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Best Road Trip Destinations in the World

Unwind on the winding roads

Looking to plan your next big holiday? Why not take the adventurous path and plan a road trip! The world has become a much smaller place with easy access to distant lands just a click and flight away. However, we love our old-fashioned road trips. Calculating a route through different maps, packing a vehicle full of supplies, flexible schedules and unexpected surprises around every corner of the drive; the list is endless. Here’s our pick on the best road trip destinations in the world to add to your bucket list.

West Coast - USA

West Coast - USA

No road trip bucket list would be complete without mention of a journey across the west coast of the United States of America. A drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles makes for an ultimate American motorway adventure. The iconic journey stretches over 720km along the Pacific Coast Highway. Even though the drive can be done in a day, we prefer to take plenty of stops on the way and schedule the journey across a minimum of 3 to 4 days. The magnificent west coast natural landscape is made up of gigantic mountains, picturesque beaches and an endless spectacle of the horizon. A few significant stops on the way include Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Shell Beach, Santa Barbara, Malibu and Venice Beach. There are plenty of rest stops, motels, B&Bs and towns on the way to make your journey easier, so take your time, enjoy the view and live the American Dream. For those of you with more time on your hands, it is worth setting aside some time to explore America’s natural parks to truly take in the best of what the country can offer.
Great Ocean Road - Australia

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Touted to be one of the most scenic drives in the world, the excursion along the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria is just an hour away from central Melbourne. Take in the best of Australian wilderness on the Great Ocean Road that stretches across 250km of spectacular rock formations, sandy beaches, waterfalls and rainforests. Some highlights to schedule in during this road trip will include the iconic 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell National Park, Bay of Islands and Triplet Falls at Otway National Park. A road trip across the Great Ocean Road is suitable for all types of travellers, even families with children, as there is plenty to see and do along the way. Remember to pack hiking shoes and camping gear in case you would like to explore the terrain on foot, as well as rain gear for any unexpected showers. A comfortable journey along the Great Ocean Road can be completed in 3-5 days. 
The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

The Wild Atlantic Way - Ireland

Spanning a remarkable 2500km down the west coast of Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way is possibly the longest defined uninterrupted coastal route in the world. A true Irish wonder, the route offers plenty to see and do with spectacular natural views. The journey can take any time between 2 to 4 weeks or more depending on what you are interested in and what surprises may come your way. Travellers will be left in awe at the sight of quaint villages, wildlife, beaches and more. Due to extreme weather conditions during different parts of the year, it is advisable to make frequent stops and pack plenty of supplies. Some key attractions to see on the Wild Atlantic Way road trip will include Mizen Head, Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, Kylemore Abbey and Slieve League. For those looking for even more adventure, there are night-time kayaking experiences, horseback riding, coasteering and even castle stays available along the way. 
The Garden Route, South Africa

The Garden Route - South Africa

The stunning Garden Route starts just a few hours from Cape Town and depending on how far you want to venture off to can stretch anywhere from 200km to 700km. The Western Cape Province and Eastern Cape Province are both coastal and offer spectacular views of the beach, ocean, mountains and farmlands. We recommend a week-long road trip with plenty of coastal stops like the town of Knysna for some elephant spotting and Plettenberg Bay for whale and dolphin watching, as well as inland attractions like Oudtshoorn to see the world’s largest ostrich population. The Garden Route is popular for its vineyards and farmlands, offering travellers a serene haven for relaxation. 
Route 66, USA

Route 66 - USA

This one’s a classic. The historical Route 66 stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles was one of the original highways of the US Highway System and covers over 3900km. The route has been highly commercialised in the past hundred years and is said to have inspired some of America’s greatest writers, poets, filmmakers and musicians. An ideal road trip across Route 66 is a 4 week east to west run, with plenty of stops on the way. However, if you are pressed for time make sure you plan to see only a few key spots on the way: A classic American breakfast in Illinois, Chain of Rocks bridge in Missouri, the Cadillac Ranch in Texas and the Santa Monica Pier. The best time to go is from May to September to make the best use of a hot American summer.

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