Don't worry, we know it's only February and yes, we're still scraping the ice off our vehicles! However, in the hope of manifesting some warmer weather, we have compiled a few of our top picks for your road trips this summer in your motorhome or camper.
The Flower Route
With easy links from the UK to The Netherlands, The Flower Route is the perfect road trip for nature lovers, due to the vast flower fields situated all along the journey. This route is located in the west of the country, meaning your first stop is just a short 30 minute drive from the Rotterdam harbour. So, once you've boarded the ferry from Hull and landed in The Netherlands, head to The Hook of Holland. Often described as the 'hidden gem' of Holland, this seaside town is the perfect place to start your journey.
The next stop is Naaldwijk, renowned for their stunning greenhouses and a visit to the Oude Kerk cathedral is a must. From here, you will drive around 40 minutes to Leiden. Here you will find the oldest botanical gardens in The Netherlands, Hortus Botanicus. The next stop on your road trip is 30 minutes north to Lisse, the home of the worlds second largest flower gardens. The Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, is home to around 7 million flowers. The garden has an impressive variety of flowers, with tulips being the star attraction. Next up is Haarlam, located in the heart of a prominent flower-bulb growing region, renowned for its surrounding tulip fields and art galleries.
The final stop on The Flower Route, is the vibrant city of Amsterdam. So, after all the connecting with the nature you've done, Amsterdam is the perfect place for an un-wind and some amazing food. Plus, the Amsterdam canals are a must-see, especially at night time.
Top tip: The best time of year to do this route is in the spring and early summer, when the flowers are at full bloom!
The Wild Atlantic Way
This 1600 mile route on Irelands west coast is one of our favourites. From the stunning scenery and great Guinness, you can't go wrong with The Wild Atlantic Way. From Holyhead or Liverpool, board the ferry to Dublin and then make your way up to Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal, the most northern part of Ireland, to start your journey.
On this route you will hit places such as Sligo, named 'the land of heart's desire', known for its rugged beauty and vast coastlines. Sligo is a great spot for the surfers! Other places include Connemara, home to Irelands most beautiful beach, Dog's Bay, the perfect spot for a summer evening walk and of course the Connemara ponies. We would recommend the Connemara beach trail, if equestrian is your thing! Your next stop is the vibrant city of Galway, known for its rich culture, lively atmosphere and many pubs on the main street, let's just say we wouldn't recommend an early day of driving after spending the night in Galway...
After hitting towns such as Limerick and King of Kerry, you will end your journey in Cork. Along with their stunning harbour and world-famous museums, Cork is often described as Irelands best restaurant scene, so you can end this fascinating route with some really good food!
On this journey you will hit some of Irelands most picturesque places and The Wild Atlantic Way is the ideal choice if you really want to get the most out of what Ireland has to offer. It really is a beautiful country and we encourage anyone who has the chance to drive this route, to do it!
The Loire Valley
The Loire Valley, often referred to as The Garden of France, is situated in the centre of France. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, the Loire Valley is filled with picturesque scenery, vineyards and some stunning art museums. So, if wine tasting and museum day trips are your kind of thing, then this road trip is the one for you.
Your first stop on the Loire Valley route is Orléans, where you can enjoy walks along the Loire river and a visit to the Cathedral of Sainte-Croix is a must. The next stop is Chambord, here you will find one of the Renaissances most fascinating architecture, the Château de Chambord.
On your journey you will also come across the Loires largest town, Tours. This is the perfect spot for a relax and is one of the best destinations in terms of food and wine.
A road trip through the Loire Valley is definitely a must do journey at least once. Offering a mix of history, culture and some really good wine, it has a little something for everyone.
The North Coast 500
If you're from Britain, have a camper or motorhome and prefer to skip the ferries and stay on land, then the North Coast 500 in Scotland could be the perfect route for your summer adventure. Often known as the UK's Route 66, this road trip is the best way to explore the wild, remote beauty of the Scottish Highlands and coastline.
So, you'll start of in the Highlands capital of Inverness. This city is the perfect start on your journey across the Scottish coastline, take a tour around Inverness Castle or give finding the Loch Ness monster a go, only a short drive from the city.
From here you'll head North to the Black Isle and Wester Ross which both offer some pretty amazing scenery, just imagine waking up with a view of the Scottish coastline. Your next stop is the northernmost village on the NC500 route, Durness has some great beaches, perfect for your morning walks with the dog.
On route, we recommend giving the local Scottish cuisine a try ( no we're talking about haggis). As this route is along the coast, fresh seafood is a must and there's lots of cosy pubs along the way for some hearty classics.
As your journey is coming to an end you will drive through the Sutherland and Northern Highlands, make sure you keep an eye out for red deers, wildcats and even a golden eagle, The North Coast 500 is a good choice for wildlife lovers. Although this route is good for the summer, Scotland can still come with a few rainy days so make sure your motorhome is leak-proof before you hit the road!
We hope this has given you some inspiration on where to explore this year in your motorhome and camper adventures. Oh and before you hit the road, ensure maximum comfort on your travels with VB.