The Transfăgărășan in Transylvania, Romania

© Calin Stan/Shutterstoc

'The best road in the world'. Keep calm and drive on (slowly)

The Transfăgărășan in Romania is open for business. Also known as the DN7 motorway, the road cuts through the Făgăraș Mountains, offering stunning views of waterfalls, glacial lakes and lush valleys – plus steep drop-offs and hairpin bends to amp up the drama. Back in 2009, Jeremy Clarkson called this twisty route the 'best road in the world', which helped turn it into a major tourist draw. The Transfăgărășan reaches elevations just shy of 6,700 feet and has more tunnels and viaducts in its 55 miles than any other road in this mountainous country. But proceed with caution. The speed limit is a sensible 25mph. And watch out for herds of sheep that use it as a path to greener pastures and don't mind blocking traffic as they amble there.