Best romantic road trips: The Amalfi coast, Scotland's North Coast 500, and Normandy

From Normandy to Scotland's North Coast 500

Ronan J. O'Shea
Tuesday 16 January 2018 16:34 GMT
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Le Mont Saint Michel, on France's northern coast
Le Mont Saint Michel, on France's northern coast

With car rental now available around the world at the click of a button, it's never been easier to hit the road in search of four-wheeled adventure.

There's no shortage of romantic spots for couples to enjoy, but here we look at five of the best.

Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast ( Design Pics Inc/REX)

Italy's Amalfi Coast is hugely popular, and with good reason. Picturesque towns cascading down mountainsides, remote villages, glorious food and wine and a stunning coast make this the coast one of Italy's most romantic and popular driving routes.

Where to fly into

Most visitors to the Amalfi coast fly into Naples. The Amalfi coast is south of the city, and visitors can detour to Pompeii on the way to or from Naples, though couple's might want to skip a visit to the doomed (and now dusty) Roman city if romance is the focus of the trip.

Points of Interest

Once the playground of the British upper class, the town of Amalfi is far more readily accessible to travellers these days and one of the region's key attractions. With its 9th-century cathedral and idyllic bay, it's a must-do stop. Other notable sights are the cliff-side village of Positano (especially romantic when lit up at night) and the town of Ravello. 365 metres above the sea, it offers stunningly romantic views of the Salerno region.

Cuisine

The Amalfi Coast is famous for its seafood and is the home of limoncello, the lemon liqueur. Seafood dishes such as "scialatielli ai frutti di mare“ and "Colatura di Alici" are examples of dishes popular in the region, while the Amalfi Coast is also famous for its cheeses. Fresh ricotta is a key ingredient in ndunderi, a type of gnocchi recognised by UNESCO as one of the oldest pastas in the world.

Things to note

The Amalfi Coast is very busy during the summer months, and most hotels close during winter. The best time to visit is in the spring or autumn, when the fauna is at its most verdant and the crowds are smaller.

The North Coast 500 – Scotland

Loch Maree, on the Highland 500 route

You don't need to go to the other side of the world to enjoy a romantic road trip. Scotland's North Coast 500 is awash with stunning mountain views, gorgeous bays, historic places to stay and much more.

Where to fly into

For many UK travellers it may be easier to travel by train to Inverness before renting a car, but the city has its own airport from where to start your North Coast 500 adventure if you want to fly.

Points of Interest

Animal-loving couples should head to Moray Firth, home to around 130 bottlenose dolphins. Seals are also commonly seen, while killer whales, minke whales, pilot whales and porpoises can be seen further out from the bay. For its picturesque garden and historic halls, Dunrobin Castle is a must do while the remote peninsula of Applecross will leave couples thinking they have the entire world to themselves.

Cuisine

It may be one of the UK's most remote regions, but the country's post-2000 culinary renaissance hasn't escaped this part of the world. The Mustard Seed in Inverness is an ideal starting point, while the coastal road has many hotels offering fresh, sustainable seafood. The Torridon Hotel in Wester Ross is known for its 7-course taster menu, and whoever is off driving duty for the day will enjoy the single malts at Glen Ord distillery.

Things to note

North Coast 500 roads are safe and suitable for most cars, though inexperienced drivers are advised to avoid the Bealach Na Ba stretch due to its sharp bends and steep gradients. The summer months are likely to be the best weather wise, though of course good driving conditions can never be guaranteed on coastal Scottish roads.

The Garden Route

The Garden Route offers stunning vistas throughout (Getty/iStock)

Due to its sheer size, driving in South Africa can seem like a daunting experience, but with a distance of less than 190 miles, The Garden Route is eminently doable. For couples, its deserted beaches, meandering roads, mountain vistas and lagoons make it an otherworldly romantic getaway.

Where to fly into

Cape Town is the region's nearest international airport, while domestic flights also operate to Port Elizabeth and George.

Points of Interest

The town of Knysna is popular with tourists and retirees due to its year-round mild weather, and is a good place to stay for those who would like to combine driving The Garden Route with outdoor activities such as hiking, while Mossel Bay is another popular stop-off point with many museums. Lovebirds could do far worse than visit Birds of Eden Sanctuary, home to over 2000 previously caged birds in a wonderful two-hectare dome.

Cuisine

The Garden Route is well known for an excellent food offering to go with its natural beauty, from French-inspired Le Maquis in Knysa to Emily's Restaurant. Set on the banks of the Bitou River in Plettenberg Bay, the latter is part of boutique accommodation Emily Moon River Lodge, overlooking the unique wetlands. Its kitchen specialises in dishes made from local ingredients, with vegetables often grown in its very own garden.

Things to Note

Spring (September to October) is possibly the best time to do the Garden Route, with mild weather and good driving conditions. Summer (November to February) can be quite hot and the Christmas holiday season sees the Garden Route busy with domestic tourists.

The Great Ocean Road

(Getty Images/iStockphoto

Even more so than South Africa, driving in Australia can seem like a daunting proposition. But at 151 miles, the Great Ocean Road is an ideal route for couples with its beautiful cliff-top roads, lush forest and fantastic dining and can be extended to incorporate more of the Victoria and activities such as whale watching.

Where to fly into

Melbourne is the closest international airport. Avalon Airport is the closest airport to Torquay at the start of the route for those travelling by air domestically.

Points of Interest

Visit Victoria's suggested 3-day tour offers couple's a range of activities for a romantic road trip. Starting in Melbourne, visitors should head to Torquay, the official start of the Great Ocean Road and one of Australia's surf capitals, before driving to Lorne for fish and chips and then Kennett River, famous for its koala bears.

Otway National Park is an ideal way to see lush Australian rainforest before heading to 12 Apostles in Port Campbell, a group of stunning rocks poking up from the ocean. Meandering back to Melbourne from Port Fairy, couples should stop in at Otway Estate and the Forrest Brewing Company or extend the road trip to incorporate the Great Southern Touring Route, with opportunities to see kangaroos, koala bears, whales, wombats and more.

Cuisine

Australia's 'magic soil' means it can grow most crops, fruits and vegetables domestically and restaurants around the country are making use of this like never before. Highlights include Greek restaurant Ipsos in Lorne, seafood specialists La Bimba in Apollo Bay and Port Fairy's Fen, winner of two Chef's Hats from the Australian Good Food Guide.

Things to note

Prices and temperatures are higher during the summer months (December to February). During spring the rainforests are at their peak, while winter is ideal if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy cheaper accommodation. It's also whale migration season, giving you a better chance of seeing them, though if you're interested in any water activities, most are closed during this time of the year.

Northern France

The beautiful commune of Le Mont Saint Michel

With its wartime associations, driving along the North of France might not jump out as a romantic road trip, but with stunning stop offs including Le Mont Saint-Michel to accompany the country's unparalleled food and wine, a road trip in this part of the country is both convenient and memorable.

Where to fly into

If you have your own car, it is of course possible to get the ferry from southern England. However, for those who do want to fly, there are direct flights from London to Deauville-Normandie and Deauville-Normandie, while its also possible to start in Paris and drive to Normandy.

Points of Interest

The gem in Normandy's crown is surely Le Mont Saint Michel. Just over half a mile from the country's north coast, the town has a population of only 44 and is worth the visit alone for its atmospheric Medieval abbey. Other great stop offs include Honfleur, a beautiful town which influenced the likes of Monet and Bayeux, a cobblestone dream of a town perhaps best known for a certain Tapestry.

Cuisine

France is world famous for its food and Normandy is no different. The region is home to dishes including Canard à la Rouennaise (duck from the Seine Valley), Pré Salé lamb (lamb from the salt marshes around Le Mont Saint Michel) and cheeses including Neufchâtel and the region's most famous, Camembert, while Rouen and the Seine valley are known for their charming food markets.

Things to Note

With weather not dissimilar to the UK, summer is the best time of year to visit if you want to enjoy sunshine, though spring is also a good option. In winter, the weather can be cold.

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