Car Leasing in Europe

Coming from France, drivers could do worse than a road route through Germany while appreciating its history at the same time. From the country’s oldest city, Trier, to sampling wines in Riesling, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Before hitting chic Berlin, explore Heidelberg, as well as Nuremberg and Dresden for a dip into the country’s recent past around the Second World War.

Rendezvous En France

To avoid the romance of Paris and its traffic-choked streets, take the A26 and head to Reims, renowned capital of the Champagne region that is famoous for its Gothic cathedral. A drive through pretty countrysides reveals the delightful town of Burgundy and further on, historical Lyon, before travelling along the A7 and into the Rhone Valley. Out the other side and you’ll be just a few hours from the sunny playgrounds of Côte d’Azur.

Portugal: Europe’s West Coast

A beautiful country that offers a diverse list of sites and sleepy inland towns, the best starting point sets the bar high. From the UNESCO World Heritage site of Guimaraes, drivers can easily get to Porto, widely considered the country’s second city. From here, a lazy drive through the gorgeous greenery of Amarante strikes out to the Atlantic coast and the beaches awaiting you at Figueira da Foz. Tackle the buzzing capital of Lisbon or bypass this in favour of Arrifana and the Algarve’s Mediterranean shores.

Made in Italy

Italy to most vacationers is an open treasure chest of stunning views, quiet historic streets and hopping mad modernity. For a taster, the often-overlooked Northern part of Italy is a secret waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s a run-around Tuscany for picture perfect towns, culture and wine, artsy Florence or the trendy Lombard resorts around Lake Como, there are also some quaint not-to-miss towns, including Tremezzo and stunning Lecco.

UK: Home of Amazing Moments

As an island, most tourists stay around London but for adventure, look north to the oft-quoted ‘independent’ county of Yorkshire with its rural rolling hills and history. For some, it can be a bit bleak, but for others, the county holds a deep, convoluted past and that is scratching the surface when you consider the War of the Roses, and the battle of Thrones between the houses of Lancaster and York.

Also take in beautiful villages, through the ‘cheesy’ towns of Swaledale and Wensleydale, the medieval city of York and the fascinating town of Harrogate. Equally, why not recall the fictional roots of Dracula in Whitby where Bram Stoker got his teeth into the ‘bat-king’?

Spain: Paella, Flamenco and Much More

Driving from the capital Madrid to historic Avila puts drivers in good stead for a thoroughly Spanish experience. Avila has a castle wall, and the small town-atmosphere gets you in a medieval mood. Driving into Salamanca offers the chance for a step back into the past as the area wreaks history.

Just two hours’ drive away, taste the best tapas and let the Sangria flow in the laid-back bars of Leon in Northern Spain. Otherwise, Picos de Europa lures in tourists with breath-taking views, towering cliffs and excellent hiking trails.

Another two hours and cruise into the heart of the Basque country and Bilbao. The compact city centre is easy to walk and to enjoy riverside attractions on the way to the Guggenheim Museum and Zubizuri Bridge.

Visit Greece: An All-Time Classic Destination

Famed for its sultry Mediterranean islands, central Greece is just as fascinating, and history lovers love it. Setting off from Athens, drive to Thessaloniki, the town of Thebes. From here, cruise to the hand-made carpet capital called Arachova, at the foot of Mountain Parnassos.

From here, and less than 10 kilometres away is the archaeological site of Delphi. Set out for Kalambaka for its famed monasteries before heading over to Meteora, a unique geological phenomenon. An enjoyable 310-kilometre drive back to Athens and the cradle of the ancient Greek will give you enough time to enjoy history in all its unadulterated glory.