Gran Sasso, Abruzzo, Italy by Antonio Castagna

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced walker, you will find the right track for you. The terrain of the Apennines is diverse and there are hundreds of hiking trails of all levels of difficulty to choose from, ranging from walks in sandy pine groves on the shore through rustic farmland plains and shadowy forest lanes to paths winding high in the alpine meadows and rough rugged paths leading to steep rocky peaks 3000 metres above the sea.

Abruzzo is home to three National Parks and over thirty nature reserves protecting more than a third of its area, making it the greenest region of Europe. You will find striking, awe-inspiring sceneries in any place you visit. The trails to the stunning Zompo Lo Schioppo and Morricana waterfalls offer fascinating views as a reward for completing the hike. Maiella’s deep canyons, narrow gorges and vast karstic plains are great for a bit more adventurous tours around their extraordinary landscape forms. Grassy highlands with ancient dry stone huts, wooded slopes with castles and ruins to discover on hilltops and wildflower-scented alpine meadows where you may run into a grazing herd of chamois blending into deep forests where Apennine wolves and Marsican bears roam are other wondrous features of Abruzzo. Its mountain lakes – Scanno, Vivo, Campotosto and Bomba – are also delightful destinations for pleasant walks in the heart of nature. But above all, you must not miss the opportunity to trek in the pastoral landscapes of the Little Tibet of Europe – the vast Campo Imperatore plateau that resembles the Asian steppe.

Campo Imperatore, Abruzzo, Italy by Stefano Maule

The 2900 metres high peaks of Corno Grande, the highest mountain of Gran Sasso, are accessible even to unexperienced mountaineers and offer spectacular views and breathtaking panoramas of the whole region. But if you’d like to train in nature trekking before setting out on your first hike, you have four nature trekking schools and mid-mountain guides in L’Aquila, Spoltore, Villeta Barrea and Caramanico to choose from! Abruzzo is now easily reached by road, rail or air from most parts of Italy and Europe.

For more information on Abruzzo visit the official Tourist Information website www.visitabruzzo.co.uk.

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Taking a road trip is one of the best ways to explore Europe, as there are so many stunning vistas which can be viewed by car as you make your way through this diverse landscape. The size and proximity of the different nations of Europe means that you can be in a totally different country in a matter of hours. From the rugged coastline of Scotland to the snowy mountains of Germany to the sun soaked villages of Italy, here are a few of the best road trips to enjoy throughout Europe.

Scotland’s Western Highlands

Start from the historic city of Edinburgh and take a 250 mile drive through winding roads and green countryside to the Isle of Skye. There are plenty of great historical sites to stop at on this scenic road trip, such as Linlithgow Place, Eilean Donan Castle, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument and Fort William’s West Highland Museum. The scenery here is breathtakingly beautiful, from rolling hills to tranquil Lochs to rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops.

If you get hungry along the way you can stop and enjoy some fresh seafood along the coast, such as oysters, scallops and mussels. Keep your eyes peeled because out the window you could spot seals, otters, foxes, deer, and birds.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland, UK by the Starling 2011

The Alpine Road, Germany

This route starts at the island town of Lindau located on Lake Constance and will take you 300 miles along the edge of the Bavarian Alps. The route twists and turns through picturesque small towns and villages, green alpine meadows, ancient forests, snowy mountain peaks, and fairy-tale castles giving you a fantastic taste of classic European scenery.

Lindau harbor, Lake Constance, Germany by Cody

The Amalfi Coast Road, Italy

This is a stunning drive through one of the most beautiful areas of Europe. Mountains overlook the clear glistening blue sea and stone churches are perched on the hills above villages of brightly coloured houses. The road winds slowly around the coast and takes you through hidden coves and sun soaked lemon groves. Anywhere you stop you will be treated to rich and flavorful Mediterranean food and friendly smiles from the locals, as well as soft sandy beaches. Be sure to take it slow, as you will want to stop multiple times to take the camera out and capture the amazing view.

Amalfi coast, Italy by Jenny

The Transfagarasan Mountain Road, Romania

This road in the mountains of Romania is thought to be one of the most spectacular roads in the world. It is 56 miles long and runs through the Fagaras Mountains which are part of the Transylvanian Alps. Host Jeremy Clarkson of the television show Top Gear claims that the Transfagarasan is the best road in the world.

This windy mountain road is filled with hairpin turns and challenging twists, so the maximum speed is 25 miles per hour. The road is only open from June to October because in the winter it is blocked by snow. On the way, you can even stop at the castle of Vlad III the Impaler, whom Bram Stoker based the character of Dracula on. You can also see Balea Lake, which is a glacier lake with cold, clear, icy water surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks.

The Transfagarasan Mountain Road, Romania by Cristian Bortes

These are just a few of the most amazing road trips throughout Europe, but there are many more. Next time you have a weekend or a few days to get away, grab the steering wheel, put some music on the stereo and get out there on the open road!

Before you head out on the open road and enjoy one of these amazing European road trips, be sure to get some cheap car insurance so that you are protected no matter what happens along the way.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Sebastian Fuss

Once planning your trip to Harz National Park, beware of the cooler and rainy mountains – although this is not a high mountain range, but due to its geographical location is under constant onslaught of moist ocean air from the North Sea. Local climate is therefore similar to high mountains, reaching the altitude of about 2,000 metres above sea level. Be also prepared for a huge number of tourists, Harz National Park is one of the most visited places in Germany.

Among the most beautiful places to visit are Rübeland cave, the highest peak of national park – Brocken (1,141 m) which is also the highest peak of Northern Germany, Hohneklippen crags, Eckerstausee lake, Falkenstein Castle, Harzgerode Castle, hill top resort of Sankt Andreasberg, or saltwater spa and climatic health resort of Bad Harzburg.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Mike Jentsch

The management of national park: Nationalparkverwaltung Harz, Lindenallee 35, D 38855 Wernigerode, Deutschland
Official Website: nationalpark-harz.de

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Český Krumlov is close to the Šumava National Park, the Czech Republic’s largest national park. The Šumava mountains lie along the border with Austria and Germany and offer a range of natural habitats – peat bogs, Alpine meadows, old-growth forests, lakes, and rivers. The area is popular with walkers, cyclists, and canoeists on the Vltava.

Main sights

• Český Krumlov Castle
• Gothic Church of St. Vitus (Kostel Sv. Víta)
• Baroque theatre in Český Krumlov Castle – the theatre is only used three times a year (only two are open to the public), when a Baroque opera is performed in simulated candlelight
• Museum dedicated to the painter Egon Schiele, who lived in the town

There is one of Bohemia’s oldest monasteries, Zlatá Koruna (“The Golden Crown”) 10km from Krumlov. About 30 km from Krumlov is the Hluboká Castle, established in the twelfth century and later remodelled in imitation of Windsor Castle.

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