When you think of roads in Europe, the likes of Stelvio Pass probably spring to mind. Well, not this time! We have put together our top 3 European driving roads without a cliché in sight.
Ioannina to Meteora – Greece
The drive from Ioannina to Meteora in Greece is undoubtedly once of the most scenic and breath taking drives in the country. The tarmac snakes around Lake Ioannina before trailing upward into the awe-inspiring Pindus Mountains. You will travel over a high pass (which sometimes closes in the winter due to snow) which offers stunning views of the rocks and the luscious green expanse below. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the road interesting before slowly, you will begin to descend into the region of Thessaly where many monasteries are located.
Transfagarasan – Romania
The Transfagarasan road in Romania is the most dramatic and also the second highest paved road in Romania. Originally built as a military route, the 90km expanse of open road kinks and curves through the peaks and troughs of the Southern Carpathians and passes Moldoveanu and Negoiu; the first and second highest peaks in the country. Ascending to an altitude of 2,034 metres the route meanders around hairpin bends, long S curves and through 5 tunnels, resulting in a simply spectacular journey. From October through to late June the road suffers from snow so is often closed because of safety but snow can also affect the road even as late as August. Along the way, you will also see Balea Lake and Poienari Fortress which was home to Vlad the Impaler who inspired the character of Dracula. With stunning scenery and equally interesting sights along the way, Transfagarasan is not to be missed.
Amalfi Coast – Italy
There are several inspiring roads in Italy, but without a doubt, the drive along the Amalfi Coast is the most jaw dropping. Just south of Naples and Pompeii, the journey encircles 45 miles of sheer rock cliffs with a precipitous plunge to the ocean below, interrupted only by a three-foot high ‘safety’ wall. This drive will be sure to induce white knuckles and have passengers hanging on to their car handle. Fear factor aside, the Amalfi Coast Drive with fabulous views of the azure Mediterranean and a road dotted with picturesque Italian villages, is the epitome of unspoiled magnificence.
Have you driven any of these roads or think there’s a route more worthy of featuring here? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
