10 best road trips in Europe

Hire a car and go. These 10 routes give you the most scenery per kilometer driven, with reasonable distances per day.

1. Atlantic Road, Norway

8 km, 8 bridges over rocky islets. Best at sunset. Combine with the Geiranger fjord.

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

60 km between Sorrento and Salerno. Hairpin bends along cliffs. Drive early (8:00) to avoid traffic.

3. North Coast 500, Scotland

830 km loop around Scottish Highlands. 5-7 days. Whisky distilleries, single-track roads, castles.

4. Iceland Ring Road

1322 km full circle. 7-10 days. Waterfalls, glaciers, geothermal springs.

5. Romantic Road, Germany

350 km from Würzburg to Füssen. Half-timbered villages, Bavarian castles ending at Neuschwanstein.

6. Costa Brava, Spain

Begur to Cap de Creus. Cala-hopping by car. Cheap and underrated.

7. Loire Valley, France

Castles, vineyards, slow river. Stay in chateaux, eat 2 Michelin stars for €60.

8. Transfagarasan, Romania

150 km mountain pass through the Carpathians. Top Gear's 'best road in the world'. Closed November-June (snow).

9. Faroe Islands

Drive between islands via undersea tunnels and ferries. 4-5 days. Dramatic green cliffs, sheep everywhere.

10. Slovenia: Soča valley

200 km from Bled to Kobarid. Emerald-green river through gorges. Best with picnic stops.