Everyone loves a good road trip. There’s just something about getting the hell out of town and hitting the open road that makes you feel alive. But it can also be a fun and entertaining element of a European vacation! Here are some of the best road trip options in all of Europe.

GERMAN ALPINE ROAD, GERMANY

If you’ve ever been a fan of The Sound of Music, then this is the European road trip for you! The incredible combination of snow-peaked mountains and lush greenery will have you shaking your head in amazement every mile along the way. Some of the highlights include King Ludwig’s castle, Lake Constance, and Benediktbeuern Abbey.

RING ROAD, ICELAND

Thanks to its breathtaking views and delightfully cold weather, Iceland is quickly becoming one of the hottest vacation destinations in all of Europe. And if you want to get a road trip in while you’re there, Ring Road is the place to go. This whole trip can be done in just about 12-14 hours but has plenty of amazing volcanoes, icebergs, and hot springs along the way.

ITALIAN LAKES AND THE DOLOMITES, ITALY

What else can you say about Italy at this point? It’s just an incredible country that everyone needs to experience at least once. And what better way to do it that with a countryside road trip! This one is best enjoyed when given ample time, even as much as a full week. There are countless perfect lakes and quaint as they come villages along the drive. Just be sure to do it in the summer, and the area starts to see snow in the fall.

RING OF KERRY, IRELAND

Similar to Iceland, Ireland is a very popular vacation destination these days thanks to its incredible views and bundle-up-worthy weather. Sure, there are great Irish cities like Dublin, but if you really want to experience Ireland you should hit the Ring of Kerry in the southern part of the country. It’s only about 180 miles long, but you’ll see enough waterfalls, mountains, and castles to make you feel like you really did Ireland right.

AIX-EN-PROVENCE TO CASTELLANE, FRANCE

It’s no surprise that France is a beautiful and vacation-worthy country. But the drive from Aix-en-Provence to Castellane is rarely talked about as a must-see… and it should be. The incredible fields of lavender alone make it beyond worth it, but then once you’ve made it to the unbelievable beauty of Verdon Gorge you’ll be happy with your choice. Just be prepared, some of the mountain passes include some very narrow and winding roads!

NORTH COAST 500, SCOTLAND

This route is named as such because it covers a whopping 516 miles. But nearly every one of them is worth it if you want to have a great road trip experience during your trip to Scotland. You’ll catch plenty of lochs, mountains, rolling glens, and, of course, a few castles. There are even some amazing whiskey distilleries along the way. But you stop in one of those be sure you’re just grabbing some whiskey for later when you’re not driving.

Where would you go on vacation if money wasn’t an issue and you had all the time in the world? Go on and think about it, I’ll wait. I would go to a private island and have a castaway experience with luxury amenities, of course. Well, the super-rich have the ability to go anywhere they wish and do literally whatever money can buy, how awesome must that be? Check out where the richest people in the world vacation and what the heck they spend their money on.

BILL GATES: CROATIA

Unlike many super-rich people, Bill Gates likes to mix and mingle with the locals when he vacations. He enjoys Croatia for its old Europe feel and medieval construction. The hot spot in Europe, Croatia is enjoying a tourism boom, which is centered around the countries pleasurable weather and affordable luxury. Bill Gates doesn’t need to save money but who says the super-rich can’t be frugal?

RICHARD BRANSON: BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Why not just ball out of control like Richard Branson and buy your own island. That is some next level stuff there. The Virgin Mobile/Records/Airlines etc entrepreneur and billionaire owns Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. The private island is an actual resort where rooms rent for a minimum of $5,000 a night. Luminaries such as the Obamas and Mariah Carey have stayed here before. Wow, talk about luxury, a private island where the former president stays. Enjoy all the watersports you can handle while basking in the hot Caribbean sun.

STEVEN SPIELBERG: IRELAND

Where do the best directors of all time spend their vacations? Well, if you love Steven Spielberg movies, you’ll know he enjoys incredible landscapes and none are grander than Ireland. The Emerald Isle just is so vibrant and lush that it attracts all sorts of travelers, even the mega-rich. Ireland isn’t a vacation that will break your bank, in fact, its one of the most affordable trips you could choose. Spielberg loved the countryside, the people, and the food, what’s really not to love?

OPRAH WINFREY: FIJI

Where does one of the most influential women of all time vacation? Wherever the heck she wants, is the only acceptable answer, she is the queen of entertainment. Oprah recently went on a luxury superyacht called the Rising Sun, where she partied with The Obamas and Bruce Springsteen in Tahiti. When she stays on land she prefers the beaches of Fiji. The island of Fiji features luxury at every turn but when Oprah is there she reserves the entire resort.

WARREN BUFFETT: LAGUNA BEACH

The man who is in charge of our country’s wealth, Warren Buffett is a billionaire of the most frugal standards. He’s lived in the same modest home in Omaha Nebraska since 1958 and only splurges on vacations, so where does he go? He owned a lavish beach home in Laguna Beach, California where the rich and fabulous play. Laguna Beach is very accessible for the non-rich so check it out for yourself. The steep cliffs and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean will have you coming back for years.

Getting out into the great outdoors is one of the best ways to become in tune with nature.

Going off the beaten path and finding your own campsite is a great way to unplug and unwind after a stressful week of work.

Although camping is fun, never go unprepared. Keep reading to discover our ultimate list of camping trip essentials you should always pack on your campaign trips.

Bathroom Essentials

No matter where you end up camping you’re going to need to use the bathroom and wash up. Be sure to pack the following:

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Shampoo, conditioner & body wash
• Towel & washcloth
• Toilet paper
• Hand soap

Depending on where you end up camping they may have restrooms, but if not it’s always good to be prepared with extras of everything. This camping towel is great because it dries quickly so you don’t have to worry as much about whether your towel is going to be ready for you when you’re ready for it.

Sleeping and Resting Equipment

If this is your first camping trip you may not be considering where you’re sleeping, but you definitely need to. Do you need a tent or sleeping bag? Are you sleeping in an RV or another camper?

Make sure you pack at least a sleeping bag, a pillow, and maybe even an extra blanket if you expect it to be cold while you’re camping.

Types of Food and Drinks to Bring

Unless you’re truly roughing it and hunting to eat, you should also pack camping trip food essentials. Bring items that don’t have to be heated to eat, and are also non-perishable. Check out these easy camping meals and expect to do some meal prepping before you head out.

Don’t forget your water either. Bringing a case of water bottles would be heavy, and isn’t environmentally friendly. Instead, get a filtered water bottle that you can easily fill up and use over and over again while you’re camping. 

Electronic Essentials

While you may be camping to get off the grid it’s important to have safety electronics on hand in case of emergencies. Bring your cell phone with you and grab a solar-powered charger so you can keep it ready to go.

Don’t forget that it’s going to get dark at night too. Get yourself a reliable battery powered lantern with extra batteries. You’ll be happy you did this when you’re walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Depending on where you are you may not have any cell service so it’s also a good idea to bring a set of walkie-talkies. This way you’ll always have a sure way to reach either the people you’re with or emergency services.

Get Your Camping Trip Essentials Today

Now that you know our ultimate list of camping trip essentials plan a trip today! This camping trip essentials list will ensure you have the best camping trip possible.

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