Do you dream of the wind in your hair, the sun in your eyes, and the open road? It sounds like be a cliché, but the truth is that there are certain places around the world that demand nothing less than a road trip.
For the trip of lifetime, check out this top ten list of the world’s greatest road trips.
1. Garden Route, South Africa
The Garden Route of South Africa is a must-see… that is, if you ever find yourself on the other side of the globe. You’ve got plenty of coastal plains between Storms River Mouth and Mossel Bay, and lots of opportunities to see dramatic rocky shores, inviting sandy beaches and the beautiful African skies. If you need to stretch your legs, there are plenty of hiking trails to explore as well.
For more info visit: Vibescout.com
2. Cabot Trail, Canada
Nova Scotia is beautiful as a whole, but Cape Breton is arguably the best part of it. A trip along the Cabot Trail offers up nearly 300km (185 miles)of it. The best section is the northern part which travels through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Scottish and French influence is still powerful in the small villages, so it definitely pays to take your time on this journey.
For more info visit: CabotTrail.com
3. Gobi Desert, Mongolia
You, the car, and the Mongolian Desert. Okay…perhaps for some there are things that sound more glamorous, but you would certainly be going on a one-of-a-kind holiday. The massive expanse of wind sculpted sand seem to stretch on endlessly. You could travel for hours or days across this unique landscape and are sure to make memories that last a life time.
For more info visit: GobiDesert.org
4. Columbia River Gorge, USA
You can reach to the scenic Columbia River Gorge by taking I84 east out of Portland, Oregon. While you could cover the 80 mile drive in a single day, but taking your time is certainly better. Stop to admire the second longest river in the US, its jaw-dropping waterfalls, and fruit farms along the way.
For more info visit: TravelOregon.com
5. South Island, New Zealand
Both of New Zealand’s islands are extremely beautiful, but the country’s impressive landscape is much more easily explored on the South Island. It ranges dramatically from threatening glaciers, to the world-famous Milford Sound, to majestic canyons, making it easily a week-long leisurely journey of wonder.
For more info visit: NewZealand.com
6. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
To have an experience similar to riding on a cloud, you could always try Salar de Uyuni, a perfectly flat expanse of crispy white salt that makes up the largest salt flat in the world. If you happen to be there after a rain, the salt turns into a gigantic mirror reflecting all surrounding peaks, and at night the landscape shines a soft silver in the moonlight.
For more info visit: LonelyPlanet.com
7. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia
The stunning turquoise waters along a beautiful coastline is where the Emerald Coast gets its name. This is Sardinia’s most popular resort area, so the driving may not always go smoothly, but you’ll be too busy enjoying the coast’s beautiful beaches anyway. If possible, pick late spring or early autumn for the best experience of the mild climate and surrounding beauty without dealing with the hustle and bustle of peak season.
For more info visit: SardianBeaches.com
8. The Karakoram Highway, China & Pakistan
Connecting China and Pakistan across their rocky mountainous borderline, Karakoram is the highest paved road of the world –giving a whole new take to the word ‘highway’. The journey — as you can imagine — is unforgettable, ranging from towering snowy mountains to pale ribbon-like rivers in the distance and dangerous rock gorges. And if Nature didn’t supply you with enough beauty on this trip, you have various pieces of rock art along the way, some of which as old as 1000BC.
For more info visit: LonelyPlanet.com
9. Ring Road, Iceland
For the times when you just can’t make up your mind what to see in a country, the Ring Road, 1339km (832 miles)in length, allows you to see the whole of it, taking you around the entire perimeter of Iceland. You can then enjoy the majestic mountain peaks, dangerous volcanos and lava fields, fertile valleys and awe-inspiring fjords resting easy you haven’t missed a thing.
For more info visit: GuidetoIceland.is
10. Northern and Eastern Coastline, Brazil
This is probably the best of all the road trips. From the white sand beach turquoise water lagoon of Jericoacoara, to the beautiful natural setting of Salvador, the Brazilian coastline is a dream come true for beach lovers everywhere. You have everything from sheltered reef beaches, to wild sand dunes dusted with palm trees, along stretch after stretch of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
For more info visit: Brazilian-Coast.com
