5 of the best road trips in Scotland

In a land of mind-boggling wilderness, rugged roadside pit stops and some of the world's most impressive big fauna, Alaska’s epic highways offer unlimited possibilities for adventurous drivers.

Western Washington State boasts four incredible travel destinations — Seattle, the San Juan Islands, the Olympic Peninsula and Mount Rainier.

Greece inspires our dreams – we dream about its azure seas, its charming island villages and its myriad beaches, both broad and minute. We dream about the Acropolis, shining on a hill over fascinating Athens. This grand country, from mountaintop to city street, lives up to those dreams. Greece satisfies travelers looking for adventure, the great outdoors, relaxing seaside vacations and immersive cultural experiences.

The Mediterranean island of Sardinia is home to some of Italy's most off-the-beaten-track beaches, archaeological sites and culinary experiences, many of which are inaccessible by public transport.

Since its opening in 1965, Bal Harbour Shops has been the rare outdoor shopping center driven solely by luxury retail tenants. It was the first U.S. location outside New York for both Yves Saint Laurent and Oscar de la Renta. Developer Stanley Whitman claimed it was even the first mall to charge for parking.

Just west of Portland is an area that encompasses much of what there is to love about Oregon – but it’s not a name on everyone’s lips. If you’re not aware of it, you might drive right through it on your way to Tillamook or Seaside, but that would be a mistake. The Tualatin Valley’s proximity to both Portland and Coastal Oregon make it a great place to stop, and once you’re familiar with what it has to offer, you may want to extend your trip a few days and enjoy yourself among the Oregonians who make the Tualatin Valley their home.

The Scotland-based company Slow Adventure advocates a more mindful approach to activity holidays. Options include climbing and yoga in the Italian Alps, mountain biking in Sweden and horse riding and rambling in Iceland. On the Finnish Happiness trip, guests stay in log cabins by a lake in Lapland and activities include canoeing under the midnight sun, hiking, swimming, swamp foraging and daily saunas. On all trips, 5% of the fee goes to local conservation projects, which in Finland could mean helping protect the rare Saimaa ringed seal, preserving forests or supporting a children’s environmental charity.From £876 for five nights, slow-adventure.com

A frequent flyer who's racked up more than 23 million points shared the best way to pack for a trip.

Although Downtown Halifax tends to be the popular first choice for most folks visiting Nova Scotia for the first—or second—time, there’s just something about the unobstructed city views and the pleasant ocean breeze that make Downtown Dartmouth just as appealing once you arrive.

Explore Spain’s world-famous natural scenery and cultural heritage – and savor its acclaimed cuisine at every pit stop – with a road trip across this beautiful country.

As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is a grand road trip destination that doesn’t just stop at the beautiful blue waters that fringe its rocky coastline. Winding pastoral roads meander through the hilly hinterlands near Palermo and up to the dark volcanic slopes of the testy Mount Etna. At the crossroads of history, Sicily’s relics of the past are delivered by the dozen with Greek and Roman ruins and medieval and baroque towns that will charm you with their beauty. 

Hawaii has six main visitable islands in its remote archipelago, and it can be hard to choose which one is right for you, especially if you're a first-time visitor.