This Epic Roadtrip Covers Nearly the Whole of Europe
Europe is such a massively diverse (and just massive!) continent that planning where to go can be a daunting task. Luckily, an internet hero called Randy Olson has worked some technical wizardry to work out the optimal roadtrip of Europe, combining a nice mix of buzzing cities and the idyllic outdoors to cater to all tastes. Obviously there’s no pleasing everyone, but this map is a great starting point for planning your trip – throw in a few extra stops in Spain or Sweden as it pleases you!
The basic version involves 14 solid days of driving 16,287 miles (26,211km) and includes 45 stops, from Berlin to Bergen to Barcelona and beyond! Bearing that in mind, it should take about 3 months to complete it comfortably – try to tie it into festivals or events happening on the route for that extra awesome edge!
The Top Stops
Pag
Pag, the Croatian island, is the perfect place for a party pit stop on your trip. With crystal clear sea, water sports galore to sate your thirst for adventure, white sandy beaches and a party mentality to rival Ibiza, this would be the perfect spot to let loose after a couple of weeks on the road.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a fantastic destination for a city break, and it’s even better if you have more time to explore the city and its surroundings. If you’re a football fanatic you can’t miss Camp Nou, if you are a foodie you’ll be in paradise, if you are a culture vulture then just bask in the presence of the Sagrada Familia and Gaudi’s influences, which are visible the whole way throughout the city.
However, the reason Barcelona makes our top stops on this trip is the party and music scene. Nights out end as the sun comes up and partygoers enjoy some hot churros and fresh coffee on the beach, and there are at least 8 international music festivals happening in the city this summer with headliners including the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The Weekend.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh may be a bit closer to home, but it’s so full of things to see and do that it makes it into my top stops of the trip. As adrenaline junkies like you need an adventurous fix or two along the way, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are opportunities galore to go zorbing, paintballing, and rock climbing in Edinburgh. For the truly fearless, you could also visit the rather terrifying dungeons – if you dare…
Oh, and if you’re there in August you’ll catch the famous Fringe Festival in full flow, with hundreds of daily comedy events and others happening across the city.
Leave Room for Manoeuver
The beauty of this roadtrip is how much of Europe it manages to encompass. You could be in bustling metropolitan cities one week, by the beach the next and in rugged wilderness doing some daring activity or another somewhere along the way. Stay for as long (or as little!) as you want in different places, and if you have time, don’t be afraid to veer off the beaten track – that’s the beauty of a roadtrip!
Top Tip: Get Private Car Hire Excess Insurance
Whether you take this epic journey through Europe or an abridged version, get independent car hire excess insurance through Let’s Go Insure before you go for stress-free, excess-free insurance. With Let’s Go Insure, you can go just that little bit further, higher and off the beaten track on your roadtrip this summer!
