Top 5 Road Trips in Europe
/Living in Europe for nearly a decade we have had our fair share of road trips. While they seem to always take a fair amount of planning and logistics they always have some of the best memories.
Here are some of the road trips that we highly recommend. Most of these routes are totally achievable in a long weekend.
Number 1:
Iceland’s Southern Coast and Golden Circle
I am sure you have seen the photos of this picturesque volcanic landscape filled with hot springs, glaciers, and waterfalls. This trip can be done in about 4 full days on the island without rushing. You are just scratching the surface with this trip, but it is a great sampler of all Iceland has to offer.
Many attractions in Iceland are absolutely free making this easy to do all on your own. The roads in Iceland on this route are wide and easy to manage even with a small van. Prime time to visit is between June and October.
Best for: Adventure, Outdoors and Relaxation
How long: 5 days – 1 week
Need to know: While not necessary I would recommend a car with at least 4 wheel drive. Pack layers as the weather can change at a moments notice.
https://goo.gl/maps/sFoqZTP4qKo
Number 2:
Croatia’s National Park Route
Croatia’s lush tropical landscape is bordered with gorgeous beaches. This is one of the many reasons we rate this trip high on the must do list.
The National Parks offer numerous route options depending on your mobility. Some of the routes are 10 hours while most are 4 hours and under. Plitvice is vast in size while Krka offers a more family appeal with the swimming areas under the waterfalls. A quick stop over into Split will allow you to embrace the café culture and soak up the sun along the promenade.
Best for: Outdoors, Beaches and Relaxation
How long: 4 days
Need to know: The roads in the remote areas are quite narrow and very steep curves.
https://goo.gl/maps/k4TnY5GJbBK2
Number 3:
Germany’s Wine Roads (Rhine and Mosel)
Germany’s wine roads are straight out of a fairy-tale book. Winding roads that are lined with vineyards and castles for miles. The best way to see the region is by road, but also by one of the many cruises offered along the rivers. KD Cruises offers a large variety of cruises along both the Rhine and Mosel rivers. This offers you chance to take in the views, grab a bite to eat and rest your legs. Some of our favorite stops along the Rhine River were Boppard, St Goarhausen, and Rüdesheim am Rhein. The Mosel River was just as fantastic and we enjoyed Cochem, Kobelnz and Eltz Castle.
Best for: Outdoors and Relaxation
How long: 3 days
Need to know: Cruises are essential to book in advance in high season.
https://goo.gl/maps/UAwVvQ959tG2
Number 4:
Portugal’s Algarve Coast
The Algarve offers not just warm weather, but some of the most dramatic landscapes in Portugal. The mix of the honey colored sand and sea will push this location to the top of your bucket list. The location of the Algarve offers pleasant weather year round. If sunbathing is not your thing, you have the opportunity to visit the famous caves of Benagil. The markets of Loule and the views from Sagres are not to be missed.
Best for: Outdoors, Beaches, Boating
How long: 3 days
Need to know: The seas can be high during the winter months so call ahead to ensure the boats are going to the caves.
https://goo.gl/maps/N62h4NLMxZU2
Number 5:
Italy’s Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast offers some of the most amazing cliff side views in Europe. The hardest part of the Amalfi coast is picking the perfect village to enjoy the view from. While many chose to take the bus along this route, I highly recommend driving and stopping off at one of the many lookout points along the route. While this area is not the typical beaches, you can enjoy the sunshine under the colourful flowers on most café verandas.
We used Positano as our base as it offered a quaint boutique feel versus the larger villages, as such Sorrento. The beaches are not your typical sand, but mostly compromising of volcanic rock. A stop over into Pompeii and Herculaneum is must to understand the devastation Mount Vesuvius caused.
