Scenic Routes: You’ll experience breathtaking views, from the rolling hills of the English countryside to the stunning Alps in Austria. The changing landscapes keep the journey visually stimulating. Cultural Richness: As you cross through multiple countries, you’ll get to experience different cultures, languages, and cuisines. Each region offers unique attractions and local delicacies. Historic and Picturesque Stops: Along the route, you can explore historic cities like Bruges, Frankfurt, and Graz. Wander through charming medieval towns, visit historic landmarks, and soak in the local atmosphere. Adventure and Discovery: The journey itself is an adventure, filled with unexpected surprises and memorable moments. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset, a quirky roadside attraction, or a friendly encounter, every day brings new experiences. Bonding and Memories: If you’re traveling with friends or family, a road trip is a fantastic way to bond and create lasting memories. Shared experiences and the joy of discovery make the journey unforgettable.

Please take a good look at the following details of this epic 16 day road trip. This amazing trip will be sociable and friendly as so much better that traveling alone. Being part of a group adds so much more to the trip. Creating memories that last a lifetime. At Inspired we pride ourselves on Making Memories One Trip At A Time. It is about embracing the journey, savoring moments, and creating lasting impressions with each adventure. It’s the thrill of discovering new places, the joy of unexpected encounters, and the beauty of shared experiences. Every trip adds a unique chapter to your life’s story.

Day 1 – 14/09/2026

Calais → Longwy, France – Approx. 250 miles

Our European adventure begins on 14 September 2026, when we meet at around 9:00am in Folkestone, Kent.

We will board the Eurotunnel at approximately 10:20am for the 35-minute crossing to Calais. Once in France, everyone will have the opportunity to regroup before the road trip really begins.

Our first day takes us north past Dunkirk, through Belgium and Luxembourg, before crossing back into France for our first overnight stop in Longwy.

Our accommodation tonight is:

B&B Hotel Longwy Porte du Luxembourg

It’s a comfortable first day designed to get everyone settled into the trip before we start heading deeper into Europe.

Day 2 – 15/09/2026

Longwy → Bad Zurzach, Switzerland

After breakfast, we’ll aim to depart at around 9:00am and continue heading south towards Switzerland.

Today is deliberately a fairly relaxed driving day, giving everyone time to enjoy the journey, stop for photographs and find somewhere suitable for lunch along the way.

Instead of staying in central Zurich, our overnight stop will now be in Bad Zurzach, close to the German border.

Our hotel is:

Dorint Parkhotel Bad Zurzach

The location gives us a quieter and more relaxed overnight stop, while also positioning us well for the next day’s drive towards the Alps and Italy.

As always, the evening gives everyone the chance to relax, have a drink and get to know the rest of the group.

Day 3 – 16/09/2026

Bad Zurzach → Stelvio Pass → Bolzano, Italy

Today is one of the real driving highlights of the trip.

After breakfast we continue south through Switzerland and towards Italy, with the opportunity to experience the legendary Stelvio Pass.

Stelvio is one of Europe’s most famous mountain roads, with a spectacular series of hairpin bends, dramatic scenery and some superb viewpoints along the way.

There will be plenty of opportunities to stop, take photographs and simply enjoy the surroundings rather than rushing through it.

If you haven’t seen what the Stelvio Pass has to offer, take a look at the short video:

https://youtu.be/TnvBMcefzYY?si=P4EzpyDstKFjbg9k

After the excitement of Stelvio, we continue down towards Bolzano for our overnight stop at:

B&B Hotel Bolzano

Day 4 – 17/09/2026

Bolzano → Venice, Italy

After breakfast, we’ll aim to leave at around 9:00am and begin the journey towards one of Europe’s most unique destinations — Venice.

Leaving the mountains behind, we travel south through northern Italy before arriving in the Venice area.

We’ll be staying for two nights at:

Hampton by Hilton

Once checked in, the evening is yours to relax and prepare for the following day, which is our first full rest day.

Day 5 – 18/09/2026

Venice – Rest Day

Today there is no planned driving.

You have the entire day to enjoy Venice at your own pace.

Venice is unlike anywhere else in Europe, with its network of canals, bridges, historic streets and beautiful architecture.

You might want to visit:

St Mark’s Square and St Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, or simply spend the day wandering through the quieter streets and canals away from the main tourist areas.

You could take a gondola ride, enjoy a long Italian lunch or just find somewhere beside the water and watch the world go by.

We return to the Hampton by Hilton for our second night.

Day 6 – 19/09/2026

Venice → Rijeka, Croatia

After breakfast, we’ll aim to depart at around 9:00am.

Today we finally enter Croatia and make our way towards the Adriatic coastal city of Rijeka.

Rijeka is Croatia’s third-largest city and combines a busy working harbour with historic architecture, restaurants, cafés and a lively waterfront.

Our accommodation for the next two nights is:

Hotel Continental, Rijeka

Once checked in, the evening is free for everyone to relax and explore locally.

Day 7 – 20/09/2026

Rijeka – Rest Day

Today is another full rest day.

There is plenty to explore in and around Rijeka, including Trsat Castle, which offers excellent views across the city and coastline, the pedestrianised Korzo promenade, the harbour and the city’s historic centre.

Those wanting a quieter day can simply enjoy the waterfront, cafés and restaurants.

We return to the Hotel Continental for our second night.

Day 8 – 21/09/2026

Rijeka → Zadar, Croatia – Approx. 175 miles

After yesterday’s rest day, we begin heading further south along the Adriatic coast.

This should be one of the most scenic driving days of the trip, with beautiful coastal views and plenty of opportunities to stop along the way.

The route takes us towards Zadar, with possible stops around places such as Senj, the Velebit coastline and the Maslenica Bridge.

We’ll be staying for two nights at:

Hotel A’mare, Zadar

Day 9 – 22/09/2026

Zadar – Rest Day

Today is yours to enjoy Zadar.

One of the highlights is the famous Sea Organ, which uses the movement of the waves to create music through pipes beneath the waterfront.

Close by is the Greeting to the Sun, a large solar-powered installation that comes alive with light after sunset.

Other options include:

St Donatus Church, the Roman Forum, Zadar Cathedral, the old city walls and gates, the Museum of Ancient Glass or simply a relaxing day beside the sea.

Zadar is also famous for its sunsets, so the waterfront is a great place to finish the day.

We return to Hotel A’mare for our second night.

Day 10 – 23/09/2026

Zadar → Split – Approx. 100 miles

Today is deliberately a relatively short driving day.

We continue south following the Adriatic coastline towards Split.

With only around 100 miles to cover, there should be plenty of time for stops, sightseeing and perhaps lunch in one of the coastal towns along the way.

Later in the afternoon we’ll check into:

Hotel Batuda, Split

This will be our home for the next two nights.

Day 11 – 24/09/2026

Split – Rest Day

Today gives everyone the opportunity to explore Split at their own pace.

The centrepiece of the city is the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, which forms part of Split’s historic old town.

Other options include walking along the Riva promenade, visiting Marjan Hill for views over the city, enjoying Bačvice Beach, exploring the local markets or simply spending the day enjoying the cafés, restaurants and waterfront.

We return to Hotel Batuda for our second night.

Day 12 – 25/09/2026

Split → Trieste, Italy

After breakfast, we’ll depart at around 9:00am and begin the journey north.

At this point in the trip we begin making our way back towards northern Europe, so the daily mileages will naturally start to increase.

Today takes us out of Croatia and back into Italy, eventually reaching the historic port city of Trieste.

Our hotel for the evening is:

B&B Hotel Trieste

Trieste makes a much better overnight stop for the revised itinerary and leaves us ideally positioned for the following day’s drive back into the Austrian Alps.

Day 13 – 26/09/2026

Trieste → Uttendorf, Austria

Today we leave Trieste and head north into Austria.

We have made a change to our original plan for this night. Rather than staying in Salzburg city, we’ll now be staying in the small Alpine town of Uttendorf, in the heart of the Salzburgerland mountains.

We’ve used this hotel before and know that it works particularly well for our groups.

Our accommodation is:

Hotel in the HEART
Dorfplatz 1
5723 Uttendorf
Salzburgerland, Austria

The change gives us a much more relaxed and scenic overnight stop, with easier parking and a proper Alpine atmosphere rather than another city hotel.

It also gives everyone the chance to finish the day surrounded by the mountains and enjoy a quieter evening together.

The following day towards Frankfurt will be slightly longer, but we feel the benefits of staying in Uttendorf make this a much better fit for the overall trip.

Day 14 – 27/09/2026

Uttendorf → Frankfurt, Germany

After breakfast, we leave the Austrian Alps behind and begin the longer run north towards Germany.

Because of our improved overnight stop in Uttendorf, today will be one of the longer driving days of the return journey.

There is no need to rush, though, and we’ll allow plenty of time for fuel, coffee and lunch stops along the way.

Our overnight accommodation is:

Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport

The airport location gives us convenient access for the following morning’s departure and avoids the need to drive through central Frankfurt.

Day 15 – 28/09/2026

Frankfurt → Aarschot, Belgium

After breakfast, we’ll aim to be back on the road at around 9:00am.

Today takes us west through Germany and into Belgium.

Rather than heading directly into central Brussels, our final overnight stop will be in Aarschot, to the east of Brussels.

Our accommodation is:

Kasteel Van Nieuwland, Aarschot

This gives the group a much more relaxed final evening than staying in the centre of a major city and keeps us conveniently positioned for the final run to Calais the following morning.

It should be a fitting place to enjoy our last evening together and look back over what has been a fantastic European road trip.

Day 16 – 29/09/2026

Aarschot → Calais

All good things eventually come to an end.

After breakfast, we’ll leave Aarschot and begin the final journey towards Calais.

The drive takes us west across Belgium and back into northern France before arriving at the Eurotunnel terminal. For our 15.30 return train.

We’ll allow plenty of time for fuel stops and breaks so that there is no unnecessary rush on the final day. Once back in the UK, everyone will continue their individual journeys home.

After 16 days, several countries, Alpine passes, Italian cities, the Croatian Adriatic coast and thousands of miles of memories, our European adventure comes to an end.  A road trip of a lifetime is sure to be one to remember for many years to come. Priced at £2989 per car and driver, and allows for one additional passenger , The trip Includes all hotel accommodation with own twin room including breakfast ( Rooms may be twin beds or a double bed) depending on availability. Also included in the price is your Eurotunnel crossing both ways. No other meals or drinks are included in this price. We really hope you are liking the sound of this epic road trip? And you wish to join us in September 2026. Has it been on your bucket list or in your head for a while. Please let us know your thoughts and any question’s you may have, as I am sure we can answer them for you and hope you decide to join us.

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