Top 20 Scenic Drives in the World
Italy
Bolzano-Cortina d’Ampezzo – This is a must for mountain lovers. This path is lined with steep cliffs and limestone walls. The 100km course through the Dolomites in the Italian Alps is breathtaking and full of twists and turns.
Swiss
Great Saint Bernard Pass: from Martigny to San Bernardino, 56 km, one of the most famous passes in Alpine Europe. The Swiss section of the through road begins in French-speaking Martigny and ends in Italian-speaking San Bernardino.
Furka Pass: Travel southwest to northeast and you’ll see the frozen mass of the glacier that feeds the Rhône. This road follows a high altitude border between German and Italian speaking Switzerland.
The Netherlands
Flower Route – Haarlem-Leiden, 25 miles. This unit has one of the best concentrations of flower fields to be seen. The fields along the path have beautiful bands of color from the beginning of the blooming season, which is late January to late May. Stop and shop the street vendors.
North America and Canada
Tennessee and Mississippi – Blues Highway Drive. Drive north on Route 61 between Memphis and Vicksburg along the Mississippi River. This is a truly musical drive. The music is everywhere. Soul, gospel, R&B spill out of churches, cars, bars. This is where the road sings
Hawaii. Belt Road: farmland, beaches, lava flows, towering mountains. Drive down Belt Road and see it all. From Kailua-Kona to the windswept ruins of Puukohola Heiau, experience a varied landscape like no other in America
Hawaii. Hana Freeway: A 52-mile drive from Kahului to Hana. A 4 wheel drive is ideal for this trip. The ocean to your left, while to the right is a jungle of bamboo and fruit trees and beautiful waterfalls. Be sure to make plenty of stops along the way to take full advantage of the spectacular scenery that awaits you on this trip.
Alaska. Seward Highway – For blue glaciers, jagged mountains, waterfalls, and whale watching, this drive has it all. Anchorage-Seward, 204 kilometers
Dalton – Livengood-Prudhoe Bay Highway, 414 miles. Cross the Yukon River, past the North Slope, and end up in the Arctic Ocean. It is a mostly gravel road. Do not expect to see many services, but do expect spectacular scenery. Recommended for the more experienced driver.
Florida Keys – Overseas Highway. Mainland Florida-Key West, 181 kilometers. This highway stretches across a huge expanse of water with the Atlantic to the left and the Gulf to the right. Highway 1 is typical America with bars selling burgers, shakes and fries to gift shops where you can buy seashell necklaces.
Vermont Cheese Trail – Plymouth Notch-Websterville, 450 miles. Taste the best cheeses imaginable en route. Why not visit some of the cheese makers along the way? They all offer tours and you can buy the products.
Colorado: Ghost towns, fossil beds, towering mountains, and a gorge await on this drive west on US 24 from Colorado Springs.
June through September is the best time to drive this 225-mile loop that includes Cripple Creek, South Park City, and St Elmo.
Alberta, Canada – From the edge of the great plains, you’ll climb through the magnificent mountain scenery of Banff and Jasper National Parks, experiencing forests, crags and glaciers. Bears, moose and other wildlife can be seen during this fantastic 264-mile journey.
Kentucky. Bourbon Trail – Trek through bourbon country on bluegrass trails. Smell the mint growing by the road as you drive, stop to watch the whitewater rapids. Louisville, Bardstown, and Frankfort connect in a great triangle. There are many distilleries to try on this road trip.
Brandywine Valley – Pennsylvania and Delaware. Drive through the picturesque castle country, where the narrow, winding roads are shaded by overhanging branches. You won’t see any billboards here, just wildflowers lining the roadsides.
Cape Cod Massachusetts – 160 miles. Starting at the Cape Cod Canal on the north shore of the capes and going through many stops like Provincetown and Chatham, you’ll end up in Woods Hole. You must allow 3 or 4 days to enjoy this trip. Best taken spring through fall when temperatures are moderate.
lakeside units
Finger Lakes, New York: Savor your way from vineyard to vineyard amid rolling hills. The Finger Lakes region is a mix of rich farmland and small towns.
Cascade Lakes Oregon – Incredible scenery on the 83-mile drive from Bend Oregon to Sun River. Enjoy classic Cascades scenery, whispering streams and sparkling lakes.
Australia
Western Australia has some amazing drives, including from Beverley to County Peak, where you’ll drive through the Jarrah Forests and the beautiful scenery of the River Dale.
An hour south of Perth is the Rockingham scenic drive. Why not explore the Blackwood River region of South West Australia? The drive from Balingup to Nannup and Bridgetown is spectacular.
Aspects to take into account when renting a car abroad
Whether you’re looking to hire a car at Heathrow Airport or anywhere else in the world, there are a number of things to consider. Try to book in advance as it will be cheaper than paying at the counter. Ask about late fees, fuel charges, etc. when booking, check out the weekend specials. Check age restrictions when booking, as some agencies charge a surcharge if you are under 25 or over 70. Check if you will need an International Driving Permit-IDP. It is simply a piece of paper that translates your information into 10 different languages.
It’s also worth checking the speed limits for the country you’ll be driving in, as they vary widely, as do the limits for driving under the influence. However, as in any country, we always insist on not drinking anything while driving.
When you plan to rent a car to drive abroad, think about the trip you will take. If it’s not too long a drive, a smaller car may be adequate and will be cheaper. For longer trips, consider comfort and space. In hot climates, air conditioning is a must.
If you don’t have sat nav, invest in a decent road map and always plan your route before you leave.