My friends and I went on a two-car road trip around Western Europe. In two weeks, we visited France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium, before returning to England where we live.
This is us returning to the car in the Swiss Alps after a quick pit-stop.
This was a submission by one of my followers: reachabovethetrees.tumblr.com
For the more adventurous road trippers, what better car to take on your road trip than an off-roader? These cars have become a staple of any rugged adventure through the back roads of nowhere simply because they themselves are best suited for those conditions. Going from point A to point B through uneven terrain and thick turbid rivers can become so exhilarating and involved that it can in itself be the whole purpose of the trip. So if blood, sweat and broken axles are your forte, then I absolutely recommend taking one of these monster machines into the dense American outback and just going wild.
#7. Hearst Castle If you’ve ever seen Citizen Kane, you’ll know why this is a big deal. Built in 1919 (well started in 1919 finished in the 40s), Hearst Castle is a standing testament to an era before income tax. The mansion was constructed for William Randolph Hearst, a newspaper magnate, and captures the essence of the extreme decadence of the American imperial era. This building is amazing to see in person, there are three buildings in total Casa del Mar, Casa del Monte, and Casa del Sol, each filled with unique decoration and amenities including several pools, a full cinema, and a zoo. If you are at all an architecture nerd, like myself, you will love the mixed themes and unique designs (many of them based off of the most ornate and beautiful buildings in Europe) that these buildings have to offer. Hearst Castle was a Mecca for the American elite in the 20s and 30s, and though you no longer need an invitation to enter, it is still very capable of inspiring that exclusive privileged feeling when you visit.
#8. The Wright Brothers Museum I have always been fascinated by and terrified of air travel, but no matter what your relationship is with this form of mass transport is, you’ll love this stop on our list. Innovation, the future, and technology are all ideas that this exhibit screams at every turn, and if you are one of those mechanically minded individuals, you will never want to leave. The Wright Brothers museum does so much more than pay homage to the inventors of modern flight, it is a standing testament to the American Dream.
#9. Route 66 What better place to visit on a historical road trip than a place where people took road trips in the past? Route 66, or whats left of it, was the road of roads ever since it was opened in 1926. Connecting Chicago to Santa Monica, this road enabled millions of Americans to hop in their cars and travel across the country without the trouble of navigating small local streets. The great thing about Route 66 is that it doesn’t have to be a major addition to your historical road trip, it can simply be the road that you take to get from point A to B. However, along your trip you can elect to stop at any number of restored road side attractions and oddities or motels shaped like tee-pees and find out for yourself what used to be the all American road trip.
#10. Tombstone, AZ The period in American history known as the “wild west” didn’t leave many traces of its existence behind. Most of the towns were pop up towns only existing as long as there was money to be made. Because of this, Tombstone Arizona comes in at number 10 on the list. Tombstone was one of the wildest towns that the old west ever saw. It was home to some of the most notorious characters from the time period including Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp, but unlike most other famous western towns, it hasn’t transformed into a giant gift shop or tourist trap. Tombstone still has the feel of a proper western town, and the OK Corral gunfight site is relatively untouched (save for a sign explaining the event), making it a worthy stop in any southwestern road trip.
Im a 21 year old and a junior in college. My passion has always been for adventure and the great American road trip. I made this blog to share experiences and tips on making things cheap and fun places to visit with my fellow road trip lovers. Submit!
