Page 2 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

1 PLAN YOUR TRIP

Start your planning here – We reveal the ultimate road trip list for Europe PLUS
the highlights you’ll discover on the way and practical advice to kick-start your trip…
IRYNA1/SHUTTERSTOCK ©
France seduces with a somehow
Europe ’s best sights and
familiar culture woven around
experiences, and the road trips AGNIESZKA SKALSKA/SHUTTERSTOCK © IOAN PANAITE/SHUTTERSTOCK © Ireland Great Britain France
From cliff -backed shores and
quaint villages, to historic
The emerald isle delivers
markets and lace-curtained
that will take you there. EUROPE picture-postcard views monuments and wild, wild cafe terraces, village-square
moors., Britain boasts everything
bistros where the plat du jour is
that are brooding,
dramatic and delightful
world-class art, architecture and
IF YOU BY REGION in turn. It’s a place to from Georgian architecture to chalked up outside. Here too  nd
21st-century art.
revel in scenery, history,
delightfully scenic drives.
music- lled pubs and the
stillness of village life.
EUROPE LIKE
HIGHLIGHTS Outdoor activities Alpine mountains along the Grossglockner Road Germany
through churning whirlpools, vast
Wine tasting Douro Valley History Food & Wine Here the majestic Rhine snakes
and culinary traditions,
And all around storybook castles
present. Everywhere lies
Architecture Great Views Art Renaissance glories, Outdoor In Europe the past is ever With its superb produce These nine glorious countries vineyards and medieval villages.
Activities
Europe is a food- and
crown jagged cliff s.
Boasting an unparalleled sun-kissed shores, majestic Impressionist playground extraordinaire heritage stretching back destination. Here you characters – each as irresistible
evidence of an enthralling
Europe is an adventure
have dramatically diff erent
Awe-inspiring mountains,
wine-lover’s dream
architectural legacy,
masterpieces, modernist
thousands of years – from
river valleys, vine-etched
with landscapes that make
Italian Lakes Europe is home to some hills – Europe can claim marvels, landmark pretty much any activity stone circles and Greek can dine al fresco in a and as exciting as the next. What
medieval piazza, feast on
of the world’s most
museums – Europe’s
possible. Hike mountain
superb landscapes linked
temples to battle elds,
Switzerland is simply spectacular,
Italy’s northern lakes are celebrated masterpieces by ribboning roads. These astonishing artistic trails, surf gorgeous chateaux, cathedrals and seafood in a historic port, to do and where do go? Here’s Switzerland
simply sublime. The most Romanesque cathedrals, are truly unforgettable linger long in the memory beaches, go summer-time seam stitched through the in a Spanish bodega. your guide to getting the very with dazzling scenery at every
castles. This history is a
or nibble on cured meats
legacy is guaranteed to
in building design.
best experiences from each
skiing, windsur ng and
picturesque and least
drives.
3 Tuscan Wine Tour
baroque palaces,
turn: pristine lakes, lush
after you get home.
visited is Lago di Como
(Lake Como); a highlight of timbered cottages, ancient 4 Amalfi Coast Italy’s From Michelangelo to white-water rafting – our entire continent and our Savour  ne dining in country and its road trips. meadows, snow-dusted Alps. Add
trips unravel the stories
Georgian cities, half-
Trip 2: The Graceful Italian
Picasso, Europe is a sheer
adrenaline-laced trips
cosmopolitan cities and you have
most celebrated shore is a
enable it all.
indulgence for art-lovers
Chianti’s picturesque
for you.
a country making it easy to drive
up – simply sublime views.
creations – the wealth of
Lakes, a scenic jaunt around monuments, cutting-edge classic Mediterranean pin- and a feast for the eyes. g Britain’s Wild Side 5 World Heritage vineyards. d Champagne Taster deep into its heart.
Lakes Maggiore, Orta and
Como. Set in the shadow of buildings arrayed here will j Royal Highlands & 1 Grand Tour Take in A fresh-air fuelled tour of Wonders Rome’s
the Rhaetian Alps, Lago di be a memorable part of Cairngorms A sweep of Leonardo’s The Last Supper, Britain’s best wilderness Colosseum and Verona’s Chefs cook up a storm while
Como’s banks are speckled your trip. majestic mountains and Botticelli’s The Birth of spots, including eight Arena; a classic cross- cellars echo to the sound of Portugal
with Liberty-style villas e Châteaux of the Loire Venus, Michelangelo’s David gloriously diverse National country drive. popping corks. Portugal’s mix of the medieval
Queen’s Scottish summer
and fabulous landscaped Resplendent châteaux line pine forests encircles the and so much more. Parks. 9 D-Day’s Beaches v Roving La Rioja Wine and the maritime makes Austria
gardens that burst into and May. the banks of the Loire, each o Ring of Kerry Virtually r Mediterranean x Alentejo & Algarve The events of D-Day still Region Bodegas, quality of a sometimes turbulent past White-knuckle Alpine passes
touring a real treat. The legacy
one more extravagant than
eateries and vineyards to
resonate along Normandy’s
blushing colour in April
home.
Meander See artwork
Beaches Portugal’s south-
includes medieval castles, vine-
usher in a wealth of adrenaline
Irish drive reveals a vista
to windsur ng and white-water
cities. Meanwhile, the pounding
memorials explain why.
Trip 2 the last. h The Historic South every corner on this iconic by Spanish greats, from coast stunner, off ering shores; the museums and the horizon. lined terraces and captivating sports, from year-round skiing
w Douro Valley
Picasso in Malaga to Catalan
cliff -backed shores, seaside
Three of England’s most worthy of a postcard. giants in Barcelona. ~ Grossglockner Road h The Historic South Vineyard Trails Northern Atlantic has sculpted a coast of Spain Italy Epicentre of the Roman rafting, while pretty castles and
villages and great surf.
dense forests frame the majestic,
Portugal’s culinary corner
Britain’s Stonehenge,
spectacular cathedrals,
| The Swiss Alps All
} Geneva to Zürich Rich
glorious sandy bays.
plus London, and Bath’s the big names are here: and diverse art collections A feat of 1930s Austrian UNESCO-city Bath, sublime boasts sublime views and Passionate, sophisticated and Empire and birthplace of the mighty Danube.
Georgian city-scape. Matterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau, dot this mountanous route engineering, this road cathedrals and Napoleonic- red wines. devoted to living the good life, Renaissance, this sun-kissed
swings giddily around 36
Spain showcases sun-baked plains
– encompassing everything
era ships combine for a truly
t Northern Spain
Italian Lakes Varenna, Lago di Como Pilgrimage Showcasing Schilthorn, Titlis and Mönch. from the Renaissance to switchbacks – opening up historic drive. and glittering shores, it also virtuoso serves up sublime music,
food and wine.
enables leisurely discoveries of
mountain activities galore.
11 a string of ancient chapels Cubism. 21 heritage, food, wine and art. 23
medieval villages and some
stunning cathedrals.
10 20 22
Trip Highlights The best Inspiration Pick out Europe by Region Choose
experiences and the road the trips that best suit where to begin your
trips to take you there. your style. road-trip adventure.
2 ON THE ROAD
40 amazing road trips – Inspirational images, local knowledge, special detours,
easy-to-read colour maps, expert advice and ways to link different trips together.
98km to Adda
a Modica # Locarno ] ‚ F G Gravedona \ # Colico
Modica is a wonder- Malesco 0 ¸ SS337 # \ Ascona SWITZERLAND 37 Lago di Como # \ R
fully atmospheric town ANDY CHRISTIANI / GETTY IMAGES © Melezzo # \ 0 ¸ Rezzonico # 9 \ (2609m) Legnone Monte Parco Regionale degli
with medieval build-
Orobie Valtellinesi
ings climbing steeply
IMAGESEF/SHUTTERSTOCK ©
up either side of a deep Falmenta SS631 Valle Cannobina Cannobio # \ # # 3 0 ¸ E35 A2 0 ¸ Cassarate Menaggio \ Á SS340dir # À
gorge. But unlike some Nazionale Parco Lago di SS340 \ # # Varenna # 8
BARRY WINIKER/GETTY IMAGES ©
of the other Unesco- Val Grande # Luino Lugano Cadenabbia # \ # 8 # \ # 6 # # \ Bellagio
listed cities in the area, it 38 À 8 SS34 \ Tremezzo Lenno 8 # # 7 \ Parco
doesn’t package its treas- The Graceful Lago di À Pioverna Bergamasche Regionale
ures into a single easy- Mergozzo # Ghiffa Parco SS583
to-see street or central Geneva to Zürich 2 Italian Lakes Verbania \ San Grato Botanico Monte 0 ¸ R
] #
piazza: rather, they are Baveno 0 ¸ SS33 \ À # 8 SS34 \ 2 # # # 9 # Laveno \ Breggia Bisbino Monte (1325m) San Primo (1685m) SS583 Enna Brembo
spread around the town ITALY 6 WONDERS OF ANCIENT SICILY Connect the dots between Switzerland’s two biggest cities on a trip Formed at the end of the last ice age, and a popular # H p46 Mottarone Monte L # 1 # Stresa Á Lago 88 SP394dir SP1var Parco Re
] # l
Pallanza
and take some discover-
Maggiore ÀÀ
holiday spot since Roman times, the Italian lakes
R
ing. The highlight has to
be the baroque Chiesa
(1491m)
\
di San Giorgio (Corso San that takes you through its enigmatic heartland, historic cities, have an enduring natural beauty. At Lago Maggiore d'Orta Lago Lago di # # 4 ] # Malnate Olgiate # 8 \ À # Comasco # Como 5 ] # # # \ Lago di Pusiano Lago di
#
Giorgio, Modica Alta; h8am- spine-tingling ascents and a world-famous mountain trio. (Lake Maggiore) the palaces of the Borromean # \ Orta San \ Ranco # Monate Riserva Naturale Solbiate \ SS342 Alserio San Salvatore # \
12.30pm & 3.30-6.30pm), Giulio Brabbia 0 ¸ SS342
which stands in isolated Islands lie like a fl eet of fi ne vessels in the gulf, their \ # Arona Parco Regionale del Pineta Bergamo
splendour atop a majestic grand ballrooms and shell-encrusted grottoes once 0 ¸ E62 0 ¸ di Apiano 0 ¸ 9 m K # #
250-step staircase. TRIP HIGHLIGHTS 7 DAYS 481 KM / 300 MILES host to Napoleon and Princess Diana, while the siren A26 0 ¸ A8/26 E35 LOMBARDY
Corso Umberto I is the
place to lap up the lively 0 km Geneva 481 km Zürich Culturally vibrant city GREAT FOR… call of Lago di Como (Lake Como) draws Arabian Olona 0 ¸ A2
local atmosphere. A wide
sheikhs and Hollywood movie stars to its discreet
avenue  anked by grace-
edge
ful palaces, churches, Cosmopolitan city and with a post-industrial BJ forested slopes. 0 ¸ A26 PIEDMONT Legnano # \ 0 ¸ A8 0 ¸ A4
Old Town grace galore
restaurants, bars and
WHY THIS IS A boutiques, it is where the BEST TIME TO GO Rho ] #
locals come to parade
GREAT TRIP during the passeggiata A A c A A g Late spring, summer 0 ¸ 0 ¸ Milan
DUNCAN GARWOOD, (evening stroll). 9 and autumn, when the Bella took the name of River Sesia Ticino F G 1 A4 A50 # 0 ¸ ^ A51 # e 0 0 10 miles 20 km
Originally a raging river
Carlo III’s wife, the
WRITER  owed through town, but light and weather are TRIP HIGHLIGHT bella Isabella, in the 0 ¸ A4
best.
Sicily boasts some of the after major  ood damage Bern A A A Lucerne A A A A A 8 I ESSENTIAL 1 Stresa 17th century, when its 3 05 56; www.isoleborromee. L LIN N NK K Y Y YO OU U UR R T T TR RI IP P
centrepiece, Palazzo
in 1902 it was dammed
More than Como and
most spectacular artistic and
WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES ©
Garda, Lago Maggiore
and Corso Umberto was
archaeological treasures you’ve
Borromeo (%0323 3 05 56;
PHOTO
never heard of. The great Greek ruins
of Agrigento and Syracuse might be
has retained the belle
built over it.
www.isoleborromee.it; Isola
on many travellers’ radars but what
Quadri (Picture Gallery)
incl Palazzo Madre adult/child
tourist heyday. Attracted
about Palermo’s Cappella Palatina or
Palazzo Borromeo €20.50/10;
region exempli es
h9am-5.30pm mid-Mar–mid-
From Verbania
€20.50/10; h9am-5.30pm
pastoral perfection.
by the mild climate and
is hung with Old Mas-
Noto’s  amboyant baroque streets? 4 p99 The Drive » Head back onto A Fribourg A The verdant Emmental époque air of its early Bella; adult/child €15/8.50, palace, the Galleria dei it; adult/child €12/6.50, incl 1 Grand Tour From Stresa take | The Swiss Alp
head north-east for the
the A8 to Milan (Milano)
Oct) includes a ‘horror’
ters, including Rubens,
mid-Mar–mid-Oct) was built.
the SS115, which becomes quite
the easy access the new
These masterpieces are all the more twisty as you close in on Noto, 1855 railway provided, Construction of the villa Titian, Veronese and José theatre with a cast of from where you can greatest of the great
rewarding for being so unexpected, 40km away. the European haute and gardens was thought Ribera (Spagnoletto). devilish marionettes, outdoors: perfect peaks,
CULTURE
and go to make this round-island K BEST FOR out in such a way that By contrast, Isola while Chinese pheas- commence your own gorgeous glaciers,
An open-air cable car;
trip an amazing and unforgettable Stanserhorn Zürich’s mighty bourgeoisie  ocked to Madre eschews ostenta- ants stalk the English Grand Tour of Italy. verdant valleys.
experience. A A 1 d A A f the perfect Lake museums and buy and build grand lake- the island would have the
The star attractions
Lucerne panorama relentless nightlife are side villas. appearance of a vessel, tion for a more romantic, gardens.
16th- to 18th-century
and the gardens dripping
Top: Looking from Trapani across the Tyrrhenian Sea 402 km intoxicating. are the Borromean with the villa at the prow familial atmosphere. The 5 p53
to Mt Eryx and the hilltop town of Erice Islands ( Isole Borromee) down 10 tiered terraces Palazzo Madre (%0323
Left: Porta Reale, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Noto 95 541 and their palaces. Isola at the rear. Inside the 45
Right: Chiesa di San Giorgio, Modica Grindelwald Hiking at the foot of the Eiger
44
Pick the right route with Get around easily with Discover even more with
inspirational images and colour maps and route detours, walking routes and
key trip highlights. directions in easy stages. ways to link your trips.
3 ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS
Everything you need for your Europe road trip
Expert advice, practical info, language tips and more.
El Prat Airport petrol
€ less than €10 gasolina f
Daily Costs €€ €€€ €10–20 more than (Barcelona) windscreen ga·so·lee·na
parabrisas m
Rental cars Major car-rental
pa·ra·bree·sas
agencies have concessions at
NEED TO # Santiago de Compostela » Dorm bed: €20–30 €20 arrival terminals.
Budget: Less than €80
Climate
KNOW GO May–Sep Barcelona hotel): €55–65 (more in Madrid every  ve to 10 minutes from Language battery
Buses Cost €5.90 and run
» Double room in hostal (budget
6.10am to 1.05am; it’s 30 to 40
and Barcelona)
Casas Rurales Comfy village
Trains Cost €4.10 and run
del día (daily set menu): €10–15
CURRENCY # GO year-round » Self-catering and lunch menú Sleeping minutes to the centre. batería f ba·ta·ree·a
Euro (€) Madrid # GO Mar–May, Sep & Oct » Use museum and gallery ‘free houses or farmhouses for hire in every 30 minutes from 5.42amto engine
11.38pm; it takes 25 to 30
the countryside.
LANGUAGE # Valencia GO year-round admission’ afternoons Hostales Simple guesthouses minutes to reach the centre. The pronunciation of most Spanish sounds is very similar to that of their English counter- motor m mo·tor tyre
parts. If you read our coloured pronunciation guides as if they were English, you’ll be under-
stood. Note that kh is a throaty sound (like the ‘ch’ in the Scottish loch), r is strongly rolled, ly
Midrange: €80-175
that have ensuite rooms.
Spanish (Castilian). Also
‘lisped’ th sound is pronounced as s in Andalucia. In our pronunciation guides stressed syl-
Taxis Cost €25 to €30 and
accommodation often in castles,
Galician. Catalan, Basque and hotel: €65–140 » Double room in midrange Paradores State funded reach the centre in 30 minutes. is pronounced as the ‘lli’ in ‘million’ and ny as the ‘ni’ in ‘onion’. You may also notice that the headlight faro m rueda f rwe·da
lables are indicated with italics.
» Lunch and/or dinner in local
converted monasteries and old
VISAS # Seville GO Oct–Apr restaurant: €20–40 mansions. fa·ro
Phones)
Generally not required for
basic guesthouses,often with
stays of up to 90 days (not » Car rental: per day from €25 Pensión Inexpensive, extremely Mobile Phones (Cell Can you please write it down? pwe·de es·kree·beer·lo child seat asiento de seguridad a·syen·to de se·goo·ree·da I had an accident. e te·nee·do oon
Local SIM cards are widely
He tenido un
at all for members of EU Dry climate Warm to hot summers, cold winters Top End: More than €175 shared bathrooms. available and can be used in SPANISH BASICS Hola. o·la por favor? Can you show me (on the map)? me lo pwe·de een·dee·kar para niños pa·ra ne
¿Puede escribirlo,
ak·thee·den·te
por fa·vor
or Schengen countries).
» Double room in top-end hotel:
European and Australian mobile
Hello.
Price categories indicate the
Some nationalities need a
me·ka·nee·ko/a
mecánico/a. m/f
Cold climate
(en el mapa)?
Schengen visa. Mild to hot summers, cold winters €140 and up (€200 in Madrid, cost of a double room with phones, but are not compatible Goodbye. How are you? ¿Qué tal? Adiós. a·dyos ke tal ¿Me lo puede indicar (en el ma·pa) diesel helmet mechanic gasóleo ca
Barcelona and the Balearics)
private bathroom in high season:
with many North American or
» Fine dining for lunch and
Are there cycling paths?
FUEL dinner: €150–250 BARCELONA ELSEWHERE Japanese systems. Fine, thanks. Bien, gracias. byen gra·syas gasolina ga·so·lee·na ¿Hay carril bicicleta? ai ka·reel bee·thee·kle·ta
per·don
Petrol stations (usually Excuse me. Perdón. EMERGENCIES petrol ga·so·lee·ne·ra Is there bicycle parking?
open 24 hours) can be » Double room in parador & MADRID Sorry. Lo siento. lo syen·to ¡Socorro! so·ko·ro service station gasolinera ¿Hay aparcamiento ai a·par·ka·myen·to
found along major highways. High Season (Jun–Aug, public holidays) (luxurious state-owned hotel): € less than less than €65 Internet Access Yes. Sí. see no Help! I’m lost. How much is it per day/hour? de bicicletas? de bee·thee·kle·tas
When to Go
€120–200
€75
Wi- is available in most lodgings
Expect to pay €1.35 to €1.80 €65–140 No. No. por fa·vor Estoy perdido/a. es·toy per·dee·do/a (m/f) ¿Cuánto cuesta por kwan·to kwes·ta por
Internet cafes are rare.
per litre. » Accommodation books out and prices increase by up to 50%. €€ €75– 200 and cafes (and is usually free). Please. Thank you. Por favor. Gracias. gra·syas ON THE ROAD día/hora? Is this the road to …? dee·a/o·ra
» Low season in parts of inland Spain.
RENTAL CARS » Expect warm, dry and sunny weather; more humid in coastal Eating €€€ more more kee·sye·ra ¿Se va a … por esta se va a … por es·ta Signs
Auto Jardim (www. Tapas Bar Tapas and than than You’re welcome. De nada. de na·da I’d like to alquilar … Quisiera al·kee·lar … carretera? ka·re·te·ra
autojardim.com) areas. Shoulder (Mar–May, Sep & Oct) drinks;open longer hours than €200 €140 Money The most convenient way to My name is … me lya·mo … hire a … 4WD un todo- oon to·do· te·re·no (How long) Can I park here? (por kwan·to tyem·po) Stop Sto
¿(Por cuánto tiempo)
restaurants.
Hertz (www.hertz.com) Me llamo … terreno Puedo aparcar aquí? pwe·do a·par·kar a·kee Ceda el Paso
Holiday Autos (www. » A good time to travel: mild, clear weather and fewer crowds. Taberna Rustic place serving bring your money is in the form What’s your name? bicycle una oo·na bee·see·kle·ta The car has broken down (at …). Prohibido No Entry
ko·mo te lya·mas (inf)
holidayautos.com) » Local festivals can send prices soaring. tapas and raciones (large tapas). Arriving in Spain of a debit or credit card, with ¿Cómo se llama Usted? ko·mo se lya·ma oo·ste (pol) car bicicleta un coche oon ko·che El coche se ha av
¿Cómo te llamas?
some extra cash in case of an
(en …).
Panadería Bakery; good for
Pepecar (www.pepecar.com) Low Season (Nov–Feb) pastries and coff ee. Barajas Airport (Madrid) emergency. Many credit and debit cards can Do you speak English? a·bla een·gles (pol) motorcycle una moto oo·na mo·to I have a  at tyre. ten·go oon peen·cha·tho Peaje
(en …)
» Cold in central Spain; rain in the north and northwest.
Tengo un pinchazo.
¿Habla inglés?
a·blas een·gles (inf)
Rental cars Major car-rental
IMPORTANT NUMBERS » Mild temperatures in Andalucía and the Mediterranean coast. Vinoteca Wine bar where you agencies have desks in the be used for withdrawing money ¿Hablas inglés? Vía Acceso Freeway Exit
Me he quedado sin
Europe-wide emergencies » This is high season in ski resorts. order by the glass. airport at arrival terminals. from cajeros automáticos I don’t understand. no en·tyen·do Want More? I’ve run out of petrol. me e ke·da·do seen Aparcamiento ParkingA
ga·so·lee·na
(ATMs) that display the
Cervecería Beerhall; the place
No entiendo.
gasolina.
(%112) » Many hotels are closed in beach areas but elsewhere prices to go for snacks and draft beer Metro & buses Cost around relevant symbols such as Visa, Prohibido Aparcar No Parking
International access code plummet. (cerveza). €5 and run every  ve to 10 DIRECTIONS For in-depth language information Where’s a petrol station? don·de ai oo·na
(%00) minutes from 6.05am to 1.30am; MasterCard, Cirrus etc. There is and handy phrases, check out Lonely ¿Dónde hay una ga·so·lee·ne·ra
Country code (%34) Marisqueira Eatery it’s 30 to 40 minutes to the usually a charge (around 1.5% Where’s …? don·de es·ta … Planet’s Spanish Phrasebook. You’ll gasolinera?
specialising in seafood.
 nd them at shop.lonelyplanet.com.
to 2%) on ATM cash withdrawals
¿Dónde está …?
centre.
Price categories indicate the Taxis Cost €30 and reach the abroad. What’s the address? kwal es la dee·rek·syon
cost of a main course: centre in 20 minutes. 437 ¿Cuál es la dirección? 439
436 438