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Route Planner

Route Planner

Route Planner

More detailed route planner

Take the scenic route

From the fjords of Norway to the whitewashed villages of southern Spain, and the snow-capped mountain passes of the Alps, driving in Europe can take you along some of the most varied and scenic roads in the world. Here is a small selection of some of the routes worth driving.

France - The Dordogne

For a perfect taste of the French countryside, drive along the Vézère river, a tributary of the Dordogne. Start at the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda and then head along the D704 toward Montignac, before following the D706, which curves along by the river toward San-Lyon-sur-Vézère. The roads are narrow and charming and they take you past farms where you can stop off and taste some of the region's best food offerings.

Italy - The Amalfi Coast

At times this road twists ludicrously half-way up cliff faces overhanging the crashing waves of the Mediterranean. Not a drive for the faint-hearted, this route takes in the region's beautiful coastline, passing along the way through posh resort towns and picturesque fishing villages with their colourful boats and cheap fish restaurants. It also sports some of the best ancient Greek temples in the world, such as Paestum, which was a colonial outpost during the ancient Greek empire.

Switzerland - the road over the Great St Bernard Pass

This is perhaps the most famous of the many mountain passes in alpine Europe - Napoleon and his armies traversed the perilous ridge in 1800 to invade Italy. The scenic highlights include the drive through the defiles of the Drance valley on the north side, and the descent from the rugged mountains into the beautiful Aosta valley.

Crete, Greece - Chania to Palaeohora

This four-hour journey begins in the beautiful waterfront city of Chania and takes you past Samaria, Europe's longest gorge. The road features craggy mountainous terrain dotted with tiny villages of traditional stone houses, and 14th-century Byzantine churches. The roads are windy, while Palaeohora, with its pink sandy beaches, is a worthy destination.

Bulgaria - Shipka Pass

This drive starts in the medieval town of Veliko Tamovo and heads south-west along the forested roads toward the Dryanovo Monastery, in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. The Shipka Pass sits at 1,300m on the Stara Planina Mountain. From here there are beautiful views of the plains below. The road takes you past a Russian-style gold-domed church and through the Valley of the Roses, where much of the rose extract used by the global perfume industry comes from.

Spain - Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos

For a true taste of southern Spain, unspoilt by mass tourism, this has it all: whitewashed hilltop villages, flamenco bars, bullrings, beautiful views and great food stops. The famous route starts at the town of Arcos de la Frontera and goes via Ronda to Castellar de la Frontera - or the other way around if you prefer.

Norway - The Sognefjell Road (RV55)

This is the highest mountain road in northern Europe and was Norway's first tourist route. It winds its way through the Jotunheimen mountains from Luster in the Sognefjord to Lom in Oppland County. In the space of a one-hour drive you will experience huge contrasts - from lush green fjord-side villages to roaring waterfalls, traditional farms; past blue ice, jagged peaks and emerald lakes. Just don't try it in the winter when the road is closed.

Driving in remote areas? Make sure you have adequate European breakdown cover in place.

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