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In search of winter highway journey concepts in Europe? Undecided the place you’ll be able to head to take pleasure in protected driving and unimaginable surroundings even within the off-season? Don’t worry- we’ve obtained you lined! Listed below are a number of the greatest winter highway journey concepts for each itinerary.
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Greatest Winter Highway Journeys in Europe
Winter highway journeys in Europe could be tough. Relying on the place you reside (or the place you’re beginning the highway journey from, getting there could be powerful! Many mountain passes are closed and plenty of large vacationer cities and points of interest shut for the winter
Nonetheless, don’t despair. There are nonetheless some unimaginable locations to go to throughout Europe throughout winter. If you happen to’re moving into November and December, you might take pleasure in a number of the greatest and largest Christmas Markets in Europe.
If you happen to’re going from January- March you might select between discovering winter sunshine, or going to take pleasure in some cities and cities in Europe that are EVEN BETTER in winter!
Intrigued? Learn on…
Ideas for planning your Europe Winter Highway Journey
Earlier than you set off, whether or not you’re travelling by automotive, motorhome, campervan or bike (!), there are some issues it’s worthwhile to do to arrange your automobile.
Firstly, ensure you know all of the package you MUST have in your automobile whereas touring Europe. Get your free guidelines right here:
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Seize your FREE (printable) guidelines and uncover 25 stuff you NEED to take with you whenever you journey in Europe. Make your life simpler right this moment.
Be sure you have winter tyres fitted. These are necessary in lots of nations in Europe between October- March, and in nations like France in mountainous areas. You might also want to hold snow chains.
Plan your itinerary fastidiously. Days are shorter in winter, which means you’ll be able to’t journey as far. Roads will also be extra treacherous at evening when it will get colder, so attempt to keep away from driving at evening the place potential.
You’ll additionally wish to enable additional time between stops, whether or not you’re touring Europe in a motorhome and utilizing campsites/ aires, or staying in lodges/ B& Bs. If the climate is unhealthy, you’ll drive extra slowly, so it can take longer to get between locations. Including an additional 20-30% is an effective rule of thumb.
Begin your day later. Chilly temperatures in a single day can go away many roads slippery within the morning, even when they’ve been gritted. Wait till mid-morning to begin your travels so the roads have had an opportunity to heat up a little bit.
Epic locations to go to on a winter highway journey in Europe for snowy scenes
Listed below are a few of our favorite European winter highway journey itinerary concepts. If you happen to’re going earlier than Christmas, listed below are a few of one of the best and largest Christmas Markets in Europe.
Western Norway
- Begin level/ metropolis: Bergen
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Flåm
- Route: Varied
Western Norway’s fjords are an excellent winter highway journey for snow-savvy drivers. Within the winter, few individuals go to the fjords, making it a incredible time to view the sights AND take unimaginable photographs.
Bergen, Norway’s second-largest metropolis, is a good winter base. There’s loads happening and, in case you go to in December, you’ll be able to see Pepperkakebyen, the world’s largest gingerbread hamlet!
Some epic winter highway journey concepts from Bergen
- One of many prettiest routes is to Flåm. You possibly can journey the Flåm railway and go to Aurlandsfjord.
- You possibly can additionally drive to Voss, the most effective locations for journey sports activities, Gudvangen (house of Viking Valley), and the Stegastein viewpoint.
- Don’t miss the various waterfalls across the area- they’re breathtaking.
Don’t overlook, whether or not you’re driving a automotive or motorhoming in Norway, you could have winter tyres, and drive together with your headlights on all day.
Keep in mind the times are a lot shorter so that you received’t have the ability to journey to this point. Additionally, the south of Norway is under the arctic circle. If you wish to go above the Arctic Circle, head to Tromso.
You possibly can additionally tie this in with another Scandanavian counties, like Rovaniemi in Finland (Finnish Lapland is the house of Santa Claus!)
Romantic Highway, Germany
- Begin level/ metropolis: Würzburg
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Füssen
- Route: Autobahn B3
- Distance (miles and km): 460km / 290miles
- Time to drive: 3-10 days
The Romantic Highway is among the most well-known highway journeys in Germany. All the route is round 290 miles (460km) by Bavaria in South Germany, beginning in Würzburg (within the north) and ending in Füssen (within the south, close to the Austrian Border and the fairytale fort of Neuschwanstein!)
Though this route is phenomenal at any time of the yr, driving it in winter is additional particular. The structure and surroundings is spectacular and the cities look much more like they’ve simply sprung from a fairytale.
Winter Highway Journey itinerary concept
- Begin your winter highway journey within the conventional wine metropolis of Würzburg.
- Don’t miss the spectacular Christmas city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or the historic cities of Feuchtwangen, Nördlingen or Augsburg (apparently the the oldest metropolis in Germany!)
- Many many castles and historic sights, together with Harburg and Hohenschwangau. If you happen to’re motorhoming in Germany, there are close by aires that are incredible.
- Detour into the Black Forest and go to Triberg, house of the world’s largest (and smallest!) cuckoo clocks!)
- The ultimate cease is Füssen, stuffed with superbly painted buildings and the closest city to the enduring Neuschwanstein Fort.
You possibly can additionally tie this winter highway journey in with visits to close by Austria (Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt and the Alps are nice winter locations), Bruges in Belgium, or unimaginable previous city centres like Prague and Vienna.
Southern Ring Highway, Iceland
- Begin level/ metropolis: Reykjavik
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Reykjavik
- Route: Varies relying on the climate
Probably the most breathtaking winter highway journeys in Europe is in Iceland.
If you happen to go to between November to March, you’ll discover frozen waterfalls, unimaginable snow-covered vistas and, in case you’re fortunate, it’s one of many greatest locations in Europe to see the elusive Northern Lights.
My husband and I have been fortunate sufficient to go to Iceland in winter and by far one of the best bit was having a automobile appropriate for driving round. In case you are hiring a automobile, ensure it has winter tyres fitted and carry a ‘just-in-case’ pack of blankets, sizzling drinks and meals.
If you happen to’re taking your individual automobile, ensure you have correct winter tyres fitted. Additionally, though the Ring Highway doesn’t technically shut throughout winter, the northern half can turn out to be treacherous in unhealthy climate, so hold a detailed eye on the forecast and you could want to persist with the southern half.
If you happen to’re planning to camp, bear in mind that many campsites shut throughout winter, so it may be difficult to search out locations with electrical energy and recent water.
Highlights and itinerary concepts for an Iceland winter highway journey
- Spend a day exploring Reykjavik- there’s a whole lot of historical past to see right here.
- Plan to spend a day or two round Vik. Right here, you’ll discover the Black Sand Seaside at Reynisfjara, the deserted DC3 aircraft wreck, and Yoda cave.
- If you happen to proceed in the direction of Hofn, you’ll discover the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Seaside, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, and Vatnajökull Nationwide Park.
- Don’t miss any of the unimaginable waterfalls alongside the route. Relying on the climate and when in winter you go, many shall be frozen, which makes for spectacular photographs!
Switzerland winter highway journey concepts
- Begin level/ metropolis: Basel
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Lugano
- Route: #2
- Distance: 270km
For an unforgettable winter highway journey with breathtaking surroundings, plan a drive between the gorgeous cities of Basel and Lugano in Switzerland.
If you happen to’re assured driving in snow and wintery circumstances, you’ll be able to take backroads to take pleasure in one of the best of the views and go to some native villages. You’ll additionally go over some spectacular mountains, so make sure your tyres are good and cease ceaselessly to let your brakes cool.
NOTE: Be sure you have winter tyres fitted and pack an emergency package with meals and heat garments. If you happen to’re motorhoming in Switzerland, ensure you have your tank heaters on too.
Winter highway journey itinerary concept
- Begin in Basel, a metropolis which is value exploring for a day or two in case you have time.
- Then head out in the direction of Lucerne. Nearly each nook of this highway makes you go ‘wow’ and there are many viewpoints to cease at and seize the views.
- If you happen to’re early sufficient, you would possibly have the ability to drive the spectacular Furka Cross- the most effective highway journeys in Switzerland.
- You may also wish to detour West to Valais and the Matterhorn- the views are unimaginable.
- Head south to Lugano. There might not at all times be snow right here, but it surely at all times has a splendidly heat environment and lots to take pleasure in. This space is known for winter sports activities, so you’ll be able to take pleasure in some cross nation snowboarding or snowboarding in case you fancy it.
Edinburgh to Inverness, Scotland
- Begin level/ metropolis: Edinburgh
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Inverness
- Route: Edinburgh- A84- A82 to Glencoe, Fort William and Invernesss
- Distance (miles and km): 253.88 km
- Greatest time to go to: New 12 months/ Hogmanay
One of many greatest winter highway journeys within the UK is a round route from Edinburgh as much as Inverness, by way of Glencoe and Loch Ness.
Positively spend just a few days exploring Edinburgh both earlier than or after your winter highway trip- this metropolis is fabulous and there’s a lot to see. Don’t miss Edinburgh Fort, the Royal Mile or climbing Arthur’s Seat for a spectacular perspective of town.
When you’re prepared, set out in your highway journey, driving by Loch Lomond and as much as Glencoe. The views listed below are SPECTACULAR- undoubtedly one of many most scenic highway journeys in Scotland. The route begins because the A84 however flip onto the A82 in the direction of Fort William.
After travelling for 3 to 4 hours, you’ll arrive at Fort William and have the ability to see Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest peak, within the distance.
Take the A-82 alongside Loch Ness to Inverness. Permit round three hours for this section- there are many locations to cease for photographs or making an attempt to identify Nessie.
From Inverness, you’ll be able to both return to Edinburgh by way of the A9, or stick with it north and deal with the well-known North Coast 500!
And, in case you can, spend Christmas and positively New 12 months’s Eve in Edinburgh to expertise to wonders of Hogmanay and the well-known fireworks!
Wild Atlantic Approach, Eire
- Begin level/ metropolis: Malin Head, Donegal
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Mizen Head, County Cork
- Route: Wild Atlantic Approach
- Distance (miles and km): 1600 miles (2600 km)
- Greatest time of yr to drive or particular competition/ occasion: March- St Patrick’s Day
The Wild Atlantic Approach is among the longest coastal driving roads within the world- and one of the crucial well-known! The shoreline is wild, rugged and breathtakingly lovely.
It runs from Malin Head in County Donegal to Mizen Head in County Cork. Normally, the route is packed by anybody desirous to go roadtripping or campervanning in Eire, however in winter, it’s MUCH quieter.
How lengthy does it take to drive the Wild Atlantic Approach?
The very best a part of this route is that you would be able to select to do as a lot or as little as you want. If you wish to do your complete route with out dashing, I like to recommend 1-2 weeks minimal. Don’t overlook, there’s loads to see off the principle route which you received’t wish to miss and you may mix it with a number of of Eire’s different well-known highway journey routes.
Highlights of a Wild Atlantic Approach highway journey
A number of the highlights of a Wild Atlantic Approach highway journey embrace:
- Mizen Head (one of many areas the place the most recent Star Wars film was shot)
- the windswept isle of Skellig Michael,
- Achill Island (Eire’s largest island and an epic kitesurfing vacation spot)
- Galway Metropolis
- Dingle
- Cliffs of Moher
- Bantry Bay
- Malin Head
After all, there are PLENTY of different locations you’ll be able to go to in Europe throughout winter. Locations like Italy, Spain and Portugal are at all times widespread, as are additional away locations like Croatia and Greece. If you happen to’d prefer to see extra, listed below are a number of the greatest European cities to go to in winter.
However I hope these helped provide you with a little bit inspiration to get the ball rolling.
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