Hitting the open road with the family in tow is one of life’s great pleasures and something that’s made even better when you’re venturing into new territory. The world is once again your oyster and there’s no better time to embark on that modern roadtrip you’ve always dreamt about.
In this blog, we’ll share with you 8 of our favourite family road-tripping destinations, whether you’re seeking sun-drenched coastlines, rugged mountain terrain or urban adventures.
Ireland
With its emerald green landscapes, laid-back lifestyle and compact size, the Republic of Ireland is an ideal family road-tripping destination. You can get active while hiking through Killarney National Park and experience inmate life at Kilmainham Gaol before listening to Irish folk music in Galway. Kids will love exploring the recreated village at Bunratty Castle and getting lost in the English Market of Cork.
For more Irish inspiration, check out our 8-day Wild Ireland itinerary. With only two hours behind the wheel each day, you’ll be spending most of your holiday out and about exploring.
Florida Keys
Scattered off the southeastern tip of the United States, the Florida Keys are what tropical dreams are made of. But rather than having to cruise between each of these idyllic islands, they are conveniently connected by road from Miami. If your family’s into water sports, fishing or lazing at the beach, then the Florida Keys is your calling. For something more active, you can visit Duck Key’s interactive dolphin conservation centre, go “gator” spotting in Everglades National Park or venture below the water’s surface while scuba diving in Key Largo.
Want to explore the Sunshine State in style? Check out our 8-day jaunt through the Florida Keys.
Australia’s East Coast
Home to three of the country’s biggest cities and an endless stretch of Insta-worthy beaches, Australia’s East Coast is a deservedly popular road-tripping destination. From the riverfront capital of Brisbane, head south along the Gold Coast toward Byron Bay, a cruisey town that’s synonymous with surf culture and organic eating. Go whale watching off the coast of Coffs Harbour before exploring the rugged landscapes of the Blue Mountains, then spend a few days sightseeing in Sydney. From here, you can explore the breathtakingly beautiful South Coast en route to Australia’s artistic and sporting capital, Melbourne.
Spend 16 days experiencing Australia’s enviable lifestyle on our East Coast adventure.
California
If you’re after a balance of urban buzz, coastal charm and breathtaking natural scenery, then a roadtrip through California ticks all the right boxes. From the celebrity-filled streets of Los Angeles, you can explore the Central Coast’s untouched beaches as you drive north to San Francisco, famed for its cable cars, farmers’ markets and island prison. Then head inland to gaze up at El Capitan and the Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite National Park before soaking up the bright lights of Las Vegas. Follow one of the hiking trails that wind their way through photogenic Joshua Tree National Park and end your trip amidst the family-friendly attractions of San Diego’s Seaport Village.
Got a couple of weeks to spare? Our California Dreamin’ itinerary takes in the best that the Golden State has to offer.
The Deep South
Defined by its music, cuisine and the Mississippi River, the Deep South is brimming with adventure. Explore the eclectic streets of the Texan capital, Austin, before hitting multi-cultural San Antonio, home to the historic Alamo Mission. Go behind the scenes at NASA’s Johnson Space Center near Houston, then feast on Creole cuisine in the atmospheric French Quarter of New Orleans. In Memphis, you can follow in the footsteps of Elvis at his Graceland mansion or visit the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum. End your journey in the country music mecca of Nashville, Tennessee.
Over 11 days, experience the heart and soul of the Deep South on our self-driving adventure.
Western Canada
Encompassing virgin forests, expansive mountains and a breathtakingly beautiful coastline, Western Canada is an outdoor lover’s playground. From multi-cultural Vancouver, bundle the family into the car to ride the ferry to Victoria and go whale watching off the coast of Vancouver Island. Wild rivers and rugged peaks surrounded the iconic resort of Whistler, which is best accessed along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway. You can get up close to native species at the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops before being awed by the immense glaciers of Jasper National Park. End your trip spotting grizzly bears and bighorn sheep in Canada’s oldest national park, Banff.
Taking you from Vancouver to Calgary, our 11-day Jewels of Western Canada adventure will leave you speechless.
Route 66
If there’s one highway that was made for road-tripping, it’s Route 66, which connects Chicago with Los Angeles. Get your cultural fix in the museums and galleries of the “Windy City” and learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition in St. Louis, then discover the “Birthplace of Route 66” in Tulsa. Photograph the graffiti-adorned cars of Cadillac Ranch and explore Old Town Albuquerque before marvelling at Mother Nature while hiking the Grand Canyon. After a couple of nights amidst the bright lights of Las Vegas, end your journey on the lively sands of Santa Monica Beach.
Experience one of the world’s most famous drives across 16 days on our Ultimate Route 66 Tour.
England
Home to lively university towns, picturesque villages and landscapes of startling natural beauty, an English roadtrip always enchants. Break free from bustling London to get your royal fix in Windsor before admiring the Georgian architecture of Bath. Experience “Beatles fever” in Liverpool’s Cavern Club and ride a historic steam locomotive through the lakeside landscapes surrounding Windermere. You can take a step back in time while exploring the Jorvik Viking Centre in York before punting down Cambridge’s River Cam.
Got a week off of work? See what lies beyond London on our whistle-stop tour of Glorious England.
