Grab some good friends or family, pack a bag and get on the road! Road trips are the ideal way to spend some time away whilst soaking up a range of scenery that you wouldn’t normally see on a regular holiday; it gives you the freedom to explore new spots you come across and immerse yourself in different cultures.
Europe offers so many diverse road trip routes that it can be hard to make your decision. Here a few to get your feet (and tyres) ready to hit the road.
Iceland
Iceland is a truly varied country with plenty of historical sites, natural places of interest and interesting cultures. From lava fields and volcanic craters to blue lagoons, breathtaking waterfalls and charming villages, Iceland has a range of activities and sites to explore.
It is difficult to encounter all that Iceland has to offer without a car, making it an ideal destination for a road trip. Route 1, a 1339-kilometre road, runs right around the island in a circle, allowing you to enjoy all of the incredible scenery with ease.
Norway
Famed for its picturesque fjords and fairytale-like wooden buildings, Norway can make for a charming road trip. Driving from Oslo to the world heritage city of Bergen will take you through the fjords, mountains and local wooden huts or via a coastal route which takes in rocky islands, whilst the Atlantic Road makes for a shorter trip, with the road sitting at 8.3km long.
The road is short yet impressive, with bridges linking islands between Molde and Kristiansund in the western fjords. You can spot seals and whales amongst the attractive views.
Scotland
With an abundance of historical sites and beautiful countryside, Scotland is a more wild-feeling country to drive through. Starting your trip in the capital city of Edinburgh, head north towards the whisky capital of Dufftown or even further still by carrying on west to the Isle of Skye.
With an abundance of birdlife and fresh local seafood to taste, the Isle of Skye is a picturesque destination, whilst a trip to Dufftown will take in a range of historic sites and scenery. From Stirling Castle, to Highland villages, valleys, mountains and world-famous golf courses, there is plenty to see and do across the country.
Bear in mind if you need a caravan, the UK based The Caravan Club is like an ebay for caravans.
Spain (North)
Taking in glorious mountainous ranges and providing a range of delectable cuisines to try, the route from Bilbao in Northern Spain to Biarritz in France is varied in culture and scenery.
You can take a trip through some of the country’s highlights so start your roadtrip in Bilbao’s port, which can be reached from Portsmouth and then head down towards Pamplona, the city famed for its bull runs during its summer fiesta. Next, drive through the historical Roncesvalles Pass to the Pyrenees and then carry on to Biarritz in France.
To make your way back to Bilbao, take the coastal drive through the Basque country to San Sebastian, famed for its delicious pintxos (tapas).
Germany
Take a more cosmopolitan trip through Germany, heading from the cool and creative Berlin to the historical city of Dresden. Berlin is widely thought of as Europe’s most exciting city, making it the ideal starting point for a holiday on the road.
Spend some time in the capital, taking in the rich and diverse history, the graffiti art, underground clubs and famed museums before heading south to Dresden to discover a city that has virtually been removed from the map since World War II. With its Baroque centre, landmark sites and picturesque River Elbe, the city still leaves much to be explored.
