• By Matt Hardigree
    Aug 20, 2009 1:30 PM 10,805
    read more: #roadtrips, #tengreatinternationalroadtrips, #internationalroadtrips, #france, #england, #italy, #jamaica, #hawaii, #canada, #lists, #topten, #feature, #top

    Ten Great International Driving Trips

    Following yesterday's sojourn across the United States we'd open our minds and borders with ten great international drives chosen from the "Drives of a Lifetime" list from National Geographic: Traveler.

    Click next to see our ten favorite international drives from the list, in no particular order. For the rest of the Drives of a Lifetime check out the full National Geographic list.

    Photo Credit: Kloppster

    Country: Italy
    Where: Amalfi Coast
    Why: Beautiful coastline, towering bluffs, and bella donnas make this one of the best drives along the Mediterranean.

    Photo Credit: artemanuele

    Country: Canada
    Where: Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
    Why: This 185-mile loop around part of the island shows off a verdant, unmarred coast filled with wildlife and blessed with cool climate year-round.

    Photo Credit: Jim Dollar

    Country: England
    Where: The Cornwall Coast
    Why: Celtic ruins, narrow roads, crashing waves, and the odd Cornish beauty conspire to make this one of the best drives in Western Europe.

    Photo Credit: Cosygreeneyes

    Country: Netherlands
    Where: Bollenstreek Route
    Why: The Bollenstreek Route, a.k.a. The Flower Route, gets its name from the miles of road cutting a path through acres and acres of tulip fields. Explosions of color fill the eye, making this a perfect spring journey.

    Photo Credit:

    Country: Canada
    Where: Manitoba Prairies
    Why: Not for the agoraphobic, this seemingly endless expanse of farmland and prairie opens the mind and evokes the spirit of life before the Internet.

    Photo Credit: GarySimmons

    Country: United States
    Where: Hana Highway, Hawaii
    Why: Gorgeous black-sand beaches, tropical greenery, and water everywhere — this is why people cross thousands of miles of empty Pacific to visit a spec of volcanic rock. Nearly 600 curves and 59 bridges don't hurt either.

    Photo Credit:

    Country: France
    Where: Provence
    Why: Ever dream of crossing a quiet countryside in a Citroen SM, then pulling into a little bistro for a glass of the local vintner's craft in the company of a stunning brunette mademoiselle? You were picturing Provence.

    Photo Credit: Doozzle

    Country: Jamaica
    Where: The Pirate Route (Port Royal to Kingston)
    Why: The island nation is small enough to cross in a day, and in crossing it you'll see beautiful coastline, small hillside villages, and the City of Kingston.

    Photo Credit: Teepi

    Country: New Zealand
    Where: Lord of the Rings Route, North Island
    Why: Whether you're a fan of the movie trilogy or not, New Zealand feels like Middle Earth. And to quote Flight Of The Conchords: "New Zealand: Rocks!!!"

    Photo Credit: Man's Pic

    Country: Canada
    Where: Montreal, Area Loop Drive
    Why: They can't all be coastlines, can they? From the urban heart of Montreal outwards toward wine country, this is a varied drive so wonderful Alfa Romeo named a car after it.

    Photo Credit: Vox Photo


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