Fancy exploring the world at your own pace, with your sound system providing your own personal soundtrack, the windows open, stopping wherever and whenever you want to? Then a driving trip sounds like just your thing! When you have your own set of wheels, the world truly is your oyster. Whether it`s by car, motorbike or campervan, a road trip can give you a grass-roots flavour of a country like no other holiday can.
Take the famous Route 66 in the USA. At over 2400 miles it stretches from Los Angeles in the West to Chicago in the East, taking a diagonal tour of the USA. Immortalised in music and film culture, it offers the visitor a chance to pass through towns that would otherwise be missed if travelling on the Interstate, some rural, some taking full advantage of their infamy, with cone-shaped motels, frozen custard stands and the first ever MacDonald`s. In contrast, the road passes through the un-missable, startling colours of the Painted Desert in Northern Arizona. Meteor Crater and the Grand Canyon are other awe-inspiring popular stops along Route 66. The divergence of these roadside attractions and natural wonders give the traveller a microcosm of American culture, in all its dimensions.
 Grand Canyon
from the South Rim
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Alternatively Africa boasts a whole different road trip experience. The quality of the roads is extremely variable and can take you deep into the real heart of the continent. Whichever countries you choose to travel through, you can be sure of a unique insight into life, plus opportunities for stop-offs to enjoy local delicacies and experience true African adventures. For example in North Africa, crossing the High Atlas in Morocco, camping in a bivouac at Merzouga, buggy riding through the dunes or riding camels in the Sahara. In East Africa in the Masaai Mara of Kenya you can visit the spectacular Great Rift Valley and witness wildlife such as leopards, rhinoceros and hippos in their natural habitat.
 On ascent of Tizi n Test
across the High Atlas of Morocco Overland Travels :: Motoring :: Ford Transit |
Driving around the world can be an experience of a lifetime. But don`t fall into the trap of thinking that roads are the same the world over. It is extremely prudent to look carefully at the rules and regulations of the country or countries you are visiting well before your trip. Simple rules such as stop signs, parking, rights of way, using lights or the horn may vary markedly between countries. Indeed there can be some downright weird rules, for instance some of Bangkok`s one way roads change their direction at certain times of day. Good preparation will ensure a safe, legal and enjoyable journey.
Traffic in Bangkok |
Things to check:- Local speed limits? What side of the road do they drive on? Does your insurance fully cover you for your journey? Do you have breakdown cover for the whole of your trip? Do you comply with all the driving requirements of the countries you will be visiting (e.g. do you need a first aid kit, fluorescent jacket, warning triangle)?
Wherever you visit, you will need a GB sticker clearly visible on the rear of your vehicle and if the country drives on the right hand side of the roads you will need headlamp deflectors if your car is right hand drive. It is best always to err on the side of caution, for example in wearing seat belts, not using a mobile whilst driving, not driving aggressively. It`s worth investing in maps and guides to the area before you go, unless you are fluent in the languages of the countries you are visiting. Remember the internet can be invaluable for downloading information. From a security point of view it is recommended to check with the embassy of the countries you will pass through ( this can be done online ) as foreigners are susceptible to entering dangerous areas because of their lack of local knowledge.
Finally it`s always worth considering that if you are hiring a vehicle abroad such as a motorbike or campervan you may also need car rental at Heathrow on your return to this country. End your trip with as many good memories as the rest of your trip and you`ll be reminiscing on your exhilarating drive-of-a-lifetime for ever.
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