Portugal, Italy, France or Switzerland: the most beautiful routes for your road trips

Lena has scoured the Internet for hours, and Tim likes her ideas.

Portugal

Portugal offers the spectacular coastal road from Porto to Lisbon, passing through charming villages and alongside picturesque beaches. The Algarve coast, with its fantastic cliffs and idyllic coves, and the Alentejo region are of particular interest to Tim and Lena.

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Italy

With the popular Amalfi Coast and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, Italy is a popular tourist destination. Tuscany is also an attractive region thanks to its rolling hills, beautiful vineyards and medieval cities.

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France

France, and in particular the Route Napoléon, fascinates Tim and Lena. The Route Napoléon starts on the Côte d’Azur before travelling through the Alps towards Grenoble along the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes, taking in breathtaking panoramas and journeying across the highest mountain passes. Alternatively, you can enjoy a pleasant road trip through the south of France. 

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Switzerland

And then there’s Switzerland. Our home region also has beautiful routes on offer, such as the Grand Tour of Switzerland, which connects the country’s most beautiful areas from the Bernese Oberland’s impressive mountains down to Ticino’s crystal-clear lakes and rivers.

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Italy is the winner

After lengthy consideration, Lena and Tim decide to go to Italy. The thought of driving through picturesque villages, discovering historic cities and enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle was all the encouragement they needed. Not to mention the pizza, pasta, gelato and cool clubs!

Lena and Tim decide on a route starting in Milan, heading to Venice and then Rome before continuing on down to the Amalfi Coast. 

How much does a road trip cost? Tip: work out all the costs

Tim and Lena consider what budget costs they have to factor in for their journey. Here’s a list of the most important costs they should plan for:

• Fuel
• Toll fees
• Parking fees
• Accommodation: staying overnight at campsites, hostels, hotels or Airbnb accommodation
• Food and drink: costs for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with snacks and drinks
• Spending money: costs for entry tickets for museums and attractions, as well as paying for day trips and tours
• Other expenses: costs for souvenirs or using public transport in cities, as well as any extra unexpected costs

Tips on saving money on a road trip

Use the following tips to save money on a road trip through Italy: 

Search for cheap accommodation

Search on platforms such as Airbnb, booking.com or directly on a provider’s website for cheap overnight accommodation. Camping is often an inexpensive option, especially in rural areas.

Food and drink

Avoid restaurants frequented by tourists in central areas. Instead, eat in smaller local restaurants. These are often better value for money and provide a more authentic experience. You can also find high-quality, cheap food for picnics at local markets. A wander through a local market is always a great experience.

Petrol stations

Try not to refuel on a motorway, as prices tend to be higher there than in other places. Plan your refuelling stops in advance to avoid paying more than necessary.

Motorway toll fees

Motorway toll fees in Italy can be expensive. Avoid these toll fees by using country roads (strade statali) instead of motorways (autostrade). This will of course make your journey longer, but will save you money and provide you with some spectacular scenery.

Paying

When withdrawing cash or paying by bank card, always choose to pay in the

local currency. Find out more in the article “Holiday money in a foreign currency: key things to bear in mind”.

Activities

Look for cheap or free activities such as walks or hikes, or visit parks and beaches that don’t have an entry charge.

Preparing the road trip

Tim is responsible for booking accommodation along their route. First of all, he takes some time to think of the pros and cons of each type of accommodation: 

Bed and breakfast

Advantages

Holiday apartments offer a lot of flexibility and independence, because guests can choose and prepare their own meals. What’s more, they are often more spacious than a hotel room. 

Disadvantages

There are no daily cleaning services, and guests usually have to clean the accommodation themselves. There are usually no amenities such as restaurants, bars or concierge services in the building. They’re usually only worthwhile for a longer stop on a road trip. 

Hotels

Advantages

Hotels usually have a wide range of amenities such as restaurants, room service, gyms and swimming pools. 

Disadvantages

Hotels are usually more expensive, especially if you use any additional services. Staying in a hotel chain can feel less personal than staying in a bed and breakfast. 

Tim eventually decides on a mix of charming bed and breakfasts, a comfortable holiday apartment for a longer stay on the Amalfi Coast and hotels for staying in the cities. 

Car

Lena takes care of the car: She searches on the Internet for the The link will open in a new window relevant legislation and regulations and any country-specific requirements for the car (e.g. emission stickers) Next, she makes an appointment to have the car checked over in a garage before the holiday. She also updates her GPS, checks the first-aid kit and restocks it if necessary, and reviews her car insurance cover.

Road trip packing list: what else should be in your luggage (a non-exhaustive list)

• Passport or ID
• Driving licence
• GPS or smartphone with navigation app
• Road map as a backup
• Vehicle documents, emergency help number, green insurance card
• Money and bank cards, such as a PostFinance Card, which is accepted abroad in all places where Debit Mastercard is accepted
• First-aid kit
• Mosquito protection
• Charging cables for smartphones and power bank
• Bikini and swimming costume
• Sun cream and sunglasses
• Comfortable clothing and shoes, suitable for all weather and activities
• Toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
• Picnic accessories
• Water and small snacks for longer drives
• Playlist with Italian music for the right atmosphere, such as “Italodisco” by The Kolors or Italian classics like “Volare” or “Azzurro”
• etc.

The fuel tank is full, the batteries are loaded, and the packing list has been checked one last time: Lena and Tim are ready for their adventure. They set off in the early hours of the morning, with the sun already rising. With a deep breath, they start the engine.

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