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Best Road Trips Around the World

Best Road Trips Around the World

Hitting the open road and feeling the wind in one’s hair easily goes down as one of the most liberating things to enjoy — especially when traveling in a foreign country. From Iceland to Africa, I’ve gotten behind the wheel for several unforgettable road trips.

To truly experience a country, taking charge and driving yourself around is a must. It’s incredibly empowering, and it allows you take in each and every incredible mile at your own pace.

Ready to hit the road? Here are some of the best road trips around the world.

California Coast Road Trips

California Coast Road Trip

Driving along the California coast easily goes down as the best way to see the Golden State! Spend two weeks driving from San Diego into wine country to see breathtaking landscapes.

Along the way see iconic sights from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, to the epic views in Big Sur, to the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles to the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland) in Anaheim!

Read Next: Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks in California

Road on Route 66

Route 66

Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Take the iconic route from Illinois, past the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, around the Cadillac Ranch into the Petrified Forest National Park, and down all the way to Santa Monica on America’s greatest road.

Ring Road Itinerary

Ring Road Iceland

One of my biggest adventure was driving Iceland’s Ring Road. Circling one of my favorite countries, I swam in geothermal pools, hiked through waterfalls and fell in love with Iceland’s natural beauty while horseback riding.

Read Next: The Ultimate Iceland Ring Road Itinerary

DSCF1282

South of France

Wine, cheese and picturesque beaches make up the Provence and Côte d’Azur Region—and I’d consider it one of our planet’s most scenic treasures. Plan a journey around Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Marseille and other luxurious resort cities in the area.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Provence

Amalfi Coast

The western coast of Italy has some of the most impressive sights in the country, and that speaks volumes! Take your time winding along the coast, working your way from Sorrento to Positano to Grotta Dello Smeraldo to Ravello and finally into Naples. It’s less than 100km (62 miles), and each stop is more remarkable than the last.

If time allows, I’d highly recommend doing a stop between Ravello and Naples to set your sights on world-famous Pompeii. You can cap off your tour by taking a ferry from Naples out to the island of Capri.

Read Next: Tips for Visiting the Amalfi Coast in Italy

on london bridge

England

Start your journey in London and set your GPS to tour all around this must-see destination. Put going all the way up to Scotland on your to-see list, as well.

Head up the northern coast, through Wales, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and along to Inverness. Travel back down through Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, and Nottingham to see it all.

Oh, and be sure to check out my guide to planning a UK road trip before you go!

Read More: The Ultimate London Travel Guide

namibia drive

Namibia

There is just no place on earth like Namibia. Located just north of South Africa, this is one of the most sparsely populated places in the world.

Taking a road trip through Namibia was an absolute dream for me. You can easily spend ten days exploring the Namib Desert, snapping shots of wildlife in Etosha Park and standing in awe of the vast sand dunes of Sossusvlei.

Read Next: 10 Essential Tips for Road-Tripping in Namibia

blonde on safari in Kenya

Garden Route, South Africa

This 200km (125 miles) road stretch goes from Mossel Bay to Storms River. As you travel from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape, you’ll get the chance to take in the coastal vistas and wildlife that make South Africa the gem it is.

Ten days is a pretty standard tour time here to fully experience the Garden Route. You’ll also have the time to explore Knysna, George, Port Elizabeth, Cape Agulhas and Cape Town.

Read Next: The Ultimate Garden Route Road Trip Itinerary

Great Ocean Road Trip

Australia

See the best of life down under from the Great Ocean Road. Stop to see the cliffs, lighthouses and wildlife roaming through the national parks as you drive along the mountains, oceans and rainforests.

Along the way, you’ll find Bells Beach, which is a famous surf sport in Victoria just 100km (62 miles) out of Melbourne. Also stop by Great Otway National Park, which boasts rugged coasts, beaches and mountains.

Last, but definitely not least, you can’t miss the Twelve Apostles. Four hours into your drive along the Great Ocean Road, you’ll see these iconic limestone cliffs towering over the glittering water.

Read More: Australia Travel Tips

 

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    1. Zerrry Twining

      Great way of presentation ! thank you for sharing with us. I m so motivated from your blog.

      I am highly glad to see this blog.

      January 22, 2020 at 3:55 am · Reply
      • The Blonde Abroad

        Thank you very much 🙂

        January 22, 2020 at 10:40 pm · Reply

    Instagram

    If you’re finding yourself here for the first time, welcome! I’m sharing my New England Road Trip (with a Toddler) series, and it’s Day 3 of our adventure! 🍂🍁
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    I’m sharing some insider info on hiking the legendary Flume Gorge in New Hampshire.

    We opted to stay in North Conway, NH and used it as a base to explore the White Mountains. We stayed at Kearsarge Inn and @oldvillagebakerynh was literally next door.

    We grabbed some pastries and bagels for the road and drove about an hour to Flume Gorge– a 2.2-mile self-guided hike with covered bridges, amazing waterfalls, and gorgeous mountain views.

    TIP: You need to book tickets with a dedicated time slot for entry to hike Flume Gorge. I did this about 2 months in advance given how busy the foliage season is here. So BOOK EARLY and ARRIVE EARLY.

    Most people can do the hike in about 1.5 hrs, but I’d add an hour with young kids. We did lots of nature exploring and resting along the way.

TIP FOR YOUNG KIDDOS: Bring a baby carrier or hiking backpack! While this is rated a family-friendly hike, it wasn’t without some challenges with a toddler. I ended up carrying him on my shoulders for over a mile which was an adventure in itself.

    I had bookmarked Artist’s Bluff Lookout and Polly’s Pancake Parlor to do after, but like with all plans with kids, they change as need. We opted to call it a day after the first hike but you can definitely add Artist’s Bluff to your day (it’s just a few minutes up the highway).

We did drive to Polly’s because pancakes sounded amazing, but the wait was 2.5 HOURS at 11am. So we passed.

We had a relaxed afternoon back in North Conway and went to @conwayscenicrailroad to watch the trains come into the depot. You can book a scenic ride too!

    If you’re planning a similar road trip, you’re not gonna wanna miss Day 4 for arguably the MOST famous scenic byway in all of New England during the foliage season!
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    @visitnh #fallroadtrip #fallfoliage #portlandmaine #newengland #autumn #visitnh #visitnewhampshire

    678 16
    Open
    If you’re finding yourself here for the first time, welcome! I’m sharing my New England Road Trip (with a Toddler) series, and it’s Day 3 of our adventure! 🍂🍁 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I’m sharing some insider info on hiking the legendary Flume Gorge in New Hampshire. We opted to stay in North Conway, NH and used it as a base to explore the White Mountains. We stayed at Kearsarge Inn and @oldvillagebakerynh was literally next door. We grabbed some pastries and bagels for the road and drove about an hour to Flume Gorge– a 2.2-mile self-guided hike with covered bridges, amazing waterfalls, and gorgeous mountain views. TIP: You need to book tickets with a dedicated time slot for entry to hike Flume Gorge. I did this about 2 months in advance given how busy the foliage season is here. So BOOK EARLY and ARRIVE EARLY. Most people can do the hike in about 1.5 hrs, but I’d add an hour with young kids. We did lots of nature exploring and resting along the way.

TIP FOR YOUNG KIDDOS: Bring a baby carrier or hiking backpack! While this is rated a family-friendly hike, it wasn’t without some challenges with a toddler. I ended up carrying him on my shoulders for over a mile which was an adventure in itself. I had bookmarked Artist’s Bluff Lookout and Polly’s Pancake Parlor to do after, but like with all plans with kids, they change as need. We opted to call it a day after the first hike but you can definitely add Artist’s Bluff to your day (it’s just a few minutes up the highway).

We did drive to Polly’s because pancakes sounded amazing, but the wait was 2.5 HOURS at 11am. So we passed.

We had a relaxed afternoon back in North Conway and went to @conwayscenicrailroad to watch the trains come into the depot. You can book a scenic ride too! If you’re planning a similar road trip, you’re not gonna wanna miss Day 4 for arguably the MOST famous scenic byway in all of New England during the foliage season! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @visitnh #fallroadtrip #fallfoliage #portlandmaine #newengland #autumn #visitnh #visitnewhampshire

    The Ultimate Fall Foliage Itinerary for New England (toddler edition)! 🍁
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    We flew in and out of Boston — and you’ll need to rent a car. This trip involves a lot of driving!

    @Expedia is my go-to resource for travel— you can rent your car, book activities, and find amazing accommodation for your own trip to New England!

    You can start your adventure in North Conway, in the white mountains of New Hampshire. This cute town is home to the Conway Scenic railway and is a great base to explore some of the best leaf peeping in the area.

    You’ll want to book tickets for Flume Gorge months in advance—it’s a kid-friendly hike but still 2.2 miles and I definitely regretted not bringing a hiking carrier for Ollie.

    Head out EARLY to drive the 34-mile Kancamagus Scenic Byway—there are tons of spots to stop along the byway, but we loved Sabbaday Falls for a short hike with big reward.

    Next up, head to Woodstock, Vermont, and check into Woodstock Inn. This hotel sells out almost a full year in advance during foliage season, so plan ahead.

    Don’t miss a maple creamy from Woodstock Scoops or a visit to Billings Farm.

    The entire drive through Vermont is SO beautiful. On your way to the town of Stowe, stop for some apple picking, and don’t miss Hollow Cider for cider donuts.

    Stay at the Trapp family lodge (owned by the REAL family from the Sound of Music). This is such a great spot for kids. They have tons of farm animals like highland cattle and sheep. Stowe is famously known for its crowds this time of year, so if you want to avoid them, base yourself here, take in the incredible views, and go on hikes directly on the property.

    Stay at the Trapp family lodge (owned by the REAL family from the Sound of Music). They have tons of farm animals like highland cattle and sheep. There’s a beer hall, bakery, and even hiking trails on the property—so you can avoid the crowds in town. It’s also located near the Smuggler’s Notch mountain pass.

    End your trip by driving back to Boston and spending a couple of days exploring one of the most historic (and kid-friendly) cities in America!
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    #newengland #autumn

    689 26
    Open
    The Ultimate Fall Foliage Itinerary for New England (toddler edition)! 🍁 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• We flew in and out of Boston — and you’ll need to rent a car. This trip involves a lot of driving! @Expedia is my go-to resource for travel— you can rent your car, book activities, and find amazing accommodation for your own trip to New England! You can start your adventure in North Conway, in the white mountains of New Hampshire. This cute town is home to the Conway Scenic railway and is a great base to explore some of the best leaf peeping in the area. You’ll want to book tickets for Flume Gorge months in advance—it’s a kid-friendly hike but still 2.2 miles and I definitely regretted not bringing a hiking carrier for Ollie. Head out EARLY to drive the 34-mile Kancamagus Scenic Byway—there are tons of spots to stop along the byway, but we loved Sabbaday Falls for a short hike with big reward. Next up, head to Woodstock, Vermont, and check into Woodstock Inn. This hotel sells out almost a full year in advance during foliage season, so plan ahead. Don’t miss a maple creamy from Woodstock Scoops or a visit to Billings Farm. The entire drive through Vermont is SO beautiful. On your way to the town of Stowe, stop for some apple picking, and don’t miss Hollow Cider for cider donuts. Stay at the Trapp family lodge (owned by the REAL family from the Sound of Music). This is such a great spot for kids. They have tons of farm animals like highland cattle and sheep. Stowe is famously known for its crowds this time of year, so if you want to avoid them, base yourself here, take in the incredible views, and go on hikes directly on the property. Stay at the Trapp family lodge (owned by the REAL family from the Sound of Music). They have tons of farm animals like highland cattle and sheep. There’s a beer hall, bakery, and even hiking trails on the property—so you can avoid the crowds in town. It’s also located near the Smuggler’s Notch mountain pass. End your trip by driving back to Boston and spending a couple of days exploring one of the most historic (and kid-friendly) cities in America! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #newengland #autumn

    Welcome back to Day 2 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler)! 🍂
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    I’m sharing one of the coolest activities not only in Portland, Maine, but on our entire trip: @childrensmuseum_theatreofmaine

    But first, we started our day with the best bagels I’ve ever had at @_rose_foods_ — OMG they were so good.

    Then it was off to the Children’s Museum. It happened to be a super rainy day, so it was the perfect indoor activity.

    What you can expect: the museum is an interactive kids’ museum with the coolest water table exhibit and lots of science & job-related play exhibits. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance—it’s a really popular spot for families!

    After that, we stopped by @allagashbrewing for some lunch. Allagash White has been one of my favorite beers for years—and it was amazing to see the brewery in person. (TIP: During the Fall, you can ask for a sugary, pumpkin rim. It’s SO good!) They also have some kid-friendly activities and tasty food.

    We made our way to New Hampshire and checked into the Kearsarge Inn in North Conway—it’s the cutest tiny town that’s home to the Conway Scenic Railway.

    We based ourselves here to explore the most beautiful drives and hikes in the White Mountains during autumn.

    Stay tuned for Day 3 & 4 for some of the most incredible hikes and scenic byways!
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    @visitportland @visitmaine
    #fallroadtrip #fallfoliage #portlandmaine #newengland #autumn #visitportland #visitmaine

    1021 22
    Open
    Welcome back to Day 2 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler)! 🍂 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I’m sharing one of the coolest activities not only in Portland, Maine, but on our entire trip: @childrensmuseum_theatreofmaine But first, we started our day with the best bagels I’ve ever had at @_rose_foods_ — OMG they were so good. Then it was off to the Children’s Museum. It happened to be a super rainy day, so it was the perfect indoor activity. What you can expect: the museum is an interactive kids’ museum with the coolest water table exhibit and lots of science & job-related play exhibits. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance—it’s a really popular spot for families! After that, we stopped by @allagashbrewing for some lunch. Allagash White has been one of my favorite beers for years—and it was amazing to see the brewery in person. (TIP: During the Fall, you can ask for a sugary, pumpkin rim. It’s SO good!) They also have some kid-friendly activities and tasty food. We made our way to New Hampshire and checked into the Kearsarge Inn in North Conway—it’s the cutest tiny town that’s home to the Conway Scenic Railway. We based ourselves here to explore the most beautiful drives and hikes in the White Mountains during autumn. Stay tuned for Day 3 & 4 for some of the most incredible hikes and scenic byways! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @visitportland @visitmaine #fallroadtrip #fallfoliage #portlandmaine #newengland #autumn #visitportland #visitmaine

    Calling all road tripping, adventure-loving families! 📢
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    I recently went on a 10-day New England road trip and @rivianofficial loaned me a second-generation R1S to see the fall foliage—it was everything I dreamed of and more.

    I planned this trip for months in advance and we were putting in some serious miles. We ended up tallying nearly 1000 miles and did it all in under three charges—all for free at our hotels along the way!

    Between the front truck that worked as a mud room on rainy days to the glass roof that allowed us to see the fall foliage from all 7 seats, we were truly in Autumn heaven!

    If you’re a road-trip-loving family like us, I highly recommend the Rivian R1S for your ultimate adventure EV!
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    #autumn #fallroadtrip #newengland #rivian #rivianroadtrip

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    Calling all road tripping, adventure-loving families! 📢 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I recently went on a 10-day New England road trip and @rivianofficial loaned me a second-generation R1S to see the fall foliage—it was everything I dreamed of and more. I planned this trip for months in advance and we were putting in some serious miles. We ended up tallying nearly 1000 miles and did it all in under three charges—all for free at our hotels along the way! Between the front truck that worked as a mud room on rainy days to the glass roof that allowed us to see the fall foliage from all 7 seats, we were truly in Autumn heaven! If you’re a road-trip-loving family like us, I highly recommend the Rivian R1S for your ultimate adventure EV! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #autumn #fallroadtrip #newengland #rivian #rivianroadtrip
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