Summer is the best time to be behind the wheel of a car. Longer days, quieter back roads, and the kind of light that makes everything look like a still from a movie.
DRIVESHARE and BookAclassic by DRIVESHARE operate all over the world, which means wherever your summer takes you, there's a good chance an iconic vehicle is waiting. We've picked our favorite drives across five countries, with cars to match, so read on to explore...
The Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina, USA
Running 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia to North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of America's great unhurried drives. No traffic lights, no trucks, no billboards... just rolling forested ridgelines, wildflower meadows and sweeping valley views that open up at every bend.
In summer the whole route is accessible and at its most lush, with stops like Asheville, Boone and the charming town of Floyd breaking up the journey perfectly.
The North Coast 500, Scotland, UK
Scotland's answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 loops 500 miles around the northern Highlands from Inverness, taking in some of the most dramatic coastline in Europe.
Summer is the best time to do it because the days are long, the light is amazing and the roads, though occasionally single track, are at their most forgiving.
The Marguerite Route, Funen, Denmark
Denmark's famous Marguerite Route covers over 2,500 miles of the country's finest scenery, but the section through Funen — the island Hans Christian Andersen called home — is one of the best stretches.
The route takes in Egeskov Castle, one of the best-preserved Renaissance water castles in Europe, and the pretty harbour town of Faaborg. It's a stunning route and should be better known outside Scandinavia.
Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Peninsula, South Africa
Between Hout Bay and Noordhoek on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. Carved into the cliffside with 114 curves over just nine kilometres, it offers jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic at every turn.
In summer the light on the water is extraordinary and the road is at its most accessible. Add a detour to Boulders Beach for the penguins and carry on to Cape Point if you have the whole day.
Queenstown to Glenorchy, South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand's South Island has no shortage of extraordinary drives, but the road from Queenstown to Glenorchy along the shores of Lake Wakatipu is something else. Turquoise water on one side, the Remarkables mountain range on the other, this area was used as a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
Wherever you end up this year, it is always worth checking DRIVESHARE and BookAclassic by DRIVESHARE... you might be surprised what you find.
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