With Christmas just around the corner and a distinct chill in the air, you might be thinking about booking up for your summer holiday already! For road trip and travel enthusiasts alike, Europe really stands out as the destination of choice; with stunning scenery, a variety of locations and beautifully smooth roads on offer, you may be finding yourself more than a little spoiled for choice.
For those of you having trouble choosing, or just in need of a little holiday inspiration, we’ve teamed up with Motorparks, who specialise in prestige used cars. Perhaps you’ll even end up visiting more than one of these wonderful destinations:
Route 500 – Germany
Located within the famous Black Forest in Germany is the equally well-known Route 500. This sweeping stretch of road combines smooth elevated sections through the forest with thrilling switchback turns all the way through to Baden Baden. It should be noted that there are several different trails to choose from in the Black Forest, with some being better than others, so it’s worth doing your research before heading out.
If you’re looking for a smooth and scenic drive, one of the best roads to travel on is the SchwarzwaldHochstrasse. This stretch of road is consistently wide and easy to drive on – it’s also home to some fantastic views on both sides and an exciting drive through dense forests. It should be noted however, that as one of the country’s most popular roads, this route can be prone to traffic during peak hours of the day – therefore, we recommend that you start your journey early to avoid queues.
Route Napoleon – France
For those of you who enjoy a bit of history on your holidays, Route Napoleon offers just that; you can retrace the very route taken by Napoleon Bonaparte back in 1815, when he marched to overthrow King Louis the 18th. It is the historical aspect of the road which makes it even more exciting, Napoleon passed through the famous route through the Alps hundreds of years ago, leading to fabulous views and scenery.
Stretching on for an impressive 150km, this well-travelled route through the Alps is a delight for drivers. Driving enthusiasts will find the road to be perfectly designed for speed and smoothness, so you can really appreciate the performance of the car. This along with the scenery makes for a truly stunning drive with many opportunities to stop and take photographs along the way.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road – Austria
Winding all the way down from the country’s highest mountain is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. This road is known locally as the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse (a bit of a tongue-twister for non-locals)!
You’ll have more than enough time to admire the scenery here as you drive down the high mountain path. As one of the number one destinations for motorbike and sports car enthusiasts all across the world, this route can be challenging, with a number of hairpin curves to keep you on your toes. For those of you who prefer to take your time and appreciate all that this route has to offer, why not stop in at the Alpine Nature Show Museum or the Hohe Tauern National Park?
Route One – Iceland
Iceland’s famous Route One is the best road for those wishing to get the full Iceland experience. This 800 mile long stretch of road is guaranteed to impress, as it offers so much in the way of variety and scenery, allowing you to see everything that makes Iceland so popular with tourists from all over the world.
This route will bring you a little bit of everything – from snow-capped mountains to active volcanoes. As Iceland is a little more wild than other European destinations, you will also encounter some rather tough terrain on your journey, so it’s recommended that you choose a sturdy vehicle such as a used Range Rover Evoque or other 4X4 to travel in.
Stelvio Pass – Italy
BBC Top Gear in the UK once voted this road as the best driving road in the world – and it’s easy to see why. The road is one of the highest and most dramatic mountain routes in the European Alps, offering beautiful views and a once in a lifetime driving experience. Even the most experienced drivers will have their skills put to the test here, as the roads 48 switchback turns can prove a little tricky. It’s recommended that you pull over occasionally to collect your thoughts, take in the sights and enjoy this lovely stretch of road to the fullest.
Something to be aware of is that this route can be prone to traffic build up. This means that in order to get the most out of your drive, you’ll want to get on to the road as early as you can.