The Best European Road Trips to Take with Your Friends

Paige Tucker | 11th October 2017

There is no better way to enjoy the natural scenery and landscapes of your favourite holiday destinations than going on a road trip, and what better way to do it than spend it with your friends? If you’ve got a four-wheeler then you can do things on your own time and change your itinerary in any way you like, stopping where you want without having to keep up with a rigid schedule. Most importantly, you can discover secluded spots of paradise, beaches, B&Bs and little towns that you may never have known existed, away from touristy hotels and the bustle of the usually crowded centres. While some may prefer to go further afield for their holiday, there are some incredible road trip destinations in Europe that should definitely be on your list of places to see!

Athens in Greece is a great starting point for a road trip that will take you across the wondrous coastlines of the Mediterranean and through the ancient and majestic ruins of Greek temples and amphitheatres. From Athens you can drive south along the coast and through the Athenian Riviera, stopping at Sounion for a visit to the Temple of Poseidon, before heading north to Korinthos and finally Mycenae, the home of Agamemnon and the heroes of Homer’s epics.

Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the place where glitz and glamour reign supreme, can be an amazing experience for those who wish to partake in the luxury of the rich and famous and mingle with the stars even while on a budget. Many celebrities gather here to bathe in the famous beaches of this Italian coastline and travel around with their yachts. It is not unusual to meet a famous movie star, playwright or music icon hanging out at one of the many bars by the harbours and enjoying a cocktail watching the sunset- not to mention the many designer and fashion shops in the cities and the towns. For history buffs, there are of course plenty of Churches and cathedrals and medieval towns to visit, such as those at Atrani, Ravello or the 1st C. Roman villa at Minori. You can drive your way up (or down) the coastline taking in some incredible views and stop for some incredible food along the way.

Sticking with Italy, the Southern island of Sicily, of all the other places around Europe, remains one of the top destinations for travellers. Its warm climate makes it a favourite tourist spot all year-round for nature lovers, history buffs, and lovers of art, gastronomy and culture in general. The summer lasts well through the months of September and October, and you can choose to relax on the sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the Isola Bella (Taormina), drive south to the Val Di Noto to bathe in the tranquillity of its Baroque medieval villages and enjoy the local regional specialties of Ragusa, Noto and Scicli, or ski (as early as October!) on Mt Etna’s volcanic slopes. Then try driving West to the Agrigento coast for a visit to the 5th Century B.C. Valley of The Temples. On top of it all, Sicily is truly special because all across the island (including its Egadi and Aeolian archipelagos) you can find plenty of authentic Sicily luxury villas for rent directly from the owners- ideal for groups of friends tired from a day in the car and keen to have some space and comfort (and perhaps a dip in a private pool).

In the end, road trips can be an amazing experience or difficult depending on who you travel with, but with some patience and diplomacy, things can run smoothly as long as everyone’s opinions are respected and taken into account. Planning is definitely a good idea, but the best part is that you can improvise and change plans along the way.