Portugal

Perfect for: surfers, hikers and fans of breathtaking scenery
Route: from Faro to Lisbon.

Portugal is known for its rock formations © Shutterstock

Surfing beaches, mighty cliffs, beautiful grassland and vibrant cities are all close together in Portugal. That's why a road trip is especially worthwhile to admire the full splendor of nature here. If you start in the south at the small town of Faro and drive up to Lisbon, the road will take you past all the country's cool Instagram spots. About 40 minutes past Albufeira hides the famous Algar de Benagil cave with its many natural openings. Only about 50 kilometers away by car, you can look down from a high cliff to the rock formation Ponta de Piedade.

On the country road past small villages we go to Praia da Bordeira, a huge bay with meter-high waves and endless sandy beaches. From here, the only direction is north. If you take the coastal road, again and again you'll discover breathtaking beaches framed by rock formations. By highway it's faster, but you hardly see anything of the beautiful nature here. 

Italy

Perfect forr: gourmets, fans of La Dolce Vita, peace seekers
Route: Rome trip - South - Rome again

The beautiful coastal towns can be surveyed as you drive through Italy. © Shutterstock

Italy - the land of good food, dream beaches and special culture. There's hardly a more diverse nation in the world. That's why many car travelers are drawn here. If you start your road trip in the capital Rome, you have a perfect starting point to get to know the south of the boot with all its facets. After a few days in the historic center of Rome, you head for Naples, the picturesque city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. In the birthplace of pizza, you should definitely have one. The historic city of Pompeii nearby is also worth a detour.

Via what is probably the most beautiful panoramic road in Italy, we travel to Tropea, one of the most popular seaside resorts in Calabria. Then the capital of Puglia is on the agenda: Lecce in the southeasternmost part of the boot is known for its magnificent buildings and artistic heritage. Somewhat smaller and finer is Vieste on the east coast of Italy. The fishing village is built on a rock that slowly juts into the water. From here, you'll later head across the inland back to Rome on the west coast.

France

Perfect for: cosmopolitans, wine lovers
Route: from Toulouse through Provence to the Côte d'Azur.

If you're lucky, you can walk through lavender fields on your road trip through France. © Shutterstock

The beautiful south of France - anyone who comes here would love to stay. A road trip is therefore just the thing to soak up the romance of the area even more. The starting point is Toulouse, the so-called pink city on the Garonne River. Here you'll slowly immerse yourself in the flair of France before heading towards the coast. After leaving Carcassonne and Narbonne behind, you drive to Montpellier, one of the most livable cities in the country. In addition to magnificent buildings, you'll find a mix of art and culture here.

Via Avignon, which scores with its historic city walls, you drive into the heart of Provence. Aix-en-Provence, the city of water, invites you to stroll with its many fountains and cute little streets. Then it gets romantic. On the way to Marseille, you'll pass several lavender fields in bloom. The port city exudes big-city flair and knows how to inspire with hip cafés and trendy stores. On the Côte d'Azur, the route continues via Toulon to Cannes and Nice, where the rich and famous reside. Here, shopping tours, afternoons at the beach or boat trips are worthwhile a visit. 

USA

Perfect for: adventure seekers, hikers, city fans, sightseeing enthusiasts
Route: trip through California

How about hiking in the breathtakingly beautiful Joshua Tree National Park? © Shutterstock

Actually, the USA is known for its legendary Route 66, but for a shorter trip through different worlds, California is also a good choice. The best place to start is San Diego. The city on the Pacific coast is known for its extensive beaches. From here, you drive further inland to Palm Springs in the Sonora Desert. The large palm trees emphasize the special flair of the area. Here, shopping or relaxing is on the agenda before you travel further towards Joshua Tree National Park.

With its rugged rock formations, the nature reserve is perfect for extensive hikes. Death Valley National Park, which you reach after about 248 miles, is similar. It's the driest and lowest park in the USA. Far greener and colder is the verdant Yosemite National Park with its breathtaking forests, waterfalls and cliffs. From here we head back towards the coast. Next stop: San Francisco, where you can visit the Alcatraz peninsula and go sightseeing. Then you continue on to Los Angeles, where you follow in the footsteps of the stars in Hollywood and take in the big city life. Finally, the trip takes you back to San Diego.