Forget cramped train compartments and chaotic airport lines, the best way to explore Europe? Four wheels, your favorite playlist, and a route that lets you stop wherever the road pulls you. While Instagram may keep feeding you the same Amalfi views and Parisian cafés, there’s a whole world of scenic drives waiting off the beaten track.
Whether you’re planning your summer escape or just dreaming of your next big adventure, we’ve rounded up four road trips that deserve a spot on your radar. Bonus? We’ve paired each one with the perfect car, because the drive should be just as exciting as the destination.
1. The Amalfi Coast — Italy’s Most Dramatic Drive
Route: Sorrento → Positano → Amalfi → Ravello
Distance: ~50km
Mood: Curvy coastal cliffs, Aperol spritz at golden hour, and lemon trees as far as the eye can see.
If your version of heaven includes winding roads above the sea, pastel towns clinging to cliffs, and stopping for a midday espresso with a view, the Amalfi Coast delivers. This stretch is short but packed with beauty and challenge. It’s not for the faint of heart, but that’s part of the charm.
Perfect match: Fiat 500 Cabrio
Tiny, stylish, and born for tight corners, this car is as iconic as the landscape. Pop the top, let your scarf fly, and live your full Dolce Vita fantasy.
Soferina tip: Avoid peak season and plan your parking ahead of time. Amalfi villages weren’t built with cars in mind.
2. The Romantic Road — Germany’s Fairytale Trail
Route: Würzburg → Rothenburg ob der Tauber → Neuschwanstein Castle → Füssen
Distance: ~350km
Mood: Cobblestone charm, half-timbered houses, and medieval towers.
Straight out of a storybook, this road cuts through Bavaria’s most picturesque villages and landscapes. It’s ideal for slow travel, the kind that includes castle tours, hearty German dinners, and spontaneous detours.
Perfect match: Audi Q5
Smooth, refined, and built for comfort, it’s ideal for long drives and occasional mountain roads. Plus, it fits right in among the polished German countryside.
Soferina tip: Plan an overnight in Rothenburg. This walled town at twilight? Unmatched.
3. The Transfăgărășan Highway — Romania’s Best-Kept Secret
Route: Bascov → Lake Bâlea → Sibiu
Distance: ~150km
Mood: Moody mountains, tunnels carved into rock, and roads that feel like racetracks.
Famously dubbed “the best driving road in the world” by Top Gear, this high-altitude highway offers a thrilling ride through the Carpathians. With sheer drops, sharp curves, and views that rival the Alps, it’s a driver’s dream.
Perfect match: Porsche Macan S
Powerful, agile, and confident on any curve, this is the SUV that makes every switchback feel like a red carpet.
Soferina tip: The road is only open in summer (typically July–October). Dress in layers, it gets chilly fast.
4. The French Riviera Loop — Côte d’Azur Chic
Route: Nice → Èze → Monaco → Antibes → Cannes
Distance: ~100km
Mood: Old Hollywood glamour, coastal curves, and a whole lot of rosé.
This is less road trip, more rolling fashion week. Start your morning with a sea dip in Nice, sip espresso in Èze, and end the day in Cannes watching the sun melt into the Mediterranean.
Perfect match: Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster
Timeless, sleek, and built to be noticed. With the top down and Côte d’Azur wind in your hair? Iconic.
Soferina tip: Pull over often. Every bay has a story, and some of the best ones aren’t on your itinerary.
🧳 What to Pack for a Stylish Road Trip
- Linen button-down and silk scarf
- Phone mount + offline maps
- Your go-to sunglasses
- SPF and a lip balm with SPF too
- A playlist that hits every mood from cruise to karaoke
- A little cash (not everywhere takes card in rural Europe)
Final Thought: The Road Is the Destination
Road trips aren’t just about getting from A to B, they’re about falling in love with the in-between. The unplanned coffee stops. The roads that lead nowhere but feel like everything. The car that becomes your companion.
And while everyone else is queuing up at airport security, you’ll be watching the sun rise through your windshield, and that, truly, is the Soferina way.
