With the weather cooling and the kids back at school, the highways are quiet and it’s time to take a look at some iconic road trips. From Ireland to Italy and more, we’ve come up with some journeys you won’t want to miss.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

One of Europe’s most scenic routes, the challenging drive along the narrow SS163 takes in the famed lemon-scented tourist hotspots of Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi.

At just over 60km, this is not a long route but there are plenty of places you’ll want to linger. You’ll probably start your journey in Naples, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and a bit of a love-hate destination. Some say it’s dirty and crime-ridden; others (us included) find it gorgeously authentic and exciting. Take some time out of your itinerary to visit the National Archaeological Museum – it’s both beautiful and fascinating.

A day trip to Pompeii is a must to explore the storied ruins of the ancient Roman city, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD.

Park up in Bomerano and hike the Path of the Gods to take in magnificent coastal views before heading down 1,700 steps to Positano where you’ll find colourful cascading buildings, posh galleries and high-end boutiques.

The beautiful mountain town of Ravello is also worth a slight detour from the coast road – it’s 365 metres above the sea – and is home to gorgeous cliffside gardens, the Moorish-style Villa Rufolo and the famous Ravello Festival, which features sunrise and sunset concerts as well as exclusive performances.

Top Tip: Avoid the summer months – from June to September – you really don’t want to be on these roads during that period!

Great Ocean Road, Australia

If you’re venturing down under, make that long plane journey worthwhile by taking in one of the world’s top 10 road trips. The Great Ocean Road – the name pretty much says it all – takes in some of Australia’s most gorgeous and rugged coastline and, in a country famed for its beaches and beauty, that’s saying something.

It’s a good idea to travel from west to east, starting in Warrnambool, to avoid the traffic going the other way. And, if you’re planning any overnight stop offs, other than camping (hint: you really should, there are some seriously cute properties to check out), then you’ll need to book around six months in advance.

From Warrnambool – where you should visit Cheese World – to Cape Otway, you’ll be heading along the Shipwreck Coast, known thus, unsurprisingly, for the many ships that have wrecked along the route. It’s the place to see awe inspiring rock formations, such as The 12 Apostles, a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, (spoiler alert, there are not 12 of them). The Bay of Islands, along this 32km stretch, is home to a colony of rare black-faced cormorants, and there’s the chance to dive the wreck of the Falls of Halladale, which sank in 1908. At Cape Otway, sleep under the stars in the Great Otway National Park and cross your fingers for the chance to spot wild koalas!

Then head back towards Melbourne along the Surf Coast, which is dotted with the kind of gorgeous, long stretches of shoreline, such as Bells Beach, that you see on TV.

Top Tip: Google ‘koala sounds’ on YouTube to make spotting them easier – it’s hilarious!

Pacific Coast Highway, USA

Aside from the iconic Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway is possibly the world’s most famous road route, running from Washington State in the north, through Oregon and down to the tip of California. And it’s the Golden State’s 1,056km Highway 1 that’s the most popular stretch, famous for its dramatic ocean views, cliffs and winding roads featuring landmarks like the Big Sur coastline.

In Northern California, you’ll pass through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, home to the Avenue of the Giants, a scenic 51.5km route famous for the towering coastal redwoods that line the route.

Driving through California, there are several ‘mustsee’ destinations, including San Francisco, home of the Golden Gate Bridge, which you can see on a bicycle tour, and the former prison island Alcatraz, where you can take a fascinating inside and outside tour. In Los Angeles, head to Hollywood for a studio tour, visit the Sunset Strip for early ‘80s rock memories and take a trip to Venice Beach, just because.

End your road trip in San Diego, where you can take a break on one of the numerous gorgeous beaches, visit galleries, studios and museums and check out the USS Midway, an aircraft-carrier-turned-museum.

Top Tip: Drive from north to south, so you’ll always have those glorious ocean views on your side of the road.

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

At 2,600km, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is one of the world’s longest defined coastal routes, running from the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal in the north to Cork in the south.

The wild terrain boasts towering cliffs and spellbinding bays, beaches and mystical islands, where old traditions and the Irish language are preserved.

This is the original slow tour, where you’ll want to take your time and soak in the scenery and history. The Inishowen Peninsula runs a circular route taking in awe-inspiring scenery including the Gap of Mamore, where the road winds steeply up a 240-metre-high pass, offering a panoramic view of the entire northern coastline. Be warned, though, the 30-degree descent is positively alpine.

Further south, around the county town of Sligo, make sure to take in Mullaghmore, a dramatic headland falling to a gorgeous sandy beach with Benbulben mountain as its backdrop. And, if you’re that way inclined, Sligo has some great nightlife and restaurants.

Further south again, on the edge of The Burren, in County Clare, don’t miss the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s favourite visitor experiences. You can walk the safe, paved pathways and view the famous cliffs on Europe’s western frontier and enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands.

The Dingle Peninsula, dubbed ‘The most beautiful place on Earth’ by National Geographic is rich in culture, history and nature, including abundant marine life like dolphins (it was home to the famed Fungie), whales and puffins, and land animals such as red deer, foxes, hares and stoats. There are sanctuaries to visit and whale and dolphin watching tours aplenty. Here’s where you’re most likely to hear Gaelic spoken and there’s always music to be found.

Head to the Ring of Kerry for Ireland’s tallest mountains, great surf and both river and coastal fishing, then follow the coast down to Cork, Ireland’s sixth century, second largest city. Here you’ll find loads to do from visiting the English Market, a must for foodies, to a trip to nearby Blarney Castle.

Top Tip: Make sure you kiss the Blarney Stone to come away with the gift of the gab! ✤