A driving holiday can be just about the most perfect holiday experience you can design - provided you have a comfortable vehicle that is, whether four wheeled or two. Driving holidays and road trips give you the freedom to roam, the chance to discover little visited off-the-beaten-track villages and sights, as well as the opportunity to enjoy it all at your own pace, amidst often spectacular scenery. Serendipity is the watchword here - an advantage of old style travel that is so often lost in the modern era of packages and set itineraries. A driving holiday offers all this and more.
Here's a snapshot of some of the world's most scenic routes, from the white beaches of the Pacific Coast Highway to mountain passes, from ancient pilgrim routes to majestic deserthighways.
Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway follows the heart of the Canadian Rockies from Banff to Jasper and is claimed by Canadians to be the most scenic mountain drive in the world. Some of the planet's great beauty spots are found along here, including Banff, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Honeymoon Lake and Malign Lake. There are innumerable hiking opportunities in summer but watch out for bears. Winter offers great skiing and the bears are asleep.
Amalfi Coast Road
From the exuberant natural beauty of the mountainous landscape overlooking clear seas to the fine detail of the bright villages and stone churches set into the rock of these hills—the beauty of this region warms all who imbibe of its aesthetic riches. A drive along the Coast Road by car or by motorbike (or Vespa) will bring you into the canvas to experience the tantalising aroma of sun-yellow lemon trees among rock-face communities, local fishermen, rich Mediterraneanfood, old smuggling caves, and dazzling beaches that tempt you seaside. The coastline offerings of Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, Sorrento and their smaller neighbours are breathtakingly self-indulgent.
The Atlantic Road, Norway
The Atlantic Road is an 8 km scenic masterpiece set amidst the hills, lakes and rivers of Norway's fine natural landscape. The road zig-zags across bridges and rock-fills from island to island on the lips of the ocean. There are many lay-bys at which to park and marvel at your surroundings, just several feet from the smooth coastal rocks, with excellent fishingopportunities. Also on view is a plethora of wildlife such as seals and whales, and the less preferable weather conditions can often provide water shows crashing against the rocks as you drive.
Leh-Manali Route, The Himalayas
The route that connects Leh and Manali offers the ultimate mountain-driving expedition. And the ultimate Buddhist pilgrimage too. The route starts in Solang Valley and winds up through the Rohtang Pass along the enchanting River Chandra with wonderful glacier and mountainviews, Buddha statues and 'Free Tibet' signs everywhere. The highway to Baralacha-La provides the most breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas with meadows set amongst the snow-capped peaks. The route navigates along the Lachung-La Pass and its stunning canyon. Stop by the Thasang Tso—a turqiose lake labelled 'emerald of a queen's necklace' and the medicinal hot springs at Chuma-Thang.
La Ruta Del Che, Bolivia
A wonderfully cultural and historical unpaved route in Bolivia's Andean valleys, the La Ruta Del Che follows Ernesto 'Che' Guevara's final revolution-rousing days. From Santa Cruz to the city of Samaipata, following en route to Vallegrande are the beautiful quaint villages of Pucara, and Quebrada del Churo—Che's last residence. Follow along to Higuera, where Che was eventually captured, and end your journey at the final stop of Vallegrande—a sweet charming town where one can find the hospital's laundry room that served as a display for Che's body for the press and public. Other attractions in Vallegrande include the traditional colonial architecture, the Che museum and the Che memorial, that rests on the recently discovered burial ground before his 1997 Cuban burial.
Scotland's Western Highlands
A wonderful 250 mile trip from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye with Scottish wildlife abounding is exactly what Scotland's Western Highlands offer. For history and architecture lovers, visit Linlithglow Palace, Stirling Castle, the (William) Wallace Monument, Fort William's West Highland Museum and the wonderful Eilean Donan Castle on Skye. Fresh seafood is a near necessity, especially scallops, mussels and oysters. For nature lovers there are seals and otters, highland cows, hare, foxes, deer and any number of birds. Lochs galore, and the coves andbeaches on the Atlantic at Morar in particular are outstanding with the final destination being the Isle of Skye, with sea cliffs and rocky outcrops. In addition there is an amazing range of great places to stay here, from small family run B&Bs to luxury hotels.
The Alaskan Highway
For beauty, stillness and serenity, the Alaskan Highway claims priority. With little to distract your attention, this drive from British Columbia, through the Yukon and into Alaska will bring you back in touch with the natural world of the deep northern territories of America.
You can swim at Liard Hot Springs, place your own sign(s) and read the others in Sign Forest at Watson Lake, visit reindeer near Whitehorse (Yukon) and Santa Claus House in North Pole. Animal lovers will love the elk, wild sheep, grizzly bears, moose and marmots that often chill out on the highway itself. Marine lovers will favour the otters, dolphins, whales and puffers.
Crossworld Holidays gives the best International Group Tour Pacakges from Thane, Mumbai
Crossworld Holidays Tours & Travels (IATA approved)
Ground Floor, Ram Smruti,
Opp. to New English School,
Ram Maruti Road, Cross Road,
Thane (W) - 400602, India
Tel:+91 - 22 - 4038 4747
Fax:+91 - 22 - 2542 3427
E-mail: crossh@gmail.com
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