An area which is rich with such brilliant scenery and landscape is the boarders of France, Switzerland and Italy. Between these three nations lies numerous lakes, all of which taking up a different scale to the last and each offers a varying slice of what Europe can bring to the plate.

It is, of course, possible to experience all of these within the same trip thanks to their reasonably close proximity to each other and propose a great chance to get out in the car and have a true European road trip in one of the most attractive areas of the continent. Taking the car will let you see so much more of the scenery you otherwise would as you have the choice to stop whenever you please. Of course this means budgeting a bit for fuel and those with a SCCI card might want to take advantage of a bit of fuel management.

Geneva/Lausanne

One of the largest lakes in Europe is Lake Geneva, with a maximum length of 45 miles and encompasses a total of six settlements that include Geneva itself, Lausanne and Evian. As a result, the lake covers the boarders of both France and Switzerland.

One of the greatest elements to this part of the world is the superb mountain ranges that often surround the water, but of course the focal points would be visits to the cities of Geneva and Lausanne.

Geneva Lake, Switzerland by Wouter Hagens

Como

Made famous by its acting giants and rock stars who make up a small part of the local population, such as the likes of George Clooney and Muse vocalist Matt Bellamy. However, Como has also been given such a brilliant reputation because of how truly beautiful the landscape is, as well as the town itself.

Going out for a boating trip across the lake or taking in the view by the shore with a drink are just a couple of the things you can enjoy in Como, but away from the water, the buildings of the town are also worth a look in.

Lake Como, Italy by Franco Folini

Maggiore

Sticking with northern Italy, Lake Maggiore is another that crosses boarders as it also reaches into Switzerland.

Maggiore is quite narrow at some points and therefore a boat trip between towns and villages such as Verbania and Arona are logistically viable. Ferries operate daily, so it is possible to visit numerous locations whilst in the area and get a solid grasp on the beauty of the surroundings.

Maggiore Lake, Italy by Franco Folini

About the author: Sam writes for SCCI Carte Carburante Italy, who offer fuel cards for those travelling in Europe.

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Visit the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise

Although this area is not that well-known by tourists, the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise or the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise offers some amazing scenery indeed. Mainly composed of mountain ranges in the 900 meter to 2200 meter range above sea level, the park definitely offers a varied landscape for road trippers. For instance, you can readily witness both steep alpine mountain cliffs and rounded peaks in this park. Moreover, there are water bodies that include two fair-sized lake basins and the Sangro River here as well. Along the road, you can expect to also see cows grazing and picturesque small towns that are unspoiled by tourists. Remember to drive until you get to a town called Vasto where you can then get the opportunity to see the beautiful Trabocchi coast firsthand.

Abruzzo National Park, Italy by Marco Tersigni

Visit the Amalfi Coast

Often declared to be most scenic coastal area in Italy, the Amalfi Coast or the Costiera Amalfitana consists of charming villages, amazing cliffs, and gorgeous vistas. Further, there are also beautiful turquoise waters, fertile-looking hills, and well-manicured gardens. In fact, UNESCO declared this area to be “an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape, with exceptional cultural and natural scenic values.” Moreover, since plenty of the towns in this area such as Ravello, Amalfi, and Positano have inspired artists for over the past 500 years, the area must be a beautiful one indeed.

Amalfi Coast, Italy by Pietro Crincoli

Visit the Tuscany Area

Without a doubt an extremely popular area for tourists, this well-known area is located on the west coast of Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea. While the country-side and world famous villas are indeed beautiful, the stops along the way to view art from the Renaissance period are another reason to travel to this area. Moreover, the area is also an excellent one for foodies as excellent Tuscan food and wines can be readily found here. Of course, if you are looking to unwind and spend some time in the sun, the Viareggio beach is also an excellent place to visit.

Rowing into the sunset towards Ponti Santa Trinita in Florence by Chris Wee

To conclude, Italy definitely is a great place to discover via a car road trip. From the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise to the Almalfi Coast, to Tuscany, Italy offers plenty of diversity for you as well.

John is the author of several used car rental sales blogs like Hertz rental sales and also enjoys writing about travel and vacations.

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Greystones – County Wicklow, Ireland by William Murphy

If you have never rented a car in Ireland before, there are a few things that you should know. Here are some tips for renting a car in Ireland that will help make your experience go smoothly:

• Make sure you call your car rental agency before you book and ask any questions that you might have. If the details of your booking are not clear to you this can save you a great deal of frustration before and after your trip.

• If you are driving on the M50 you will need to pay for the use of the road. Look around for Payzone retailers such as a local shop or roadside petrol station which will accept your payment. There are cameras on the road and if you do not pay by 8pm the following day your registration number will be fined.

• Many car rental companies will quote higher fees for drivers in young age groups. If there are several people traveling together, use the eldest person as the main driver whenever possible.

• Always fill up the fuel tank before you bring back the rental vehicle. There are many cheap places to fuel up by the Dublin airport.

• Make sure that you have GPS on your phone or you use a Sat-Nav device. The winding roads in Ireland can be confusing and it is easy to get lost in the countryside, so this technology will help you find your way back.

• You cannot rent a car in Ireland without purchasing insurance, so make sure that you have room in your budget for this expense.

• Before you first drive away in your rental car, do a walk around inspection and check for any visible damage. If you can spot anything before you drive away, you won’t be charged for it when you return the vehicle. You can also take time-stamped photos which show the car’s condition in case you are accused of causing damage when you return it.

• If you are not used to driving in roundabouts, don’t let them make you nervous! Remember that the traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way, so look to your right for an opportunity to merge. As the driver, you should always be towards the centre of the road.

Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland by John Hamilton

• Here’s a trick that will get other drivers to give you a bit more slack while you figure out Irish roads, drop by a petrol station and pick up a red “L” new driver sign to put in your window. Everyone will give you the benefit of the doubt when they know you are still learning.

• Seatbelts are required by law in Ireland and the speed limits are 50 km per hour and 80 km per hour on most rural roads. Speed limits on national roads and motorways can be up to 100-120 km per hour. There are road surveillance cameras which strictly enforce the speed limits.

• If you plan on crossing the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, such as driving from Dublin to Belfast, you should let the rental company know this beforehand.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind when renting a car in Ireland so you will have the best experience possible. Have fun and enjoy your road trip!

Here are some helpful road trip tips to keep in mind if you opt for car hire Belfast on your Ireland holiday.

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This group I’m talking about are those who love to drive, petrolheads to be more precise. Blasting around the continent is their idea of a dream getaway to enjoy some routes through mountain ranges, valleys and other beautiful scenery and also what Europe has to give them in terms of demanding roads.

Even individuals with a ‘rep mobile’ and a European fuel card would enjoy such a trip and although it would be an advantage to take a car that matched the roads, having pretty much any modern car will still be enjoyable.

The following is a small selection of such routes to take that span over a few of Europe’s most break-taking countries.

Nufenen Pass, Switzerland by Andrew and Annemarie

Nufenen Pass

Situated just inside Switzerland and just short of the Italian border is the Nufenen Pass, one of the less used passes in the vicinity, but one of the most enjoyable and testing when it comes to the road ahead.

Going through a mountain range, you’ll experience a smooth, quiet road that gradually ascends through tight 180 degree turns as the range becomes more demanding. For your efforts, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular lake at the peak where it can pay to make a stop and take it in.

Ruhestein to Oppenau

Sticking with mountain routes, Germany’s Black Forest offers various enthralling driving experiences, with one particular drive in the west between the towns of Ruhestein and Oppeneau.

This route is another great place to enjoy a drive with minimal traffic, whilst being able to race through the various easier corners and test your skills in the more challenging hair-pins. It can get quite steep at times, but offers much better scenery than the Nufenen Pass.

Taking a short cut will allow you to see Lutenbach Falls which is the highlight spectacle during the trip, with the views getting better and better as you get higher within the range.

Stelvio Pass by Kylie & Rob (and Helen)

The Stelvio Pass

One of the more famous routes to take for driving enthusiasts in Europe is the Stelvio Pass, which runs along the border between Switzerland and Italy and is one of the most demanding roads on the continent.

Hair-pin after hair-pin, the pass will invigorate the most experienced drivers, whilst showing a keen beginner what a real road is and will test their perseverance as they either descend or ascend the route that wraps itself around the mountainous geography.

Stelvio as a town has a few hotels to stop at if you want to explore the area further, with many different roads that will offer anybody with the slightest hint of petrol (or diesel) in their blood.

Like I say this is just a small selection of what’s possible and it can be a great way of tying together one large trip, for example, a trip down Route Napoleon could end up on the French Riviera and the likes of Nice or Monaco.

Of course it can be quite expensive to do such a break, but saving some money for the inevitable amounts of fuel you’ll need and some accommodation, it will be entirely worth it if you enjoy your driving.

About the author: Sam writes for European Fuel Cards who offer businesses diesel fuel cards for refuelling in and across Europe. 

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Pindos massif composed of several separate mountain units (Smolikas, Tymfí, Aigo, Lakmos, Athamanon, Oros Iti, Karava and others). The highest peak is Smolikas reaching an altitude of 2637 meters. It is the second highest mountain in Greece, after Mount Olympus.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by dementia_inc

The Pindus mountain features two national parks that protect the original and almost intact nature. National Park Vikos-Aoos stretching over an area of ​​3360 hectares, was founded in 1973 and occupies an area around the Vikos gorge, characterized by its vertical walls, which often reach heights up to 950 meters. The gorge is 12 km long considered one of the greatest natural wonders. There are just several tourists here, so be aware of the fact that during the trip you can meet only a few people. The best time to visit the gorge is the beginning or end of summer, when water flows quiet.

There are two major rivers Aoös and Vikos, powered by a water from melting snow. They flow along the hiking trails, which are inaccessible when the snow is melting. A unique natural phenomenon in the area is 405 m deep Cave of Provatina and the nearby Chasm of Epos, where is an underground lake in a depth of 469 m. This area also includes Astraka plateau and Tymfí massive.

The larger Pindos National Park, which history dates back to 1966 is a home to the bears and wolves, deer, wild boars, chamois, wild cats and also snakes.

View Pindus Mountain – the spine of Greece and one of the greatest natural wonders in a larger map

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Mountain meadows are typical for this national park. They can be found on mountain ranges in the Bukovské hills/Bukovské vrchy. The most beautiful are near Pľaša, Ďurkovec, Riaba skala and Kamenná lúka/Kamenná meadow.

In Poloniny National Park there are unique cultural landmarks, particularly famous are the wooden churches in Topola, Uličské Krivné, Ruský Potok and Jalová.

The highest peak is Kremenec (1 221 m above sea level). It is the easternmost peak of Slovakia, where three state borders meet (Slovakia, Poland and the Ukraine).

View Poloniny National Park in Slovakia in a larger map

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The National Park includes the Central Alps with the highest mountain ranges of Austria, including Mount Großglockner (3798 metres high) and Mount Großvenediger (3666 metres high). The “Großglockner Hochalpenstraße” is an alpine road to near the mountain top and offers spectacular scenery. On the way upwards (or downwards), several museums tell the story of its construction in the 1930ies (mostly to fight unemployment and support tourism), the ecology of the region and other aspects of the “Tauern” mountains.

The Großglockner Hochalpenstraße is Austria′s second most popular attraction after Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. Beyond this busy part of the park, there are plenty of areas that offer excellent hiking opportunities. The Krimml Waterfalls are another famous sight in the Hohe Tauern.

View National Park Hohe Tauern – the biggest national park of Austria in a larger map

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Tryfan, Nant Ffrancon Valley, Snowdonia, Wales, UK by Stuart

Named after the 1,085 meter tall Snowdon peak which can be found within the park’s boundaries, the park is a popular destination in the area. Originally known as the Great Throne, Yr Wyddfa is filled with legends that have been formed throughout the ages. In the old days, the region was part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd which was considered by many to be the heart of Wales.

There are a total of nine mountain ranges that can be found within the park’s boundaries. As a result, more than 52% of the area is covered by ragged rocks and mountain peaks; some as high as 915 meters above sea level. You will also find more than sixty kilometres of coastline within the park; some of which are sandy beaches.

The Snowdonia National Park is currently inhabited by more then 26,000 people. Most of the residents of the park speak Welsh. Those numbers soar as more than six million visitors make their way to the park every single year. Since there are a number of places and ways to sleep within the park, many visitors choose to visit the park for longer than just a simple day trip.

Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, UK by Les Haines

One will notice is that in the centre of the Snowdonia National Park, there is a region which has not been included as actually part of the national park. This hole as some refer to it includes the prosperous town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The town’s main industry is its thriving slate quarry. The town was purposefully left out of the development of the park so that it could continue to grow in the future.

You could spend more than a week just visiting the park and seeing the many sites throughout. You will find ancient castles and ruins that date back to the earliest known settlements in the region. There are also several archaeological sites that can be found within the park’s boundaries.

Known for its beauty and splendour, the Snowdonia National Park is one of the most visited locations in the United Kingdom.

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The Low Tatras National Park can be found in the innermost part of Slovakia. It is here where you will find the valley of the Váh, the Hron River as well as the Poprad River. And although not as tall as its larger sibling, the tallest peak that can be found within the Low Tatras, Ďumbier, still stands at more than 2042 meters above sea level. This is followed in close by the summit of Chopok which is 2024 meters above sea level.

Blue trail of Chopok, Low Tatras National Park, Slovakia by Pudelek (Marcin Szala)

Unlike its larger brother, there are a number of excellent caves that can be found within the Low Tatras which are open to the public. Some of the most popular of these caves is that of the Bystrianska Cave, Cave of Dead Bats as well as the ice Cave. As of currently, there are only seven caves in the mountain range which are not open to the public.

For those who prefer canyoning, the largest canyon in the entire mountain range is that of Hučiaky under Salatín which is situated within the Ludrová Valley just outside of Ružomberok. Not too far away is where you will also find the largest waterfall within the mountain range. The 55 meter tall Brankov waterfall can be found at the western part of Low Tatras and is easily reachable thanks to a well marked footpath that runs from the village of Podsuchá.

Dumbier, Low Tatras, Slovakia by milan.kvetko

For the most part, the Low Tatras are protected by the Low Tatras National Park which is a biological reserve that was established back in 1978. Unfortunately, there are sections of the mountain range which are not within the preserve. However, the portions that are within the reserve are home to some of the rarest of alpine animal species, including the extremely rare chamois.

The Low Tatras are known as a popular skiing destination within Slovakia. There are a number of excellent resorts that can be found throughout the mountain range including Mýto pod Ďumbierom, Jasná as well as Tále. Jasná is also one of the largest ski destinations in all of central Europe and is accessed via the town of Liptovsky Mikulas. Of course there is a lot more to do than just skiing in the Low Tatras as there is also kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, golf as well as numerous Hot Springs that can be found situated throughout the mountain range. There are two popular thermal parks that you can visit nearby – Tatralandia and Bešeňová.

Vrbické pleso, Low Tatras, Slovakia by Jiri Brozovsky

All in all, the Low Tatras offer lots of attractions, entertainment as well as recreational options to choose from; which is why it is considered to be one of the most popular parks not just in Slovakia, but in all of central Europe.

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