Nice stops on the way to your vacation destination
Are you planning a driving vacation in Europe? If so, your vacation begins at your front door. So why rush to your destination, when the journey itself is full of opportunities to slow down for an enriching museum visit, a breathtaking spot of nature or a cozy terrace? We're happy to help you plan your driving vacation and share with you our favorite steps for an enjoyable journey to your vacation destination.
En route to the south of France
Are you passing through Paris and want to avoid the Périphérique? Then stop off at the Châteaux de Chantilly, some 50 kilometers before Paris, and enjoy the tranquility and architecture of this magnificent chateau.
Heading south via Namur or Charleroi? Reims is the perfect opportunity to open a bottle in honor of the festival.
If you're passing through Orléans, let yourself be surprised by the wineries and châteaux of the Loire Valley. Take a trip to the Château de Chambord, for example.
If you decide to skip Paris, the route via Lyon offers an alternative, although this road is also notorious for its traffic.
Burgundy is also well worth an overnight stay to catch your breath.
For a nostalgic trip, follow the old Route du Soleil via the N7, which takes you past abandoned service stations, hotels and classic signposts.
With its ancient streets, the Palais des Papes and the famous Pont d'Avignon, Avignon is perfect for a short or long getaway.
From there, it's just a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the Côte d'Azur, unless you decide to take a detour and let yourself be seduced by Marseille.
Driving vacations in Italy
Italy remains one of the favorite destinations of our Caractère program.
And when you travel to northern Italy, you'll pass through picturesque Alsace, on the border between France and Germany. This region alone is a jewel on your route, with its unique culture and landscapes. You can also take a break in beautiful Switzerland, where it's perfectly possible to take a breath of fresh air.
Avoid the long traffic jams of the Gotthard tunnel by relaxing at Lake Uri. Enjoy the beauty of nature, sit on a terrace or take a siesta by the water: this is where the vacation feeling begins.
On vacation in Croatia
The route to Croatia takes in beautiful cities such as Cologne and Frankfurt or, after strategic refuelling in Luxembourg, Stuttgart and Munich. These cities invite you to take a longer break, but are also perfect for a short breather.
A stopover in Salzburg or even Vienna is perfect. And a stopover in beautiful, green Slovenia is well worth it!
Think of Ljubljana, the country's capital, or Bohinj, less well-known than Bled but at least as beautiful, which enchants with its photogenic lake.
To avoid the crowds at the Koper border crossing, the route via Postojna offers a clever detour. Here you'll find Slovenia's vast network of caves, one of the largest in the world.
Nearby, the medieval castle of Predjama is a sight not to be missed. Passing through Postojna, you'll then cross the Rupa border crossing unhindered, en route to your adventure in Istria or Dalmatia.
Destination Spain? Choose "La Catalane" from Avignon
To reach beautiful Catalonia from Avignon, take the A9, better known as "La Catalane", which will lead you straight to sunny days and warm nights. If you haven't taken a break yet, you should definitely stop in Montpellier, a city that exudes the charm of the South of France and is lively enough for an afternoon swim. If you haven't taken a break yet, Montpellier is the place to stop. The city exudes the charm of the South of France, and is lively enough to allow you to spend the afternoon soaking up the sun. This town with its Catalan roots is half an hour's drive from the Perthus border crossing, and offers an excellent taste of what Spain has to offer.
You can stay overnight in several locations in France or Andorra. Our in-house team of travel experts will be delighted to help you plan your ideal trip to your vacation destination.