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Luxury Travel

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Luxury Travel

Hit the Road

Feel the freedom of the open road, discover the hidden gems between the bucket list destinations, and take your time as you explore at your own pace on these 12 self-drive road trips says Elizabeth Young

This is a feature from Issue 12 of Charitable Traveller. 

1. Great Ocean Road, Australia

This stretch of iconic road runs along the south coast of Victoria. Starting in Torquay, it heads west for around 150 miles. The scenery is varied and jaw-droppingly beautiful in places, taking in ancient rainforests and rugged cliff-edged coast, with must-see stop-offs for spectacular rock formations like the Bay of Islands and the limestone stacks of the 12 Apostles. It’s not a challenging or long route and it is well set up for visitors and connected by relaxed seaside towns, so plan to take it slowly. Along the way, check out nature trails through rainforest, wildlife like kangaroos, koalas and penguins, sweeping beaches, pretty lighthouses and local breweries

2. Garden Route, South Africa

This drive gets its name from the lush Garden Route National Park that it travels through. It runs for just under 200 miles around South Africa’s southern coast. Starting in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province and ending in the Western Cape province at Mossel Bay, it takes you past lagoons, mountains, beaches, lakes and forests as it links together almost a dozen nature and marine reserves. You can take from three to 14 days to complete the journey depending on how many caves and sandy beaches you stop to explore, how many mountains you hike, or how long you stop to admire the sunsets.

3. Route 66, USA

Perhaps the most famous of all road trips, Route 66 covers over 2,000 miles and eight U.S states. The original American Mother Road runs from Chicago in the east to Santa Monica in the west, past other cities like St. Louis with its famous arch and the adobe city of Santa Fe. Drive it and you follow generations of adventurers and migrants. Enjoy the freedom of the open road and stop to enjoy quirky landmarks, colourful communities and plenty of Americana diners. Look out for the Blue Whale monument in Cartoosa, Oklahoma; Cadillac Ranch – an art installation with ten cars buried nose-down in the desert; and the ghost town of Oatman, just before you meet the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

4. Icefield Parkway, Rockies, Canada

inking Lake Louise with Jasper, in Alberta, the Icefield Parkway is ranked among the most beautiful journeys on the planet. The highway runs 144 miles along the Continental Divide and cuts you through the soaring mountain peaks, icefields and vast valleys of the Canadian Rockies. There are more than 100 glaciers, waterfalls, dramatic rock formations and emerald lakes along the way and plenty of chances to spot elk, moose and bears in Jasper and Banff national parks. Prepare to repeat book because the experience is very different between summer and winter – the waterfalls, lakes and forests will be frozen.

5. Oman Circle Tour

If you haven’t considered a driving trip in the Middle East before, it is time to think again and check out The Oman Circle route. Oman has excellent roads and good driving standards and the circle route starts and ends easily in the capital Muscat. The drive takes in deserts with towering dunes, ancient forts, exotic souks and amazing geological features, from caves to sinkholes. Stop at Ras Al Jinz beach to spot turtles, get a taste of legendary Bedouin culture at a desert camp, experience the fascinating chaos of the goat market in historic Nizwa and cool off in the oasis of Banana Valley.

6. Ruta 40 Argentina

Route 40 is one of the longest in the world at over 3,000 miles long. It is a legendary road, running parallel to the Andes mountains in western  Argentina, from the Bolivian border to the southernmost tip, and ideally, you need three weeks to do it all. The terrains are varied and it offers a true adventure. The road starts at sea level, crosses 18 national parks, 18 major rivers, and 27 passes on the Andes. You’ll see canyons, craters and cliffs; vast lakes and glaciers; fascinating wildlife from soaring condors to lanky guanacos. You’ll find Welsh-speaking communities and Swiss-style lakeside chalets

7. City to Pacific, Costa Rica

Public transport isn’t the best in Costa Rica so exploring by car makes great sense. Fly into the capital San José and you can fill your days with incredible wildlife on a circular tour that takes you to the Pacific Coast and back. You’ll see the beautiful biodiverse country around Sarapiqui; the drama of the Arenal Volcano and the magical Monteverde cloud forest, before hitting the coast for some time by the sea. Make time to walk the rainforest canopy on hanging bridges in Arenal – where you might spot a sloth, and prepare to be amazed by the hundreds of bird species, plants and butterflies in the cloud forest.

8. North Coast 500, Scotland

As you set off from Inverness Castle, ahead of you on this beautiful road are over 500 miles of scenic Scotland. The rugged mountains, adventure trails and whisky distilleries you might be expecting but you will also find white sandy beaches, charming remote fishing villages, and many a historic stop-off. Fairy tale castles, hidden lochs and mist-covered peaks set a romantic mood to the driving backdrop here, and you’ll also find top-notch golfing and luxury hotels to rest awhile in too.

9. Singapore and Malaysia RoadTrip

Driving in Asia can be challenging. Cities are full of noise and traffic rules often seem elusive but if you want to give it a try, driving from Singapore up into Malaysia is a good place to start. The modern expressway from Singapore allows you to connect with older roads for easy access to local villages along the way. The route can take you to the Colonial cities of Malacca and George Town, with the capital Kuala Lumpur in between, and if you have time for a detour, head into the misty Cameron Highlands for tea and strawberry plantations.

10. West Coast & Milford Sound, New Zealand

New Zealand is a scenically stunning driving destination wherever you go, but this route takes in the west coast of the south island where you’ll find rainforests, beaches and glaciers. Head out of Te Anau on Highway 94 and after 75 miles you come to Milford Sound. It’s a winding road through the UNESCO-ranked Fiordland National Park, passing the Mirror Lakes and The Chasm waterfalls, with fabulous mountain scenery at every turn. The Sound itself is an awesome sight with the spectacular mountain, Mitre Peak, beautifully reflected in the waters. Be sure to take a boat trip into the sound to appreciate its dizzyingly high cliffs and more waterfalls.

11. The Basque Circuit, Spain

An easy hop away from the UK, The Basque Circuit is a 300-mile driving route in northern Spain that you can do over a long weekend. It starts in Bilbao and takes you through Pamplona and the Pyrenees, back along the coast and the Bay of Biscay. Quickly, the bustling Spanish port city is behind you as the dramatic route of hairpin turns and tight corners takes you through rugged forested hills and open plains. You can stop off in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, before winding your way to the Atlantic Ocean. An extension to France’s Biarritz is also a popular option.

12.The Ring Road, Iceland

Think mossy lava fields, steep mountains, fjords, waterfalls and rocky beaches. The 825-mile Ring Road is a modern motorway running right around Iceland and will take you to many of the best sights the island has to offer. It is easiest to drive in summer but some can also be done in winter, with care. Simply turn off the road for a geyser here, some whale or puffin watching there; horse riding here, hiking a glacier there. You’ll start in colourful Reykjavik, close the sublime Blue Lagoon, and go on to see sights like the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall, the pretty little village Vik and its jet black beach, and the dramatic Dimmuborgir Lava Field.

Ready to get road tripping?

Call us now on 020 3092 1288 or email [email protected] to start planning your perfect itinerary!

This is a feature from Issue 12 of Charitable Traveller.