Now the misguided electorate have decide that the UK should no longer enjoy being part of the EU its time to think about future travel.
Taking
a road trip in Europe gives you the opportunity to see the sights under
your own steam, to immerse yourself in a culture like never before
(nothing teaches you more about a national character than behaviour on a
motorway!), and to travel with all mod cons over some of the oldest
human routes in the world. The enticing idea of a European road trip is
surpassed only by the reality of it - but you have to choose the right
road. Nobody, for example, would want to take a British road trip around the M25. Here, therefore, are a few suggestions for a spectacular road trip through Europe.
Before You Start…
Before
you head off, make sure you know what you’re doing and where you’re
going. This is particularly relevant when it comes to driving laws. It
may seem simpler to drive yourself through Europe rather than to take
public transport - and in many ways it is. But it does demand that you
take a certain amount of responsibility for your own passage. That
includes familiarizing yourself with the driving laws and customs in the nations through which you will be heading. It also means making sure that your car is adequately prepared,
and meets all of the regulations and stipulations you may encounter
along the way. Map out your route thoroughly, get to know the road signs
you’ll encounter, and perhaps acquire a smattering of basic language
skills if you’re heading somewhere where English is not widely spoken.
Make sure you’ve got everything you need, and (most importantly of all)
make sure that you’re psyched but sensible about what’s ahead! Now
you’re ready to take on one of these great trips…
Paris To Berlin
The
drive from Paris to Berlin will take you through some of Europe’s most
historical, culturally significant, and beautiful areas. After taking in
the unsurpassable delights of Paris, you’ll soar through the beautiful regions of Champagne and
Reims before hitting oft-overlooked but nonetheless rather wonderful
Luxembourg. Heading into Germany you’ll meander through the Riesling
wine region and through the mediaeval city of Heidelberg. Nuremberg is
the next significant stop - an historic city with plenty to see and
think about - followed by Leipzig (famed for its classical music and
cakes). Then Dresden looms large, a stark reminder of our recent
history. Finally, Berlin - a city with more atmosphere and history than
anyone could wish for! They say that the journey is more important than
the destination, but this destination may put the lie to that saying
(depending on the traffic you encountered along the way, of course…).
Bergen To Trondheim
If
you’re less of a wine, art, and music person and more of a wilderness,
solitude, and fjords type then try the drive from Bergen to Trondheim.
Beginning from Bergen, on the southern coast of Norway, drive through a
heavily fjorded region towards Voss (where you’ll find an incredible waterfall).
Those who like tunnels will be thrilled to learn that Europe’s longest
road tunnel then takes you under the mountains (for those who are less
keen on such things, hold on, there are better things coming up!).
Emerging from the tunnel, you can get a ferry across the lovely
Sognefjord and head for the glaciers and valleys of Fjaland. Little
waterside and mountainside towns and villages abound, all of which have
much to offer the eager sightseer. Heading north, you’ll take the
exhilarating mountain turns of the ‘Troll Pass’ (Trollstigen) down to
the Eresfjord ferry. After crossing, it’s a quick drive along Norway’s
stunning Atlantic Road to the beautiful city of Trondheim.
Athens Loop
For
sun, sea, and ancient culture, you can’t do better than a road trip
around Greece. Looping from Athens back to Athens gives you the
opportunity to take in the best that Greece has to offer from the
comfort of your own car. Leaving Athens, try taking the coastal roads
south through the Athenian Riviera.
Heading down towards the end of the Attic Peninsula, you will encounter
the Temple of Poseidon near Souinon. Turning back towards the north,
you will pass through the myth-drenched settlements of Korinthos and
Mycaenae. For a little sun-splashed luxury after all of that exhausting
culture, take yourself off to the resort of Nafpolio. Alternatively,
carry on towards Mystra - another historically significant city.
Continuing, you can take yourself to Delphi - once considered the ‘navel
of the world’, a site of ancient worship and prophecy which still holds
considerable power and atmosphere today. Or visit Olympia, where the
first Olympics were held. Turning south, you can then head back to
Athens and look at the ancient (and modern) capital of Greece with new
eyes after all that you have experienced!
