Epic Drives of the World

Lonely Planet Editors LONELY PLANET

In 1972, behind the wheel of a clapped-out Mini, a young man by the name of Tony Wheeler set out from London with his wife Maureen on an epic drive. Thousands of kilometres later they fetched up in Australia with their last 27 cents and a boot-load of experiences – plus the outline of an idea for a new venture, Lonely Planet. Will you, by reading this book, be inspired to get out there only to return armed with an idea on par with the world’s biggest guidebook publisher? Maybe, maybe not. But that’s one of the joys of the Epic Drive: you never quite know what will happen. This huge

hardcover tome invites you to explore the world’s most thrilling touring routes, but by no means does it provide turn-by-turn directions. (That’s what your GPS is for, people.) Instead, the LP editors have furnished us with very personal recollections of their favourite 50 classic road trips, plus hundreds of ideas for diversions along the way, all accompanied by stunning photos and back-ofa-napkin style maps. The message is clear: don’t get bogged down in the detail. As Tony himself famously once said, “All you’ve got to do is decide to go and the hardest part is over.” Buckle up.