"Who" is European Roads?

Nicolas Bigosinski is a meeting planner and has worked in the incentive / tourism industry for over 20 years. He is a member of the PCA (Porsche Club of America) and also of the AAA310 (Alpine America A310). His passions: cars and travel!

So why European Roads? What better way to combine his two main interests than by organizing driving trips and escorting car enthusiasts overseas, sharing his passions with them and giving them the opportunity to make a dream come true and drive a sports car the way it was meant to be driven on European Roads by experiencing "The Trip of a Lifetime".

What makes a European Roads trip so unique?

All trips are almost fully inclusive and include the car of your choice (among the available selection) for the full length of the tour. Each itinerary is carefully designed for driving opportunities on all kind of european roads and environments; some trips with more driving and some with more sightseeing. However, all trips always include a variety of unique visits and excursions which can be enjoyed by all (men and women!). Some of the tours have an emphasis on a particular theme, making them more interesting for certain enthusiasts (such as the Castles and Wine).
The participants are independent with their own car, however, experience has shown that drivers prefer driving together from point to point with various opportunities for individual driving according to each participant's speed, on the Autobahn for example. Finally, taking part in a European Roads trip is a wonderful way to have a lot of fun in a safe way and enjoy the camaraderie of new friends only a group event can produce.

Why should you go on a European Roads trip?

You may take this trip only once (as the name the Trip of a Lifetime) or come back the following year or the year after like many of the past participants have done. Maybe you have already been to Europe and driven there and wished things might have been easier with hotels, food, visits, communication in a foreign language, etc.. By taking one of our trips you will just concentrate on enjoying your European driving vacation since everything is completely organized and supervised! And most of all, you are traveling with a fun group of people who are there for the same reasons you are! Discovering Europe while staying in luxurious establishments, eating the best food and driving great sports cars in a relaxed and casual environment. Furthermore, the organizer travels with you making sure everything is just perfect!

Requirements to Participate

All drivers must be at least 30 years of age (25 in some cases) and have a minimum of 3 years of driving experience. Furthermore, the driver must have a minimum of 2 credit cards in their name. Of course, a valid driver's license is required!

Prices

Because the trips are designed and budgeted approximately 1 year in advance, fluctuations in exchange rates may occur when the trip takes place. Should it be the case, you will be billed a currency rate adjustment in your final invoice.

Your Itinerary

The trips have been carefully designed to enjoy the european driving experience and also give you time to explore and relax at your own pace on specific days. The tours cover between 900 and 1,800 miles depending on the trip you are considering. We suggest you look over each page of the itinerary of the trip you selected, which will give you an idea of the overall pace of the tour. There are opportunities for you and your spouse/companion to visit, shop, play and rest on your own. Your escort is always available to help with suggestions during your down time.

Your Airline Transportation

Your air transportation is NOT included in the price of the trip. If you have not booked your air transportation yet, please call the Uniglobe Forest Lake Travel Office and ask for Bernice at 813-855-4488 or toll free at 800-771-4488 to arrange your air travel.

Your Sports Car Rental

The rental of your sports car is included in the price of the trip (from beginning to end) as well as all the scheduled kilometers shown in the itineraries. You are responsible for payment of extra km should you use your car above the amount of scheduled kilometers. You will be driving the car you selected upon signing up. However, depending on the time of your booking, it is possible that the car you chose is no longer available or no longer offered. That is the reason why you will be asked for a second choice of preferred automobiles on the sign-up form. Furthermore, from time to time we are able to offer specific models, such as Porsches GT3, C4S, Targa, etc. for an extra charge. Let us know if you would like to drive a specific car and we will do our best to accommodate your wishes.

Insurance For The Cars

Insurance on your rented sports car is fully included in case of an unfortunate incident, except on race tracks. You are however responsible for a deductible (from 800 Euros to 3,000 Euros for the Porsches and up to 15,000 Euros for the highest priced Ferrari and Lamborghinis). A deposit authorization will be secured (but not charged) by the rental car company on a major credit card upon pick up of your car. Upon return, the full deposit will be released back to you if no damage has occurred and if the amount of kilometers remained within the maximum already prepaid. Please keep in mind that as soon as you enter a race track such as the Nurburgring with the rented sports car, you become fully responsible for it, up to its full value. In regard to third party liability insurance, each car is insured for 50 million Euros per accident for personal injury, property damage and consequential losses, and limited to 8 million Euros per person in case of personal injury/death.

Your Accomodations

The hotels used by European Roads have been carefully selected to bring you the absolute highest level of comfort at the best negotiated prices. Deluxe 4 & 5 star properties and resorts, inns and Castles guarantees you the best sleeping arrangements.

Driving in Europe

It is recommended that you respect all posted speed limits at all times. In all of our trips, you will have the opportunity to drive the "no-speed-limit" Autobahn and enjoy your sports car the way it was meant to be driven. Austria and Switzerland have the toughest speeding enforcement, (how about $700.00 ticket for going 20 km/h over the posted limit). Watch out for areas with speed limits in Germany usually due to constructions, maintenance or temporary heavy traffic
One of the best thrill to experience on the Autobahn is to legally pass a Police patrol car while going 130 mph!

Drinking and driving as well as dangerous and / or erratic driving will absolutely NOT be tolerated. Those who do not respect those simple and obvious rules will be reported to the local authorities immediately and the trip will end on the spot for them with no possiblities of a refund what-so-ever.

Reservations

The sooner you send your deposit of $1,500 per person ($2,000 for single), the greater your chances of having your reservation confirmed with the car of your choice. Your deposit is fully refundable up to 120 days prior to departure. Passed that date, it is non-refundable, but a portion may be applied to a future trip. We recommended you send your deposit in as soon as possible as space is limited.

Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend you contract an insurance for trip cancellation via an independent companies as we do not offer this service. Ask your local travel agent or Bernice at Uniglobe Forest Lake Travel when booking your flight.

Your meals and drinks

All breakfasts and all dinners (with a few exceptions) on all trips are included during the tours. Depending on the trip, some lunches are also included. Dinners consist of 3, 4 and 5 course meals from some of the best European Chefs. Wine is also included during all our scheduled group dinners. Several open bar / welcome cocktails are also included prior to dinner. Please refer to the day by day itinerary of the selected trip for details.

Visits & Sightseeing

99% of all visits and excursions are included in the trips. Please refer to the day by day itinerary of the selected trip for details. Other excursions can be booked on an individual basis during your free time. The overnight cities selected offer a selection of things to do for all tastes.

The Road Book

You will be provided with a very complete road book package highlighting the specifics of the trip with a day by day itinerary. Are included: Emergency phone numbers, meeting points, hotel addresses, mileage and estimated driving times among other things. We ask that you pay close attention to the instructions and recommendations as it will help you and the other participants making the journey more enjoyable. You will be asked to bring along a small 2 way radio (can be purchased in major stores for less than $20) in order to communicate with the other participants while on the road.

Daily Mandatory Driver's Meeting

Each morning, before starting our day, at least one person per car MUST attend a mandatory driver's meeting. Usually, this unformal meeting takes place about 15 minutes prior to departure when everybody is ready to go. The time and place of the meeting is highlighted in your road-book. It is an opportunity to discuss the itinerary of the day, ask questions or raise issues you would like to share with the rest of the group.

What Now?

So, you just can't wait to drive on the autobahn or relax in a beautiful Chateau. Then, print and fill out the Sign Up form posted on each home page of the selected trip and mail it to the Event Organizer along with your deposit check(s), or for the full amount, made out to: "European Roads". It is recommended you reserve as early as possible as space is limited for those fantastic events. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive a confirmation by email soon after. Approximately 30 days prior to the event date, you will receive your road book, as well as an information package related to your trip.

We'll see you on the European Roads.!

FAQ?

Q: How many miles will we be driving?
A: It depends on the trip you select. Look the itineraries over and see day by day how much driving is involved.

Q: How old do the drivers need to be?
A: All drivers must be at least 30 years of age and have at least 3 years of driving experience. However, in some cases the minimum age can be reduced to 25 years old.

Q: Is there a fee for an additional driver?
A: Yes. Should your spouse / companion wish to drive the rented sports car, an additional fee of $125.00 will be added to the price of the trip.

Q: What is included and what is not?
A: Please read the section "What's included" on the home page of each trip. Your airfare, gas and tolls for the car as well as your personal expenses are not included in the price of the trip. Pretty much everything else is included.

Q: How much money will I need there?
A: It really depends on your shopping and driving habits! Count between $500 and $700 in gas and tolls depending on your driving style and the car you will be driving! All the meals are included in the price of the trip (except for some lunches and sometimes a dinner or two) as well as wine during our scheduled group dinners. Any extras at the hotels such as massage and spa treatments are not included . We suggest you secure a Visa / Mastercard for your personal expenses and limit the amount of cash you bring with you to a minimum. Those cards are widely accepted in Europe. Furthermore, your debit bank card (AKA check card) will allow you to withdraw cash from your regular US checking account from 24 hours ATM machines in Europe in the local currency. Experience has shown this to be the most economical way to get cash while overseas since commissions are low and the exchange rate is based on the day of the transaction with no additional charges. Please check with your bank prior to leaving to make sure your debit card has the proper affiliation with European banks. Most major US banks do.

Q: Can I / we pay for the trip with a credit card?
A: No. Credit cards are not accepted at this time. However, you can use a Paypal account which will let you use a credit card to pay for the trip. In this case you will be responsible for paying all of the Paypal commissions.

Q: Do we have a luggage truck following us? How much should I pack?
A: In order to keep costs low, there is no luggage truck. If you own a similar car to the one you have selected, you can easily estimate how much you can take with you. If you do not own a car similar to the one you have chosen for the trip, we suggest you visit your local dealer with some bags and see for yourself. Furthermore, experience has shown how surprising the amount of bags you can fit in a Boxster, a 911 or even a Ferrari when packing smart. However, during the Castles and Wine trip only, your escort will be able to help you transport some of your wine purchases which can be shipped afterward directly to your home.

Q: Is the airfare to Germany included?
A: No. It is the responsibility of each participant to book their own airfare. Please, refer to the paragraph "Your Airline Transportation" to book your air travel.
Participants will be asked to provide their airline information prior to leaving the USA.

Q: When does the trip officially starts and ends?
A: The trip starts when you check- into our base hotel in Germany. All participants meet early evening for a welcome drink reception followed by our first group dinner.
The trip ends the morning of the check out of our base hotel.

Q: Can we / I arrive a few days early in the city where we will depart from and / or stay over at the base hotel once the trip is over for a few more days?
A: Yes, reservations will be made on your behalf. You will also benefit from a negociated group rate. Please mention your desire to reserve more nights at the base hotel upon booking the trip and we will take care of it.

Q: What kind of accommodations may we / I expect during the trip?
A: All the hotels are rated a minimum of 4 stars but the majority are 5 stars belonging to the prestigious luxury chains "Relais & Chateaux", Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Leading Hotels of the World. You will stay in amazing properties and enjoy the best european accommodations.

Q: What kind of foods may we / I expect during the trip?
A: Pre-set menus have been selected. Meals consist of 3, 4 and 5 courses of mostly "Haute" gastronomic cuisine by some of the Top European Chefs, including a variety of local foods representing the region of Europe you are visiting. Not only, the European Roads trips are for people who enjoy driving but are also for fine gourmets. You will taste unbelievable food while on the trip since the organizer is also a demanding gastronome.

Q: What if we / I have dietary restrictions?
A: No problem. The question will be asked in your complementary questionnaire that will be mailed to you once you have signed-up. The discovery of regional foods is also part of the fun. However, when possible, restaurants will accommodate special dietary needs at no extra charge(vegetarian, Kosher, etc.).

Q: What kind of liability do we / you have during the trip?
A: A release in liability will be mailed to you once your deposit and sign-up form are recieved.

Should you have any other question or concern, do not hesitate to ask!

Contact Nicolas Bigosinski, Event Organizer: 407 767 9055 (FL)

Or email: info@europeanroads.com