We’ve all seen the films, read the books, and many of us have dreamt of taking an iconic road trip – roof down, sunglasses on, and the smell of tarmac and trepidation in the warm air. And now travellers – tired of the hectic European city break, or a languid week lying on the beach in the Bahamas – are packing their driving gloves and power ballad CDs and jetting off to enjoy some of the world’s most scenic drives. The ultimate incentive is that awe-inspiring scenery comes as standard and you get to decide which route to take and when to stop. From Corvettes and cocktails in California to the secluded beaches and glaciers of New Zealand, our dedicated travel team brings you three of the best road trips.
The Pacific Coast Highway, USA
Route 66 may be the most famous road, but Route 1 – stretching from San Francisco, along the central Californian coast, to LA – is seriously picturesque. Head over the Golden Gate Bridge and travel south past classic surf breaks such as Mavericks and the world-class Pebble Beach golf course, until you reach the pretty coastal town of Monterey. From here, Big Sur begins – imagine 123 miles of remote and coastline-hugging tarmac. There is accommodation to suit all budgets, from beachfront cabins to the exclusive Post Ranch Inn, built in to a cliff-side, so contact your lifestyle manager to discuss various options. Continuing south, make sure you stop of at the enchanting Hearst Castle and wave to the dozing sea lions at San Simeon. Finally, cruise triumphantly into Los Angeles, or head on down to Orange County for a sundowner with the stars.
Queensland Coastline, Australia
The drive from Brisbane to Cairns, at just over 1,000 miles, is a substantial one. There is a great deal to explore along the way, but as long as you leave enough time (12 days minimum), it is easily doable. Journey north along the Sunshine Coast and enjoy the range of water sports on offer, from surfing to boating. Stroll through charming seaside towns such as Caloundra and Noosa or explore the wilderness of Fraser Island – the largest sand island in the world and a World Heritage listed area. Swap car for catamaran and cruise the Whitsundays – 74 different islands with pure silica sand beaches and turquoise waters. Once you have your land legs back, continue on past golden stretches of coastline, from Magnetic Island to Mission Beach, before having a change of scenery at the Green Way, famed for its rainforest-clad mountains and impressive waterfalls. Lastly, arrive in Cairns, pick up a snorkel and go and find tropical fish hidden in the crevices of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Southern Alps, New Zealand
Two-thirds the size of California, New Zealand manages to squeeze in everything from glaciers to rainforests, with some striking white beaches thrown in for good measure. To do justice to the South Island, you would need to spend around three weeks driving a circuit of the sights: from Nelson, with its peaceful beaches and native bush walks, Blenheim and its renowned wines, to Kairkoura and its whale-watching. Head to the quaint city of Christchurch and give your motor a rest with a trip on the TranzAlpine – one of the world's great scenic railway journeys. Further south takes you to the adventure capital, Queenstown. Skydive, bungee and white-water raft before hitting the road once more, and taking in the fjords of Milford Sound. Finally, no trip here would be complete without seeing the spectacular Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers – literally a few kilometres from the main road.
And finally...
The only decision left to make is what car to drive – do you go for a classic ’66 Cadillac, an Aston Martin DB9 Volante, a vintage VW campervan or perhaps something more rugged such as the Land Rover Discovery? Get in touch with our motor team who will be only too happy to talk horsepower (and practicality) with you, and make sure you get the best car for the ultimate road trip. We can even recommend a few of the best CDs to go with the open road.
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