If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there

The Art of Road Trip Planning

Planning a road trip takes a lot more effort than the usual travel planning especially if you are travelling internationally. It requires careful planning around whom to travel with, budget limits, where to stay and all the attention to drive and handle the car. If you are going for a city break, you can pretty much get away with a list of top landmarks, booking a hotel in the city and even taking organized tours. This might not work for road trip planning when you also need to plan the best scenic routes, and drive that extra mile in unknown or less travelled roads. Hence, the first thing you need for a road trip planning is the inspiration and the wanderlust to fuel your heart to take the extra effort and get planning.

Road Trips and Me: My first international road trip was in 2015, mostly planned by a friend, which got me addicted to exploring the most scenic and remote areas. Years later, I am more than happy to call the road my home during vacations these days – I just love being on the road. This has also prepared me to plan a road trip very quickly – I am happily planning road trips during in my free time these days. I have a bucket list of road trips that I wish to cover around the world, and that is my biggest personal passion project to keep me going in the world.

Road Trip Planner Guide

This is my ultimate road trip planner guide to help you get started and prepare for your own road trips. This is a step by step guide that I will continue to improve as I take more journeys. I recommend approaching all the road trip planning in two main phases below.

• Road Trip Planner Phase 1: The first phase is to decide the destination or country you want to explore, find a group to travel with and booking a car, accommodation etc. This step involves lots of researching and it is the most trickiest.
• Road Trip Planner Phase 2: Second phase is to plan and prepare for the journey itself. This step involves practical steps during the trip.

I will first go through detailed items for each phases and in the end, I will also cover some top tricks to keep in mind for road trips in general.

How to Plan a Road Trip: Phase – 1

1. Pick a Road Trip Travel Group

Your road trip planning starts with finding a group of friends to go on the road with. You might have to consider the fact that you need to be with folks who are like-minded with similar interests as well as who can match your budget and lifestyle to a good extent as you have to stick with them for multiple days. What I have personally noticed is that unlike an easy city break, road trips usually need adventure minded folks who are willing to compromise schedules, love spontaneity and can be patient and deal with uncertainties.

READ: 3 Days Road Trip in Tromso in Winter

I personally don’t like planning too much and want to have flexibility, so much so I have even cancelled pre-paid accommodations to extend a day in a place I fell in love with during the journey. Some others like to stick to a schedule. So picking the right folks or at least agreeing to the style is a must for your road trip planning. Again, it is hard to find matches for all angles, but make sure you are at least with folks who are happy to adjust with what happens on the road, are flexible and have some adventurous or risk taking spirit.

2. Pick a Road Trip Destination & Duration

The destination and major routes to cover can be picked based on seasonal experiences like crossing some of the fun outdoor activities in winter, epic landscapes and scenic drives, crossing a bucket list activity item or even finding some cheap flights. I usually have a country, national park or scenic route in mind and start to check when are cheapest flights to places nearby and plan routes around the airports. You also need to pick a destination that your friend group would love to go to.

READ: Winter Bucket List for Travellers

I usually share some of the trips I have in mind with my friends or note a destination or experience they mentioned they would like to do and consult them as I start planning. Having friends like that helps, but these days there are also many travel communities where you can find travel buddies.

3. Agree on Budget

It is important to understand the budget limits of everyone first hand to make sure that everything you book- car, accommodation etc. fits the budget of all. Note that main expenses include calculating accommodation cost and food per day, total miles to be driven and gas costs, car insurance costs, finding tolls along the route, national park entrance costs at the minimum. Once you have a rough idea of the budget needed in the place, you can try to negotiate amongst the group for where to cut costs.

READ: Dog Sledding in Tromso, Norway

I usually plan the road trips for my friend groups, so this is what I generally do – I research the costs for these top things on an average in the destination and then consult the group before finalization.

4. Identify Top Stops with High Level Route- (Research)

Top Tip: Divide the top stops/cities identified into two categories- must-sees/dos and optional ones. This will help manage expectations of all.

READ: 2 Weeks Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

Must-Sees: Must-sees or dos by your fellow travellers is non-negotiable and has to be covered. You have to hit this list 100% to make sure you are all happy with this trip and return back as friends I am exaggerating, but note that for many of us we get limited holidays in the year and we do want to get the most out of a costly holiday, and don’t want to have regrets.

5. Plan a Route using Google Maps

Now that you know all the top stops you would like to cover, use google maps to plan the route. Use the directions panel, add stops and examine the route the app suggests. Then comes the most important thing to do to make your trip worthwhile, for each route suggested, look for detours from the highways that can be done by adding a little more time, but goes along scenic landscapes- lakes, water, beaches, forest, you name it.

READ: Best Scenic Drives in the UK

As a landscape and nature lover, I normally study water bodies and green areas on the map and google a bit about villages and towns you see in the detours. You can do the same for pretty much anything like art galleries, restaurants, parks etc. For example, I learned about the Lochs in Scotland this way, otherwise I would have no idea. This map research will help find the less travelled but most scenic routes to take, which has always worked for me and brings lot of exciting destinations and adventures to the ultimate road trip itinerary.

Top Tip: Always try to take the scenic route when you can, only take highways when your goal is to quickly reach the next destination. Again, research about the road conditions and safety a bit too. I am leaving the common sense part as an exercise for the reader

6. Book a Rental Car

Once you have a rough plan of the route and know the time needed to cover your itinerary, it is time to find a car. Booking a rental car is an expensive ordeal, which definitely needs similar research as booking a flight.

Some things to note when booking a rental car are:

• With some extra money you can usually pick up and drop your car in different destinations. I normally do this unless I can plan an itinerary round trip taking loop routes. This is quite handy to cover as far as I could from where we started and not repeat the same route. Balance the budget and see what is best for you.
• Find good car insurance deals, and check with the companies directly if they have a deal they offer. I usually don’t go for a single approach as which deal or company is the best varies per location and circumstances.

7. Book Accommodation

Finding accommodations on a road trip can be tricky especially if you are traveling remotely. Note that some travel booking sites are popular in certain regions for accommodations and one size fits for all does not work for every country either. Some places are very safe and some are not, doing some proper research on places to stay is a must before you rely on same travel booking website. In developed countries, I usually try to stay with locals and explore more and in under-developed or not-so-tourist friendly places, I recommend sticking to popular hotel or accommodation provider chains. Researching the destination is a must to avoid complications.

READ: Fall Foliage Road Trip in Vermont

How to Plan a Road Trip: Phase – 2

8. Car Safety

Safety on the road should be the first priority for road tripping. Remember to learn the driving rules of your destination and even watch some YouTube videos, before your departure. Make sure that you always have plenty of fuel/gas during the drive, avoiding filling up gas at the last minute, just in case the fuel station you were banking on is closed for some reason. Another important thing is to check the route conditions when you drive and making sure your tires are ready for it, especially in extreme climate like heavy winter. You should also be aware of what to check in the car before and after the road trip.

Another thing to note is to check the emergency contact numbers along the route and keep them written in a book as well as in your phone and make sure you know how to contact highway assistance in the region you are going to be traveling, if you’re renting a car this may or may not be included. Carrying at least an extra tire or a breakdown kit is a must and the relevant car repair tools if possible.

READ: How to Check Your Car Before and After a Road Trip

9. Road Trip Entertainment

A big portion of road trip includes the time spent in the car, which can also be made super fun to create memories. Listening to your favourite music or podcast can cheer up the road trip vibe, including singing along with friends. There are also multiple games that can be played in the car. Make sure that you have sorted out a playlist for your trip, and even consult your group to mix everyone’s choices if possible.

Nowadays, playlists are mostly in smart phones, but make sure you carry the songs downloaded to reduce the usage of the data or to not be dependent on internet availability. Also make sure to carry the relevant cables and electronics needed to connect the phone to any car, especially if you are not sure which car will you get from the rental. Summary is, make sure you can play music and have entertainment options within the car. Driving can become monotonous and boring as every route you take wont be scenic either

10. Navigation Gear & Apps

Navigation is an important item for a road trip and it is must preparation for road trip planning. Make sure that you have a navigation device with you if possible, and don’t totally rely on a single smart phone just in case your phone was lost or the battery died. I usually carry an extra phone with me which I leave in the car. Even if you are using phone, remember to download the maps offline to not be dependent on internet availability. Also carry, printed maps of the place if possible and even buy guide books if you are travelling in remote areas.

Some of the top smart phone applications include:

• Google Maps
• Apple Maps
• Waze – This application can be relied more for up to-date traffic enforcement and speed limit alerts.
• Citymapper – Best to route within a city
• iExit – Find the best rest-stops on your route
• Viamichelin – Includes toll prices in a route, helpful to be aware of cost along a route
• Outdoorsy – Motorhome rental app (US).
• DYRT – Find camping sites (US)
• Parking apps (RingGo, PayByPhone, Parkopedia) (UK) – Attempt to make finding and paying for parking easier.
• Toilet apps (Toilet Finder, Where is Public Toilet) (UK) – When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.

12. Road Trip Packing

Documents: Driving license, passport, visa and other relevant documents.

Navigation: All items like navigation gear, maps, and guide books as mentioned above.

Itinerary: Printed list of itinerary and bookings.

Road Safety: Essential car repair tools, emergency kit and first aid kits.

Money: Carry some local currency.

Personal items: Clothes and comfort items for the car, especially if you have a back pain etc.

Electronics Gear: Carry all the photography gear including cables and other car accessories.

Food: Carry water, snacks and even a cooler for storing food.

13. Road Trip Food

Carrying some food with you is important during a road trip, especially when travelling to remote areas. You can’t always rely on restaurants and supermarkets being present along your route. Hit a super market whenever you find one and carry some snacks, fruits and easy to eat meals in emergency along with you. Remember to hydrate yourself regularly while being on the road, and keep multiple water bottles with you. One of my favourite food hacks for road trips is to carry Huel with me when I travel and with their latest hot and savoury line, it is also worth carrying a flask and boiled water as it can be made in 2 minutes which makes a perfect ready to eat meal. Energy bars, chocolates, crisps and juices are all good options to enjoy that long drive. I find it hard to reserve restaurants during a road trip due to the time commitment issues, but it is always good to note some restaurant options along the way. I usually check which are the main towns that have restaurant options and align the meal time to one of those to make sure there are options. Carrying breakfast items usually help to avoid time spent in the morning. Cooking is an option if you have such facilitates in your accommodation, all you need is a supermarket and there won’t be schedule issues. I try to have a balance of options during the trip- some days cooking, some days restaurants etc.

14. Connectivity

The world revolves around the internet nowadays and having cellular connectivity is important not just for data but also to communicate during emergencies. It is important to check whether your phone connection works in the country you are visiting and what limitations exist in terms of international calls etc. In the UK, I use Three mobile network which provides roaming free in 72 countries and is a life saver. There are other providers who will also provide good deals for roaming. Just make sure you have checked this before you leave, especially heading internationally.

15. Travel Finance

Travel banking is tricky sometimes depending on where you are visiting. Travel credit cards are plenty available and Visa/Master card should work internationally. But the major headache is in identifying the best options for saving a huge amount of currency exchange fee etc. Based in the UK, I use Starling bank which also allows currency conversion with very minimal exchange charges. WISE is a popular option these days and they also provide Master cards. I’ve never used travel specific cards, but there are plenty credit card options especially in America for good travel deals and points.

How to Plan a Road Trip without a Full Plan

• Leave Some Free Days : As road trips lead to many spontaneous and unexpected experience encounters, it is hard to really follow a schedule. I have sometimes returned without covering 25% of my planned itinerary, especially on a long road trip across countries. The trick is to add some free days and even to delay booking accommodations in some places to buy you the ability to be more flexible. Not only that, a break between long drives is good to re-energize if it is a multi-week road trip.
• Ask Locals: Do say hello to the locals whenever possible, and ask their recommendations. I usually do this in souvenir shops where I spend quite a lot of time. I adore such local craft shops and bring back lot of goodies to decorate my home.
• Hidden Gems for Photography: In a souvenir shop, I usually take a good look at the post cards on sale. I do collect post cards, but the display is the best route to finding epic photo opportunities and scenic places in the destinations. I have found a few places and clicked some top shots in a destination using this technique. As always I wish I had more time

Road Trip Guide: A Few More Tips

• Get on the road early and stick to daylight hours: If the route is scenic, do make sure you see them in the daylight. Getting on the road early is a myth in my case as I can’t open my eyes before 9, but you know don’t learn that from me. I have missed many epic routes being late on my trip. For early birds, you will rock it!
• Exercise or rest breaks: Take regular rest breaks to walk a bit or stretch to avoid long drive fatigue.
• Let your bank know you are travelling : Some banks block your card with suspicious activity if they suddenly see money being spent from an unusual location. Best way to prevent this hassle is to call your bank and let them know where you are going.

Road Trip Planner: Final Thoughts

Travel planning is an art, you can create your own itinerary that matches your interests and set out on a journey to interesting places that await epic experiences and discoveries. There is a lot to explore out there and by taking road trips you increase the chances of unique and special views of the world very often. Go Road Trip! Though a tedious process to plan, road trips are usually worth it and hope this road trip planner helps you get started.

Enjoy Your Next Road Trip!

Pin This Road Trip Planner for Your Adventures

Top Things to Do in Whitley Bay Beach

Whitley Bay Beach

Whitley Bay beach is one of the most popular beaches here to take a relaxed coastal walk. This two mile long beach is filled with golden sand and offers a stunning view of the famous St Mary’s lighthouse. Whitley bay beach offers multiple seating areas and has a promenade behind with some greenery for a picnic with a view. A walk here is for all seasons, but do remember to carry your wind cheater as it can be cold like anywhere else in the Northern coast of England.

St Mary’s Light House

St Mary’s lighthouse is one of the best lighthouses in the world or at least in my world from all my travels. The lighthouse painted in white with some red cottages beside it offers nostalgic vibe whenever I go, and offers a breath-taking view standing tall in the middle of the sea. The natural drama around it is pretty scenic with some rocks at the beach and even the pathway in the sea. You have to check the tidal heights to make sure you can walk to the lighthouse, as the path is covered by water during high tide.

I feel that St Mary’s lighthouse can be a photographers playground, to capture this lighthouse scene in varying seasons and light. Sunrise here looks stunning as much as the red sky during sunset.

Apart from sea gulls, there is another major attraction here not to miss- the napping seals on the cove. In the warm days, March onwards, you will see seals resting on the cove very close by. They land on the rocks during the high tide and can be seen when you get to the lighthouse during the low tide time.

Go with a zoom lens for some stunning photography and even videography. The seals here reminded me of San Diego La Jolla coves and seals during my visit, but the best part is that we could even shoot a footage of seals trying to get to the sea moving slowly with their bellies.

Spanish City

Spanish city is another architecture crown in Whitley bay, very beautiful with it’s white dome that almost reminds you of mosques instantly. You will see this elegant white dome far from the Whitley Bay beach, but when close to it you will see how astonishing the design is with statues and towers.

Go inside and you will find it hard to decide what is best- the interior or exterior This hall hosted a concert hall, restaurants, ball rooms and gardens inside in the past, which is easily seen from the posh interiors. Today, it hosts a classic fish and chips restaurant and a traditional tea room which can offer that ultimate English Tea experience. Since I have been here, it is on my list to go for an afternoon tea here, in the English way.

Longsands Beach, Tynemouth

Longsands Beach is closer to the Spanish city and located in Tynemouth which is a walk from Whitley Bay or you can take a metro. Being a sandy beach and with more waves, this beach is very popular among surfers and surf lessons are available here for beginners.

The beach has a stunning view of the coast line and is a perfect spot to enjoy the waves and the sandy wind. It is popular among families and you will also see lots of locals walking their dogs here.

Seaton Delaval Hall

Seaton Delaval Hall just a bit on the entrance to the coast is a symmetrical stunning architecture like a palace. It is a majestic country house that is really eye-catchy that you would be instantly proud of the architects. It looks pretty old now with some ruins inside due to some fire accident, but from the outside, it looks really grand. You can take a tour inside and enjoy the details and the beauty of this splendid architecture. It is particularly attractive during spring, with daffodils bloomed all around it.

What To Do in Whitley Bay Beach: Itinerary List

• Whitley Bay Beach
• St Mary’s Lighthouse
• Seaton Delaval Hall
• Long Sands Beach
• Spanish City
• Tynemouth Priory and Castle
• Cullercoats Beach
• Tynemouth Park
• Tynemouth Market
• Water Sports at Culler Coat Bay- Kayaking, SUP, Coast-eering
• Stephenson Railway Museum
• Adventure Gold
• Blue Reef Aquarium

“Despite the forecast, live like it is spring”

1- Tulip Fields, The Netherlands

Editors pick

Spring season is the best to visit Holland, or the Netherlands when thousands of visitors flock here to see the beautiful tulip fields. Dutch land is incredibly pretty during this season with not just tulips, but also many other flower fields that decorate gardens, fields, canals and even cities. Lisse in Holland and Keukenhof tulip garden attracts both natives and tourists equally every year.

READ ALSO: Spring Road Trip in Netherlands

Amsterdam and Utrecht are two cities that takes the scenic crown during this season. Apart from the very touristic cities, you can also free and open tulip fields in Holland if you drive up North. There is a whole route filled with flowers called Flevoland, which has acres of tulips fields to explore. Other regions that hosts a flower show include. Another hidden gem to explore in spring is the canal only operated village called Giethoorn in the north of Amsterdam, where you can also just travel by boat just like the locals. The vibe here is particularly amazing during spring, with nice weather and bloomed flowers adding to the already pretty village.

Top Places to Visit in Spring in Netherlands:

• Keukenhof
• Lisse
• Amsterdam
• Utrecht
• Giethoorn
• Flevoland

2- Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo, Japan

By Julia @ thecureforcuriosity

If you want a once in a lifetime opportunity, visit Tokyo during sakura (cherry blossom) season to take part in hanami.  Hanami translates as “flower viewing” and is a large social event surrounding the cherry blossom season in Japan.  As you explore the city, you’ll see thousands of trees bursting with bright pink flowers and equally as many families and friends hanging out eating and drinking under the beautiful trees.

To catch this famous spring phenomenon, you’ll need to head to Tokyo between late March and early April. This is typically when the cherry blossoms are at their peak bloom, which only lasts for about two weeks. Spend your days exploring the many things to do in Tokyo, as you take in the beauty of the sakura, and then take part in yozakura, the act of viewing cherry blossoms at night.  You’ll find many of the trees to be lit up with small lights and lanterns.   

Top Places to Visit in Spring in Tokyo:

The key places to admire sakura in Tokyo are Uneno Park, home to over 1,000 cherry blossom trees, museums, shrines, and ponds, Shinjuku Gyoen, a park perfect for hanami, and the Chidorigafuchi Moat near the Imperial Palace. You can even rent a boat to row around on the moat underneath the flowering trees. While the magical sakura season is the ideal time to visit Tokyo, everyone else thinks so too. You’ll find the number of tourists reaches its peak during this time, which of course comes with an increase in pricing as well.  Plan accordingly and book your flights and accommodations early!

3- Rocky Mountains, Canada

By Devin @deventuretime

One of the best places to visit in Canada during the spring is the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It is a stunning area to visit as the weather warms up, flowers bloom, and waterfalls are at their peak power. It is a great time to hike through the mountains with great weather before the busy tourist season during the summer. Not to mention, it is a great nature escape after the cold winter!

READ ALSO: Outdoor Activities in Winter

With so many incredible places to visit in the Canadian Rockies, visitors can explore mountains, waterfalls, and amazing lakes all in one trip. It is popular to visit waterfalls such as Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls during the spring as the volume of water is at its highest after the snow melts and the surrounding trails open up. They make for really photogenic locations with tall mountains in the background!

It’s popular to camp during the spring in the Rockies at either Banff or Jasper National Parks. Here, campers wake up right in the middle of the mountains where the scenery looks straight out of a postcard and there’s quick access to amazing hiking trails. These parks are home to some of the most stunning lakes in the world like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Visitors frequently catch sight of different wildlife here including moose, elk, bears, and more during their visit to these parks!

4- Cherry Blossom & Tulip Fields, Washington DC

By McKenna Hurd @ One More Step Travels

Washington, DC, the capital of the United States, comes alive during spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The National Mall, which is the land that spans from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial, is lined with hundreds of cherry blossom trees. From about late March to early May, pink and white flowers can be found everywhere you go in the city. In fact, there is even a whole festival centred around these blossoms, called the National Cherry Blossom Festival. 

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is typically very busy, but the activities and sights make it worth it. In addition to thousands of cherry blossoms throughout the entire city, there are also cherry blossom sculptures, kite flying, and local petal decorations. Cherry blossom décor and souvenirs can also be found all over the city during this time.

Besides the festival, there are endless activities in Washington, DC. Smithsonian Museums hold incredible exhibits with artifacts from ancient mummies to rocket ships and even a zoo. The National Archives houses original documents that are foundations of the United States government system. The Tidal Basin is a beautiful pond surrounded by cherry blossoms and monuments. These just scratch the surface of things to do in the area.

If you’re planning a trip to Washington, DC, consider visiting during spring when the weather is perfect, and the scenery is a delight!

Skagit Valley Tulip Fields

By Karee @ourwovenjourney

It may be surprising to learn that Washington State grows more tulips than anywhere else on the continent, making this flower festival a major attraction. With hundreds of thousands of tulip bulbs planted each year, along with daffodil and other flowers, it’s no wonder visitors come from all over the country to see them.

Almost all the flowers are grown in La Conner, Washington, a small town about an hour north of Seattle. There are two main growers, Roozengarde and Tulip Town, and both have large display gardens that visitors can pay to access. The bulbs are planted in stages so that there are always flowers blooming throughout the spring season.

READ ALSO: Winter Bucket List Activities for Travellers

The Tulip Festival runs from April 1st – 31st and there are many coordinating events happening throughout the month. The Salmon Barbeque is very popular, as is the Street Fair held in Mt. Vernon on the 3rd weekend in April. (Check the official calendar for updates and changes.)

Visitors coming to tour the Skagit valley tulip fields should be prepared to get a little muddy since springtime is a rainy season in Washington. It’s a good idea to bring an umbrella and even a change of clothes, but consider touring the fields even if the weather is less than perfect. Bright, sunny weekends in April bring the most visitors and traffic can get very congested. Consider visiting during the week, even on a cloudy day, for the least amount of traffic and crowds.

5- Cornwall, UK

By Eden @ Travels with Eden

One of the best spring holiday destinations in UK is Cornwall, the southernmost county in the UK. Cornwall is famous for its fantastic beaches, rugged coastline, ample attractions and family-friendly atmosphere. Visiting Cornwall in Spring, you’ll experience pleasant weather and fewer crowds for a more peaceful holiday. One of the best things to do in Spring is walking. The entire coast of Cornwall is part of the south-west coast path, a huge walk taking in Cornwall, Devon and some of Somerset. 

READ ALSO: Best Road Trips in the UK

Image by Andreas Senftleben from Pixabay

Scattered around Cornwall are a huge range of towns and villages, from small remote coastal villages to large coastal towns offering one of the top scenic drives in the UK. The town of St Ives is well worth a visit. Choose between relaxing on one of the five stunning beaches, learning to surf, going on a scenic walk or exploring the cobbled streets and winding alleyways. Padstow is another popular location. Perfect your cooking schools at world-famous chef Rick Stein’s cookery school, take in the picturesque harbour or have an animal experience at the national lobster hatchery. Just along the coast is Newquay, a popular tourist town where you can learn to surf, shop till you drop and relax at one of the 12 surrounding beaches. Cornwall is a fantastic place during the spring.

6- Moab, Utah, USA

By Daniela @foxintheforest.net

Filled with stunning red rock formations, jaw-dropping scenery, and adrenaline-pumping activities, Moab in Utah is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the United States if you’re looking for desert landscapes that look as though they came straight out of Mars. This beautiful region in south-eastern Utah is wonderful to visit any time of the year, but spring brings in snowmelt which makes it a prime spot for a rafting adventure down the Colorado River. Moab should definitely part of your North American Road Trip Bucket list.

Aside from rafting, spring is one of the best times to go on one of the most beautiful hikes in Moab (highly recommended are Delicate Arch trail, Devil’s Garden, and Fiery Furnace) because the weather is pleasant enough to spend a day exploring its national parks (plus, you will get to avoid the masses of people that summer brings in!).

READ ALSO: Best Road Trips in USA

If you are keen to go on a camping adventure in the desert, spring is a prime time to do that as it offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in the world (both Arches and Canyonlands national parks are world-renowned for their clear night skies, so that should clue you into how magical it is to spend a night or two in Moab!).

7- Madeira Island, Portugal

By Edyta @ SayYesToMadeira

Madeira Island, a small Portuguese Island on the Atlantic is a lovely destination all year round, but one of the best seasons to visit it is spring. This is when the magnificent Madeira Flower Festival & Flower Themed Parade take place.

Last year exceptionally, due to travel and health restrictions, it was postponed to September and merged with the Madeira Wine Festival. But usually, this beautiful spring celebration starts at the end of April and lasts a couple of weeks. There are concerts, folk dance performances, flower exhibitions and all sorts of flower-related attractions. One of the Funchal avenues changes into a colourful flower market selling flower bulbs, exotic fruit and local food and drinks such as Poncha. Everything is beautifully decorated with flower arrangements, some streets are even covered with carpets made of flower petals.

The highlight of the entire festival is however, and event called Cortejo Alegórico – the Flower Parade. It usually takes place on a Sunday afternoon. Adults and children alike parade through the main streets of Funchal, presenting their carefully prepared costumes, cars and choreographies. It is full of music, flowers, colours and dancing. The vibe is great, it is a wonderful event, and in my opinion it is one of the most beautiful parades in the world. If you love flowers & colourful spring vibe, Madeira Island is definitely a place to visit.  

8- Holambra, Sao Polo, Brazil

By Bruna @ Heart Brazil

If there is a unique place to experience spring in Brazil, that place has to be the little town of Holambra. This charming place in the countryside of São Paulo is a Dutch-inspired town with colorful houses, a windmill, and lovely tulip plantations. Oh, and Van Gogh’s replicas spread all over a park!

Whether you’re traveling to Brazil with your significant other or by yourself, a stroll around this colorful and friendly place is delightful. Besides, this place has the perfect combination of both countries: the cute architecture of the Netherlands and the tropical weather of Brazil. Isn’t it the ideal scenery for a vacation?

READ ALSO: Day Trip to Canal Only Village Giethoorn in Netherlands

Got hungry? So after marvelling at the beautiful flowers, head over to the centre of town to savour Dutch snacks and appetizers. So next time you start making plans for a spring vacation overseas, consider traveling to Holambra and experience the Dutch and Brazilian culture together.

Fun fact: The name Holambra is the junction of two half-words: Holanda (Brazilian Portuguese for The Netherlands) and Brazil.

9- Dubrovnik, Croatia

By Jürgen and Martina @ Places of Juma

Dubrovnik is a really popular destination in Croatia and a fantastic place for a trip in spring. Especially at this time of the year the so-called “Pearl of the Adriatic” has a lot to offer! First of all, the mild Mediterranean climate with around 15-25 °C make a visit in spring just perfect. Flowers are blooming and also the orange trees are opening their buds. You can enjoy long beach walks and if you are lucky you can even go for a swim! In generally, there are so many amazing things to do in Dubrovnik, and especially at that time of the year this city is just perfect for sightseeing with the crowds.

Whether city trip, action or nature, this destination meets all requirements. The beachesare beautiful, the water is wonderfully clear and glows in the most beautiful colors. If you like, you can grab a kayak and paddle down the beautiful coast. You will discover beautiful sea caves and hidden bays. Or you go on a boat trip and explore the beautiful island pearls like Lokrum, Lovran, Korcula or Mlijet. Another highlight is the ride on the Dubrovnik cable car, from where you will have the most amazing view of the city, the harbor and the Riviera.

10- Wildlife Migrations in Cuba

By Carley Rojas Avila @Home to Havana 

One of the most wild and beautiful areas of Cuba, visiting the Ciénaga de Zapata – known as the Zapata Wetlands – is a perfect springtime retreat to explore nature. Located in the south of Cuba, this off the beaten path destination is one of the best destinations for hiking in Cuba, and home to some incredible excursions perfect for the spring weather. Here you’ll find cenotes where you can swim, kayaking excursions in the mangroves, and even the rare Cuban crocodile and flamingos in their natural habitats.

While this area is home to dozens of species of birds, many endemic to Cuba and even this specific region of Cuba, visiting in the spring time brings even more to see here. Flocks of migratory birds make their homes here in the drier seasons, making January through April some of the best times to see the migratory birds as they visit Ciénaga de Zapata. Coinciding with the nicest and sunniest season in Cuba, this makes for a perfect time to visit the island.

When visiting the Ciénaga de Zapata, most visitors stay in either Playa Larga, known for having some of the area’s best beaches, or Playa Girón, known for having some of the area’s best snorkeling and diving. Playa Girón – also known as the Bay of Pigs – plays a special part in Cuba’s revolutionary history, and visitors can see the museum honoring their victory in the invasion.

11- Spring Festival in Budapest

By Nina @ Lemons and Luggage

One of the best places for spring holidays around the world is certainly Budapest. The Hungarian capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe all year round. But the weather in spring is particularly good – not too cold and not too hot – making it easier to explore the city on foot. Budapest is a city where you can do many things outdoors, from hiking in the hills just outside the city center or picnicking in the city’s beautiful parks that are full of flowers, to simply strolling through the many gorgeous neighborhoods.

Visiting Budapest in spring also allows you to visit the various open-air food markets where you can grab a bite from many different food stalls. Vegans don’t have to worry either: The vegan food scene in the city is so enormous that aside from the various vegan restaurants in Budapest there’s even a fully vegan open-air food market.

Image by Jo Stolp from Pixabay

If you plan your trip to coincide with the Budapest Spring Festival you will be treated to several days of hundreds of events such as concerts, performances, and movie screenings both indoors and outdoors. Whether you’re into dance, theater, opera, ballet, or contemporary music and art, there is something for you at the Budapest Spring Festival.

12- Spring Cheese Festival, Gruyeres, Switzerland

By Kat @wanderingbird

On the first Sunday each May, the beautiful medieval town of Gruyères holds a festival celebrating its famous cheese. Gruyères isn’t a big town, but the event has a very festive air. The main street is decorated and becomes full of stalls selling cheese and other local produce. There are also craft stalls and often some music to accompany the delicious smells of warm melted cheese which float over the entire town. In the centre (just follow your nose), you’ll usually find a huge vat of fondue which you can enjoy a sample from, complete with a variety of things to dip into it. 

It’s free to visit the festival- just turn up and wander around. There are plenty of places to stay overnight (although you might want to book in advance) or, if you’re campervanning in Switzerland, there are some great campsites near to Gruyères. 

It doesn’t matter whether you arrive early or late- the festival doesn’t get crazy crowded and the atmosphere as it gets busier adds to the charm, but if you’re a cheese connoisseur and want to chat to the cheese makers or stall holders about their produce, plus try a few samples, getting there early is a good idea.  

Image by Sarah Lötscher from Pixabay

13- Spring in Paris & French Riviera, France

Elisa @ France Bucket List

Paris is a lovely destination to visit in the spring. Paris in spring comes with many sunny days and pleasant temperatures, perfect for spending the day sightseeing or drinking a coffee with friends on a sunny terrace. From mid-March to the end of June, expect an explosion of colours in the parks and gardens. It is the perfect time for a Seine River cruise, a picnic in the park, or the first ice cream.

Paris in spring is also famous for its cherry blossoms. There are many spots to see cherry blossoms in Paris and the blooming season depends on the location but generally lasts from late March to mid-April. The best places to enjoy spring in Paris are the Seine River banks, the top of the Eiffel Tower, and of course the parks. Also, the picturesque neighbourhood of Montmartre is especially lovely in springtime.

Spring in Paris is also a good time for a day trip out of the city. There are many quaint villages not far from Paris, great for a day trip. However, the Royal castles are a favourite destination for a day trip from Paris, especially those with beautiful gardens like Versailles or the Loire Valley Castles.

Spring Road Trip in French Riviera

The French Riviera is an excellent destination for a spring holiday in France. This strip of coastline in southern France sees the sun 300 days a year, so there’s no need to wait until the summer to enjoy a dip in the Mediterranean Sea or your favourite drink in a beach bar. Actually, the French Riviera is especially crowded in summertime, so spring is the best season to visit this part of France.  

The best way to explore the French Riviera is on a self-drive holiday. A French Riviera road trip gives the freedom of traveling anywhere without depending on transport holidays plus if you like a place too much you can decide to stay longer.

International travelers can fly directly to Nice airport, which is one of the busiest airports in France. Then, cities like Nice, Cannes, or Monaco are well connected by TGV trains, which are the fastest trains in France.

The list of best destinations to visit on a French Riviera road trip includes Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Eze, Saint-Tropez, and the hilltop villages of Eze, Grasse, and Saint-Paul de Vence. Don’t forget the towel, hat, and sunscreen for the day, and be sure to pack a beautiful outfit for the French Riviera’s glitzy nights.

Riverside Pods, Llandovery Review

We found this stunning glamping site in the south of Wales, while planning a road trip around the South of the UK. It was recommended to me by one of my travel community friends from Wales. As I had never glamped before and was a big item on my list, I decided to find glamping sites for my road trip, as they are convenient exclusive accommodations and a safer option for the Covid19 pandemic time. Getting too excited seeing the pictures, I contacted the river side pods team on their Instagram to organize my stay. The owners are very friendly and welcoming. We worked out their availability and changed our itinerary to accommodate a stay in Riverside pods, to fulfil that adrenaline rush I got seeing their Instagram posts. Everything about Riverside pods was as perfect as a I imagined with lovely hospitality throughout. I give them a 5 star rating and wish them best of luck, before I deep dive into why. Thanks Riverside pods!

Location Review

Llandovery is a little cute village very close to the left side of the Brecon Beacons national park. The town is a perfect base for visiting South Wales, with an hour drive to Pembrokeshire and Brecon Beacons national park. The pods are situated in a well established camping site ERWLON.

Nearby towns: Llangadog, llandeilo, Brecon

Facilities: Dog friendly glamping pods just by the riverside, with its own ensuite bathroom and kitchen. The facilities are modern with TV, a nice sofa bed and dining facilities. Each pod has hot water for showering and a heated floor. They also provide camping fire pits as an add-on which is a lot of fun. The glamping pod overlooks rolling hills and waking up here was like a dream. The campsite is open 24 hours and there is a dedicated reception. Additional bedding can be requested as well, so 4 people can easily sleep in these pods.

READ: Best Scenic Drives in the UK for your UK Road Trip Bucket list

Review Star:

How to Get to Riverside Pods?

Direction: The Riverside Pods site is easily spotted on Google Maps. Once you get to the ERWLON campsite entrance, which is marked on the road, you will notice the reception building. The team provides an information leaflet with all details you could need for your stay. You just need to ring the reception for organizing your arrival time and they have a professional system to check you in.

Glamp site location: As the name suggests, these pods are by the river and are located in a dedicated area at the end of the campsite with not much noise. Though you pass through caravans and other facilities when you enter, the glamping site has its own secluded area.

Check-in Experience

The campsite manager was very warm and welcoming and flexible with our arrival time. As they live on the site, it is easy to reach out to them if there is an issue. The owners of the riverside pods are also available to interact on social media etc. The glamping pods have a personal touch to them and the room was very clean. I also loved that there were some yummy Welsh cakes to welcome us to Wales!

Our Glamping Experience in River Side Pods

Meeting our Riverside Pod: Otter Den

We were a group of 4, and we stayed in two pods. I stayed in Otter Den, so I shall review this pod. The pods are all similar. My first impression was pretty much as I expected, I loved the setting and the river sound was very evident as we approached.

The patio is gorgeous with the stunning river view. As it was raining when we arrived (what a surprise for southern UK :p), my initial attempt at sitting outside failed miserably as everything was soaking wet, but hey I had some great moments in the following, drier, days. A perfect setting to sip a coffee and write or read a book isn’t it?

This is the first view of the interior of the pod, gorgeous! I loved the purple theme, maybe something to ask the owners when you book if you are into colours! My friends had orange colour. The underfloor heating was too cozy for the weather and I put on the kettle as soon as I finished my mandatory photo shoot.

The kitchen is as well equipped as a typical studio, I have to say it brought my student studio memories back. There are all essentials you would need to cook – salt, pepper and oil. Toaster, kettle, cutlery, pans, gas hob, fridge and microwave!

There is a good sized double mattress with Egyptian cotton line. The bed has a spring mattress with underbed storage. I particularly love the bed window, which has a nice view as the day light changes. Note that the wadrobe has a blind for this window for bed time.

Spending an evening in riverside pods

On our first day, we decided to cook at the pod as we were too late to find somewhere to eat. We poured ourselves a warm English tea while cooking a beef fry with spinach. There is a co-op nearby for buying ingredients if needed.

It was a memorable evening eating some home cooked food and watching TV. The pod also had cards which reminded me of some of my best card-playing buddies in Holland. How I wished I could play cards in groups, we could not gather and play in groups as we were still under covid pandemic restrictions with no two households allowed in one room.

Fire Pit Experience in Riverside Pods

After dinner, we embarked on some playing with fire initiatives, with the fire pits to keep us warm. The campsite manager had given us a fantastic training as well as a set of instructions on how to light the fire pit, which was a successful mission, added with some of our own gimmicks! Read on!

We set the pot with the wood chunks and lit it up carefully. Initially, it was just like the genie emerging from Aladdin’s lamp filled with smoke.

As we blew the smoke away and applied our very own fire strategies, we succeeded to get the flames and enjoyed this warmth. The moment the fire came up we were transported to a Hobbit setting.

It was time for our very own night art technique to write our location with light onto our photo. Marc and I had once done this shot during our road trip to Tromso in winter, a road trip explicitly done with a mission of chasing Northern lights. We introduced this to our friends from Romania this time and tried to get a WALES printed photo. Though it was hard to take this shot, our friend Kris had perfected the art in a few attempts and here is the final outcome of my picture.

Now that we all have left our light marks in the land of Wales, it was bed time for the road trippers who have been driving between 4-5 hours in South of England for 10 days.

Sleeping Review

Sleeping here was great, the bed was smooth and rooms were dark. Don’t forget to spot the bed window blind provided in the cabinet. There was the sound of the river flowing that could disturb someone, but hey, we are here for that ultimate camping experience. If you don’t like the sound, here is my best hack for soundproofing your ears while sleeping.

Waking up in Riverside pods

Waking up in the riverside pods was like waking up to a dream. I have pictured this moment many, many times in my life, opening a door right to the view of a meadow with river flowing in front of you.

These are the moments that make you dream of being a writer living in a countryside setting like this – so peaceful and tranquil.

Erwlon Campsite Facilities

Apart from the well equipped pod itself, there is sufficient parking space outside the pod and the campsite also provides bike storage upon request. Everything you could need for a perfect camping holiday is available.

Where to Eat Nearby Riverside Pods

Llandovery town is walking distance from the riverside pods and has all the amenities you would need for your stay.

Groceries, butchers and bakers: Co-operative, Spar, Matthews Family Butchers, La Patisserie
Pubs, Restaurants & Tea Rooms: The Castle Hotel, The Bear, Kings Head, White Hall Inn,
Pengawse Tea Rooms, Old Printing Office Café
Take-Away: Indian Lounge, Mayflower Chinese, Llandovery Kebab House, The Three Horse
Shoes Fish & Chips
Doctors/Hospital/Pharmacy: Llanfair Surgery (01550 720648), Llandovery Hospital (no A&E,
01550 722200), A.R & H Davies Pharmacy (01550 720269)
Post Office: Monday to Saturday 09:00-17:50
Fuel Station: Murco (not 24 hrs)
ATM: Lloyds Bank, Broad Street, Llandovery

Things To Do Nearby Riverside Pods

Recommended by Riverside Pods Team

Welsh Countryside

• Brecon Baecons National Park
• Llyn Brianne
• Y Garn Goch
• Brechfa Forest

Welsh Coastlines

• Cefn Sidan
• Pendine
• Ferryside
• Llansteffan
• Scott’s Bay
• Morfa Bychan
• Telpyn Poin

Other Attractions to cover by road

• Red Kite Feeding Station
• Dolaucothi Goldmines
• Llansteffan Castle
• Aberglasney Gardens,
• National Botanic Garden of Wales
• Dinefwr Park
• Dryslwyn Castle

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Located in the South western tip of the UK, it is harder to explore all corners of Cornwall by public transport from main cities like London, but definitely worth a visit so as some of the major places are still easily covered. No wonder many movies and books are set in this land of stories, since I visited here I have not stopped thinking of what life was like here back then. I hope you enjoy this road trip itinerary to Cornwall and embark on your Cornish adventures.

READ: Best Scenic Drives in the UK

2 Days Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary

Cornwall is located in the South West coast of England, and the homeland of the Cornish people. Surrounded by Atlantic Ocean and English channel, Cornwall is very famous for its coastal scenery. Cornwall has a rich history with its own kingdom and dynasty, which makes it a very unqiue English county amongst others. Cornwall was a mining centre in the middle ages with copper and tin mining making a large part of its economy apart from fishing, which declined by 1990s. Today, Cornwall is famous for its tourism, which caught up after the railway operations began with the main station at Penzance.

Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary Map

JOURNEY OVERVIEW:

We drove to Cornwall from Bath/Bristol area and stayed in Newquay as our base while we explored the different parts of Cornwall. If you are not a full time traveler, you can easily do this taking one or two days off from work, closer to a weekend with a bank holiday. I would totally recommend having a rental car or camper van to explore the corners of Cornwall. You could also visit for a long time and explore the coastal walks if you have more time. The itinerary covers all the top landmarks to explore in Cornwall, even if it’s a weekend road trip from London or other main cities by car or a long holiday here which included more coastal walks etc. I honestly think I could spend here months happily- the setting of this place demands it, mixed with the landscape and historical vibe.

Top Places to Stay in Cornwall

Some of the top places to stay in Cornwall include the major harbor cities – St Ives, Padstow, Penzance, Newquay, Truro and Falmouth. The options here are plenty ranging from cottages, holiday rentals, Airbnbs, hotels and hostels. During my search for accommodation here, I was very convinced to stay in the Cornish cottages seeing the unique experiences, but there are plenty of beach hotels and Airbnbs to aim for as well that suits your style. For camper vanners, there are multiple campgrounds as well.

Top Tips for Driving in Cornwall

Driving in Cornwall is straight forward unlike elsewhere in England, which can be confusing for internationals not used to complex round about. However, the roads are really like the extreme countryside of England, very narrow and with less visibility of incoming traffic with elevated roads like in mountain ranges. If you are renting, I would advise to get small vehicles to Cornwall and to reduce driving time to avoid road fatigue as it is not a very flat ride. If you are a good driver, but not used to England, Cornwall is not tricky when it comes to complicated rules. So go for coastal road tripping if you would like to

Day 1: South East Coast

1. Perranporth Beach

Perranporth beach is one of the finest and longest beaches in Cornwall, filled with golden sand along the Atlantic ocean. The vast beach is exotic with its cove like rocks, sand dunes and surfs which attract youngsters, tourists as well as families.

The beach is so big that you can enjoy a nice beach walk along the coast watching the stunning sea scenery and waves. The beach is very family friendly that pets and kids will particularly enjoy playing at the beach.

Tips: There are multiple cafes and bars in Perranporth beach for a drink or a bite, especially filled during holiday seasons. There is also a big parking lot near the beach including some benches for those who would like to stay on the land and watch the sea.

2. St Ives

St Ives is one of the well known and celebrated fishing harbor towns in Cornwall, being a popular setting for so many movies and stories set in Cornwall. No wonder it wins one of the top holiday destinations in England regularly, this fishing town feels like a dream in its first sight.

This quaint town of fishing cottages, and harbor, and attractive coastal activities like boat tours and even a scenic railway, this Cornish town definitely has the soul of the Cornwall experience that anyone dreams of. At the moment, I was feeling like a character in a book or a movie while I enjoyed seafood here and watched the harbor.

3. Cape of Cornwall

Cape Cornwall is one of the two capes of England, well located in a coastal route from St Ives. Cape is one of the iconic historic landmarks of Cornwall with the mine here a memorial to the mining history of this area. Being located in the southern coastal tip closer to Lands End, the landscape here is one of the best in Cornwall and not to miss.

Tip: If you are by car, there is a parking closer to the coast and then you can take a coastal walk from there. The road here is narrow, so be careful and go only with a small vehicle.

4. Land’s End

Land’s End is in the western south end of England and a geographic landmark that attracts many tourists around the year.

Apart from the sign post here, which is any traveler’s dream, Land’s End is a big tourist complex nowadays with lots of fun attractions, holiday stays and a large shopping complex.

READ: Two weeks Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

As we visited during the covid pandemic, everything was closed, however Lands End overall seemed to have a playful atmosphere, and a fun place to hang out with family and friends.

The Lands End cliffs here is a stunning view and the coastal walks the prettiest. Walking here reminded me of the John O Groats experience, which is the northern most tip of UK and a must add to a Scotland road trip itinerary.

5. Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno is a sandy beach with turquoise water near Penzance, which is a beach paradise and one of the best in Cornwall. This beach is surrounded by stunning cliffs with a grand view and you will be mesmerized by the waves. It is perfect for swimming and surfing, but make sure you check weather conditions and tide times.

I was awestruck to see this beach, as you would not believe you are in England when you are here. The turquoise water, soft white sands and outstanding natural beauty here is very unique to this beach and a must addition to your Cornwall road trip itinerary and to your UK bucket list.

Just around the corner is the Minack theatre, granite cliff made open theatre is known as one of the best in the world for the epic view from here.

Tips: About 200 m behind the beach, there is a pay and display car park and there is also a public toilet here. There is a steep step down to get here, which is easily done by a healthy person.

6. Mousehole

Mousehole harbor is a pretty little town near Penzance, which is very picturesque. Parking spaces and shops are limited compared to other places, but it is unique and especially famous among writers. It is a typical Cornish village with beautiful views, perfect for a scenic walk and enjoying a cream tea. It is very close to Penzance and it is about a three mile walk here.

Tip: Best route to walk to Penzance to Mousehole is via Newlyn, which gives you a glimpse of the fishing industry here while also enjoying the coasts.

7. Penzance

Penzance is one of the major cities in Cornwall with the railway station from the rest of England, and a popular Cornish harbor town with a range of activities. Popular beaches like Porthcurno, Praa sands and long rocky beach are nearby as well as the Minack theatre with the granite cliffs. St Michael’s mount is a spectacular tidal island here, visited by a granite causeway, only accessible during low tide. The town also has some of the best seafood restaurants and fish market.

Tip: Don’t miss walking through the Chapel street which is in the middle of the Penzance Centre and is filled with restaurants, galleries and boutiques. And of course, there is a church here, named St Marys church.

Day 2: North East Coast

8- Carnewas and Bedruthan’s Steps

Located in the north west coast path between Newquay and Padstow, Carnewas mine and Bedruthan steps offer one of the epic coastal sceneries in Cornwall, with a grand view of the Atlantic ocean. The beach here is just like Porthcurno with turquoise water and the Bedruthan steps reminds heavily of the Scotland’s Duncansby stacks. Bedruthan steps have a cliff top campsite and a car park, and is a popular destination on the Cornish coast.

Tip: Being in the open, the view here is completely weather dependant. It is best to hike around here on a sunny day. For enjoying the weather, it is best to go here on a sunny day like everywhere else in this area. I am mentioning this particularly for it being one of the best south west coastal views not to miss during Cornwall visit.

9- Padstow

Padstow is another popular fishing port on the north Cornish coast, with many attractions nearby, making it a strong candidate for Staycations. The town is filled with fisherman’s cottages and merchant’s houses, and epic holiday resorts making it a tourist hub. Some of the top beaches here include St George’s cove and Hawker’s cove that is walkable distance and there is also beached of Rock, which can be accessed by a ferry ride. Padstow harbor is bustling, with many shops and cafes around. We even saw some paddle boarders enjoying in the water. Padstow is very famous for the seafood restaurant by Rick Stein, who is a famous chef. I found the goodies pretty costly but enjoyed a stroll in the Rick Stein branded shops here.

10- Polzeath Beach

Another gem in the North Cornwall, Polzeath beach is another long sandy beach especially famous for surf lessons. This is also a family friendly beach, one of the most safest, where you can take your kids and pets. There is also parking at this beach, making it super accessible.

11- Port Isaac

This quaint fishing town is very well celebrated among tourists too, very popular as the film Doctor Martin was shot here. Houses here are clear depiction of Cornish white-washed architecture and the winding streets giving it a pretty vintage look. The village is down the coast and there is a car park at the top of the hill for visitors. When we visited, it was pouring when we reached here, so we could not stop and explore unfortunately.

12- Tintagel

Tintagel is one of the most historic and dramatic Cornwall coastal area to visit. Crowned with a castle, a stunning bridge and an outstanding cave, this British heritage site is also another place well celebrated by artists and writers.

The coastal scenery here is unmatched and the coastal walk here is highly recommended. During our visit, the weather was not safe and the tides high, so we could not go to the castle or take the alk, you shiuld have seen my disappointment face that day as I have been dreaming of walking that bridge from so long. Nevertheless, look at the coastal scenery here! Just Vow!

Even though, we could not walk around much, we did enjoy exploring the sorroundings. The view is too good from all angles.

I sat down and admired the coast for sometime, and reliving this dreamy Cornwall trip, as it was time to bid bye to Cornwall and move northwards to North Devon. I told myself that I am returning Tintagel, with plenty of time to snatch that good weather to go on that dreamy coastal walk and cross the Tintagel bridge.

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Top landmarks to visit during a one week in Barcelona

Here is the list of  Barcelona travel tips and all landmarks I explored during one week in Barcelona and would recommend to visit. I have kept them in the order of my favorites, as they were covered in multiple days.

1. Plaza Espana
2. Sagrada Familia
3. Gothic Quarters
4. La Barceloneta
5. Tibidabo
6. La Rambla
7. Casa Vicens
8. Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
9. Park Guell
10. Casa Batello
11. University of Catalunya

Click Here for Top Attractions List in Google Maps

1. Plaza Espana

This magnificent plaza, a circle with a fountain in the middle, has amazing city views from all angles. You enter the splendid Catalunya Arts Museum in between two giant towers on either side of the road, with a view of the old bull ring on the other side.

I visited the plaza during the evening to see the magic fountain show next to the museum. It was a warm welcome to the show with an avenue of waterfalls lining the path. The magic fountain of Montjuic is not an experience to miss, it was incredibly magical- my heart was literally dancing out there. It starts with a fantastic fountain dance welcoming you to Barcelona. It draws a large crowd and is totally free.

2. Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia is a modern church that is built by Barcelona’s legendary architect Antoni Gaudi, with a fresh design vision bringing elements from nature into the architecture. The details on the construction are just too intriguing and mind blowing, that two hours spent looking at it felt like seconds. I have never stared at a building like this before, that I visited it twice. This church is still under construction to fulfill the lifetime vision of Gaudi who passed away when only one out of the four towers was completed. This was one of the many gems during my one week in Barcelona, so don’t think twice to pay for the entry. For christian friends, you can attend Sunday mass here.

3. Gothic Quarters

Gothic Quarters is the old city of Barcelona, built 2000 years back. There is an olden Jewish Quarter and lots of old squares that routes back to the Spanish and Roman history.  The original old Roman settlement buried in the city called Barcino is another location not to miss to trace the history of Barcelona. This area also has many nice restaurants and street artists performing at night, which makes it a perfect hang out location.

4. La Barceloneta

Barceloneta is one of the most busy beaches with many bars, restaurants, street shops and great walkways. There is always music playing and the vibe is too good to be true. There are plenty of things to do on the beach besides swim, of which windsurfing and kite surfing are popular. You can also enjoy a refreshing drink from one of the many beach huts. La Barceloneta beach is on of the main things to do in Barcelona in summer. 

5. Tibidabo

Tibidabo is a hill overlooking Barcelona with the church Sagrat Cor stop. There is a small amusement park here with Ferris wheel and other rides that provide a stunning view of the city and coastline. There are bus rides to get there and some say you can hike it, however I would not recommend it unless you have plenty of time during your trip to Barcelona.

6. La Rambla

This is a boulevard in Barcelona forming the heart of the city center, which spans close to a mile. It has a pedestrian zone in the middle with street markets including fancy cafes and pubs. The street is filled with lots of activities that you can try during one week in Barcelona, food at its best and I would argue that the ambiance of the street at night time beats any restaurant.

The entrance to the boulevard starts from Plaça Catalunya, which is probably the central transport hub in Barcelona to the port. I visited La Rambla multiple times during my one week in Barcelona to try and retry the Tapas . A walking tour both at night and day time is recommended.

7. Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens is Gaudi’s first home in Barcelona, which was his first masterpiece. The roof and exterior is decorated with broken ceramics which is a unique style that we see in most of Gaudi’s architecture. I particularly enjoyed the room in this house that mixes many cultural designs including a Persian scripted lamp.

8. Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau

This building complex is an old hospital with each building housing a separate medical specialty. It’s fun to walk around and experience the old operating rooms and enjoy the unique architecture of the buildings.

9. Park Guell

This park was initially designed by Gaudi as a housing project, however that was not successful and is now converted to a public park. The park is a remarkable exhibition of Gaudi’s imaginative and symbolic work. Unfortunately during my one week in Barcelona was under going construction work when I visited the park and I could only visit the entrance. It is located on Carmel Hill and the walk up the hill is a great experience sights of many nice houses.

10. Casa Batllo

The modernist building Case Batllo, is another iconic masterpiece of Gaudi located in the middle of the city center. This was an old house rebuilt and redesigned by Gaudi, adding some unique features such as irregular oval windows, stone work and decorations made from broken ceramic pieces.

11. University of Catalunya

My whole week in Barcelona was spent in this university working on various problems that the semi-conductor industry and computing experts are trying to solve, especially in the areas of high performance computing with the rise of AI. One major point to note is that this university also hosts the Barcelona super computing center that has Europe’s most powerful super computers.

Final Thoughts On One Week in Barcelona

One of the most noteworthy figures of modern architecture, Gaudi stays close to everyone’s heart if they visit Barcelona. All his work that is completed and being still built, form a great asset adding a special charm to the city.

Urban planning was carefully done in the city when Barcelona was extended from the Gothic quarters. Architects who took the challenge paid attention to the way residents lived in the urban space surrounding them- fresh air, green space, modes of transport and proximity to markets were all carefully considered. As a result, Barcelona is filled with greenery everywhere with many long roads, walkways, boulevards and wide squares giving the public a vast area to gather and relax. The vibe of the subways, restaurants and just people in the public transport reminded me a lot about my favorite Indian city Mumbai. There are many giant shopping centers too.

Barcelona city is designed with a strict grid pattern and octagonal intersections keeping accessibility in mind, just like modern cities like New York do. The top view of the city from flight is very surreal for an ancient city. I tried to capture the top view of the city when I flew back, but unfortunately both my journeys were done late night and it did not come very well. A big shout to my architects friends out there apart from the football fans- this is a must visit city to explore. Because it’s not only about Camp Nou (Footbal stadium). I hope this blog showed you an idea of many more diverse experiences and  top attractions that you should not miss in Barcelona!

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Salzburg is one of the prettiest places I have ever been to and this one day in Salzburg itinerarylists all the top attractions and landmarks for how to spend a day in Salzburg. Especially for a solo travel adventure, it is a perfect destination as you can cover the entire city in a day or two. Salzburg day trips are perfect for just grabbing your camera and go for a walk, you have no idea what a great photography experience is awaiting you.

What to do in Salzburg in One Day?

Here is my list of major attractions and things to do in Salzburg that I covered during my solo trip:

• Mirabell Palace
• Salzach River
• Makartsteg Bridge
• Mozart’s Birth Place & Getreidegasse Street
• Hohensalzburg Fortress
• Old Town Square
• St. Sebastian Cathedral
• Salzburg Cemetry

Click Here for Top Attractions List in Google Maps

I traveled from Munich to Salzburg by Flixbus. The journey was rejuvenating with splendid views of mountains interspersed with occasional sights of houses and churches, which formed a great a preview to the mountain city abd the region.

I landed in Salzburg when the sun was just setting and was greeted by a marvelous modern architecture bike store, which almost felt like an UFO. The streets were very quite and empty.

A Perfect One Day in Salzburg Itinerary

Starting early the next morning, I headed straight to the Mirabell Gardens (a top travel destination in Austria) to arrive at opening time (8 am). Top Tip: Start your day as early as possible, for great pictures. It is a very scenic destination, but gets over crowded by tourists by 9am. I was extremely lucky with this early morning visit as you can see I got some amazing pictures. Note that all the major attractions in Salzburg can be covered by foot.

1- Mirabell Gardens

Mirabell gardens is yet another landmark in the world built as a token of love in the 17th century by prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his beloved, Salome Alt. This garden is supremely suited for a couple hangout, as well as one of the best in Salzburg to capture some amazing selfies or Instagram pictures for a traveller. It is prominently featured in the Sound of Music.

2- Salzach River

Waking along the Salzach River, that overlooks churches and mountains view from every angle, is a stunning experience. One can sit anywhere on the grass banks and enjoy the beautiful view of the fortress, churches and various bridges across the river. A must see in Salzburg, on a solo trip! There are two main bridges which connect the city with the old town.

3- Makartsteg Bridge

I crossed Makartsteg bridge on my way to the Old Town. There is a unique curve to this bridge, which adds to its photogenic quality. Love locks prettify the railings- and also brought a smile to my heart- May all those who found love be in love forever.

4- Mozart’s Birthplace and Getreidagasse

Amadé Mozart, one of the best greatest musicians of all time was born in Salzburg in 1756, on Getreidegasse street just by the river. Mozart’s family lived in the third floor of 9 Getreidegasse for over 30 years. I only saw the outside of the house but if you pay to visit the museum, during the three-storey exhibition, you can learn all the details of Mozart’s life.

If you continue walking along the Getreidegasse street, the famous shopping street in Salzburg, you will see captivating designs decorating the architectures. I would recommend this location as one of the top things to do in Salzburg. There are many interesting design elements representing the history and culture of Salzburg. The walk from here towards the Salzburg fortress leads you past a church whose view is hidden between streets and arches.

5- Hohensalzburg Fortress

The next point in my list of Salzburg activities was the Hohensalzburg Fortress stands 500m above the city offering a great panoramic view of the city, mountains, and the river. There are two ways to get there:

• Funicular
• Hiking

I chose hiking over the funicular tour, for a morning-walk adventure. Guided by Google maps I arrived at a long set of very steep stairs which which made me question whether I was going the right way. Hoping that I would reach the castle and not get lost I proceeded, as I was particularly motivated to make my solo trip to Salzburg more adventurous.

The steps lead through a forest which although felt lonely at first, I soon met with people who were running, walking and mountain biking. I thoroughly enjoyed this exercise, but would suggest those who have are not comfortable with climbing large amounts of stairs to not take this route as they are very steep. I landed near the fort after approximately a 2 mile walk Arrived at Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the most picturesques in the country.

From the fortress, I walked downwards in the opposite direction I came from, where I saw the Funicular service that can be taken. Ten steps down from here, you will encounter one of the amazing views of you will see during the solo trip to Salzburg old town.

While I was hiking down towards the old town square, I met with a group from Taiwan carrying a cute red umbrella that resembled Kerala’s Olakkuda– mosty seen as Maveli’s Umbrella during Onam. The moment I realized it matched my jacket I requested to borrow it for a picture.

6- Old Town Square

Salzburg’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps. The old town square is the most massive I have seen during my solo trip to Salzburg so I felt miniscule all of a sudden. The square comprises many famous squares formed by cobblestone streets, all of them dotted with historic buildings spanning the centuries. The horses and carriages riding in the square gives it a splendid royal look. Some of the open squares forming the old town square are:

• Mozartplatz  features a statue of Mozart in the center of the square.
• Residenzplatz is bordered by the Salzburg Cathedral, Panorama Museum, and the Residenz Gallery, and features a large fountain in the center of the square. This is also a Sound of Music site.
• Kapitelplatz has a prominent attraction is an art piece called “Sphaera,” a large golden sphere with a man perched on top.

After taking in the view of the Old Square and strolling for a while, I decided to treat myself with an Austrian coffee. It was a touching experience to sit at this very old cafe by myself – maybe talking to myself . Remember that some places don’t accept debit cards, so carry some Euros. I had to give my sun glass as a security deposit to go get some cash, as it turned out I had no money to pay for my coffee

The old square has many cute little shops with all kinds of handicrafts for sale. One of the best parts of European city travels for me is the market hopping, and I tend to collect something from everywhere. One special item in Salzburg is the traditional Salzburg spice bouquets and wreaths- house decorations filled with spices in them. What makes them special of-course is the strong aroma from the spices. There are some great pieces in many shops in the city, but photography is not allowed.

7- Salzburg Cathedral

Salzburg cathedral is famous for it’s domes and interiors. I did not manage to explore the interiors as there was a ceremony going on, but it is one of the beautiful architectures of this beautiful medieval town in Europe. 

By this time, I had seen all the marked places in my check list for ‘things to do in Salburg’. I walked around the river on both sides in the sun, taking the view, people watching and visited many more shopping centers. On my way back from old town, I also paid a visit to the Cemetery in which Mozart was buried. The last check mark of my solo trip to Salzburg.

8- St. Sebastian Cemetery

The Evening of the Solo Trip to Salzburg

In the evening before I left the city, I prepared myself to click a nice cityscape trying all the features on my Canon M100. Here is what I captured and edited- which is one of my favorite travel pictures. I guess the picture speaks for itself- how gorgeous this mountain city is! And now you know what to do in Salzburg in one day

“Framed by mountains, crowned by the Hohensalzburg Fortress and divided by the turquoise Salzach River, the Salzburg landscape is pure drama.”

Traveling to Salzburg from Munich

Salzburg is a pretty little city that can be easily be covered by a road or train trip from Munich in a day or from Vienna in two days. There are many excursions arranged from Munich for your solo trip to Salzburg. In my opinion, it is much easier and convenient to arrange this trip on your own.

I took a Flixbus for my Salzburg day trip from Munich which cost me 6 Euros one way which was the cheapest option as I arrived the night before. For a single day trip you can get a full day German DB train ticket that thankfully covers this part of Austria as well. I returned to Munich airport taking the DB train which you may not want to miss as the journey is amazingly picturesque and provided fantastic view of the entire little town in one frame. 

Where to Stay in Salzburg?

I chose to stay in Keep Eco Residence via Airbnb, which is very close to the central station of Salzburg. The hostel is designed on the idea of keeping the stay and living eco-friendly, which also says yes to the question ‘Is Salzburg worth visiting?’ It was this unique concept behind the hostel that attracted me in first place. This idea is radiated in every corner of the hostel, from the furniture and room setting to the food provided. If you have ever slept on an eco-friendly bed you would know what I mean- it is the most awesome bed ever to sleep on. I had a very sound sleep after a very long day in Munich. Checkin is made easier by providing you a code before you arrive for access anytime and they have a reception with a lounge that runs until late at night.

Apart from the stay, you will also fall in love with the amazing organic food they serve as meals and snacks. Breakfast had many options including fresh fruit juice, flapjacks and cakes, all super healthy and delicious. Their unique policy for payment is pay as much as you can, which was a new experience for me.

Pin This Salzburg Itinerary to Plan Your Next Trip

Wildlife Encounter Experience in Scotland

Scotland will fill your heart giving you the opportunity to see animals native to Scotland in the wild very closely.  Though I have seen many highland pictures with Scottish cows and sheep, a two-week road trip in the Scottish highlands uncovered many other animals found in Scotland during my visit. The wildlife discovery was very refreshing for an animal lover like me whose affection for them was pretty much devoted to the stuffed animals I carry as zoos make me really sick and I don’t enjoy it at all as I keep pondering how cruel it is to lock animals down.

Top Tips: When you visit it is really worth it to bring a decent camera and a set of binoculars. For spotting and tracking dolphins and salmon, you need to be patient and plan ahead, but for the majority of animals here you are guaranteed to see a lot of them during your journey in the NC500 route and nearby islands.

READ: A Complete Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

Here are all the animals that I had the pleasure to meet with and say Hello to!

Wild Animals in Scotland: Swimmers

Dolphins in Chanonry Point, Inverness

Chanonry Point in Inverness is one of the best places to watch dolphins, as they come very close to the shore and swim near you for a very long time. The trick is to go one hour after the low tide time to maximize your chances to catch the dolphins. Note that the car park here gets filled up quickly but it is highly recommended to go early and spend one or two hours there waiting for the dolphins. I would also recommend taking a tripod to get nice shots as it is pretty windy there. Words can not describe how exciting it was to watch the dolphins swim in the sea only about 10 feet from the shore and it is definitely my top wild animal to be found in Scotland.

The Mealt falls in the Isle of Skye also is another location to see dolphins as it turned out. While we were at the waterfall, we spotted dolphins swimming but not as close as in Chanonry point. The final location we were hoping to see them was on a boat tour we took from the Isle of Mull as they had seen lots of them near the Isle of Staffa even the day before, however unfortunate weather conditions meant that they had moved on.

Seals in Treshnish Islands, Isle of Mull

Watching grey seals swimming in the sea was a such cute experience. You can see plenty of them on a boat trip from the Isle of Mull to the nearby islands. These grey seals are animals native to Scotland.

Salmons in Rogie Falls

The story of a salmons life cycle is a great life story on its own. They are born upstream in freshwater before swimming out to sea, when it is time for them to breed they swim thousands of kilometers back to where they were born. In the waterfall areas, you can and watch them jump constantly trying, again and again, to escape the river to get to their breeding location. Pitlochry dam is a great spot for this but it was closed when we went there due to Covid. The other famous location is Rogie Falls where we were lucky to watch the salmon jump. I kept tracking a salmon for quite a while and managed to get a clip of one actually succeeding to get to the top of the waterfall. Vow, Salmon has a lot of lessons to teach us about persistence and sacrifice. Do not miss watching this wild animal in Scotland on your trip.

Jellyfish at Achmelvich Beach

Jellyfish are everywhere on all the beaches so you will spot them easily if you look into the sea. I had never seen these big jellyfish before and in varying colors, so adding them in here for those who have not seen many.

Wild Animals in Scotland: Walkers

Stags on NC500 Route

You can spot stags in many places on the NC500 route, including Applecross, Torridon, Glencoe, and Fort William area. In Applecross, the stags were resting in a forest and I almost could not distinguish between their antlers and the tree branches. The amazing art of camouflage in play! Stags are widely found native wild animals in Scotland and don’t forget to interact with them if they are close by. Most of them were very tame.

Another joyful experience was finding a stag in a car park while we were on the road in Torridon, we found many other travelers around and feeding it. Though I love animals I have never had the opportunity to feed one before as I never had a pet. This was an amazing experience to see one very close, very tame, and friendly. See you never know when you come across a stag in this area. 

Deers in Glencoe and Fort William Area

Deer are relatively easy wild animals to find in Scotland if you kept an eye for them even (especially) when you are on the road. We spotted many of them crossing the roads and in the wild or mountains while we were driving especially in the Glencoe and Fort William area. You will also find these animals native to Scotland grazing in some private properties. I am sharing all pictures with places I spotted them. The Harry Potter Viaduct in Glenfinnan is actually located in a deer garden, so we were lucky to see one just before the viaduct too!

Sheeps in Scottish Highlands, and Sanna Bay

Sheep might be a familiar animal for many, but it was still a great experience to stroll around them and enjoy the diverse ones you come across on the roads, mountains, etc. A highlight of my trip included watching early morning traffic of sheep on the road guided by the sheepdog. It made me so happy to watch this and I was jumping out of excitement as I fondly recalled the nursery rhyme “Ba Ba Black Sheep”. These native animals rule the Scottish highlands and the roads many times.

Another most diverse wild animal experience in Scotland we had watching a duo of sheep, one white and one brown. These two spotted in the Sanna Bay area, we’re like best friends and they always moved around together. What an amazing duo, telling the message of diversity very loudly. This duo is my friend’s most favorite moment from the trip. 

Wild Goats in Isle of Kerrera, Scotland

Goats are also familiar domestic animals for most of us, but we spotted a Scottish wild goat very unique with this stellar beard in the Isle of Kerrera. While this one was seen resting over a rock, look at the other one inside the cave. This was also a very enjoyable moment.

Scottish Highland Cow/Coo in Ullapool and Torridon Area

Highland cows or Coos are special native Scottish animals. For me, they always looked grumpy and a bit not so friendly when I went near them. You can see them in the NC500 route especially in Ullapool and Torridon area.

Cows in Isle of Kerrera

Scotland’s cows are also very cute animals to be found in Scotland and come in various colors too. Here are some of my favorite shots including a calf we came across in the Isle of Kerrera. 

Horses in Scottish Mountains

You will see a lot of charming horses during a Scotland road trip too, most of them grazing with amazing backdrops of mountains. 

Wild Animals in Scotland: Flyers

Golden Eagle on Isle of Mull and around Duntulm Castle

Golden Eagle is spotted a lot in the northern hemisphere and you will be able to see them in Scotland. Golden Eagles are very unique, have a stylish shape, and look amazing when they stretch out feathers when they fly. 

We saw them flying around Duntulm Castle, the northern tip of Isle of Skye, and resting on a rock in the Isle of Mull.

Shags on the Isle of Mull

Shags rule the Scottish islands in my opinion, these animals are native to Scotland everywhere and actively trying to catch fish. You can see them swimming, walking and flying around all the time. Their long beaks make them very distinguished. I personally loved watching them dive while we were on a boat trip on the Isle of Mull. The first picture is more or less a little Shag island in the middle of the sea.

Pelican in Isle of Skye

This was a capture of the moment and a lucky one, as we got into habit of clicking any bird we see after we spotted the Eagle flying first in Isle of Skye. We believe it is a Pelican from a Google search, but would love to be corrected if any bird experts know better.

Kittiewake in Duncansby Stacks

The most romantic birds we saw in this area the Kittiwakes. It would have been Puffins if we were early enough to see them before they left Scotland.  You will see lots of Kittiewakes in the coves of Scotland. We saw a lot of them nesting in the Duncasby Stacks near John O Groats.

Starling at John’O Groats Coast

John O Groats coast has many starlings nesting in groups. I really love their polka dotted feathers.

Sparrows in Scottish Highlands

We also spotted many sparrows in many places and here are a few of my favourite shots!

Canadian Geese at Camas Nan Geall The Bay

On the way to Sanna bay we passed by Camas nan Geall where we came across a flock of Canadian Geese enjoying the sunshine and going for a swim.  

Dragon Flies at Dragonfly Trail

From the Glenfinnan visitor center there is a short walk called the Dragonfly trail which true to it’s name had lots of Dragonflies darting about for us to see. Here is a cute little one. 

Seagull, Scotland

We can’t finish a wildlife post not showing seagulls. They are the most common but still amusing. Here is a seagull taking off shot somewhere in Scotland.

Where to see the wild animals in Scotland I spotted during my trip?

For being familiar with the locations, I would recommend taking  a closer look at the  downloadable itinerary map on the road trip itinerary post to spot the locations. We saw the all wild animals in Scotland mentioned along the route covering NC500, Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull and other islands. All the exact places are specified for all the listed animals found in Scotland along with their picture.

Pin This Post for Planning Your Scotland Exploration

Hitting the Scottish highlands has always been a dream bucket list item. I planned this 2 week Scotland road trip itinerary to the cover Scottish Highlands and nearby islands in August 2020, during covid lockdown restrictions. This ultimate Scottish highland road trip itinerary covers all the major parts of the Scottish highlands and North Coast 500 (NC500) in a week and some of the top islands and mountain regions in the mainland for another week.

Scotland Road Trip Planner

Planning this road trip was one of the most tedious itinerary planning I have ever done- largely because it is long, almost every stop throughout any route you pick is amazing and I wanted to see them all. To achieve this, I narrowed down the road trip route to take first and then came up with a complete itinerary plan, as shared below, with each itinerary item color-coded per day after reading many many blogs and consulting with travelers in my social media travel community. I am so grateful for everyone’s suggestions, as it was so helpful to make sure I covered as many classic bucket list items for a Scottish road trip.

Scotland Road Trip Planner: Top Things to Note

Scotland is part of the UK and vast but has got its main cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee in the South or Central lowlands. The northern highlands and islands which are very scenic are pretty remote.  The weather changes heavily and is extreme sometimes, hence careful planning is needed in terms of when to visit, where to stay, and even for driving if you are traveling internationally. Some of the top tips for a Scotland Road Trip to cover the Scottish Highlands are stated below.

Best Time to Visit Scotland especially for a Scenic Road Trip

The best time of the year for a road trip in Scotland aimed mainly at enjoying the scenery of highlands and enjoying the lochs will be the late Spring/Summertime between May and September. Late April will still be muddy and rainy and late may is the best. June, July, and August are the best time to visit but the busiest which makes finding parking lots and accommodations hard. Due to the popularity, it is much better to plan this trip thoroughly.

Autumn is pretty with the fall colors and winter is famous amongst tourists as well for stargazing and aurora chasing. Winter is best to avoid crowds and the scenery is pretty snowy. Your plan should really depend on which seasonal view are you aiming for. Ask me?  I plan to visit once in every season since I went there  

Driving in Scotland

As everywhere in the UK, driving is on the left-hand side of the road here and roads have roundabouts. If you are an international, you definitely want to learn about navigating roundabouts. Also, I would suggest for you be with an experienced driver and are narrow and can be challenging. You do want to take all the scenic routes for the best experience. If you are renting a car, make sure you take insurance.

When you are in Scottish highlands, the best accommodations to explore are the Bed&Breakfasts here to experience the local life. There are some amazing B&B’s to try available on all major booking sites, but for budget travelers, Airbnb comes with many B&B options too to stay with locals. Another experience not to miss here is to actually stay in a castle. There are luxurious to budget-friendly options for that. 

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. I would appreciate the support.

The Ultimate Scottish Highlands Road Trip Itinerary: Overview

We planned our Scottish highland road trip itinerary dividing into two-week blocks. We covered the Northern Highlands and North Coast 500 route during our first week and then did the islands and the northern mainland around Fort William in the second week. Dividing this way helped us find accommodations easier and cheaper as we planned everything around two main cities together. Week 1 was mainly around the city of Inverness and Week 2 was around Fort Williams and Oban. 

I will add all these here, so that you can decide the leg of the journey and move it around based on accommodation, where you would like to stay more, how long is your duration, etc. High-level destinations are covered and the length is below.

• Week 1: Scottish Highlands & NC500
  • 2 days: Cairngorms National Park, Inverness, Lochness
  • 5 days:  North Coast 500 (NC500) – Isle of Skye
• Weekend:
  • 2 days: Isle of Skye
• Week 2: Scottish Highlands and Islands
  • 3 days: Fort William
  • 2 days: Oban, Isle of Mull, Staffa
• Weekend:
  • 2 days:Isle of Kerrera, Loch Lomond National Park

The following route map shows the high-level view of the road trip route we took over the two weeks. Note that I have visited Loch Lomond and Edinburgh in an earlier separate road trip, so this Scottish highland road trip itinerary starts to the north of the main Scottish cities locations mainly around Inverness and Scottish highlands.

Scotland Road Trip Week Maps

How to Use the Scotland Road Trip Route Map?

The screen arrow button on the top left shows you the different parts of the journey with a list of landmarks to cover. You can use the share button on the map to share the map with yourself.
You can also copy the map for your perusal by going large screen and then downloading it to your Google Maps and creating your personal copy including making updates.

Tip: View in large screen for better readability by clicking the full-screen button on the top right

Scotland Road Trip Map: Downloadable Map of Full Route Taken

Scotland Road Trip Itinerary Map: Downloadable Itinerary of Week 1

Scotland Road Trip Itinerary Map: Downloadable Itinerary of Week 2

Scottish Highlands Road Trip Itinerary: Week 1

Day 1: Inverness, Scotland

The journey started from England until Inverness for us, but you can also start from anywhere in the south of Scotland to start this journey. If you are flying internationally, you can fly to Glasgow/Edinburgh and get your rental vehicle there. This is not enough to fully see Cairngorms National Park, but we got a good afternoon exploring the main lochs here and a dinner at Aviemore. We aimed to reach Inverness this day as we found accommodations there. Another option is to stay in Aviemore and give more time to Cairngorms National Park and see Lochness before going to Inverness. Lochness needs a full day to enjoy it properly.

Top Experiences of Day-1 Scotland Road Trip

• Pitlochry : A cute village perfect for a staycation in Scotland famous for the Pitlochry Dam, and some old distilleries like the Blair Altholl Distillery. There are some nice nature walks, museums and many outdoor eateries to enjoy here making it perfect for a weekend staycation. 
• Cairngorms National Park: Cairngorms and Glenmore National forest is very famous among campers and outdoor lovers. We picked two fresh water Lochs for the day as we didnt intend to stay but wanted to add open water swimming to the road trip itinerary.
  • Loch Morlich is a water sport gem in Cairngorms very famous among families. We spent some time enjoying the scenery and watch folks kayaking etc. 
  • Loch Uaine is a hidden loch in this area which is actually very shallow and perfect for an outdoor swim. We enjoyed the walk through the forest to get here. We were too late here to actually try swimming, but totally recommend it for a swim or camping in a peaceful atmosphere.

Highlights of Day-1 Scotland Road Trip

• Pitlochry
• Loch Morlich

Where To Stay & Eat?

• Inverness
• Aviemore

Day 2: Fort Augustus, Scotland

We started the day in Inverness exploring major attractions in Inverness. One of the highlights was seeing dolphins from land in Chanonry point which is an unbeatable experience in Scotland not to miss.  After the dolphin-watching experience, we spent the afternoon taking a round trip drive around Lochness with stops in the Dores beach for a lunch picnic, and in Fort Augustus for a coffee. Lochness is also the best place to aim for a staycation as the Dores have water sports which reminded me of Europe and of course lots of outdoor excursions to take. The drive from Inverness to Fort Augustus is very scenic and our first encounter of the Scottish highlands is epic in this Scotland road trip. Unfortunately, Urquhart Castle was closed due to covid, so we just got a sneak peek. 

Top experiences of Day-2 Scotland Road Trip

• Inverness Castle : A castle with the city view and very unique structure.
• Inverness Chanonry Point: One of the top places in the world to see dolphins swim from the land.
• Fairy Glen: A waterfall walk 
• Lochness Drive: Best in this area with beaches, highlands and castles on the way. Don’t miss it!
• Fort Augustus: Has the canal staircase system, try to aim to watch how boats cross this staircase if you can.
• Urquhart Castle: A castle with a view. You can see it from both sides of the Lochness if you are taking a round trip.

Highlights of Day-1 Scotland Road Trip

• Land watching dolphins in Inverness and the drive around Lochness

READ: Dolphin Watching in Chanonry Point

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Inverness
• Lochness Towns

Day 3: Wick, Scotland

We started the Scotland Road Trip 500 along the North Coat 500 route from Inverness and covered up until Wick. You can see one of the best castles in Scotland, Dunrobin Castle on this route which is worth a stroll. Whaligoe steps are another landscape in this route to not miss.

READ: Best Castles to visit in Scotland

Top experiences of Day-3 Scotland Road Trip

• Rogie Falls: This waterfall river has a unique experience to offer in summer. You can watch Salmons jumping to get back to its birth place. 
• Black Rock Gorge: This gorge is on the way, but we missed it
• Durobin Castle: This is a giant castle with a stunning garden overlooking the sea. Dont miss it and it is worth paying for.
• Camster Cairns: We missed this too as we spent a lot of time at the castle
• Whaligoe Steps: These steps to get to the sea is very unique. The landscape is huge with coves around. Fisher women used to climb these a stairs up and down in the olden daya. I was done doing this once, it is pretty much a workout but the view ia amazing. There is a cave below where you can take boat tours. This was closed due to covid so we could not experience this.
• Wick: This little town is a perfect place to stay or eat in this route. It has a large super market.

Highlights of Day-3 Scotland Road Trip

• Whaligoe Cove Steps

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Wick
• John’O Groats

Day 4: John’O Groats, Scotland

We continued the journey along the North Coast 500 route from Wick until Tongue covering the Northern tip of mainland UK called John-O-Groats. You can take a ferry from here to the Orkney Islands which is very famous for its castles, wildlife tours in this area. The Orkney Islands are also one of the best places to see the Northern lights in winter. We skipped Orkney islands during this Scotland road trip, but you could plan a day into Orkney and even stay there.

Top experiences of Day-4 Scotland Road Trip

• Ebenezer Place: Smallest street in the world located in Wick
• Duncansby Stacks :  The stacks here is massive and gives a glimpse of the Game of Thrones like landmarks in Scotland. If you are lucky you can see puffins here in July/August time. We didnt see any but I had such a grand experience of sheep traffic here.
• Dunnet Head/John o Groats: Lovely small town with a picturesque view and very iconic landmark as this is the Northern tip of the UK. What not to miss here is the Fish and Chips truck, which is one of the best I have veer had in the UK
• Thurso: Thurso is a popular town in this route famous among surfers with high Surfing waves. There are many options for accommodation here.
• Dunreay Nuclear research centre: This is a landmark marked as a photo stop but we missed it.
• Coldbackie beach: This is the first sand beach we saw in the route, fully occupied by campers and some great seafood. We didnt have time to enjoy here but worth adding more time if you love beaches.

Highlights of Day-4 Scotland Road Trip

• Duncansby Stack

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Thurso
• Tongue
• Durness

Day 5: Smoo Cave, Durness in Sutherland, Highland, Scotland

We explored the North and East of the North Coast 500 this day. Smoo Cave is pretty unique and the drive around Lochinver is one of my most favorites in NC500.

Top Experiences of Day-5 Scotland Road Trip

• Smoo cave in Durness: A cave formation with a scenic view. Entry fee is 4 pounds and it is worth to pay.
• Choco Mountain: Very famous chocolate factory in the highlands and here you can taste their fresh produce. The hot chocolates and truffles here are not to miss. 
• Sango Sands beach: A very nice beach in this area with white sand, perfect for a picnic but cant be droven into. It is about 5 miles walk from the car park and hence we didnt make it. If you would like a beach day out, you could add more time here. Our main issue was not able to find accommodation around Durness.
• B869 drive: This route along clashnessie, Clachtoll, Achmelvich beaches is a must route not to miss in your NC500 roadtrip.
• Lochinver: One of the best routes in NC500 and the bridge here is stunning. The Peers restaurant here is famous or get a pie from Lochinver Larder. This village is one of the prettiest towns for a staycation in Scotland too.
• Loch Assynt drive by  Ardvreck castle: This is a nice scenic drive, castle not so sure

Highlights of Day-5 Scotland Road Trip

• Lochinver Drive

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Durness
• Lochinver
• Ullapool

Day 6: North Coast 500, Scotland

We covered the northwestern side of the North Coast 500 route this day. This was a very rainy day and hence we took it easy and covered little on the list, but here are the top stops planned for your reference.

Top Experiences of Day-6 Scotland Road Trip

• Ardessie Falls –  Located at Garve IV23 2QY on roadside as entering Ardessie village.
• Mellon Udrigle beach: White sand beach for a non-rainy day.
• Gairloch Charlestown: You can take whale watching boat tours from here.

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Ullapool
• Torridon

Day 7: Scenic Villages in Scotland

We covered the southwestern side of the North Coast 500 route this day, which is one of the best parts of the NC500 route. It covers some of the best scenic villages in Scotland and routes of NC500 that, if you don’t have time to go up North, you could just do this drive from Ullapool to experience a great portion of NC500. Beach Na Ba drive is splendid with great views of the Skye and nearby islands.

Top Experiences of Day-7 Scotland Road Trip

• Glen Torridon drive through to Shieldaig:  Torridon  is a picturesque village and this route is very scenic. This area is perfect for a staycation, and also to see wild animals native to Scotland.
• Baelach Na Ba Drive: One of the most prettiest and complex route to drive in the NC500. It is a very narrow route, so go via this route only if you have small sized vehicles. The view of Isle of Skye from here is amazing.
• Applecross: A tiny village by the coast, and charming. Dont forget to book the restaurant “Apple Inn” here beforehand.
• Ullapool: One of the bigger towns in the NC500, absolutely amazing for seafood. You will find lots of accommodation here and the harbour is very pretty.

READ: WILD ANIMALS IN SCOTLAND AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

Highlights of Day-7 Scotland Road Trip

• Baelach Na Ba View

READ: Best scenic drives in the UK

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Apple Cross
• Torridon
• Ullapool

Scottish Highlands Road Trip Itinerary: Week 2

Day 8: Southern Route of NC500

We explored the southern route of NC500 enjoying the sun in Plockton and then drive up to the Isle of Skye in the evening. The Isle of Skye was so mystical when we got there but that view is amazing. 

Top Experiences of Day-8 Scotland Road Trip

• Plockton: One of the top scenic villages covered in many movies and famous for seafood.
• Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie: One of the best castles of Scotland located in the middle of a loch and has lots of history attached. It is worth paying to go in.
• Kyle of Lochalsh: A magical loch with lots of little island views and very mystical with a great view of Isle of Skye. Don’t forget to stop at the bridge to the Skye, the view is very good from the bridge. I have noted this place for a staycation too.
• Isle of skye – Portree: Capital city of Isle of Skye was pretty mystical and magical. This little town is like in the fairy tales with colored houses and a cute harbor. The shops here are so cute and attractive.
• Fairy Glen/Cullins: We took a drive to the Fairy Glen here, which is a bit of a walk and we were too late to get in the water pool but the drive in this area is very scenic and not to miss. You will get a great view of the Cullin Hills. 

READ: Best Scottish Highland Towns to Visit in Summer

Highlights of Day-8 Scotland Road Trip

• Enjoying the fresh seafood at Plockton and Isle of Skye

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Plockton
• Kyle of Lochalsh
• Isle of Skye

Day 9: Portree Outing, Scotland

We explored the Isle of Skye taking a round of Skye which is pretty doable in a day. We only hiked the Old Man of Storr and Quaring and missed Elgol from the list. We could not make it as it was too far from the North and we only had a day. You need a day here ideally to take a boat trip to the most scenic loch in this area.

Top Experiences of Day-9 Scotland Road Trip

• Portree: The weather was better and we have been exploring Portree briefly again, this time not so mystical. Don’t miss visiting the Cafe Ariba in Portree, nice food and great view of the harbor. Portree is easily one of the top Scottish villages for a staycation.
• Old Man of Storr: We hiked up the Old Man of Storr, which is very near to Portree. The view is great on the top so be prepared to hike up for two hours
• Quarring: Most famous amongst the tourists for an easy hike!
• Uig: A harbor town in the Skye you can visit if you take a round in the Skye with pretty view.

Highlights of Day-9 Scotland Road Trip

• Old Man of Storr

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Portree
• Elgol

Day 10: Sanna Bay, Scotland

We explored the Sanna Bay the whole day driving from Fort William and back. This is a pretty beach, warm enough to try swimming and some great wildlife experience in this route. Mallaig was on the list too, but we could not make it. Another way to get to Mallaig is to catch the Harry Potter Jacobite train from Fort William.

Top Experiences of Day-10 Scotland Road Trip

• Fort William
• Sanna Bay
• Mallaig

Highlights of Day-10 Scotland Road Trip

• Swimming in Sanna Bay Beach

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Fort William
• Mallaig

Day 11: Glencoe Region, Scotland

We explored the Glencoe region and Fort William area this day. Glen Etive where the James Bond movie Skyfall is shot is marvelous.

Top Experiences of Day-11 Scotland Road Trip

• Glencoe Valley
• Glen Etive
• Kinlochleven
• Ben Nevis

Highlights of Day-11 Scotland Road Trip

• Glen Etive Valley

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Fort William Region

Day 12: Glenfinnan, Scotland

This was a Harry Potter day exploring Glenfinnan and catching the Jacobite train. We headed off to Oban from here, which is the ferry capital city in this area from where you can catch ferries to almost any island.

Top Experiences of Day-12 Scotland Road Trip

• Glenfinnan
• Neptune’s Staircase
• Oban

Highlights of Day-12 Scotland Road Trip

• Watching the Jacobite Train

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Oban
• Fort William Region

Day 13: Tobermory, Scotland

We took a ferry to the Isle of Mull and also took a boat tour to Staffa and Fingals Cave.

Top Experiences of Day-13 Scotland Road Trip

• Isle of Mull- Tobermory
• Staffa
• Fingals Cave

Highlights of Day-13 Scotland Road Trip

• Staffa and Fingals Cave

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Oban
• Isle of Mull

Day 14: Isle of Kerrera, Scotland

We explored the Isle of Kerrera taking a ferry from Oban and then headed to the Inveraray area for the night as we were going to return to England the next day.

Top Experiences of Day-14 Scotland Road Trip

• Isle of Kerrera, Tea Garden, Oban

Highlights of Day-14 Scotland Road Trip

• Gylen Castle

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Oban
• Glasgow

Day 15: Inveraray, Scotland

We explored Inveraray which was a surprise visit for me as I had no clue how charming it was. We just had gone to see the castle. We stopped by the Falls in Loch Lomond and then took the famous Ballach route back to England. It was fun to see the village Luss which I have been to before on our way as well as say Hello to Edinburgh. 

Top Experiences of Day-15 Scotland Road Trip

• Inveraray Castle
• Inveraray Town
• Loch Lomond Falls of Falloch
• Balloch

READ: Best castles to visit in Scotland

Where to Stay & Eat?

• Loch Lomond
• Inveraray
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

READ: Best Scottish Highland Towns for a Staycation

Inveraray Village

That brings us to the end of this Scotland road trip exploring the Scottish highlands, NC500, and islands nearby.

Final Thoughts on 2 Week Scotland Road Trip

This epic Scotland road trip was a true mix of diverse experiences with scenic drives, mountains, lochs, wildlife spotting, island hopping, castles whatnot. I would go as far as singing “those were the best days of my life”. Hope you enjoyed it!  The plan worked very well for me covering all the highlights in these areas, landscapes, castles, islands, wildlife hunting you name it. As I traveled during the Covid situation, I was definitely nervous about this travel plan including being on the remote route in the middle of nowhere for long periods of time. But everything came together very well, including the journey, the stays, and the food options. I am thrilled to share my itinerary here and subscribe to my blog for upcoming journey highlights, tips, guides, etc.

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Pin This Scotland Road Trip Itinerary to Plan Your Scottish Adventures

Road Trip to Castles in Scotland

All the below castles listed were visited during a two weeks road trip to the Scottish highlands covering the north of Scotland, NC500, and islands. Here is the full Scotland road trip itinerary that shows the route taken to visit the best castles to visit during your Scotland road trip adventures.

1- Inveraray Castle, Scotland

This iconic castle is located in one of my favorite Scottish highland towns, Inveraray in Argyll. The Inveraray Castle exterior is amazing and I love the greenish color that blends well with the garden. We visited during Covid19 the time, so we did not go inside the castle due to restrictions. The Entry fee is £12.50 for an adult if you buy the ticket on the spot, but you can save a pound if you book online.

Inveraray Castle gardens are sometimes mentioned as the best garden in Scotland. I do wish to go back again and see the garden and interiors for myself. For now, I managed to get a shot climbing upon the gate of the castle

2- Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most visited castles in Scotland and is famous for its strength as it survived many attacks. It has a remarkable place in Scotland’s history which you can find out in this amazing Netflix documentary which I found very interesting. Find details about visiting the castle here. While I was visiting I did not go inside the castle, I only admired it from the outside.

The castle square is pretty amazing with this spectacular view of old architecture. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our time here and did some fun yoga photoshoots not paying attention to the crowds staring at us.

Click Here for a Complete Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

3- Dunrobin Castle, NC500, Scotland

One of the major highlights of the NC500 East coast route is Dunrobin Castle and its garden, it is just spectacular and is known as a jewel of the highlands. Pictures will definitely speak for the jewel reference. Entry to the castle costs £11  for adults, but note that they open the garden free for the public at 5 pm.

Dunrobin Castle Garden is definitely one of the prettiest I have been to with amazing layouts, flowers, and berries. The back gate of the garden opens to the sea. 

This castle, garden, and their pictures deserve a blog on its own. I am sharing only a few. here and I feel like a spring visit here would be outstanding.

4- Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

Yet another famous castle on the west coast of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle, is a half an hour drive from Kyle of Lochalsh, in a village called Dornie. There is an amazing viewpoint here. I was lucky to see the castle both during the daytime and nighttime. The Scottish flag flies high here and I loved the ambiance during my visit. I did not go inside, but you can plan your visit and find information here.

5- Balloch Castle, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park

Balloch Castle in Loch Lomond is in a free country park and has an amazing walk here. There is a walled garden in the castle which is stunning.

6- Inverness Castle, Scotland

Inverness Castle is located just in the city overlooking the River Ness. The building is distinctive, pretty, and built out of red sandstone. The Inverness Castle Viewpoint offers amazing 360° views of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands.

7- Strome Castle, Loch Carron, Scotland

Strome Castle is a ruined little castle overlooking Loch Carron and I came across this castle as it popped up on my map while I was navigating to the accommodation in this area during my road trip but was a pleasant surprise.

Watching the sun setting upon the Isle of Skye from here is one of the best sunsets I have seen in my life. I would totally recommend going here for sunset if you stay somewhere around Loch Carron.

8- Gylen Castle, Isle of Kerrera, Scotland

The Isle of Kerrera, a tiny island near Oban, hosts Gylen castle in its south end from which you can see across to the Isle of Mull. You can take a 5 minutes Ferry from Oban to this island and it is a one-and-a-half-hour walk to the castle. Walking to this castle is a relaxing peaceful experience with just the noises of wildlife as a soundtrack.

9- Urquhart Castle, Lochness, Scotland

Urquhart Castle is one of the famous Scottish Castles along the banks of Loch Ness. You can see it from the opposite side when you drive southwards from Inverness towards Fort Augustus, another scenic town in Scotland. Unfortunately, we could not see the castle up close as it was closed due to the Covid-19 restrictions, during our visit.

10- Duntulm Castle, Isle of Skye, Scotland

In the north of Isle of Skye, Duntulm has this ruined castle. The coast here is very pretty, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, we could not enter the castle. This region has some of the amazing wild animals in Scotland and we were fortunate to see Golden Eagle flying over the castle during the trip.

Recommending all these castles to visit in Scotland for your Scotland Bucket List. If you have already been to Scotland, let me know your recommendations for more castles!

Planning a Trip to Scotland ?

If you want to plan a getaway to Scotland including these castles to visit in Scotland, here is the itinerary I followed pinned on a downloadable map. Don’t forget to pin for future references. Find pinnable images below.

Pin The Scottish Castles to Plan Your Visit