1. Do you really need a car? If you prefer a multi location
holiday having a car will give you more flexibility. If your
accommodation is not close to your arrival airport it may be
a bonus to have the car for the transfer. If you are staying a
more rural location it may be useful to have your own
transport.
2. Are you a fairly confident driver? Are going to a nervous
wreck, worrying about each days drive? For example in Italy
you will probably be honked at quite a bit, can you just shrug
it off? I don't find that driving on the right hand side of the
road is an issue, especially when you are in a left hand
drive car.
3. Make sure that you have comprehensive insurance cover.
Many rental companies so - called inclusive cover can often
leave you with an excess of several hundred euros. As I
hire a car in Europe several times a year I purchased an
annual insurance cover for around £50. If you don't hire a
car frequently then you can pay an additional amount per
day, around £2 sterling, with Holiday Autos. with Auto
Europe some prices are quoted with a excess refund
included. Check if there is an extra charge for additional
drivers.
4. Check if there is parking available at your
accommodation. Some hotels charge for this. Will there be
on street parking fairly close to your accommodation?
5. Invest a decent road map for the area(s) you are visiting
and plan your routes in advance. Make a note of the road
numbers and the towns along the way to your destination.
6. Be alert for road signs. I find that the roads signs are not
as large and clear and don't give as much advance warning
of junctions as in the UK.
7. Try to avoid city centres. Park in the outskirts and walk or
get a bus in to the centre.