|
|
Useful Info [Language]
If you fancy leaning a little bulgarian I recommend using BYKI, they have a free download that will give you a good grounding, and honestly is all you need to get by, and it's free! goto www.byki.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Translation Services] It is hard to find a good free online translator that will work with the cyrillic alphabet, and even the ones you pay for aren't brilliant sometimes.
I use InterTran, it seems to work better than most, and of course it's free! Click Here
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Driving To Bulgaria] Driving out here can be a great adventure, I have done it several times now and have enjoyed it everytime.
Make sure you do your homework though, I let my son navigate once and we got lost almost instantly in France.
Coming from the UK the best route is to get the ferry from Dover to Dunkerque, using Norfolk Line ferries.(click here)
For navigation you should print out full instructions (click here) this is the RAC route guide, and it's the one I use.
Sat-Nav systems are great also, but check if yours has the full Europe maps or just the major roads, most only have major roads and this isn't great so you should also print the route. Even if yours has the full Europe maps you may find that it runs out of ideas as soon as you come out of Austria and enter Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe maps tend to be an expensive add-on.
Remember to obey the local traffic laws for the countries you travel through, and have lots of breaks. You will spend roughly 10 hours just crossing Germany. There are lovely stopping and picnic areas in Germany and Austria, it's such a long drive you should take advantage of these and stretch your legs.
Many of the countries you pass though require you to buy a local road tax, buy it or you will be fined (I was), it's not expensive. Also make sure your UK insurance covers you for all the countries, it's easy to forget to check one of them. Some counties you pass through also require you have have your head-lights on all the time even in bright sunshine, make sure you buy head-lamp deflectors before you go, it is a legal requirment that you have them installed in all european countries. Don't count on buying them on the ferry, they might be sold out. They are only little stick on things and cost less that £5, they are available from all decent auto accessory shops.
I would stick to all European countries and avoid Serbia, go through Romainia, it is a little longer, but trust me it's better, you will normally need to buy Serbian insurance to drive though and the cheapest one is 150euro even though you only need it for a couple of hours. Also if you have car troubles or need directions they are not the friendliest of people.
Take cash and cards, use the cards for fuel where you can, and save your cash euro's for all the toll roads, you will need it, also make sure you have some Bulgarian currency for when you cross the boarder as you will have to buy insurance, tax and pay for a wheel wash they do, they do take euro's but it's always nice to use the local currency.
Most important of all, take your time and enjoy it, it's great fun
|
|