Drivers are risking fines costing THOUSANDS when they drive in Europe this summer
It comes after a national survey by The Motor Ombudsman revealed over 70 per cent of UK drivers are unaware of some mandatory road requirements when driving to Spain and France.
The research shows over two thirds of motorists aged 17 to 28 will be driving on the right side of the road for the first time - and almost one in three admit they don't feel confident doing so.
Ranking as the least self-assured region is Scotland, with over half of first-time drivers confessing they don't feel ready to drive on the right-hand side, while a whopping 79 per cent of Londoners maintain a more positive stance.
The data highlighted some costly gaps in knowledge, as 59 per cent of drivers admitted they did not know it's mandatory in many European countries to carry emergency equipment, such as high-vis jackets and warning triangles, while driving.
In France, drivers who cannot produce these items on request can incur a fine of up to €750.
Additionally, 30 per cent of respondents said they were unaware of sat-navs, speed camera detectors and similar apps are illegal in some European countries.
In Spain, drivers risk a fine of up to €6,000 if they're caught with such apps installed on their devices, and in France, their vehicles could potentially get confiscated.
Meanwhile, 70 per cent of survey participants admitted being either unsure or uninformed of environment rules regarding pre-purchased windscreen stickers for low-emission zones.
In Germany, this can result in a fine of up to €80, and in France, a fine of up to €135.
One Leeds-based driver, Will, found out the hard way after driving abroad with a pre-purchased sticker while driving abroad.
He said: 'The signage was a bit unfamiliar, and I didn't know the routes well. On one occasion, I forgot to display the correct low-emission zone sticker on the windscreen when driving through a city.
'Not long after, I received a fine for that oversight - a mistake that could have been avoided with a bit more preparation.
Will admitted that had he taken a 'few minutes' to familiarise himself with some of the routes he would be travelling on, he would have avoided the fine.
To help Brits stay one step ahead and avoid unnecessary fines on European roads this summer, The Motor Ombudsman, which recently launched an online hub packed with advice, has issued some essential tips.
They urge British drivers to pack their UK identifier sticker, as GB stickers are no longer accepted in Europe.
Many European cities also require motorists to display an official low-emission sticker, so it's best to order these well in advance.
Finally, motorists are advised to double-check tyre pressure units as most air machines on the continent use BAR instead of PSI - a car's manual or door frame should always show recommended levels.
Will Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director at The Motor Ombudsman, said: 'Driving in Europe offers real freedom and flexibility, but it's clear from the research that some drivers are setting off unprepared.'
Will added: 'From speed limits to mandatory equipment and emission zone rules, there's a lot to consider - and ignoring the details can quickly turn a relaxing break into an expensive headache.'
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Telegraph
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- Telegraph
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Times
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The mostly 18th-century, neoclassical Villa Sola Cabiati on Como's Riviera della Tremezzina began its life, as did many of the area's grand houses, as the summer residence of an aristocratic Milanese family. Despite it being only their holiday home, the Dukes of Serbelloni didn't skimp on the design. Outside, perfectly clipped parterre gardens swoop towards the lake. Inside the villa — with its large staircase, fresco ceilings, marble balconies and two wings housing six suites — is an extraordinary collection of art and furniture: tapestries, Murano-glass chandeliers, porcelain, murals by a pupil of Tiepolo and a bed once slept in by Napoleon and Joséphine. Every room feels like a film set and the breakfast served in the dining room each morning looks as if it was directed by Fellini. At the back of the villa are pretty private gardens as well as a large swimming pool; at the front you can skip down the stone steps and dine or sunbathe in the arabesque gardens and admire the views of the surrounding lake while tucked away safely behind the pleasingly imposing wrought-iron gates. There's a strong possibility you won't want to leave the villa. After all, it is fully catered. And should you, like me, wish to pretend you're happy to cook your own dinner or mix your own cocktail on occasion, they will teach you how to do so. A mixologist showed me how to make a unique espresso martini using Borghetti and Frangelico liqueurs along with Sirop de Monin (a popcorn flavour). Meanwhile, the chef and his team helped me make a delicious but simple buckwheat pasta dish, a classic from Lombardy called pizzoccheri. • Read more luxury reviews, advice and insights from our experts Across the road from the entrance, the villa has a private jetty — which like everything else here is theatrical — from which a classic Riva boat can whizz you to Como's other jewels. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, with its famous white and orange striped 'beach' club, has a spa in what was once a grand library and a restaurant serving, should you desire, a risotto topped with edible gold leaf. In the other direction is my personal favourite, Passalacqua, another 18th-century villa-turned-hotel that is like a set from a Wes Anderson movie. If you arrive by boat, you are whisked up a winding pathway through the hotel's formal gardens in a bright orange Fiat Jolly with wicker seats and open canvas roof. The garden terraces are a riot of colour and pattern that manages to stay the right side of sane and somehow not distract from the jaw-dropping views over Lake Como. On a summer's day I honestly don't think there is a more perfect or romantic spot for a long lunch or sunset cocktail. On the boat back to Villa Sola Cabiati, you pass by George Clooney's home in Laglio (the locals all love him as he lets them use his private beach) as well as the imposing Villa la Cassinella. This opulent home, with its acres of waterside gardens, is reputedly owned by Richard Branson, can be accessed only by boat or helicopter, and costs just under £168,000 a week to rent in June. But the most recognisable of them all is Villa del Balbianello. It was here that Daniel Craig's James Bond was filmed recovering from his injuries in 2006's Casino Royale. You can rent this one for weddings and events, but can't stay here. Despite its lavish splendour, there is something comforting, even homely, about returning to the villa after a day spent exploring Como. The staff are so welcoming, the bedroom suites are large yet cosy, decorated in handpainted wallpapers and littered with plump sofas. All six suites have windows looking out onto the lake. There isn't a dud room. You sink into the soft wood-fibre sheets, stuffed from the evening's dinner and, rather alarmingly, begin to dream about breakfast — which you can make yourself. Or not. Sometimes it's good to be the guest. Details Villa Sola Cabiati costs from €10,000 per night, including all food, the services of a butler and housekeepers, chambermaid and private chef, and two return transfers to Grand Hotel Tremezzo and its facilities,
