There is a super highway now between Germany and Italy thru the Alps, but for an inspiring drive if you drive to Italy from Germany try: Go thru Garmisch to Mittenwald on to the Austrian border crossing of Scharnitz. From there continue on into Austria to Innsbruck. NOTE: The highway into Innsbruck is extremely steep! As a warning, there are periodic highway signs of the Crossbones and Skull variety with the grade listed in %, so take it easy, but a most beautiful and compelling scene of Innsbruck down in the valley greets you! Continue thru Innsbruck on a leisure climb to the border between Austria and Italy - Brenner Pass greets you - if for nothing else its play in WWII makes it interesting. Then you drop off into Italy and the descent is not difficult at all. What did I notice immediately?? In Germany and Austria there are no billboards. Just as soon as you cross into Italy on both sides of the highway are one bill board after another advertising everything from cigarettes to perfume! 

Belgium