Nobody wants to be stuck in an airport while some unpronounceable volcano lays waste to their hard-earned holiday. We’ve all seen the films, read the books, and many of us have dreamt of taking an iconic road trip – roof down, sunglasses on, and the smell of tarmac on the warm air. Granted, a pair of shades and a balmy breeze might be stretching the truth a little, but the UK and Europe really do possess some of the world’s most scenic drives. Here are our favourite five routes.
The Basque Circuit – Spain and France
Begin in Bilbao – regularly served by ferries from Portsmouth – with its star attraction, the Guggenheim. Head south, via a magnificent mountain pass, to the medieval city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the political capital of the Basque region. Sticking to the winding mountain roads, journey east towards Pamplona. Famed for its annual running of the bulls, visit at the start of July if you wish to experience the fast-paced madness first-hand. Drive north through the breathtaking Pyrenees, via the historic Roncevaux Pass. The smell of salt air and surf wax greets drivers pulling into Biarritz. Catch a few waves (or wipeouts) before following the Bay of Biscay round to San Sebastián, famous for its upscale tapas, called pintxos.
The Alpine Road – Germany
Traversing the country from Lake Constance in the west to Berchtesgaden in the east, this 270-mile road is less congested and more scenic than its more popular cousin, the Romantic Road. The mountainous route is varied, ranging from glacial lakes and Alpine meadows to craggy snow-capped peaks and dark, ancient forests. It is punctuated by Disneyesque castles (King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein castle is a good example) and pretty villages. For fans of the outdoors, you can stop off to go skiing, hang-gliding or white water rafting by day, and dine on huge Bavarian sausages and glasses of beer by an open fire at night.
The Antrim Coast Road – Northern Ireland
This epic route hugs the coastline and takes in natural and man-made sights. Beginning in the town of Larne, on the outskirts of Belfast, it meanders north, finishing in Ballycastle. The obvious must-see is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway. Drive through photogenic fishing villages, past deserted stretches of sand at Portballintrae and Whitepark Bay, and take in thundering waterfalls and sweeping landscapes in the Glens of Antrim. The route is peppered with ancient monuments, including Dunluce Castle, which dates back to the 1200s. Finally, as it rocks in the wind, test your nerves on the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which leads to Carrick Island.
The Outer Hebrides – Scotland
Situated off the west coast of Scotland, this remote archipelago offers one of Britain’s best driving experiences. Catch the ferry across to Stornoway, the Outer Hebrides' main town, on the Isle of Lewis. From this busy fishing port, journey south along a meandering, single-track road, with windswept golden beaches on one side and heather-backed mountains and peat bogs on the other. Explore the Neolithic Callanish Standing Stones before crossing the causeway to Harris Island and venturing up its spectacular mountain pass. Continue south and take in the tiny and uninhabited islands of North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra. Visitors can spot seals and wild birds from the car before taking a boat trip to Kisimul Castle, on its own tiny island off Castlebay.
The Atlantic Highway – England
Leave the monotonous M5 at J23 and head off into the West Country via the A39. From Bridgwater to Bude, this dramatic route will lead you over moorlands, past fields and alongside more than 100 miles of rugged coastline. Cruise along country lanes through charming Somerset villages, including Nether Stowey, where the poet Samuel Coleridge once lived. Take a detour across the wild Exmoor National Park, stopping off at pretty seaside towns such as Porlock and Lynmouth en route. In Barnstaple, weary travellers can stop off for a Devonshire cream tea by the River Taw, or head west to Woolacombe and the Atlantic waves. Finally, descend into the bustling town of Bude and finish your journey with a traditional Cornish pasty and a pint of the local ale.
