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This is the shoreline drive that beats them all. The Great Ocean Road is 170 miles of astonishing coastline vistas including stunning views of the majestic Twelve Apostles – Giant stacks of layered limestone rock jutting up out of the water, some as tall as 150 feet. Take advantage of other amazing natural sites such as Otways rainforest, the Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge, and plenty of pristine beaches. Seaside villages that deserve some exploration include Warmambool, Geelong, Queenscliff, Port Campbell, Lorne and Port Fairy. For a real treat, take the time to stop at Tower Hill, a nature wonderland tucked away in an extinct volcano where you might catch glimpses of koalas, kangaroos and emus. Just watch out for the bouncing marsupials crossing the road.
If you sample the wine at each vineyard along this 150-mile stretch that includes nearly 100 towns and villages, you won’t get far, so pace yourself. The Alsace region is world-renowned for its award-winning white wines and quintessential French villages. The drive will take you through the gentle, rolling hills of this beautiful French countryside and its grape trellises. Considered by most to be the most idyllic drive France offers, plan to make a stop in Molsheim to visit the remnants of its 14th century wall and the 16th centry Metzig townhouse with its double stone-carved staircase and Jacquemart Clock dating to 1607.
This 144-mile stretch of road, also known as Highway 93, parallels the Continental Divide and takes you through the heart of the Canadian Rockies along with two of Canada’s most spectacular national parks – Jasper and Banff. Highlights include following and crossing the thundering Saskatchewan River and seeing the Columbia Icefields that feed no fewer than eight huge glaciers. You won’t have to worry about commercial trucks on the road as they are prohibited, but you will need a Canadian national parks permit to drive the route. For the best experience, begin at Lake Louise and head north. Plan to make stops to see Athabasca Falls and Mistaya Canyon’s distinctive curvaceous walls.
To really experience one of the most beautiful drives the USA has to offer, plan on taking two days to travel the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles on Highway 1 and making plenty of stops along the way. Just south of Monterey, make a stop at Carmel-by-the-Sea, an idyllic artist colony with cottages, shops and art galleries. After passing through Garrapata State Park (which has an easy-to-reach beach) you’ll soon cross the impressive Bixby Creek Bridge, a concrete arch bridge that is 714 feel long and more than 280 fee high. Then it’s on to more breathtaking views through Big Sur’s southern stretch of the Santa Lucia Mountains as you hug a truly precipitous coastline. As you on down the coastline, plan on stopping in Santa Barabara before completing the route in Los Angeles.
Described by many as the most scenic experience you can have on four wheels, the Milford Road will take you to one of the most majestic natural destinations in New Zealand, the Milford Sound. The route is part of State Highway 94 that climbs up through the Southern Alps to a height of more than 3,000 feet (940m), making it one of the highest in the country. It takes you from Te Anau through Fiordland National Park to Milford sound and is a 144-mile roundtrip journey that will also take you through Homer Tunnel, New Zealand’s second-longest at 4,166 feet (1,270m). Just remember to drive on the left side of the road and fuel up before starting as there are no gas stations along the way except in Milford Sound.
Named for Austria’s tallest mountain, this toll road is open from May through October and offers an unforgettable drive through alpine forests, meadows full of wildflowers and past sheer cliffs. You’ll pass through Hohe Tauem National Park and then climb Grossglocker through a series of 36 hairpin curves, reaching an altitude of 8,215 feet (2,504m). Most drivers begin from the Salzburg direction, starting at the Ferleiten tool booths. Although only 30 miles (48km), this views of Grossglockner and its Pasterze Galcier are second to none. Take advantage of the exhibits along the route that will fill you in on the history and construction of the road as well as the surrounding alpine ecosystem. You might even catch a glimpse of one of the fabled Golden Eagles, a majestic bird of prey that was once endangered.
This 106-mile (170km) stretch of R203 serves up some of the most spectacular and breathtaking views of the mighty High Atlas Mountains, Northern Africa’s most impressive range. You’ll wind your way up past serene valleys and traditional Berber villages to the Tizi n’Test Pass, where you’ll be at an altitude of 6,684 feet (2,092m). Enjoy a cup of steaming hot mint tea at Gite Tizi n’Test and lunch at La Belle Vue Hotel, with its sweeping panoramic views of the Souss plains below. The weather is ever-changing, however, so be warned that heavy clouds and mist can spring up suddenly and reduce visibility to near zero. Also plan on a short detour to the village of Tin Mai on the Marrakech side of the pass to visit an Almohad-ear mosque built in 1156.
Southern Germany’s 220-mile (350km) Romantic Road between Würzburg and Füssen embodies quintessential German scenery and towns. Plan on a stop in Rothenburg ob der Tauber to view one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Germany and climb to the top of its town hall for a bird’s eye view. If you want a less tourist-crowded town, then you’ll want to stop in Nördlingen with its Fachwerk houses and the 295-foot (90m) Daniel steeple at St. George’s Church. Towards the southern end of the route in Schwangau you’ll find two must-see castles, including Hohenschwangau Castle and Neuschwanstein Castle, the latter being the fairytale castle of Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria that served as the inspiration for the Disney theme park castles.
The Silk Road is Highway 315, a scenic drive that stretches more than 1,700 miles, tracing the historical trading route between China and the Mediterranean. Besides the stunning natural scenery of the Kunlun Mountains, roadsters can also take in a number of intriguing archeological sites. Urumqi is a fascinating city to overnight in. Be sure to climb up the odd mountain sticking up out of the middle of the city in Hong Shan Park. At the top is a carefully preserved, 82-foot high (25m), nine-story pagoda called Zhen Long Ta built by the Yuan Dynasty (1277-1367 AD). It is especially enchanting when viewed at dusk or dawn.
To enjoy one of Europe’s most sublime shoreline routes, pick up SS163 in the village of Vietri sul Mare, known for its ceramics as well as its dramatic views of the coast. There are many viewpoints to take in before you make a significant stop at the inland town of Ravello, considered by many to be the most picturesque and romantic of southern Italy. Take the time to explore some its hidden lanes and lush gardens, as well as its vistas of the coast. You’ll also want to visit the 11th-centry cathedral at the village’s center. In spite of the spectacular views, remember to keep one eye on the road as you’ll be encountering the behind-the-wheel antics of macho Italian drivers.
