Any driving trip can be an adventure. It provides limitless possibilities - whether you are journeying down a road you've yet to fully explore, or getting in the car to make the same familiar trip back to your family you've done so many times, to have a car signifies a possession of freedom and of expression. So in this article, I'll explore 10 driving adventures to have next year, no matter how small.
Pick a Road and Drive
Get out an OS map of your local area and pick a windy road in the countryside somewhere. Somewhere you've never been, or somewhere that simply looks interesting. It's amazing the views that can be seen, and the stopping off points you would have never realised were there.
Do a 4x4 Tour
Off-roading tours are becoming increasingly popular. Embrace a sense of adventure by booking an overland 4x4 tour - they are available in almost any area there's interesting terrain. You'll also learn some really impressive and useful new skills, and your driving will be improved no end. Overland Experts is a great place to start for serious off-road training.
Mongol Rally
This is a favourite, but no list like this would ever be complete without a mention of the Mongol Rally. Embrace The Adventurists incredible and inspiring appraoch to life, and generally join in on all the fun, by signing up on their site here: http://www.theadventurists.com/mongol-rally/. I mean, really, what is the worse that can happen? You'll see some amazing places, too.
Atlantis Dunes, South Africa
I am not afraid to admit that I find a few lifestyle vlogs such as these by Ben Brown pretty inspiring. Aside from his daily vlogs, which are interesting enough, he is also a pretty damn accomplished filmmaker and the Visual Vibes are almost definitely the stand out videos. Messing around the Atlantis Dunes in SA with some Land Rover Defenders? Yes please.
North Wales
I recently visited North Wales with Vauxhall for the launch and review of the new Vauxhall Astra. Some of the scenery blew me away, and the roads are almost definitely amongst the best in the country. Head on almost any road between Chester and Portmeirion and you'll be in for a treat - the famous Evo Triangle is especially worth a visit if you haven't already!
Drive an Italian Car Through Italy
It doesn't really matter what kind of Italian car - if you pick the right route the journey you'll have will be pretty incredible, and you'll bond with your machine in a way you wouldn't have imagined. As we're pretty much in proper winter now, dreaming of the Amalfi Coast with an Alfa Romeo right now seems appealing...
Drive to Belgium
Okay, here me out on this one. I find the feeling of driving on a ferry and escaping with your car, and capturing the essence of the freedom it gives you, one that is so easily achievable in a weekend - a ridiculously cheap. Drive to Bruges, stay somewhere affordable, drink lots of beer and eat lots of chocolate, do some shopping and then return a couple of days later. Perfect.
Complete a Classic Journey in a Classic Car
There's something quite appealing about getting in a car in a country that it belongs to, and driving around. Obvious examples are the Ambassador in India, or the Fiat 500 in Italy, but there are countless options. How about a Trabant in Russia, for example? The guys over at Classic Car Journeys might be able to help.....
Driving in the snow is more of an art than a science. Well, it's a science, but the way some people master it to such an extent is to be applauded. As it's winter, why not take a course and learn how to control a car in the snow properly. You'll be amazed at what an adventure it really is. In the meantime, heres' a video of rally driving hooning it in the snow...
Drive The Gotthard Pass
As much as the roads in Italy are wonderful - and they really are - some of the best fun can be found in the slightly less well known areas, and roads that you would have been less likely to watch on Top Gear. The Gotthard Pass is wonderful, and although you'll find traffic, you'll actually have the opportunity to pass it as it's not just one hairpin after the next. Here's a Ferrari doing it....
Take the opportunity to do something fun and adventurous with your car in 2016 - it deserves it, and so do you!