Compared to many other parts of the world, Europe is relatively small. It only takes a few hours to drive through a small country. This allows you to experience different cultures even if the trip is only a few weeks long. There are of course plenty of options for where to go, but the best option for transportation is a rented minibus.
From the plains to the mountains, or a tour of the Alps
Driving in the mountains is nerve-wracking, but the Alps offer unforgettable views. You can start your bus trip in Switzerland, with the gorgeous old town of Zurich, and head towards the country's capital, Bern. A little further south, you can enjoy a train ride to the roof of Europe, or Jungfaujoch, but the village of Grindelwald, with the Gletscherschlucht glacier nearby, is also worth a visit.
From Switzerland to Austria, you can drive through Liechtenstein. A principality nestled between the mountains, where if you're lucky you might even spot a prince taking a walk. Coming from Liechtenstein, you'll pass the unique Rankweil Basilica and Feldkirch, which has largely been preserved as a medieval town. Then you can drive east along mountain roads and valleys, to the picturesque Zell am See and Hallstatt.
South of Zell am See is the Großglockner High Alpine Road, open from May to November – a 49km stretch of road that crosses the Hohe Tauern range, climbing to an altitude of 2504 metres. Along the zigzagging route, you can stop at viewing platforms, take short hikes or visit mountain huts.
NB! When driving on Swiss and Austrian motorways, it is mandatory to have a vignette, which can be purchased at border crossings and gas stations.
From Berlin to Paris – from a bohemian nest to the pinnacle of luxury
Starting in the creative capital of Europe, Berlin, you can make a detour to Dresden. The city, which was almost completely destroyed in the bombing of World War II, has now been largely restored. The next stop is Nuremberg, which played an important role during the Holy Roman Empire and is home to the country's largest museum presenting German culture and art. If you cross the Rhine, you will reach the Rheingau wine region, where the famous Riesling wine comes from. Germany's oldest city, Trier, is located almost on the border and has both Roman-era monuments and several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Before rushing to France, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg awaits. The small country has an admirable number of castles, and by driving from one castle to another, you will gradually reach France. In Reims, the center of the Champagne production region, you can get acquainted with the drink of the gods, admire the triumphal arch of Porte Mars, and moving a little north, it is worth visiting Laon Cathedral, which is a great example of Gothic architecture. The next stop is the City of Lights!
Sunny Spain invites you to visit
Lovers of sun and warmth should definitely head south, where you can take a pleasant crisscrossing journey by minibus through northern Spain. The villages near Bilbao have some of the best surfing beaches in the world. You can drive through the Pyrenees to Pamplona, where the famous San Fermin festival and bull running take place in July. Adrenaline fans can take part in the race themselves, but those who don't want such a thrill can take on the role of a spectator.
Since the capital Madrid can be a real headache for travelers with its lively traffic, you can instead add to the list Spain's oldest university city, Salamanca, and a drive back to the coast via the Picos de Europa. On the way to Barcelona, you can explore the northeastern corner of Spain, which has been left an orphan. And on the way back, it's not a bad idea to drive through Andorra. A mountainous small country where ski fans gather in winter and hiking enthusiasts in summer. If you're interested, take a look at flight tickets to Spain.
There's more to the East than you might think
Romania and Bulgaria are known for their cheap beach holidays. But if you've had enough of basking on the warm sands of the Black Sea, you could make the return trip more interesting and take a less-explored route: from the Romanian capital Bucharest to the Austrian capital Vienna. The journey takes a minimum of a week, but with longer stops, the trip can be stretched to a week and a half.
The road leads through the Carpathian Mountains to Transylvania, where it is almost mandatory to stop at Bran Castle – allegedly the home of the famous Count Dracula. Next up is the Transfagarasan Highway, which was named the best road in the world by Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson. 90km of tunnels, viaducts, bridges and curves make it a truly interesting experience even for those who have driven on mountain roads before.
After exploring the architecture of Timisoara, you can take the smaller roads towards Budapest. You should stay in the Hungarian capital for at least a few days before heading to the Slovak capital Bratislava, which is only an hour's drive from Vienna! Viennese castles, operas and, of course, coffee shops with a slice of the famous chocolate cake await.
The Romantic Road in the Heart of Europe
The easiest way to get to the Romantic Road is to take a ferry from Latvia to Germany and then along the motorway network to Würzburg. The ferry ride doesn't take much longer than driving through the Baltics and Poland, but it also offers a vacation opportunity for the driver. A one-way ferry ticket costs less than 180 euros.
Würzburg is one of the starting points of the 350km-long Romantic Road. In the Middle Ages, the road was the main trade route between central Germany and Bavaria. Today, however, it takes travelers through picturesque villages and towns: Nördlingen, Landsberg, Augsburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. There are also many castles along the way, but the most famous is the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein in Füssen, at the end of the Romantic Road. Only an hour's drive from Füssen are Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, and the center of Bavaria, Munich.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee