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September 9, 2014

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Get behind the wheel for a world of adventure

ROAD trips give travelers the ultimate in freedom. Everything from where you stop and for how long is entirely up to you.

The great thing about this big, beautiful planet is that there are so many road trips worth taking, covering everything from incredible landscapes to seemingly virgin lands.

Weather permitting, consider renting a convertible. Then crank up the music, step on the gas pedal and start driving. Check out the following routes to see what suits you. Bon voyage.

Great Ocean Road, Australia

This coastal road is often considered the most beautiful in the southern hemisphere. Listed as an Australian National Heritage, the road is 243 kilometers and stretches along the southeastern coast between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.

Diversity plays a big role on this drive. Take time to stop and walk in a rainforest, play with koalas, mingle with sheep and cows or sit down and chat with friendly villagers. The ocean scenery is unforgettable as the road zigzags about. Around sunset, ocean waves appear golden as they slap the shore. Don’t forget your camera.

Route des Grandes Alps, France

The 684-kilometer route passes through the French Alps between Lake Geneva and the French Riviera. It starts at Thonon-les-Bains, a town in eastern France and ends at Menton. The scenery is breathtaking as you work your way around the high passes of the Alps. Driving south, snowy mountain peaks, lush green valleys and gleaming lakes are common sights, making it seem as though you are in a painting.

Route 43, New Zealand

Known as the “Forgotten World Highway,” this road runs 150 kilometers from Stratford to Taumarunui. It winds its way over four mountain saddles, through a spooky one-lane tunnel and along a river gorge. Be prepared for a 15-kilometer section of the road that is unsealed gravel. It’s also a great trip for those who want to get away from civilization since the only significant settlement between Stratford and Taumarunui is Whangamomona, where a historic hotel is famous for its service and hospitality.

Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia, Canada

The sinuous Cabot Trail is a scenic roadway that takes you around the greater part of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. It’s one of Canada’s most famous drives. Visitors can set aside anywhere for one to four days to see the sights. Since there are numerous scenic overlooks, cultural heritage sites and hiking trails to explore, plan your trip before heading out.

Margaree Harbor is known for fishing, water sports and Salmon Museum.

Pleasant Bay marks the halfway point of the trail and is famous for whale watching while Cape Breton Highlands National Park is great for hiking.

Amalfi Coast Lane,
Italy

Listed as a cultural landscape by UNESCO World Heritage, the Amalfi Coast showcases Mediterranean scenery and attracts thousands of tourists annually. The Amalfi Coast stretches along the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula in the province of Salerno in southern Italy.

Motorists who have driven the route often express surprise, saying something along the lines of “there are some places which will never be seen in Italy.”

The drive is not for the faint of heart as it includes some very narrow sections with sharp turns. Drive carefully.

Florida Keys Overseas Highway, USA

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway may just get eyes popping out of their sockets, such is the beauty of this drive. This 182-kilometer highway includes more than 40 bridges — crossing everything from Florida Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico — as motorists hop from isle to isle en route to Key West from mainland Florida. On the road, film fans may recall scenes from the movies “License To Kill” and “True Lies” on Seven Mile Bridge.

Travelers with additional time may want to plan of snorkeling, scuba diving or fishing while in the area. On Key West, you can play with approximately 50 polydactyl cats that happen to be descendants of novelist Ernest Hemingway’s cat. Key West is also the southernmost point of the US mainland. A buoy marks the exact spot.

Route 12, Utah, USA

Known as the “Tunnel of Time,” the 196-kilometer route starts from Panguitch and connects with Route 89.

The highway features two National Parks, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, and other scenic points like Boulder Mountain and Hell’s Backbone Backway.

Near the town of Boulder, the highway twists and turns through the Hogsback, a part of the road where cliffs drop steeply into narrow canyons on both sides. In Boulder, there’s a museum and remnants of a prehistoric Indian village at Anasazi State Park.

Pacific Coast Highway, Route 1, California, USA

The Pacific Coast Highway traces nearly the entirety of the western coastline of the United States. It’s a scenic drive providing views of the azure sea as big waves crash into the bottom of cliffs.

The California section starts at Dana Point in Orange County and ends at its northern terminus near Leggett in Mendocino County. Route 1 includes the Central Coast, Monterey Bay, San Francisco Bay and Mendocino County. There are different towns to stop at along the way, towering redwoods to photograph and barking sea lions to keep you company.

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, South Dakota, USA

This 113-kilometer loop wriggles through the Black Hills in South Dakota and weaves around towering granite formations, narrow tunnels, bridges and curves. Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial are two of the most famous attractions along the byway.

Wildlife is another highlight. American bison can be seen in Custer State Park along with bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, wild burros and prairie dogs. White-tailed deer, mule deer and wild turkeys can also be found along the route. Coyotes, red fox, elk and bobcats also live in the area, but these animals are seen less frequently.

Custer State Park, Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and Black Elk National Wilderness Area are also great places for hiking.

Seward Highway, Alaska, USA

Extending 201 kilometers, Seward Highway meanders its way through Alaska from Seward to Anchorage. It runs through the scenic Kenai Peninsula, Chugach National Forest, Turnagain Arm and the Kenai Mountains. The nearly two-and-a-half hour drive is somewhat like a roller-coaster ride as it goes up and down mountains. It also offers views of dense forests, pristine fjords, and glaciers. With a bit of luck, you may spot some moose and eagles.

Travelers can park on the side of the road and camp out, go hiking and fishing, or stop for a picnic.




 

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