IRELAND The Wild Atlantic Way

Stretching 1,600 miles from the northern Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to the southern town of Kinsale in County Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal route in the world. The twisting drive sneaks through narrow roads and is both beautifully desolate yet full of contrasting landscapes and breathtaking sights, including the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Connemara. To complete the entire route would take around five days but if time is limited, start in Donegal, which recently topped the National Geographic Traveller’s Cool List for 2017.

From Bunbeg travel south past the windswept and rugged headlands, meandering your way down to Slieve League, which are some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, soaring 600m above the Atlantic Ocean. Then head east along the dramatic coast back to Donegal town – look out for dolphins and porpoises along the way, which are often seen off this shoreline. Distance and drive time: 47 miles; 1 hour 32 minutes