Wales’ largest county is a rugged landscape of valleys and mountains with stops on the twisting hill roads offering everything from historical exploration to extreme sports. Those who love challenging bends and unexplored wilderness should head through the Elan Valley, past the dramatic sight of the Pen-y-Garreg dam, then take the Abergwesyn Pass and wind through the Brecons for unrivalled views and epic walks. In the Wye Valley, the ruins of Tintern Abbey make an atmospheric break and you can canoe downriver on a mini “road” trip between the riverside pubs.

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Whirring down country lanes with rows of vines flickering by as you head for a cluster of houses on a distant hill is the dream of French road tripping. Burgundy makes it real, with grand chateâux and magnificent Romanesque buildings dotting a landscape of chequered green and yellow fields striped by canals and narrow winding roads. Every stop is a crunch of gravel, a shaded terrace and a glass of any one of the region’s exquisite wines: Chardonnay, Chablis, Beaujolais and of course, Burgundy itself.

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The Cilento coast is the Amalfi’s undiscovered neighbour to the south. It’s home to about a dozen medieval towns, set amongst coves and towering cliffs, where red-tiled rooves sit in rows by cobalt blue waters. Rise and fall along the coast on stunning drives between dazzling beaches, enjoying seafood fresh from sparkling clean seas and the region’s other speciality, creamy buffalo mozzarella. The National Park just south-west of Potenza is the main reason that the region has retained its unspoilt feel. Its protected expanse of forests, lakes and the ruins of ancient Greek civilisations are worth a stop or three.

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