Five European Driving Regions Worth Renting a Car For: A Route Note
Start on the Riviera, finish on a Mallorcan ridge road. In between sit four regions where the car matters as much as the destination. Each note covers which cars suit the roads, where parking gets awkward, and how to plan handovers if a wedding or event is part of the trip. Check deposit, mileage and cross-border terms with the agency before you commit to a multi-country route.
Behind the wheel
- 01
Côte d'Azur: Nice, the Corniches and Monaco
Three roads run above the sea between Nice and Menton: the lower coast road, the Moyenne Corniche and the Grande Corniche, which is the best for a convertible. Summer weekends bring slow traffic on the coast, so drive the high road early and keep the waterfront for the evening. Cannes and Monaco both fill up around events, and hotel parking is usually easier than street parking. A Ferrari Roma Spider or Porsche 911 Targa suits the corniches. For a wedding party or a formal arrival, ask about a sedan such as the Maybach S580, with or without a chauffeur.
- 02
Lake Como and the Italian Lakes
The roads along Lake Como are narrow, the villages are tight, and the best views come at walking pace. This is not a region for a wide supercar if you plan to stop often. A compact sport model or an SUV is easier to place in Bellagio, Varenna or Cernobbio. Many lakeside villas host weddings, and guest transfers are usually the hard part. Confirm where the car can stop, and expect limited traffic zones in some historic centres. Ask the agency about hotel or airport handover before arriving from Milan.
- 03
Swiss Alpine Passes: Furka, Grimsel and Susten
Switzerland rewards a car with real grip and a calm driver. The Furka, Grimsel and Susten passes link together into a loop of hairpins and open valleys. They are generally closed in winter, so plan for late spring to autumn and check opening status before you set out. An Audi RS6 handles luggage and mountain gradients with ease, while a BMW M2 suits drivers who want a lighter feel on the corners. Tolls and vignette rules apply on Swiss motorways. Ask the agency how these are handled on a rental, particularly if you cross a border.
- 04
Tuscany: Val d'Orcia, Pienza and Montalcino
Tuscany is slower and wider than the lakes, with long curves between Pienza, Montalcino and the cypress-lined country roads. A convertible suits the open stretches, and an SUV such as the BMW X7 40d M is the practical pick for families or wedding guests moving between a villa and a ceremony. Historic town centres often restrict vehicle access, so park outside the walls and walk in. Gravel strade bianche look tempting but can be hard on a low sports car, so confirm what your rental agreement allows.
- 05
Mallorca: Serra de Tramuntana
The Ma-10 follows the western mountains from Andratx toward Pollença, with tight bends, stone walls and long views of the coast. Sa Calobra is a narrow side road where coaches and cyclists share the tarmac, so a smaller sports car is easier than a wide supercar. Start early in high season and leave time for coffee stops in Deià or Sóller. For an event day in Palma or at a finca, a Tesla Model 3 Performance or a luxury sedan keeps arrivals quiet and low-fuss. Ask about airport or hotel handover at Palma before you land.
About Europe
Europe is not one driving environment, and the right car depends on which one your trip is built around. A weekend in a dense historic centre asks for something compact enough to place easily and quiet enough to arrive in. A multi-day route between regions rewards stability, luggage space and seats that stay comfortable after several hours. Because Super Car Drive Club brings premium, sports and supercar options together across several destinations, you can compare cars for the trip you are actually planning rather than accept whatever one local fleet has on the forecourt.
Start with who is travelling and how much they carry, then choose the body style. The fleet spans luxury saloons, SUVs, convertibles, electric cars, minivans and supercars. A seven-seat BMW X7 40d M suits a family on a longer touring route, while a Maybach S580 with four seats suits a business arrival or a couple travelling to an event. For open-road days, a Porsche 911 Targa or Ferrari Roma Spider gives you the roof-down experience, though two-seat and four-seat cars leave little room for a full party. For a wedding or a corporate occasion, think about the people in the car and what they are wearing or carrying before you think about horsepower.
Before you commit to a car, settle the practical questions for that destination: deposit, insurance, mileage allowance, minimum driver age, licence requirements, and whether the car may cross a border if your route does. Ask the team to confirm these rather than assuming they match another city or another car. Also decide whether you want to drive yourself, and if you need a hotel, airport or venue handover, ask what can be arranged for your dates. A route planned around the car, with its terms checked, keeps the trip itself uncomplicated.