There are many advantages to traveling by driving. It is suitable for travelers who have flexible traveling plans. There is no need to rush to catch the bus or train. They can set off whenever they wish to go. They can stop wherever to take photos or enjoy the scenery. They do not have to carry bulky luggage up and down the public transports and tire themselves. They get to travel exclusively with their group of friends that they can be as loud as they want without having to worry about bothering others. Nowadays, especially, there is a Google Map application that acts as a navigator to ease travelers’ worry about getting lost. Let us now take a look at popular destinations for road trips.

As the position of the steering wheel in Japanese cars and traffic lanes in Japan is the same as cars we drive and the roads we have in Thailand, organizing road trips in Japan is another option for those who want to slowly appreciate the view of Hokkaido for the full 7 days.

The route is usually round. Started off from Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, and rent a car from New Chitose Airport to Otaru and visit Otaru Music Box Museum. Have a taste of sushi and seafood and appreciate the breath-taking view of Lake Toya. Then move on to Hakodate, a port city located at the southern tip of the island, and drive along the coast to soak in the hot spring at Noboribetsu. Drive further and the flower field consists of a variety of flowers that can be seen. Stop by and try delicious lavender ice-cream at Farm Tomita and visit Furano Winery. After that, proceed on to pick the cherries at the farm nearby Biei, and from Biei, there are 2 routes to drive along. The first route is Patchwork Road that the vast golden barley fields will be in view. Stop by Hokusei no Oka Observatory Park with pyramid shape observatory tower and take a shot with the famous avant-garde landmark. Another route is Panorama Road that we can enjoy the colorful scenery of Shinei no Oka Tenbo Koen, a flower garden, and witness the beauty and simplicity of fields and pine trees at Mild Seven Hill. Both routes lead to Asahikawa, another big city in Hokkaido and if you are a ramen lover, you should not miss Asahikawa Ramen Village that gathers 8 local ramen stores together, a true heaven for ramen lovers. There is also Ueno Farm, a botanical garden that houses more than 2000 species of plants, a must-go location. Then we can return to Sapporo and stroll in the city, taste the Hokkaido crabs, and fly back to Thailand. Truly a wholesome trip of sightseeing and feasting.

Now, let us cross over continents to sink ourselves in the beauty of mountain ranges, fields, and picturesque view of villages of Cotswolds, England, a place that is highly praised as a timeless beauty. Cotswolds is the area in the western region of England where many cute petite villages are located. It is famous for breath-taking scenery and the attractiveness of century-old Cotswolds stone houses which is honey golden in color such as Bourton-on-the-water that was given a nickname of The Little Venice and Bibury where William Morris, 19 ^th CE artist, acclaimed as “The most beautiful village in England”. Also, it is a place filled with culture and history like Stafford-upon-Avon which is William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace where Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was born, Burford, a small town situated by the Windrush river with an ancient bridge built since the Middle Age as a landmark and Cirencester that is considered the “Capital of Cotswolds” and its origin is traced back to the Roman period.

These specialties make Cotswolds a popular destination of tourists from all over the world and the best way to experience Cotswolds is to drive from one town to another. Driving in the United Kingdom would not be hard for Thai people as the steering wheel is positioned on the right side. We can slowly take our time to drive and enjoy the beauty of the towns. If we are tired, we can take a break by sitting and have a sip of tea together with a scone, a famous British dessert, at the local tea room. Then spend a night at Bed and Breakfast to feel the British meticulous life. This would definitely attract those who like cultural tourism.

Adventurous road trip at Sothern Island, New Zealand

Let us move on to another part of the world, the land of Kiwi, New Zealand. In New Zealand, road trip style traveling is promoted. Thai travelers do not have to apply for an international driving license. We just need a smart card driving license and we can rent a car. A trip to Southern Island, New Zealand is suitable for those who like nature because they will be thrilled by the amazing natural attractions of the Southern Hemisphere ranging from mountains, lagoons, waterfalls, fjords, glaciers, etc. The activities available there are suitable for adventurous souls who like to live outdoor such as hiking, trekking, surfing, jet boat, and bungee jumping.

We have to choose the starting point of the trip between Christchurch and Queenstown and make a round trip to return the car at the starting point. There are famous tourist attractions along the way such as Milford Sound that we can cruise to see Southern Hemisphere’s fjords, Franz Josef Glacier, Arthur’s Pass National Park, Thunder Creek Fall, Hokitika Gorge, etc. Along the route, we can stop by the lavender field or buy kiwi and fresh fruits at the stalls by the roadsides. We can also have a taste of fresh salmon at the salmon farm near Lake Pukaki and cruise at Kaikoura to watch the whales as well as get on a jet boat and have fun at Kawarau River. Moreover, we can do the AJ Hackett bungee jump at Kawarau Bridge as well as hop on the steamship to Mt. Nicholas Farm to witness the famous sheep herding and sheep shearing of New Zealand.

Those who would like to experience camping style traveling can choose recreational vehicles as their choice of transport. Nearby the campsite, there are toilets and water faucets ready to use. The refreshing atmosphere of New Zealand nature together with the colorful outdoor lifestyle of the Kiwis make it easy for visitors to fall heads over heels for New Zealand.

Road trip in Thailand –Road of joy and comfort

Actually the joy of road trip in Thailand is second to none. We can drive to anywhere in the country. Northern route can start from the central part up all the way to Chiang Rai. There are various cultures presented along the way. We can stop by Chai Nat Bird Park, Chai Nat to watch the variety of birds; chill out at Bung Boraphet, Nakhon Sawan; pray to Phra Buddha Chinnarat, Phitsanulok; appreciate the beauty of Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai, freshen up at Thi Lo Su Waterfall, Tak; camp at Phu Soi Dao National Park, Uttaradit; ride on the horse carriage in Lampang and sightsee Chiang Mai up all the way to the border of Thailand, Mae Sai province, Chiang Rai.

The southern route from central Thailand will go along Phetkasem Road, pass by Amphawa, Samut Songkhram. We can drop by Phetchaburi for Mung Bean Thai Custard. Then go down to Prachuap Khiri Khan and swim at Hua Hin, Khao Takiab Beach, and Ao Manao Beach. After that, pay tribute at Prince of Chumphon Shrine at Udomsak province, Chumphon; soak in the hot spring at Ranong, pray to Phra Borommathat Chaiya, and cruise along Cheow Lan Lake at Surat Thani. Then we go on hopping from island to island, sunbathing and coral reefs diving at Krabi and Phuket. Next, we can watch the pink dolphins at Khanom Beach at Nakhon Si Thammarat; enjoy the taste of Trang’s grilled pork; shop at Kim Yong Market, Hat Yai, Songkhla, and experience the beauty of Koh Lipe, Thailand’s Maldives at Satun.

As for the northeastern route, we can drive along Mittraphap Road and pay tribute to Yamo Statue or Thao Suranaree Monument at Korat. For the northern part, we proceed on to Tad Ton Waterfall and take photos at Krachiao flower field at Chaiyaphum; visit Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum in Khon Kaen; sit on the boat and float among the red lotus flowers at Red Lotus Lake, Udon Thani; pray to Phra That Phanom at Nakhon Phanom and end the journey at Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. As for the southern part, be thrilled by Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram; watch an elephant show in Surin; visit Pha Mo E Dang at Khao Phra Viharn National Park, Srisaket and end the trip at Ubon Ratchathani where there is the Grand Canyon of Thailand, Kang Hin Ngam, and Sam Phan Bok rock reef.

Pick your favorite road trip and do not hesitate to start traveling. Most importantly, do not forget to buy travel insurance before commencing the overseas trip and as for a trip in Thailand, car insurance would warm the cockles of your heart.

For more information on travel insurance, click >> https://scb.co.th/th/personal-banking/insurance/travel-insurance.html

For more information on car insurance, click >> https://scb.co.th/th/personal-banking/insurance/car-insurance.html