Experience different countries and cities in a non-conventional way by taking a Europe road trip. Road trips are a fantastic way to travel as you can explore at your own pace and take in the beautiful scenery and culture that travellers often miss when they stick to tourist areas. If you like the idea of a road trip, but you do not want to venture too far from home, then you could consider taking a UK road trip. 

If the thought of a road trip sounds uncomfortable or too far away from your home comforts, then you should check out hiring a luxury motorhome. Enjoy a pleasant and homely place to stay with a brand new backdrop.

Check out some travel advice before you start your trip by reading RAC’s great guide. If a Europe road trip sounds like something on your bucket list, then check out this guide to some of the most incredible routes. Find your next adventure below… 

Take in the beautiful scenery of the Italian lakes region

• Places you will see: France, Switzerland, The Alps, Venice, Verona and the famous lakes of Italy (Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano) 
• The average duration of trip: 7 to 12 days
• Who is this trip ideal for?: Those looking to enjoy the peaceful scenery and soak up sun rays. 

Italy’s beautiful lake region is on many traveller’s bucket lists. You can experience an authentic Italian experience by enjoying the relaxing, still blue lakes, charming villages and natural mountain backdrop. The aesthetic and dramatic areas have been inspirations to some of the greatest writers like Goethe and Hemingway. 

This is ideal for UK travellers looking to go on a Europe road trip, as you can get from Calais to the location in approximately 10 hours. Whilst you are on route, you can visit some of the most iconic lakes such as Lake Garda and Como. This trip is ideal for travellers who want to relax with tranquil scenery. Enjoy taking long swims and sunbathing on some of the most stunning beaches in the world. 

Go from the romance of Paris to the trendiness of Berlin

• Places you will see: Paris, Champagne, Reims, Luxembourg, Treier, Nuremberg, Dresden and Berlin
• The average duration of trip: 7 to 14 days
• Who is this trip ideal for?: Those who are looking to relish in rich culture areas and see some of the most important sights in Europe. 

European road trips do not always need to be off the beaten track. You can enjoy a road trip and stick to cities and popular tourist areas. The route from Paris to Berlin is ideal for those who want to enjoy tourist spots and want to tick off key European sightseeing spots from their bucket list. This is great for UK travellers as Calais to Paris is just a 3.5-hour drive.

The things to see and do in Paris are endless. You can keep it traditional by going to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, sipping champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower or experiencing the Arc de Triomphe. From Paris, you can travel through the French cities of Champagne and Reims, which have their own history and cultural points to enjoy. 

Moving from France to Germany will provide you with stunning views, and then you can enjoy the gritty history-filled cities of Luxembourg and Nuremberg before moving on to Berlin. The capital city of Germany is the perfect place for those who are culture, art and history obsessed. Snap pictures of some of the most revolutionary spots like the East Side Gallery and the Holocaust Memorial. Fill your Berlin days efficiently by using the Visit Berlin site to find the best things to do whilst you are there.  

A thrilling trip from Bergen to Trondheim

• Places you will see: Bergen, Voss, Sognefjord, Geiranger, Molde, Kristiansund and Trondheim. 
• The average duration of trip: 7 to 12 days
• Who is this trip ideal for?: Those who want a thrilling and unforgettable trip. 

The road trip from Bergen to Trondheim is a thrilling, exciting and remarkable trip through some of the most unbelievable natural sites in Europe. You can enjoy the tremendous waterfalls, mountain landscape and beautiful valleys that these areas get to offer. If you are a fan of remarkable and dramatic scenery, then this route is ideal for you. 

By taking this route you can tick going through the world’s longest tunnel off your bucket list, which is a 24.5 km route underneath the mountains. Besides the stunning scenery, you can take your time to explore the villages along the way. Stryn is a small waterside town where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the area, enjoy locally-sourced meals cooked on the edge of a cliff and detox from your busy life in the heated outdoor spa. Or if you want to explore something a bit different then you can check out the Videster, which is a village in the mountains. 

Finish off the trip in the historical area of Trondheim. This is one of Norway’s largest cities and the former Viking capital. This is a truly unique city experience with opportunities to hike through the city forest Bymarka or enjoy some of the most delicious food in Europe which is all locally sourced.

Considering taking a road trip or do you want to get away for a bit? Take a look at Melling Motorhome’s luxurious motorhomes for hire. 

Escape convention with a trip from Bucharest to Vienna

• Places you will see: Bucharest, Transfagarasan Road, Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna
• The average duration of trip: 7 to 12 days
• Who is this trip ideal for?: Those who want to get away from the typical western Europe holiday spots and explore the unconventional and exciting east. 

If you are interested in taking a non-conventional route across Europe then a trip that goes from Bucharest to Vienna is a great option for you. Escape your typical western Europe holidays and explore the often forgotten east. You can visit some of the most iconic sites in history and literature along the way. It wouldn’t be a trip to Romania without a stop at Bran Castle, which is claimed to be the dwelling place of Dracula himself. Then enjoy the culture and beauty that Budapest has to offer. You can enjoy the remarkable eastern architecture by walking through the streets to admire the work of the Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle. You can enjoy a well-deserved outdoor spa trip to the Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

The drive from Budapest to Bratislava is relatively short and enjoyable. There are plenty of great spots to stop at on the way if you want to experience some spots off the beaten track. Learn more about the tragic history of the Nazi and Soviet regimes by looking at the House of Terror and the shoes on the Danube Bank. Some key architectural spots are worth looking at if you enjoy gothic construction like the Visegrad Citadel and Pannonhalma Archabbey. 

Austria’s capital city, Vienna, will be your final destination on this European tour. Walk along the roads that some of the greatest minds like Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud have been influenced by. You can learn more about history by visiting the impressive museums and galleries that this city is home to. 

Absorb the natural beauty of Ireland by driving along the Wild Atlantic Way

• Places you will see: Derry, Galway, Donegal, Tralee, Killarney and Kinsale
• The average duration of trip: 5 to 7 days
• Who is this trip ideal for?: Nature lovers who want to explore the untouched grassy greens of Ireland. 

The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is a natural, green and rolling route to take if you want to get away from busy urban life and indulge in the captivating scenery. You can relax on small beaches, look out over cliffs, walk up grassy hills and spot some unusual wildlife along the way. This road trip is ideal if you are planning on hiring a campervan, as there are many motorhome sites along the way. 

This trip takes you from the north to the south of Ireland, so you will be able to fully immerse yourself in what this European country has to offer. Besides retreating into nature, there are lots of other things you can do with your time. If you like to get involved in outdoor activities you can give kayaking and surfing a go. If you are interested in wildlife then you should take a look at the whales in West Cork.

If the Wild Atlantic Way sounds like your ideal Europe road trip, then you should check out the official website to find out more about the sites you can see along the way and activities. This will help you plan your route and get the most out of your time there.  

Honourable Mentions

Relax in vintage and charming towns by taking the Sicily Loop

• Places you will see: Taormina, Cefalu, Zingaro National Park, Trapani, Favignana, Valley of the Temples and Baroque cities
• The average duration of trip: 7 to 14 days
• Who is this trip ideal for?: Travellers who are looking to enjoy scenery, culture and good food with a relaxing atmosphere. Perfect for sunbathers. 

Travel across Spain’s gorgeous northern coast 

• Places you will see: Cantabria, Asturias and Santiago de Compostela 
• The average duration of trip: 7 to 12 days
• Who is this trip ideal for?: For those who want to enjoy a peaceful trip in Spain in the beautiful heat. 

Sunbathe in the beachy heat spots of Portugal and Morocco 

• Places you will see: Braga,  Guimarães, Porto, Peniche, Ericeira, Lisbon, Sagres, Faro and Morocco
• The average duration of trip: 10 to 14 days
• Who is this trip ideal for?: For those who want to experience the beautiful beaches in the heat, and show off their tan when they get back home. 

Next steps

If a Europe road trip sounds appealing to you, then don’t put it off, start planning your trip today. You can use this useful itinerary planner to create a route for your trip and stay on track. Then your next step is to arrange transport. Hiring a motorhome for your road trip is a fantastic way to travel, as you do not need to worry about transport or accommodation as you have 2 in 1. Check out our website for more information.