Exploring Europe's Finest Destinations
Looking For New & Exotic Scenery? We Urge You To Pack & Tour Some Spectacular European Countries Within Easy Travel Distance
Mountains, lakes, coast, forest and countryside – Europe is a mass of incredibly beautiful scenic locations. Trying to choose the best is difficult, simply because there are so many. But certain locations stand out as being particularly stunning and memorable.
Visitors have been heading to the Lake District in the UK for well over 200 years now and its popularity continues to grow. Stunning mountains, spectacular coastline and serene lakes are combined with tales familiar to every child for this Beatrix Potter country. Hiking the well trodden paths up the slopes, through villages full of grey stoned houses it is easy to imagine Mrs Tiggywinkle and Peter Rabbit scampering around.
Windermere and Ambleside is very much the gateway into the Lake District. This is the longest lake in the area and was used by Malcolm Campbell to set world speed records. Many campers and caravanners use this area as a central spot from which to explore the area, before heading to the coast or further north. With steep gradients on many of the passes and winding roads, it can take longer than expected to reach destinations. The official website for the Lakes District, Cumbria has details of many caravan and camping parks.
Norway’s coastline is one of the most spectacular in the world. Deep fjords surrounded by towering mountains offer perfect opportunities for walking and active outdoor experiences. Visit Norway lists over 800 caravan & camping sites, and wilderness camping is allowed as long as you follow the basic countryside rules. The mountains of Jotunheimen and the Lofoten Islands are among the most popular areas for adventurous campers, but equally worth considering is the tranquil setting of Geiranger fjord with its hairpin roads offering incredible views across the water. Take a look too at the Atlantic Road popular with many automotive commercials for as you drive along, it dips and arches over the sea connecting up a series of islands giving the impression you are heading into the sea. During stormy weather, waves often crash over the road. At Haholmen, you can skim across the waves in a low slung, authentic Viking longboat.
Breathtaking views make the fjords an unforgettable destination – even when you are being nearly blown off your feet on top of a mountain by the sheer strength of the wind. Enjoy a trip on the Rauma between Andalsnes and Bjorli railway which criss-crosses the valley as it snakes up the mountainside, especially when crossing the Kylling bridge where the river froths far below.
A much calmer landscape can be enjoyed in the Netherlands where dykes hold back the North Sea. Virtually all of this flat, gently rolling landscape is lower than the height of the sea beyond. Pleasant at any time of the year, the Dutch landscape takes on a special charm each spring when the bulbfields come into bloom. It becomes a riot of colour, especially brilliant golds, reds, purples, whites as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths reign supreme, alongside many smaller bulbs like the intense blue of muscari and Scylla. A visit to the Kerkenhof Gardens near Amsterdam is a must, for this is a massive demonstration garden set up by bulb growers. Elaborate displays have included rivers of blue, shipping Carracks, Van Gogh and Delft tiles. Head north to the villages around the Zuider Zee for picturesque windmills, clog makers and cheese factories as well as scenes painted by Monet.
There are many non-designated campsites offering limited facilities throughout the Netherlands run by the Dutch Forestry Commission as well as larger, more formal sites. The Caravan & Motorhome Club is a good source of information about the sites available in the Netherlands.
Head south to Bavaria for wooded mountains and valleys where fairytales rule. The 600 kilometre long German Fairy Tale route brings the tales of the Brothers Grimm vividly alive as you discover the land of Little Red Riding Hood in Schwalmstadt and the mountains surrounding Snow White’s valley where half timbered houses are straight out of a storybook. Alternatively try the Black Forest Panoramic Route from Feldberg to Waldkirch where you can enjoy views across the Rhineland to the Vosges mountains and sometimes even the Swiss Alps. Expect twisting roads, narrow winding streets and mysterious places like the Witches Hole and Ravenna Gorge as well as fairytale castles with turrets rising high above the tree tops such as the incredible Ludwigstadt Castle.
The Alps are the big crossroads of Europe, linking France, Germany, Italy and Austria and creating scenic views at every turn of the road. Highly recommended is the Grand Tour of Switzerland, the Swiss route 66. This is a 1600 km tour around Switzerland, through no less than 11 UNESCO world heritage sites, countless mountains and 22 lakes amid a landscape that goes from glaciers to palm trees! It is perfectly doable in a caravan. There are numerous good camping and motorhome campsites along the Grand Tour which can be found at Switzerland's Tourism site.
The neighbouring Austrian Tyrol is equally beautiful. This is the land of the Sound of Music, and many of the locations from the film can be visited in the city of Salzburg. Small villages and towns are hidden among the soaring white capped mountains. Stroll through flower bedecked meadows, and gaze down on the terracotta roofed houses far below. The pretty city of Innsbruck is totally surrounded by mountains, and is home to the stunning Hofburg Palace and the gothic Hofkirche. Use designated campsites which can be found throughout the Tyrol on www.tyrol.com/book-your-holiday/campsites-campgrounds.
Croatia on the shores of the Adriatic Sea is coming into its own as an incredible touring destination. Think Game of Thrones for a hint of the sheer beauty that awaits visitors, for this is where many of the scenes were filmed. Wherever you go, there new spectacular sights to be seen from romantic sunsets as the sun dips down into rivers and sea to pristine forests, caves and mighty mountain peaks. Head for the magical butterfly valley of the Risnjak national park where the source of the River Kupa can be found or the sweet smelling conifer forests surrounding Lovarka cave and lake.
The Croatian Camper Union highlights seven travel routes through this wonderful landscape. But one word of warning, you do need to book campsites. You cannot camp or park your motorhome outside a campsite. This is strictly forbidden and fines for doing so, are very high.
Angela Youngman
An experienced travel writer based in the UK. Angela has worked for numerous magazines such as Group Travel World, Calibre and Houston Hotel Magazine. She is the author of several guidebooks and e-books.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Lazy Rancho, which is just over 2 miles from the centre of Interlarken in the Bernese Oberland. It's an immaculate site with plenty of local attractions and discounts available.