3 of the best European road trips
Nothing quite beats the feeling of driving along the open road, stopping wherever takes your fancy and spending every evening in a different town. If that sounds like your kind of holiday, you should tackle one of these European road trips.
There is a vast array of routes you can take all over the continent, whether you want to follow a coastal road, zigzag up and down mountains or cruise through bustling cities.
Book your car hire and get ready to hit the road - here are just three of the top driving breaks you can take in Europe.
Alpine Road, Bavaria, Germany
Length: 450 km
This is one of the ultimate roads to travel in Europe. Starting at Lake Constance and ending at Konigssee, this route winds its way through large sections of the German Alps, giving you a motoring experience you won't forget in a hurry.
Everywhere you look, you'll be surrounded by gorgeous mountain scenery and there are plenty of amazing landmarks to admire as you drive. Pull over whenever you fancy a break from behind the wheel and take a stroll in the Bavarian countryside, or get a closer look at any of the landmarks that catch your attention.
You'll pass Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace and the ski resort of Garmisch, not to mention Germany's highest mountain Zugspitze, with all the freedom you could want to hop out of your car and explore.
Amalfi Coast Road, Campania, Italy
Length: 55 km
Officially known as the SS 163, the drive along the Amalfi Coast Road may not be the longest, but it's certainly one of the most dramatic you'll ever experience. It is characterised by tight, hairpin bends and winding roads that cling to the side of the cliff, giving you excellent views along the coast.
Many people choose to follow this amazing road from Sorrento to Salerno each year. It's best to do the drive this way round, as you'll be on the right side of the road to admire all those stunning views. It's perfectly possible to do the entire route in a day, but why rush? It's worth taking your time and stopping off in the numerous pretty villages to really experience the Amalfi Coast at its best.
Among the highlights are the trendy town of Positano, Amalfi and its wonderful cathedral - the Duomo di Sant'Andrea - and the Grotta dello Smeraldo, a sea cave that you can visit by boat if you park up for an afternoon in Amalfi. Make sure you take the detour to Ravello, a town situated inland from Amalfi, where you can explore the beautiful garden of Villa Rufolo and marvel at Ravello's 11th century cathedral.
Basque Circuit, Spain and France
Length: 480 km
For sheer variety, you can't beat the Basque Circuit. This route will take you from Bilbao on the coast of northern Spain, through the Pyrenees and into France, where you'll head to Biarritz, before driving along the coast back to Bilbao.
It's well worth taking your time over this drive, as there are so many fascinating places to visit along the way. Top picks include the Spanish city of Vitoria-Gasteiz and Pamplona, which is famous for its annual running of the bulls event. This takes place in July each year, so you could time your drive to be in town for the festival.
Once you reach Biarritz, you can soak up the coastal atmosphere on its stylish waterfront, before continuing on to other stops like St Jean-de-Luz with its beautiful beaches and San Sebastian, home to an enchanting old town, as well as some more contemporary monuments, like the sculpture by Eduardo Chillida at Torrepea Point.
