recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: Escape the M5 at Bridgewater amid the watercolour landscapes and stumpy willow trees of the Somerset Levels. Head west on the A39, one of my favourite driving...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: Abandon the M62 at J38, then head through North Cave village up towards Beverley.   Route (85 miles): When you've had your fill of Beverley's...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: Drive straight off the ferry into the dour and windy streets of Stornoway, the Hebrides' only town. It lacks the charm of Lerwick or Kirkwall further north but is still interesting to see...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: On the Isle of Man, everything starts from Douglas. This is a surprisingly big and sophisticated capital with a ferry port standing on a broad sandy crescent...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: at the ferry port at Bergen's or a car-hire desk at the airport. Take the smaller, more exciting road via Alvik to meet up with the Oslo road at...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: Calais ferry or tunnel terminal   Route (160 miles): Start by taking the little D940 via Boulogne along the ‘Cote d'Opale' to Le Touquet....

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: Bilbao's ferry port at Santurtzi has great motorway connections: Madrid is only three hours, Barcelona six. But try this Basque country circuit - it's not as far and makes a more...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: The drive begins at elegant Geneva's Lake Leman waterfront. Drive out of town, along the south shore, passing from Switzerland into France.   Route (500...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: hire a car at Shannon airport or drive from the eastern ferry ports across to Limerick.   Route (450 miles): from the grand old regional centre of...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: set off from the island town of Lindau on Lake Constance. But before you leave, stroll between the old gabled houses packed in a maze of narrow streets.   Route...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Start: drive along the A40 from the busy market town of Carmarthen, then turn off at the old village of St Clears for Dylan Thomas' picturesque home town of...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

The Corniche, Marseilles to Monte Carlo, France.   If Highway One is James Dean, the Corniche is James Bond. Here is old money. You really need an open top Mercedes SL but...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

The High Road, Glasgow to Skye, Scotland.   Almost all the roads through the Highlands compare with any driving route in the world so I've simply picked my favourite. And if...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

One of the best driving adventures in Europe - great scenery, smooth roads and something to talk about when you get back   Nordkapp is where truly adventurous and truly barmy...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

A winding road makes a complete waterside circuit of the most beautiful Italian lake, Como.   Car companies often launch new cars at luxury hotels...

recommended by Simon Heptinstall

Drive a hire car around the amazing coast of Iceland in a week   There's something about driving right round an island - as you approach your starting off point from a...