Best Road Trips Around the World • The Blonde Abroad

Hitting the open road and feeling the wind in one’s hair easily goes down as one of the most liberating things to enjoy — especially when traveling in a foreign country. From Iceland to Africa, I’ve gotten behind the wheel for several unforgettable road trips.

To truly experience a country, taking charge and driving yourself around is a must. It’s incredibly empowering, and it allows you take in each and every incredible mile at your own pace.

Ready to hit the road? Here are some of the best road trips around the world.

California Coast Road Trip

Driving along the California coast easily goes down as the best way to see the Golden State! Spend two weeks driving from San Diego into wine country to see breathtaking landscapes.

Along the way see iconic sights from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, to the epic views in Big Sur, to the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles to the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland) in Anaheim!

Route 66

Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Take the iconic route from Illinois, past the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, around the Cadillac Ranch into the Petrified Forest National Park, and down all the way to Santa Monica on America’s greatest road.

Ring Road Iceland

One of my biggest adventure was driving Iceland’s Ring Road. Circling one of my favorite countries, I swam in geothermal pools, hiked through waterfalls and fell in love with Iceland’s natural beauty while horseback riding.

South of France

Wine, cheese and picturesque beaches make up the Provence and Côte d’Azur Region—and I’d consider it one of our planet’s most scenic treasures. Plan a journey around Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Marseille and other luxurious resort cities in the area.

Amalfi Coast

The western coast of Italy has some of the most impressive sights in the country, and that speaks volumes! Take your time winding along the coast, working your way from Sorrento to Positano to Grotta Dello Smeraldo to Ravello and finally into Naples. It’s less than 100km (62 miles), and each stop is more remarkable than the last.

If time allows, I’d highly recommend doing a stop between Ravello and Naples to set your sights on world-famous Pompeii. You can cap off your tour by taking a ferry from Naples out to the island of Capri.

England

Start your journey in London and set your GPS to tour all around this must-see destination. Put going all the way up to Scotland on your to-see list, as well.

Head up the northern coast, through Wales, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and along to Inverness. Travel back down through Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, and Nottingham to see it all.

Oh, and be sure to check out my guide to planning a UK road trip before you go!

Namibia

There is just no place on earth like Namibia. Located just north of South Africa, this is one of the most sparsely populated places in the world.

Taking a road trip through Namibia was an absolute dream for me. You can easily spend ten days exploring the Namib Desert, snapping shots of wildlife in Etosha Park and standing in awe of the vast sand dunes of Sossusvlei.

Garden Route, South Africa

This 200km (125 miles) road stretch goes from Mossel Bay to Storms River. As you travel from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape, you’ll get the chance to take in the coastal vistas and wildlife that make South Africa the gem it is.

Ten days is a pretty standard tour time here to fully experience the Garden Route. You’ll also have the time to explore Knysna, George, Port Elizabeth, Cape Agulhas and Cape Town.

Australia

See the best of life down under from the Great Ocean Road. Stop to see the cliffs, lighthouses and wildlife roaming through the national parks as you drive along the mountains, oceans and rainforests.

Along the way, you’ll find Bells Beach, which is a famous surf sport in Victoria just 100km (62 miles) out of Melbourne. Also stop by Great Otway National Park, which boasts rugged coasts, beaches and mountains.

Last, but definitely not least, you can’t miss the Twelve Apostles. Four hours into your drive along the Great Ocean Road, you’ll see these iconic limestone cliffs towering over the glittering water.

Read More: Australia Travel Tips

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
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Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
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#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
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I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
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#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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