American novelist Jack Kerouac once said all he needed was ‘a wheel in his hands and four on the road’. And while your initial idea of a family road trip may shatter Kerouac’s peaceful perception of cruising down America’s long highways, we’re here to prove you wrong. Swapping skies for seatbelts opens a whole new side to family holidays: road-side stops reveal secluded spots, hours spent in the car can bond the family (and increase little ones’ patience), and the stress of missing domestic flights is a thing of the past. Eager to take the wheel and cruise cross-country? Read on to discover four of our favourite family road trips.
USA
Texan ranches and rodeos
America and road trips go together like highways and gas stations. Over four million miles of tarmac connect 50 states' worth of mountains, deserts, cities and beaches, and as the country’s second-largest state, Texas claims a large chunk of this open road. As you roll through Houston, Dallas, Graham and Fort Worth, youngsters (and adults) will cry out ‘yeehaw!’ as you embrace life as a local. From space centres to sports venues and ranches to rodeos, unleash your inner cowboy, spaceman and football fan. With an all-American playlist plugged in and eyes glued to the windows, desert roads have never seemed so appealing.
Italy
Sun-soaked Sicily
Pasta, pizza, sun and sea – what more could children want on a road trip? If you’re after all this plus splashes of epic history, colourful towns and enough Aperol spritzes to keep the adults quiet, then Sicily’s the place to be. This sweet Italian escape kicks off in Palmero with Sicilian puppet shows, bustling markets and historic chapels. Carry on cruising through Trapani, Agrigento and Syracuse for your fix of coves, Greek ruins and long beach days, finishing in Randazzo to admire the mighty Mount Etna. As one of our favourite family road trips, we’re sure you’ll agree that driving along Sicily’s coast beats the M1 any day.
Canada
Remarkable Rockies
Addictive iPad screens will be all but forgotten on this family road trip through Canada’s storybook scenery. Prepare for even the tallest family member to be belittled in Banff by the Rockies’ glassy glaciers, towering peaks and emerald lakes. A scenic day’s drive will take you to Clearwater, where you’ll tackle the rapids and race down the river in teams (prepare for a photo finish). Whistler will welcome you with open arms and an exhilarating bear hunt, while Vancouver will have you ooh-ing and ahh-ing on a whale-watching tour.
Spain and Portugal
A tale of two countries
Rally the troops, set satnavs for the loop from Bilbao to Porto and conquer the Iberian Peninsula, better known as sister countries Spain and Portugal. What makes this one of our favourite family road trips is the beautiful blend of cultural influences and engaging activities. In Porto, for example, a clued-up local guide will satisfy your city curiosities, while the Livaio Lello bookshop (said to have fuelled some of J.K Rowling’s inspiration) will transport youngsters to the world of Harry Potter. Fans of fish? There’s even time to try your hand at local fishing techniques in Llanes (although mastering the art of enjoying your catch isn’t something you’ll need instruction for).
Written by Evie Buller