Fancy getting off the beaten track? Trail blazing Chile’s Carretera Austral, an epic highway linking northern and southern Patagonia is just the thing. A demanding route with great rewards: untouched wilderness far away from the usual tourist trail! The Ruta de los Parques connects 17 National Parks along a 1,700 mile route stretching from Chile’s Lake District, along the Carretera Austral and down to the Beagle Channel. One of the most iconic drives to date – taking in the unspoiled terrain, the icefields of the Exploradores Valley; the beautiful wilderness of Patagonia National Park, Chile’s newest National Park; glimpsing life in the small Patagonia town of Cochrane; driving through temperate rainforest to reach to coast at Caleta Tortel; and dramatic Lago General Carrera. Setting out from Coyhaique, a quick flight south of Santiago where you can pick up your 4WD, you’ll soon see you’re on the adventure of a lifetime.

Explore the lesser known side of the country hunting for port, Pastel de Nata and those fragrant pine forests. Taking in the views from the mountains to the coastline, starting in Porto, the UNESCO-listed historic city with heaps to offer culturally and gastronomically! Stop by Rua do Rosário for art galleries and studios and stay at the funky Rosa Et Al Townhouse with fabulous vintage 60s furniture and modern art aplenty. Head inland to the mountainous Beiras region for more authentic Portugal, sleeping at the laid back Villa Pedra where you can relax by the walled pool or go hiking in the Serra de Estrela. Down to the coastal roads to Peniche, an old fishing town with fantastic seafood restaurants and a pitstop in Areias do Seixo, an eco design hotel with dreamy romantic rooms. Then head down to cool Comporta. A real local coastal hotspot for designers and artists, it’s the ‘in’ place to be.

Who knew you could combine waterfalls and whale watching when exploring Iceland? Head to the South West of the island on 4 night road-trip around the legendary Golden Circle to see the impressive waterfalls, tiny fishing villages, vast national parks and erupting geysers! You can pack a lot into 4 nights including Reykjavik and its museums, art galleries and landmarks or give town a miss and go quad biking. Stop by Thingvellir National Park to catch the lake and walk the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates before heading to the Geysir geothermal area to watch Strokkur eject boiling water into the air and visit the two-tiered waterfall of Gullfoss. Add on a snowmobile trip to the Langjokull glacier or admire the majestic waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss and the black sand beach at Vik. The sportier can book hikes or ice climbing on the Myrdalsjokull Glacier before driving back along the fjord-side route along scenic Hvalfjordur (known as the Whale Fjord) to historic Reykholt to the Hraunsfossar falls and the largest hot springs in the country at Deildartunguhver, all the while staying in cosy BnBs and guesthouses en route.

Another way to live the passage to India… Take off for a two week extravaganza touring romantic Rajastan. The 1270 km route takes in the wonders of Jaipur to Jodhpur and onto Udaipur. Exploring the land of Rajputana royalty, and in the flavours of Rajasthan by shopping at Jaipur’s Tripola Bazar, watching the sunrise at the Chulgiri Jain Temple or making a wish at the Ajmer Dargah Sharif not to mention touring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Amer Fort. Other highlights include eating local specialties like mirchi wadas (chili fritters) or watching the sun set behind the golden dunes of the Thar Desert and seeing the mesmerising Dilwar Temples, some of which are 1000-years old. In Udaipur, don’t miss the City Palace built by Maharana Udai Singh II in the 16th century, and take a tuk tuk tour to the elaborate Jagdish Temple, stop by Krishna’s Srinathji Temple and visit the Monsoon Palace perched on the Aravali Range. Exotic and unforgettable!

To make the most of the awesome autumn colours along your way take a week-long drive through New England on the East Coast. Fly into beautiful Boston and visit the town’s highlights including the Faneuil market hall with its amazing food stalls where the clam chowder is a must, walk the Freedom trail and pop into the original ‘Cheers’ bar. Overnight in the historic Lenox hotel before setting off to explore the coast, including the famous Berkshires, and Cape Cod. An 800 mile drive, it’s the perfect way to see the state famous for its chic seaside resorts and great seafood. Don’t miss Chatham and the iconic Cape Cod, the best place to stop for a lobster roll and a brisk beach walk!