Getting in your car and hitting the open roads is a liberating experience, especially when you combine it with a sightseeing, scenic holiday. Europe boasts some of the most beautiful coastlines and mountain roads to traverse, with breathtaking views and idyllic landscapes to take in as you travel.
Keep reading to discover five of the most picturesque European routes to consider for your driving holiday
1. The German Alpine Road (aka the Deutsche Alpenstrasse)
Enjoy spectacular views of the German Alps, take in the beautiful scenery, and stop off at some picture-perfect villages and towns as you take a leisurely drive along this 450-kilometre route spanning Lake Constance in the west to Lake Königssee in the east.
The route also features an impressive 25 ancient castles, adding a fairytale feel to your trip. Starting in Lindau in Lake Constance, you’ll be instantly transported back in time to the medieval town centre, where you’ll also be treated to a great view of Bavaria’s sole lighthouse.
Moving along the route, you’ll take in traditional farming villages, a plethora of winter sports (think skiing, ice skating and tobogganing), abbeys, palaces and no fewer than 20 mountain lakes.
In theory, you can drive the route in the space of a day, but to really enjoy the views and scenic stop-offs you could spend up to five days motoring and exploring.
It’s a stunning route all year round. If you do decide to travel in winter, however, just be aware that you need to be prepared for adverse weather conditions, and winter tyres will be mandatory, too.
2. Trollstigen in Norway
Arguably one of Norway’s most idyllic routes, the Trollstigen road connects Åndalsnes with the village of Valldal in Sunnmøre, taking you to an impressive 852 metres above sea level along the way.
Beautiful waterfalls and lush green valleys, vast mountainsides, and deep fjords make for an impressive visual backdrop as you travel the 106-kilometre route. The journey itself won’t take more than a few hours, but leave plenty of time and allow yourself the luxury of stopping and taking in the sights along the way.
For safety reasons, the route will be shut in adverse weather conditions and is closed completely during the winter months.
3. Portugal’s Heritage and Coastal Route
Particularly beautiful during spring and autumn, this route takes you along 700 kilometres of adventures. Discover terraced vineyards, historic landmarks, and breathtaking beaches as you wind your way along; the whole route should take you about 10 days.
Start your trip in the delightful city of Porto, globally renowned for its port wine. Then travel along to Guimaraes, a listed Unesco and world heritage site.
You’ll then move through Amarante, taking in its stunning scenery, before stopping off at the vineyards of the Douro Valley. The academic city of Coimbra is your next location, home of the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest higher education institutions in Europe.
Move on to the historic capital of Lisbon before you finish up in the relaxing resort of Cascais, where you can soak up the sun on one of its many pristine beaches.
4. Scottish Highlands
This route is a lovely way of taking a scenic road trip without having to go too far afield. Start in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh before heading north, with the beautiful landscape becoming ever more stunning as you go. You’ll take the road to Glencoe, an exquisitely beautiful valley that presents a wealth of photo opportunities, before moving onto Fort William. Here, if you choose, you can explore Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak.
Visit the Isle of Skye, with its classically rugged coastlines, before finishing your journey in Inverness. Here, you can take a trip to Loch Ness, home of the famous “monster”. This 800-kilometre journey will take you around 10 days, and is best travelled between June and September to enjoy the scenery at its finest.
5. The Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Universally accepted as one of the most stunning coastlines in the world, this 550-kilometre coastal trip starts in the city of Split. From there, you might take a ferry to Hvar and enjoy some relaxing beach time or the lively nightlife.
Then, travel back in time as you head to Dubrovnik, a Unesco world heritage site famed for its medieval walls and historic buildings. Next, venture further north to Zadar, where you can enjoy some truly spectacular sunsets.
Finally, finish your journey at Plitvice Lakes national park, with crashing waterfalls and deeply hued turquoise lakes. You’ll be on the road for about eight days and the best time to take this trip is between June and September.
Get in touch
If you’re looking for a financial planner in Bristol to help you travel to your dream destinations with financial peace of mind, we’re your expert team.
Please get in touch either by email at helpme@aspirellp.co.uk or by calling 0117 9303510.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
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