While the size of the island of Ireland limits the possibilities for longer roads that offer a great driving experience to three main areas, Donegal, Connemara and Kerry, such limitations do not apply to Continental Europe which has an abundance of interesting roads.
At this time of year many drivers are planning European motoring trips. It seems a good idea then to mention a selection of the roads which might be incorporated into a trip or which might be within a reasonable distance and worthy of the diversion. But before examining some of the possibilities in mainland Europe, what about our nearest neighbour, Britain?
Britain has an abundance of interesting roads which are a pleasure to drive. The Welsh Hills are easily accessible for Irish motorists and a weekend spent exploring them in a good car will prove rewarding.
My own particular favourites are the A4059 which runs between Penderyn and the Brecon Beacons reservoir (which is just off the A470 north of Merthyr Tydfil) and the A4069 from Brynamman to Llangadog.
The former offers a fast road with lots of flowing, open corners and should be first on your list. The Brynamman road runs from Brynamman to Llangadog and is a spectacular road which is a complete contrast to the A470, incorporating some breathtaking and wonderful scenery.
There's one other road in Britain which I can unreservedly recommend: the road across the North Yorkshire Moors. Between Helmsley and Pickering take the turn off for Hutton-le-Hole and continue on to Castleton through Westerdale along Blakey Ridge. This is a wonderful road across an empty landscape. I have to admit that when I think of European roads the picture that comes to mind is of Alpine passes but there is some wonderful variety to be found in quite unexpected locations. And no road is more unexpected thathe series of motorways which make up the Burgos-Madrid Autovia in Spain.
This is a series of motorways that link San Sébastian in the north of Spain with Madrid in central Spain via Burgos. If you're taking your car to Spain then the chances are that you will have traveled by ferry into either Santander or Bilbao so linking up with this road south to Madrid should be easy.
But, I can almost hear you say, motorways? Well, let me reassure you that this is a motorway like no other you've travelled. For example, the route contains a 60 km/h hairpin. Yes, on a motorway!
Spain has many other wonderful roads which tend to be free of traffic. A particular favourite of mine is the mountain road from Mijas (near Malaga) via Coin to the fascinating old town of Ronda high in the Serra de Ronda.
This is a wonderful example of the best type of road to explore in Spain. Breathtaking scenery and uncrowded excellent roads which are a joy to drive with plenty to explore along the route.
If you're a confirmed petrol-head then there are two places you really should visit.
Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and the Nürburgring in Germany. If you cross the English Channel to Calais and head for the Nürburgring then you will pass within a few kilometres of Spa which is located about 5 kms from the town of Francorchamps in the Ardennes, so, having a look at probably the finest motor racing circuit in the world makes sense. Once seen you'll understand why the place is regarded as 'the arena of the Gods'. Down the road is the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleiffe which you can drive around if you have a suitable car.
To find out about public access to this extraordinary track go to the website nurburgring.de for information.
As for those Alpine passes, perhaps the best route to explore some great roads in the Alps is along the Deutsche Alpenstrasse.
This road was begun in 1927 as a means of building a road which connected all the valleys transversal to the German Alps. In 1933 the Nazis took over its construction and imported some 25,600 labourers to build the 105 bridges, 15 tunnels and 10 viaducts required.
By 1939 117 kms had been constructed when war stopped all work on the road. In 1950, work began again and between 1956 and 1962 an additional 59 kms were completed. It was not until 2002 that all 450 kms of the Alpenstrasse were in place, finally finishing one of the great scenic routes of the world. The finished road travels from Lindau near the eastern end of Lake Constance to Berchtesgaden on the German/Austrian border. If you want to find out more go to the website homes.tiscover.com/project/alpenstrasse.
These roads are little more than a glimpse of what awaits the motorist exploring the roads of Europe.