5 Ultimate Road Trips
August 14th, 2007 by Helen Sarkanova
The U.S. road trips sure are an American classic, but have you considered experiencing your travels abroad from the driver’s seat? Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the unrestricted speed limits on the German Autobahn, the jaw-dropping scenery of the northern loop of the Peloponnese, and spontaneous croissant breaks on the way. Here are the five samples of the world’s best road trips:
1. Scandinavia
Drive on the curvy roads along the Scandinavian fjords, and see the breathtaking scenery of mountainous backdrops and crystal clear water. Start in Gothenburg, Sweden and follow through Oslo to Bergen. From there, take a ferry and drive further south to Kristiansand, where you will catch a ferry for Hirtshals, Denmark. Follow the coast through Skagen to Copenhagen. From the Denmark’s capital, head back to Sweden. Take the ferry to Viking Stronghold of Visby, then to Ninashamn, and it is only a short drive to Stockholm from there. On the way, indulge yourself in the views of the picturesque towns on the Atlantic; visit art galleries on the Windblown Peninsula of Skagen, stop by Hamlet’s castle in Helsignor, explore the medieval Island of Gotland, and get a close look at the rock formations of Faro. And, should you come in the early summer, soak up the midnight sun and keep the headlights switched off!
2. The Himalayas
Explore the roof of the world from the driver’s seat! The 485km journey from Manali in India’s Himachal Pradesh to the Ladakh capital, Leh, offers fascinating scenery of wild mountains and incredible rock formations. Mountain crests, passes, and the terraced valleys of the Himalayas tectonically uplifted spine will bid you farewell as you will drive along. This trip is navigable just for a number of weeks between the mid of July through the mid of September, so make sure you bare this in mind when scheduling your trip.
3. Greece
The coastal road outside the metropolitan area of Patras is set in a beautiful backdrop between high mountain ranges and the peacock-green water of the gulf. Continue to Pirgos, one of the most picturesque villages on the island that has up to 70% of its surface covered with vineyards. Stop here to visit the museum, dedicated to Chalepas, one of the finest sculptors in the history of modern Greece, and continue through the island to Olympia. You will find yourself taking a sensational trip down the track where the first Olympic race was run. From there, the ancient fishing town of Navplio is certainly worth a visit. This large town on the Higher Peloponnese is perfect for a delicious lunch. Try a dish of octopus and roasted peppers with feta cheese.
4. Australia
Dreaming of a 4×4 ride? Then the Gibb River Road in the Kimberleys, Western Australia, is the right for you! Six hundred kilometers of dirt track will lead you through an amazing landscape of gorges, waterfalls, cliffs, tropical vegetation, and rugged escarpments. Take as many sporadic stops as you wish; cruise the Chamberlain Gorge’s waters, view aboriginal art at the Wandjina Aboriginal rock, or relax in thermal springs. Stop by the Pentecost River where saltwater crocodiles inhabit the deceptively calm waters, or visit the Wilderness Park – one million acres in the Kimberley wilderness.
5. Iceland’s Ring Road
Iceland’s Highway 1 – the roughly 830-mile Ring Road – is the only route that circles the island. It offers a magnificent view of an entire array of the world’s fascinating phenomena; sea coasts meet barren expanses of a desert, valleys of tundra feature waterfalls, and glaciers are paired with geysers. On the way, stop by to relax in one of the hot blue pools’ sulfurous streams tucked away in Iceland’s lava rocks.
