Europe has been photographed and written about more thoroughly than almost anywhere else on earth. But the true magic of the continent lies in deep exploration of its diverse cultures and landscapes.
That could mean descending into a valley that reveals itself gradually rather than all at once, or a coastline whose character changes with every corner turned, or a stretch of countryside seemingly built for those who love to drive. This kind of immersion can only be truly felt as part of a road-based journey. Here, we explore the greatest regions to discover while driving through Europe.
Golden sun and exceptional cuisine in Tuscany
In Tuscany, roads rise and fall with cypress-lined hills and patchwork paddocks, past stone farmhouses that have stood watch over these slopes for centuries. Villages appear and fade, giving the drive a natural rhythm. Famed for its cuisine and wine production, Tuscany is a landscape that truly rewards relaxed movement: long lunches, extended dinners, and leisurely mornings, all savored at your own pace.
The Spanish Basque Country and across the border to France
Spain’s Basque Country landscape blends coastal and dramatic. Roads trace the Basque coastline before turning inland, where Atlantic cliffs and surf-town energy give way to rolling green hills and, eventually, with a hop across the French border, the legendary vineyards of southern France’s wine regions reveal themselves. This is a drive defined by contrast, from the wildness of the coast gradually softening into the measured elegance of one of the world’s great wine regions.
The majestic Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps pack equal measures of drama and stunning clarity. Alpine passes wind their way through pine forests and past huge lakes that are so still they mirror the peaks above. The air here carries a rare purity, and the villages feel every bit as charming as the postcards they so famously appear on. Tuck into a cheese fondue and admire the majestic views that are all around you.
Wine exploration in Champagne and Provence
In France, the landscapes of the famous wine regions bring variety that’s ideal for a road-based adventure. Burgundy’s vineyards give way to Champagne’s chalky slopes, where centuries-old houses still shape the character of the wine within. Further south, Provence unfurls in lavender and sun-worn stone, its photogenic hilltop villages perched above valleys that are tinted gold by the afternoon sun.
Discover a fresh way to experience Europe
A relatively new style of luxury travel, supercar tours have quickly become a preferred way for high-end travelers to discover the continent while enjoying total luxury, every step of the way. Specialist operators offer collections traversing many of the finest European luxury travel destinations. On a supercar tour, a central theme is that the car does not simply move a traveler from one landmark to the next, but elevates the relationship between the traveler and the destination. In this way, an upscale road-based European adventure draws you fully into each place rather than letting it slip past unnoticed.
