It's not about the destination, it's about the journey, especially when it comes to travelling.
Four wheels, a playlist full of your favorite tunes, and the open road is all you need.
Gain a new perspective on the world and get off the beaten track: avoid tourist traps and experience each place for what it really is. Road trips are there to make you fall in love with each city and give yourself enough memories to last a lifetime.
Route 66, USA
Route 66 is basically responsible for the creation of road trips. As you drive by, you can see ‘small town America’ and beautiful landscapes, feeling like you traveled back in time.
This cross-country trip runs all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles: a mammoth 2000 mile trip which takes 2-3 weeks.
On the way, you can tick Texas, The Grand Canyon and Las Vegas off your travel wishlist. ‘The Mother Road’ holds secret insights into America’s past, with diners and vast open landscapes lining the roads: You can drive through abandoned villages that haven’t changed in decades - if you're brave enough that is!
April to July are the best times to travel, as you will see plenty of sun, but not too hot to leave you cranking up the AC constantly.
NC 500, Scotland
A true year-round adventure, Scotland’s 516-mile route is one of the most prized trails by all true roadies. The standard duration of the trip is around 5-7 days, although we recommended you take your time and include several off-the-beaten-track activities, such as ‘bagging a Munro’ -Scottish slang for hiking the local mountains - or sampling locally-brewed whiskey.
Although the winter months are becoming increasingly popular, during the Spring and Summer months, the Highlands host a huge variety of traditional events such as the Highland Games as well as food and music festivals.
Don't forget to plan your nightly stays in villages along the coast, as they are in high demand thanks to their easy access.
The Great Ocean Road, Australia
At only three days long, the Great Ocean Road is one of the shorter trips on this list, and maybe one of the best ones. You can start your journey in Melbourne - one of Australia’s favorite cities - and drive on through Torquay - one of the surf capitals of the coast - see kangaroo tours at Apollo Bay, and look over stunning cliffs at Port Campbell. If you extend your stay by a few days, you can also witness the magnificent marine wildlife at Lady Julia Percy Island or take a cruise out of Cape Bridgewater.
And like always, make sure you at least book the outline for your route in advance. We would also recommend planning out your fuel breaks, and prepare for all weather conditions, as Australia is famous for both its gorgeous sun, but also how quickly it can disappear!
The Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
Causeway Coastal Route is the home of the world-famous Giants’ Causeway in Northern Ireland. Along the way, you can also see the historic town of Belfast and the beauty of Derry -also known as Londonderry - an absolute treat if you have a passion for beautiful coastal views, cozy little BnBs and fresh sea air. Game of Thrones fanatics would definitely recognize Dunluce Castle, Ballintoy and Glenarm Castle from the show.
We estimate about a week to complete this road trip. In the summer months, the weather is fairly consistent, but make sure to pack a couple of waterproofs and boots just in case!
The Sicily Loop, Sicily
Sicily is the place for lovers of charming old towns with old cobbled streets and stunning beaches. There's even a volcano, Mount Etna! The drive around the island takes a minimum of 10 days. However, we recommend adding a few extra days for exploring Sicily's hidden gems properly. Taormina is a good example where you can see Mount Etna, Cefalu, or even the Zingaro National Park.
If two weeks is too long a prospect, then we suggest sticking to either East or West Sicily for a better experience. West Sicily includes Palermo, better beaches, and better variety of food, whereas East Sicily is known for prettier towns, being slightly busier and visits to Mount Etna.
Road trips are all about self-discovery and making memories. Solo or with friends, you can be flexible and follow the paths at your own pace. You get a better bang for your buck and see a different side to different places. We hope these five destinations have inspired you for your next adventure.
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