The 5 most beautiful self-drive holidays in Europe

Whether through autumnal Swiss landscapes or overnight to a completely different city – train travel is making a comeback. To coincide with this, the publisher Marco Polo has released a new travel guide. "Just get away! Unforgettable train journeys in Europe"Published. The illustrated book includes 22 routes and offers numerous tips on individual trip planning, activities, and accommodations. We present three routes.

1. Travel to the far north on the Santa Claus Express

Have you always wanted to visit Santa Claus's village? You can do so with the Santa Claus Express night train from the Finnish capital Helsinki to Rovaniemi – the supposed home of Santa Claus.

But even if you're not a fan of the Christmas rush, which, by the way, takes place in Rovaniemi all year round, this trip is the most beautiful way to get to Lapland. In winter, the train journey through deep snow-covered landscapes and with plenty of opportunities to spot the Northern Lights is particularly atmospheric.

Getting there: From Helsinki, take the train.Santa Claus ExpressOvernight to Rovaniemi in twelve hours. On the double-decker train, each cabin on the upper level has its own toilet and shower, while on the lower level you share the bathroom with other passengers. Alternatively, you can take one of the Intercity trains from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (journey time nine hours), which run during the day.

Best time to travel: It depends on what you're looking for: From the end of August to the beginning of April you have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Between May and June, the midnight sun shines almost all the time.

2. From London to the most beautiful beaches

You can reach Cornwall not only directly by plane during the summer , but also year-round six days a week via a more comfortable route. A night train runs from London Paddington station to Penzance, England's westernmost train station in Cornwall.

Before embarking on the 520-kilometer journey, and if you have a ticket for the sleeper car, you can relax with a cup of tea in the former waiting room of Queen Victoria at Paddington station.

3. From the Cinque Terre to the Côte d'Azur

Digging your toes into the sand on the beach and a few hours later strolling high above the coast. Or sipping champagne in a seaside restaurant and then dozing under plane trees in a mountain village – that's the Italian-French joie de vivre. Various affordable train connections between Genoa and Marseille make it possible. You decide how long you want to stay at each stop.

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Windows down, favorite music on, the scent of sea air in the air. With every turn, a new vista unfolds: coastal panoramas, romantic sunsets, winding old town streets. Rental car travel means freedom. Stop wherever it's most beautiful. Drive on whenever wanderlust calls.

Traveling by car is a more immersive experience. You feel the rhythm of the region, chat with locals, and discover hidden gems. With Vögele Reisen, you can customize your road trip – from flights and hotels to rental cars and selected activities. Existing itineraries can be easily adapted and booked directly online.

Europe offers countless opportunities for exploration on four wheels. We present the five most beautiful routes in Europe.

Andalusia – In the heartbeat of the South

Sun-drenched olive groves that stretch gently across the hills. White villages clinging to steep mountain slopes like sugar cubes. And above it all, the rhythms of flamenco. In Andalusia, culture, history, and joie de vivre converge.

With your rental car, you'll glide through landscapes as diverse as an entire continent during this 12-day tour: from the Moorish splendor of the Alhambra in Granada to the royal avenues of Seville and the 120-meter-deep El Tajo gorge in Ronda. And in the evening? Tapas under the open sky, a glass of Rioja, and the feeling of having arrived.

Apulia to Naples – Italy from its original side

Ciao bella, welcome to the real Italy! Puglia – blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year – is a place full of contrasts: ancient olive trees, baroque cities, and dreamy beaches. Your 11-day journey begins here and takes you through the heart of southern Italy to the vibrant metropolis of Naples.

Along the way, you'll discover the trulli houses of Alberobello, the archaeological site of Paestum, the mysterious caves of Matera, and the coastal road along the Amalfi Coast – one of the most spectacular in Europe. And in between: pasta that tastes just like Nonna's and sunsets that will stay with you forever.

Sicily – Where Europe feels the breath of the Orient

Sicily is more than just an island. Here, millennia-old cultures meet dramatic landscapes: smoking volcanoes, golden temple ruins, turquoise bays, and vibrant cities. Explore the diversity of Sicily at your own pace on this 11-day self-drive tour. And if you'd like to visit a different or additional town, you can easily customize the route yourself online with Vögele Reisen .

Whether it's culinary delights, history, or nature – everything in Sicily is intense. And that's precisely what makes it so unforgettable. From bustling Palermo to elegant Taormina with its views of majestic Mount Etna, to the ancient sites in the south like the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento. In between, Sicilian delicacies, vibrant markets, and small, hidden beaches await.

Madeira – The island of gardens and panoramas

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Madeira is an island straight out of a dream: wild, green, and spectacular. Steep cliffs, dense laurel forests, deep blue bays, and the ever-present scent of exotic blossoms: the "Island of Eternal Spring" unfolds its full beauty when explored by rental car.

This 8-day route takes you along panoramic coastal roads, through small villages with flower-adorned houses, and up to breathtaking viewpoints. Hike along the levadas, swim in natural rock pools, enjoy the local cuisine – and you have the freedom to decide where to stop each day.