Well here is my rental car for my two weeks in Europe.......a little Opel Corsa with a manual tranny and 107 hp. It is certainly no G35, however I am sure it will get me around just fine. With gas prices over $6 per gallon in Europe, I probably won't mind it too much. I didn't know this, but apparently the Opel Corsa is manufactured by Chevrolet...

 

That should do the job Shane. That will be great for touring Portugal & Spain.
A few years ago, while in Germany I had an Opel Vectra and it was a great car (for a rental) for getting around, pretty good on gas.

 

Hey Shane .. you'll get to row your own with the MT

I remember having a SEAT (pronounced like Fiat) rental when we were there.

 

Yeah Wayne, I am not too familiar with the Opel lineup but their cars don't look too bad.....for rental cars. Wayne, any helpful tips about driving in Europe?

Ian, I am definitely looking forward to shifting my own gears again.....even if its with a little Corsa. I must admit though, I am a little on the nervous side about driving over there. Driving in places like Toronto compared to Europe is one thing.......but driving in the laid back Maritimes compared to Europe will be a HUGE difference from what I hear. It'll be an interesting journey!

 

Shane ... it really is not a problem when touring the countryside but when I arrived at any major cities I would park the car at the hotel or B & B and take the local transit while there. I always felt a bit more comfortable and also you got to mix with the locals while taking their transit systems. I tell you though it was a blast driving on the Autobahn while in Germany zoom, zoom, zoom .

 

OK, good tips Wayne, thanks. My wife and I are contemplating the thought of driving from Portugal to Venice, which is about a 23 hour drive. We'd love to spend our first year anniversary in Venice. Driving to Venice would take us from Portugal, Spain, France, Monaco, and Italy.....which would be very cool. The entire drive would be along the Mediterranean, which I think would be amazing. On the downside, we want to have a relaxing trip and not spend the majority of our time driving. I think we just might go and see what happens.....just keep it spontaneous.

One thing for sure is that driving in the Maritimes is not very busy......there will definitely be an adjustment to driving in Europe.

 

That sounds fantastic. Sounds like a great trip.

 

Have a fantastic trip Shane. Venice is my wife's favorite city in Europe. Make sure you get to Murano Island (think Nissan) when you're there.

It will be two years ago this summer we did Europe. You'll be fine with the driving. I had a Renault when I was there.

 

Thanks Deane. Did you go to Portugal and Spain when you went to Europe a couple of years ago? Any other places you would recommend I visit? Have you been to Seville?

 

Looks like a great little ride, Shane.....just what you need with their gas prices in E.

Hope you have a great trip, great weather, and a happy first Anniversary over there. Enjoy bro.


Bon Vayage mon ami.

C.

 

No I did not get to Spain or Portugal on that trip. Our trip started in Frankfurt, Germany and wound through the Black Forest, then to Innsbruck, Austria, Venice & Florence(Firenza), Luczerne, Switzerland and ended in Paris.

As a youngster I have been all over Europe & Morocco including a lot of Spain but not Portugal. Can't really recall any specific places to go and see although I do remember the bull fights in Barcelona. Wouldn't watch that stuff now.

If you get to Murano Island go to the marina where the boat tours leave from in Venice and take a tour that will drop you off and pick you up 3-4 hours later. We got a package there which included an authentic Italian multi course lunch and all you could drink wine & beer. Murano is famous for making of lace and fishing. All the houses are painted bright colours like St. Johns NFLD. In Venice make sure you get to St. Marks square, see the Cathedral there if it's not too busy (we didn't) and browse all the little boutiques/kiosks. You may want to see also see a Murano glass blowing factory right in the same area. Of course you will need to have a gondola ride and be sure to have one with the singing guitar playing guy to serenade you on your first anniversary.
The real deals on stuff were in Florence and Paris with street vendors chasing down tourists. If you have time the architecture in Florence was fascinating.

Enjoy your stay.