The second home on the road

The phrase "grand tourer" comes from the Grand Tour, the long journey through Europe's cities that once finished an education. The car that took its name was meant to do something similar: carry two people and their luggage across a continent quickly and comfortably, and make them want to go further.

We think of it as a second home on the road. A good grand tourer should feel like a well-designed room. You should step out after a long day feeling better than when you got in.

What makes a true grand tourer

• Composure, not just power. On a long mountain pass, a calm chassis and good visibility matter more than the top speed.
• A cabin you can live in. Seats that support you on hour five, quiet at motorway speed, controls you can find without looking, and materials that feel good to touch.
• Room for the trip. Proper luggage space for two people's week. For more people, choose a car that seats everyone properly rather than one that merely has more seats.
• Range and ease. Fewer stops, simple refuelling or charging, and a car that asks little of you in traffic.

Match the car to the road

A convertible is perfect on the Riviera's corniches and on the lake roads above Como in the early morning. All-wheel drive earns its place on Alpine passes and in changeable weather. On the single-track roads of the Scottish Highlands, height, visibility and a narrow body are worth more than speed. And some places should not be driven at all. The Amalfi Coast in August, central Kyoto and Venice all call for a driver, a boat or a train.

The practical details

• Licences. Some countries require an International Driving Permit alongside your licence. Check before you travel.
• Restricted zones. Many Italian historic centres have camera-enforced limited-traffic zones (ZTL). Driving in by mistake can result in fines arriving months later. Ask your hotel how to reach it.
• Winter. Mountain roads may require winter tyres or chains in season, and some high passes close entirely.
• Insurance and deposits. Premium hire companies often require large deposits and have strict rules on who may drive. Read the terms carefully.

Make it yours

A long drive is better with a few small comforts: a favourite playlist downloaded in advance, a light scent that does not fight the landscape (see scent for the road), water, sunglasses and a proper paper map for when the signal disappears.