Faro to Aljezur, Portugal

While Faro may be a hot-spot for tourists in summer, get ahead of the crowds in spring and set off from its capital, towards the wild western coastline, taking in the best of the Algarve. Steer clear of the highway along the coast and head up north, towards the hills on road IC1. After just over 60km, take the N267, which snakes its way through woodland and hillside villages, with epic views over the Algarve and down towards the southern coast. With a hefty number of hairpin bends, the mountainous route to Aljezur is one of the best driving roads the region has to offer.

Car of choice: Jaguar I-Pace

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Molde to Alesund, Norway

One of the best times to visit (and drive in) northern Norway, known for its frozen, fjord-fringed landscape, can be springtime. Starting from the harbour town of Molde, take the long route (route 64) around the Romsdal Peninsula, to the port of Alesund on the edge of the Norwegian Sea. The road winds its way between the water’s edge and towering, sheer-sided cliffs inland, offering up some of Norway’s most dramatic scenery. With temperatures rising after the long, harsh winter, the snow starts to give way to an abundance of wild flowers and blossom in country meadows.

Car of choice: Range Rover Sport SVR

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Wurzburg to Munich, Germany

Hidden away in the southern provinces of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg is Germany’s Romantic Road. Loosely based on a medieval trade route that linked a number of towns and villages, the back road winds its way from Würzburg to Füssen, on the Germany-Austria border, taking in quintessential German castles, thick forests and stunning scenery. Devised as a way to boost tourism to Germany after the war, the Romantic Road is the slow and steady way to sample the very best of Bavaria in spring.

Car of choice: Porsche 911 Targa GTS

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Helmsley to Whitby, UK

Starting off in the classic chocolate box town of Helmsley, on the edge of the North York Moors national park, the route over to the historic harbour town of Whitby is one of the best driving roads in the north of England. With views the whole way across the wild, deserted moors and steep-sided valleys either side, the switchback Blakey road travels north towards the coast. Spring is the perfect time to head out on this route as it’s often impassable in the winter due to snow and ice. The Lion Inn pub, halfway along the ridge, is an ideal stopping point and has often been a refuge for travellers caught in bad weather in the depths of winter.

Car of choice: Jaguar F-Type

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Cardiff to Portmeirion, Wales

Setting off from Wales’ capital city, take the A470, which cuts its way through some of the country’s most impressive backcountry to reach the quirky tourist town of Portmeirion on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. Designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925 in the style of an Italian village, Portmeirion is an eccentric architectural experiment perched on steep cliffs overlooking a wide sandy estuary. The route from Cardiff travels across the wilds of the Brecon Beacons, awash with daffodils in spring, before dropping down into the green valleys of villages on the approach to Portmeirion.  

Car of choice: Maserati Ghibli S

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