The roads around Yosemite National Park are a driving utopia – these routes carve through expansive backcountry, sublime valleys and pretty meadows, and loop by deep gorges dotted with emerald-green forests, shimmering lakes and ancient sequoias.
13.03.2024 - 17:11 / lonelyplanet.com / Pablo Picasso / Salvador Dalí
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.
Wherever you head, you can count on passing medieval castles and ancient cities, charming seaside towns, towering mountain ranges and coastlines that stretch for miles. In between the memorable monuments, Spain’s pueblos (villages) offer the chance to recharge with traditional tapas (small plates) among warm locals.
Get into gear with these five outstanding driving routes, which will show you some of the best parts of Spain.
Best road trip for Catalonian history and cuisine – and all things Dalí
Barcelona – Cadaqués; approx 246km (153 miles); allow 3-4 days
Spain is blessed with over 3000 miles of coastline, and one of its most spectacular stretches is the Costa Brava, along the Mediterranean on the northeastern coast of Catalonia. This drive will reward you with long, sunlit beaches; historic cities; and picturesque fishing villages that inspired the region’s most famous artist, Salvador Dalí.
Starting in Barcelona, take the GI-682 road from Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, where there are designated viewpoints to stop and gawk at the spectacular scenery. Detour from the coastline for a pit stop at the ancient city of Girona to take in its iconic cathedral (which has one of the widest Gothic naves in the world), and the archaeological treasures at Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths).
Art lovers will not want to miss the famous “Dalinian Triangle” (formed by the municipalities of Figueres, Portlligat and Púbol), where you can immerse yourself in Salvador Dalí's outlandish world by visiting his former residences, now open to the public.
The road trip ends at the quaint seaside town of Cadaqués on the bay of the Cap de Creus peninsula. This was a favorite summer playground of iconic artists and writers, including Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Daphne Guinness, Man Ray, Frederico Garcia Lorca, Melina Mercouri and Marcel Duchamp, among many others. And now you.
Planning tip: Girona’s El Celler de Can Roca has been named the world’s best restaurant numerous times over the years, and it takes bookings up to a year ahead. So what are you waiting for? Get those reservations in now.
Best road trip for getting close to Spain’s Moorish past
Malaga– Seville; 471km (293 miles), allow 5 days
Southern Andalucía is the only European region that has both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, linked by the Strait of Gibraltar. A drive through this fascinating region takes you along the justly popular Costa del Sol.
Start in the sunlit coastal city of Málaga, and enjoy stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Head inland for the enchanting cities of Granada and
The roads around Yosemite National Park are a driving utopia – these routes carve through expansive backcountry, sublime valleys and pretty meadows, and loop by deep gorges dotted with emerald-green forests, shimmering lakes and ancient sequoias.
A travel day can mean lots of sitting around either waiting for a flight or on board, but it can also mean getting your steps in while having to trek across long airport corridors. And that’s especially true at some larger airport hubs.
Big Sky, Montana is the hottest ski resort in the nation right now. It’s in the midst of an unprecedented multi-decade infrastructure and improvement program that has given it the most advanced lift system in North America, new hotels, restaurants and enhancements everywhere you look. Its second home market has exploded, celebrities have flocked here, and it is interconnected with the nation’s most notable luxury private ski communities, the Yellowstone Club, Moonlight Basin and Spanish Peaks. Big Sky is the second largest resort in the country, has room to potentially expand further, and is famously uncrowded in an industry plagued by crowds and long lift lines. The first ever mountain resort from top-tier luxury brand One & Only is coming next year, along with one of the world’s most advanced lifts.
Four Seasons is already famous for its over-the-top private jet itineraries that have travelers with deep pockets flying between world-famous landmarks, cosmopolitan cities and adventures in national parks, safari camps and everything in between.
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.
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.
Spring has sprung in Monterey; sunny days are longer, wildflowers are in bloom, whale watching is at its best, and abundant outdoor activities are in full swing. Inns of Monterey offer much more than just a good night’s rest. Each hotel immerses guests in Monterey’s rich history, shares a tale worth telling, and sets the stage for making memories. For a one-of-a-kind visit, Inns of Monterey feature special packages and discounts, and each boutique hotel offers a unique locale, theme, and décor to fit travelers’ styles. Active links are available to book instantly. Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa is the ideal home base for a family spring break. With the “Stay Longer and Save” package, guests who stay three nights will receive 15% off any room type that includes a flexible cancellation plan, and staying four nights saves 25% on any room type. The hotel features abundant gardens, hacienda-style buildings, and gracious guestrooms in Monterey’s Historic District. Home to award-winning Esteban Restaurant, Executive Chef Ben Hillan’s California-inspired Spanish cuisine is prepared with the finest and freshest local ingredients. Indoor and outdoor patio seating is available for dinner and weekend brunch. Amenities for the whole family abound, like the outdoor heated pool, pet-friendly accommodations, complimentary use of bicycles, fitness center, and DESUAR Spa which offers a variety of treatments. Signature amenities include convenient on-site parking, electric vehicle charging stations, and complimentary wifi. Casa Munras is at 700 Munras Avenue, Monterey, California 93940. (800) 222-2446. www.hotelcasamunras.com Book Now.
Part of the enduring appeal of Barcelona is the ease with which travelers can wander between neighborhoods.
From Mexico to St. Martin, Spain to Jamaica — and quite a few destinations in between, including Bulgaria — Secrets Resorts & Spas have remained a primary player in Hyatt's push toward both luxury and all-inclusive resorts. The luxury brand continues to be one of the best of its kind, impressing Hyatt loyalists and travelers in search of the kind of vacation where you don't have to think about your wallet even once. On top of that, all of the properties are adults-only.