Spanish adventure in a camper van
Hire a camper van and enjoy a week-long road trip touring round the pretty Andalusia region. Fly into Malaga before picking up your camper van and heading to the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the backdrop to Granada, and explore its fascinating Moorish influences, traditional tapas bars and iconic Alhambra palace. Drive on via Córdoba, touring the city with its colourful patios, charming alleys and historic Mosque Cathedral. Then head to Seville for the Real Alcázar palace, Gothic cathedrals and fantastic food markets. Around an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Seville, the town of Jabugo in Huelva province is a must-visit – it’s the epicentre of ibérico jamon (the finest cured ham) production in Spain and worth a try! Drive onwards to the cities of Cádiz – the oldest in Europe – and then Ronda, the mountain-top city set above a deep gorge with an iconic stone bridge, before heading back to Malaga.
• Prices from £503 for a seven-day hire in a Montblanc campervan with insurance and unlimited daily mileage from Yescapa.co.uk. Flights booked separately from London to Malaga start from £90 with Easyjet.com
Self-drive Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route
This 120-mile route of outstanding scenic drives and attractions is one of the world’s greatest road journeys. The drive is a mix of picture-perfect villages, mountain streams, waterfalls, a dazzling coastal road with majestic cliffs, golden sands and the unique Giant’s Causeway, where around 40,000 basalt columns jut out of the ocean. Starting in the vibrant city of Belfast, famed for its murals, pubs and the Titanic Museum, travellers then embark on the epic journey, with highlights including Carrickfergus Castle and The Dark Hedges – this quirky avenue of trees was featured in Game Of Thrones. A must-stop is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge that hangs 25m above the icy water connecting the mainland and Carrick-a-Rede Island. It was once made of rope, but is now created with strong steel – although it still feels a little scary crossing! A final stop is the Giant’s Causeway, before arriving in Derry-Londonderry.
• Hastings Hotels have several hotels along the way, such as Ballygally Castle from £60 per room, including breakfast. Book at Hastingshotels.com/ballygally-castle
cean to outback Aussie journey Ocean to outback Aussie journey
Hitting the road in Australia guarantees adventure, and this trip from Adelaide to Flinders Ranges along The Explorers Way is one of the most exciting. The trip can be done in a few hours, but it’s best to take your time to explore each area. Adelaide offers beaches and has a great dining scene, and 20 minutes away, the Adelaide Hills offer stunning vineyard vistas. Enjoy a bushwalk in Morialta Conservation Park and see koalas snoozing in trees and wallabies bouncing in front of waterfalls. Head north to Clare Valley and spend a few days enjoying the laid-back Aussie lifestyle. Hire a bike and cycle the Riesling Trail, try wine making, check out the local microbreweries, or hire a glamping tent in Bukirk. Finally, drive to Flinders Ranges, where you’ll find stunning outback landscapes that look like the surface of Mars, Wilpena Pound – a natural amphitheatre best seen from the air – or simply enjoy a BBQ under the stars.
• Visit Southaustralia.com for more info on the area. To make a booking on the Ocean to Outback drive and for an up to date price, go to Trailfinders.com
Explore the US West Coast in an RV
If you’re planning a USA road trip, then the most iconic and popular route is along the West Coast, from the bright lights of LA to the beaches of Santa Barbara. So, how about hiring an RV and taking the trip aboard your own motor home? It gives you the freedom of the open road and ability to stop where you like. We’d recommend taking this 14-night trip, which includes a two-night hotel stay in LA, where you can explore the Beverly Hills boutiques, enjoy dinner in China Town, or stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, before collecting your RV and heading inland towards Las Vegas. Enjoy the buzz of the casinos, head to the Grand Canyon, or take a dune buggy across the desert. Leave the bright lights behind and drive to the Mammoth Lakes – here you can enjoy hiking and kayaking for a few days before a 100-mile drive to Yosemite National Park for some of the country’s most stunning natural views. Venture back towards the coast and Monterey, with its world-class aquarium, sandy coves and the beautiful, rugged coastline, which is also famous for whale watching. After a few days, head south along Highway 1 and enjoy the breathtaking Big Sur coastline, with a stop at Cambria to relax on Moonstone Beach, or you can learn to surf at Pismo Beach. Your final stop is Santa Barbara, for great restaurants, galleries and local vineyards, or simply take in the beautiful Californian sunsets from the comfort of your home on wheels.
• This 14-night trip includes flights from the UK, two-night hotel stay in LA and fully inclusive RV hire (book your route stops in advance). Prices from £1,088 per person. Book online at Americaasyoulikeit.com
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