Drive Highway 1 in California
Why Here?
American roads don't get more iconic
than this 270-mile stretch wrapping the coast from Carmel-by-the-Sea
south to Santa Barbara. Give yourself at least a weekend to check out
the forests of 100-foot redwoods, cliffs overlooking the misty ocean,
and sea lion colonies.
What to Rent
What else? A convertible. Top down.
Where to Start
Carmel-by-the-Sea
could be a classic movie
set, with its charming main street lined with
art galleries, cowboy-boot shops, and bakeries. Nearby Bernardus Lodge & Spa has 57 rooms with views of vineyards and lavender-covered fields (from $475 a night).
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Pit Stops
It's hard not to pull off at
every overlook—so go right ahead. But be sure to hike among the towering
trees in Limekiln State Park and lie on the purple sand at Pfeiffer
Beach. Refuel with chicken salad sandwiches on Big Sur Bakery's wraparound porch.
Where to End
Get cozy at Santa Barbara's Belmond El Encanto. The 1920s landmark, once frequented by Hollywood stars like Clark Gable, has 92 bungalows (from $425
a night).
Why Here?
The famed road is one of the island's
most traveled—and for good reason. It's 50-plus miles of switchbacks cut
through fern forests and go past waterfalls. The trip can
be done in a
day, but wouldn't it be more fun to make it last?
What to Rent
A compact car navigates the narrow roads best; don't fall for the four-wheel drive Jeep upsell.
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Where to Start
The beachfront Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
is an understated alternative to the area's vast hotel compounds (from
$474 a night). The Road to Hana begins near Paia, 35 minutes away; get
there early to beat the traffic.
Pit Stops
In Ke'anae,
the namesake dish at Aunt
Sandy's Banana Bread is served warm from the oven (808-248-7448). Don’t
miss seeing the Ke'anae Congregational Church, built from lava rock and
coral in 1860. At Wai'ānapanapa State Park, just before Hana, spot
turtles dozing on the rock pillars.
Where to End
Residents
laud Hana as reminiscent of old Hawaii, with untouched rain forests,
taro farms, and an off-the-grid feel. Embrace the relaxed local vibe by
renting a home through Airbnb, like a stone-and-wood bungalow with views of the Haleakalā volcano (from $235 a night).
Drive Clare Coast in Ireland
Why Here?
Patchwork fields and fairy-tale
castles are
just a few of the draws of the wild western shore. Take it
all in on this 100-mile route.
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What to Rent
The tiniest car possible for those skinny streets.
Where to Start
A 1750 manor near Galway Bay, Gregans Castle
was a refuge for writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien. The antiques-filled
rooms and scent of peat burning in the fireplaces are enough to make you
want to stay forever (from $300 a night).
Pit Stops
At the picturesque Burren Perfumery,
a half-hour detour inland, watch artisans create balms and sprays. Back
on the coast, you'll find the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher; the surf town
of Lahinch; and Kilkee, with its pastel-hued homes.
Where to End
Go clay pigeon shooting, hike 450 wooded acres, or play the famous golf course at Dromoland Castle. The dining room is straight out of Downton Abbey, complete with live harp music (from $320 a night).
Drive Basque Country in Spain
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Why Here?
The distance between Bilbao and San
Sebastián is just 63 miles, but there are enough bucolic towns,
innovative restaurants, and art-filled cultural sites to fill at least a
week of meandering.
What to Rent
The roads are easy—anything goes!
Where to Start
After visiting the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Bilbao Museoa, stay outside the city at the neo-medieval Castillo de Arteaga (from $190 a night). On the way, eat at three Michelin-starred Azurmendi; travel company Made
for Spain can arrange a kitchen tour.
Pit Stops
Strike Instagram gold at Oma forest, a
group
of Monterey pines-turned-brightly painted artworks by Agustín
Ibarrola. Then it's east to Getaria’s Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa to view more than 1,500 elegant pieces by the fashion house, whose founder was born in the town.
Where to End
An 1898 mansion hidden away near San Sebastián's
old town, Hotel Villa Soro has manicured gardens and shady Breakfast patios (from $120 a night).
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Drive Great Ocean Road in Australia
Why Here?
It's 621 miles from Melbourne to Adelaide—and along the way, the 151-mile Great Ocean Road is a thrill seeker's dream, with jaw-dropping surf breaks and off-roading in a national park. Take at least three nights; there's lots to see.What to Rent
Four-wheel drive for off-road exploring.Where to Start
Beat your jet lag at Melbourne's boutique Lyall Hotel and Spa (from $235 a night; book through travel specialist Cassandra Bookholder for a good chance at an upgrade).
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Pit Stops
The drive officially starts in Torquay, home of surf Brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver. Take a lesson at Torquay Surf Academy (from $160), or just watch the experts on nearby Bells Beach before lunch
at Brae, which has its own gardens and orchards. Stay near the beach and shops at Captain's at the Bay,
in Apollo Bay (from $145 a night), then
check out Great Otway National
Park and the Twelve Apostles limestone towers en route to Port Fairy.
Here, Drifthouse has four modern-cool suites (from $275 a night).
Where to End
Adelaide lacked for lovely hotels until the Art Deco–style Mayfair Hotel opened in 2015 (from $130 a night).
