The Best Coastal Routes to Drive on a Road Trip Holiday

Les Corniches, Côte D'Azur

The French Riviera can be a hectic place especially during the summer months, so escape the crowds and spend an afternoon exploring these winding coastal roads.

Les Corniches are a trio of routes that hug the cliffs between Nice and Menton. Each spanning around 32 kilometres, they all provide stunning views over the undulating coastline of the Côte D'Azur.

The Grande Corniche is the highest of the three roads, carved into the mountainside it rises approximately 457 metres above sea level. One on side cliffs cascade down to the turquoise waters and on the other, gentle hills blanketed in thick pine forests are dotted with rustic villas.

The middle road, The Moyenne Corniche, is less hair-raising but offers equally stunning views. The road winds up to the hilltop village of Èze, which stands on a dome of rock jutting out from the cliffs. Perched above the village is the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, the best place to see spectacular views over the hills and the Mediterranean below.

The Basse Corniche weaves along the coast and past the iconic coastal resorts of the Riviera. It’s the busiest of the three roads but the twinkling periwinkle blue water below and the dramatic cliffs still make it a beautiful drive.

Picture courtesy of Shutterstock.com / Circumnavigation

Overseas Highway, Florida Keys

The 181.9 kilometre Overseas Highway, complete with 42 bridges, connects the islands of Florida Keys. It continues from the U.S. Route 1 and uses large parts of the former Overseas Railroad, which was completed in 1912 and was heavily damaged in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. Don't miss the Seven Mile Bridge, which was converted into a road in 1935.

The islands are home to some of the largest areas of coral reef on U.S. mainland, as well as the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center and the National Key Deer Refuge.

If you're driving down this beautiful stretch of road we'd advise you to go via Card Sound Road at the beginning of your journey, rather than straight down U.S. Route 1 — stop off at Alabama Jacks, a simple beachside bar with incredible seafood before driving to the Ocean Reef Club, a private club that hosts the annual Vintage Weekend every December to celebrate classic cars, planes and yachts.

Head to Looe Key, an incredible dive site just a short boat trip away from Big Pine Key, or explore the exclusive Little Palm Island. Spend a night or two in Key West so you can fully explore the town before taking your wheels back on the highway, and be sure to stop off in Islamorada to watch the sunset — it's the perfect mini-trip for those on a superyacht charter in Florida.

Picture courtesy of Shutterstock.com / Felix Mizioznikov

The D81 through the Calanques De Piana, Corsica

If you’re planning on spending a few days exploring Corsica by superyacht, the D81 coastal road through the Calanches de Piana is a must for the brave. The single track road runs along the side of the mountain, presenting a striking landscape of red granite cliffs and vicious looking outlines caused by centuries of erosion.

Piana itself is a stunning village that looks out over the Gulf of Porto and faces the Scandola and Senino peninsulas. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, the area including the Calaches of Piana, the Gulf of Girolata and the Scandola Nature Reserve offer unrivalled views and truly excellent (if hair-raising) driving opportunities.

Girolata Bay is also one of the best superyacht anchorages in Corsica, so why not tender to the little village of Girolata and enjoy the beauty of the D81 while driving over to Piana?

Picture courtesy of Shutterstock.com

The Sa Calobra Road, Mallorca

Also known as the Sa Calobra Road, the MA-2141 in Mallorca is a must for anyone who enjoys a scenic drive. Taking cars through unimaginably narrow gorges, around extraordinary hairpin bends and around the world-famous Nus de Sa Calobra, an unusual 360° turn to challenge even the most experienced motorists.

If you find yourself in Palma away from your superyacht, head over by car to Sa Calobra, or else drop anchor towards the north coast of the island and tender to the Port de Sa Calobra.

Picture courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Jadranska Magistrala, Croatia

Sometimes know as the Adriatic Highway, Jadranska Magistrala twists and turns along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. Covering nearly 400 miles the road connects the towns and cities of Rijeka , Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Makarska, Ploce and Dubrovnik. With serpentine twists and sheer drops into the sea, the drive is not for the faint hearted. However, those who do take to the tarmac will be rewarded with stunning views across the sparkling sea and some of Croatia's hidden gems.

It would be easy to enjoy some of this road as part of a private cruise or luxury yacht charter in Croatia. The drive is just one incredible thing to do while visiting Croatia on a luxury yacht.

Picture courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Garden Route, South Africa

South Africa’s Garden Route extends from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. The 150-mile drive combines amazing roads with unbelievable coastal scenery. It is also one of the few places in the world where you have the chance to spot whales and elephants along the same stretch of road.

You could drive the route in a day but it is recommended that you take your time and stop off at sights such as Knysna Elephant Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Tsitsikamma National Park.

Picture courtesy of Dominique De La Croix/Shutterstock.com

Highway 1, California

The world-famous Highway 1 in California, sometimes known as the Pacific Coast Highway, is a cliff-hugging route between San Diego and San Francisco. The entire route is slightly more than 1000km and you pass by seaside villages, untouched forests and through one of the world’s best wine regions.

One of the highlights of the route is the Big Sur where you will travel over the Bixby Bridge — one of the tallest single span concrete bridges in the world.

A drive along all or part of the route can easily be incorporated as part of a private cruise or luxury yacht charter in San Francisco.

Picture courtesy of Doug Meek/Shutterstock.com

The Great Ocean Road, Australia

If you are looking for a driving experience Down Under then the Great Ocean Road should be top of your list. Starting near Melbourne the road offers more than 150 miles of twists and turns.

As well as the spectacular views the road also passes the iconic landmark of the 12 apostles.

If you want to drive the Great Ocean Road visiting the country is now easier as Australia is offering temporary superyacht charter licenses for foreign yachts.

Picture courtesy of Alvov/Shutterstock.com

The Amalfi coast

The Amalfi coast is one of the Mediterranean’s most scenic coastal destinations and offers a stunning driving experience.

One of the most beautiful drives is starting at Positano and then heading east. If you are planning on enjoying the area by car it is worth bearing in mind that the roads can be busy during the peak summer months.

Enjoying these beautiful roads can easily be included as part of a private cruise or luxury yacht charter on the Amalfi Coast.

Picture courtesy of Marcelo Alex/Shutterstock.com

Launceston to Hobart, Tasmania

The drive between Launceston to Hobart includes high mountain passes as well as stunning ocean views. The drive passes through the well-known hiking destinations of Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay and Coles Bay

Although Tasmania is less well known as a superyacht destination in comparison to Australia the island has a beautiful coastline to explore.

Picture courtesy of Steve Lovegrove/Shutterstock.com

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