Whether you're planning a long touring holiday in your own car, or hiring a car locally on a business trip or holiday, this guide will give you all the information you require. Whatever your destination in Europe, you'll find everything need to prepare for your trip and to cope with the unfamiliar. There are sections on dealing with everything - from winter driving, to towing a caravan, from travelling with pets, to taking a classic car overseas. And - should the worst happen - there's also clear guidance on what to do in the case of a breakdown or accident.

With chapters covering Western Europe (including France), Southern Europe, Northern Europe, and Central & Eastern Europe - 50 individual countries - all the information is based on extensive local research, and includes comprehensive details of speed limits, drink/driving rules, motorway tolls, mountain passes, and other local regulations. Extensive illustrations help you recognise and understand unfamiliar signs, whilst more than 25 port maps guide you safely to terminals in the UK and on the Continent.

Julian Parish hails from the south of England, but has now lived and worked in France for many years. After a career in publishing and international software development, Julian now contributes regularly to magazines including Classic & Sports Car, and translates motoring content from French and German into English. He has both written and translated several of Veloce's Essential Buyer's Guides, mainly concentrating on the Mercedes-Benz marque, for which he has a particular passion. He has also written the popular travel guides France: The Essential Guide for Car Enthusiasts and The Essential Guide to Driving in Europe, also published by Veloce. Julian is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers.