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I’ve already mentioned that one of the most exciting things of 2018 will be the road trips all over the Czech Republic. It’s -15 degrees here as I type, which is definitely not a trip weather of any kind, but once the weather starts warming up (should be as soon as the beginning of April), I’ll be out and about every weekend. So far I’ve managed to visit the concentration camp that’s not too far from Prague (I’m writing a full post about it but let me tell you – it’s not an easy topic to cover!) and I’ve also made two day trips to Dresden in Germany. For April my boyfriend (you know the bloke you might have seen on my Instagram) and I have planned a trip to the mountains to go camping (probably in snow, because it will still be minus up in the mountains in April, and yes, I do fear for my life). So what my best tips to get the most out of these little adventures?
How to make your road trips memorable?
Go snap happy!
I’m skipping right to the end here because I’m starting this post with a talk about memories. It’s very true though – so many people forget all those beautiful places they’ve visited, all those breath-taking views they’ve seen, all the wonderful moments they’ve lived. And there’s nothing easier to combat this than taking a few snaps! I’m pretty lucky to own a decent camera and to have a camera-obsessed boyfriend who’s snappy happy just on the way to the supermarket, let alone when we’re on a trip! But that doesn’t mean that if you don’t have a fancy camera you can’t take any photos. I’m pretty sure that EVERYONE has a phone with a camera these days, right? Or just buy one of those automatic one use cameras from the petrol station. And don’t forget that even photos from your car are precious – views from the window, your lap full of cookie crumbs & even the shot of your reflection in the wing mirror.
Don’t rush!
Remember – the journey is the destination when you go on a road trip. Or at least a pretty good chunk of it! Lately, I’ve been particularly enjoying train trips. When you don’t have to drive it gives you a great opportunity to spend the time with the other person or people you’re road tripping with. You can play games (my favourite is heads up – you can even download an app called Heads Up on your phone!) and I spy with my little eye. Oh, you think I’m childish? Give these games a try & then we can talk! Road trips in a car are ace too, because you can stop wherever you want and really enjoy dozens and dozens of pit stops on the way. Oh hey, there’s a lavender field over there! Let’s go! And a little monkey farm! YES!
Be safe!
Believe it or not but we are the most vulnerable when on our holiday. We just lose our boundaries and forget that something bad could possibly happen to us whilst we’re having the time of our lives. But it can. It’s pants but you honestly never know what kind of bad luck is waiting around the corner for you. Touch wood. I’m not trying to scare you and leave you a trembling road trip hating mess, I’m just saying be careful. Whatever your mode of transport is, make sure it’s safe. My mum always says that I shouldn’t sit in the first carriage of a train because when the train crashes it’s the most dangerous place to be in. And when you’re driving make sure you’ve checked your car properly, you have your first aid kit, your spare light bulbs, a blanket in case you need to wait around in the car for someone to come & pick you up if you bust your tyre. Oh, tyres. Right. They are the worst, aren’t they? Especially if you’re a girl.
Check your tyres before you set out: You can easily avoid a breakdown midst your road trip if you just check your car properly before setting out. And when I say care I mean especially the tyres. Check the pressure, the tread and its depth, check for any damage or objects stuck in the tread.
Have your tyres assessed by a professional (& replaced if needed): MOT is not the only check you should have done on your car. Your tyres need a lot of TLC, believe it or not. If you’re anywhere in London then you can book tyres online with DAT Tyres.
A spare or an emergency repair kit: I’m not being a Negative Nancy when I say familiarise with your spare tyre. Know where it is and if there isn’t out, figure out how to use the repair kit. Chivalry is pretty much dead so don’t expect any other driver to pull over and help you.
Collect memories (and things!)
And my last tip for today is to collect precious little mementoes from your road trips, especially if you decided to go camera-less. I absolutely adore going to local charity shops in tiny villages and even flea markets when they’re on. There’s nothing more beautiful than starting your day trip in a forgotten rural village with a thick slice of a homemade bread and some homemade cheese, a big cup of tea and a walk around a local flea market with all their homemade crochet gems and pots of marmalade. Even quaint old antique shops are fun to rummage through – you never know what you’ll find and these treasures will be reminding you of this beautiful trip forever.
What’s your best tip for a great road trip?