Set off early from Worthing and head southeast to catch the ferry or Eurotunnel; pause for a quick coffee and croissant at Gail's Bakery, Worthing before the drive. After crossing the Channel, stretch your legs with a scenic stroll around Le Touquet-Paris-Plage - admire the Art Deco seafront, pop into a local patisserie for a light bite, and enjoy brisk beachfront views before continuing inland toward your northern France overnight stop.
After your seaside stop, continue southeast into France and pull over for a leisurely light lunch at Le Relais du Plage in a coastal village-try a seasonal salad and a plate of local charcuterie with a chilled glass of regional wine. Post-lunch, take a short scenic detour to Cap Gris-Nez for dramatic cliff-top views and a brisk walk along marked trails, then follow quiet country roads through chalk farmland toward your evening hotel, enjoying rolling landscapes that foreshadow the longer drives ahead.
Wind down the day with a relaxed riverside dinner at Le Bistrot du Vieux Port in a nearby harbor town, sampling moules-frites and a crisp local white while watching fishing boats glide past. After dinner, take a gentle post-meal stroll along the illuminated promenade to Port de Plaisance for peaceful water views, then retire to a cosy 3★ hotel nearby for an early night and easy start for tomorrow's longer drive.
Leave your northern France overnight and aim for a brisk morning drive through rolling countryside, pausing for espresso and fresh viennoiseries at Boulangerie Pâtisserie Dupont in a charming market town. Stretch your legs with a short riverside walk along the banks of the Canal de la Somme, then explore the small medieval streets and the imposing façade of Église Saint-Martin before continuing southeast toward the foothills-this gentle start builds into the longer Alpine approaches ahead.
After the riverside morning, steer toward the rolling vineyards and stop for a relaxed light lunch at Auberge du Vigneron in a small wine village-try a plat de charcuterie paired with a glass of local Chardonnay while seated on the sunny terrace. Post-lunch, take a restorative walk through the olive-scented lanes to Château de la Motte for panoramic hilltop views, then follow a quiet departmental road that threads through orchards and limestone outcrops as you edge closer to the lower Alpine foothills, setting up a dramatic change in landscape for tomorrow's drive.
As daylight softens, settle into a cosy provincial atmosphere with dinner at Le Petit Pique-nique, a family-run auberge known for its slow-cooked coq au vin and a small but thoughtful wine list showcasing regional bottles. After the meal, take an easy twilight stroll through the lantern-lit lane to Place du Marché, pause at the riverside bench to watch ducks glide by, then finish with a nightcap at Caveau des Vignerons, sampling a local red before retiring to your 3★ hotel for a restful night ahead of the Alpine drives.
Head over the border into Italy with a brisk morning drive that climbs toward the Alps, stopping for an energising espresso and brioche at Bar Centrale di Domodossola before tackling the mountain passes; the town's piazza and arcaded streets are perfect for a short stretch. Continue with a scenic detour to the lakeside village of Orta San Giulio for a riverside stroll along Isola San Giulio views and a light snack of focaccia at Pasticceria Gelateria Il Giglio, setting a tranquil Italian tone as you descend toward Liguria.
After a lakeside morning, take a scenic descent through chestnut woods and stop for a light lunch at Osteria del Ponte in the village of Cannobio, sampling a plate of smoked lake fish and rosemary focaccia on their sunny terrace. Post-lunch, stretch your legs with a gentle walk along the Lungolago di Cannero waterfront to admire cliffside villas, then follow the coastal-hugging SS routes toward the foothills-pause at Belvedere di Cannero for sweeping views over the lake as the landscape gradually shifts toward olive-dotted slopes signaling Liguria ahead.
As the sun lowers, unwind with an aperitivo on the terrace of Enoteca La Cantinetta in a small Piedmontese hill town, sampling local Barbera and bruschette while watching mist lift from the valley. For dinner, head down to the harbour-side village of Finalborgo to wander its medieval lanes before a hearty Ligurian meal at Trattoria Il Castello, savouring trofie al pesto and a glass of Pigato, then finish with a peaceful post-meal stroll to Piazza del Portico to listen to evening church bells and prepare for the coastal approach into Liguria tomorrow.
Set off from your Piedmont/Ligurian foothills hotel for a relaxed coastal drive into La Spezia, pausing for a mid-morning espresso and a slice of focaccia at Pasticceria La Spezia near the harbour before checking into your 3★ hotel. After arrival, stretch your legs with a gentle walk along the Passeggiata Morin promenade to admire the navy-lined marina, then explore the compact naval museum area and climb to Castello San Giorgio for sweeping views across the Gulf of Poets - a perfect introduction to La Spezia's seaside charm and a calm segue from the alpine-to-coastal journey you've made over the past days.
After checking in and a leisurely morning, head to the lively Mercato Coperto di La Spezia to sample local cheeses, hand-cut focaccia and fresh seafood from stall vendors, then take a short walk to Porticciolo del Melo for a relaxed waterfront seat and people-watching as fishing boats come and go. Later, wander up through the historic lanes to Via Prione for boutique window-shopping and finish with an early aperitivo at Bar Bruno-sip a chilled Cinque Terre white and nibble on anchovy-studded focaccia while the afternoon light warms the harbour, setting a calm, local-paced tone for your evening exploration.
As dusk falls, take a short bus or taxi to Golfo dei Poeti Belvedere for golden views over the bay, then descend to the water's edge for seafood-forward small plates at Trattoria da Lillo-try the mussels in white wine and a glass of local Vermentino. Finish the night with a leisurely passeggiata through the illuminated alleyways to Via del Prione Vecchio, stopping for a gelato or a digestivo at Bar del Porto while the harbour lights twinkle and the day's drives melt into a seaside calm.