Travel Ideas

The Best Road Trips for a Honeymoon

There’s no rule which states that you can’t be in the driver’s seat throughout your honeymoon – if you and your significant other are the adventurous kind and looking for the holiday of a lifetime that doesn’t simply involve arriving at and leaving your destination of choice in a plane, then a road trip honeymoon is probably the way to go.

First off, if you absolutely want to avoid boarding a plane altogether and depart from Malta, you’ll need to plan a Eurotrip, which is just as fun as a long-haul holiday, and closer to home. Take the ferry from Malta to Sicily and drive through Italy, with pauses in different towns and cities along the way, among the most gorgeous being Rome, Florence and Milan further up north. Depending on what you’re after and the time of year you’ll be visiting, head towards France, Spain and Portugal for the more familiar Mediterranean way of living, towards Switzerland, Austria and Germany for possibly the most picturesque of road trips, or towards Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Croatia for among the best that Eastern Europe has to offer.

If you’re feeling that much more adventurous and curious to explore countries beyond Europe’s borders, there are loads of fantastic road trips for you to experience. Nature-loving couples can drive through the popular US national parks of Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Yosemite. Hike in Hidden Valley or take a rock-climbing expedition at Joshua Tree National Park, followed by a day in Death Valley where science and history aficionados can enjoy a palaeontology tour. Continue your trip into Yosemite National Park for a spot of horseback riding, biking and hiking.

Consider the South Island Circuit in New Zealeand, which is where some of the country’s landscape is at its most remarkable. This is not the kind of road trip you want to rush through – with so many stunning views to witness and experience, take your time cruising through the route with frequent stops for photo shoots, or for an adrenaline-fuelling activity. One of the most impressive parts of this trip is the stretch between Te Anau and Milford Sound, which crosses the mesmerising Fiordland and some of the Southern Alps.

If (very) long-distance trips don’t faze you, attempt the Tasmanian Peninsula in Australia. The south-eastern corner of Tasmania is one of the most beautiful parts of this mammoth country, and boasts a rugged coastline that leads down to crystal waters. Stretch your legs from time to time and get up close and personal with the spectacular scenery and sights, namely Tasman’s Arch, The Blow Hole and the Devil’s Kitchen.

This one’s for the beach lovers. Explore the northern and eastern coastline of Brazil, taking you between Jericoacoara, characterised by stunning white-sand beaches, and Salvador, known for its magnificent natural settings. Move from stretch to stretch of unbroken beaches that are hands-down among the most beautiful in the world, ranging from sheltered reef beaches to wilder ones backed by sand dunes and palm trees.

Here’s a useful tip for you: decide how much time you’re willing to spend in a car and plan your road trip around this important factor, as you wouldn’t want to be biting each other’s heads off before your marriage has even begun. One couple might be totally at peace with an eight-hour drive, others may get flustered after two hours on the road.