Why road trips are the perfect holiday for every traveller
Everyone has a travel bucket list. However, when planning a holiday the endless choice of destinations and the vacation styles can make things somewhat stressful. With so much to choose from it can be hard to get your holiday just right.
Unlike other holiday types road trips are 100% versatile. This means that you can tailor your trip to tick every box on your holiday to-do list! Say goodbye to destination and distance restrictions, a road trip is holiday that no one has to compromise on.
At Economy Car Hire we’ve come up with four of our favourite routes. These prove that road trips are perfect for every traveller, whatever their travelling style may be!
Family Fun
Planning a family holiday can be a nightmare. You often find yourself trying to coordinate several holidays in one! The parents want scenery and culture; the kids want beaches, pools and adventurous activities. But how to satisfy everyone’s demands? Easy, a road trip through France!
France offers everything from picturesque medieval villages to sun soaked coastlines! Plan a circular route that takes you from north to south and back again. Rather than opting for the mad dash and 12 hour stints on the AutoRoute, split your trip into three more enjoyable sections. Give yourself 4 or 5 days to drive to the French Mediterranean coast. Take the scenic route through the countryside. Stop in the historic towns for delicious lunches and some sightseeing.
Once you hit the coast stay put for a while and let the kids enjoy frolicking by the pool. Having already had a few days of sightseeing and cultural education you won’t feel guilty soaking up the sun on the beach.
The race back north is often more stressful than the southward journey. So, just as before, give yourself a good few days to reach your end destination. The kids probably won’t want to leave the fun of the coastline behind. Coax them along with the promise of fairytale castles and outdoor activities. The French countryside is peppered with stunning chateaus. These are great for exploring and their grounds offer plenty of picnic and bike ride opportunities.
By the time you drop you hire car back at the airport and head home you’ll have felt like you’ve been round the world. Tick every box on your next family holiday and plan a road trip round France!
Fanatical Foodies
Many people travel to experience other cultures. It’s no secret that food often plays a major role in a destination’s cultural history. Most holiday destinations guarantee well reviewed restaurants. However, a road trip is more likely to offer you an authentic taste of the local delicacies.
For a trip that will tantalise your taste buds head to the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. Make the most of the gourmet treats on offer and tour as many of the gastronomic centres as possible!
Bologna is the capital of this mouth-watering region and the perfect place to start. Amusingly it is nicknamed ‘La Grassa’ which translates to ‘the fat one’. Once you have visited its famous food markets and tried the delicious ragu sauce for which it is famous for, it’ll be easy to see why!
Plan a route that includes other foodie hotspots such as Modena, Parma, Ferrara and Ravenna. Feast on the famous cheese and ham in Parma. Season your salads with rich syrupy balsamic vinegar in Modena. Feast on the uniquely shaped coppia ferrarese, and hat shaped pasta cappellacci di zucca in Ferrara. Finish the trip with a flavour extravaganza in Ravenna.
Beware this trip isn’t for the faint hearted and requires a strong appetite and a passion for food that could rival any Italian! Are you up to the challenge?
Culture Vultures
For sightseeing enthusiasts a road trip along Germany’s Romantic Road is the perfect holiday for you. Drive along this medieval route and visit the well preserved towns and villages which burst with character. Walled towns with arched gateways and Gothic towers are just a selection of the historical sites you will come across.
Start in Wurzburg and make your way south to the foothills of the Alps at Fussen. Essential stops include Rothenberg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbuhl, Nordlingen, the dramatic castle of Burg Harburg, and Augsburg.
Finally, round off your trip with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle. Built by King Ludwig II, Schloss Neuschwanstein is fantastically romantic. Extravagant, indulgent and beautiful Schloss Neuschwanstein is a must see attraction. It will be the perfect finish to your sightseeing road trip.
Top tip! Remember to bring your camera, the photo opportunities are endless.
Romantic Getaway
If you are looking for the perfect romantic getaway then plan a road trip through Sicily. This gorgeous island is one of Europe’s most alluring destinations. It’s sultry Mediterranean culture and sensual landscapes are irresistible.
Fly into Catania and enjoy a few days tucked away in a private apartment. Lose yourselves in the vibrant energy of this beautiful city. Mount Etna overlooks Catania and smokes broodingly, guarding the city like a jealous lover.
From Catania make your way along the sizzling coastline. Soak up the sun on sandy shores fringed by gentle waves. Indulge in the rich flavours of fresh seafood, decadent pasta dishes, luxurious deserts and sweet wine.
Palermo will greet you with a wealth of artistic and architectural gems. These will transport you back to a time of fairy tale chivalry. The extravagant Arab domes and arches, eye-catching Byzantine mosaics, baroque stucco work and Norman palace walls provide a distinctive backdrop to the city’s seductive nightlife. Get caught up in the social whirl and revel in its youthful energy.
Besides its captivating cities, Sicily abounds in sensuous country landscapes. The mountains, volcanoes, and rolling hills are perfect for a scenic drive that will take your breath away. In short, a road trip through Sicily’s varied landscapes is an affair of the senses.
Written by Jessica Langlands from Economy Car Hire
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