BA - The Club - Top tips for an epic drive

Maine, USA

Visit coastal Maine, USA, especially in autumn. You get the benefit of the glorious sea and cove views/vistas and also the added benefit of ‘leaf-peeping’ – just stunning. Get off the beaten track, drive down little side roads if you see something interesting advertised. It is so worth it for the wonderful quirky places still to be found there.
Mary O’Connor, London, Blue

Cape Town, South Africa

The drive from Cape Town to Fish Hoek over Chapman’s Peak is the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. One not to be missed.
Yolande, Jersey, Silver

Austria to Czech Republic

Drive from Austria into the Czech Republic and into the Moravia region with draping hills, layered with grape vines and awesome scenery. Stop off at Vinařství u Kapličky for some great food and try the Muskat Moravsky white wine! It’s amazing.
Alan Palmer, Surrey, Blue

Ångermanland, Sweden

I love the High Coast of Northern Sweden. It is located in the county of Ångermanland and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the scenic route along the coast and archipelago instead of the motor highway E4.
Bo Oqvist, Ascot, Blue

Lake District, UK

I’d drive on Honister Pass in the beautiful Lake District, listening to Passenger on the radio. My tip is to take some coffee in a thermal flask and stop at the top of the road to take in the beautiful views while drinking your coffee!
Michele Ozanic, Northampton, Blue

Majorca, Spain

We’re not huge drivers but when exploring the island of Majorca we had to make an exception and go on a road trip to Cap de Formentor lighthouse. It meant a beautiful cliff-edge road to get the driver’s nerves jangling followed by the most perfect views. Definitely a location worth visiting!
Alison Latham, Castleford, Blue

Florida, USA

Drive from Florida Keys to Key West for countless tiny islands spanned by low lying bridges, spectacular coastal views and eye-popping blues and greens. It’s worth stopping at Bahia Honda for a swim en route!
Jane Freer, Leicestershire, Bronze

Bolivia

The Bolivia salt flats is the best trip you could ever make! Leave Uyuni in a 4x4, explore the salt flats, the desert-like atmosphere, massive cacti, amazing starry nights in a natural hot water spring and llama steaks, of course. We had simple accommodation and food, but an experience of a lifetime!
Helen Hamilton, Cardiff, no tier given

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Take a deep breath, as there are some hairpin bends close to the cliff edge, but definitely don’t close your eyes, as you drive along the breathtakingly beautiful Amalfi coast road in southern Italy. Every vista seems more glorious than the last, as you look across the sparkling sea and catch sight of the brightly coloured villages precariously perched on the cliff side. Bella Italia!
Mrs B, Devon, no tier given

California to Nevada, USA

Driving from San Fran to Vegas via Yosemite was great. Lone Pine was a stop-off for us and had an amazing steak in a restaurant called Seasons, if it is still there!
Nicola James, London, Blue

Millau to Côte d’Azur

Driving through the centre of France to the Mediterranean coast you have to cross the Millau bridge. It’s the tallest bridge in the world and the views are spectacular – on some days you are actually driving above the clouds.
Peter Tinsley, Leicestershire, Blue

Melbourne to Alice Springs, Australia

Melbourne to Alice Springs is a blast along the south coast. At Alice Springs, obviously you’re going to stop over and visit Uluru but a better place first is to go over up to Kings Canyon and hike around the rim and then on down to the canyon bottom – really atmospheric, especially if you’ve got the place to yourselves. Then it’s the pièce de résistance of Uluru. Try to go at both sunrise and sunset – magical. We did this trip over 20 years ago now and it still brings back vivid memories of our adventures. Allow at least two weeks for the drive, more if you’ve got the time and funds as there are lots of places we just didn’t have the time to visit. Woomera for one is a definite must stop off.
Anonymous

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Take the Wild Atlantic Way – the Atlantic smashing into the coast, great food, magic Guinness and locals always up for a chat!
Dermot, London, Silver

South Tyrol, Italy

The road flowing through the Stelvio Pass in Italy is the perfect route to take in any (and every) season. Take in the majestic countryside scenery and the exhilarating views from up above and stop off at the local tavern at the foot of the pass before continuing on an epic road trip.
Louis, London, Blue

Antrim Coast Road, Northern Ireland

One of the best coastal drives in the world is the Antrim Coast Road in Northern Ireland. Drive up the coast from Belfast towards the north of the island and discover majestic glens that roll down to the sea, natural waterfalls and the sheer romance of this stunning Irish landscape that meets the sea.
Conor McCully, London, Silver

Utah, USA

We’ve such happy memories of a road trip through Utah, USA, with its mind-blowing scenery. It’s nature at its best – the rock formations are out of this world, and so much so you almost feel you are on the Moon!
Sharon Buesnel, Jersey, Blue

North Coast 500, Scotland

Scotland is a hidden gem. Drive the NC500 route around the most northerly part of the country for spectacular views of mountains, valleys, lochs and the occasional highland cattle! Lots of driving on some open roads, and go early October to avoid crowds. Tip: You’ll want to stop and enjoy the views, so bring a gas stove, cafetière and fresh coffee!
Liam, Grantham, Blue

Sierra Nevada, California, USA

Take Route 395 east of the Sierra Nevada in California. It’s a road less travelled with amazing landscapes both sides and in range of many National Parks, monuments and historic places. Stop at Jack’s Waffle Shop in Bishop for an all-American brunch.
Geoff Hart, Birmingham, Silver

Pacific Coast Highway, USA

The key to a successful road trip is the car, the company, the road and the music. One of my favourite drives was a 1966 Mustang up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Barbara to Monterrey, windows down, Golden Earring on the radio and a cooler in the boot for a beach party at the other end! Another was in a VW bus along the Friendship Highway from Lhasa to Everest in Tibet. Terrible music, beautiful scenery, instant noodles and yak butter tea and oxygen canisters… My bucket-list road trip would be to drive the highway through the Atacama desert, in a 4x4 with an iPod full of songs (no streaming up there!) with my Hasselblad.
Lee Fulmer, London, Gold

Baja California Sur

The best road trip I’ve done was in Baja California Sur. Fly to La Paz or take the overnight ferry there from Topolobampo in Sinaloa. Enjoy swimming with whale sharks and the family-friendly beach at Balandra before driving north along Highway 1, passing mountains, cactuses, sleepy towns and pristine beaches. Stop at Loreto, Mulege and Santa Rosalía and continue right up to the US border or head back to la Paz as we did.
John Wastnage, London, Blue

Top tips for an epic drive

Maine, USA

Cape Town, South Africa

Austria to Czech Republic

Ångermanland, Sweden

Lake District, UK

Majorca, Spain

Florida, USA

Bolivia

Amalfi Coast, Italy

California to Nevada, USA

Millau to Côte d’Azur

Melbourne to Alice Springs, Australia

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

South Tyrol, Italy

Antrim Coast Road, Northern Ireland

Utah, USA

North Coast 500, Scotland

Sierra Nevada, California, USA

Pacific Coast Highway, USA

Baja California Sur

Maine, USA

Cape Town, South Africa

Austria to Czech Republic

Ångermanland, Sweden

Lake District, UK

Majorca, Spain

Florida, USA

Bolivia

Amalfi Coast, Italy

California to Nevada, USA

Millau to Côte d’Azur

Melbourne to Alice Springs, Australia

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

South Tyrol, Italy

Antrim Coast Road, Northern Ireland

Utah, USA

North Coast 500, Scotland

Sierra Nevada, California, USA

Pacific Coast Highway, USA

Baja California Sur

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