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1. Scotland's North Coast 500
From: Inverness
To: Inverness
Distance: Approximately 500 miles
Length: 4 to 5 days
Billed as Scotland's answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 takes you on an epic journey around the country's most magical spots. Take the throne at the crumbling Urquhart Castle on the banks of the Loch Ness, spot dolphins at Chanonry Point, and explore the deep and cavernous Smoo Cave.
2. Route des Grande Alpes
From: Thonon-les-Bains
To: Menton
Distance: Approximately 425 miles
Length: 7 days
Want to see the entire French Alps? If so, this is the perfect route for you. Meander in between Mont Blanc, the Durance river, and the Maurienne Valley making sure to stop at France's prettiest village, Bonneval-sur-Arc, along the way. Grand by name, grand by nature.
3. The Great Dolomite Road
From: Bolzano
To: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Distance: Approximately 70 miles
Length: 2 days
Satisfy the nature lover and car enthusiast in you by combining the breathtaking scenery of Lago di Carezza and the Vajolet towers with an epic drive on the road to Arabba, which has over 75 hairpin turns.
4. From Bergen to Trondheim
Distance: Approximately 570 miles
Length: 3 to 4 days
Pack the tent for some wild camping around Norway. Visit some of the country's stunning fjords such as Voss, Gaularfjell, and the Geiranger waterfall. Plan your route to go via the Lærdal Tunnel (which is the world's longest road tunnel), the iconically crooked Trollistigen Road, and the architectural marvel that is the Atlantic Road.
5. The Basque Circuit
From: Bilbao
To: Bilbao (via San Sebastian and Biarritz)
Distance: Approximately 570 miles
Length: 7 days
Basque Country may already be known as a gastronomical dream, but it's also a great road trip location. Start off your journey with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao before hitting up the pintxos culture of San Sebastian. Venture into France for a break in the coastal town of Biarritz before driving through the Pyrenees on your looping back round via Pamplona – the city made famous by the Running of the Bulls.
6. Amalfi Coast
From: Naples
To: Amalfi (via Capri)
Distance: Approximately 130 miles
Length: 4 days
Hire a classic car and explore the picturesque Amalfi Coast in style. Start your trip in Naples with a stop at the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore before catching a drive-on ferry to Capri. Here, you can grab a chairlift up to the top of Monte Solaro before heading back to the mainland and traversing the coast road in your vintage steed all the way to the iconic Amalfi.
7. The Three Peaks Challenge
From: Snowdonia National Park, Wales
To: Fort William, Scotland
Distance: 500 miles
Length: 2 days
Test yourself and your driving abilities with The Three Peaks Challenge. Climb and drive between Snowdon in Wales (1,085m), Scafell Pike in England (978m) and Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,345m) in the space of two days for a real adventure. In between climbing the tallest mountains in each respective country, the drive will take you through some of the most rural and stunning parts of England, Scotland, and Wales.
8. The Stelvio Pass
From: Milan, Italy
To: Innsbruck, Austria
Distance: Approximately 260 miles
Length: 5 days
The Stelvio Pass sits 9,000 feet up in the Italian Alps and is characterised by its 48 switchback bends and stunning scenery. To experience this destination drive, arrive in Milan and plan to finish your adventure off with a trip to the thermal baths of Bermio before heading to Innsbruck to catch your flight.
9. The Alpenstrasse
From: Lindau on Lake Constance
To: Schonau on Lake Konigssee
Distance: Approximately 280 miles
Length: 4 days
The Alpenstrasse or the German Alpine Road is perfect for history lovers. Start in the ancient island town of Lindau before moving onto Germany's capital of wellness, Oberstaufen, for the essential road-trip massage. Visit the magical Schloss Neuschwanstein before heading to Bad Tolz, which has been occupied since the end of the Ice Age. Visit the Kehlsteinhaus (better known as the Eagle's Nest) for an insight into the Nazi history in the country before finishing up at Schonau on Lake Konigssee.
10. Iceland's Ring Road
Distance: Approximately 900 miles
Lengths: 7 to 10 days
Iceland is well known for its natural beauty and all-around awesomeness. There are too many highlights to mention for this one but make sure to leave plenty of time to explore the Thingvellir National Park, where the earth's tectonic plates are being ripped apart, and the Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon. To see the infamous (and sometimes elusive) Northern Lights, visit between September and mid-April.
11. Athens to Monemvasia, Greece
From: Athens
To: Monemvasia
Distance: Approximately 300 miles
Length: At least 3 days
The classical mystique of Greece may be best navigated by a gladiator-esque chariot, but these days it may be easier to just hire a car and crack on. Start off in Athens and head south to Monemvasia stopping at Argolis, Nauplia, and Kardamyli along the way to explore the scenery and the winding (and occasionally treacherous roads). Head inland and make time to visit the castle town of Mystras – the cultural and political centre of Byzantium.
12. The Transfăgărășan Road
From: Transylvania
To: Timisoara (via the Transfăgărășan Road)
Distance: 400 miles
Length: 4 days
Explore the Carpathian landscape outside of Translyvania (not just for vampires, you know) before making your way towards the Transfăgărășan Road. The route's hairpin turns, S-curves, and sharp descents gives it its road trip worthy status. Make a trip to the Bigăr waterfall before finishing off in the oft under-appreciated city of Timisoara.
13. The Auvergne, France
From: Paris
To: Paris (via the Auvergne)
Distance: Approximately 900 miles
Length: 7 to 10 days
For an epic jaunt around France, make a loop from Paris through the Auvergne and back again making stops for the spa town of Vichy, the medieval villages (and the beef) of Salers, and the UNESCO crowned cathedral of Le Puy en Valey.
Follow Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May on their global adventure in The Grand Tour, exclusively on Amazon Prime.
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