[TiMSport]

For me, it's Amsterdam for sure. A few years ago I rented a car in Germany (Dusseldorf) and decided to use my weekend off from work to cruise over to The Netherlands. What a fantastic experience. To put it into context, I had never been to Germany before, so I had never driven the Autobahn. Needless to say I did during that trip and it was amazing.

I was stressed because I didn't really know what to expect but figured I'd take a chance and explore. I've since been there a few more times and became more comfortable/confident in driving. Not knowing the rules of the road in Amsterdam.... just wow. Let's just say it's not a car friendly place. Bicycles definitely rule the road there and I suppose that's why Amsterdam is known to have more bicycles than people. Reportedly there are over 900,000 bikes there. While walking around, it wasn't hard to believe.

If you drive down the wrong street in a car, cyclists will let you know it! Having said that, it was pure pleasure exploring the city and driving along cobble-stoned streets next to endless canals. I will never forget it.

I will admit there were a couple of times I found myself facing a tram car coming towards me and making me realize I'm not in the right place with my car!

There were plenty of white knuckle moments driving my rental BMW M140i to be sure. It was exhilarating mostly. Weather was terribly cold and rainy making it even more stressful but I ultimately made it back to Germany in one piece and felt kind of proud of myself for not getting in a wreck or worse

I've mentioned this in another forum here, but I love to rent cars that aren't available in the US. This was one of them. Somehow I find myself attracted to these BMW hot hatches with 6-cylinder engines and RWD.

[2000cs]

Pikes Peak in Colorado. Going up. Once I got above the timberline, there was really no frame of reference for the drop off, edge of the road, etc. Really unnerved me. And I drive a lot of narrow, mountainous roads.

[NoMoreVauxhalls]

I went on holiday to the US for the first time back in 2001 and had booked a hire car. Now, I knew you guys drove on the wrong side of the road over there , but dang! Getting to the hotel was the most stressful thing I've ever done in my life.

My brain just couldn't adjust and I have no idea how I didn't end up causing a massive pile up!

Needless to say, the car was left in the hotel car park for the duration of my holiday, and I paid one of the hotel staff to drive us back to the airport at the end, and for him to get back again by cab.

Since then, I only ever drive on the 'correct' side of the road...

[Mosaud1998]

I'd say downtown Chicago. I drove to Milwaukee when I worked at the dealership but it was like 7 pm or so. So, there was hardly any traffic.

Got pulled over on my way back to Chicago since I was going 90 in a 70

The police officer let me go since 1. I never got a ticket the 7 years I've been driving and 2. it was very late at night probably around 10 pm and I was sleepy trying to get home

[ASAP]

Miami... and by a long mile... I95 south of 595 in Ft Lauderdale is a combo of mad max, daytona 500 and crash derby...

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Miami... and by a long mile... I95 south of 595 in Ft Lauderdale is a combo of mad max, daytona 500 and crash derby...

Yeah, Miami ranks up there in my list too. Place is crazy but then again so is Florida in general. Maniacs on the road!

[rwheels]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVauxhalls

I went on holiday to the US for the first time back in 2001 and had booked a hire car. Now, I knew you guys drove on the wrong side of the road over there , but dang! Getting to the hotel was the most stressful thing I've ever done in my life.

My brain just couldn't adjust and I have no idea how I didn't end up causing a massive pile up!

Needless to say, the car was left in the hotel car park for the duration of my holiday, and I paid one of the hotel staff to drive us back to the airport at the end, and for him to get back again by cab.

Since then, I only ever drive on the 'correct' side of the road...

Nah! We're good.

[dscabra]

Driving across Nebraska on I-80 with 50 mph wind gusts. The big trucks were weaving all over and trying to get past them was the most frightened I've ever been behind the wheel.

BTW, driving on the German autobahn is very cool. Passing a police car at over 100mph and not getting arrested...priceless! Just kept your eye on the rear view mirror when you get into the left lane!

[infinitekidM2C]

Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, California. Inching my way home from work on a friday night. Watching the light turn green but nobody can move because the other side of the street is still packed. Leg starting to cramp as my motor thirsts for air to cool itself.

[Dpc2u]

I have logged over 5,000 miles in various overseas countries and I would say Bucharest Romania was the most challenging. Once you get use to the VERY bullish driving style in Romania it's not so bad, but the 6 lane roundabout with multiple exits in the city center at rush hour is like a slugfest!

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVauxhalls

I went on holiday to the US for the first time back in 2001 and had booked a hire car. Now, I knew you guys drove on the wrong side of the road over there , but dang! Getting to the hotel was the most stressful thing I've ever done in my life.

My brain just couldn't adjust and I have no idea how I didn't end up causing a massive pile up!

Needless to say, the car was left in the hotel car park for the duration of my holiday, and I paid one of the hotel staff to drive us back to the airport at the end, and for him to get back again by cab.

Since then, I only ever drive on the 'correct' side of the road...

LOL speak for yourself! WE drive on the correct side of the road. If I remember correctly, only a handful of countries drive the same side as you guys do

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by dscabra

BTW, driving on the German autobahn is very cool. Passing a police car at over 100mph and not getting arrested...priceless! Just kept your eye on the rear view mirror when you get into the left lane!

Man you're not kidding! I noticed that immediately. Even if you think you're driving fast, there are people that go much faster. The road conditions are sublime though as they have to be to be able to handle such speeds.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, California. Inching my way home from work on a friday night. Watching the light turn green but nobody can move because the other side of the street is still packed. Leg starting to cramp as my motor thirsts for air to cool itself.

Haha, yeah that's tough alright. Driving stick shift when living in Cali lost its allure when getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic everyday along the 405. That third pedal became a real burden. That's when I fell in love with DCT ("DSG" at the time) and my first Audi

[NoMoreVauxhalls]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

LOL speak for yourself! WE drive on the correct side of the road. If I remember correctly, only a handful of countries drive the same side as you guys do

Hahaha! Very true!

And for drivers who can switch and drive on either side, I have full respect

[chassis]

Zone 1 in Milano, Italy. Motorbikes and scooters resemble a swarm of mosquitoes.

Aarhus, Denmark. Bicyclists in winter morning darkness on snowy streets make for some tense moments.

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

I'd say downtown Chicago. I drove to Milwaukee when I worked at the dealership but it was like 7 pm or so. So, there was hardly any traffic.

Got pulled over on my way back to Chicago since I was going 90 in a 70

The police officer let me go since 1. I never got a ticket the 7 years I've been driving and 2. it was very late at night probably around 10 pm and I was sleepy trying to get home

Ha! My first speeding ticket was in WI driving back to Chicago from Ho-Chunk at 0600 a few days after Xmas. Did NOT get out of that. It was the same day the Bears played the Packers, though...

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by chassis

Zone 1 in Milano, Italy. Motorbikes and scooters resemble a swarm of mosquitoes.

Aarhus, Denmark. Bicyclists in winter morning darkness on snowy streets make for some tense moments.

Something tells me there are similarities with Milano and Amsterdam and the swarms of cyclists and motorbikes. They literally surround you in your car and any sudden stop could put someone on the ground quickly. Tense indeed!

[Dpc2u]

Originally Posted by chassis

Zone 1 in Milano, Italy. Motorbikes and scooters resemble a swarm of mosquitoes.

Aarhus, Denmark. Bicyclists in winter morning darkness on snowy streets make for some tense moments.

And Naples fits that list as well!

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVauxhalls

Hahaha! Very true!

And for drivers who can switch and drive on either side, I have full respect

First time driving in Australia on the Gold Coast I realized this. Left Brisbane airport and immediately felt like I was backwards in all things. It took concentration to reverse all id learned.

[M-technik-3]

Tokyo in a LHD semi in a RHD country. Other one, Riyadh during Ramadan at dusk. Talk about folks being bat shit crazy. Nothing can be consumed sun up till sun down and during hot weather...makes people batty.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Tokyo in a LHD semi in a RHD country. Other one, Riyadh during Ramadan at dusk. Talk about folks being bat shit crazy. Nothing can be consumed sun up till sun down and during hot weather...makes people batty.

Wow that's a unique situation. What were you doing driving a LHD semi in Tokyo? I used to live there so I would imagine that must've been a tad bit stressful.

[pokerface]

Rome was quite stressful, rented a standard transmission car (was still learning at the time) in a foreign city with incorrect Navi map data, congestion cams, and motorists with generally a different spatial awareness than I'm used to!