Passion Passport Twitter Chat: Road Trips!
Interesting fact about me: I hate driving, but I love a road trip. I grew up in California–that automobile utopia–and have spent a significant amount of my life in traffic and a hefty amount of money on gas, maintenance and car insurance. One of my favorite things about living in New York City is that I can read (or completely zone out) on my subway commute instead of becoming frustrated and irate with other drivers–it’s much more zen.
Even though I’m grateful to not have to deal with driving on a daily basis, there’s still something I love about the open road. When I was in California last week, it was so refreshing to roll the windows down and turn the country music up as I took the back roads at sunset and sped down the freeway. And while my favorite mode of transportation is on a boat (see: sailing the San Blas Islands and cruising along the Croatian coast), I’ve become quite the road trip connoisseur over the last few years–which is why I’m STOKED to be hosting today’s Passion Passport Twitter Chat about road trips. Here are the full details: would love to hear your road trip stories at 1 p.m. EST today! To get in the road trip mood, here are recaps of my favorite recent road trips:
Australia
I drove from Adelaide to Perth with Nullarbor Traveller, and it was honestly my favorite experience in Australia. It was perfect for the solo traveler who wants the experience of driving across Australia’s vast and stunning open country–without the cost or danger of driving it alone. I loved that I could just sit in the back of the van and watch the scenery roll by–and that the guides knew all of the best views, hikes and beaches.
While Down Under, I also took a road trip along Australia’s most famous drive: the Great Ocean Road. Renee taught me how to drive on the left side of the road as we curved along the gorgeous southern coast.
USA
When I decided to move to New York City, I realized that it was the perfect opportunity for the ultimate USA road trip. My Australian friend Renee–who loves to drive as much as I hate it–joined me on her very first trip to the USA. It was super fun to see new places in my home country through the eyes of a foreigner: I never realized how “American” it is to have water towers in every small town! We took about three weeks to drive from Las Vegas to New York City, stopping in the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Austin, Montgomery, New Orleans, Macon, Savannah, Charleston, Washington DC and Philadelphia along the way.
Iceland
For my 25th birthday, Aly and I rented a camper van and drove around Iceland. It was pretty much the most epic road trip ever–and, in my opinion, the very best way to see all of the country’s incredible scenery. It was also the first time that I stayed in a camper van, and all of Iceland’s natural swim spots and public pools make it SO easy (and even luxurious!).
Dominican Republic
Our drive to Casa Bonita wasn’t exactly the stuff road trip dreams are made of, but it was still EXTREMELY memorable. And it was a super valuable lesson on when driving yourself is a good idea–and when it’s not.
What’s your favorite road trip story?
p.s. don’t forget to join @cestchristine and @passionpassport on Twitter today at 1 p.m. EST for our road trip chat!
