Published 5th Mar. 2026
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We're partial to a travel daydream, and lately we've been particularly taken with the idea of a retro road trip through Europe, motoring through picture-perfect countryside, delving into the nooks and crannies of culture-filled cities and sampling the continent's best food and wine as we go. The problem? We can't decide exactly which delightful destination we want to see first, so in the spirit of not compromising, we've concocted the ultimate European road trip, taking in the best of France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Italy all in one epic journey. Now all you have to do is agree that sabbatical with the boss or use your holiday in arrears and start packing up the car…
Armed with all of the essential road trip equipment (including Simpkins travel sweets for full retro effect) jump in the car and make your way down to Folkestone to catch the quick 35-minute Eurotunnel car train to Calais, France.
From here, gradually make your way south. There are a number of routes you could take, but wherever you go, we highly recommend ending up in Bordeaux and the French Basque Country. Your schedule can be packed with plenty of adventure (surfing), indulgence (wine tasting) and relaxation (boating). Passing through some truly beautiful landscapes – including Le Landes Natural Park – and the bustling city of Bayonne en route to the world-famous wine region of Bordeaux, this leg is an excellent way to start your ultimate European road trip.
Image by Piel Fabien/stock.adobe.com
Seeing as you're on the border, it would seem remiss not to hop across to experience all that the Spanish Basque Country has to offer. Our ideal northern Spain and Portugal road trip extends the gastronomic adventure with a stop off in gourmet heaven San Sebastian, before taking you west. Head towards the dramatic peaks of the Picos de Europa National Park – where you can trek off all of that delicious food and wine you've been enjoying thus far – and the famous pilgrimage city, Santiago de Compostela. Then, it’s back in the car to drive south across the Portuguese border.
Take a couple of days to explore picture-perfect Porto and visit the nearby Douro Valley to sample wines and ports galore, then embark on a trip from Porto in the north down to Faro on the south coast. We suggest stopping off in the hip capital Lisbon and the picturesque coastal Algarve region on your way south, for healthy doses of both culture and relaxation before you begin your journey back into Spain.
Image by Olivier Romano
Andalucia is a treasure trove of historic sites and amazing architecture. Some of our favourite spots in the region include vibrant Seville, the Costa de la Luz (a great riding spot) and the ancient city of Cadiz. We can add on any number of trips and experiences while you're here, whether it's birding in Donana National Park (Spain's largest), olive oil tasting in Andalusian hills, or visiting the coast for blissful beach days.
Assuming you've had your fill of Andalucia (is that possible?), it's probably time to head north again on your ultimate European road trip. It's a decent drive from the south coast of Spain to the French border (around 12 hours) but along the way you’ll pass two Spanish favourites – Valencia and Barcelona. We can organise for you to stop off as much as you like en route to the chic South of France.
Image by Nuria Val & Coke Bartrina
Known for its lavender landscapes, charming farmhouses and pretty seaside towns, you can enjoy the sweet life in Provence with cultural experiences, sailing and wine tasting. See the best of the region before you don your deck shoes for a trip to the French Riviera. Following the coast from Marseille to Cannes, this route showcases the best that this glamorous destination has to offer. Think wide-brimmed sun hats, generous glasses of the palest pink French rosé, sea views and sunsets.
After soaking up as much coastal beauty as possible, you have the delights of the famous (and famously under-rated) wine-producing Beaujolais region to look forward to. Head north from Cannes towards Macon, Annecy and Lyon and spend your days exploring curious old towns and visiting yet more wineries before you head over to the Alps and Chamonix on the French/Swiss/Italian border, for fondue and active fun in the ultimate Alpine hub.
Image by Faustine Poidevin
While for some this might be seen as the obvious spot to close the loop and head back to Dover, if you've got the time, then the adventure is far from over. From Chamonix, either drive to the lakeside city of Geneva and then on to Lausanne and the capital, Zurich, or forego the cities for more Alpine escapades and head straight to the famous Swiss ski resorts of Zermatt and St Moritz en route to northern Italy. Throughout the year, these are dreamy destinations for outdoor adventures and scenic views.
Crossing over into Italy – now the fifth country on this epic driving holiday – gives you a whole new perspective. Lakes Como, Garda and Maggiore are popular with the celebrity jet set and for good reason. Staying in a lakeside villa on any of these Italian Lakes, you'll have the extremely difficult daily decision to make of whether to explore the nearby Dolomite mountains on a hike, visit a pretty-as-a-picture Italian town or take to the water on a private boat charter.
Whatever you choose, we recommend a hearty plate of pasta accompanied with an exceptional Italian wine to help you choose where to stop off on your journey south. Will you venture to Venice, Tuscany and Rome? Explore the Amalfi Coast before you peruse Puglia to the south and make your way to historic Sicily? The boot of Italy is your oyster.
And when you're done, we can plan your trip home to the UK, or even recommend a few more countries to tick off on this ultimate European road trip.
Image by Olivier Romano
Once you’ve settled on your destinations, you need to think about the practical side of your European road trip. It might take a little time, but sorting these elements out now means you can concentrate on all the fun parts when you hit the road.
First, it makes sense to think about how much time you’re able to dedicate to your trip, and how many places you can realistically visit during that period. It’s natural to want to see as much as you can, but don’t rush from place to place. The perfect balance is being able to tick everything off your list and feel like you had the chance to stop and appreciate every moment. Use Google Maps to work out approximate drive times between locations to help with planning (or ask us for guidance).
Next, think about the time of year. Shoulder season – the months either side of the peak travel season – is ideal. In Europe, this is April and October. You’re still likely to have good weather, but it’s less crowded and most places are open. If peak season is the only possibility, try to go as early or as late in the season as you can, especially if popular tourist spots are on your list. The off season may appeal to those who appreciate a quieter atmosphere and, as a bonus, prices are often lower during this time. Just be aware that some sites may shut for winter.
Image by Judd Irish Bradley - stock.adobe.com
Decide whether you’ll bring your own car or hire a rental
Bringing your own car means your vehicle is already familiar to you, but there may be things you need to do before you can drive it abroad, and it can be more difficult to drive on the other side of the road. Renting a car means you have more flexibility in how you travel to and from home, and can drive on the other side of the road more easily, but there are normally minimum requirements and you may not get a car that you like driving.
If you hire a rental car:
Things to keep in your car
While each country has its own requirements for what drivers should carry in their car, there are some things that are useful no matter where you are:
Map out petrol stations and accommodation along your route
Knowing where you can stop for fuel means you won’t stress when the tank starts to run low. And knowing where your accommodation is means you can plan accurately. Use an offline map app (or download your maps ahead of time) so you’re not affected if you can’t get any signal or run out of data.
Familiarise yourself with the rules of the road
Each country you drive through will have its own laws about key elements of driving, including:
One thing all mainland European countries have in common is that you must drive on the right-hand side of the road. This may take some getting used to. Here are some important things to remember:
Image by Daniel J. Schwarz / Unsplash
Header Image by Lucy Laucht
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Two hundred years ago, the world’s first passenger train chugged into motion. To celebrate that milestone, we’ve put together The Right Track – our latest brochure, celebrating the world’s finest rail journeys. Train travel has a way of opening a window into a country’s soul, and our latest stories capture that magic. And now, after centuries of evolution, train travel is experiencing a remarkable resurgence.
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