The Journal is partnering with Allianz Insurance to bring you a series showcasing some of the most beautiful drives around the country. Whether it’s with friends, family or by yourself, Ireland’s Best Drives should give you the courage to get in the car and explore.

In the first of our trips around Ireland we’re taking on the diverse county of Wicklow which is blessed with impressive coastal scenery, rugged mountains and rolling hills meaning it has all the ingredients for a lovely drive and trip.

• Where: Co Wicklow.
• The route: From Bray, drive along the prom and head towards Greystones. From there grab a coffee or food in Kilruddery House and Gardens before moving on to Enniskerry and the Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall. Next is Sally Gap and Lough Tay before moving on for some more food in Roundwood Stores and ending in Glendalough.
  
• Photo opportunities: Lough Tay, or the ‘Guinness Lake’, Bray, Glendalough or Powerscourt Waterfall.
  
• Pitstops: Kilruddery House and Gardens has a lovely cafe and farm shop, or else you can grab a bite in Avoca in Powerscourt. A little further along, Roundwood Stores has gorgeous sandwiches, baked goods and coffee.
• Something different: A dip in Greystones, just make sure you have a Dryrobe at the ready!

Starting just south of Dublin in Bray, you can enjoy a leisurely drive along Bray seafront and the coast road to Greystones, where you can enjoy a dip in the sea along with other Dryrobe enthusiasts.

Next your journey will take you towards Kilruddery House and Gardens where you can grab a late morning breakfast in the GrainStore or check out their farm shop. There’s a beautiful courtyard and walled gardens (seasonal) where you can enjoy an amble around.

From there, Enniskerry is renowned as one of the most beautiful villages in Ireland, so much so that it’s the filming location of Disney movie Disenchanted. After seeing the pretty village there’s plenty to admire in Powerscourt Estate with lovely walkways and gardens open to the public. You can also avail of some delicious coffee in Avoca and see the world famous Powerscourt Waterfall.

Now that you’ve seen the coast and some gorgeous gardens and walkways, a drive up to the Sally Gap should be next on your itinerary (although keep an eye on the weather forecast, as snow can make it impassable), where you’ll see an area of outstanding natural beauty. Stop off and see Lough Tay from above and snap a photo or two.

You’re now on the home stretch of your journey with just two more stops along the way and stopping off in Roundwood Stores is a great idea to grab some lunch. Their sandwiches are a must-try and you can grab a delicious gourmet sausage roll as well.

Our final stop is Glendalough, an area steeped in history. Enjoy a walk around the stunning lakes – if you recognise them it’s probably because you’ve seen them in the TV series Vikings. Marvel at the round tower and monastic settlement and soak up the beauty of the remarkable landscape and the fascinating history.

Insure your next road trip with Allianz and get 15% off online. *

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