Great Drive Trips in Europe

Best of Britain: England, Scotland, and Wales

Shakespeare's birthplace gary718/shutterstock
Fly into: London Fly out of: Edinburgh
Total Duration: 14 days

This itinerary has all that you need from a circuit of Britain. You've got the big city pleasures of museums, parks and shopping in London and Edinburgh, the smaller town vibes of Bath and North Wales, and some fine outdoor activities in the Lake District and the Cotswolds.

    This Trip's Top Experiences:

  • Natural Beauty
  • Great Drive
  • Shopping
  • Architecture
  • History

Classic Trips: Driving Germany's Romantic Road

Castle Neuschwanstein Yuri Yavnik/Shutterstock
Fly into: Frankfurt Fly out of: Munich
Total Duration: 7 days

This trip follows the Romantic Road, one of Germany's oldest tourist routes. Created after World War II to lure visitors, it includes sweeping vistas, fairy-tale castles, and ancient cathedrals—the most romantic sights of Germany on one car trip.

    This Trip's Top Experiences:

  • Great Drive
  • Food and Wine
  • History
  • Architecture

Classic Trips: England's Heritage Gardens and Stately Homes

Chatsworth House BrettCharlton/istockphoto
Fly into: London Fly out of: London
Total Duration: 12 Days

If there's one thing that England does best, it's splendid homes and the gardens that surround them. This itinerary starts in London's parks and palaces, moves through the suburb of Royal Tunbridge Wells for nearby treasure houses, heads to the cathedral of Salisbury and the magnificent manors of the Cotswolds, before finishing in the grand gardens and estates of the Peak District.

    This Trip's Top Experiences:

  • Architecture
  • Natural Beauty
  • Great Drive

Ireland: Dingle and the Ring of Kerry

Horseback ride by the lakes Cork Kerry Tourism
Fly into: Cork City Fly out of: Limerick City
Total Duration: 8 Days

Most visitors come to Ireland for the green, the lush rolling hills, and the shimmering sea. This route, which starts along the Ring Of Kerry and winds up on the Dingle Peninsula, offers up some of the most dramatic scenery in Ireland, from picturesque villages and rugged cliffs to charming little towns where you can curl up in front of a fire and hear authentic Irish music.

    This Trip's Top Experiences:

  • Natural Beauty
  • Great Drive
  • History

The Mezzogiorno: Southern Italy

Positano boats BostonGal/Fodors.com member
Fly into: Rome Fly out of: Rome
Total Duration: 10 days

"Mezzogiorno" means "midday"; it's the informal name given to southern Italy, a region where a blazing sun heats up villages (sometimes making it imperative to remain indoors during peak summer hours) and casts a commanding glow. This is a magical land whose "Renaissance" happened in the 13th century during the reign of Frederick II. A car is usually the best way to get around, as train service can be slow and erratic. A quick overnight in Rome kicks off this road trip. You then go south to the beautiful Amalfi Coast, after which you'll head to Puglia, known for its mysterious trulli and its phenomenal food. From Puglia, you'll turn back north to bustling Naples, and wrap things up with another day in Rome.

    This Trip's Top Experiences:

  • Architecture
  • Food and Wine
  • Beaches
  • Museums
  • Great Drive

Free Fodor's Newsletter

Subscribe today for weekly travel inspiration, tips, and special offers.

 Fodor's Trip Planning Ideas