There are two kinds of travellers in this world: those who are eager to arrive at their destination, and those who revel in undertaking the journey. If you belong to the latter kind, you’ll likely agree that the air transport has largely spoiled the excitement of exploring new territories.
Let’s put the thrill back into travel by uncovering some of the world’s most inspiring road trip destinations.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
There is nothing ordinary about Italy, the ultimate cultural, art, and food destination in Europe – and the 80 km long route along the Amalfi Coast further proves the point. Be warned: you’d better come starved, or you may not live long enough to finish the trip. When the Italians say that “Italy is Eataly,” they are not joking. The Italian cuisine might be described as a deliberate attempt at murder – both in terms of quality and quantity.
This spectacular, scenic UNESCO trail is a feast for all the senses that will satisfy the art enthusiast, the nature lover, and the gourmand in you. The narrow, winding roads will take you through Campania, allowing you to enjoy some of the continent’s most beautiful landscapes and historical sights.
After savouring the view of Vesuvius from Sorrento (famous for its limoncello), you may take the ferry to Capri, or continue to Positano and the Grotta dello Smeraldo – you might even feel brave enough to challenge the Sentiero degli Dei after indulging in all that food and wine. The road will further take you through Salerno, Amalfi, and Ravello, all the way to Naples and the ruins of Pompeii, at which point you’ll probably decide to settle in Italy for the rest of your life.
Garden Route, South Africa
Saying that the Garden Route is one of the most glorious, beautiful, and breathtaking coastline routes in the world would be a sore understatement. Its natural beauty, richness of vegetation and wildlife, and diversity in landscape are sure to render anyone speechless. During the 300 kilometres long drive from Storms River Mouth to Mossel Bay, you will be able to explore Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Little Brak River, and Nature’s Valley. There are many activities to engage in along the way, including the visit to the indigenous forests of Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma, partaking in a safari at the Gondwana Game Reserve, or experiencing the thrill of one of the world’s highest bungee jumps from the Bloukrans Bridge.
Possibly one of the most dramatic experiences on this route would be visiting the famous landmark known as Knysna Heads, the two prominent sandstone cliffs guarding the entrance to the Knysna lagoon, offering several magnificent viewpoints of the ocean.
Legendary Pacific Coast, Australia
Who could possibly resist the challenge of a road trip in a country that has signs such as “No food or fuel for the next 862 kilometres” on the side of the road?
A country of striking contrasts and extremes, Australia is home to the largest living organism on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef, so why not take the popular 900 km drive from Brisbane to Sydney and experience it in all its glory? For such a feat, thorough preparation is in order. What you don’t want is to get stranded in Australia, even if you’re not driving into the outback (which is not recommended). What you’ll want are travel insurance, a car checkup by a mobile mechanic in the Gold Coast, and, of course, Bill Bryson’s outrageously funny travelogue “In a Sunburned Country” as your ultimate travel companion.
This trail has a lot of diverse attractions to offer, including breathtakingly beautiful beaches, picturesque coastal towns, amazing surfing spots, the Hunter Valley wineries, and much more. Explore the food and cultural scene in Brisbane before venturing to see the world’s largest sand island, the Fraser Island, and the ancient Gondwana rainforest in Dorrigo National Park.
Ring Road, Iceland
If you are looking for an out-of-this-world experience in terms of road travel, there is no better way to find it then to follow the 1350 kilometres long Ring Route through the impossibly beautiful Iceland. Before you start, make sure to check the weather conditions, fill up on petrol, and pack a lot of food – this will be a long, tiring, and solitary drive (albeit emotionally charged). The powerful feeling of solitude in the face of Iceland’s harsh and often surreal landscapes will increase the longer the drive, inspiring an intense awe of nature you’d never thought you’d feel – especially after you’ve seen the Northern Lights.
Prepare to experience the icebergs, glaciers, and cruel snow-covered mountain landscapes with ice caves, glacial lagoons, black sandy beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, geothermal pools, canyons, and eastern fjords, all of which have delightfully unpronounceable names that only add to their almost mythological quality.
Namibian Desert
If you didn’t find Australia or Iceland challenging enough and your thirst for adventure is difficult to quench, you might want to tackle driving through one of the most inhospitable places on the planet – the Namibian Desert, once referred to as the “Gates of Hell” by the Portuguese sailors.
The road trip along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is not for the faint of heart, but those who are brave enough to undertake it will be rewarded by the memorable sight of the oldest desert in the world, the Namib dune sea in colours ranging from pale pink to vivid orange.
Make sure to explore the Okonjima Nature Reserve, go dune trekking and, most importantly, visit Swakopmund to be graced with the most striking sight of the dunes meeting the Atlantic Ocean, in a landscape that looks as if it were painted by Salvador Dalí.
Safe travels, bold adventurer
With so many exciting and memorable road trip destinations in the world, it’s certainly difficult to make a pick, but one thing is for sure: those who have experienced the thrill of road trips will never again consider any other means of travel – not unless they’re forced to.
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