Best Nine Stops in the Dutch Highways

Enjoy Your Time! Best Nine Stops in the Dutch Highways

A highway was made to quickly get from A to B. But breaks should be part of long trips, and just to stretch your legs and eat or drink something, you should take a fifteen minute rest at least every two hours. Of course there's the parking lot at the gas station, but in case you'd like to hit pause at a more scenic spot in the Netherlands: check whether one of these stops is on your route!

The Afsluitdijk

So commuters driving over the Afsluitdijk to Friesland every day? They have a proper excuse. But if you're passing this manmade dam separating the North Sea from the Flevomeer for the first time, then you should definitely stop half way. Did you know that the Afsluitdijk gets 300,000 visitors a year? You can have a look at the monument and go to the visitors centre and grab something to eat in the restaurant. But the view from the parking lot is worth the stop as well.

Kornwerderzand

Only a small proportion of the visitors at the Afsluitdijk also visit Casemate Museum Kornwerderzand. The museum is not opened every day - and not open all year round. But if you're in luck, or checked the hours beforehand, then the museum is definitely worth a visit!

The best roadside restaurants in Netherlands

Are you near Meppel? Then quickly head for Industrieweg number two for a snack at The Rocket: the number one roadside restaurant in the Netherlands, according to the visitors of restaurant rating site Iens. The Meppel truckers spot is closely followed in the rankings by Ottoman in Rotterdam, Bij Marjan in Amsterdam and Resto Truck A4 Wegrestaurant in Hoofddorp. Of course there's plenty of other nice roadside restaurants, indicated with a knife-and-fork sign along the highway.

Strand Horst along the A28

In particular a destination for surfers of all sorts, but with nice weather, Strand Horst along the A28 is also a nice stop for land rots. For a reasonable fee you park at the beach and watch the kiters and windsurfers, or skaters and ice-kiters (depending on the season). Apart from the great lake view, there's also clean toilets all year 'round.

Urk

The A6 highway runs from Muiderberg near Amsterdam via Flevoland and the North-East Polder to Joure in Friesland. About halfway you get exit 13: Urk. In this picturesque coastal village that was once an island, you can easily spend a whole day. But a quick visit to the beautiful harbor is certainly worth the little detour too!

National Park De Hoge Veluwe

Is your drive taking you to or through Arnhem? Take exit 25 on the A12 and drive a little further for a stop on the Veluwe, one of the largest and most scenic nature reserves of the Netherlands that is open to the public. Take a short walk, or go for a longer stretch, but make sure you find your way back to the car! In the midst of the park you'll find the Kröller-Müller Art Museum with the second largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in The Netherlands!

Pancakes!

As every Dutchman knows: where there's forest, there's pancakes! So be on the look-out for signs saying "Pannenkoeken" along your more scenic routes. Both in the afternoon and all through the evening you can go to a pancake house for the traditional thick pancakes with bacon and syrup. Or with cheese, with apple or a nice thick layer of icing sugar. The ambience in any pancake house is warm and cozy, and children will sleep soundly in the backseat for the rest of the way.

Straight from the highway into the movies

Just wait until mid-2016, but then The Hague is getting a huge new cinema with 11 halls, two catering facilities and 450 parking spaces, right along the A12 motorway near station Ypenburg. But if you're craving for popcorn and a blockbuster right now, there's cinemas near highways in Tilburg, Ede and Leidse Rijn near Utrecht as well.

Hotels near Schiphol and the highway

Planning a visit to the Netherlands and looking for a nice hotel near the Airport as well as the highway? Large scale or small and cozy: if you  rent a car at BB&L, you can pick them up and/or leave it at ten different hotels in the vicinity of Schiphol Airport. At no extra charge!

What are you doing in Summer? Make sure you rent a car in Holland!

Don't Waste Time in Summer! Make sure you rent a car in Holland!

If you go abroad for more than a couple of weeks, you don't want to follow a set program by any tour guide. You want to be able to make your own plans and to go exploring. So if you're staying in the Netherlands for a longer period of time, renting a car is a great idea. It'll give you just the kind of autonomy you're looking for: to hit the road and go wherever you wish, just like you'd do at home. When you rent a car at BB&L Car Rental, that's exactly the freedom you get. And did I mention that our rentals are very affordable as well?

The freedom to go wherever you like

With a rental car you're free to make your own plans. Spend a day at the beach, go hiking, stop by an acquaintance, or enjoy a good night out: you can go anywhere you like. And BB&L makes renting a car easier than ever. When you rent a car with BB&L, it will be waiting for you right in front of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport the moment you arrive. You get the keys from one of our employees and you just hop in. No waiting in line at counters or searching for shuttle buses - no hassle whatsoever. Just the car where you need it. And when you leave again, you just as easily leave the car in front of the departure halls.

Rental cars with at the best all-in tariffs

A stress free airport valet service that is also very reasonably priced? Sure thing! Our car rental rates are all-inclusive. And with BB&L Car Rental we really mean all-in when we say it. So no additional insurances in fine print or extra charges for using a credit card and no surprises. Free mileage, a navigation system for Western Europe, insurances as well as taxes are included. This way you drive your own car from € 24, - a day – plus gasoline. Sounds good? Check our wide range of rental cars to choose from and find your ideal car for the summer!

Rented a car? Now all you need is a nice hotel

Looking for a place to stay? In the vicinity of Schiphol there's all kinds of hotels in different price ranges, and we gladly deliver your car to the door. Your hotel is the ideal base for visiting friends and family, or to carry out any other plans you have. Feel like booking already?

Amazing Tips for a car trip in the Netherlands

Amazing  SEVEN Tips for a car trip in the Netherlands

Put your bermuda shorts, beach balls and sleeping bags in the trunk! And don’t forget your sunscreen - nor your umbrella… The holiday season has begun and with your rental car you’re off to the best spots in the Netherlands. Fancy going away for the weekend? BB&L gives you seven tips for a fun weekend car trip in the Netherlands!

Tip 1: The beautiful Dutch islands

Breathing in the fresh air and enjoying beach and nature: for those who have never been to the Dutch islands, a weekend away is an experience of its own! Put on your boots and walk on the tidal flats, spot the seals on a boat trip, or rent a bike and make a tour. There’s plenty of nice B&Bs, cozy hotels and camping sites. And using the ferry, you’ll be on Texel, Ameland or Terschelling in no time.

Tip 2: Treat yourself to a wellness weekend

Your skin tingles gently after the sauna you just took. Now you’re floating on the water of a mineral rich thermal bath. Your mind wanders and you feel totally relaxed. A day in one of the many Dutch wellness resorts feels like a little vacation. There’s drinks and a bites in beautiful gardens, massages and beauty treatments. There’s always a hotel around the corner, or a short drive to a B&B.

Tip 3: City tripping the Netherlands

For history and culture enthusiasts there’s plenty to go and see in the Netherlands. And there’s more than just the main cities. Visit Dordrecht for example: the oldest city in the Netherlands with the longest shopping street. Or drive to Maastricht in the South, or Groningen in the North. Both are beautiful and you’ll have plenty to see along the way. You could also book a nice hotel room in Leeuwarden and see Friesland, or go to Middelburg in Zeeland.

Tip 4: Sun, sand and sea

The Dutch coastline is vast and offers many possibilities for a lovely weekend of beaches, dunes and salty air. Spend the night at a campsite in Zeeland, book a cottage in Zandvoort, or find a nice place to stay in Petten. The weather at the coast is almost always nice, people are friendly, and there’s nice beach clubs to relax and have a drink. Take along a book to read and sunscreen, and your weekend really can’t go wrong.

Tip 5: Visit one of many Dutch amusement parks

Whether you like roller coasters, ponies, dolphins, fairy tales or wild animals; in the field of amusement parks, there’s plenty to pick from. Buy your tickets online or at the supermarket checkout. A day trip is nice, but booking a hotel makes the experience even better. You’ll be there nice and early – skipping ahead of the queues later on in the day – and when you get out, a nice meal and bed awaits. Now that’s fun for everyone.

Tip 6: Visiting the Dutch polders

When you live in Lelystad or Almere, your house is 30 feet below sea level. Actually, the whole of Flevoland and the Noord-Oostpolder is reclaimed land, as well as other “polders” in the Netherlands. It’s one of Holland’s typical perks, along with windmills and dykes, and if you’re here for a longer period of time, you won’t be able to resist going there. To make it worth your while, visit Museum town Schokland, picturesque Giethoorn, or the Batavia Wharf in Lelystad.

Tip 7: National parks in the Netherlands

Holland isn’t all that woody. But there’s beautiful nature everywhere, if you know where to look. Some parts are protected nature parks, like De Veluwe, De Biesbosch and De Drentse Aa for example. Protecting areas in The Netherlands does not mean putting a big fence around them and making public access impossible. On the contrary, it’s policy that nature areas are open to the public wherever possible. And to make things even better: where there’s woods in the Netherlands, there’s also cute hotels, rental bikes, and pancake houses. Perfect, right?

Hire Your Car Now at Eindhoven

Waste Not Time! Hire Your Car Now at Eindhoven

Car hire Eindhoven Airport

Looking for an affordable rental car for your next trip to Eindhoven? BB&L Car Hire at Eindhoven Airport is not only very affordable, our 24/7 valet service also makes renting a car very comfortable and it saves you a lot of time. When renting a car in Holland with our BB&L Eindhoven Car Rental, you will enjoy the advantage of not having to wait in line for a very competitively priced rental car. You choose from our extensive selection of makes and models, and are already driving a comfortable rental for € 24, - per day! And did we already mention that all of our prices are all-inclusive? And by all-inclusive, we actually mean all-inclusive. No fine prints telling you otherwise.

Eindhoven Airport rental valet service

Our airport valet service is unique for the Netherlands and it is the most efficient and enjoyable way to rent a car in Eindhoven. While others stand in line, you are already on the way! Maybe you were already familiar with our valet service at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Well, for your rental car in Eindhoven, you can also opt for our exclusive service. Your rental car is delivered by our representative when you land at Eindhoven Airport. They will meet you at the arrival hall and escort you directly to the car, and you drive off. Simple as that!

Eindhoven car hire, all-inclusive and km free

We said our rates are fully all-inclusive and they really are. Included are: vehicle license fee, VAT, CDW and third party liability insurance for Western Europe. As well as theft and personal accident insurance and free mileage throughout The Netherlands. There are no additional charges for insurance, and we don’t charge you for paying with your credit card either. So car hire in Holland with BB&L is convenient, efficient, comfortable and rather cheap, to say the least.

Our Eindhoven cars

It is not that difficult to find the car that fits you perfectly. You pick your ideal rental car for your travels in Holland from our extensive selection of makes and models. We have a wide choice of brands - such as Renault, Opel, Volkswagen, Volvo and Ford - in every price range. Additionally, you can choose for manual transmission or an automatic, and various optional products such as a child seat and snow chains. That way, you’re always driving a car that fits your needs!

Car rent Eindhoven - book online now!

We think our Eindhoven airport service is the most efficient and enjoyable solution for car rental in Eindhoven – even Holland! But don’t let us convince you. Book your rental car online today at BB&L, and see for yourself. We are positive that you will indeed find us to be the most affordable and comfortable airport car rental service in the Netherlands. Contact BB&L Car Rental Eindhoven on +31 (0) 20 6557900. And we will make sure that your car is waiting for you in front of Eindhoven Airport when you land!

Hire Your Car Now at Rotterdam

Hesitate Not! Hire Your Car Now at Rotterdam

Car Hire Rotterdam/The Hague Airport

For travelers landing on Rotterdam/The Hague Airport, BB&L Car Rental offers a very efficient and comfortable way to rent a car in Holland. When making a reservation, you just provide us with your flight information and we will drive your rental car straight to the arrival hall of Rotterdam/The Hague Airport. We will meet you there and in just minutes you're on your way with the rental car of your choice. With BB&L you enjoy all the benefits of our time-saving, comfortable and very economical car rental services for the Netherlands: you’re driving one of our excellent cars from € 24,- all in a day!

Car Rental Rotterdam/The Hague Airport: car hire without the queue

Instead of waiting in line at the desk of other Holland rental car companies, you drive your car straight from Rotterdam Airport wherever you want to go in the Netherlands. After meeting you in the arrivals hall, you're on your way with the rental car of your choice. But our 24/7 valet service isn't the only reason to choose for BB&L Rotterdam Airport Car Hire. Our rates are very competitive as well, and all-inclusive. And with us, all-inclusive Car Hire means exactly what it says.

Rotterdam/The Hague 100% all-inclusive car rental

For as little as €24,- a day you can rent one of our outstanding rental cars. And our rates are all-in, meaning vehicle license fee, VAT, third liability insurance for Western Europe and CDW are all included. Furthermore, personal accident and theft insurance, as well as free mileage in The Netherlands are included as well. All in all, we try to make renting a car in Holland as easy, efficient, comfortable and low-priced as we possibly can. Without any additional charges in fine print. And even if you want to rent a car in Rotterdam for just the day, our rental cars are very affordable.

Rotterdam/The Hague Airport car rental: choose your preferred rental car

So choose one of our many rental cars and make a reservation today. We have an extensive selection of rental cars in Rotterdam: with automatic or manual transmission, including brands like Volvo, Ford, Opel, Renault and Volkswagen – in every price range. Just to make sure you'll find the car that perfectly matches you traveling purposes in The Netherlands. Furthermore you can pick your extra’s from a wide range of optional products, such as a child seat and snow chains. We sure hope seeing you next time you land on Rotterdam Airport!

Rent a car @ Rotterdam/The Hague Airport: book online now

Our Rotterdam/The Hague airport service is the most efficient and enjoyable way to rent a car in Rotterdam/The Hague. Book your Netherlands rental car at BB&L Car Hire online to enjoy every advantage of the most affordable and comfortable airport car rental service in the Netherlands. Of course you can also contact BB&L Car Rental Rotterdam on +31 (0) 20 6557900. We will make sure that your car is waiting for you in front of Rotterdam Airport when you land!

Hire Your Car Now

Waste Not Time! Hire Your Car Now. 

Car Hire Amsterdam Airport

The next time you travel to Amsterdam and you’re looking for a car hire at Amsterdam Airport, we suggest you try BB&L Car Rental. Instead of waiting in line at the desk of other rental car companies at Schiphol Airport, we drive the rental car straight to Amsterdam Airport upon your arrival. After meeting you in the arrivals hall, you can go right away with the rental car of your choice. Our 24/7 valet service isn't the only reason to choose for BB&L’s Schiphol car rental in The Netherlands. Our rates are very competitive as well, for as little as € 24,- a day all-in, you are driving one of our excellent rental cars.

Car Hire Schiphol: 100% all-inclusive car rental

Not only are our prices competitive for car hire throughout The Netherlands, they are also all-in. And at BB&L, all-in really means all-inclusive! Included are: VAT, vehicle license fee, CDW and third party liability insurance for Western Europe. In addition, theft and personal accident insurance and free mileage with your rental car in Holland are included as well. So there’s no additional charges for insurance or anything in fine print. To rent a car in Holland is easy, efficient, comfortable and not to mention: rather cheap!

Car hire in Holland: choose your preferred brand and model

Thanks to our extensive selection of rental cars including brands like Ford, Volkswagen, Renault, Opel and Volvo you will surely find your ideal car at BB&L. Our Amsterdam Airport car hire fleet consists of various makes and models in every price range. You’ll most certainly find the rental car that meets all of your wishes. Select and book your car online and enjoy all the benefits of the most comfortable, economical and hassle free car rental in Amsterdam!

Rent a car at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Because of our 24/7 valet airport service, picking up your car is as easy as efficient. We deliver your reserved rental car right after your flight arrives at Schiphol Airport. You will be met by our representative in the arrivals hall and you will be escorted directly to the rental car. We can also deliver your rental car elsewhere to your convenience, for example to one of the hotels in the vicinity of Schiphol. Schiphol car rental: it doesn’t get more easy than this!

Dropping off rental cars at Schiphol

Car rental made simple, that’s what BB&L offers. So of course you can leave your rental car in front of the departure hall before flying back from Amsterdam Airport. One of our representatives will meet you there on the agreed time. From that point, you just have a two minute walk to the check-in counters. Never stand in line again at Amsterdam Airport with BB&L’s Amsterdam Airport car hire: your choice for car hire in Holland.

Car hire at Schiphol Airport: arrange it online now!

Make reservations for your Amsterdam rental car online, or contact us directly! You can call our office at +31 (0) 20 6557900 and we will make sure that your car is waiting in front of the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport when you land. Our Schiphol Airport valet service applies to everyone, regardless of the time you spend in Holland.

Car Rental Companies, Locations and Cheap Rent Deals

Are we there yet? Well, we can get you there with a cheap, luxury or exotic car when you search for your rentals on Travelocity.com. Looking for cheap, discounted rates, best gas mileage or perhaps a large SUV perfect for adventuring with friends or family? We have the perfect rental for you. Travel the road with style as you take in the sights with a vehicle from any of the top rental companies, knowing you’re getting the best car for your budget.
Car Rental in the United States:
Start your adventure on the Strip with your Las Vegas car rental. Rent a car in Orlando and explore the sun and surf of some of the world’s best beaches. Take a beachside cruise with your car rental in Fort Lauderdale. Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge with a car rental in San Francisco. Stay out of the “dry heat” and in your air-conditioned Phoenix, Arizona car rental.
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Rent a Car in Canada

Program your GPS or just head out and explore? No matter what type of road trip you plan, we’ve got you covered at Travelocity.com. Searching for cheap rates, great gas mileage or perhaps an exotic ride for a romantic weekend, we can put you behind the wheel of your perfect car. Hit the road with confidence and explore all Canada has to offer, knowing you’re getting the best cars for your C$.
Best Car Rental Deals in Canada:
Rent a car in Toronto and satisfy your inner foodie with the many unique restaurants in the city.  Enjoy views of British Columbia’s coast and mountains with a Vancouver rental car. Rent a car in Calgary and rediscover the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Find a great deal and discount on a car rental in Montreal and drive out to enjoy Old Montreal. Take your time, in a Ottawa rental car, and explore Canada's capital.
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International Car Rental

Travel at your own pace and find your place away from the typical tourist destinations. You can do this easily when you rent a car versus taking the train or bus. And Travelocity offers the best deals so you can get off the beaten path in the foreign destination of your choice. Enjoy the freedom of traveling down roads of your choice and get the most out of your vacation with incredible deals on car rentals abroad. And be sure to check out our blog about How to Rent a Car in Europe: International Car Rental Deals.
International Car Rental Locations:
Rent a car in Cancun and Explore the Riviera Maya or discover a Mayan village. Be enlightened as you experience the City of Lights, in your Paris rental car. Pack your swimsuit, hop into your Barbados rental car, and head to a remote beach. In your Amsterdam car rental, discover great shopping, restaurants and world-class museums. Rent a car in London and take a day trip to Windsor Castle or Stonehenge.
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Airport Car Rental

Need to rent a car at your airport destination? Travelocity has the car rental deals for you. We offer the best deals on car rentals from all of the top companies. So have your map or GPS ready or just head out and explore and let us save you the hassle when you make car rental reservations through us, all at the lowest prices. Check out these great deals today!
Rental Car Companies:
Book a rental car journey with Travelocity Score an unlimited mileage deal on a discount car rental with Hertz. Check out the fleet options at Payless and rent a cheap car. Browse the airport rental cars available through Avis. Explore your destination with the long-term rates at National Car Rental.
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+Sample rates displayed are for the travel period represented. Rates may vary by date, pick-up/drop-off location, and availability. Car charges are billed at time of rental. Certain conditional charges may apply to your rental; these charges are not included in price shown. Charges for optional services are not included. Offers are subject to availability and may be discontinued without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

*Savings based on all vacation package bookings with Flight + Hotel on Travelocity.com from January 6, 2014 through July 6, 2014, as compared to price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all package

Handing in a hired car? Don’t forget your baggage (or your baby)!

It often happens that holidaymakers and business travellers accidentally leave baggage behind when they hand in their hired car at the end of their trip. Sometimes they only realise this at the worst possible moment: when checking in, on board the plane or when they get home, which (of course) happens to be on the other side of the ocean… After that, it’s often a monumental task trying to retrieve the – sometimes valuable – items. So be sure to check before handing n your hired car that you’ve left nothing behind!

Too many cubby holes, tiredness and distractions

In fact, it’s no wonder that all kinds of things are left behind in hired cars, since every modern car is equipped with all kinds of handy little storage compartments: in the doors, under the seats, in the dashboard and the centre console, above the sun visor, in the boot, and so on. Extremely handy for all those things that are indispensable on a trip: sunglasses, mobile telephones, iPads, wallets, passports, airline tickets, credit cards, parking money, cameras, camcorders, navigation equipment, game computers, iPods, CDs, etc.

On top of that, at the end of your journey you are probably tired because you had to get up early, are in a hurry to catch your flight, stayed a bit too long in that friendly bar the night before, spent your business trip running from one appointment to the other, or are distracted by your darling little children who are refusing to go home. In short: more than enough distraction to make you overlook your precious stuff.

The most commonly forgotten items in hired cars

Below is a list of items that are most often left behind in hired cars, and the places in the car where they are found:

• Umbrellas (in the boot and on the parcel shelf)
• Cameras and camcorders (under the front seats)
• Gadgets, such as an iPads (in the pocket behind the front seats)
• Sat Nav (in the glove compartment)
• Sunglasses (in the door pockets and the centre console)
• CDs (in the CD player)
• Laptops (under the passenger seat and in the boot)

How to forget nothing

You can easily avoid leaving your things behind in the hired car. How? By taking time to carefully check the car – not at the airport, but at the hotel – for loose objects, and putting them in your suitcase or hand luggage. So that when you are handing in the hired car, you only have to account for a few pieces of luggage.

How could you forget that?

Does being extra careful guarantee that you won’t forget anything? You might think so. Nevertheless, travellers all over the world manage to forget the most unlikely things. A few years ago, a big international car hire firm had its employees keep note of all the things they came across in returned cars over the space of three months. The result was incredible: prosthetic arms and legs, a glass eye, a set of false teeth, wedding rings, a trombone, a fridge, a tailor’s dummy, lingerie, handcuffs, surgical gloves, flowers, fresh fish, a wheelchair, shoes, a handbag containing over €100,000 in cash, a fried sausage (under the bonnet) and even a baby car seat, complete with baby!

Still lost something? Call right away!

If, despite reading this article, you still leave something behind in your hired car at any point, call your car hire company immediately. You’ll find the telephone number on the rental agreement. Chances are that your valuables have already been found by the personnel or handed in by an honest subsequent customer.

Nothing turned up?

If your lost property stays lost, you have one last resort: your travel insurance. Almost every travel insurance policy covers baggage left behind in this way. Of course, it’s best not to let things go that far

Hiring a car this winter? Check if you need winter tyres!

Many motorists feel a bit unfamiliar when driving a hired car, especially in a foreign country. Every vehicle has its own road behaviour, which in the winter can be worsened by such things as wet leaves, rain, frost, snow and ice. Do you plan to go on the road in a hired car this winter? If so, ask your car rental company if you can also hire winter tyres. Winter tyres will give your hired car better grip on the road, better handling and shorter braking distances. Furthermore, they are compulsory in many countries in the winter season.

Regulations vary per country

While the countries of the EU are aiming towards harmonisation of legislation and regulations, there is little sign of this as far as winter tyres are concerned. You might even think that many EU countries are doing their best to make things as complicated as possible for the cross-border motorist. For example, in some countries winter tyres are not compulsory, in other countries they are during the winter season and in yet other countries they are compulsory only under winter conditions or when there are regulatory signs along the roadside. The required minimum tread depth of winter tyres also varies: from 2 mm in one country to 5 mm in another. All-season tyres are classed as winter tyres almost everywhere, except in Sweden and Romania. And the duration of the winter tyre season isn’t also exactly clear. In many countries the winter period starts on 1 November, in others not until two or even four weeks later. And while in Finland the summer tyres go on as early as 28 February, in Norway they wait until 1 May…

The rules in practice

All those different regulations can lead to some strange situations. Imagine: you leave for the south of Europe on 4 April, for example driving from Amsterdam to Rome. Winter tyres are not compulsory at that time in the Netherlands and can even be prohibited in Belgium under certain conditions. So should you, or shouldn’t you fit winter tyres? Perhaps you should, because in France there may be traffic signs stating that winter tyres are required. And in Italy – well, in Italy the rules vary from one region to another and sometimes even from one road to another! So is this better organised in Northern Europe? Not really. If, for example, you are driving your car and trailer from Amsterdam to Vilnius, you are faced with a puzzle: no winter tyres required in the Netherlands, required under winter conditions in Germany, not required in Poland, required in Lithuania, including on your trailer.

Summary

Let’s be fair: trips like that are not usual. The summary below, indicating where and when you need or don’t need winter tyres, will help you on your way:

• Not compulsory: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Turkey.
• Compulsory in seasonal winter conditions: Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Serbia, Slovakia and Sweden.
• Compulsory throughout the winter season: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia.
• Required by regulatory road signs: France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

Winter tyres: to hire or not to hire?

Many car rental companies will let you hire winter tyres for a reasonable supplement. But whether they are necessary depends partly on your destination. If you are unsure of the regulations in the country you are heading to, contact us without obligation at BB&L Car Rental.

Source: BOVAG

Recommendation: a trip to a Jaarbeurs Utrecht trade fair

Of all the great exhibition & convention centres, the Utrecht Jaarbeurs is known to be the place to be. This large 100,000 m2 trade fair complex has 11 exhibition halls, 7 conference rooms, 28 meeting rooms and a media centre with 17 rooms. Since the first trade fair in 1917, visitor numbers have risen from 150,000 to around 2.5 million a year! A brief summary is given below of some of the major trade fairs held in the Utrecht Jaarbeurs exhibition & convention centre.

Camping and Caravanning + Holidays Trade Show, 15-19 January

The Dutch have an international reputation for travelling the length and breadth of Europe in caravans, camper cars, folding trailers and tents. There is something for all camping enthusiasts at the Camping and Caravanning Trade Fair since this 2014 consumer event will again be presenting the very latest in the world of camping. The Holiday Trade Show held on the same dates puts the whole world at your fingertips by providing travel and country specific information, theatre and video presentations and a children’s pavilion. You just need to pack your bags!

VSK 2014, 3-7 February

VSK is an international trade fair for heating, sanitary systems and climate control. The fair is held every two years and each edition is crammed full of news and innovation relating to (building) installations, components and equipment for heating systems, sustainable energy, air conditioning, tools, knowledge transfer and automation. This makes VSK “the” event for specialists in the Benelux countries.

Dancefair, 15 & 16 February

Dancefair is a two day event for everyone who wants to become or wants to grow as a professional in the electronic music industry. With some 200 seminars and workshops spread over the two days, it is considered to be the largest event of its type worldwide. The event is attended by musicians, audio engineers, top-notch DJs and producers. The main purpose of the trade fair: to network, to listen to music, to be inspired and  ... to let your own music be heard by more than 70 record labels searching for new talent!

Utrecht MOTORbeurs, 20-23 February

The Utrecht MOTORbeurs is the largest motorbike trade fair in the Benelux countries and traditionally marks the start of the new (sports) motorbike season. During this 30th edition of this four-day event, the entire motorbike branch is on show: parts, clothing, helmets, accessories and much more. Vrrrroam!

Event trade fair, 26 & 27 March

A great idea: a trade fair on the organisation of trade fairs and events. The Event trade fair is the meeting point for colleagues in the events sector. With inspiring stands, intriguing visions and leading speakers from the sector.

Collectors Fair, 12-14 April

The biggest trade fair in Europe for memorabilia, antiques and second-hand items, it is a treasure trove for enthusiasts and collectors. In the five halls in which the Collectors Fair is held, some 2,000 exhibitors showcase hundreds of thousands of collectible items: from porcelain dolls to designer articles and from crockery to pocket watches. There are also various exhibitions and information stands.

Second Home, 19-21 September

Now that the economy is recovering somewhat, a visit to the Second Home trade fair is a fun day out. This international real-estate trade fair is for those wanting to buy a second home or who are looking for inspiration. It covers holiday homes and second homes for investment or owner occupiers in Europe, Mexico, South Africa and the Netherlands Antilles.