You're here for the freedom of the open road, but do stop to take in the sheer magnificence of your surroundings...
Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy
Spend a day driving south from Otranto in Puglia and finish up in Santa Maria di Leuca, best timed to coincide with a spectacular sunset. From the town's hilltop viewpoint you'll look at the point where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet.
Cape Otway Lighthouse, Australia
Veer off the Great Ocean Road to take in Cape Otway Lighthouse, where you can see nothing but ocean (and perhaps a whale or two) for miles on either side of the peninsula - in fact the nearest western land mass is South Africa.
El Secreto José Ignacio, Uruguay
Hug the coast from Montevideo to Punta Del Diablo and enjoy unspoilt ocean views as you pass fishing villages and wonderfully wild beaches. One of our favourite beach stops is El Secreto José Ignacio where you'll see local surfers expertly riding the perfect waves.
Spitzkoppe, Namibia
On your Skeleton Coast self-drive make sure to include a stop at Spitzkoppe's hug granite boulders. Whether you stay overnight or just park up for a few hours to explore, these 120-million-year-old rock formations are extraordinary.
Maligne Lake, Canada
Drive the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper National Parks and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the Rockies. Make a day of it and stop plenty of times, including beside the brilliant blue glacial waters of Maligne Lake.
Church of the Good Shepherd, New Zealand
When driving in New Zealand's South Island, stop at this church by Lake Tekapo whose altar window perfectly frames the Southern Alps. The area is also in a designated dark sky reserve, so stay until after nightfall for the full star-studded show.
