5 Quick Breaks for When the Capital Gets too Much
Published: 2nd June, 2011
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WHEN the daily grind takes its toll, there are few better remedies than packing the car and setting off on the open road; and with car hire comparison, travellers have complete freedom and control of their vacations and can access even the most secluded sites with ease. Below are five of the most scenic and inspiring road trips.
Amalfi Coast
Italy's Amalfi Coast is the epitome of Mediterranean beauty. This UNESCO World Heritage Site’s mountainous landscape and clear cyan waters has inspired poets, composers and painters throughout history.
The coast's snaking roads present travellers with endless beauty at every turn. Whether it’s the lemon trees, the gorgeous beaches, the limestone cliffs or the colourful fishing villages, there’s not a single mile of road that doesn't make for an amazing photo.
The Amalfi Coast is scattered with little towns and villages, all of outstanding beauty and well worth a quick stop. Ravello looks out across the sea from steep slopes swathed in greenery. The town’s most famous landmark is the Villa Rufolo. Constructed in the 13th century, the villa's guest list ranges from royalty to artists.
On from Ravello sits the town of Amalfi. Once one of Italy's most powerful maritime republics, Amalfi's colourful seafront houses cafes and boutiques make it one of the most visited areas in this region of Italy.
French Riviera and Provence
The French Riviera is synonymous with wealth, sports cars and billionaires' yachts, but it is also home to one of Europe's most impressive driving routes. Passing through fabulous cities flanked by gorgeous beaches, the French Riviera is the perfect weekend escape.
Along the route there is a city for everyone. Avignon, known as the 'City of Popes', is a melting pot of medieval streets, fabulous art and architecture, and the famous papal palace, the Palais des Papes.
To the east, across the gorgeous rolling countryside and vineyards, sits Marseille, France's second oldest and biggest city after Paris. A cosmopolitan city full of energy, its large North African community heavily influences the city’s vibe.
Driving on from Marseille, past the iconic golden beaches of St Tropez, you will find the affluent and glamorous towns of Cannes, Nice and Monaco. Awash with chic cafes, clubs and restaurants for the evening, and beautiful beaches for the daytime, these three cities provide the perfect climax for any trip to the area.
The Dutch Flower Route
Nowhere in Europe does flowers like Holland, and in no other location does horticultural prowess stand out more than along the Dutch Flower Route. Stretching south from Haarlem to Lieden, the route takes travellers across acres and acres of multi-coloured flower fields blanketing the entire horizon.
To witness this route in all its splendour, travellers should visit between April and May when all the flowers from Hyacinth to Daffodil, to the iconic Tulip are in full bloom.
Bavaria's Romantic Road
Germany's Romantic Road is a feast of history, fairytales and natural beauty. While the route was purpose built for tourists it is loosely based on the old Roman and medieval trade route.
Beginning in the town of Heidelberg, where the castle of the same name sits tall and proud, the route leads south passing through medieval walled towns and vineyards, with castles lining its path.
One of the route's highlights is the city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This near perfectly preserved medieval town draws visitors from all over the globe. As the Alps come into view so does the enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle, which was the inspiration for the castle in Walt Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty'.
Antrim Coast
Whilst perhaps not the most famous, Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast is certainly one of the most beautiful routes in the UK. Stretching between Larne and Ballycastle, this scenic route encompasses some of Northern Ireland’s most loved tourist attractions.
Starting in Portrush, the route passes through Bushmills, home to the world's first legal whisky distillery, and then on to the Giant's Causeway, where you can pause to savour the wonderful coastline and crashing seas. Further on is the little island of Carrick-a-Rede, connected to the mainland via a rope bridge it is a perfect stop for lunch before heading onto the little harbour town of Ballycastle.
The route is around 75 miles long, and, if time allows, a final stop into the capital Belfast rounds up the trip splendidly.