While many picture first-class flight cabins and resort suites as the pinnacle of luxury travel, sometimes, there’s nothing more luxurious than driving down a famous city street in a beautiful sports car.
While many picture first-class flight cabins and resort suites as the pinnacle of luxury travel, sometimes, there’s nothing more luxurious than driving down a famous city street in a beautiful sports car. If you enjoy the occasional road trip and want to hit the road, your idea of luxury travel may just be that perfect scenic drive. With so many scenic, famous driving routes worldwide, how do you know where to start? This guide will highlight ten famous and beautiful scenic drives to try.
Big Sur Coast Highway, USA
The Big Sur Coast Highway is a scenic cliffside route through California’s Pacific coastline. It features mountain views to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west and is considered one of the most scenic routes in the United States and even the world. Many parts of the road close often due to cliffside erosion, requiring road repairs before reopening.
Romantic Road, Germany
The Romantic Road, or Romantische Straße, as the locals call it, is a 350-kilometer (217-mile) route that travels through the beautiful scenery of Germany, from rich forests to the famous Alps. The north end of the road features a beautiful wine region, while the south ends with a stunning mountainous castle of King Ludwig II.
Route 66, USA
If you’re ready for the ultimate road trip, Route 66, which spans the entire United States, is a good choice. You’ll start in either the Northeastern famous city of Chicago, Illinois, or the scenic west coast beach town of Santa Monica, California. On this route, you’ll drive through mountains, deserts, canyons, forests, lakes, and more; it’s considered the most scenic route to cross the country. Parts of the road are renamed and repurposed, but most of the route is still driveable.
Chapman’s Peak Drive, South Africa
On the southwestern peak of South Africa, where Chapman’s Peak meets the Atlantic coast, you can take a short drive around the mountain to see some of the most scenic landscapes in the world. While in technicality, Chapman’s Peak Drive is only around 9 kilometers long (five miles), you’ll twirl around beautiful mountainous landscapes and seascapes, and the route to the drive is also lovely.
The Great Ocean Road, Australia
A scenic route list isn’t complete without including the beautiful Australian landscape with some of the world’s most unique plant and animal species. On the Great Ocean Road, you’ll drive through Australia’s rugged, scenic southeastern coastline with some of the rarest views of the Southern Ocean (Antarctic).
The Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is another coastal scenic drive. Along this route, you’ll see famous waterfalls, cliffs, glass-floored walkways, and incredible bridges. While the road typically only takes a few hours, many recommend driving at least a week to see all the sights, restaurants, and towns.
Wayanad Ghat Road, India
If you prefer a mountainous landscape instead, India has you covered. Kerala’s curving and winding route travels through misty mountains, lush greenery, valleys, meadows, and hills. This road, in particular, is known for its nine distinct hairpin turns!
Guoliang Tunnel Road, China
One of the most unique roads in China leads right through the Taihang Mountains. The road’s tunnel is carved right into the mountainside, offering a unique glimpse inside a mountain! It can be nerve-wracking for those afraid of heights or small spaces, but its beauty is unmatched.
The Ring Road (Route 1), Iceland
The Ring Road, also known as Route 1, features many scenic stops in Iceland, such as the Seljalandsfloss Waterfall, glaciers, mountains, hot springs, museums, and beautiful Icelandic towns and villages. It’s the most famous route in Iceland, and most locals recommend tourists spend around a week driving through it all.
Carretera Austral (Route 7), Chile
Also known as Chile’s Route 7, this particular 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) stretch of road features some of the most diverse landscapes in the world. Lush rainforests, lakes, rivers, glaciers, parks, mountains, hot springs, volcanoes, and more can be seen. You can also see some beautiful South American wildlife, from flamingos to huemul (a type of deer, Chile’s national animal).
Driving Safety During Travel
While you enjoy the wind blowing through your hair and the scenery around you, navigating unfamiliar roads in new places can be risky. Always practice defensive driving skills when behind the wheel and eliminate distractions like phone use while navigating your vehicle. Some routes, such as California’s infamous Big Sur Coast Highway, are hazardous to navigate, even for locals. Car accidents happen, even on vacation, so safe driving practices are essential. If you are in a car accident, record or write down all evidence, including photographs. Contact first responders for medical care and to establish a police report. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you recover expenses due to accident damage.
Conclusion
Many countries across the globe feature infamous beautiful scenic routes to drive across. Anyone can enjoy a road trip from California’s Big Sur to Iceland’s Ring Road. Make sure you drive safely, especially on unfamiliar, dangerous roads. Some scenic routes are particularly curvy or steep, making the road hazardous even on empty streets. If an accident occurs, keep yourself safe, get medical attention, and establish a police report.