Top 5 road trips for young couples looking for adventure
Sometimes, road trips can be boring. They involve spending long hours on highways, worse traffic, and nothing to see on the road. So, if you are thinking of going on a road trip with the person you love, who is as adventurous as you are, make sure it’s something that will spark romance. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, on a honeymoon trip, or on a romantic escape, here are the best road trips for young couples looking for adventure.
Best road trips for young couples
1. The Highlands
The Highlands make up most of Scotland‘s northern and western areas, from Fort William on the west coast to the Isle of Skye and towards John O’Groats coast. With its breathtaking coastlines, stunning mountains, and idyllic lochs, the Highlands is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to go on a road trip.
One of the great things about a Highlands Road trip is that you’ll have many stunning destinations to choose from for a starting point. Begin in the incredible city of Edinburgh and spend at least a couple of days before you hit the road. Drive to the Cairngorms National Park, the UK’s largest national park, where you’ll find unique species of animals, such as wildcats and red squirrels. As you exit the park, you’ll find a secluded sandy beach, where you can take a break and enjoy a picnic.
Your final stop would be Inverness, home to the river Ness. To enjoy the best views of the city, hike up towards Inverness Castle. Spend a few days exploring Inverness and taking up adventurous activities, such as dolphin watching at Chancery Point and playing golf in the Inverness Golf Club.
2. California
Road trippers would come to California to drive in the iconic State Route 1, one of the world’s most scenic routes. Also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, the road will take you through Big Sur along California’s coast and into rolling hills, majestic waterfalls, and wineries.
You can start in Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, or any beaches in southern California. Drive north, and you’ll find a local winery in Santa Barbara, where you can make a stop to enjoy some delectable wines. Then follow the path towards Big Sur. Feel free to stop to marvel at the stunning mountain scenery and rugged sea cliffs. A more relaxing way is to go glamping along the way. You will find many outdoor accommodations, including unique luxury camping in California, should you decide to spend the night when driving along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Highway 1 officially ends in Leggett, in Mendocino, where it becomes Highway 101. However, if you want to continue, you can drive along that road, which will take you through Oregon.
3. Western Cape
South Africa’s Western Cape is one of the most beautiful places in the world, making it a favourite among road trippers. It has everything you could ever want for an adventurous drive – awe-inspiring sceneries, quaint towns, beautiful beaches, and excellent accommodations. Driving the Western Cape is the best way to discover the many beautiful places near Cape Town.
Start at the Swartberg Pass, a mountain pass meandering through the Groot Swartberg Nature Reserve and connecting Prince Albert with Oudtshoorn. You’ll find gorgeous views of the Great Karoo and some colossal rock formations. Look out for picnic spots on top of the pass, where you can take a break and have some snacks before continuing your trip.
Another scenic route along the Western Cape is R44, which runs along the Hottentots Holland Mountains, featuring spectacular views of False Bay. The stunning views begin in Somerset West, meandering along the east coast and into Gordon’s Bay, Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond.
Outeniqua Pass is another stunning mountain pass along the Western Cape connecting the city of George to Oudtshoorn, with fascinating views along the way. There are a few viewing points where you can stop to marvel at the sweeping views of the city of George and the vast Indian Ocean.
Cape Town road trips for young couples
4. Southern Iceland
Driving is the best way to explore the stunning landscapes that Iceland is known for. From smoking volcanoes to calving glaciers and serpentine fjords, there are many natural spectacles to enjoy as you drive along Iceland’s roads. But before you hit the road, you should rent a reliable car that can handle the country’s rough roads. So, consider renting a 4×4 vehicle from Fara Ehf, a family-owned vehicle rental firm in Keflavík.
The Golden Circle is the best route to tackle when driving through Iceland, taking you to some of the country’s most popular attractions. It starts in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. It will then take you to the southern uplands, passing through Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Geysir geothermal area. Covering more than 200 km, you can drive through this route in one day. But of course, you need to factor in the stops you need to make to marvel at the beautiful attractions on the road.
Start early in the morning and drive at your own pace. Visit in summer to take advantage of the longer daylight hours and avoid the tourist crowds joining the coach tours.
Aurora Borealis in Iceland
5. Algarve Coast, Portugal
Lying along Portugal’s southern coast, the Algarve can is best explored in a car. On your road trip, you’ll pass stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, picturesque coastal towns, and surf-themed cafes that are worth a stop. You will also find fantastic boutique hotels along the way, where you can spend the night to take a rest before continuing your journey.
The road from Albufeira to Silves boasts beautiful attractions, including the Praia da Falesia beach and a vibrant strip lined with bars and restaurants. Don’t hesitate to take a brief break along the coast. When you get to Silves, spend the night or two in this medieval town nestled amongst orange groves and vineyards. Visit the imposing castle perched on a hill that features ancient Moorish architecture.
An alternate route is from Faro to Vilamoura, a picturesque resort town home to lovely beaches, fantastic golf courses, and charming marinas. You can even go on a boat trip for dolphin spotting.
Would you add any other beautiful road trips for young couples? Any more recommendations for young adventurous souls?
