Six dramatic DRIVES

From rugged mountains to scenic fjords, explore six of the best coastal routes around the world

CALIFORNIA Bigsur

There is no better way to explore California than with a classic road trip, and the journey along Big Sur, a rugged stretch of coastline, is one of the best routes. There are no landmarks, specific boundaries or towns marking your arrival or departure – rather it is a strip of land running between the Santa Lucia mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, and the route takes you through the natural, wild landscapes of this vast country. Drive along Highway One, stopping at Bixby Bridge for one of the finest views along the Big Sur coastline, or take time out to visit Hearst Castle, the former home of American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, the inspiration behind Citizen Kane. Distance and drive time: 102 miles; 2-3 hours

ITALY Amalfi Coast

This country has its fair share of dramatic drives, and the road between Sorrento and Salerno is one of the most famous. Located along the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy’s Amalfi Coast is for confident drivers, but in return for navigating 30 miles of narrow curves, hairpin bends and rugged slopes you get a constantly changing landscape. The cliff-edge route starts in Sorrento and passes by the Grotta dello Smeraldo and on to Positano, one of the most picturesque of the 13 small towns along the Amalfi Coast. The iconic Church of Santa Maria Assunta is worth a detour. Leave here for the medieval town of Amalfi and wind the three miles up through a tunnel and into Ravello, then Salerno, a busy port town. Distance and drive time: 35 miles; 1 hour