We all know that the world is an exceedingly beautiful place. Every country has its natural beauty and with the increasing interest in international travel, more people are experiencing the wonders outside their native countries. If your family is anything like mine, you’ll know that the best way to really see a country is to drive through it. That way you have complete control over your journey and aren’t bound by pressing tour schedules. You can also stop at as many bathrooms as you please.
Hawaii is well known for its excellent surfing conditions and hula girls in grass skirts, but it has more to offer than beaches and umbrella drinks. The Hana Highway in Maui is an ideal drive if you don’t mind your breath being taken away, as you gape in awe at the sights around you.
The drive begins in the surfer’s paradise of Paia, and extends for over 50 miles until you reach the coastal village of Hana. The drive takes you through 600 exhilarating hairpin bends and across 54 single carriage bridges, which is not bad value for a mere 50 miles. Along the way you can stop and experience the leafy wonder of the Keanae Arboretum and witness the three thunderous chutes of the Waikani Falls. For geological enthusiasts the Ka’eleku Caverns offer a prime system forged by lava. Hana itself fulfils many dreams by providing simple beach shack accommodation for road weary travellers.
On the other side of the world, the Rhine River Valley gives drivers a glimpse into medieval Germany. The route from Cologne to Mainz has nearly as many castles as trees. With most of the fortresses placed only a few hundred metres from each other, it’s easy to imagine the feuds over land ownership and the battles for supremacy. Many of the castles have been converted into hotels with exquisite views of the river and surrounding countryside. Classical music and literature lovers will be interested in finding the riverside cave that inspired not only Wagner’s operatic Ring cycle, but also the core of J.R.R Tolkein’s legacy, Lord of the Rings.
The Great Ocean Road, Down Under, which is famous for its angry seas and high winds, covers 125 miles of south eastern Australian coastline. Its origins lie in the determination of unemployed WWI soldiers to pay homage to their fallen comrades. It took 14 years to complete and has earned its place on any list of spectacular drives. It traverses a wide array of natural beauty, from temperate rain forests to windswept beaches with limestone arches, tunnels and columns hewn by the endless beating of the sea.
Dotted all along the way are small sea towns rich in Australian personality and character. The eclectic blend of cultures offers up priceless insights into Australian culture, with the added upshot of a variety of delicious seafood recipes. There are also many opportunities to see native koalas and kangaroos as the route passes numerous nature reserves and parks.
The listing of not-to-be-missed drives around the world is a purely subjective endeavour, as what appeals to one person may not necessarily appeal to another. But one thing that all people, regardless of nationality, have in common is an appreciation of beauty. Whether you prefer the vast, barren landscapes of desert drives, or you lean toward lush forests and greenery, no matter where you travel, you are bound to come across something that makes you marvel at the wonder of nature.
Recommended sites:
http://www.weather.com/activities/travel/vacationplanner/destination/top10/scenic.html?id=10
http://www.reidsguides.com/t_au/t_au_t10_drives.html
http://away.com/ideas/south_pacific/australia_offroad_ocean_road.html
Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Thrifty Car Hire reasonably priced car hire one of the leading companies in the car hire industry to supply inexpensive, reasonably priced car at an international level.
