6.8 million people travel via four Saudi airports during 2025 Umrah season    TASI recoups losses, records highest close since December 2024    Dar wa Emaar hosts annual Eid Al Fitr community celebration with residents at Saraya Al Narjis in Riyadh    Ithra to showcase its art collection at Riyadh Art Week    US defends tariffs on remote island of penguins and seals    Israeli protesters urge Netanyahu to secure hostage deal during meeting with Trump    Palestinian teen died in Israeli prison after suffering 'likely prolonged malnutrition', autopsy finds    Saudi U-17s qualify for 2025 FIFA World Cup after win over Thailand    Saudi Arabia imposes SR100,000 fine on Hajj and Umrah firms for not reporting visa overstays    The Seven Dogs wraps filming in Riyadh with a budget exceeding $40 million    Trump's crackdown on university protests is casting a long shadow    Al-Jasser: work is underway to restructure and develop aviation infrastructure    Virtual Notary Public provided over1.4 million digital documentation services in 2024    Al Qadsiah and Al Ettifaq share spoils in tense Eastern Derby stalemate    Moussa Diaby praises Al Ittihad's resilience after Jeddah Derby draw "When you can't win, you take a point"    Saudi-European Parliamentary Friendship Committee discusses cooperation during Strasbourg visit    Benzema rescues Al Ittihad with stoppage-time equalizer in thrilling Jeddah Derby    Riyadh Art Week launches with over 50 galleries showcasing global artistic dialogue    Turki Al-Sheikh announces five new Saudi film projects to be produced in Riyadh    Saudi Ministry of Education to showcase innovations at 2025 Geneva International Exhibition    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Travel Picks : Pedal to the metal - top driving routes
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 19 - 05 - 2010

Life's a journey, and for those of travelers who prefer to make this trip in a car, website Askmen.com has come up with a list of the world's top 10 international driving routes outside the United States. This list is not endorsed by Reuters.
1. Baja California Sur, Mexico
This route is not for the casual driver. In fact, if you have reservations about taking on a narrow, two-lane highway full of hazards, unpack your bags. On the other hand, if you have a sense of adventure and are well prepared, give it a try. The best road in Baja California Sur, Mexico, is Highway 1, which isn't saying much: This isn't a route you drive to avoid crater-sized potholes (impossible) or to get to Cabo San Lucas in a hurry. Nighttime travel is not advised by some, while others suggest you keep it under 50 mph. Either way, if you are a skilled driver with a reasonably sturdy vehicle, try this route. You'll be rewarded with great weather and great sights.
2. Northern Tunisia
Northern Tunisia has some entertaining mountain roads worth a drive. This is no area for a fragile exotic car due to the likely encounter with bipolar road quality, sometimes with little warning. The P5 and P17 are generally good bets, though they're always subject to change. And even if you're driving a smooth stretch, local traffic sometimes moves with all the urgency of an arthritic tortoise. The payoff is a remarkable drive with unique scenery. Part of that is due to the frequency of Roman village ruins scattered throughout the region.
3. Western Cape, South Africa
In case you think the only driving done is in a Land Rover on safari, think again. Rural back roads notwithstanding, the country's main highways are maintained quite well. The N1, N2 and N7 in Western Cape are great drives, with 75-mph speed limits. A word of caution: Keep an eye out for animals that are inclined to wander onto the roads. Driving along the South Atlantic and Cape of Good Hope is reminiscent of the Mediterranean, with a similar climate to boot.
4. M8, Scotland
The United Kingdom has tons of tempting roads for the driving enthusiast and an often-overlooked point is Scotland. The country's diverse geography is classified between the Highlands, Central Lowlands and Southern Uplands, often marked by abrupt transitions. One mountain pass, known as Rest and Be Thankful, was once notorious for causing vehicles to overheat at least once during their ascent. The M8 is the main motorway, though you'll likely want to explore some of the great secondary roads, whether to check out a castle or just run through some twisties.
5. Kumamoto, Japan
As densely populated as Japan is, there's another side to it. In the mountainous countryside, one's pulse drops back into the safe zone as life moves in comparatively slow motion. This is also where you'll find some scenic, well-maintained and lightly traveled roads. For example, driving the Kyushu Highway in the Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu is almost like time travel. In this area, considered to be where Japanese civilization originated, you will have the opportunity to witness gorgeous views as well as traditional architecture.
6. Coastal roads, Portugal or Spain
When a European auto manufacturer holds a press launch and turns its cars loose on journalists, it's often in beautifully rugged Portugal or Spain. To some, this may be puzzling. Spain is known for rigorous enforcement of rather extensive traffic laws. As for Portugal, such enforcement could do some good, as the country is infamous for poor roads and even poorer driving habits. Actually, Spain's buzz-kill cops help foster a low-stress drive, letting you take in the rugged scenery. What's more, Portugal has made strides in highway and driver improvement.
7. Great Ocean Road, Australia
Southwest Victoria plays host to this great run, with sights along the way ranging from resort towns and lighthouses to the Otways rain forest. You'll wind along the Southern Ocean beachfront between Lorne and Apollo Bay, and the huge waves around Bells Beach are a surfer's dream. And then there are the Twelve Apostles, which are awesome limestone rock stacks jutting up from the water in Port Campbell National Park between Princetown and Peterborough. Completed in 1932, the Great Ocean Road is a source of pride for Australians and an entertaining drive for travelers from all over the world.
8. Millau Viaduct, France
The area around the southern French town of Millau is a joy to drive. Roads in the Massif Central Mountains offer all the requisite grades and curves drivers crave, but what really makes this route a standout is the steel. Effectively competing with the impressive landscape is the Millau Viaduct. Granted, most auto enthusiasts don't usually get this excited about bridges, but this is no ordinary bridge. For about $5, you can drive across this four-lane, sky-high highway that stands 1,118 feet at its tallest point above the Tarn River.
9. Bologna, Italy
It has been suggested that a car performs best on its home turf and that its personality is a reflection of the people who built it. That's definitely the case in Italy's Bologna province - the region where Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati create their magic. Winding your way through narrow village streets, foothills and mountains gives the sense of competing in the famous Mille Miglia road race - the modern version of the race cuts through the area. Just keep in mind that the A13 and other autostrade have speed limits of 81 mph for cars with at least 1.1-liter engines. The police are known to be lenient, but not all-forgiving. To get the best driving experience in Bologna, or anywhere, for that matter, hit the strade bianchi, or country roads.
10. Autobahn, Germany
Would automakers like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche turn out anything impressive if they didn't have the Autobahn in their backyard? Since the first stretch from Bonn to Cologne was finished in 1932, the German Autobahn system has become legendary for thrills without limits - sort of. It's often misunderstood, but only about half the system is without speed restrictions. The Austrian and Swiss Autobahns also cap your rate of travel, so don't even try to play the uninformed tourist role with the authorities. Instead, head for southern Germany, where you'll find most of the stretches without speed limits.


Clic here to read the story from its source.