cockWhat a cock: it has yet to venture genuinely off-road, but critics will be heartened to hear that our new Range Rover Evoque has already come into direct contact with nature. Amid the wealth of driver aids, including country lane cameras which peer out from the front bumpers to give the dri2014-03-31T06:01:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/15/luxembourg-landslide/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/lux-landslide.jpglux landslideA landslide closed the A4 in Luxembourg for a time yesterday.2014-03-29T15:36:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/17/avtozhlobov/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/rolls-moscow.jpgrolls moscowAvtozhlobov: park where you like in Moscow and obscure the numberplate to escape the almost all seeing eyes of CCTV cameras. However, what used to be a widespread practice – with transgressors gaining the nickname Avtozhlobov (Auto Goons) - has suddenly died out reports parking activist www.zyalt.livejournal.com City centre parking has got much more organised recently. It’s easier to find a ticket machine than something to cover the registration plate with says Zyalt. The penalties are much harsher too after a new fleet of recovery trucks hit the streets at the end of last year. Clearly though old habits die hard as this photo taken this week shows. Perhaps they just don’t carry any cash.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/178-hr-rgb.jpgDFDS SeawaysPhoto courtesy of DFDS.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/parking-moscow.jpgparking moscowAvtozhlobov: park where you like in Moscow and obscure the numberplate with, in this case, a CD to escape the 2014-03-29T15:29:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/23/road-works-season/2014-03-24T09:31:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/22/security-lockdown-holland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/img_7427.jpgIMG_7427https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/a4-ams-cover.jpga4 ams coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/a4-amsterdam.jpga4 amsterdamLarge scale road closures accompany next week's Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, starting tomorrow, all along the western side of Holland. Details later.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/a4-ams-den-haag.jpga4 ams den haagLarge scale road closures accompany next week's Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, all down west Holland.2014-03-23T14:48:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/18/tesla-taxi/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/morizet-hidalgo-big.jpgmorizet hidalgo bigNathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, left, and Mayoral rival Anne Hidalgo apparently share a distaste for diesel.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tesla-taxi.jpgtesla taxiProduct placement: Tesla’s all electric Model S has already found itself in some unlikely places, and we don’t just mean the far north of Norway in the depths of winter. Last year it became the official transport of the Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, complete with G1 number plate. Rumours abound an armoured, stretched version could replace Barack Obama’s Big Beast presidential limousine. Now it has cropped up in the heart of Germany’s car industry after Taxi Centre Ostbahnhof recently added a Model S to its fleet of 48 hybrids. It’s the top of the range 85KW version too. BMW executives must be fuming.2014-03-22T11:39:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/21/moment-of-truth/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/etunnel.jpgetunnelhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/myferrylink-cover.jpgmyferrylink coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/myferrylink.jpgmyferrylinkMoment of truth: Dover-Calais ferry operator MyFerryLink finds out this morning if the Competition Commission will finally drop the case which has caused so much uncertainty for the new operator.2014-03-22T08:19:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/19/late-break/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/cayman-gts.jpgcayman gtsPorsche Cayman GTS: 0-62mph in 4.8secs, 340hp, top speed 177mph, 211 g/km CO2, £55,397.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scotland-applecross-crop.jpgscotland applecross cropThis sign is too old to be part of modern health and safety culture.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sylvensteinstausee-bei-lenggries.jpgsylvensteinstausee-bei-lenggriesSylvensteinstausee, one of the many lakes on the German Alpine Road.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scotland-applecross.jpgscotland applecrosshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/p1000068_4pf5.jpgP1000068_4pF5The Gotthard Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/icelandlandscape-use.jpgicelandlandscape useSouth west Iceland.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/grossglock-use.jpggrossglock useGrossglockner High Alpine Road from the top, 8,215 feet.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/boxster-gts-use.jpgboxster gts usePorsche Boxster GTS: 0-62mph in 5secs, 330hp, top speed 174mph, 211 g/km CO2, £52,879.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gla.jpgglaTry before you buy: pick up a brand new Mercedes-Benz GLA in Stuttgart. Drive it 225 miles south west to Kitzbuhel in Austria, spend a day skiing with a private 'Red Devil' instructor, stay at the five star Hotel Grand Tirola, take the car back to Stuttgart the next day. Price €499 for two sharing. A good deal? You have until 28 March to decide. Click the link above.2014-03-21T08:08:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/16/paris-traffic-restrictions/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/paris-traffic-at-night-wallpaper-france.jpgParis-Traffic-At-Night-Wallpaper-FranceParis traffic. Photo Eric Rougier, www.FromParis.com2014-03-17T15:48:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/14/weekend-traffic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/busy-bee-big.jpgbusy bee bigRush hour traffic this afternoon on the A8 Munich-Stuttgart.2014-03-17T06:51:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/14/friday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/reindeer-road.jpgREINDEER ROADA photo from 2007 shows how the herd is put off crossing Highway 7.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/moynat-jag1.jpgmoynat jagTo mark the opening of its first UK shop, on Mount Street in London, long lived French luggage maker Moynat has designed a bespoke suitcase to fit the famously snug boot of the Jaguar F-TYPE. A one-off so far, constructed from eight layers of wood, covered with slate grey leather to match the boot’s interior and lined with Moynat’s signature tangerine hide. Jaguar has recently launched its own five piece fitted luggage set for the F-TYPE.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/moynat-jag.jpgmoynat jagTo mark the opening of its first UK shop, on Mount Street in London, long lived French luggage maker Moynat has designed a bespoke suitcase to fit the famously snug boot of the Jaguar F-TYPE. A one-off so far, constructed from eight layers of wood, covered with slate grey leather to match the boot’s interior with Moynat’s signature tangerine leather lining. Jaguar has recently launched its own five piece fitted luggage set for the F-TYPE.2014-03-16T17:57:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/12/early-mist/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sheep.jpgsheepFrench farmer demonstrating against reform of the Common Agricultural Policy blocked the A9 and A54 motorways between Nimes and Arles in the South of France today. The protest started off relatively low key in the mid-afternoon - and appeared to disperse - only to come back much stronger in the early evening when both roads were effectively shut, and/or severely restricted until 21:00. It’s not clear yet whether more actions are planned. Photo via Twitter, photographer unknown.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/currentpic.jpgCurrentPicWebcam photo from Antwerp this morning: early mist in Belgium and Germany this morning.2014-03-16T15:39:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/11/minibus/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/paris-traffic-police.jpgparis traffic policePhoto via @PrefPolicehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/austria-minibus.jpgaustria minibusAustrian police 2014-03-16T14:51:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/10/seatbelt-week/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/land-rover-in-control-app.jpgland rover in control appLand Rover In-Control App.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/seatbelt-campaign1.jpgseatbelt campaignIt's TISPOL Seatbelt Week: traffic police across the Continent will be particularly on the look out for drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts.2014-03-14T10:29:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/13/moscow-map/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ferrari-land-hotel.jpgferrari land hotelThe world's first Ferrari-themed hotel will be built at Ferrari Land in Spain. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/moscow.jpgmoscowFinally, what we've all been waiting for, a map of the on-going and planned road building in the Russian capital. Thanks to a private group of researchers and www.TheMoscowTimes.com More later. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/moscow-crop.jpgmoscow crop2014-03-14T08:42:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/09/bastad-bay-sweden/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/bastad-cottage-little.jpgbastad cottage littleUnsurprisingly Bastad turns out to be the weekend playground of Sweden's super rich. The Wallenbergs (Scania, Ericsson, Astra Zeneca), Perssons (H&M) and Rausings (Tetrapak) all have places around here. Only the Kamprads (Ikea) don't because founder Ingvar was born just over the hill and prefers it there. As is the Swedish way it's all very discreet. Apparently they all live in the regular little cottages that line the streets.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/bastad-end-small.jpgbastad end smallA stunning combination of water, sky and clouds.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/18.jpg18xxxxxxxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/17.jpg17xxxxxxxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/16.jpg16xxxxxxxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/15.jpg15xxxxxxxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/14.jpg14xxxxxxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/13.jpg13xxxxxxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/12.jpg12xxxxxxxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/11.jpg11xxxxxxxx2014-03-12T21:33:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/07/friday-go-slow-netherlands/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dutch-trucker.jpgdutch truckerFriday, March 7th, all roads will be closed. Especially for our government demolition. Enough is enough. 2014-03-12T15:26:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/08/fh-design-award/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/traffic-sunday-big.jpgtraffic sunday bigHoliday traffic: the A8 westbound towards Munich. At least the weather was nice.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/volvo-if-crop.jpgvolvo if cropVolvo’s new FH long-haul truck series won an ‘iF Design Award’, presented at BMW Welt in Munich last week. The jurors cited its, ‘Assertive, confident presence with a modern appearance which exudes premium quality and efficiency’. Previous truck winners in the ‘transportation design and special vehicles’ category include, last year, the Mercedes-Benz Actros and, in 2001, the MAN ‘Trucknology Generation’. For more see www.ifdesign.de2014-03-12T15:23:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/06/snowvenia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/bhqyh-7icaae7-i.jpgBhqyh-7IcAAE7-Ihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tim-burke.jpgtim burke'No problem with snow here in Slovenia!' tweets Olympic biathlete Tim Burke @tb_burke this morning2014-03-10T10:57:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/01/black-saturday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/traffic.jpgtrafficHolidaymakers heading for the mountains this weekend faced some long delays. Others however almost got away with it completely.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/nurburgring.jpgnurburgringHot lap Nurburgring: laying a new surface at the Green Hell Nordschleife ahead of it reopening to tourist drives on 16 March. Photo via @nuerburgring_de. Also see www.nuerburgring.dehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1912239_10153924124465454_1280229536_o.jpg1912239_10153924124465454_1280229536_o2014-03-09T16:18:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/02/theyre-back/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/crimea.jpgcrimeaCrimea. Photo via @EuroMaidanPRhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/theyre-bacvk.jpgtheyre bacvkThey're Back: the @PoleofCold Land Rover queuing for the DFDS Esbjerg-Harwich boat in Denmark yesterday.2014-03-08T15:37:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/05/the-bertha-benz-story/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/motorwagen_serienversion.jpgMotorwagen_SerienversionThe Benz Patent Motorwagenhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/berthabenzportrait12.jpgBerthabenzportrait12Bertha Benz2014-03-08T14:22:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/05/glare-free/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tesla-davos.jpgtesla davosA line up of Tesla Model S at the Davos World Economic forum in eastern Switzerland, January 2014.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/supercharger.jpgsuperchargerThe coverage of tesla Supercharger stations by the end of 2014.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/rolls-lights-crop.jpgrolls lights cropThe headlights in the Rolls Royce Ghost Series II, unveiled in Geneva this week, feature 'glare-free' technology. Naturally the company doesn't go into the tawdry details of exactly how the technology works, but the effect is to sense oncoming lights and dim automatically to avoid dazzling other drivers. 2014-03-06T15:57:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/04/tuesday-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/disco-slalom.jpgdisco slalomhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/kerch-ferry-crop.jpgkerch ferry cropOccupying troops at the Kerch Ferry terminal earlier today. Photo via @EuroMaidanPRhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/discovery.jpgdiscoveryLand Rover sponsored the Next Generation Explorer competition last weekend in the French Alps to mark 25 years of the Discovery. Alex Woodford, 22, from Leicestershire won out after 24 hours of tests in the mountains around Megeve which included slalom driving on the slopes, a 180kg sled pull and a kayak race across Lake Geneva. She will now be mentored by adventurer Bear Grylls.2014-03-05T15:49:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/03/03/modern-mini-faceoff/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/old-new-mini.jpgold new miniOld and new Minis meet in central Krakow this morning, part of a UK trade mission starting today. Much is made about how much modern Minis have grown. At least the latest version is slightly lower than the previous model.2014-03-04T14:59:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/25/tuesday-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/port-west-dunkirk.jpgport west dunkirkDunkirk Port Westhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/maniago-crop.jpgmaniago cropcloistered tunnels 2014-03-02T20:01:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/28/i8-louis-vuitton/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/i-8-louis-vuitton.jpgi 8 louis vuittonAccessories 2014-03-02T19:21:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/27/wednesday-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/merc-moscow.jpgmerc moscowEach of Team Russia’s Winter Olympics medal winners were given a brand new Mercedes today. Forty five cars were handed out in total - a GL-Class for gold, ML for silver and GLK for bronze - by prime minister Dmitry Medvedev at a ceremony on Vasilyevsky Spusk (descent) between Red Square and the Moskva river. Child prodigy figure skater Julia Lipnitskaia, too young to drive, was a also given a chauffeur.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/italy-gas.jpgitaly-gasItaly, May 2013. Unleaded already at €1.69 with no sign of coming down since.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/a81-hegaublick-big.jpga81 hegaublick bigSurprise snow: the major roads in the French and Italian Alps are clear after heavy snow fall yesterday but there is still a truck ban on the A13 Bellinzona-Chur in Switzerland while snow fell overnight in south west Germany. Here at Hegaublick, on the A81 just north west of Lake Constance.2014-03-02T14:21:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/26/wednesday-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/kresna-mini.jpgkresna miniTake our word for it: Kresna is lovely. But the current single lane Struma highway gets very busy. Photo @DriveEurope.2014-02-28T18:00:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/24/poland/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/border-control-little.jpgborder control littleFrench passport control at Dunkirk port.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/a4-a18.jpga4 a18Poland: not a week goes by 2014-02-27T20:18:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/21/nothing-major-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/kyiv-buses-crop.jpgkyiv buses cropKyiv: buses used to bring in Berkut riot police - and maybe Titushki armed gangs too - parked up yesterday morning.2014-02-25T12:36:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/22/curva-nuvolari/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/nuvolari-curve-ferrari-little.jpgnuvolari curve ferrari littleA 1950 Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta - on Nuvolari Curve - to mark the renovation and reopening of the Museo Ferrari in Maranello this week. More later.2014-02-25T11:44:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/23/curva-nuvolari-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/yatsenyuk.jpgyatsenyukOn the way into Kiev, Tymoshenko’s car was stopped by Maidan activists angry that the blacked out convoy had attempted to bypass regular traffic. Sitting alongside Tymoshenko was Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a long-time ally, office holder in a previous administration and one of the negotiators with the government during the crisis. He is also tipped for high, possibly the highest, office in the next government. But Yatsenyuk was forced to adopt his most earnest expression and express fulsome apologies to talk his way out of this one.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/zils.jpgzilsYanukovych had his own seventy strong car museum, each exhibit coming with its own information sheet. As well as this range of ZILs was a 1950 Rolls Royce, a Chevrolet Impala and a wide selection of Fiat 500s.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/podil.jpgpodilWith politicians and police gone – even the traffic booths were empty – capital Kyiv was ghostly quiet yesterday morning. @KyivPost CEO Jakob Parusinski (@J_Parus) used the opportunity to take this photo, of Volodymyrski descent, the road heading north east from Independence Square in Kyiv down beside the river Dnieper. He called it ‘the difference between coming and going from Euromaidan’. We missed the significance at the time but as US ambassador @GeoffPyatt later pointed out, ‘Coming from Maidan is stained black from ash.’https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/petrol-station.jpgpetrol stationAmong nude presidential portraits, solid gold loaves of bread and snakeskin sofas in the sauna anteroom, arguably the most indulgent feature of the ousted Ukraine leader’s former residence, overlooking the Dnieper north of Kiev, was this rather cool personal filling station. Mind you, considering Victor Yanukovych did also have a vast collection of classic Soviet cars – and a fleet of blacked out German limos and SUVs – maybe it was actually a necessity. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mezhyriya.jpgmezhyriyaTraffic jams stretched to former President Yanukovych’s lavish residence Mezihyria beside the Dnieper river just outside Kyiv - and served by its own brand new motorway - as the doors were thrown open to the public yesterday morning.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/dictator-chic.jpgdictator chicIn addition, Yanukovych had a blacked out vehicle for every occasion.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/chornovil.jpgchornovilIn the haste to leave many files were left behind, some just dumped in the river. Staff from @KyivPost are currently going through what remains but one surviving sheet is this on Tatyana Chornovil. The opposition journalist was chased down by thugs on the M-03 highway early on Christmas morning, beaten, and left for dead. Ironically, she was returning from photographing the lavish residence of a member of Yanukovych’s government.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/tymoshenko-crop-big.jpgtymoshenko crop bigProminent among yesterday’s extraordinary developments was the release of Yulia Tymoshenko, former prime minister, from prison in Kharkiv, north east Ukraine. Within minutes she declared she would run for President. Her reception from the crowd at Independence Square in central Kiev later was enthusiastic but hardly wild. She is unlikely to be the unifying leader the country needs.2014-02-25T07:37:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/18/road-charging-trial-belgium/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1912217_684017628331676_821604539_o.jpg1912217_684017628331676_821604539_oFinland: members of the Reindeer Herders’ Association are experimenting with reflective sprays to make the animals more visible on the roads of Lapland in the north. Between 3-5,000 are involved in car accidents each year. It the spray proves durable it will be rolled out more widely next autumn. See www.paliskunnat.fi for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mclaren-cannonball.jpgmclaren-cannonballLast year's event. Photo via Police Grand-Ducale, Luxembourg.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/belgium-road-charging.jpgbelgium road chargingPhoto: screen grab via @landersnews, www.deredactie.be2014-02-24T12:41:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/19/crackdown-kyiv/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/dover-plan-big.jpgdover plan bigArtist's impression looking from the redeveloped Western Docks, Dover.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/img_2654.jpgIMG_2654Ukraine. What a difference a day makes. On Monday it looked like a solution was in sight but yesterday was the bloodiest day yet. A march to parliament to persuade law makers to revert back to the 2004 ‘Orange Revolution’ Constitution was met with the most sustained crackdown so far. At the time of writing, twenty five protestors and police had been killed, quadruple the entire death toll to date. The most incredible thing is how protestors have been able to stand their ground facing battalions of Berkut riot police and marauding, armed Titushki (paid thugs). Determined definitely, and well organised, but also sustained by support from the rest of the country. Last night there was a reported 200km traffic jam on the road into Kyiv from Odessa. Photo @Dbnmjr2014-02-23T19:48:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/17/drive-right/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/berkeu-hrush2.jpgberkeu hrush2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/berkeu-hrush.jpgberkeu hrushKyiv, end in sight? Some streets have been cleared or partially cleared, including Hrushevskoho Street, scene of the most bitter confrontation recently (above). Protestors have left the city hall building and 234 have been released by the authorities under an amnesty. Meanwhile however, an Automaidan activist in Zaporizhzhya in south east Ukraine was killed at the weekend after an unknown assailant fired into the petrol tank. Most of all, protestors are keen to refute accusations that their movement is made up of (right wing) extremists. Photo via @EuromaidanPRhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/dacia-pitesti.jpgdacia pitestiDacias in Pitesti, central Romania. The factory is actually at Mioveni, ten miles north. Photo @DriveEurope.2014-02-23T17:26:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/21/half-term-holiday-traffic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/basel-busy-crop.jpgbasel busy cropThe A5 Frankfurt-Basel is expected to be busy tomorrow (though apparently not over the Swiss border).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/basel-busy.jpgbasel busyThe A5 Frankfurt-Basel is expected to be busy tomorrow.2014-02-22T11:43:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/15/macedonia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/macdeonia-3.jpgmacdeonia 3MACEDONIA: 2014-02-15T18:17:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/09/what-is-the-zipper-method-designed-to-prevent/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/cover-crop-zipper.jpgCOVER CROP ZIPPERhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/zipper-method-belgium-small.jpgzipper method belgium smallhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/zusatzzeichen.jpgZusatzzeichen'Reißverschluss erst in 200m' - Zip only at 200mhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/zipper-method1.jpgzipper methodLate merging in Austria 2014-02-14T12:03:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/12/gin-palace/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/swaro5.jpgswaro5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/condor-e4xpress.jpgCONDOR E4XPRESSLaid up: Condor Express' sister ship Rapide is laid https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/swaro2.jpgswaro2Gin Palace: two days after BMW revealed laser diode headlights that can throw beams over half a mile up the road, Mercedes Benz goes one step further: Swarovski crystals. Yep. The front lighting system on its brand new S-class coupe includes 47 Swarovski crystals, 17 in the ‘flare shaped’ DRLs and another 30 in the indicators. We take headlamp technology quite seriously at @DriveEurope since discovering that with modern xenon lights you could just flick a switch for driving on the other side of the road rather than fiddle about with stickers. But is it all going a bit far now?2014-02-14T11:12:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/11/bergen/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/norway-fun-road-building-crop.jpgnorway fun road building cropBergen, Norway: 'No wonder road works are so slow in this municipality,' says @Snottagut.2014-02-11T17:03:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/19/transalpina/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/deva-simeria-mini.jpgdeva-simeria miniMay 2013: on a section of A1, between Simeria and Deva, opened in December 2012. After a long day on busy, single lane roads, every moment on fresh, smooth motorway was - no kidding - exquisitely pleasurable.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/poland-2.jpgpoland 2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/poland-1.jpgpoland 1Poland: the motorway network has more than doubled since 2007, to 2,759km of fast roads today reports @WhyEmergingEuro2014-02-10T20:31:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/10/rock-fall/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ronda-3.jpgronda 3Beware rock falls: a huge boulder fell on the A397 Ronda road in Malaga, southern Spain, yesterday morning. Luckily no one was injured on what is one of the country’s most famous scenic routes, a favourite of bikers particularly. Not so fortunate were train passengers in south east France on Saturday. A large rock derailed a train on the Nice-Dignes line, just off the N202 Route des Alpes at Annet, and two people were killed. This follows a particularly tragic case in early January when a pregnant woman died when a 400kg rock crashed through the roof of her car on the D934 near Artouste in the Pyrenees. In Ukraine too, a 3-ton boulder fell on the Yalta-Sevastopol road in the Crimea last night. Photo @ELuqueDo via @Emergenza242014-02-10T19:21:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/09/mille-miglia-route/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mercedes-mille-miglia.jpgmercedes mille migliaMille Miglia, 15-18 May: a recreation of the famous road race, starting and finishing Brescia on a clockwise, circular 1,000 mile route through central Italy with a southernmost point of Rome. Even without the budget and the car – it’s only open to cars which took part in the original 1927-1957 and registration is now closed – that route is a great reference point for touring Italy, taking in many of the most beautiful roads. See www.1000miglia.it for more. 2014-02-09T19:24:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/08/fined-e50-for-keeping-warm/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fire-under-lorry.jpgfire under lorryDrivers have had and do have all kinds of ways of keeping themselves and their engines warm. Unsurprisingly, lighting a fire underneath the sump has died out as a practice in Western Europe though it’s still common elsewhere. The @PoleOfCold expedition took this picture this week in south east Russia. Keep up with all the action as they prepare to cross into Kazakhstan at www.poleofcold.com. There are still 10,000 unhospitable kilometers to go.2014-02-09T13:00:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/22/adventure-cascada-netherlands-to-iran/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/merc-algarve-mini.jpgAMG Customer Sports GT 3 Test; March 2013; Portimao (Portugal)Mercedes-Benz will spend €8m on hotels alone in the next three months as it flies 15,000 members of the world’s media to the Algarve to attend car launches according to @ThePortugalNews. New models include the GLA crossover, C-Class and high-end versions of the S-Class. Perhaps surprisingly Mercedes is the fifth bestselling make in Portugal and has the second highest market share behind Germany. The Algarve is the launch location of choice for both Porsche and Jaguar too – that’s why we’re heading straight there as soon as our new car arrives (date TBA), unless we go to Poland and Belarus instead.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/adventure-cascada.jpgadventure cascadaOpel Cascada: designed with road trips in mind.2014-02-08T17:11:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/31/snow-on-the-roads/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gib-cover-nanhodge.pnggib cover nanhodgeGibraltar, the top of The Rock. Photo @NanaHodge.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bcm3u-oieaamvq7.jpgBcM3U-oIEAAMvq7Gibraltar, the top of The Rock. Photo @NanaHodge.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bulatov-found.pngbulatov foundUkraine: battered, bruised, maybe even crucified – certainly with part of his ear cut off – but Dmitry Bulatov is, at least, alive. The 35 year old Automaidan leader was released late last night after eight days. Much speculation surrounds the identity of his captors – were they official or unofficial security forces? Reportedly they had Russian accents and were most concerned about the source of Automaidan’s financing. Meanwhile, the fate of 26 other missing Automaidan activists is still unknown. Ominously, 26 as yet unidentified bodies were apparently ‘discovered’ today at the city morgue in Kyiv.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/floodss-italy.jpgfloodss italyFLOODS ITALY: major downpours across Italy this morning. Floods in Rome, Pisa, Vicenza,among other places. See @Emergenza24 for the latest. meanwhile there is snow on many high alpine motorways - A2, A10 and A13 in Austria + A2 and A13 in Switzerland.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/snow-plough.jpgsnow ploughSNOW ON THE ROADS: the A2, A10 and A13 in Austria and the A2, A13 and A9 in Switzerland all have snow on the carriageway this morning with more snow forecast today. 2014-02-08T17:08:28+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/07/ev-rally/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sochi-2a.jpgsochi 2ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sochi-1.jpgsochi 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fluence-big.jpgfluence bigNorway: electric car rally. Can you spot the Renaults? No, us neither. Photo via @RenaultZE2014-02-08T15:34:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/06/ankara-gates/2014-02-06T18:12:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/05/aston-in-the-alps-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/rom-truck.jpgrom truckA Romanian truck crossing the Guirgiu bridge to Bulgaria, May 2013. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/poland-ukraine.jpgpoland ukrainePoland: 2014-02-06T14:56:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/30/asphaltophone/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/musical-road-cover-fix2.jpgmusical road cover fix2Asphaltophone: the Danes have got one, now the Russians want one too. To bid up the ‘fun factor’ of driving in Siberia, the state road building company in Krasnoyarsk wants to install musical roads, according to RIA Novosti - that is, bumps on the road surface which set off ‘tactile vibrations’ in the shape of a well known tune. The first was installed in 2005 in Gylling in East Jutland, Denmark, above. That plays The William Tell Overture. There is a slightly serious side to this: the bumps only make the song for cars driving under the speed limit.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bulgaria-borde-rpolice.jpgbulgaria borde rpoliceSVILENGRAD: Bulgarian Border Police vehicles are now equipped with winter tyres thanks to a grant from the British Embassy. A donation of 47,000LEV (almost £20,000) bought 196 tyres for the Land Rover Defenders and 32 for the Nissan Patrols. The group protects the Turkish border in the mountainous south east of Bulgaria, guarding against large scale migration but also helping asylum seekers escaping from the war in Syria. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/musical-road-cover.jpgmusical road coverAsphaltophone: the Danes have got one, now the Russians want one too.2014-02-05T15:52:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/04/aston-in-the-alps/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/aston.jpgastonAston: 2014-02-04T19:36:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/07/7-january-2014/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/driving-brussels.jpgdriving brusselsDriving in Brussels. Enjoy it while you can. Pic @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/norway-tunnel1.jpgnorway tunnelNORWAY: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_2345.jpgIMG_2345Norwayhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/norway-tunnel.jpgnorway tunnelNORWAY: 2014-02-03T21:37:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/03/most-famous-car-in-ukraine/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/hofberg.jpghofbergThe Most Famous Little Car in Ukraine (now in Vienna). Exiled Automaidan activist Sergey Koba is taking the fight around Europe. His unmissable bright orange souped up VW Golf – complete with a roof top bank of flashing lights - has become a symbol of the movement. Koba left Ukraine at the end of January after several high-profile run ins with police, first to Poland. Last week he led a 50 car, 300 person picket of the Ukraine consulate in Vienna (pictured outside the Hofburg Palce, above). At the weekend he was involved in a symbolic Automaidaner rally in Munich. Yesterday he posted pictures stood beside the grave of controversial Ukraine nationalist Stephan Bandera, murdered by the KGB in 1959, and buried at the Waldfriedhof cemetery. Photo www.vk.com/koba_sergey 2014-02-03T18:33:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/02/2-january/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/finasldn-sign-cleaning-jpeg.jpgfinasldn sign cleaning jpegRandom: snow covered road signs are an issue in cold countries. It's no excuse generally for not knowing the rules however. In Finland particularly, it's the driver's responsibility to know the speed limit2014-02-03T12:52:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/02/bridge-911/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bridge-911-big-jpfg1.jpgbridge 911 big jpfghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bridge-911-big-jpfg.jpgbridge 911 big jpfghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bridge-911-bigger-fix.jpgbridge 911 bigger fixdfkjghdkfghdjkghd2015-10-26T23:26:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/02/a-taste-of-hungary-and-slovenia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/31.jpg3With absolute confidence we can say Slovenia is stunningly beautiful because this A1 motorway we’re on goes from one end of the country to the other. It’s 300km of almost unbroken mountain views on smooth, winding, wide road with hardly any other traffic. Struggling to think of how it could possibly have been any better. Note our burgeoning collection of vignette stickers on the lower left windscreen.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/22.jpg2It's just so pretty, and Alpine.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1.jpg1With the intense heat now subsiding, a wide, smooth road surrounded by mountains, it's impossible not to relax.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/r82-gyor.jpgr82 gyorAfter xxkm we come off onto route 82 at Gyor and head south. Initially we fear the worst because the surface is so uneven and the signs are crowded at the side of the road (bear in mind this is the main road between a major city and Hungary’s most popular holiday region).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/careera-gb.jpgcareera gbHungary’s highest point is Kekes, northeast of Budapest, at 1,014m. The Bakony Mountains which lie in a thick line to the north of Lake Balaton top out at 706m. We gently wind our way up and over, the forest and vegetation so thick either side of the road there’s no view.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/balaton.jpgbalatonIt mght be landlocked Just because it’s landlocked doesn’t mean there’s no water in Hungary. As well as the Danube cutting down the centre of the country, and the Drava which forms the southwest border with Slovenia and Croatia, there’s the massive Lake Balaton – the largest fresh water lake in central Europe – 78km long and 14km at its widest lying south west-north east. This is Hungarian holiday central – aka the Hungarian Sea or Riviera – surrounded by late 19th century spa resorts. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/9a.jpg9aOur problem is that we can’t find anywhere to stop and take it all in. This north bank is an unbroken chain of campsites, restaurants, trees and/or fences. Next time we’ll check out the southern shore – there’s a motorway for a start for faster progress, just up and away from the shore – or take the road up into that hill which doesn’t occur to us at the time. We haven’t mentioned how hot it is, well over 37 degrees. Eventually we find a little marina on a side road but even then sit behind barbed wire chomping through the food we bought in Tesco earlier (if you didn’t know Tesco is massive in Hungary).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/6a.jpg6aPannonhalma Archabbey, Pannonhalma. World Heritage Site. Founded in 996, rebuilt 17-18th century. Confiscated by the Communists 1950-89. Totally renovated 1995. It’s on the only hill we’ve seen so far today. Most of Hungary is less than 200m above sea level. Half is flat or rolling, a legacy of the ancient Pannonian Sea which left behind a rich layer of silt making excellent farm land. Half of the country is cultivated.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/3a.jpg3agobbledegookhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/16.jpg16It’s dark by the time we reach Ljubljana. There are no street lights either which we think is agreeably primitive (but they’ve since turned them off where we live too). The castle looming over the city centre is just about visible through the gloom. We cruise past the skyscraper, commie concrete and glass Hotel Lev with a huge starburst casino sign on the side but regretfully pass on. There’s a Great Western on the main street too which is easier to drive past. Soon enough we’re on the outskirts again, running low on fuel and wondering where to spend the night. Trieste we note is only 100km away. The young woman in the petrol station – who speaks English of course – calls out just as we’re leaving to say thank you, have a safe journey. Such a sweet and uncomplicated thing to do.2014-02-02T17:46:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/02/01/panda-to-sochi/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sochi-panda-map.pngsochi panda maphttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sochi-panda-blog.pngsochi panda bloghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/panda-sochi-cover.pngpanda sochi cover2014-02-01T19:41:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/29/gas-station-for-the-soul/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bulatov-png.pngbulatov pngDmitry Bulatov, Automaidan spokesman. Missing since 22 January along with 26 others.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/autobahn-church.jpgautobahn churchGas station for the soul: a futuristic new Autobahn church has been nominated for a top architecture prize. It builds on the peculiarly German tradition of having non-denominational religious buildings alongside major highways, open 24 hours for travellers to rest and reflect. Across the country there are now around fifty. Autobahnkirche Siegerland is on the A45 between Frankfurt and Dortmund (Cologne). The abstract looking exterior was actually inspired by the simple road sign for a church. The vaulted interior is in unlined chipboard. Appropriately the architect’s name is Michael Schumacher. See www.autobahnkirche.de for more on the churches, www.schneider-schumacher.de for more on the architects or www.dam-online.de for more on the competition. The winner is announced Friday.2014-01-31T12:46:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/27/monday-4/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nrb2.jpgnrb2Borlaugstunnelen: the 4,050m tunnel was dug last year. Now there's just thepaving to fiish and the DAB radio reception to install.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nrb1.jpgnrb1Roads engineer Jarle Sperle working on E16 this week. Pic via www.vegvesen.nohttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/perzident-roissi.jpgperzident roissiRUSSIA: perpetrators as yet unknown chained and bolted a huge phallus to the bonnet of satirical blog writer 'Perzident Roissi' - aka @KermlinRussia. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ukraine-wlecolmes-sochi-olympics.jpgukraine wlecolmes sochi olympicsUkraine Welcomes the Sochi Olympics: this picture via @Belpartisan is currently doing the rounds with many commentators finding it hilariously funny. We don't get the joke. Perhaps all will become clear next Thursday when the Games kick off.2014-01-30T14:14:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/28/monday-5/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/slt-small.jpgslt smallSLT: If Mercedes doesn’t have the truck you want in the regular range it can make it for you. The Custom Tailored Truck (CTT) plant in Molsheim, north east France, has had a hand in the new Actros-SLT heavy-duty tractor unit, just coming on stream now, which assembles all the features available on the rest of the Actros range to develop a vehicle with maximum flexibility, from long distance driving to low speed manoeuvrability. Powered by a 625bhp, 15.6 litre straight six engine developing 2213Ib ft of torque, with its special ‘heavy’ mode on the 16-speed transmission the SLT can haul 250 tonnes.2014-01-29T21:00:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/24/save-the-date/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/et_ve1j0682.jpgET_VE1J0682https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/untitled.jpguntitledSave the date: 2014-01-27T14:56:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/23/ancona-ferry-to-greece/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_2481.jpgIMG_2481The all-electric Formula E racing series moves into a custom-built technology park at Donington Park Circuit on 1 May, just 100m from the Melbourne Hairpin. The 44,000ft² facility will house premises for each of the ten teams with 150 staff in total. Testing will start immediately ahead of the first race in Beijing in September.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/portugal.jpgportugalLisbon. Photo via www.brisa.pthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ancona.jpganconaANCONA: surprisingly pretty considering it's the Italian equivalent of Dover.2014-01-27T14:22:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/26/pole-of-cold-and-chief-christmas/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/3a1.jpg3aBy no means is the adventure over yet, and neither are the extreme low temperatures. They have around 15,000km to cover on the way back via southern Siberia and Kazakhstan. A deep cyclone moving east from the Caspian Sea will see temperatures dip to -40 degrees next week in Kazakh capital Astana, with the conditions set to last until early February.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/21.jpg2Waiting for them was Chyskhan, Lord Keeper of the Cold, the supreme head of the world’s 25 registered Christmas characters. Santa and Father Frost among others come to Oymyakon each year to collect a token of winter which they return in the spring.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1a1.jpg1aMachina Harosho (Good car): they made it. After 20,000km and nearly two months, the @PoleofCold2013 team – expedition leader Felicity Aston, photographer Manu Palomeque and engineer Gisli Jonsson - arrived in Oymyakon in eastern Russia, the world’s coldest inhabited place, on Wednesday. Oymyakon has seen temperatures as low as -67.7 degrees. So far, Pole of Cold has experienced a relatively gentle low of -58 degrees.2014-01-26T18:14:44+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/18/saturday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/berlusconi-egged.jpgberlusconi eggedSilvio Berlusconi’s – surprisingly old – Audi A6 is egged on his way to a meeting with rival political leader Matteo Renzi in Rome today. Luckily the damage was superficial. Corriere della Serra reports this morning that 4m cars in Italy are not uninsured – that’s 2.8m drivers, or 8% of the total. The average cost of insurance in Italy is apparently €491. Photo Comandante Nebbia, @mentecriticahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/istanbul-bridge.jpgistanbul bridgeIstanbul this morning. Photo via @LeighTurnerFCO2014-01-26T16:49:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/20/monday-3/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/belgie.jpgbelgiehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ukraine-maidan1.jpgukraine maidanhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ukraine-maidan.jpgukraine maidanUKRAINE: frustration at a lack of leadership from opposition parties – Vladimir Kitchko was covered in fire extinguisher foam by members of the crowd at one point – and anger at new anti-demo laws adopted in lightening quick time last week saw up to 200,000 people take to the streets of Kiev yesterday. Pitched battles were fought between police and pro-EU protestors. Several government vehicles were set alight. Meanwhile, residents in the Crimea, south east Ukraine, are wondering if the new ban on convoys containing more than five vehicles also applies wedding processions? Photo via @EuromaidanPRhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bevakonicaah6kl.jpgBeVaKonIcAAH6Klhghghg 2014-01-26T16:03:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/25/saturday-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ukraine-255.jpgukraine 255UKRAINE: 2014-01-26T12:03:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/21/wednesday-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bypogedcaaaokfd.jpgBYPoGEdCAAAoKfdLa voiture de police poulailleri: artist Benedetto Bufalino transformed this former police car from the Loire into a hen coop, the aim being to bridge the gap between functional objects and sculpture.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/limo-big-putin-crop-2.jpglimo big putin crop 2Motorcade: the first pictures of President Putin’s new limousine have appeared. The project is a collaboration between NAMI automotive research institute and Marussia (of the F1 team) to develop a range of vehicles off a common platform. 2014-01-23T15:19:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/17/moving-truck-theft/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/moving-truck-theft-3.jpgmoving truck theft 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/moving-truck-theft-1.jpgmoving truck theft 1High speed highway robbery: 125 iPads, four iPad minis, 30 iPhones and two Apple keyboards were stolen from the back of a Czech truck somewhere on the A44 near Dortmund earlier this week. The driver was unaware of the theft until he stopped at Kassel. Such robberies always raise eyebrows but at least fifty cases have been reported in this part of Germany since November 2012. The picture above is a screen grab from a film released by Romanian police in June 2012. Parcel services are most commonly targeted. 2014-01-20T08:04:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/19/sunday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/safari-cover.jpgsafari coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/b-revue.jpgb revuehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/m-revue.jpgm revuehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/911-safari-dakar-small.jpg911 safari dakar smallThe 1984 Paris-Dakar winning Type 953 Porsche 911 driven by Rene Metge and Dominique Lemoyne. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/911-safari.jpg911 safarihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/monte-carlo-rally-big.jpgmonte carlo rally bigMonte Carlo Rally: 2014-01-20T06:18:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/13/monday-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/targa-top.jpgtarga tophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/targa-s.jpgtarga sfgfgfgfggf https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/taxi-orly-big.jpgtaxi orly bigPARIS TAXI STRIKE: no sign so far of any disruption on the roads but up to 1,000 taxis are expected to clog roads from the major airports during rush hour this morning in cities across France.2014-01-18T09:27:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/15/wednesday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/winter-raid-crop.jpgwinter raid crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/winter-raid-phptoo.jpgwinter raid phptooWinter Raid: story of our lives this yearhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/automaidan.jpgautomaidanBritish Ambassador to Ukraine Simon Smith, centre right, meets with members of Ukraine's Automaidan yesterday.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/tesla-scharge.jpgtesla schargehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/tesla-charge-map.jpgtesla charge mapEuropean network of Tesla Supercharger stations.2014-01-17T17:27:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/14/tuesday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/brittanyb1.jpgBRITTANYbhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/brittanyb.jpgBRITTANYbhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/brittany.jpgBRITTANYBrittany Ferries new Pegasis.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fog-small.jpgfog smallTuesday: fog in southern Germany and snow in the Alps - already snowing in Switzerland, 30cm due in southern Austria and expected later in France - presenting challenging conditions for drivers today. Library pic, E25 Belgium, @DriveEurope.2014-01-16T09:46:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/12/pole-of-cold-turns-north/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/renault-taxi-fix-big.jpgrenault taxi fix bigParis taxi drivers fear competition from mid-engine V6 Renault Sport Megane Trophys. Not.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/russia-refuelling-mini.jpgrussia refuelling miniPoleof Cold 2014-01-13T06:17:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/07/german-foreigner-vignette-need-to-know/2014-01-12T09:40:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/11/limerick-garage/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/italy-toll-protest-crop.jpgitaly toll protest cropDemonstrators block the automatic toll payment lane on the A4 at Milan North today.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/limerick-garage-1.jpglimerick garage 1A nod to Ed Ruscha: Irish artist Maser transformed an abandoned petrol station in Limerick, west Ireland, with ‘his/her’ characteristic bright graphic stripes. Part of a project in the city giving long-term derelict sites to urban art. Maser says, ‘I hope to create work that surprises people and questions their relationship with the familiar and the norm.’ American pop artist Ruscha famously published a set of bright, graphic photographs called ‘Twentysix gasoline stations’. See www.maserart.com2014-01-12T09:38:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/10/periph-limit-cut/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_2370.jpgIMG_2370All rounder: quite liking this Audi Allroad Shooting Brake concept which has leaked out ahead of the Detroit Motor Show starting Monday. (Relatively) compact, four wheel drive, high performance – presumably – smart and economical (judging by the e-tron decal on the side). Looks like you might be able to sleep in it. Industry commentators reckon it’s actually a preview of the upcoming TT coupe or Q1 SUV.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bmw-holiday-car.jpgbmw holiday carBuyers of BMW’s new electric vehicles – the i3 family car or i8 sports car – can take their replacement cars abroad. BMW Access allows owners free use of conventionally powered BMWs for trips beyond the range of their electric vehicle such as driving holidays. Peterborough dealer @Sycamore_BMWi tells us, ‘Subject to your motor insurer's terms and conditions, you can take the car to anywhere in the EU for up to 30 days.’ The Access scheme awards owners 700 points each year to be redeemed against a list of regular cars: the 1-series costs 100 points per day, an X3 is 180 points per day. Owners can buy extra points – ten for £6 up to 500 for £240.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/change.jpgchangeChanging speed limits - up and down - in Paris, other parts of France, and Spain are among the major changes on the roads of Europe this year.2014-01-11T13:44:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/01/happy-new-year/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/driving-holland-mini.jpgdriving holland miniThe A4, Amsterdam-Den Haag. Pic @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dlr-swiz-small.jpgdlr swiz small1 January 2014: daytime running lights - or dipped headlights - are now mandatory in Switzerland. Also, the blood alcohol limit for professional and new drivers is just 0.1%. 2014-01-11T12:54:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/08/coastal-croatia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/coastal-croatia-crop.jpgcoastal croatia cropRandom: coastal Croatia, May 2012. 2014-01-10T13:29:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/09/take-no-prisoners/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bdowdgxcaaennbi.jpgBdOwdgXCAAENNBiTake no prisoners: 2014-01-09T18:12:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/06/monday-6-january/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bdkfq5giiaa9bvd.jpgBdKfQ5GIIAA9Bvd‘Now in a holding area as motorway was blocked. Eurotunnel handing out emergency rations.. Long night ahead,’ tweeted Harry Metcalfe, @Harrym_evo on Saturday evening.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/lapland-odyssey.jpglapland odysseyLAPLAND ODYSSEY: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/helsninki-filmi.jpghelsninki filmi2014-01-07T17:42:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/03/18/air-quality-the-back-door-to-car-bans/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1656a.jpg1656ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/7555b.jpg7555bLondon's existing Low Emission Zone, currently applying only to commercial vehicles. From 2020 London's LEZ could apply to all vehicles.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1657a.jpg1657aApproaching Cologne in September 2011, the twin spires of the city's famous cathedral visible through - we think - early morning haze.2014-01-07T11:06:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/19/christmas-congestion/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/father-christmas-big.jpgfather christmas bigHappy Christmas!2014-01-06T11:18:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/26/christmas-day-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2big-cover.jpg2big coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/4big.jpg4bighttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2big.jpg2bighttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1big.jpg1big2014-01-06T11:14:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/05/finnish-traffic-police-finish/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/poliisiporsche.jpgpoliisiporscheFINLAND: what started out as the riot squad in 19xx 2014-01-08T13:36:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/30/driver-freedom-fighters/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/belarus-victory.jpgbelarus victoryA protestor in Minsk. Note the scarf.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ukraine-en-route-fix-big.jpgukraine en route fix bigFreedom Fighters: protestors assemble in central Kiev yesterday morning before driving out to President Yanukovych's country house. Whether it's Ukraine, Russia or Belarus, recently drivers' groups have found themselves at the forefront of freedom campaigns. More later.2014-01-05T15:03:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/17/invincible/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toyota-hilux.jpgtoyota hiluxDriver of the day: pic from the Head Gamekeeper on Glenstriven Estate in Argyll of their clearly aptly named Toyota Hilux Invincible, via @ToyotaGB.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toyota-hilux-crop-big.jpgtoyota hilux crop big2014-01-05T14:23:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/30/mayorino-up-to-his-usual-tricks-in-rome/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vozila.jpgvozilaBOSNIA. Police in Zenica, central Bosnia, have taken delivery of three new Land Rovers today, ideally suited to the mountainous terrain in the region. Meanwhile it was announced yesterday that a five year project to rejuvenate 1,350km of roads around the country has been completed, on time and on budget. Most importantly, the funds are finally in place to start construction of the first stretch of Corridor 5C north of Zenica. Much of the motorway – eventually connecting Budapest and the Adriatic – is already open between Zenica and Sarajevo with works on-going further south. National roads builder Autoceste FB&H hopes to have 120km of 5c open this year, over twice that currently in use.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/rome_video.jpgrome_videoThe silent, all-electric racing cars series wa slaunched in Rome in December 2012, six months before Marino's election since when it's been wiped off the calendar.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mayorino-fix.jpgmayorino fixRome mayor Ignazio Marino presents his plan to pedestrianize the centre of Rome. Pic via @IgnazioMarino2014-01-05T14:17:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/04/pole-of-cold-heading-east-again/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bdgq1__caaa7md1.jpgBdGq1__CAAA7md1Pole of Cold: the expedition gets a thumbs up from a passing Lada 2014-01-04T21:53:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/01/03/friday-3-january/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/rock-france.jpgrock franceFRANCE. A pregnant woman was killed today after a 400kg rock crashed through the roof of her car in the Pyrenees. Her husband sat alongside escaped unharmed. The couple were driving on the D934 near Artouste south west of Lourdes. Restrictions are currently in place between Laruns and Gabas for investigations though the stretch to the Spanish border is open. Pic via @F3Aquitaine.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/mfl.jpgmflCVCVCVCVVCVCVChttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bc0v6n3cyaefcgj.jpgmotorway artDraconian measures to tackle drink driving are expected after six people died after being hit by a drunk driver on New Year’s Day. One other person is in a critical condition after the incident at Kamien Pomorski in the north west of the country. It comes a week after another high profile drink driving case when a car crashed into the entrance of a subway in Warsaw. Poland is regularly cited as having the worst road safety record in the EU though significant gains have been made in recent years. Drink driving however is said to be ‘socially acceptable’. The package of measures is due to be announced after a Cabinet meeting next Tuesday. Photo via @GDDKiA Polish Roads Directorate.2014-01-04T13:38:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/31/snapshot-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/bfas4yucaaa1a9t.jpgBFas4yuCAAA1a9tA spectacular picture of Champs-Élysées traffic tweeted by UK based One World Travel on Friday evening (via @OneWorld365). They have loads of inspiring ideas and opportunities for adventure, working and volunteering all around the world, see www.OneWorld365.orghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lartigue-med.jpglartigue medPhotograph by Jacques Henri Lartigue © Ministry of Culture – France / AAJHL2014-01-02T10:02:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/31/parking-in-rome/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/rome-parking.jpgrome parkingRome: the famously haphazard parking in the italina capital is set to become a thing of the past 2013-12-31T20:11:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/29/norway-column-driving/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/snow-plough.jpgsnow ploughhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/column-norway.jpgcolumn norway2013-12-29T19:18:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/27/last-minute-plea/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/what-we-want.jpgwhat we wantThis is what we want. We know Land Rover is no stranger to this colour way because this is Chris Harris’ car (pic via @HarrisMonkey). By massive coincidence the Pistonhead’s writer bought a dark green 5.0 litre V8 supercharged Range Rover in November. Tan and green is a great colour combination, mud and grass – brogue and moleskin – and so English, we’re shocked it isn’t a basic interior option on the Evoque.. Is Land Rover saving it for a posh version?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/jack-flood-crop-small.jpgjack flood crop smallhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/jack-flood-dec-2013-fix-cover.jpgjack flood dec 2013 fix coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/jack-flood-small-fix.jpgjack flood small fixWADAR: It’s important to stress that the dog is already being quite well catered for. In addition to extra air conditioning vents in the back – which Donna says are ‘non-negotiable’ - we’re having the flood warning radar so we won’t have to send him out to check the water level again.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/jack-flood-small.jpgjack flood smallhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2240006-15765141.jpg2240006-15765141A Range Rover Evoque 2.2SDi Dynamic in Aintree Green with black interior. What we've ordered.2013-12-29T17:48:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/28/a-last-minute-plea-to-land-rover/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/random-porsche.jpgrandom porschePorsche opens a winter driving centre in Levi northern Finland this season - in addition to the existing facility at Rovaniemi - with a full programme of courses for all levels of experience. See www.porsche.com/winter-driving-experiences 2013-12-28T18:22:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/25/christmas-day/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/eurotunnel.jpgeurotunnelgkgjhdfjkghdfgjfh hghghgh2013-12-28T14:40:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/20/forth-road-bridge/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/eurotunnel-clear-for-christmas.jpgEUROTUNNEL CLEAR FOR CHRISTMASEurotunnel Le Shuttle: all clear for Christmashttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/forth-road-bridge-big.jpgforth road bridge bigRandom: The Forth Road Bridge over the Firth of Forth in east central Scotland, connecting Edinburgh and Fife.2013-12-27T15:48:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/24/storm-updates/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/qwading-piole-f-colef.jpgqwading piole f colefFewer modification than you might expect are needed to turn a regular LWB Land Rover Defender into a vehicle capable of tackling some of the world’s harshest – and coldest – terrain. For the ‘Pole of Cold’ expedition to eastern Russia the Land Rover factory in Solihull fitted a roof rack, a second spare wheel and ‘long-range’ fuel tank, a winch at the front - with shovels attached to the bonnet - additional front and rear safety lights, extra interior insulation and fitted kit boxes in the rear. The engine has specially blended oils and cold temperature fluids alongside the Webasto engine heater that will warm the engine before attempting start-up in extreme icy temperatures. The team is currently in Perm, south west Russia, about 2,500 miles as the crow flies from London though they’ve covered over twice that on a circuitous route around northern Scandinavia. It’s about another 2,000 miles direct to their destination, the ‘Pole of Cold’, the coldest inhabited place in the northern hemisphere. Follow them at www.poleofcold.com2013-12-24T20:10:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/23/monday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vw.jpgvwRandom, from @VW2013-12-23T22:23:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/14/911-targa/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/porsche-911-targa-2-1.jpgporsche-911-targa-2-1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/amorella_04548_978x295.jpgAmorella_04548_978x295Viking Lines' M/S Amorella at the Aland Islands, Finland.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/cayenne.jpgcayenneLithuania – absolute weirdest story of the day. Customs officers in Klaipeda decided to investigate further after finding two ageing 4x4’s inside a shipping container. According to the documentation they were en route from the US to Afghanistan. Further investigation revealed a brand new Porsche Cayenne and unspecified Land Rover, both stolen in America. Officials suspect an inside job. One person has been arrested. Picture courtesy https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/targa.jpgtargaThe upcoming Porsche 911 Targa takes trck roofs to new heights. 2013-12-22T18:28:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/22/german-foreign-vignette-e100-minsk-protest/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/dobrindt-henning-schacht.jpgdobrindt henning schachtTransport minister Alexander Dobrindthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/minsk.jpgminskBelarus: extraordinary scenes in Minsk on Friday night as hundreds of drivers took to the streets over a new car tax. The cause however is secondary to the fact it took place at all. Mass protests are rare in Belarus and dealt with harshly. ‘Athletic men in civilian clothes’ - a euphemism for plainclothes security forces – were out in force, filming events, taking registration numbers and bundling away troublemakers according to reports. Drivers honked their horns, stopped in the road with their bonnets up for ‘repairs’, or cruised slowly up and down Independence Avenue in the city centre. The protest lasted for an hour.2013-12-22T18:06:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/21/weather/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/gibraltar-apin-frontier.jpggibraltar apin frontierWork is on-going on the Spanish side of the border apparently https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/berlin-big.jpgberlin bigBerlin Wall, Christmas 1961.2013-12-24T12:21:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/16/col-des-roches/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/merc-gazientep1.jpgDer Hilfskonvoi auf dem Weg nach Gaziantep, Südtürkeihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/finland-roads-pyynikki.jpgfinland roads pyynikkiFinland: the A12 at Tempere in south west Finland earlier today. Picture via https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/merc-gazientep.jpgDer Hilfskonvoi auf dem Weg nach Gaziantep, SüdtürkeiWings on Wheels – a second aid convoy has left Unterturkheim, Stuttgart, destined for Gazientep on the Syrian border in south central Turkey. Two hundred tonnes of supplies worth €2m, including winter clothing, food, medicine and tents, left Friday on the six day 3,300km journey via Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria. This on top of a €4m shipment in September. Mercedes-Benz supplied the eleven strong fleet of brand new 420bhp Actros trucks. Daimler and its employees raised €100,000.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/col-de-roches-crop.jpgcol de roches cropMore than a million images taken from books in the British Library Collection have been published for free on Flickr Commons. The picture above – ‘The Col de Roches, Jura’ – is taken from p221 of ‘A Ramble round France’ by J. Chesney published in 1885. Col des Roches is a mountain pass (919m, 3,015ft) in the Jura Mountains between Le Locle in west Switzerland and Morteau in east France, just north of Lake Neuchatel. Now replaced by a tunnel on the D461. For more info on the project see www.bl.uk2013-12-21T17:53:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/12/arpeggio/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/gibraltar-timetable.jpggibraltar timetableGIBRALTAR. The Guardia Civil deny that an English translation of the rota for border guards circulating on social media is genuine, but according to www.GBC.gi it bears a remarkable resemblance to the actual shifts worked this week ending 15 December. Spain has always maintained that the ongoing and extremely lengthy ‘enhanced’ checks at the Gibraltar frontier are random and sporadic. Meanwhile, there is reportedly strife between local Guardia Civil officers and their ‘heavy handed’ colleagues drafted in from nearby Algeciras.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/arpeggio4p-mini.jpgArpeggio4P minihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/arpeggio3p-mini.jpgArpeggio3P miniArpeggio: Oresund Link architects Dissing+Weitling beat off stiff international competition to design the new bridge in central Gothenburg2013-12-21T11:23:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/10/follow-me/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/counting-traffic-lights.jpgcounting traffic lightsCountdown traffic lights – which let drivers and pedestrians know exactly how long they have before the lights change – are something we’ve only come across in Bulgarian capital Sofia (above) but are now set to become a feature in Brussels too. After trials outside the North Station they are now being installed on Wetstraat, the main thoroughfare east of the city centre, with other locations under consideration. Meanwhile, incoming francophone socialist mayor Yvan Mayeur says transport is one of his top priorities. Next week he unveils plans to pedestrianise areas of the city centre which may extend to Anspachlaan/Emile Jacmainlaan, the main north-south road through inside the Pentagon little ring road.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lambo-follow-me.jpglambo follow mehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/bv9nuilceaaialb.jpgBV9NuiLCEAAiaLBFollow me: 2013-12-21T11:00:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/18/vale/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/gazpromneft.jpggazpromneftRussia: cheapest petrol and diesel in Europe.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/adam-inside1.jpgadam insidehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vale-and-friend-little.jpgvale and friend littleValentino Rossi and his equally legendary helmet designer Aldo Drudi have jazzed up a Vauxhall/Opel Adam for charity. As well as the characteristic neon flourishes on the bodywork and wheels, the interior has been retrimmed in cartoon Dainese motorcycle leather (see home page). All proceeds go to the Meyer ONLUS children’s hospital in Florence. The car is being auctioned on eBay, see http://www.meyer.it/adam46/ Current bid stands at €19,150, due to close on the morning of 24 December.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/adam-inside.jpgadam inside2013-12-18T23:08:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/15/travesee-de-paris/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/919-hybrid-crop.jpg919 hybrid crop919 Hybrid: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/madrid.jpgmadridKiev, Sofia, Turin and now Madrid have all been hit by violent demonstrations in the past week. last night 3,000 protestors took to the streets of the Spanish capital in revolt at new https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vinanc.jpgvinancSix hundred quirky classics – cars, vans, bikes, buses and tractors, all more than 30 years old - take the streets of Paris next month on what could be the final Traversee de Paris. Back in 2012 mayor Bertrand Delanoe promised to ban all vehicles over 17 years old from inside the A86 ‘super-peripherique’ within two years. Such bans are increasingly common, applying in most German and Italian towns and cities. As far as we know, only Lisbon makes an exception for classics. Paris: participants assemble at Chateau de Vincennes in east Paris on Sunday 12 January before driving across the city, visiting many of the famous landmarks. See www.vincennesenanciennes.com for more.2013-12-16T10:45:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/26/261113/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/lux-taxi-cover.jpglux taxi COVERhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/lux-taxi.jpglux taxiA lucky taxi driver survived a 60 foot drop off the side of Cote d’Eich in Luxembourg last night with only cuts and bruises. Cote d’Eich, r7, is the main road into the city centre in the north, along the Alzette Valley. The driver apparently lost control before smashing through the barrier and rolling several times down the sharp incline.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/img_2114.jpgIMG_2114Desperado: the final Lamborghini Gallardo rolls off the production line - a LP570-4 Spyder Performante in Rosso mars - in Sant Agata, Italy, yesterday2013-12-15T16:40:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/29/unwitting-drug-mules/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/greece-tolls-crop.jpggreece tolls cropIgnatia Odos: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bulgaria-roads-little.jpgbulgaria roads littleBULGARIA: As a national motorway network begins to emerge - with another 145km currently under construction - attention turns to the main roads, some parts of which haven't been repaired for thirty years. Transport minister Desislava Terzieva announced that 700km of regional roads will be resurfaced in 2014 with additional sums set aside for maintenance and snow clearing. Back in the summer we had a good experience with Bulgarian roads - above the E79 from the Greece border - apart from one massive pothole that necessitated an afternoon shopping trip around Sofis for a new tyre. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/secutite-crop.jpgsecutite cropTo demonstrate its road safety policy is not just about thinking of ever more elaborate ways to catch motorists speeding, 2013-12-15T16:27:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/28/interpol/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bentley-bucuresti-small.jpgbentley bucuresti smallBentley Bucuresti: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/serb-roads-small.jpgserb roads smallTraffic calming: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/boat-shift-fix.jpgboat shift fixhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/interpol-last.jpginterpol lastLYON. An international three day conference on vehicle crime draws to a close at Interpol headquarters today. With stolen vehicles involved in many forms of serious crime – notably the 2004 Madrid train bombings, and the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri – the scope extends far beyond simple theft, though that’s still on the agenda following recent high profile successes against gangs in Lithuania and Romania. Particularly interesting is Project INVEX, a system of ‘enhanced detection capabilities’ based around Interpol’s SMV Stolen Motor Vehicles database, currently partnered with four unnamed car manufacturers and looking to expand. Pic via Martin Evans, @HeadofCMPG2013-12-15T16:23:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/11/tiriac-collection/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lmp1-crop.jpglmp1 cropIt's interesting how much enjoyment of motorsport seems to stem from the noise the cars make. First FormulaE cars got it I the neck - justifiably - because of the high pitched dentist drill like https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tenerife-cover.jpgtenerife coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tenerife.jpgtenerifeThe most intense rain in ten years has seen extensive flooding in Tenerife todayhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/rs200.jpgrs200Ion Tiriac's 2013-12-15T13:50:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/02/ecotax-demos/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/volvo-auto.jpgvolvo autoDrive me: 100 driverless Volvos take to the streets of Gothenburg in 2017 to mark the beginning of the end stage in autonomous vehicle development. The project is endorsed by the Swedish government as the home grown hero seeks to maintain its edge in car safety and establish leadership in the increasingly competitive race to market self-driving cars. Google, Toyota and Mercedes are all trialling similar vehicles. Around 50km of roads around Gothenburg, including motorways and traffic blackspots have been selected for the experiment.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/barbeque-a25.jpgbarbeque a25Initial turnout was poor and thepolice were well prepared. By mid-morning it looked like it was all over. By lunchtime however, protestors were firing up the barbeque on the southbound carriageway of the A25 neat Lille. How long will it go on for: some jhave vowed to stay as long as it takes to get the Ecotax system cancelled completely.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/laurent.jpglaurentA slow moving convoy of fifteen trucks heads north to Lille on the A1 this morning. Photo via @laudecotte2013-12-14T12:15:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/09/romania-truck-strike/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/leo.jpgleoLeonardo DiCaprio https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/trucks-romania-crop.jpgtrucks romania cropTrucks in Romania, on the 2013-12-14T11:45:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/09/italy-motorway-strike/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/img_2187.pngIMG_2187Pitchfork leader Danilo Calvani leaves a stump meeting in Genoa city centre in the back seat of a smart blue jaguarhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/bbh1plviiae4sr5.jpgBbH1PlvIIAE4sr5https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/bbcckpyciaas78q.jpgBbCckPyCIAAS78Qhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/9-dicembre-large.jpg9 dicembre large9 DICEMBRE 2013 - L'ITALIA SI FERMA2013-12-14T10:36:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/13/french-accident-stats-recover/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/champs-elysee.jpgchamps elyseeFrench police stake out a well known accident hotspot.2013-12-13T18:24:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/17/17-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gib-queue-big.jpggib queue bigGibraltar. The Royal Navy has departed and the European Commission’s ‘flash’ Inspection Team has been and gone, but queues are still on going at the Spanish frontier. Relatively low level compared to earlier in the Summer but two hour queues are not uncommon and they happen without warning. ‘How did we go from no queue to this in less than half an hour? What a carry on!!!’ tweeted local journalist @JamesNeish – along with this photo – this evening.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/putin-limo-b.jpgPutin limo BFormula One team Marussia’s car making division is deeply involved with the development of President Putin’s much anticipated official limousine. The $370m ‘Motorcade Project’ will spawn a whole range of official vehicles, including escort cars, minivans, saloons, limousines and SUV off-roaders with the first prototypes to appear 2014/15. Full scale production, numbering up to 20,000 units per year, should start in 2017/18 according to TASS news agency. We reported in September that automobile research unit NAMI has been appointed to oversee the project. Now Marussia has been announced as technical partner, with further input from Porsche and automotive suppliers Magna and Continental. While the limousines are likely to be badged ZIL, the spin off SUVs are likely to be called Marussias.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/condor-new-boat.jpgcondor new boatAll being well, this is Condor Ferries' new boat: 2013-12-11T07:11:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/08/italy-mway-strike-porsche-museum/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/forconi-large.jpgforconi largeBelluno: Forconi (pitchfork) protestors apparently gathering at Belluno on the A27 in northern Italy this evening.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/maidan-kiev.jpgmaidan kievKiev: needless to say today is not a great day to visit the Ukraine capital. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/porsche-museum-littrle.jpgporsche museum littrleTwo million visitors: even if you don't like cars that much you could still enjoy the Porsche museum at Zuffenhausen, north west Stuttgart.2013-12-09T12:24:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/30/truck-protests-france/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/jmh_sbc_13-sm_jesko-johnsson-zahn_web.jpgjmh_sbc_13-sm_jesko-johnsson-zahn_webGEORGIA; https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/truck-action-map.jpgtruck action mapInteractive map at www.otre.org of all protests today.2013-12-08T16:28:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/03/03-12-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/strong-3.jpgstrong 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/strong-2.jpgstrong 2LITHUANIA. Zydunas Savickas sets a new word record for pulling cars on Sunday. The 38 year old strongman dragged twelve Nissan Notes weighing 12.9t five meters in 32.9 seconds at Druskininkai in southern Lithuania (yes the car in front has an Estonian licence plate).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/strong-1.jpgstrong 1https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/baf9lq1ceaach_5.jpgBaf9Lq1CEAACH_5Mercedes Mountain: there's plenty of news already todayhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mercedes-montain.jpgmercedes montainMercedes Mountain: 2013-12-08T12:42:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/07/pole-of-cold/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/gib-queue-071213.jpggib queue 071213Frontier watch: the queues at the Spanish border have not improved fololowng the visit from the https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/closeup.jpgcloseupThe first two Tesla superchargers in continental Europe opened this week, in the Netherlands. One is in the east, south east of Arnhem, at the AC restaurant on the A12 at Zavenaar. The other is in the south west, at the Autogrill services on the A27 at Oosterhout, north of Breda. Superchargers give 50% charge in 20mins or 80% in 40mins, for free. There are now eight installations in Europe, the rest in Norway. By the end of 2014, 100% of the population of Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark will live within 320km of a supercharger (90% for England, Wales and Sweden).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pole-of-cold.jpgpole of coldPole of Cold: in three months and 30,000 miles, 2013-12-07T18:16:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/07/gibraltar-live-blog/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/gib-invasionbig.jpggib invasionbigOh dear. The mayor of ccc caused a stir by putting this picture on his Facebook page. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/alcaidesamarina20120802101445.jpgalcaidesa+marina20120802101445Alcaidesa Marina.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/br8yyigcyaegcsg.jpgBR8YYIgCYAEGCsGThe Gibraltar flag. Photo via @JamesNeish.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/gib-boat-protest.jpggib boat protestNo contact was made, and nobody got hurt, but it was touch and go for a while as over thirty Spanish fishing boats, escorted by Guardia Civil vessels, faced off with their Gibraltarian counterparts this morning. Accompanied by flag waving and horn honking from the crowds assembled on the shore, Gibraltar police boats performed ‘some strong manoeuvres’ to head the Spanish boats off. They were protesting about the artificial concrete reef though they abandoned earlier plans to start trying to remove it. ‘What happens next in this ongoing row is far from clear,’ says GBC News. The three Royal Navy ships from the Response Force Task Group are due in Gibraltar Port tomorrow. Otherwise it has been a quiet day at the frontier.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/gib-fire-car2.jpggib fire car2Disturbing developmet.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/gib-car-fire.jpggib car fireA burned out Gibraltar registered Land Rover Freelander was found burned out just over the Spanish border late last night. The owners had parked it up there to avoid lengthy border queues. Police have called for calm: ‘Certain rumours are being posted on social media regarding the Gibraltar registered car that was on fire in Spain. We are liaising with the Polícia Nacional on this & urge people not to enter into unfounded speculation which only creates unnecessary anxiety.’https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/gib-150813.jpggib 150813Queue watch: after a quiet day yesterday, border delays https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/aaagib.jpgaaagibThe holding area on the Spanish side of the border. Photo via @GBCNewsroom.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/139b6e53d7df4afc9a7c500185469430-576x0.jpg139b6e53d7df4afc9a7c500185469430-576x0HMS Illustrious. Photo via www.royalnavy.mod.ukhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/gib1330.jpggib1330Despite warnings from Gibraltar police about long delays at the frontier this morning, by lunchtime the place was deserted... Local @GeddesJohn tweeted 'a Spanish TV crew turned up and in a matter of minutes the queue has disappeared!'2014-03-11T09:41:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/05/051213/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/flow-of-goods.jpgflow of goodsInteresting map of https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ppd-wine-city.jpgppd wine city—A Moldovan must see is Cricova ‘Wine City’, 10 miles north of capital Chisinau, with its 75 miles of underground roadways. Hosting top US diplomat John Kerry this week who was gifted his own shelf containing 500 bottles. The wine making tradition stretches back thousands of years in Cricova, the best known product being sparking red wine. Exports to Russia are in limbo following Moldova initialling an agreement on closer ties with the EU at the Vilnius Summit last week despite Vladimir Putin holding his 50th birthday party at Wine City in 2012. Was also a stop on this year’s Moldova-Ukraine-Poland Porsche Performance Drive (above).2013-12-07T14:57:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/17/why-bruges-is-best-this-christmas/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bruges-is-best.jpgbruges is bestCannalshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bruges-best.jpgbruges bestMarkt https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bruges-to-use.jpgbruges to useMarkt, Bruges central square.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bruges.jpgbrugeshfhfhfhfhfhfhhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bruges-christmas.jpgbruges christmasChristmas in Bruges.2013-12-07T12:27:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/06/061213/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/macca-green-hell.jpgmacca green hellIt's official. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/merc-van.jpgmerc vanTimmelsjoch: 2013-12-06T18:57:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/04/d-day-dover-calais/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mfl.jpgmflD-Day Dover-Calais: 2013-12-05T08:34:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/12/01/autobahn-blockade/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/kufstein2.jpgkufstein22013-12-01T20:04:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/20/new-f-type-new-macan/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/jag-ftypre-crop.jpgjag ftypre crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/macan-is.jpgmacan isPorsche Macan: the new midsize SUV is priced to overlap with the upper reaches of the Range Rover Evoque range. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/f-type.jpgf typeJaguar F-TYPE: launched overnight in Los Angeles, the new coupe addresses at least two of the criticisms of its convertible stablemate: price and boot space. The starting price is in fact £51,235 (not €67,000 as we reported last night). The boot is 407 litres, accessed by a liftback tailgate and 'easily accommodating two sets of golf clubs'. There's no word yet on how much it weighs.2013-11-28T15:22:04+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/24/d-day-der-schweiz/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/gotthard-crop.jpggotthard cropSwitzerland: the A2 heading south, just ahead of the Gotthard Tunnelhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/swiss-mway.jpgswiss mwaySwitzerland: the A2 heading south, just ahead of the Gotthard Tunnel.2013-11-28T15:21:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/22/swiss-vignette-vote-too-close-to-call/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/a2-at-lake-luicerne.jpga2 at lake luicerneSwitzerland: the A2 southbound at Lake Lucerne. A great view, but is it worth 100CHF?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/nein-vignette-cover.jpgnein vignette coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/vignette-nein-crop.jpgvignette nein crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/def_slider_vigniette_21.jpgdef_slider_vigniette_21kdjfghdkghdgkj2013-11-28T09:27:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/25/baku-world-challenge/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bz29w0vigaaa43r.jpgBZ29W0vIgAAA43RComing soon: the all-new Volvo XC90. Pic via @VolvoSalesUK.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/baku-mclaren.jpgbaku mclarenBaku: Stephane Ortelli and Laurens Vanthoor won the race, and the FIA GT Series championship, at yesterday’s inaugural Baku World Challenge, around the streets of the Azerbaijani capital. The event went well, save for an errant curb repaired during the race, and looks set to become the regular season closer in the renamed Blancpain Sprint series. It was a race of highs and lows for rising Mclaren F1 star and Jenson Button protégé Stoffel Vandoorne, @svandoorne: ‘And that was it for the @FIAGTSeries race in Baku. It really hurts to see our car retire with electronical problem when being in the lead :(‘ Pic via www.fiagtseries.com ©V-IMAGES.com/Fabre2013-11-27T22:14:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/22/chicken-kiev/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/chicken-kiev.jpgchicken kievChicken Kiev: nine years to the day since the start of the Orange Revolution, protestors were again out in the streets of the Ukraine capital last night though in the hundreds rather than the thousands. The government announced yesterday it will not sign the Association Agreement with the EU at next week’s Vilnius Summit. Precisely why it ducked out at the last minute is unclear, one commentator said the Russian stick was bigger than the EU carrot. The dream of driving in Ukraine, with fully comprehensive European insurance, recedes but don’t give up yet: a week is a long time in geopolitics. Pic via @UKroblogger.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/kiev-fix.jpgkiev fix—Chicken Kiev: nine years to the day since the start of the Orange Revolution, protestors were again out in the streets of the Ukraine capital last night though in the hundreds rather than the thousands. The government announced yesterday it wouldn’t sign the Association Agreement with the EU at the imminent Vilnius Summit. Precisely why it ducked at the last minute is unclear, one commentator said the Russian stick was bigger than the EU carrot. There is still time. Pic via @UKroblogger.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/kiev.jpgkievChicken Kiev: nine years tot he day since the start of the Orange Revolution - a popoular uprising against 2013-11-27T20:53:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/27/german-vignette-agreed/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/german-toll.jpggerman tollSoon all drivers will have to pay to drive on German roads.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/interpol-new.jpginterpol newLYON. An international three day conference on vehicle crime at Interpol headquarters ends today. One of the subjects under discussion has been Project INVEX, a system of ‘enhanced detection capabilities’ based around Interpol’s SMV Stolen Motor Vehicles database. It’s currently partnered with four unnamed car manufacturers and looking to expand. Pic via Martin Evans, @HeadofCMPG.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/interpol.jpginterpolLyon: 2013-11-27T20:51:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/23/aston-art/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tarasov.jpgtarasovPhotographs of elaborate gravestones, with engravings of entire generations of apparently mobster families and their possessions – particularly cars – are on display at the Saatchi Gallery in London until 16 March 2014. All taken at cemeteries in Yekaterinberg (Russia) and Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine) by Russian artist Denis Tarasov, part of the Body Language exhibition. Certainly striking as so many of them are young. You can only imagine how they met their ends. They might be kitsch to western eyes but there’s nothing sentimental or tragic about these memorials. What is Tarasov saying about these clearly closely related societies, particularly as Ukraine at least looks to Europe? Certainly got us thinking. For more see www.saatchigallery.com https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dsc_0080-filtered.jpgDSC_0080-filteredSir Stirling and Lady Moss in the DBR1, Nurburgring. Artist James Hart Dyke spent a year with Aston Martin, at the factory, Le Mans, the Nurburgring 24 Hours and other Centenary events. The results are on display at the company’s Park Lane showroom until 29 November (apart from tomorrow). The originals are available to buy, at prices ranging from £1-10,000, though there are also some limited edition prints for sale. See www.JamesHartDyke.com for more.2013-11-24T12:52:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/15/france-road-safety-gains-reversing-calling-in-at-cappadocia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/nardo-crop.jpgnardo CROPnardo. Mercedes is celebrating 30 years since it set it https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/capadocchia.jpgcapadocchiaCapadocchia2013-11-24T11:39:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/05/05-11-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/portrait-robot-chevaline-57.jpgportrait-robot-chevaline-57French police have released this artist's impression of the motorcyclist they believe to be responsible for the Lake Annecy massacre last year.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/rss53551-1.jpg_rss53551-(1)Swabian born Dr Ulrich Bez took to the decks at the opening of Aston Martin’s brand new dealership in Stuttgart last night. Located next to the airport, south of the city in Filderstadt, the gallery-like, modern-luxe, stone and glass premises contain the facilities you expect, plus a 2,000sq ft underground garage where owners can store their cars. Aston now has ten dealerships in Germany.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bosphorus-tiger.jpgbosphorus tigerThe Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul shuts from 14-15:00 this afternoon as Tiger Woods hits balls from East to West to promote the Turkish Airlines Open 2013 golf tournament starting Thursday in Antalya. The stunt has already raised eyebrows because of Istanbul's notorious congestion. Pic via @LeighTurnerFCO.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/img_1947.jpgIMG_1947The Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul will shut for an hour tomorrow so Tiger Woods 2013-11-24T11:35:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/16/16-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/tent-network-nine-corridors.jpgtent network nine corridorsThe Trans-European Transport Network – TEN-T. A three day conference in Tallinn, Estonia this week consolidates plans after the bruising EU budget negotiations earlier in the year. After some jockeying, the transport budget emerged pretty much intact: basically there’s €26bn to spend 2014-20 which will be leveraged with state and private sector investment to the €250bn needed to complete the core network by 2030. The big news is that there are now nine major corridors, for rail, maritime and roads (in that order). As the dust settles we’ll catch up with the details; what’s already clear though is that there is no direct north-south link through Eastern Europe, the so-called Baltic-Aegean Via Carpathia.2013-11-24T11:23:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/25/rolls-royce-on-the-bosphorus/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/brussels-ring-road.jpgbrussels ring roadA typical scene on Brussels' R0 Ring Road.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/norway-bridge.jpgnorway bridgeHardanger Bridge, south west Norway.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rolls-royce-isatnbul-2.jpgrolls royce isatnbul 2Rolls-Royce is to open its first dealership in Turkey. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Istanbul will open on the Bosphorus early next year but first there's a special event at the British Embassy next month to introduce the Wraith, 'the definitive Grand Tourer for connoisseurs.'2013-11-22T17:44:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/16/16-11-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/jeremy-1.jpgjeremy 1Jeremy Clarkson's column, The Sun, 19 October 2013. Driving licences are returned via the British Embassy in Paris and the DVLA. Tip via WhiteVanWoman at www.FinalGear.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/naughty-jeremy2.jpgnaughty jeremy2From The Sun, 19 October 2013. Driving licences are returned via the British Embassy in Paris and the DVLA. Tip via WhiteVanWoman at www.FinalGear.com https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/i3-hit-the-road.jpgi3 hit the roadEarly adopters. The first BMW i3 electric cars hit the road today. The company held a special event at its Munich headquarters last night (above) where six customers got their keys a day ahead of everybody else. BMW is bullishly confident the i3 will turn out to be a huge success. Executives were considering increasing the first year’s production run of 8,000 cars because demand has been so strong. Auto Express reported yesterday that 200 i3s are so far heading for the UK, half of them the range extender version with a small petrol engine to supplement the electric motor. Pic via @Sycamore_BMWi Peterborough.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/jcsun191013640x245_zps0114ea60.jpgJCSun191013640x245_zps0114ea60From The Sun, 19 October 2013.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/lysevegen-road.jpglysevegen roadThe Lysevegen Road: rising 640m in twenty seven hairpin bends, and a 1,500m tunnel, 2013-11-22T16:05:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/21/gt3-baku/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/gt3-baku.jpggt3 bakuGT3 Baku: 2017-02-18T16:28:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/19/mini-911/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/jaguar-f-type-coupe-black.jpgjaguar-f-type-coupe-blackJaguar F-TYPE coupe: pictures leaked early via a German magazine (via @worldcarfans and @Zero2Turbo). According to the fuzzy screen grad, prices start at €67,000. Like the Posche Cayman, it's more expensive than its convertible stablemate.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/minni-porsche-911.jpgminni porsche 911Random: 2013-11-20T05:26:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/18/santa-smash-and-grab/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/rolls-crop.jpgrolls cropFormer tennis player Ion Tiriac, now owner of the biggest chain of car dealerships in Romania, and one of the country’s richest men, puts part of his 250 strong classic car collection on show in Bucharest from 29 November. Probably the most valuable is this 1952 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, built originally for the Aga Khan on the understanding it wouldn’t ever be sold (just 18 Phantom IVs were built, all for heads of state or royalty). Eventually however it ended up ferry hotel guests to and from the airport in Missouri, USA. Its later years have been much happier. Tiriac bought the car at a Pebble Beach auction in 2011 after which it went on display at the BMW Museum in Munich to mark ten years of Rolls-Royce under BMW ownership (above). Sixty five of Tiriac’s cars will be on show at any one time, rotated every three months, at a showroom in Otopeni, just north of Bucharest. Other famous marques include Bentley, Mercedes, Morgan and Ferrari. The oldest dates from 1899. More details to follow.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tiriac-rolls-crop.jpgtiriac rolls cropFormer tennis player Ion Tiriac, now owner of the biggest chain of car dealerships in Romania, and one of the country’s richest men, puts part of his 250 strong classic car collection on show in Bucharest from 29 November. Probably the most valuable is this 1952 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, built originally for the Aga Khan on the understanding it wouldn’t ever be sold (just 18 Phantom IVs were built, all for heads of state or royalty). Eventually however it ended up ferry hotel guests to and from the airport in Missouri, USA. Its later years have been much happier. Tiriac bought the car at a Pebble Beach auction in 2011 after which it went on display at the BMW Museum in Munich to mark ten years of Rolls-Royce under BMW ownership (above). Sixty five of Tiriac’s cars will be on show at any one time, rotated every three months, at a showroom in Otopeni, just north of Bucharest. Other famous marques include Bentley, Mercedes, Morgan and Ferrari. The oldest dates from 1899. More details to follow.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tiriac-rolls.jpgtiriac rollsFormer tennis player Ion Tiriac, now owner of the biggest chain of car dealerships in Romania, and one of the country’s richest men, puts part of his 250 strong classic car collection on show in Bucharest from 29 November. Probably the most valuable is this 1952 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, built originally for the Aga Khan on the understanding it wouldn’t ever be sold (just 18 Phantom IVs were built, all for heads of state or royalty). Eventually however it ended up ferry hotel guests to and from the airport in Missouri, USA. Its later years have been much happier. Tiriac bought the car at a Pebble Beach auction in 2011 after which it went on display at the BMW Museum in Munich to mark ten years of Rolls-Royce under BMW ownership (above). Sixty five of Tiriac’s cars will be on show at any one time, rotated every three months, at a showroom in Otopeni, just north of Bucharest. Other famous marques include Bentley, Mercedes, Morgan and Ferrari. The oldest is from 1899. More details to follow.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/996043_10151891419528355_1329044456_n.jpg996043_10151891419528355_1329044456_nRather than wait for the postman – or, indeed, Santa – Selfridges customers can now pick up their online purchases themselves. The world’s first ‘Fashion and Retail Drive Through’ has just opened, at the back of the Oxford Street store. You don’t even need to get out of the car. 2013-11-18T21:08:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/17/rolls-royce-alpine-rally-wins-top-prize/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/loibl.jpgloiblThe Loibl Pass, Slovenia, one of many spectacular roads tackled on the 20 Ghost . Picture courtesy of Roll-sRoyce Motor Cars limited.2013-11-17T17:41:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/13/turracherhohe-birthplace-of-legends/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/quattro-turracher-large-reduced.jpgquattro turracher large reducedTurracher Heightshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/s6t9938_2_icv2_04.jpg_S6T9938_2_ICv2_04Turracher Strasse – route 95 - starts from north west Feldkirchen, but Turracherhohe – Turracher Heights – picks up after the Nockalm Road, see below, outside Reichenau. It tops out at Turracher village which straddles the boundary line between Austria’s Carinthia and Styria regions, beside the vast Turrachsee.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/s6t1416-2_icv2_03.jpg_S6T1416-2_ICv2_03Gradient apart, Turracherhohe is not a typical hairpin strewn mountain pass road. @ParaboliqueUK who drove it earlier this year on an epic 4,000 mile trip around central and west Europe describes this road as, ‘arguably the finest of the whole trip… mindblowing and very, very fast. The uphill section is wonderful and the downhill mile upon mile of fast sweeping S bends.’ All in all it sounds like Turracherhohe is worth putting on the list.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/s6t1088_2_icv2_04.jpg_S6T1088_2_ICv2_04At 34%, Turracher was once the steepest road in Europe. Porsche, headquartered in nearby Gmund during the 1940s, used this road to test out early prototypes of the 356. In the late 1980s however, just before the steepest parts were trimmed back to the current 23%, Turracherhohe was the birthplace of an equally famous legend.2013-11-17T11:18:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/04/23/the-rolls-royce-route-through-the-alps/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/112a.jpg112aThe top of the Pordoi Pass in the High Dolomites, northern Italy, looking east.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/69a.jpg69aThe Trieste waterfronthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/rolls-works-team.jpgrolls works teamThe 1913 Rolls-Royce Alpine Rally works team, led by winning driver William Radley.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/glove-box.jpgglove boxThe fascia of the 2013 Ghost Alpine Centenary features an inlaid graphic of the altitude of the original Alpine Rally, up to 7,496ft on the Pordoi Pass.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/alpine-rolls.jpgalpine rollsRolls Royce marks the centenary of its landmark Alpine Rally victory with a ‘Bespoke’ special edition of its Ghost saloon. Featuring the special shade of xxxxxx blue worn by the 1913 works team and gloss black wheels and grill (apparently ‘the first time a painted grille has adorned a contemporary Rolls-Royce motor car’).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/1961a.jpg1961aThe Julian Alps in southern Slovenia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/116a.jpg116aThe top of the Pordoi Pass in the High Dolomites, northern Italy, looking east.2013-11-17T10:17:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/14/gibraltar-queues-building-again/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/van-damme-volvo.jpgvan damme volvoJean-Claude Van Damme stars in an impressive video for Volvo Trucks called Epic Split. Believe it or not these trucks are actually reversing. The stunt is designed to demonstrate Volvo's new Dynamic Steering system that compensates for road illegularities https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/gib-frontier.jpggib frontierGibraltar: 'Border controls are here to stay!' shouted the local press yesterday 2013-11-16T18:26:49+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/10/10-11-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/rr_evq_conv_concept_060312_01_lowres.jpgrr_evq_conv_concept_060312_01_LowResEvoque convertible: 2013-11-16T17:53:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/13/porsche-panscandinavia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/martini-crop.jpgMARTINI CROPhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/martini-exhibition.jpgmartini exhibitionAn exhibition devoted to the iconic Martini racing car https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/img_2013.jpgIMG_2013GTPorsche magazine tells the story of the unique 911 S/T on a road trip across Scandinavia. Issue out now, or register for a free preview copy at GTPorsche magazine tells the story of the unique 911 S/T on a road trip across Scandinavia. Issue out now, or register for a free digital copy at http://bit.ly/1eEQvj5 or see www.GTPurelyPorsche.com 2013-11-15T15:54:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/15/why-its-a-particularly-bad-idea-to-speed-in-france-this-july-and-august/2013-11-14T22:36:34+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/08/the-nockalm-pass/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/up-the-road.jpgup the roadThe Nocky Mountains: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/nockalmstrasse.jpgnockalmstrasseNockalm Passhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/s6t3757_02.jpg_S6T3757_02The Alpen Tour was designed to demonstrate Audi's superfast RS range. Cars included the RS Q3, RS 5 Cabriolet, RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback. But there was room 2013-11-13T08:43:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/12/12-11-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/10667798965_8198a5a30a_c.jpg10667798965_8198a5a30a_cEV touring: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/stena-rotterdam.jpgstena rotterdamdrddrrr2013-11-12T20:35:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/11/motorway-news-new-venice-rome-and-troubled-a65-france/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/a65.jpga65A65 southbound, heading towards Pau and the Pyrenees.2013-11-12T18:46:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/11/11-11-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bucharest-parking.jpgbucharest parkingParking discipline: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/aircraft-speed-limit.jpgaircraft speed limithttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/lappi.jpglappiERC Valais: rising Finnish rally star Esapekka Lappi won his maiden European Rally Championship round yesterday on the Rallye du Valais in south west Switzerland yesterday.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/evoque.jpgevoque2013-11-11T21:35:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/08/850km-to-moscow/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/poland-border.jpgpoland borderSchengen suspended: as they are entitled to do during likely controversial gatherings, the Polish authorities have suspended the Schengen Agreement from 8-23 November during the Warsaw Climate Change Conference. The Swiss do the same each year for the Davos World Economic Forum. In practice it means identity checks at borders and possibly queues. Photo via Frontex.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/latvia.jpglatviaThe new P80 Tinuzi-Koknese, straight on for Moscow.2013-11-11T20:48:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/09/amsterdam-from-the-air/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/byf-uiliyaat0kn.jpgBYf-uilIYAAt0kNAmsterdam: a Google Earth pic 2013-11-10T09:01:19+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/07/cross-border-prosecution/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/6010898779_1d0a73333b_z.jpg6010898779_1d0a73333b_zGothenburg: Stena Line’s Masthugget city centre ferry terminal for services from Denmark is closing. A short extension to the existing contract has been signed but after that another location will have to be found as Masthugget waterfront is up for redevelopment. Stena services from Germany dock at Majnabbe but that’s not nearly so central (though passengers do get the benefit of sailing underneath the spectacular Alvsborg Bridge). The good news is that nothing happens before 2019 – but do put it on your ‘bucket list’ to catch the Frederikshavn-Gothenburg ferry while you still can; it’s the best way to arrive in Sweden, beating even the Oresund Link.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/merc-museum.jpgmerc museumModel wall: liking this 2013-11-08T06:31:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/01/01-11-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/vignette-germany1.jpgvignette germanyAnother word is about to be added to the German drivers' phrasebook. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/vignette-germany.jpgvignette germanyVignettenverkauf - Vignettes for salehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dover-doodo.jpgdover doodoTraffic on Jubilee Way, the flyover down to the roundabout outside Dover Docks was blocked for several hours ast night2013-11-07T19:49:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/06/f-type-coupe/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/f-type-coupe.jpgf type coupeJaguar F-TYPE Coupe. To be revealed on 19 November, on the eve of the Los Angeles auto show. On sale in the Spring.2013-11-07T12:49:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/03/regent-street-motor-show/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/jeremy-armenia.jpgjeremy armeniahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/clarkson-armenia-georgia.jpgclarkson armenia georgiaTop Gear Special. Much mystery surrounds https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/img_1942.jpgIMG_1942Thousands of red hatted protstors - Les Bonnets Rouge, recalling a 17th century tax revolt against Louis XIV - took to central https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/img_19281.jpgIMG_1928The Regent Street Motor Show. Over 300 cars from the past 125 years of motoring took over one of London's most famous shopping street yesterday, from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus. Porsche put on an apparently disappointing display of 911s to mark its 50 years. Altogether more impressive, according to reports, was the run of Aston Martins, there to celebrate the manufacturers' centenary. Many of the older cars take part in today's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Photo via @AstonMartin.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/img_1928.jpgIMG_1928Regent Street Motor Show2013-11-07T10:18:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/04/04-11-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/cresaa.jpgcresaaRandom shot, literally, tweeted by @TouringClub2013-11-04T21:14:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/11/02/02-11-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/welcome-to-syria.jpgwelcome to syriaA Channel4 film shadowed a convoy of aid vehicles - trucks, ambulances and even a fire engine - as it crossed Europe to Syria. They were held up for several hours at Dover, and again at Calais - though not, interestingly, Switzerland - but it wasn't until the Turkish border than seven of the group were denied entry and had to fly home. After eleven dayshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/norway-leaf-small.jpgNORWAY LEAF SMALLThe NissanLeaf has taken over from the Tesla Model S as Norway's best selling car. The second month in a row that an EV topped the sales charts, for the first time ever. The Leaf sold 716 units compared to 679 Toyota Auris and 646 VW Golfs. 2013-11-02T20:13:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/31/romania-fuel-tax-for-new-roads/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/macan.jpgMacanhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bx7d0wncyaaq2-h.jpgBX7D0WnCYAAQ2-hFirst undisguised pictures of the imminent Porsche Macan midi SUV published in Germany today.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/thessaloniki-small.jpgthessaloniki smallCreeping pedestrianisation. Northern Greek city Thessaloniki unveiled plans today to ban cars from the promenade, Nikis Avenue. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/fuel-romania.jpgfuel romaniaRomania May 2013. 2013-11-02T16:22:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/31/the-real-dracula-castle/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/roaf-trans-3.jpgroaf trans 3https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ruins2.jpgruins2The 1,480 steps.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ruins-1.jpgruins 1Poenari Fortress.2013-11-02T13:28:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/28/cabbage-patch-cops/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/holland-valls-crop.jpgholland valls cropManuel Valls (r). What out Monsieur Le President, he's right behind you!https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cabbage-patch-coppers.jpgcabbage patch coppersPolice in Bucharest confiscated cabbage from an illegal seller yesterday and had no choice but to transport the contraband themselves.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/french-police.jpgfrench policeOfficers in the south Ile de France Paris region must book at least three motorists a day to get Christmas and New Year off this year.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cabbage-patch-cops.jpgcabbage patch copsCabbage Patch Cops: police in Bucharest confiscated cabbage from an illegal seller yesterday and had no choice but to transport the contraband by 2013-10-31T20:53:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/26/cycling-in-the-netherlands/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/hovenring-crop.jpghovenring cropHaving cycled in the Netherlands we know the dedicated infrastructure over there isn't always quite as wonderful as some in the UK like to believe. However, this floating cycle roundabout, the Hovenring at Eindhoven, certainly qualifies. Photo via @jpaudouy. Did you know, by the way, that cyclists in the Netherlands can be fined €50 for riding without lights, and another €35 for not having proper reflectors? The authorities kicked off a new awareness campaign this week.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/img_1837.jpgIMG_1837Having cycled in the Netherlands we know the dedicated infrastructure over there isn't always quite as wonderful as some in the UK like to believe. However, this floating cycle roundabout, the Hovenring at Eindhoven, certainly qualifies. Photo via @jpaudouy. Did you know, by the way, that cyclists in the Netherlands can be fined €50 for riding without lights and another €35 for not having proper reflectors? The authorities kicked off a new awareness campaign this week.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bxca3yuceaa8soq.jpgBXca3YUCEAA8Soq2013-10-31T10:19:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/29/291013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/finistere-fix.jpgfinistere fixBonnets rougehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/mutti.jpgmuttiMutti fakes interest in the 'interchange everywhere' system at an earlier event in Berlin.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/finistere.jpgfinistereBrittany: Violent demonstrations on Saturday have seen truck toll system Ecotax 'suspended indefinitely'.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/horizon-crop.jpghorizon cropCalm restored. The storm has passed and schedules are almost back on track. Spare a thought though for those stuck at sea yesterday when Dover closed and its was unsafe to dock at Ijmuiden... The big mystery is Stena Line: it managed two crossings between Harwich and Hook of Holland with no delays at all.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/205-hr-rgb.jpgDFDS SeawaysCalm restored.2013-10-31T05:57:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/30/porsche-twofer/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/lux-car-little.jpglux car littleNatural habitat. Luxembourg registered cars: hard to miss. Pic via @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dimitrovgrad-bypass-fix.jpgdimitrovgrad bypass fixhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bursa-bus.jpgbursa busTURKEY: after Hungary and Austria, the GREAT Britain Tour - which has bagged a claimed £600m in business so far - now takes to Turkey. Today's stop is Bursa, around 100km as the crow flies due south from Istanbul across the Sea of Marmara. Bursa is the fourth biggest city, pop. 1.7m, and an important industrial centre, especially cars production - Fiat, Renault and Bosch have factories here. On the north west slope of the 8,500ft Mount Uludag, next to a fertile plain, it's also a popular tourist destination, for skiing and hot springs.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dimitrovgrad-bypass.jpgdimitrovgrad bypassSerbia: The E80 Dimitrovgrad Bypass under construction near the Bulgarian border.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/headimage5.jpgheadimage5So you've been to the Porsche Museum. 2013-10-30T22:32:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/27/27-10-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/yogypsey.jpgyogypseykdghsdkghkghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/brandenburg-gar.jpgbraNDENBURG GAR2013-10-28T10:18:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/25/light-camera-action-top-prize-for-ferry-photo/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/lyond-cover.jpglyond coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/lpoty.jpglpotyFerry leaving Newhaven harbour in storm, East Sussex, England by David Lyon.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/article-2469711-18db816500000578-164_964x624.jpgarticle-2469711-18DB816500000578-164_964x624David Lyons, 2013-10-26T16:32:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/24/24-10-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/finland-winter-pic-crop2.jpgfinland winter pic crop2https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/finland-winter-pic-crop.jpgfinland winter pic crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/finland-winter-pic-little.jpgfinland winter pic littleAustria is contemplating Finland's seasonal speed limits.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/tesla-store.jpgtesla storeTesla opens its first UK dealership tonight, at the Westgate Shopping Centre in White City, London. We understand that Elon Musk himself will be there, no doubt with at least one newsable line...https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/latvia-fags.jpglatvia fagsLATVIA. The State Revenue Service https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/lambasa-accident.jpglambasa accidenthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/macedonia.jpgmacedoniaCould be anywhere? This is actually the Macedonian A1 at T 2013-10-26T16:29:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/23/23-10-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/teslabahn-crop.jpgteslabahn crophttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/teslabahn-crop-fix.jpgteslabahn crop fixhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/aeromobil.jpgaeromobilSLOVAKIA. A prototype 'roadable aircraft' has taken its first test flight. Aeromobil 2.5 has been twenty years in development by inventor Stefan Klein. The wings fold backwards when not in use making the vehicle look not unlike an estate eversion of BMW's upcoming electric i8 sportscar. Aeromobil however is powered by a rear mounted Rotax engine.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/132-hr-rgb.jpgDFDS SeawaysFirst Class, DFDS Dover-Dunkirkhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/tesla-bahn.jpgtesla bahnBAHN READY: Tesla will offer a free upgrade to Model S customers ‘to make them feel really great at top speed,’ said Elon Musk at a roadshow in Munich last night. There was no mention of actually increasing the top speed, currently rated at 210kmh (130mph) for the top spec Model S. From experience we’d say 210kmh is the absolute bare minimum a ‘bahnstormer will expect: 240kmh would be better. Musk also said 80% of the German population will be in range of a Tesla Supercharger station by next March (which charges the car 80% in 20 minutes for free). The Munich meeting coincided with a report on www.InternationalBusinessTimes.com which said Tesla sales in Germany have been disappointing: 98 vehicles sold so far compared to 808 in Norway. Others have been quick to point out however that Norway has been the priority thus far and that’s undoubtedly true. Either way, Musk did admit, ‘If we can’t do well in Germany, that’s not a good sign.’ Pic via @TeslaMotors, a Model S on the autobahn in February 2013.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/heavy-rain.jpgheavy rainWeather: a bit like this today, apart from southern Italy, Turkey and Greece.2013-10-26T14:56:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/19/commanding-view/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/victory-square.jpgvictory squareA cracking, well organised and comprehensive website for touring and travelling in Belarus is ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/headsup.jpgheadsupCommanding view: head up display in the Rolls Royce Ghost.2013-10-24T20:10:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/22/22-10-13/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ecotax-protes.jpgecotax protesFrench farmers union FDSEA organised a day of action against the upcoming ECOTAXE, electronic truck tolls due in January. Gantries built to hold the scanners for the system were symbolically covered in forty locations across the country where the tech has already been installed. A report from France 24 yesterday suggested that agricultural and milk trucks will be exempt from the scheme.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/mclaren-nurburgring-bigger.jpgmclaren nurburgring biggerUNOFFICIAL REPORTS: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rally.jpgrallySan Remo: Giandemenico Basso wins a dramatic Sanremo Rally, clinching victory on the final stage through Colle d'Oggia.2013-10-22T16:03:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/21/gay-pride-podgorica/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gay-pride-montenegro1.jpggay pride montenegroPODGORICA. The British Embassy Team @UKinMontenegro head out to yesterday's Gay Pride march, the second one held in the country. Enough said really.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/peugeot-208-voiture-01.jpgPeugeot-208-voiture-01HIT THE ROAD JACQUES: a new generation of unmarked speed radar cars takes to French roads today. Unlike the originals, the new ones can photograph speeding cars on the opposite carriageway provided there’s no central reservation. There are thirteen Renault Meganes and seven Peugeot 208s (above) - in all colours – thus equipped, added to the 46 one-way camera cars already in service (all to be upgraded by the end of the year). There will be 300 camera cars on the roads by the end of 2015. In line with all non-fixed speed cameras, there’s a 10kmh allowance under 100kmh and a 10% allowance over 100kmh. So, drivers will not be fined unless they exceed 146kmh on a motorway; 124kmh on an expressway, 102kmh on a national road or 61kmh in urban areas. Provided they are not speeding dangerously the first drivers will know about it is when the fine plops through the letterbox, so it’s not something UK registered cars have to worry about.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gay-pride-montenegro.jpggay pride montenegroThe British Embassy Team @UKinMontenegro head out to the Gay Pride march yesterday. Enough said really2013-10-22T06:29:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/20/20-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/whsd-resize.jpgwhsd resizeRUSSIA. It’s the Day of Roads today, the official holiday for road workers. In a congratulatory telegram, President Putin says, ‘Your work is honourable and responsible… I believe you can be proud of the results achieved.’ It’s been a busy few years what with new highways around Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics, advancing construction on the M11 Moscow-St Petersburg superhighway and much of the Western High Speed Diameter Road (WHSD, above) across St Petersburg recently opened. Next on the list is a massive new ring road around Moscow.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/azerbaijan-jpeg.jpgazerbaijan jpeghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/normal.jpgnormalGERMANY. Workers at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory in northern Stuttgart – where the 911, Boxster, Cayman and all the company’s engines are built – have had their hours cut reports AGI news agency. Already working a relatively trifling 35 hours, the 3,500 employees will soon be toiling on the factory floor for just 34 hours each week. It’s not because Porsche is in trouble - far from it, this is another record year for the most profitable car manufacturer in the world – but because of ‘vast improvements in plant productivity,’ says Porsche chairman Uwe Hueck. We moseyed around the factory gates on a visit to the Porsche Museum in 2009 and remarked to ourselves even then what a well fed, healthy looking bunch they were as they poured out of the gates at three o’clock in the afternoon…https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/azerbaijan-big.jpgazerbaijan bigAnother picture filched from www.azeryol.az the Azerbaijan state road building company. There's no information but from the signs - Turkan and Hovsan are both towns on the Absheron Peninsula projecting out into the Caspian Sea, this looks like a road heading out of Baku, the capital. Dairəsi BTW means roundabout. Did you know that, at 28m below sea level, Baku is the world's lowest lying city?2013-10-20T20:14:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/09/9-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2_prop_1200x720_4098ba8cc1.jpg2_prop_1200x720_4098ba8cc1The Poland-Ukraine border. Picture courtesy of FRONTEX, the EU border agency.2013-10-20T15:54:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/10/10-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rescue1.jpgrescue1ROMANIA. With up to 500bhp available the new Ghe-O Motors RESCUE – unveiled today at the Bucharest Auto Salon - is a high performance vehicle in every sense of the world. High customisable – it can be configured for fire, medical, military or for use in water or on snow. It’s one of a range of extreme off-roaders produced by Ghe-O in a Bucharest suburb. Something tells us we’re going to be hearing more about this company – they also have a motorsport team. See www.ghe-o.com https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/evoque-wadingbig.jpgevoque wadingbigNot out of its depth. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bwjiy5ncqaaw48z.jpgBWJIY5nCQAAW48zSpeed marathon:2013-10-20T14:52:10+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/01/1-oct-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/silvretta-road.jpgsilvretta roadThe 2,032m Silvretta High Alpine Road – Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse – between Tyrol and Vorarlberg in western Austria has closed for ‘essential maintenance’. The road on the west - Vorarlberg – side took a beating from heavy snow last winter, heavy rain in May and June and the heat wave in July. It should re-open next June. For more info see www.silvretta-bielerhohe.at (German only).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/baltic_beach_hotel_from_air-orig.jpgbaltic_beach_hotel_from_air origThe Baltic Beach Hotel, Jurmala, Latvia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bernina-2.jpgbernina 2Bernina Pass, Switzerland. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bernina.jpgberninaRandom: descending the Bernina Pass, from St Moritz, Switzerland, to Tirano, Italy.2013-10-20T14:28:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/02/2-oct-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pedberholm-2.jpgpedberholm 2Peberholm. 2013-10-20T14:23:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/13/13-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ukraine-rock.jpgБелая Скала, август 2013.Belaya Skala, Ukraine.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ukraine-rock-big.jpgukraine rock bigBelaya Skala, Ukraine.2013-10-20T14:20:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/15/15-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/i3-sales-boom.jpgi3 sales boomELECTRIC CARS. With 80% of the first year’s sales projections already sold - a month before it goes on sale - BMW is looking at expanding production of its all-new i3 electric car says Automotive News Europe. It’s an early sign that the company’s billion dollar bet on EVs is paying off, and/or that the 92% of other manufacturers which are at least hedging their bets on electric vehicles (according to a survey by KPMG) have missed the boat. While we’re enormously impressed by the comprehensive package BMW has built in and around the i3 – the telematics, lifestyle, interior – we’re thinking it’s one of those rare occasions when a futuristic concept car should have been radically toned down for production… Mind you, we’re yet to see one in the flesh.2013-12-13T09:21:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/12/12-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/istabul-olympics-big.jpgistabul olympics bigNearly 20% of all Turkey’s vehicles are driven in Istanbul. The city’s congestion is becoming legendary, possibly the world’s worst. Without its own oil resources, money outflow to pay for fuel is a serious issue for an otherwise booming national economy. Now prime minister Erdogan – former mayor of Istanbul – has asked residents to ‘reconsider your relationship with your vehicles,’ as he launched a new fleet of 758 buses today. He also revived the idea of a congestion zone, citing London as an example, though it would only apparently apply to non-residents. The big light on the horizon is a new third bridge over the Bosphorus due to open in 2015. With local elections due in March 2014, transport is sure to be a lively debate.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/aston-works-big.jpgaston works bigA great photo from @AstonMartinWork of a customer track day at the Red Bull Ring in Austria earlier this week (see the big red bull in the background). 2013-10-19T15:45:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/04/4-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dniester.jpgdniesterBridge over the Dniester. The OSCE - Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe - is reportedly pressing Moldova to explain its new rules for crossing into 2013-10-19T15:12:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/18/cars-from-lithuania-to-russia-fall-90-in-a-month-trucks-by-100-in-a-week/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/border-queue-li.jpgKrovininiø automobiliø eilës per Terehovo pasienio kontrolës punktà.Truck border queue. Photo: Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania.2013-10-19T14:40:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/27/bulgaria-new-measures-to-tackle-traffic-cop-corruption/2014-02-18T12:39:45+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/18/gib-g1-goes-green/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rr_silk_trail_2013_update_6_011013_08_lowres.jpgRR_Silk_Trail_2013_Update_6_011013_08_LowResRange Rover Hybrid prototypes on final test on Silk Roads in Kyrgyzstan earlier this month.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gib-model-sb.jpggib model sBThe first Tesla Model S in southern Europe belongs to the Gibraltar government.. Imported directly from California2013-10-19T09:13:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/14/14-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bwo8jdwieaamfmj.jpgBWO8JdwIEAAmFMJBaroness Ewy Rosqvist and Ursula Worth winning the Ladies’ Cup at the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mercedes Benz 220SE. This was when the event really was a Rally. Competitors started from one of seven cities – Stockholm, Paris, Glasgow, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Warsaw, Athens – and ‘rallied’ in Monte Carlo. History records there were 341 entries that year, 296 starters and 102 finishers. Rosqvist and Worth came 16th overall. Thirteen crews started from Athens but they were unable to reach Belgrade because of snow. Another Mercedes driver, H.Felder, stopped to help Rosemary Smith and Rosemary Seers who had rolled their Sunbeam Rapier into a ditch “while not wearing seatbelts” but lost so much time he retired too. Patricia Ozanne crashed her Mini Cooper into a lorry on the M1.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/bwosxg9iyaaxdwe.jpgBWOsxg9IYAAxdwEBaroness Ewy Rosqvist and Ursula Worth winning the Ladies’ Cup at the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mercedes Benz 220SE. This was when the event really was a Rally. Competitors started from one of seven cities – Stockholm, Paris, Glasgow, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Warsaw, Athens – and ‘rallied’ in Monte Carlo. History records there were 341 entries that year, 296 starters and 102 finishers. Rosqvist and Worth came 16th overall. Thirteen crews started from Athens but they were unable to reach Belgrade because of snow. Another Mercedes driver, H.Felder, stopped to help Rosemary Smith and Rosemary Seers who had rolled their Sunbeam Rapier into a ditch “while not wearing seatbelts” but lost so much time he retired too. Patricia Ozanne crashed her Mini Cooper into a lorry on the M1.2013-10-14T18:17:03+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/07/7-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pagoda-harpenden.jpgpagoda harpendenRandom pic: Mercedes Pagoda driving through Hertfordshire countryside, yesterday. 2013-10-12T09:38:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/11/11-october-2013/2013-10-11T19:36:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/08/8-october-2013/2013-10-08T19:04:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/06/6-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/brenner.jpgbrennerItaly: descending the Dolomites to the Brenner Pass A22, the busiest 2013-10-06T19:08:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/05/5-october-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/azer.jpgazerAzerbaijan: a truly random picture, nicked off www.azeryol.az, the state road building company. No idea where it's taken but that's likely a convoy containing President Ilham Aliyev driving into the Caucasus mountains. What we call, 'too little information'.2013-10-05T17:03:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/10/03/winters-coming/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/finland-reflector.jpgfinland reflectorWinter's coming. 2013-10-03T19:15:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/30/30-sept-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/croatia-1.jpgcroatia 1Random pic: northern Croatia. Having successfully negotiated our mountain detour - with hearts I our mouths most of the time - we get our first proper view of the Adriatic.2013-10-03T05:19:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/30/uncertain-if-new-dartford-toll-tag-can-also-be-used-on-french-motorways-and-vice-versa/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/tag.jpgtag2013-09-30T17:04:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/29/what-we-know-about-the-new-911-targa/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/targa-hatch.jpgtarga hatchTarga geekery: unlike other 911s, the rear screen on recent Targa models has been a liftback, making the car even more versatile. The question is, what tricks does the rear screen of the new Targa have up its sleeve?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1porsche911targacarreview.jpg1Porsche911TargacarreviewTarga geekery: the rear screen on recent Targa models, unlike other 911s, is a liftback, https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/early-targa.jpgearly targaThe new 911 Targa. Going back to its roots.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ku-bigpic.jpgku-bigpicThe new 911 Targa. Picture filched from Jalopnik.com on a public interest basis.2013-09-29T20:10:24+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/26/rossfeld-panoramic-road/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/panoramastrasse-geschichte-06-erdarbeiten-1939-scheitelstrecke.jpgpanoramastrasse-geschichte-06-erdarbeiten-1939-scheitelstreckeOriginally only intended as a scenic eastern offshoot, the Rossfeld Panorama Road is the only part that was actually built. Construction started in 1937 and finished in 1955.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/presse-pressebilder-02-panorama.jpgpresse-pressebilder-02-panoramaIn the deepest corner of south east Germany - starting and finishing in Hitler’s redoubt Berchtesgaden - the road actually criss crosses the Austrian border a few times. Salzburg is only 25 miles away.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/panoramastrasse-geschichte-01-planung-der-deutschen-alpenstrasse.jpgpanoramastrasse-geschichte-01-planung-der-deutschen-alpenstrasseBefore the war, the Germans planned a great Alpine Road, stretching 180 miles between Lakes Konigssee and Constance.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/panoramastrasse-bildergalerie-14-panoramablick.jpgpanoramastrasse-bildergalerie-14-panoramablickWith a maximum incline of 13% it rises 1,100m (3,608ft) in 15.4km to a maximum height of 1,570ft (5,150ft). By Alps standards that isn’t very high but it does mean Rossfeld is open all year round. It’s one of the few German roads – at the moment anyway - with a toll: €5 car, €2 adult, €1.30 kids.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/jc3bcrgenneuhaus1967mitporschecarrera6.jpgJürgen+Neuhaus+1967+mit+Porsche+Carrera+6In the 1920s the original road between Berchtesgaden and Obersalzburg was used for hillclimb competitions. It saw some epic battles, notably the 1928 duel between Rudolf Caracciola and Hans Stuck. The races were revived in the 1950-60s on Rossfeld itself. In 1968 the course claimed the life of Grand Prix driver Ludovico Scarfiotti at the wheel of a Porsche 910 Bergspyder. The competition eventually fell victim to the 1973 energy crisis.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/informationen-panoramakarte-01-panoramakarte.jpginformationen-panoramakarte-01-panoramakarteThe mountains are the Northern Limestone Alps which run along the border of Germany and Austria. Berchtesgaden lends its name to a group of these mountains. Notable peaks include Watzmann (2,713m) and Hochkalter (2,607m) but it’s Hoher Goll, 2,522m (8,274ft) that dominates the view from the road.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/bunc2ricuaawib2.jpgBUnC2RiCUAAwiB2Rossfeld came to our attention because it’s the venue this weekend for a revival of all those legendary races. Some fabulous cars are expected, from a Audi Sport Quattro ‘Pikes Peak’ to a Porsche 917 and this 1928 Mercedes SSK raced by Caracciola, all under the watchful eye of event ambassador and living Porsche driving legend Walter Rohrl. Check back for more details or see the links below.2013-09-29T14:11:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/28/klausenday/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/klausen-rennen.jpgklausen rennenIt must be historic hillclimb weekend. 2013-09-28T17:05:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/27/26-september-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/formula20e201.jpgFormula%20E%201Rome will not feature on the inaugural Formula E racing calendar. It’s a big surprise considering the Eternal City was scene of the series’ first glitzy launch event last December. Since then, of course, the previous mayor has been deposed in favour of the reputedly anti-car Ignazio Marino. As we’ve reported ad infinitum, the road around the Coliseum has since been closed to private traffic because vibration and pollution from cars has damaged the ancient amphitheatre. It wouldn’t be seemly then to turn it into a racetrack. But the point of the non-vibrating, non-polluting Formula E is that they help seduce the general public away from conventionally powered vehicles. Perhaps the bike-mad ‘Mayorino’ really does have a problem with powered transport in all its forms. Let’s hope he never gets his hands on Ferrari.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/fin-police.jpgfin policeFinnish police have taken delivery of a new toy, a Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake 350CDI 4MATIC.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/aston-zurich.jpgaston zurichAston Martin: 100 customers enjoyed two days of driving, boating and champagne tasting at Lake Zurich and Lake Lucerne in Switzerland earlier this month. Presumably part of the company’s centenary celebrations. Not jealous at all.2013-09-27T20:35:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/24/24-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/merc-ad.jpgmerc adhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/patxch.jpgpatxchhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/bu71ojgccaal-ir.jpgBU71oJgCcAAL-IrNearly, but not quite.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/teslamodelswhitel.jpgTeslaModelSWhitelTesla is currently topping the MNorwegian sales charts, for all vehciles, not just EVs. has sold a remarkable number of its all electric EV in Norway since its launch last month. In the six weeks up to 16 September the company shifted 511 2013-09-27T05:06:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/26/26-september-2013/2013-09-26T17:16:15+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/19/19-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/28-ssk-edelweiss-mn-award-rossfeld-berch.jpg28 ssk edelweiss mn award rossfeld berchWith Walter Rohrl as Ambassador, and some historic cars due - like this 1928 Mercedes SSK - the International Edelweiss Mountain Award Rossfeld Berchtesgaden hill climb should be quite an event. It’s run on the 16km German Alpine Road – or Rossfeld Panoramastrasse – between Lakes Constance and Konigsee, from 27-29 September. See www.rossfeldrennen.de/en/ for more information or, for the road itself, see www.rossfeldpanoramastrasse.de/en/2013-09-26T15:40:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/25/25-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/gib-9999.jpggib 9999Gibraltar. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/trabie-rs.jpgtrabie rsIntroducing the Trabant RS. Bulgarian tuning firm Kokonja https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/crazy-horst-big.jpgcrazy horst big'Crazy' Horst Seehofer, President elect of Bavaria.2013-09-26T08:50:05+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/23/23-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wraith-to-vienna-little.jpgwraith to vienna littleHats off to him, Top Gear magazine journalist Ollie Marriage drove a Rolls Royce Wraith from Berkshire to Vienna, in one day, arriving unruffled in time for dinner (it seems the biggest problem was negotiating his way into the priority lane on Eurotunnel). That’s 951 miles in 12h50 driving time, at an average speed of 76.1mph and an equally impressive 23.8mpg (considering the Wraith’s 2.3t is powered by a 624bhp V12). Having driven virtually the same route we know it’s true to say the landscape isn’t fabulous, but from Cologne it’s A3 more or less the whole way, with plenty of opportunities to open the taps. Great drive. You should do it. Check out the story online via the link above, or see the October issue of Top Gear. Picture courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/mutti1.jpgmutti1Ich bin mit Mutti. The official German election results are in: Angela Merkel has 2013-09-23T17:34:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/22/oberalppass-in-the-fog-rain-and-snow/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/round-two.jpground twoWe should have learned a lesson. A year later we made a second attempt on The Loop, in late May this time. We thought we'd check out the Gotthard Pass anyway only to find massive ice blocks sliding out into the road. Open passes might not guarantee panoramic views but they definitely close them for a reason.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/extra-5.jpgextra 5lkjlkjkljlkjkhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/extra-4.jpgextra 4There's no worries, that's good thick, strong barrier.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/extra-3.jpgextra 3Oh. Pretty.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/extra-1.jpgextra 1It's at this point we start to wonder what we've let ourselves in for.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/oberalppass-pano.jpgOberalppass panoWhat we missed.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/oberalp-summit.jpgoberalp summit2048m, that's x,xxxft to you.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/5a.jpg5aThis is reminding me https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/4a.jpg4aActual rivulets of water running down the road. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/171.jpg17Civilisation!2013-09-22T18:00:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/21/21-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr-tent.jpgrr tentPossibly the hardest part of the expedition is stepping out of the cosseting luxury of a Range Rover to spend the night in a tent.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr_silk_trail_2013_update_4_180913_12_lowres.jpgRR_Silk_Trail_2013_Update_4_180913_12_LowResThe route takes them in an iverted S shape through south east Kazakhstan, between the Caspian and Aral Sea, before driving virtually the full length of Uzbekistan to Tashkent near the Kyrgyz border.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rrh.jpgrrhThe landscape of Kazakhstan (the same size as Western Europe) and Uzbekistan varies enormously. From over 400ft below sea level in the east to well over 20,000ft in the west, with desert, lowland and plateaus in between. And they are not even at the Himalayas yet.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr_silk_trail_2013_update_4_180913_21_lowres.jpgRR_Silk_Trail_2013_Update_4_180913_21_LowResTo something more possibly like 40,000 gallons a mile.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr7.jpgrr7Range Rover says its Hybrid - which mates a three litre V6 diesel engine with a 35KW (47bhp) electric motor in parallel - has achieved over 40mpg on the highway sections.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rrh-4.jpgrrh 4Temperatures have ranged from 17 to 43 degrees centigrade.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr-hybrdic-over-3.jpgrr hybrdic over 3Range Rover Hybrid Silk Trail expedition. If we thought the pictures so far were pretty good, 2013-09-21T17:01:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/28/brussels-car-free-sunday/2013-09-21T10:20:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/20/20-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blanka.jpgblankaPrague. Three major leaks, massive cost overruns, unauthorised construction, uncovered archaeology, undermined buildings and now, it was announced earlier this week, a police investigation into its finances. The Blanka Tunnel Complex has enjoyed a gestation fairly typical for any massive infrastructure project. When it opens next Spring however the Blanka Tunnel Complex, three consecutive tunnels completing the Prague Inner Ring in the north west of the city, bypassing the historic centre, will contain Europe’s longest city tunnel, at 3.09km. For more see www.tunelblanka.cz. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ron-arad.jpgron aradLate news. 2013-09-20T18:41:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/18/18-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr-khiva.jpgrr khivaThe Range Rover Hybrid Silk Trail expedition is by now deep into Central Asia. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/putin-limo.jpgputin limoNUMI - the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engine Institute - a state-owned corporation in existence since 1918 - has been tasked by prime minister Dmitri Medvedev 2013-09-18T18:04:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/17/17-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/buwi8z9imaa19ts.jpgBUWI8Z9IMAA19TSThe GREAT Britain bus parked outside the UN building in Vienna this morning. According to https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/prius-police.jpgprius policeUkraine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has invested in 1,200 Toyota Prius hybrids, thirty of which were delivered to the Kharkiv force yesterday according to an official statement.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/pm76image001.jpgPM76image001Ukraine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has bought 1,200 Toyota Prius, thirty of which were delivered to the Kharkiv force yesterday according to an official statement.2013-09-17T17:47:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/16/16-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr6.jpgrr6The trio of Range Rover Hybrids prototypes have just finished stage three of their journey from Solihull to Mumbai, India. Part of the new model’s final development phase, the expedition has covered 4,250 miles in 15 days via the Low Countries, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and Russia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr3.jpgrr3In the past week, the cars have driven 1,417miles from Odessa in Ukraine to Astrakhan in Russia via the Crimean Peninsula and the prairies and grasslands of the Russian Kalmykiya region. On rain washed mud tracks progress has inevitably slowed but the cars have really been put through their paces. The only damage so far has been one puncture and a cracked windscreen.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rr2.jpgrr2Astrakhan, located on 11 islands in the upper part of the Volga Delta, close to the Kazakstan border, is on the crossroads between Europe and Asia with the eastern influence clear to see. This week, the expedition will venture into the deserts of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and then into Kyrgyzstan, accumulating another 2,000 miles on the Silk Route proper as it continues east into Asia.2013-09-16T18:02:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/16/gotthard-ii-a-new-tunnel-but-no-new-traffic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/gotthard-road-tunnelc-over.jpggotthard road tunnelc overhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/gotthard-road-tunnel.jpggotthard road tunnelThe southern entrance of the Gotthard Road Tunnel in Ticino, Switzerland. Photo DriveEurope.2013-09-16T09:34:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/15/15-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/aston-martin.jpgaston martinRandom: assorted Aston Martins 2013-09-15T19:20:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/14/13-september-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/328-mfl.jpg328 mflGlamorous group travel. MyFerryLink hosted a group of German BMW enthusiasts enroute to Goodwood this weekend, including this rather delicious 328. So far so good but it did catch our eye on the accompanying press release that MyFerryLink provided a ‘private area on board the ship and tailored menu options’. For more info email groups@myferrylink.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/btjuxcgiuaajo_d.jpgBTjuXCGIUAAjo_DTaksim Square, Istanbul. The underpass - part of a highly controversial redevelopment of the centre of Istanbul - finally opened to traffic yesterday. 2013-09-14T17:52:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/13/13-september-2013/2013-09-13T18:04:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/12/12-september-2013/2013-09-12T17:07:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/11/11-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/greek-reg-supercars.jpggreek reg supercarsExotic car registrations in Greece. Via @Hekimoglu, retweeted by @NickMalkoutzis, deputy editor @Ekathimerinihttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/austerity-pope.jpgausterity popeAusterity Pope. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1porsche918spydersetnurburgringlaprecord.jpg1Porsche918SpydersetNurburgringlaprecordThe Green Hell.2013-09-11T16:34:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/10/daily-brief-10-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/closeup.jpgcloseupDrive Europe for free. By the end of 2014, 100% of people living in Germany, the Low Countries, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark, and 90% of those living in England, Wales and Sweden, will live within 320km of a Tesla supercharger, i.e. an electric power point that half-charges the Model S in 20 minutes, for free. According to the map at www.teslamotors.com/supercharger that puts London within reach of Rome, Berlin, Lisbon and the Arctic Circle. Tesla says its superchargers will always be free for Model S owners to use though filling up from a domestic circuit costs just £4.50 according to Autocar, enough for 260 miles. The maths just stack up and up and up.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/formulae1.jpgformulaeThe tech is interesting – power from the McLaren P1’s electric motor, batteries by Williams – but with the equivalent of just 270bhp (180bhp in the race) in an 800kg chassis, and a generic single-seat racer look, we can’t see too many top flight racing drivers getting too excited about FormulaE, never mind the punters. Perhaps whooshing through the streets of the world’s major capitals will swing the deal. There’s still a year to go before the first race.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/letter.jpgletterFrench Day of Industrial Action October 2010: services still ran with minimal disruption.2013-09-10T21:07:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/09/daily-brief-8-september-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/jag-cx17-outside.jpgjag cx17 outsideBlank canvas. Shorter, lower and wider than the Porsche Cayenne – by 128, 56 and 20mm respectively – but that’s hardly the point. It might look road ready but the C-X17 is a long way from production. It seems Jaguar was serious about its new concept being an exercise in showing the flexibility of its new modular aluminium underpinnings. There’s a compact saloon coming first, built on the same platform, due by 2015. What C-X17 might signify though is a sea change in styling. Gone are the flourishes of the XJ saloon. This is a Jaguar that ‘does what it says on the tin’. It’s what we’ve long wished for but now it’s here we’re reserving judgement. The all-important detailing though is spot on.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/formulae.jpgformulaeSound of the 21st Century? With bound-to-be-high profile races taking place in London, Rome and berlin next year - and 2013-09-09T21:28:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/08/daily-brief-8-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ralf-little.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABlast from the past. Ralf Schumacher's Toyota at the second Lesmo during the 2005 Italian Grand Prix. 2013-09-09T05:57:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/07/daily-brief-7-september-2013/2013-09-07T17:27:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/06/daily-brief-6-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/jaguar-suv-ff-24.jpgc-x17 sideThe big question is how big is it? The magazines talk about it being an Evoque/BMW X3 competitor. Really?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/c-x17a.jpgc-x17aJaguar C-X17 concept SUV, supposedly not revealed until next week. This picture leaked online last night and as far as we know hasn't been 2013-09-07T11:32:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/04/daily-brief-4-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/obama-stockholm-cover.jpgobama stockholm coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/mclaren-london.jpgmclaren londonWe're certainly flying the flag for the UK motoring industry on DriveEurope this week what with various Jaguars, Range Rovers and, not least, McLarens (this being the company's fiftieth anniversary week). We might be overdoing it but cannot resist this pic of a Union Jack liveried 12C driving past Big Ben with a Routemaster in the background. BTW @McLarenGroup want you to tweet them if you see this car out and about.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/obama-stockholm.jpgobama stockholmObama in Sweden. The streets and skies were cleared for President Obama's 25 mile motorcade from Arlanda airpoprt https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/csu.jpgcsuAngela Merkel - the current and likely next German Chancellor - has firmly ruled out the possibilitiy of foreign motorists being charged specifically to use Bavaria's roads. 2013-09-06T07:16:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/05/daily-brief-5-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/seehofer-toll2.jpgseehofer toll2The CSU's campaign poster for the foreigner road tax. Do we need to translate?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/austria-maut.jpgaustria mautThe price of the Austrian road vignette increases by 2.6% this year. This takes the price of the shortest 10-day sticker to €8.50 for vehicles below 3.5t (€4.90 for motorbikes). Two months will cost €24.80, twelve months €82.70. The new vignette – lime coloured for 2014 – goes on sale at the end of November, valid from 1 December. The annual sticker lasts until 31 January 2015. ASFINAG, the state roads company, sold nearly 24 million vignettes in 2012 for the Austrian population of 8.5 million. The majority, 17.4m, were for the ten day vignette. Only 3.8m were annual vignettes. All vehicles using Austria’s motorways and expressways must buy the sticker, apart from some roads which are charged individually via toll booths where a vignette is not necessary. For more information see www.asfinag.at (in English).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/10.jpg10At the risk of repeating ourselves2013-09-05T20:10:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/04/range-rover-hybrid-on-the-silk-trail-part-one/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/13b.jpg13bFive countries and 41 days to go on marathon 9,950 mile (16,000km) endurance drive.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/12b.jpg12bWith most of the urban journey over for now, the expedition is now poised to enter Russia, where it will spend the next six days before crossing the border into Kazakhstan.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/111.jpg11sdkgjhsdgjkhg ghghghghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/101.jpg10fhfhfh gbbgbgghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/9.jpg9skdjhsdkjhg ggghttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/8b.jpg8bkhsdkghsdgjg hghghghhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/71.jpg7In the dense rush hour traffic of London, Brussels, Dusseldorf, and Berlin, the Hybrids’ 35kW (47 bhp) electric motors automatically took over from the V6 diesel engine to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/5b.jpg5beven so, the route has already presented the vehicles with the stresses of urban congestion, the hazards of some poorly maintained former Eastern Bloc roads and the first of many official border-crossings.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/4b.jpg4bThis first section was always expected to be the most straightforward part of an otherwise ambitious journey, with the toughest challenges still ahead.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/31.jpg3This expedition will visit 12 countries and takes in some of the world's most challenging roads, passes and trails, including part of the ancient, 4,000 mile Silk Road connecting Asia with the Mediterranean. These are the first hybrids to ever attempt this route.2013-09-05T10:36:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/03/daily-brief-3-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/jenson-p1.jpgjenson p1A late pic from McLaren's 50th birthday celebrations at its Woking factory yesterday. Jenson Button driving the increasingly gorgeous P1.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/btqfgqfiyaaiccy.jpgBTQFgqfIYAAICcyA 1950 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe outside the British Consulate-General in Istanbul today, via @LeighTurnerFCO.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/6577-cover.jpg6577 coverhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/prague.jpgpraguePrague. Another satnav directed trip through a major city centre tobreak up a long journey, in this case Bratislava-2013-09-03T19:41:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/02/daily-brief-2-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/btjvay8ieaaa1hx.jpgBTJVAy8IEAAA1HXHappy birthday McLaren. The Formula One team and super/megacar constructor is fifty years old today.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/police-truck.jpgpolice truckA new one on us: unmarked police truck. Coming to the Midland’s motorways soon, used by @CMPG, Central Motorway Police Group. Previously seen in the North West apparently where officers say they are an ‘effective tool’ to enforce Road Traffic laws with HGVs. According to CMPG, ‘It gives us an elevated platform to see into commercial vehicles as we pull alongside, very difficult from a car.’ https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/jag-suv1.jpgjag suv1Jaguar CX17 teaser, tobe launch at the Frankfurt show.2013-09-02T17:54:46+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/04/27/perfect-princess/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/london-lisbon.jpglondon lisbonphoto: Twitter/ @HERO_CRAhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/4483a.jpg4483ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/proxy.jpgproxyKendra Spears and Mush. Photo © Twitter/ @Kendra_Spearshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/k-and-r-2.jpgk and r 22013-09-02T11:15:58+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/09/01/daily-brief-1-september-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/sarajevo1.jpgsarajevo1Sniper – Suicide – Alley, ‘Marsala Tita’, Sarajevo. The trite thing to say is ‘where they used to dodge bullets, now they dodge cars’. Even when we were there in May 2012 the comparison with Syria was obvious. The Bosnian War was another conflict where we were told the two sides were as bad as each other, and that we had no national interest. Putting all our efforts into humanitarian aid ultimately achieved very little, and our soldiers still died. When the west did intervene the war was over within weeks. Even twenty years later there’s resentment at the role the UK played in keeping international forces at bay.2013-09-01T18:03:37+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/31/daily-brief-31-august-2013/2013-08-31T17:04:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/30/daily-brief-30-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sprinter.jpgsprinterWhat do you make of campervans? Honestly, it’s only a matter of time for us. But which one? Ideally it’d be a sportscamper 911 with pull out beds in the back, power shower and heated loo seat but in the absence of that, or anything like it, what about the Mercedes New Sprinter? https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tesla-supercharger-cover.jpgtesla supercharger coverTesla Supercharger. The first European fast charging station opens in Norway today, one that delivers half a charge in 20 minutes, for free (the company says it will always be free to use for Model S cars). Tesla is being slightly coy about exactly where this new Supercharger is. The website shows six are live already in central and south Norway, though obviously that cannot be right... seems the company has definitely got the hang of dribbling out info for maximum publicity. Let's just hope these Superchargers are rather more forthcoming! With European sales gathering pace - there are owners now in Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland - there is still no word on precisely when Model S will land in the UK, or how much it will cost. update: it turns out they have opened all six today. Now 90% of Norwegians live within 320km of a supercharger, i.e. well inside the Model S's 425km range tweets @TeslaMotors.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tesla-supercharger.jpgtesla superchargerTesla Supercharger. 2013-08-30T23:04:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/28/daily-brief-28-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mclaren-cannonball.jpgmclaren cannonballA Cannonball2000 McLaren is stopped by Luxembourg police. Photo via www.wort.lu.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/body_bg_01.jpgbody_bg_01Aston Martin on Ice. A two day trip to St Moritz in Switzerland learning to handle the quintessential British sports car on the slipperiest surface. The all-inclusive package, apart from travel to the resort, includes six hours tuition on a frozen lake, accommodation at the Kempinski Grand Hotel and use of cars, fuel, insurance, etc. There are eight separate sessions, all in early February next year. The maximum number of drivers is 20. It costs €3,200 per person though you can take a non-participating guest for €600. Be quick, two sessions are sold out already and another two are for German speakers only. See www.astonmartinonice.com for more. The company also offers a four day, driver-only ice driving course in Lapland next February for €5,900.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ramona_manescucrop.jpgRamona_ManescucropIntroducing Ramona Manescu, former lawyer and MEP, now Romania's newly inaugurated Minister for Transport. She's got her work cut out, in the wake of previous fiascos with road constructors Bechtel and Alpine 2013-08-30T20:39:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/29/daily-brief-29-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/kadyrov.jpgkadyrovYou have to hand it to Ramzan Kadyrov sometimes. The Chechen president, who reputedly rules the south west Russian republic with something harsher even than a rod of iron – he apparently has his own ‘private prison’ – has shown he is able to cope with some dissent after all, albeit one step removed. The Blue Buckets campaign group, who use the child’s toy to mimic the flashing roof top lights used by Russian officials to avoid traffic jams, took Kadyrov to task after he posted an Instagram video of himself driving at 241kph (150mph) in his Mercedes ML (above). According to a subsequent post, Kadyrov has banned himself from the road and will now get around on horseback only. Disclaimer: none of the allegations against the Chechen president have ever been proved and he denies them all.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rr_hybrid_silk_trail_update1_280813_04_lowres.jpgRR_Hybrid_Silk_Trail_Update1_280813_04_LowResRange Rover on the Silk Routes. The brand new Range Rover Hybrid is being put through a near 10,000 mile endurance test from the UK to India, part of the vehicle’s final development ahead of deliveries early next year. Three examples set off from the company’s base at Solihull on 22 August. As of today they have covered 1,885 miles and are on route from Krakow, Poland, to Odessa, Ukraine. The trip takes in twelve countries, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China and Nepal.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/cannonball-geneva.jpgcannonball genevaCannonball Photo: Laurent Guiraud via 2013-08-30T17:35:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/27/driving-to-the-belgian-grand-prix/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/cover.jpgcoverkimi on firehttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1869.jpg1869We've never seen anything like it.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1811.jpg1811Kimi Raikkonen at the Rivage hairpin.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1809.jpg1809https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1783.jpg1783GP2 cars heading up the Kemmel straight.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1743.jpg1743Fernando Alonso at the Fagnes chicane.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1727.jpg1727https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1718.jpg1718ksdjhskjdh ghghhghhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1706.jpg1706We weren't the only Grand Prix fans staying in Maastricht.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1691.jpg1691Spectator tip: as well as fold up chairs take bungee cords to hang your feet off.2013-08-29T14:19:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/22/were-off-to-belgium/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/eau-rouge.jpgeau rougeEau Rouge. 2013-08-22T06:13:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/27/porsche-performance-drive-moldova-ukraine-poland-and-slovakia/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_performance_drive_budapest_istanbul_22.jpgporsche_performance_drive_budapest_istanbul_22Where next? Last year's Porsche Performance drive was from Istanbul to Budapest, including the unsurpassable Transfagarasan in Romania (above). As for next year we've no idea. There are no clues on the website, performance-drive.porsche.com. Best try your local Porsche dealer.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_ppd_2013_0827-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0827-1024x682https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_ppd_2013_0819-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0819-1024x682Day Six. First thing the next morning it's back to the Slovakia Ring and time for some driver training.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_ppd_2013_0884-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0884-1024x682Slovakia Ring. One of the longest race tracks in Europe at 3.6 miles. Opened in 2009, fourteen turns and a 900m main straight. 40km east of Bratislava. Hosted a round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship in April 2013.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_ppd_2013_0686-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0686-1024x682Day Five. The 383km from Katowice to Bratislava is a gentle hop. Or it would be.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_ppd_2013_0664-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0664-1024x682Katowice is the biggest city in southern Poland, Silesia, between the Carpathian and Sudeten mountains. A mix of traditional, Art Nouveau, Modernist and Communist architecture with an economy built on coal and steel. On arrival another test awaits: changing the off-road tyres. The winning Polish team manages the job in 7m39 though the Hungarians are now in the overall lead.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_ppd_2013_0455-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0455-1024x682...descending. The Cayenne might be an archetypal luxury SUV but clearly it's not daunted by the rough stuff.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_ppd_2013_0400-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0400-1024x682...wading...https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche_ppd_2013_0375-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0375-1024x682Bukovel – a ski and spa resort in west Ukraine (the largest country in Europe) at a height of 3,000ft. Ambitious to host the Winter Olympics. Not surprisingly, Team Ukraine come out on top, followed by Hungary and Moldova.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/51.jpg5Ukraine - nextyear, 2013-08-21T12:34:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/20/daily-brief-20-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sauerland.jpgsauerland210 Mercedes-Benz Pagodas descended on the Sauerland to celebrate 50 years since the model’s launch at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. Nicknamed after its concave roof, the Pagoda was considered to be a ladies car initially until it won the 1963 Spa-Sofia-Liege Rally. Sauerland – not to be confused with Saarland - is in central west Germany, between Frankfurt and the Ruhr. Heavily wooded and hilly rather than mountainous it is nevertheless good for skiing. The festivities centred around Willingen, its modern alpine-style Hotel Sauerland Stern and the Muhlenkopfschanze, the world’s longest ski jump where skiiers can exceed 150m. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rome2.jpgrome2All roads lead to Rome? They used to. Photo @DriveEurope.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/myferrylink.jpgmyferrylinkEurotunnel-backed Dover-Calais ferry operator MyFerryLink is one year old today. Three lucky passengers were given a bottle of champagne to celebrate. The firm says its July figures make it the second placed operator on the route, i.e. behind P&O but apparently ahead of DFDS, with an 8.2% share of the tourist market and 10% of freight (Eurotunnel takes over 50%). MyFerryLink says it offers the cheapest fares Dover-Calais and will match any like-for-like from a rival. Prices start at £19 each way for a car and up to nine passengers. The big threat is the on-going appeal against the UK Competition Commission’s decision to bar MyFerryLink from the route.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/gotthard.jpggotthardWe were being really clever. Rather than sit in the queue for the Gotthard Tunnel - 90minsat this point, even at 19:00 on a Tuesday evening - why not take the pass instead! 2013-08-20T18:17:21+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/19/daily-brief-19-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sofia-link-road.jpgsofia link roadTurning off E79 onto the Sofia Ring Road heading for Hemus Highway in May 2013. As of today the road ahead is open.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/br4-g8pccae9dzi.jpgBR4-g8pCcAE9dZITesla could hardly have hoped for better. The all-important Autocar first impression is in. They liked it: ‘There seems little question about its towering status… where electric power is transformed from a restrictive to a liberating influence in our collective perception.’ It turns out the range is a genuine 300 miles and though it is super saloon fast though it doesn’t have super saloon handling. ‘It isn’t the perfect big saloon,’ writes Matt Saunders, ‘But what it offers as a direct result of the way it’s propelled seems to dwarf what holds it back.’ Photo: the first Swiss Model S, delivered this weekend, via @TeslaMotors.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/uzbek.jpguzbekUzbekistan. Lots of Daewoo Matiz. That's because there's a Daewoo factory in Asaka in the Fergana Valley in the far east of the country. Photo via www.uzavtoyol.uz,website of the state road building company.2013-08-19T17:28:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/31/working-on-the-ground-an-audit-of-the-eus-road-building-programme/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/polish-roads2.jpgpolish roads2Poland. Expensive but built on time and to budget.2013-08-18T13:46:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/17/daily-brief-17-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/grossglockner.jpggrossglocknerGrossglockner2013-08-17T17:13:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/16/daily-brief-16-august-2013/2013-08-17T07:12:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/15/daily-brief-15-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tporta5_4.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASICK has won an innovation award for its hot spot detector at the Karawanke Tunnel between Austria and Slovenia. The system uses lasers and thermal imaging cameras and has been in operation since May on the Austrian side. The award was given by German trade mag Gefahr/Gut (Dangerous Goods). Sensor manufacturer SICK was established in 1946 in Munich, named after its founder Erwin Sick, and now operates around the world, including the UK. See www.sick.com.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/amg-driving-school.jpgamg driving schoolWe were wrong. A few weeks ago we were surprised to discover Mercedes didn’t offer organised tours over and above a couple of days in Ireland and Austria, see Daily Brief 5 August. It turns out, actually, that under its AMG performance brand Mercedes does offer a range of set tours, from three to five days, of Alsace, Piedmont in Italy and Cannes on the Cote d’Azur (plus tours of the AMG factory and trips to DTM races, etc). The trips last between 3-5 days with prices from €1,500-3,000pp, including full board, drinks and car hire. See www.mercedes-amg.com/driving-academy/ for more.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1aaston.jpg1aastonNever heard of it before but Aston Martin has been at Bosch’s Boxberg Proving Ground, half way between Wurzburg and Heilbronn in southern Germany, near the A81 autobahn. The 24 hectares of various test tracks are ringed with a 3km long banked oval. There’s a film due out tomorrow.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/brsoypkcaaah_db.jpgBRsoyPkCAAAh_DbOghuz, Azerbaijanhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/teslacult.jpgteslacultTesla drivers.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/elbtunnel.jpgelbtunnelAll roads lead to Hamburg.2013-08-15T18:44:33+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/14/daily-brief-14-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/audi-lights2.jpgaudi lights2Audi's new indicators, debuting on the new A8 next week.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/audi-lights.jpgaudi lightshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/gla.jpgglaMercedes’ Evoque-fighter, the GLA is revealed today ahead of its debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The launch GLA250 4MATIC features an inline 4-cylinder 208bhp petrol engine mated to the 7-speed double clutch transmission. This kind of compact, 4x4 with a fancy badge clearly has a lot of appeal in a go-anywhere-do-anything DriveEurope style so it’s a sector we keep an eye on. Happily the GLA does have the all-important full length panoramic sunroof. Hopefully Range Rover has an appropriate response waiting in the wings.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/jaguar.jpgjaguarFontainebleau. A line of incredible classic cars - Ferrari, Bugatti, Aston, Alfa and Jaguar - appears outside the breakfast window. The Turin Auto d'Epoca is on its annual jaunt across the Alps to Paris. What's the lesson here? Nothing really, just the magic sometimes of being on holiday.2013-08-14T18:19:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/13/daily-brief-13-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1634.jpg1634Guardia di Finanza officers on a raid in Palermo.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/harris-testarossa2.jpgharris testarossa2Motoring journalist Chris Harris - pistonheads.com, @Drive - shoehorns his recently purchased Ferrari Testarossa onto the Eurostar.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/jag-fontainebleau.jpgjag fontainebleauFontainebleau. There we were having breakfasthttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/img_2622.jpgIMG_2622Fontainebleau. There we were having breakfast2013-08-13T17:43:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/12/daily-brief-12-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/russia-wedding.jpgrussia weddingStrangest stretch of the week, from Moscow, photo via @paulgypteau.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/vanquish-in-action.jpgvanquish in actionRandom shot via @AstonMartin of a Vanquish in action.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tesla-nordkapp1.jpgtesla nordkappThe first European Tesla Model S has been on its first road trip. The new owner drove his car almost immediately from Oslo to Nordkapp, Norway's most northerly point, 2009km away. According to www.openchargemap.org there are 959 EV charge points in Norway, the vast majority in the south, but there are 71 in the north west, and three in the very north. Tesla says it will open its first European 'supercharger' in Oslo imminently, giving a 50% charge in 20 minutes, for free. UK cars are due next spring, prices still to be announced.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tesla-nordkapp.jpgtesla nordkappThe first European Tesla Model S has been on its first road trip. The mnew owner 2013-08-12T17:24:51+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/11/daily-brief-11-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1680x1050-1.jpg1680x1050-1The Millau Viaduct. 2013-08-11T17:31:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/10/daily-brief-10-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/roma.jpgromaDriving in Rome: great fun.2013-08-10T17:53:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/09/daily-brief-9-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/5439a.jpg5439aTunnels. Accidents are rare, injuries even rarer, but if the worst happens in a tunnel, do you know what to do? www.theaa.com has 2013-08-09T17:15:52+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/08/daily-brief-8-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/opel-cascada-282284-medium.jpgOpel-Cascada-282284-mediumVauxhall's pretty Cascada convertible has been empowered with an Autobahn-busting 146mph top speed thanks to its new 197bhp 1.6 litre petrol engine. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rush-poster2.jpgrush poster2The most hotly anticipated film of 2013 for petrolheads - Rush - is due out in nearly a month! https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/a-tesla.jpga teslaTesla Model S. It's here.2013-08-08T18:10:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/07/daily-brief-7-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/no-tav.jpgno tavCarabinieri riot police at a previous #NoTav demonstration on July 27. Photo via @NoTav_info https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/the-bridge.jpgthe bridgeDenmark. The Storebaelt Bridge - the Great Belt bridge - was closed for over three hours this morning eastbound after a lorry burst a tyre and crashed into the central reservation, blocking one lane westbound too. The incident was further complicated after the tanker was holed and diesel leaked onto the carriageway. The 7km long Storebaelt, which costs 235dkk (£27) to cross, was closed last week too for a time after a lorry fire. It's been a week of roads drama in Denmark. An inventor who rigged copper pipes to the bottom of his car in a bid to harvest electricity saw central Copenhagen sealed off yesterday after he left it in a car park beneath government buildings. He has since apologised profusely but declined to say how his device supposedly works.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/larrau5.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADriving on the Right. Occasionally you can 2013-08-07T18:21:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/06/daily-brief-6-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/dffr.jpgdffrMercedes-Benz, Modern Art and St Moritz.2013-08-06T18:06:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/05/daily-brief-5-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/spaery-gotthard.jpgspaery gotthardThe Gotthard Pass, a much, much better alternative to the tunnel (if it's open).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/schokl.jpgschoklMercedes-Benz fearsome Schokl off-road test track near Graz, Austria.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/68_02_dsc_7301.jpg68_02_DSC_7301Mercedes-Benz fearsome off-road Schokl test track near Graz, Austria.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/portdepailhc.jpgportdepailhc.jpgPort de Pailheres, Pyrenees2013-08-05T19:22:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/04/daily-brief-4-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/todt.jpgtodtFIA president Jean Todt, second from right, presenting a road safety award in Argentina. 2013-08-04T17:39:39+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/03/daily-brief-3-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bqvsg2nciaaahan.jpgBQvSG2nCIAAahANGibraltar - police warned against taking cars into Spain today ‘unless necessary’. Queues reached three hours at one point as border guards again started to search every vehicle. By this afternoon though queues had subsided. The tension continues to ratchet up in the territory after Spanish fisherman threaten a blockade over the laying of an artificial reef in the Bay. The FCO carpeted the Spanish ambassador in the week over the continuing harassment at the border. In the meantime, should you avoid Gibraltar, or make a beeline for it?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/putin.jpgputinVladimir Putin driving himself to the opening ceremony of a new section of the trans-St Petersburg Western High-Speed Diameter road yesterday. Two of the three sections are now open to traffic. The road through-passes the historic city centre. Putin used the opportunity to make it clear Russia is open to foreign investment in the next stages of its infrastructure plans which include a new ring road around Moscow. a 2013-08-03T17:10:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/02/daily-brief-2-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bistro.jpgbistroThe Blesius Garten hotel, Trier, has its own micro-brewery.2013-08-03T16:41:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/08/01/daily-brief-1-august-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/beltoll.jpgbeltollThe new electronic toll system, Belarus.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ferrari.jpgferrariFlags flew at half mast at the Ferrari factory in Maranello on Tuesday in memory of the 38 victims of the Avellino coach crash.2013-08-01T19:24:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/24/italy-motorway-tolls-strike/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/italy-tolls23.jpgitaly tolls23Italian motorways likely to be very crowded from 2-4 August.2013-08-01T09:44:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/31/daily-brief-30-july-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/jag_f-type_v8_location_image_1_260912_lowres.jpgjag_f-type_v8_location_image_1_260912_LowResFor the next six months, Hertz is the only place in Europe with Jaguar F-TYPEs for hire. Prices start at €250 per day.2013-07-31T17:08:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/30/daily-brief-30-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rr-cannes2.jpgrr cannes2Rolls-Royce has opened a pop-up dealership in Cannes for the summer season. Situated just behind the Croisette on Bvld du General Vautrin, cars will be available for test drive. Rolls-Royce has a permanent dealership on the Cote d'Azur, about an hour up the road in Monaco. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pm74image004.jpgPM74image004Ukraine. Which ever way you cut it, police are making an effort to engage with foreign visitors. Fairly or not, Ukraine law enforcement has the reputation for targeting visiting drivers with the aim of lining the pockets with the fruits of under the counter transactions. 2013-07-30T18:56:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/29/daily-brief-29-july-2013/2013-07-29T18:02:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/22/daily-brief-22-july-2013/2013-07-29T06:10:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/28/daily-brief-28-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/jenson-hungary.jpgjenson hungaryQuite a good race today. Lewis Hamilton won his first race for Mercedes, and Jenson Button came seventh... https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bqrskzdcmaqszq0.jpgBQRSKzDCMAQSZq0Gibraltar. No queues outbound today but drivers on the way in still suffering a long wait.2013-07-28T17:32:57+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/27/daily-brief-27-july-2013/2013-07-27T17:25:30+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/16/bulgaria-six-years-to-build-seven-motorways/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pres.jpgpresBulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev opening the Trakia Highway yesterday.2016-04-06T10:58:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/26/daily-brief-26-july-2013/2013-07-26T19:30:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/25/peripherique-speed-limit-cut-air-or-safety/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/echangeur_periph-pte-bagnolet_01233.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABoulevard de Peripherique, Paris. Not sure how they are going to buy this little lot. Interchange with A3 at Porte de Bagnolet.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/echangeur_periph-pte-bagnolet_0123.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABoulevard de Peripherique, Paris. Not sure how they are going to buy this little lot. Interchange with A3 at Porte de Bagnolet.2013-07-26T17:12:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/25/daily-brief-25-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/europabrueckb.jpgSONY DSCAustria. Europabrueke, Europe Bridge, on the A13 Brennerbahn, Brenner Motorway, between Innsbruck and the Italian border north of Bolzano, the busiest route through the Alps. Brennerbahn is one of the few motorways in Austria not covered by the vignette. The toll is €8.50 for a single trip by car, about 30 miles. Europabrueke, opened in 1964, used to be Europe’s highest bridge at 190m (620ft). Now looks puny beside the current record holder, the Millau Viaduct, on the A75 in southern France, at 270m (890ft). EB is now the sixth highest bridge in Europe and the 51st in the world though there’s absolutely no sense of that from the roadway because the barriers are so high. Photo: ASFINAG. 2013-07-25T17:36:29+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/24/daily-brief-24-july-2013/2013-07-24T17:17:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/04/29/driving-down-to-dubrovnik-more-difficult-this-summer/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/4695a.jpg4695a2013-07-24T16:26:25+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/23/daily-brief-23-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/glenelgbig.jpgglenelgbigScottish Highlands. 2013-07-23T17:14:11+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/21/daily-brief-21-july-2013/2013-07-21T19:04:50+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/20/daily-brief-19-july-2013-2/2013-07-20T17:13:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/19/daily-brief-19-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rally_day1-003.jpgrally_day1-003Aston Martin Rally to London. Day One, about 300 miles north from Lake Como to Stuttgart, via St Moritz and Lake Constance on the German/Swiss border. 2013-07-19T17:13:55+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/19/istanbul-nearly/2013-07-19T09:39:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/08/london-maastricht/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/img_1180.jpgIMG_1180https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/img_1164.jpgIMG_1164https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/img_7942.jpgIMG_7942Dover. Lunchtime. Late spring.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/img_1183.jpgIMG_1183https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/img_1182.jpgIMG_1182https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/img_1178.jpgIMG_11782013-07-19T09:36:40+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/15/italy-fuel-strike/2013-07-19T08:06:32+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/18/daily-brief-17-july-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/navalny.jpgnavalnyKirov, Russia. Anti-corruption blogger Aleksei Navalny has been convicted of - guess what - corruption. Navalny was sentenced to five years prison and taken into custody straight from court (above). The verdict comes a day after he was formally accepted as candidate in the upcoming elections for Moscow Mayor. If his appeal is unsuccessful he will be barred from political office for life. According to a survey today a narrow majority of Muscovites believe the charges to be trumped up. The city is bracing itself tonight for protests.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bpdihwzcaaasnfd.jpgBPdIhWzCAAASnFd‘Turkey is full of short hop ferry crossings – this from the mainland to the island of Bozcaada,’ tweets @LeighTurnerFCO this afternoon.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130714145355-ikarus_revised-4363.jpg20130714145355-Ikarus_Revised-4363Is it a plane? No, it's a microlight.2013-07-18T17:15:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/17/daily-brief-17-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/touring-club-italiano2.jpgtouring club italiano2The Italian Touring Club - I association with the Foreign Ministry - has launched a new discount card for visitors to Italy this year. For an annual charge of €25 holders get discounts (from 10-25%) on participating hotels, restaurants, museums, hire car, etc. See www.touringcard.it/en for more. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/serb-oak2.jpgserb oak2Not the actual oak tree, if it is an oak tree. Photo: Department of Nature Protection Serbia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/condor.jpgcondorDid we mention Condor is back in Weymouth?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rally2_resized.jpgrally2_resizedAston Martin Rally. The participants are probably quite looking forward to this. One of two specially organised tours - the other in the UK - ahead of the company's Kensington Garden's party on Sunday to celebrate the company's centenary. The European leg starts in Como and heads back tot he UK via St Moritz, Lake Constance, Stuttgart, the Nurburgring and Spa. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/condor-2.jpgcondor 2She's back. After a year of repairs and £4m, Condor Vitesse returns to Weymouth2013-07-17T18:34:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/16/daily-brief-16-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rolls-royce-wraith2.jpgrolls royce wraith2More stunning photography courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars ltd. This time of its new Wraith coupe, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/fold-out-solar-pavilion-for-volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrid-image-synthesis-design-architecture_100433655_l.jpgfold-out-solar-pavilion-for-volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrid-image-synthesis-design-architecture_100433655_lGasp. Synthesis Design + Architecture has made this ‘Pure Tension Pavillion’ foldaway solar panel for recharging electric vehicles wherever you go. Obviously not quite everywhere you go, for instance nowhere where anybody knows you. And there’s no word on the amount of boot space left after you’ve packed it away. On display in Rome on 15 September.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2519a.jpg2519ajhgjhgjhgjhg hghgjhgjh2013-07-16T17:24:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/15/sunday-brief-15-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ldd2.jpgldd2.jpgItaly, A32 Bardonecchia Valley, towards the shockingly expensive Frejus Tunnel, €42.40 one-way, into France. Come off at Susa and take the mountain pass instead, past Lac du Monet Cenis.2013-07-15T17:34:16+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/14/daily-brief-14-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/italy-gas.jpgitaly gasA petrol station, Italy. but this one will be open this week because it isn't on a major road.2013-07-14T18:56:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/13/daily-brief-13-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/home_laad.jpghome_laadIt doesn't look like Fastned is planning to open many shops at its filling stations.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bo9nir7cqaecud_.jpgBO9NiR7CQAECUD_Charity drives: The Travel Trade Crusade made it to Metz in eastern France last night - even poor Outrider who returned to the UK part way for some repairs. They are off to the Nurburgring today. Meanwhile, The Monte Carlo or Bust Rally, after assembling in St Quentin first thing made it to, well, we're not quite sure. Anyway they stopped at Reims race track oin the way. Today they are heading Dijon-Geneva-St Bernardino Pass to Turin. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bo9a1fvcyaauptg.jpgBO9a1FVCYAAUPtGCharity drives: The Travel Trade Crusade made it to Metz in eastern France last night - even poor Outrider who returned to the UK part way for some repairs. They are off to the Nurburgring today. Meanwhile, The Monte Carlo or Bust Rally, after assembling in St Quentin first thing made it to, well, we're not quite sure. Anyway they stopped at Reims race track oin the way. Today they are heading Dijon-Geneva-St Bernardino Pass to Turin. 2013-07-13T18:11:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/12/daily-brief-12-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/1031511315600668203.jpg1031511315600668203The Range Rover Evoque convertible has not been canned according to worldcarfans.com. LR brand director John Edwards is quoted telling a recent meeting in Australia that the possibility is back on the cards. A decision is apparently imminent. LR showed a concept Evoque drop top at the March 2012 Geneva Motor Show but it was widely reported to have been cancelled in April 2013, possibly in the face of dire sales of the Nissan Murano convertible in America. An Evoque convertible has undoubted ‘Essex appeal’, but as a compact, good looking, high-riding 4x4 – and additionally open to the elements – it makes a good case for being the only car anybody could ever need. We want one.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/porsche-gos.jpgporsche gosThe battle of Goodwood: who owns the Festival of Speed this year? McLaren, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche or Mercedes? Porsche have the sculpture, Jaguar and Aston have the home crowd. The sale features possibly the most valuable car ever sold at auction, the 1954 W196 Grand Prix Mercedes. It could fetch £10m. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/formulae.jpgformulaeFormulaE: the all-electric race series announced Berlin as its race venue. 'Yesterday'. Queue the inevitable shots of the Brandenburg Gate. The actual track though is around Tempelhof Airport, the monumental, Nazi-era airfield in walking distance of the city centre (though it redeemed itself with a starring role in the Berlin Airlift).2013-07-12T18:59:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/11/daily-brief-10-july-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/tumblr_mplytrivxn1sxwfn5o8_1280.jpgtumblr_mplytrIvxN1sxwfn5o8_1280EVs - We didn’t take the WAVE tour seriously: 1,900km in ten days is no great shakes, even if you do cross the Alps. What we didn’t realise is that 388 vehicles too part, including 53 Teslas (don't say that must be everybody who's ever bought an electric car). ook part. The overall winner was Team Phoenix Contact in a Renault Fluence EV. This is turning into a major event.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/socar.jpgsocarFuel – get used to the name SOCAR. The state-owned oil company from Azerbaijan is in the process of rebranding the 160 filling stations in Switzerland it bought from ExxonMobil last year. The company is coy about its ambitions in the wider Western European market but hasn’t ruled out the possibility. Yesterday it announced its 34th SOCAR branded filling station in Ukraine.2013-07-11T18:17:18+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/11/switzerland-record-response-to-vignette-campaign/2013-07-11T17:26:36+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/10/daily-brief-10-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/db5.jpgdb5It's our new Best Job in the World. Nip over to Maranello to pick up a priceless Ferrari. Or the top secret BMW FIZ Projekthaus in Munich. Or Bugatti in Molsheim. This week's Goodwood Festival of Speed means international classic car 2013-07-10T17:31:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/09/daily-brief-9-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/michiels.jpgmichielsBelgium - Rene Michiels started as an apprentice but worked his way up to become the official franchised Aston Martin dealer for Belgium by 1990, with premises in Antwerp and Tisselt. He died in 2010 but each year since has seen a ‘Memorial Rene Michiels Rally’. This year 100 cars took part – fitting for Aston’s centenary – driving from the market square at Oudenaarde to Castle Steenhout through the Flemish Ardennes to the west of Brussels.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bologna.jpgbolognaTraffic levels on Italian motorways fell by 7.2% in 2012 compared to 2011, the largest fall since the recession began according to AISCAT, the road operator association. By contrast motorway traffic in the UK grew by 1% in 2012 according to the DfT. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/436735586.jpg436735586To celebrate the 120th anniversary of Moscow's GUM department store on Red Square's, Porsche has brought out a limited edition 911 GUM: painted pascha red, mahogany interior, beige seats, based on the 4S. Russia only. That's it.2013-07-09T18:04:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/08/daily-brief-8-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/streckenkarte-silvretta-classic-2013-19-fotoshowimagenew-becb017b-650053.jpgStreckenkarte-Silvretta-Classic-2013-19-fotoshowImageNew-becb017b-650053Silvretta Classic Rally – 180 all-time classics, including a 1957 BMW 507 and a 1929 4.5 litre ‘Blower Bentley’, took part in this year’s event starting at Partenen in the Montafon Valley, west Austria. If it's good enough for them.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/tesla.jpgteslaThe first Tesla Model S Performance Plus is finally heading to the UK.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/19b.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERARandom pic: lost in the Pyrenees. Really lost.2013-07-08T18:44:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/04/15/road-restart-gets-greek-economy-back-on-track/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ionanian.jpgionanianWe are looking forward to checking out these fancy new roads.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ionain.jpgionainGreece: an already complete section of the Aegean motorway between Thessalonica and Lamia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/greek-completed-motorways.jpgGreek-completed-motorwaysThe construction project includes upgrades to the A1 in two sections, from Thessalonica in the north to Lamia and from thjere to Athens (the Aegean and Ionian motorways). Also, the A8 between Patras and Corinth and A3 between Lamia and the Igoumenitsa-Thessalonica A2.2013-07-08T08:49:14+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/07/daily-brief-7-july-2013/2013-07-07T17:03:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/07/sunday-digest-7-july/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rolls.jpgrollsThe Rolls-Royce Alpine Rally culminated in a reception at the Kursalon in central Vienna. Picture courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.2013-07-07T15:20:12+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/01/daily-brief-1-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/porsche_ppd_2013_0293-1024x682.jpgPorsche_PPD_2013_0293-1024x682Moldova: The Porsche Performance Drive recently drove from Chisinau north west to the Ukraine border.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/o-1.jpgO-1Belgium: authorities have relaxed restrictions on driving Old Timers, cars ver 25 years old. Previously only allowed during daylight hours https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/92a.jpg92axxxm miles, xx days. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/silverstone.jpgsilverstoneBritish Grand Prix: snatching victory from the jaws of what looked like abject defeat after repeated tyre failures. Not good after the 2012 fiasco. But all is now well. Photo from @RealRonHoward, director of the much anticipated film Rush about the 1976 Grand Prix season. Good to see he's keeping up with his F1 friends even though the film's in the can and due out on 20 September.2013-07-07T10:48:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/06/daily-brief-6-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bod8ez9caaazqwx.jpgBOd8EZ9CAAAzqwxOil wrestling in Edirne. 2013-07-06T17:06:56+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/05/daily-brief-5-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bar-boljare-mini.jpgbar boljare miniMontenegro - the Bar-Boljare motorway route marked in red.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/giurgui-ruse.jpggiurgui ruseBulgaria/Romania - now the Danube 2 bridge is up and running, a thorough revamp is being planned for the alternative Giurgiu-Ruse bridge. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rome.jpgromeApril 2010, seven days, 2,499 miles.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bowk_klceaapgtu.jpgBOWk_KlCEAApGTUThis time next week the Travel Trade Crusade will be under way! Thirty one teams of travel professionals embark on athree day adventure in five European countries, starting in Calais, taking in the Nurburgring and finishing in Amsterdamhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bowxf5ycyaa7mcn.jpgBOWxF5yCYAA7MCNSofia, Bulgaria: the essentially peaceable nature of the anti-cabinet (not anti-govt) enduring protests. Photo via @Vesey, Vesey Crighton from cleves.bg luxury apartment rental.2013-07-05T17:24:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/04/daily-brief-3-july-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/81d.jpg81dMagnificent. It's absolutely not the done thing but it's vaguely emotional to report that the Rolls-Royce Alpine Rally re-run has concluded after 1,800 miles and sixteen days. The final two days were spent tackling the 240 mile drive from Lake Bled in Slovenia to Vienna, via Semmering and the Hotel Panhans. The rally culminated in a reception at Kursalon in central Vienna.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/futa.jpgfutaThe Futa Pass. Not a mountain pass in the traditional sense but a spectacular road nonetheless. SP65 runs parallel to the A1 between Bologna and Florence, and is a brilliant alternative to the motorway slog (and toll free too). Used as a stage on the famous Mille Miglia Rally, and where Lamborghini and Ducati test out their latest machines.2013-07-04T17:12:54+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/01/19/aston-martins-centenary-gour-tours-in-the-uk-europe-have-mouth-watering-itineries/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/b.jpgbThe Centenary cars’ graduated paint job takes 18 hours to apply by hand. The interior is trimmed in leather (only) previously used in the £1m One-77 hypercar while the wing badges are made of solid sterling silver. Prices on application.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/a.jpgaAston Martin has released Centenary Editions of its four model lines, limited to 100 examples of each.2013-07-04T08:41:23+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/03/daily-brief-3-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/wave-tour.jpgwave tourOne shouldn't sneer, but the 1800km covered in ten days by the 2013 WAVE tour https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/finland2.jpgfinland2A Finnish road sign, via Liikennevirasto, the Finnish Transport Agency.2013-07-03T18:44:31+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/07/02/daily-brief-2-july-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/craiova2.jpgcraiova2Random Romania: Craiova, May 2013. On the border with Hungary. Where the Romanian Revolution started in December 1989. More soon.2013-07-02T20:14:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2012/11/22/spains-roads-in-crisis/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/667a.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABuilding roads in Spain.2013-07-02T07:57:47+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/03/30/half-price-on-the-brand-new-a63-route-de-la-cote-basque-this-summer/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/atlandes.jpgatlandeshttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/fleure_3_doc.jpgFleure_3_dochttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/autoroutea11_1_doc.jpgmotorway constructionA63 Bordeaux-Baronne. Opens six months ahead of schedule.2014-01-02T10:52:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/14/daily-brief-14-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/condor.jpgcondorhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/flood.jpgfloodCentral European floods as at 16:00 Fridayhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/gwynnie-audibigger.jpggwynnie audibiggerPoor Gwyneth Paltrow... the woman who seemingly has everything lacks the golden touch when it comes to charity auctions. Signing the armrest on a new Audi RS6 wiped £200 of its value according to motoring journalist Ben Oliver - @TheBenOliver.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/p1goodwoodbig.jpgp1goodwoodbigEnter the Forza Motorsport competition to win a ride in the McLaren P1 at this year's Goodwood festival of Speed. Click the link above.2013-07-02T07:07:35+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/30/sunday-digest/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/h4hrally-nurburgring.jpgh4hrally nurburgringThe Help for Heroes Rally crews enjoy a well earned lap of the Nurburgring.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/windy500.jpgwindy500A Windy500 team tackles unmade mountain roads in Albania and herds of wild tortoises.2013-06-30T11:34:41+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/29/daily-brief-29-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/1358b.jpg1358bIn the absence of any news pictures so far today we're forced to use a Photo of our own. This is lovely Linz in Austria, on the left bank of the Danube, next to Niebelungenbrucke in the city centre. Unmissable because it changes colour. It could be evidence there's too much money here but there's a restaurant on the third floor overlooking the old town across the river. 2013-06-29T19:03:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/21/driving-in-france-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2783a.jpg2783aDriving in Paris: daunting but not dangerous. Make the most of it while you still can.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/fuel-pic.jpgfuel picFuel in France: not as cheap as it used to be.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ukinfrance.jpgukinfrancePhoto via @UKinFrance, the official Twitter feed of the British Embassy.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/pftr.jpgpftrYellow diamonds are the driver's best friendhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2495a.jpg2495aDriving crime. Not because we're going too fast - that's 129kph BTW -but because our Porsche 911 had the tiptronic automatic gearbox.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7755b.jpg7755bWelcome to France. Note that the limit on autoroute is reduced from 130kph to 110kph in the rain. Also, in fair conditions and light traffic the minimum speed in the leftmost lane is 80kph.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7755a.jpg7755aWelcome to France. Note that the limit on autoroute is reduced from 130kph to 110kph in the rain. Also, in fair conditions and light traffic the minimum speed in the leftmost lane is 80kph.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/3a.jpg3ag g g gggggggg2013-06-29T14:24:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/28/daily-brief-28-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bijaca1.jpgbijacaBosnia/Croatia - the Bijaca International Border Crossing in southern Bosnia is officially open! It's one of two export posts, the other being at Gradiska in the north, as Croatia joins the EU on Monday. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/trakia2.jpgtrakia2Apocalypse on the Trakia Highway, rain, wind, and a sunset... says Jon O'Shaughnessy.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/loibl3.jpgloibl3The Rolls-Royce Rally on the Loibl Pass, Slovenia to Italy.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bmvsdioccaami4k.jpgBMvSDioCcAAmi4kYes you Cannes: Seventy glamorous, fashionable, rich - and, obviously, adventurous - women drove a collection of 35 very red, exotic sports cars 1,700 miles from Barcelona to Rome this week. Sponsored by Bentley, Maserati, Roberto Cavalli and Valentino among others. More on this soon.2013-06-28T19:05:02+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/03/06/daily-brief-6-march-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/742s.jpg742sThe name comes from Rayol-Le-Canadel, a town between Hyères and St Tropez on the western Côte d’Azur where Henry Royce lived and worked from 1910.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/726a.jpg726aThe name comes from Rayol-Le-Canadel, a town between Hyères and St Tropez on the western Côte d’Azur where Henry Royce lived and worked from 1910.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/5734a.jpg5734aIn a shocking oversight, the massage and ventilation seats offered as an option for front seat passengers are not available in the rear.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/5731a.jpg5731aThe grain is angled at 55° along the centre line of the car to make the occupants feel like ‘an arrow sat within a bow waiting to be fired’.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/5730a.jpg5730aSix woods are offered as standard. This is Royal Walnut - Juglans Regia - or English walnut, brought from Persia by the Romans. It’s best known as Common Walnut though we understand why they don’t call it that in the brochure.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/732a.jpg732aThe ravishing rear seats of the Rolls-Royce Wraith, defined with striking new ‘Canadel Panelling’.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/mclareeen.jpgmclareeenThe only spec we’re still waiting for is luggage space. We don’t even know if LaFerrari has any. P1 definitely does, but we’re not sure how much, or even where the boot is but, like 12C, P1 has a bespoke luggage set. With a carbon fibre outer, lined in the same fabric as the seats, the 12C set sells for £3,950 from www.mclarenstore.comhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/72rolls-roycewraithfirstpictures2013geneva.jpg72Rolls-RoyceWraithfirstpictures2013GenevaThe rear seat accomodation of the Rolls-Royce Wraith fastback coupe.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/6porsche911gt3991geneva2013pictures.jpg6Porsche911GT3991Geneva2013picturesUnlikely to be a comfortable Continent crusher like its siblings, the GT3 will come into its own on twistier roads. Porsche you are officially forgiven.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2ferrarilaferrarif150enzo2013genevapictures.jpg2FerrariLaFerrariF150Enzo2013GenevapicturesGENEVA: Ferrari LaFerrari. Two days after launch and we’re still LaFfing at the name. But with an extra 50bhp, LaFerrari is apparently 1.5 seconds quicker to 186mph (300kph) than the McLaren P1.2013-06-28T10:53:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/27/daily-brief-27-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/toll-roads-map_by_eng.jpgToll-Roads-map_BY_engFor whom the BelTolls: roads in red covered by Belarus' new radio road toll system.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ppd.jpgppdIt turns out the Porsche Performance Drive from Chisinau in Moldova to Bratislava in Slovakia was less a jolly for well-heeled customers than an at-least-half blown competition. Nine teams from eight eastern European countries took part in a succession of driving tests, on and off road, along the 1,000 mile route which also included Ukraine and Poland. Full report soon.2013-06-27T18:08:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/26/daily-brief-26-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/rolls-mechanic.jpgrolls mechanicA mechanic takes the opportunity to fettle a car on a rest day in Opatija, Croatia.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/1458a.jpg1458aIt turns out the Porsche Performance Drive from Chisinau in Moldova to Bratislava in Slovakia was less a jolly for well heeled customers than an at least half blown competition. Nine teams from eight eastern European countries took part in a succession of driving tests along the 1,000 mile route including Ukraine and Poland. The Hungarian team held off the Moldovans to win. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/drayson5.jpgdrayson5‘Wow. That was something. We just got it done as the light was fading.,’ said Lord Drayson (@LordDrayson) after setting the World Land Speed Record for a ‘lightweight electric car’ (under 1000kg) at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire yesterday. His Lola B12 69/EV hit 204.185mph, beating the previous record of 175mph set in 1974. Also present at the event as Google chairman Eric Schmidt. According to F1 journalist @JoeSaward the outright record for an electric vehicle is 307.666mph set in 2009 by the Buckeye Bullet of which an updated version is under development at the moment. Drayson is at Elvington again today to attempt the record for EV acceleration.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/drayson.jpgdrayson‘Wow. That was something. We just got it done as the light was fading.,’ said Lord Drayson (@LordDrayson) after setting the World Land Speed Record for a ‘lightweight electric car’ at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire yesterday. His Lola B12 69/EV hit 204.185mph, beating the previous record of 175mph set in 1974. Also present at the event was Google chairman Eric Schmidt.2013-06-26T18:25:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/25/daily-brief-25-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/audir8-end.jpgaudir8 endTISPOL Speed Week. Police across Europe will be on the look out for speeding drivers this week, so watch out. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dalca.jpgdalcaIt's always worth keeping track of @LeighTurnerFCO as he explores his patch of Turkey, South Caucasus and Central Asia. This week he's been on holiday in south west Turkey, including catching the ferry across the Gulf of Gokova to spend a last few days on the Datca Peninsula. A recommended follow on Twitter. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/datca.jpgdatcaOn board the Bodrum-Datca ferry, Turkeyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/rr-sport.jpgrr sportThe new range Rover Sport is in the process of being introduced to the international press corps. They of course cannot say where they are, but there are sheep and lakes/rivers involved, so it's got to be Scotland?2013-06-25T19:04:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/24/daily-brief-21-june-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/rollssmall.jpgrollssmallSaturday saw a spectacular gala dinner presided over by HRH the Duke of Gloucester for participants in the Rolls-Royce Rally, at Lake Garda. It marked the half way stage and also exactly 100 years since the start of the original 1913 rally. Since then, drivers have tackled the Dolomites in two stages, stopping in Moena overnight, taking in the Gobbera, Broccone, and Rolle Passes. The original plan to take the Pordoi Pass was aborted at the last moment in the face of a ‘very large and unexpected bicycle tour’ so they opted for the Falzarego Pass instead.. Oh well, it wouldn’t be an adventure if it all went to plan. Next: Slovenia and Trieste.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bijaca-kravice.jpgbijaca kraviceBosnia - a brand new 5km section of dual carriageway opens this week between the brand new Bijaca international border point and one of Bosnia’s finest natural attractions, the Kravice Waterfalls. Only a few miles further on is the world’s second most visited Catholic pilgrimage site, Medjugorje. The new road, part of A1, was finished ahead of time and 6m BAM (£2.6m) below budget.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/top-gear2.jpgtop gear2Top Gear was out and about on the Mall, London, yesterday for what they describe as its most ambitious shoot ever... in addition to the red, white and blue (black?) Jaguar F-TYPES was a McLaren P1 hypercar (see right). The new series begins on Sunday, June 30th at 8pm, BBC Two.2013-06-24T18:32:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/11/swiss-campaign-attacks-motorway-fee-hike-and-cheap-tourist-vignette/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/swiss-zoom.jpgswiss zoom2013 Swiss motorway vignette.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/swiss-vignette.jpgswiss vignetteThe 2013 Swiss motorway vignette, available to buy at the border for 40CHF (£28) or €32.50. Valid from December of the year previous to end of January the year after. Annoyingly has special adhesive on reverse which means it cannot be taken of and reused.2013-06-22T09:18:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/21/daily-brief-21-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/orange-911.jpgorange 911Any excuse to feature a 911: but this car with that number plate has driven the 650km to Le Mans at an average 36mpg according to @PorscheGB_PR. Impressive.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/stelvio.jpgstelvioDay 7 Rolls-Royce Alpine Rally: Day of Reckoning on the Stelvio Pass2013-06-21T18:45:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/20/daily-brief-20-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bijaca.jpgbijacaBosnia - it might only by 5km long, but the brand new road from the also brand new international border point at Bijaca https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/rolls3.jpgrolls3It’s day six of the Rolls-Royce Alpine Trail, in Austria and Italy, from Seefeld to Solda and an afternoon run up the Stelvio Pass. Click the link above for the official blog.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/hitler-hit-and-run.jpghitler hit and runHitler hit-and-run: This road safety ad by Romanian agency Publicis was actually first released last November but having been presented at this week’s Cannes Lion ‘Festival of Creativity’ is causing controversy all over again. What do you think? Is it thought provoking or merely provoking? Two similar ads in the series feature Stalin and Saddam Hussein.2013-06-20T18:08:06+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/19/daily-brief-19-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/moody-panamera.jpgmoody panameraA moody Panamera at the facelifted Porsche’s international press launch in Elmau, Bavaria yesterday.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/totie-chic.jpgtotie chicTotalitarian chic: from an exhibition of Intourist posters advertising (among other things) adventurous driving holidays in the former USSR. Held at the new GRAD Gallery, 3-4a Little Portland Street, London W1W until 31 August. Partial repro of ‘Georgian Military Highway’ by Aleksandr Zhitomirsky, 1939.2013-06-19T18:02:22+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/18/daily-brief-18-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/lourdes-esplanade.jpglourdes esplanadeFlashfloods: the Esplanade webcam, Lourdes, south west France this afternoonhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/1305690019573.jpg1305690019573The Finnish-British civil architects WSP Finland has won a design competition for a 3km landmark road/tram/pedestrian bridge linking eastern island suburb Laajasalo with the centre of Helsinki. The proposed structure won plaudits for its ‘light and airy’ design. Construction should start in 2018 all being well. The company recently won an award for its Crusell Bridge in the west of the city. WSP operates worldwide, including Poland and Romania. Brave!https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/rolls-centenary.jpgrolls centenaryForty eight Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts, including one of the modern incarnation, have set off on the recreation of the 1913 Alpine Trial. Currently in Austria, having already tackled the 27% Katschberg Pass, the cars will no proceed to Italy and Slovenia. Keep up to date with the action via the links above.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/nikolic.jpgnikolic2013-06-18T17:16:59+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/17/daily-brief-17-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/mulsanne.jpgmulsanne'Looking forward to driving down this stretch of road at over 300kph in a few days time!' tweeted racing driver and F1 pundit @AntDavidson over the weekend. It is of course the Le Mans 24 Hours on Saturday. Scrutineering started yesterday with practice and qualifying due to start Wednesday. Click the link above for the official website.2013-06-17T17:25:08+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/13/daily-brief-12-june-2013-2/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/snowboarder.jpgsnowboarderThe official news agency Agence France-Presse (@AFP) tweeted this photo today of a snowboarder jumping across a mountain pass connecting Switzerland and Italy as a worker clears snow. Taken June 12 (yesterday).https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/gt3b.jpggt3bThe new Porsche 911 GT3 has been driven for the first time and not even a quibble about the lack of a manual gearbox has stopped Chris Harris calling it a 'masterpiece'. Click the link above for the video.2013-06-13T17:31:42+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/12/daily-brief-12-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche-le-mans.jpgporsche le mansPorsche has completed the shake down test of its new LMP1 Prototype Le Mans car at it recently expanded Weissach testing facilities near Stuttgart. Cute.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/porsche-le-amsn.jpgporsche le amsnPorsche has shaken down its new LMP1 Prototype Le Mans car at it recently expanded Weissach testing facilities near Stuttgart. Cute.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_porschelmp1_rollout_porscheag.jpg2013_PorscheLMP1_rollout_PorscheAGPorsche has completed the shake down test of its new LMP1 Prototype Le Mans car at it recently expanded Weissach testing facilities near Stuttgart. Cute.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bmfbq1ccuaeo81o.jpgBMfbQ1cCUAEo81OMcLaren hosted wounded troops from the Help for Heroes charity at its Technology Centre in Woking yesterday in a bid to inspire more to get involved in motorsport. The visit was in association with Mission Motorsport, part funded by H4H. 'Motorsport is a natural fit with the Forces. It has the winning mentality we all crave, the physical demands and the engineering too,' one man told The Sun. 2013-06-12T16:25:09+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/29/driving-in-greece-olympic/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9848d.jpg9848dhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9848a.jpg9848ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9801b.jpg9801bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9882a.jpg9882ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9888a.jpg9888ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9801a.jpg9801ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9807a.jpg9807ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/35.jpg35https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/34.jpg34https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/33.jpg332013-06-12T09:10:53+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/11/daily-brief-11-june-2013/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bmeuwjjcmae2epq.jpgBMeUwJjCMAE2EpQSarajevo - taxi drivers have joined protestors in an enduring, well attended but so far peaceful demonstration against the govt’s inability to issue identity documents to babies. The protest started last Wednesday. The situation is emblematic of the political deadlock inside the country, organised strictly along ethnic lines. Photo: © Twitter/ @andymcguffie, EU spokesman for Bosnia and Herzegovina.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bl5vqexcmaa_mmr.jpgBL5vqExCMAA_MmrGerman supermodel - and new girlfriend of film star Leonardo di Caprio - Toni Garrn managed a few hours in sunny Hamburg and her, sadly otherwise under-utilised, Land Rover Freelander 2 last week. © Toni Garrn/ Twitter @RealToniGarrn.2013-06-11T20:51:26+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/10/daily-brief-new-mway-bologna-florence/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/35zzz.jpg35zzz2013-06-11T13:58:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/10/brussels-parking-fine-denouement/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/1424a.jpg1424ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/7827b.jpg7827bOur car parked - legally this time - in Brussels.2013-06-10T18:22:17+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/06/08/cruise-control-changed-our-lives-but-how-fast-can-you-go/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/14a.jpg14ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/13a.jpg13aSailing back to our little island.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/12a1.jpg12aThere’s no escaping the torrential rain that has literally ravaged central Europe since early April and continues to do so at the time of writing.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/11a.jpg11ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/10a.jpg10aDecadent Luxembourg:https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/9a.jpg9aGermany: lovely long motorways, and they are free!https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7.jpg7Lovely Linzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/6.jpg6Melk Abbey as seen from the A1 West Autobahn in Austria halfway between Vienna and Salzburg. Built in the early 18th century, with five internal courtyards, the Benedictine monastery overlooks the Danube. Definitely worth a look next time.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/5.jpg5Hungary's new electronic road toll system for freight HU-GO is go.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/4.jpg4A diversion through an interesting sounding town or city is a much better break than a stop in a depressing and expensive motorway service station. This is Szeged in the far south, on the Tisza river, Hungary’s third biggest city, pop 170k. Twinned with Cambridge, Szeged is home to the country’s top university, established in 1581.2013-06-10T07:54:48+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/31/driving-in-bulgaria-the-pothole-and-the-policemen/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/240a.jpg240aEh?! Relax, most of the signs are in English too.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/istanbul.jpgistanbulTraffic lights on Slivnitsa Boulevardhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/xx.jpgxxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1264a.jpg1264ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/301.jpg30https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/291.jpg29https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/281.jpg28https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/271.jpg27https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/261.jpg26https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/251.jpg252013-06-08T12:50:38+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/24/arezzo-ancona-arezzo-ancona/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/99xx.jpg99xxhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/47b.jpg47bhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/121.jpg12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/40.jpg40https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/21.jpg21https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/151.jpg15https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/14c.jpg14chttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/14a1.jpg14ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/14.jpg14https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/13.jpg132013-05-31T17:17:43+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/28/taking-your-own-car-to-greece/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/171.jpg17Corfu through the porthole.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/141.jpg14https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/131.jpg13Igoumenitsa, with xx snaking up the xxmountgains behindhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/122.jpg12https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/111.jpg11https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/101.jpg10https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9.jpg9https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8.jpg8https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/7.jpg7https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/6.jpg62013-05-29T07:25:01+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/21/baden-baden-lugano/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1230a.jpg1230ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i8329a.jpgI8329ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/17a.jpg17aThe Gotthard Tunnel freaks people out. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/16a.jpg16ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/15a.jpg15aThe Gotthard Pass. Why pay to drive on Switzerland's motorways when the back roads are so pretty?https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/14a.jpg14aLucerne: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/13a.jpg13aSwitzerland goes to the polls: we find out today if the government's plan to increase the cost of the annual motorway vignette to 100CHF (£70) has been defeated. Results from lunchtime.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/12a.jpg12ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/11a.jpg11aSwitzerland: the exact point where Switzerland becomes Switzerland, land of mountains and vibrant green alpine meadows, rather than the dated and dirty bit of Basel you see from the road. The A3 winds its way south east to Zurich while the A2, eventually, heads south. As one of the busiest roads through the Alps, the A2 has its challenges (not least because you have to buy the €33 vignette to drive on it). It’s dual carriageway mostly. The queues before the Gotthard Tunnel can be horrendous, and are guaranteed at peak times, as they are further south at the Italian border too. But, it’s not long before snowy capped peaks fill the top of your windscreen, the plunge down beside Lake Lucerne is spectacular and if you come off before Gotthard, at Andermatt, you land at the epicentre of five of the country’s best mountain passes. The all-downhill A2 after the tunnel is pretty great too.https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/10a.jpg10a2013-05-24T08:34:07+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/23/pontassieve-arezzo/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9349a.jpg9349ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1240a.jpg1240ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1238a.jpg1238ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9362a.jpg9362ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9264a.jpg9264a2013-05-24T08:32:13+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/22/lugano-arezzo/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9031a.jpg9031ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9087a.jpg9087ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/43z.jpg43zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/42z.jpg42zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/41a.jpg41ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/40z.jpg40zItaly: SS85 on Monte Secchieta between Florence and Arezzo. https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/39z.jpg39zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/38zzzzzzzzzz.jpg38zzzzzzzzzzhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/38z.jpg38zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/37zzz.jpg37zzz2013-05-23T20:39:00+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/2013/05/20/maastricht-baden-baden/https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8319a.jpg8319ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8606a.jpg8606ahttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9x.jpg9xhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/12z.jpg12zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/11z.jpg11zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/10z.jpg10zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9z.jpg9zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8z.jpg8zhttps://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/7z.jpg7zRandom: https://driveeurope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/6z.jpg6z2013-05-20T15:24:20+00:00monthlyhttps://driveeurope.co.ukdaily1.02023-03-07T08:51:23+00:00