A road trip along panoramic routes through Europe

Driving the 40 kilometer (25 mile) stretch between Positano and Vietri sul Mare in southern Italy is a thrill. The Amalfitana is one of the world's most beautiful panoramic roads — and it is demanding. Often the road is so narrow that cars can only pass each other by a hair's breadth. Drivers must maneuver 100 meters above the sea with the abyss always in view.

The 30 kilometers between Nice and Menton are also a challenge. No less than three roads wind their way along the steeply sloping coast at different altitudes and offer views of the azure Mediterranean Sea. The lowest one, the "Basse Corniche," is very close to the sea and leads to rather sophisticated destinations: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat, Monaco and Roquebrune-Cap Martin.

The Adriatic Highway is considered the queen of the European coastal roads. Over 1,000 kilometers of winding roads lead from Trieste in Italy along the Adriatic coast via Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina to Ulcinj in Montenegro. With the sea always in view, it connects some of the most beautiful destinations in the Balkans, such as Dubrovnik, Croatia and Budva, Montenegro.

The Gotthard Pass is Switzerland's most important Alpine road. It connects the towns of Andermatt and Airolo over a distance of 26 kilometers, climbing up to a height of 2,106 meters. The narrow hairpin bends offer a fantastic view of the Swiss mountains. In winter the route is inaccessible due to snow, but drivers can use the Gotthard tunnel instead.

The Trollstigen in Norway also winds its way upwards in narrow bends from Isterdal to the Geirangerfjord. The pass road is one of the most famous tourist routes in Norway, about 20 kilometers south of Andalsnes. It is only a few meters wide and sometimes goes almost to a single lane, so one has to be careful to avoid oncoming vehicles. This pass is only open between May and October.

Spanning 1,332 kilometers, the Hringvegur — the ring road — goes around the entire country. With a speed limit of 90 kilometers (55 miles) per hour, the two-lane road traverses breathtaking landscapes. You pass glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, fjords and volcanoes such as Snaefellsjokull. There's no need to rush here — you should allow 10 to 15 days for the tour.

The North Coast 500 takes you around the northern tip of Scotland. The 800 kilometer route passes through some of Scotland's most beautiful towns and villages and as well as the northern part of the famous Highlands. The North Coast 500 starts and ends in the Highland capital of Inverness. The Kylesku Bridge over Loch a' Chairn Bhain, pictured above, is well worth capturing in a souvenir photo.

The B 4632 leads through the heart of England, the Cotswolds. Until you arrive in Stratford upon Avon, the home of William Shakespeare, there's plenty to see: Lush green hills, imposing stately homes, castles, gardens and, above all, beautiful villages, one prettier than the next. Broadway, pictured above, is considered one of the most charming.

The "serpentine route" connects the coastal town of San Pedro with Ronda. The 45 kilometer road trip goes along the steep slopes of the Sierra de las Nieves. Soon after, Ronda appears, the most famous of the white villages that nestle in the rocky slopes of the Serrania de Ronda. The route takes you across this spectacular bridge, the Puente Nuevo which spans the Rio Guadalevin.

The Rhine, flanked by castles and steeply rising vineyards, is one of the most beautiful river landscapes in Europe. The 180 kilometer stretch from Cologne to Mainz offers pure Rhine romanticism. This includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the Loreley Rock, and numerous castles and palaces. Many can be visited, such as Katz Castle, pictured, near St. Goarshausen.