Europe romantic? No doubt and unquestionable. Many cities of the old continent are among the most romantic in the world, no wonder it became so popular among lovers and honeymooners from everywhere. Since we are on Valentine’s day’s week, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to share some more itineraries here on the blog, this time 8 romantic road trips to take around Europe.
Of all the recommendations only one I haven’t done completely, all the others are road trips I have taken (mind you, not all for romantic purposes, which means you shouldn’t feel obliged to take them only with your lover) since the first time I visited Europe (2003). Of course, there are many more romantic road trips you can take in Europe, but I like to recommend what I have previously done, and here are my top 8:
Belgium and The Netherlands
Brussels + Bruges + Amsterdam
The only itinerary of the list that I haven’t completely done, since I still haven’t visited Brussels. Though, if I were to go to Belgium and The Netherlands on a road trip again, this would be my itinerary:
Starting with Brussels, then Bruges and Amsterdam, and maybe a city in between, like Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden or even Utrecht (so many options!).
Recommended length: 10 days
How many days in each place:
Brussels: 3
Bruges: 2
Amsterdam: 4
Reserve 1 day for a stop in between
Total travel time and distance: 367Km (around 4,5 hours) + 210Km if you return to Brussels (around 2,5 hours). Total: 577Km in 7 hours.
Tolls and vignette along the way: tolls for some bridges and tunnels in both countries
Italy
Rome + Tuscany
Let’s be clear, Italy is entirely romantic, and everywhere you go it will be the perfect scenario to fall in love. Though, not all routes are great or easy for a road trip, so I have chosen this one not only because it’s easy, but also because there is no better way to explore Tuscany if not by car. Even better if you can include Rome. My suggestion:
Start with Rome, get a car there then head to Siena, San Gimignano, then Chianti region and finish it up in Florence. In between, enjoy your days to visit small villages around, there are so many that you might have trouble deciding where to go. An itinerary for Italian wine and food lovers.
Recommended length: 12 – 15 days
Recommended days in each place:
Rome: 4
Siena: 2
San Gimignano, Radda and Greve in Chianti area: 3 – 6
Florence: 3
Total travel time and distance: 356Km (around 5 hours) + 282Km if you return to Rome (around 3 hours). Total: 638Km in 8 hours + extra for exploring Tuscany.
Tolls and vignette along the way: tolls
See tips for:
Rome
Tuscany
France
Paris + Tours
As in every romantic itinerary, Paris is a must, even better with the medieval and romantic castles, which you will be able to visit from Tours, the capital of the Loire Valley. This is a very simple and yet unforgettable itinerary; start and finish with Paris.
Recommended length: 7 – 9 days
Recommended days in each place to enjoy your time without hurrying:
Paris: 4 – 5
Tours: 3 – 4
Total travel time and distance: 240km (around 3,5 hours) one-way. Returning to Paris: 480km in 7 hours.
Tolls and vignette along the way: tolls
See tips for:
Paris
France and Monaco
The Côte D’Azur + Monte Carlo
Scenario that inspired classic books and movies, the Côte D’Azur make up for an unforgettable romantic getaway, and on top of it, the charming principality of Monaco just a few kilometers away from Nice.
My suggestion: start in Nice, get a car there and start exploring. From Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Eze to Monte Carlo, there are wonderful towns at the Côte D’Azur to make a stop.
Recommended length: 1 week to 10 days
Recommended days in each place:
You can use Nice as your base and take day trips to the nearby towns, but if you have a preferred location, feel free to adjust the itinerary as it pleases you.
Total travel time and distance: at least 300Km in 3,5 hours
Nice to St. Tropez: 112Km in 1,5 hour
Nice to Cannes: 33Km in 40 minutes
Nice to Antibes: 23Km in 30 minutes
Nice to Monte Carlo: 20Km in 30 minutes one-way
Nice to Eze: 12Km in 27 minutes
Tolls and vignette along the way: tolls
Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary
Prague, Vienna and Budapest
One of the most wonderful itineraries in Europe: the combination of three romantic European cities in one trip. The medieval Prague, Vienna and its cafes and Budapest with the Danube parting the Buda and Pest sides.
You can either start from Prague or Budapest, then Vienna in between.
Recommended length: 10 days
Recommended days in each place:
Prague: 3
Vienna: 3
Budapest: 3
Reserve 1 day for the road
Total travel time and distance: 534Km in 6 hours (if returning to Prague = 1,068Km in almost 13 hours)
Tolls and vignette along the way: vignette apply to all of the destinations
See tips for:
Prague
Budapest
Spain
Madrid + Barcelona
Ahhh these two! Hard to tell which one will be your favorite (mine is Madrid for sure), combine both and you won’t regret, and in between you can maybe even squeeze in Zaragoza.
Recommended length: 1 week
Recommended days in each place:
Madrid: 3
Barcelona: 3
1 day for the road and Zaragoza
Total travel time and distance: approximately 624Km in 6,5 hours (more time if stopping in Zaragoza). If returning to Madrid = 1,248Km in 13 hours
Tolls and vignette along the way: tolls
See tips for:
Madrid
Germany and Switzerland
Munich + The Neuschwanstein Castle + Zurich + Lucerne
I love the idea of this itinerary, and I’m sure you will too. Start in Munich, then head to the Neuschwanstein Castle, on your way to Zurich then Lucerne. The scenario of this journey can take anyone’s breath away.
Recommended length: 9 days
Recommended days in each place:
Munich: 3
Neuschwanstein Castle: 1
Zurich: 3
Lucerne: 2
Total travel time and distance: 413Km in around 6 hours. If returning to Munich: 723Km in approximately 9 hours in total.
Tolls and vignette along the way: Swiss Vignette
See tips for:
Munich
Neuschwanstein Castle
Slovenia and Croatia
Ljubljana + the Croatian Coast
One of my favorite itineraries ever. Ljubljana for those not familiar with, is among the most romantic cities in Europe. Once there, you will have no doubt that it really is. Combining it with the Croatian beaches is even better, because let’s be honest, how not to fall in love in and with Croatia?
I always recommend to start with the cities, then head to the beach, so start your trip in Ljubljana, then feel free to choose one (or maybe more?) destinations on the coast. Among my suggestions: Rovinj, Pula and Brijuni, Krk Island, Cres Island, and Zadar. Other destinations would be all in between Zadar and Dubrovnik, but those would be further to the south and it would require more days and planning.
Recommended length: 2 weeks
Recommended days in each place:
Ljubljana: 2-3
Dedicate the rest to the beach, please!
Total travel time and distance: at least 300Km in 4 hours if returning to Ljubljana
From Ljubljana to:
Pula: 204Km in 2,5 hours
Rovinj: 187Km in 2:15h
Krk Island: 158Km in 2,5 hours
Zadar: 343Km in 4 hours
Tolls and vignette along the way:
Slovenia: vignette
Croatia: toll
See tips for:
Ljubljana
Croatia
*For tips on road tripping Europe check my post Essential tips for Road Tripping Europe.
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