Friday, July 1, 2022
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Guest Post
  • Contact
Tribune Times
  • Home
  • News
    • England
    • Ireland
    • Wales
    • World
  • Brexit
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Military
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Videos

    President Biden announces new gas deal with EU

    BREAKING NEWS! Ammar Zoni & Irish Bella Resmi Umumkan Jenis Kelamin Anak Kedua

    Is Harry Maguire England's best defender? | John Barnes discusses the Three lions squad

    New initiative to encourage speaking Irish in Dublin

    AUSTRALIA STUDENT VISA FUTURE | STUDY VISA UPDATES USA CANADA UK

  • More
    • Entertainment
    • Business
    • Health
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
Tribune Times
No Result
View All Result
Home News Ireland

Here are 5 of Europe’s unmissable road trips

Editorial Staff by Editorial Staff
August 21, 2021
in Ireland
A A
0
70
SHARES
318
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

At Euronews Travel, we’re firm believers that every European country has something special to offer in the way of road trips. Being able to drive from coastlines to cities in a matter of hours is an exclusive benefit of the European experience. It’s one that isn’t taken advantage of nearly enough by a lot of us.

To paraphrase an old maxim – the journey is just as important as the destination, and being able to span the breadth of entire countries in just a few hours by car is ideal means of getting the best of both.

We’ve chosen a selection of routes in different countries that can accommodate every requirement. Each is brimming with masses of interesting things to see along the way, and the kind of views you just can’t get from the aisle seat of an aeroplane.

Ireland: best from east to west

Recommended route: Kerry – Galway – Dublin

Total driving time: 6 hours

Ireland doesn’t get the credit it deserves for some of the most beautiful drives Europe has to offer, so we’re starting with that. We recommend beginning in the south with Kerry’s lush scenery, progressing north to Galway and traversing across to Dublin as your final destination.

If you’ve visited Kerry and never taken a spin around its ring roads you’re missing out. The Kerry Ring is a 179km-long circular route of scenic brilliance – a procrastinator’s dream. It creates the perfect circumstances to take everything around you in. You’ll find all sorts of spots on your travels that go deep into the country’s history. We suggest seeking out the rocky islands and abandoned religious buildings as they are well worth exploring before you reach any cities, if anything just to be reminded of Ireland’s sheer immortality.

Making your way up to Galway will take three hours at a push. It is purely coincidental and a not at all narcissistic move for me to suggest going via Limerick to use the River Shannon as a navigation guide.

To spend a few nights in Galway you’re going to want to be in a good mood – it’s just been voted the friendliest city in Europe and people really will stop anybody for a chat. It was appointed last year’s European Capital of Culture but is yet to reap the benefits due to the pandemic, so make that your goal. Go at a time where you’re completely unrestricted to experience some of the best live music the country has to offer in one of its many famous pubs down Eyre Square. We love O’Connells for it’s unusual architecture and beer garden where all of the action takes place.

Another three hours will take you across the entire country from east to west. It hasn’t always been that easy – Irish people will concede they’re a bit late to the party when it comes to infrastructure advancements and motorways are no exception. The M6 was completed a little over a decade ago now gets you from A to B in next to no time.

Arriving in Dublin scales the trip up to a fully realised city venture. Try not to lean too much on the obvious exploits while there because there’s much more to do beyond the obvious Temple Bar gatherings and cathedral-centric tours. Head to the world-famous Trinity College campus for architecture that spans over 400 years – the library is to die for.

If by this point you’ve worked up an appetite you’ll be spoiled for choice. The Old Mill’s traditional plates of pies and stews are so huge you could probably make that your sole meal of the day and be totally satiated. In fact, you could say that about most of the city’s eateries. The Irish just want to make sure you’re well fed. That is their mission. You can sit with your belly full, safe in the knowledge that you’ve seen some of the best places in the Emerald Isle at your complete ease.

Italy: the best of the Amalfi coast

Recommended route: Ravello – Sorrento – Positano

Total driving time: 3 hours

We don’t need to explain to you how beautiful the Amalfi coast is, but we’re going to because your Italian road trip starts and ends within a World Heritage site no less. The coast attracts artists, foodies and filmmakers year-round because of its allure. If it was good enough for Harry Styles to drive around with the wind blowing in his hair, it’s more than good enough for the rest of us.

Landscapes in this part of Italy often require car travel – you might want to hire something a little sturdier if you’ve got concerns that your Corsa won’t make it. Those hills look great to wander down to the coast’s many attractions, but are a real pain to get back up again.

Begin your time here in Ravello and you’ll immediately recognise why this area seems to inspire so many. It has to be seen to be understood, but do believe us when we say the colour palette of this village is as if someone has turned the saturation in your retinas up to 10 without the inevitable headache. Visit the town’s own tourist villas with seafront views and infinity terraces to get a real sense of it. How about picking up some of the coast’s custom Italian ceramics from Ceramiche d’Arte Carmela to bring some of that colour back home with you?

The next step is to drive through the hills and back along the coast into further idyll. You’re headed to the ‘gem of the coast’, Sorento. While not technically part of the Amalfi, its view over the bay of Naples with its gorgeous fishing ports and renaissance buildings will leave their mark. The cream coloured apartments with rust-orange tiled roofing are always widely available here on various accommodation sites to fulfil your Italian fantasies. Sorento is about as Italian as Italy can get.

Built by Romans, like any good road, the Amalfi Drive will take you from Sorrento back to the coastal strip. The place is built into the hillside with sun loungers looking out to the sea, which doesn’t hurt its appeal either. You’ll be finishing up in the village of Positano’s tucked away enclave at the tip of the area for more food and sun. Sorry – is an Italian road trip plan even legitimate without a mention of food? For a boutique culinary experience conclude your road trip in Positano because it has food so good it is almost romantic to think about. There you’ll find a restaurant called Terrazza Celè that is situated in the Hotel Marincanto, widely recommended by both word of mouth and the sea of 5 star ratings they’ve been swimming in online. Take a plunge on a tasting menu whether you’re a lone traveller or in a group – it’ll be worth it when your plates are empty from dishes like their squid ink ravioli.

Norway: scenic drives through the Western Fjords

Recommended route: Bergen – Flåm – Loen

How long does it take: 6 hours

A road trip of this kind happens when you’re looking to be zen and constantly fed seafood. There is so much to take in throughout the cavernous terrains of Norway’s west side. It’s recommended as a prime campervan opportunity for those able to rent one – so long as you allow for regular intervals for hiking routes across the fjords.

Start off by driving through Bergen before things get rugged. In the city you’ll find Bryggen harbour sitting among a backdrop of huge mountains. It takes a while for your brain to compute, a serene spot with plenty of places to stay in the midst of it. Seafood restaurant The Unicorn Fish offers a three course set menu showcasing the best of the land’s local produce.

At this point you really could drive in any direction for a selection of hiking routes to suit all abilities, but we think Flåm is a good follow-up for the waterfalls alone. Plural – multiple waterfalls. Much of the driving route takes you along the water but those wanting to get closer can book boat tours for a closer look. Aim to reach our favourite the Brekkefossen waterfall as it offers views into the valley that would make an old Windows’ screensaver weep. In an exciting plot twist to the trip it’s important to tell you now that there’s always a chance you might encounter animals on this particular portion of the road trip – many visitors spot golden eagles, sheep and seals.

End the road trip on a real-life high note with the Loen skylift as it’s one of Europe’s steepest at over 3,000 feet. It has only been operational for a few years but has made a huge impact on visits that undertake trips of this kind. You’ll need to take your vehicle on a short half-hour ferry for this portion of the trip but it is well worth it just to see the views from this height.

Portugal: from one sun-filled city to the next

Recommended route: Lisbon – Porto

How long does it take: 3 hours

It’s easy to forget how small Portugal actually is in comparison to the rest of Europe – it is almost five times smaller than its neighbour, Spain. This trip in particular can be done either way around as it’s a relatively straightforward adventure from one city to another. Stop offs between these two are merely optional here as there is so much to pack in between the pair.

Lisbon is known for being the ultimate mix of ultra modern cultural hotspots and older, elegant vibes. You’re in for some incredible views, and could always visit one of its 25 free museums. There are some niche ones out there – from medicine to interior design.

Alfama, its oldest part, survived the city’s devastating earthquake back in 1775 and has a lot to show for it. Traverse narrow passageways in search of it’s famous flea market, where bespoke crafts are sold on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Driving north to Porto can easily be done in three hours, but if you like stopping off to enjoy some in between locations we think The Pena Palace in Sintra should be your first choice. Used for state events by the Portugese president, its colourful exterior can actually be seen from Lisbon’s tallest spots.

Not arriving into Porto by train doesn’t mean you can’t make São Bento Train Station a priority when you visit – voted one of the world’s most beautiful, you’ll be stunned by it’s high ceilings, huge windows and tilework. Less than five minutes from there by foot is Ribeira, the capital’s tourist hive of delicious seafront foods and wines. Jimão Tapas and Wine is one of the square’s highest ranked restaurants, serving small plates such as octopus and paprika and pesto stuffed courgettes.

Keeping with the theme of short walking distances, we recommend the Pestana Vintage Porto, a quirky four star retreat taking very reasonably priced bookings over the summer.

England: exploring the Norfolk broads

Recommended route: Norwich – Wroxham – Cromer

Total driving time: 2 hours

City breaks in England are by no means in short supply, but we believe Norwich should be a bigger contender when choosing your next one. It’s quaint to some but masterful in the range of things to do. A perfect starting point for a road trip that can take you through villages, Norfolk’s endless broads, concluding in a seaside retreat.

Internal car travel is less of a need here if you get yourself someplace nice to stay as much of the city centre is pedestrianised. This includes its award-winning marketplace that serves delicious falafel, curries and ice cream. We also recommend dinner and drinks at one of St. Stephen’s street’s many specialist bars. Cocktail bar The Arboretum has a vast antiques setup and no trip is the same as the last. If you like the glasses they serve your drinks in enough you can offer to buy them.

Following that, a drive to Wroxham is the ideal opportunity to take in the Norfolk broads, home to some of England’s most intricate waterways that span 200 km. Herbert Woods has a range of holiday boats to hire for periods ranging from one day to weeks at a time that operate year-round.

This is the shortest of the road trips on this list, so fans of cultural sites may want to swing by Sandringham, the small village where Lady Diana grew up surrounded by endless green. Alternatively, take a look at Jacobean wonder Blickling Estate for a spot of afternoon tea.

Looping round to Cromer is a further taste of the countryside, an underrated spot for a true British seaside experience. It is home to some of the best fish and chips shops I have ever tasted – No.10 and Mary Jane’s sit mere feet away from each other, constantly competing for the indulgence of locals and tourists. Watching the sunset from the pier with a meal from either (we’re staying impartial) would be an unmissable end to your Norfolk adventure.

Each country is subject to its own COVID-19 travel restrictions, make sure to check before booking.

Every weekday at 21.00 CET, Euronews Travel brings you a story from somewhere different around the world. Download the Euronews app to get an alert for this and other breaking news. It’s available on Apple and Android devices.

Source: Euro News

Tags: EnglandEU road tripIrelandItalyNorwayPortugal

Related Posts

Ireland

Protests held across Ireland as inflation reaches four-decade high

June 19, 2022
Ireland

VIDEO : Dublin’s first St Patrick’s Day parade since 2019 begins

June 1, 2022
Ireland

Hundreds in snaking 3am queue for bag drop at Dublin airport

May 31, 2022
Ireland

Irish ex-soldier Lisa Smith found guilty of Islamic State membership

May 30, 2022
Ireland

Rapists could go unpunished under N. Ireland bill, victims groups warn

May 24, 2022
Ireland

Explained: What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?

May 17, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECOMMENDED NEWS

Olympics Protests

Anti-Olympics Protests One Week Before the Event

12 months ago
Monkey B Virus

China Reports Its First Death from the Monkey B Virus

11 months ago
Double vaccinated gets double freedom.

Double vaccinated gets double freedom.

10 months ago
Flood in China's Zhengzhou

Flood in China’s Zhengzhou

8 months ago
Heatwaves warnings!

Heatwaves warnings!

8 months ago
Instagram

Instagram will No Longer be Photo Sharing App: Monetization of Content

7 months ago

You Might also Like

Health

The everyday activity which can slash risk of Parkinson’s by up to 90 per cent

July 1, 2022
Money

EuroMillions prize rolls over to £186m – you could be biggest winner EVER

July 1, 2022
Sports

PFL 5 LIVE RESULTS: Stream FREE, TV channel, updates for MMA event – updates

July 1, 2022
Entertainment

Kate Moss stuns fans with bizarre new career move

July 1, 2022
News

Fury as Halifax bosses urge staff to display pronouns on name badges

July 1, 2022
Politics

Labour MPs should drink champagne so they become more fun, says Jacob Rees-Mogg

July 1, 2022

VIDEOS

President Biden announces new gas deal with EU

April 3, 2022

BREAKING NEWS! Ammar Zoni & Irish Bella Resmi Umumkan Jenis Kelamin Anak Kedua

April 3, 2022

Is Harry Maguire England's best defender? | John Barnes discusses the Three lions squad

April 3, 2022

New initiative to encourage speaking Irish in Dublin

April 2, 2022

AUSTRALIA STUDENT VISA FUTURE | STUDY VISA UPDATES USA CANADA UK

April 2, 2022

POPULAR NEWS

Plugin Install : Popular Post Widget need JNews - View Counter to be installed

LATEST NEWS

Sports

F1 British Grand Prix LIVE: Stream, TV channel and results

July 1, 2022
Entertainment

You won’t believe how much these celebs make for just 60 minutes’ work

July 1, 2022
News

Holland Park School issued termination warning notice after ‘inadequate’ Ofsted

July 1, 2022
World

Why Florida teachers are bracing for ‘straight-up indoctrination’

July 1, 2022
Entertainment

Full Monty star Hugo Speer fired ‘after inviting woman to trailer while NAKED’

July 1, 2022
News

Digging work begins at 5,000-year-old tomb linked to King Arthur

July 1, 2022
Tribune Times

Tribune Times news portal We offer you the latest local UK news and the most important political and military news..

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • House explosion that killed grandmother was caused by ‘accidental’ gas leak
  • Second person gored by bison at Yellowstone national park in span of three days
  • Passengers complain of overcrowding on Great Western Railway services
  • The everyday activity which can slash risk of Parkinson’s by up to 90 per cent
  • EuroMillions prize rolls over to £186m – you could be biggest winner EVER

Category

  • Africa
  • Belarus
  • Brexit
  • Business
  • Criminals
  • Energy
  • England
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Health
  • Ireland
  • Lockdown
  • Military
  • Money
  • Monkey B Virus
  • News
  • Nigeria
  • Olympics Protests
  • Politics
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Scotland
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccinated
  • Videos
  • Vulnerable Children
  • Wales
  • Warnings
  • Wimbledon
  • World
  • Zambia
  • Zhengzhou

Recent News

Passengers complain of overcrowding on Great Western Railway services

July 1, 2022

The everyday activity which can slash risk of Parkinson’s by up to 90 per cent

July 1, 2022

EuroMillions prize rolls over to £186m – you could be biggest winner EVER

July 1, 2022
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Guest Post
  • Contact

© 2021 Tribune Times - Developed By Sawah Web.
Partner Publications : News Parliament - Global Crisis News - Government Law Organisation - EU Think Tank.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • England
    • Ireland
    • Wales
    • World
  • Brexit
  • Money
  • Business
  • Military
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Videos

© 2021 Tribune Times - Developed By Sawah Web.
Partner Publications : News Parliament - Global Crisis News - Government Law Organisation - EU Think Tank.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In