D. TOURS TRAVEL recommends New Zealand for a road trip. Compact and ruggedly beautiful, it’s almost as if the universe created New Zealand first and foremost as a paradise for road-tripping. Honestly. With car and camper rental –– a well-established and popular option for visitors –– New Zealand’s 10 official themed highways crisscross both islands and treat road trippers to the best of what New Zealand has to offer. With these routes as your guide, you can customize your vacation just for you. Are you an epicurean? Looking to unwind? Combine the Thermal Explorer and Classic New Zealand Wine Trail highways on the North Island and spend a week lolling in hot springs and sipping Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as you make your way from Auckland to Wellington. Looking for adventure off the beaten path? On the South Island, the Inland Scenic 72 Route and Southern Scenic Route together offer an unforgettable expedition through the Southern Alps and the Wild West coast. For those nights on the road, New Zealand delivers every kind of accommodation in spades. From camping in the many beautiful national parks to farm stays to luxury boutique hotels, you’ll be comfortable when you rest your road-weary eyes. The ultimate road-tripper’s dream, New Zealand packs gorgeous scenery, total relaxation, cultural immersion, fantastic adventure, gourmet food and wine and adrenaline-packed experiences all into a country about the size of Colorado. Are you packing your bags yet?
D. Tours Travel
21 Monroe Ave. • Larchmont
(914) 833-9411 • dtourstravel.com
GEMINI TRAVEL INC. recommends driving the Pacific Coast Highway through southern California’s beach communities as the quintessential California experience. Fly to Long Beach to avoid the hassle of LAX. Rent a convertible and head to Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City, U.S.A. Watch the surfers hone their craft from the pier stretching out into the Pacific. Join the lines waiting to enjoy breakfast at the Sugar Shack on Main Street. Continue on to affluent Newport Beach and visit the lovely marina. Be sure to take the short ferry ride over to Balboa Island to admire the architecture. Walk the length of the quaint Balboa Pier to have a million-dollar view and a milkshake at Ruby’s Diner. Next stop is Laguna Niguel, home to cove-like beaches and streets packed with little art galleries, shops and restaurants. Relax, enjoy and do some people watching. From this area, if time permits, continue down the coast, ending in San Diego.
Gemini Travel Inc.
100 S. Bedford Road, Suite 340 • Mount Kisco
(914) 666-6681 • geminitravelinc.com
BAYSIDE TRAVEL recommends a road trip along the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The winding road along the coastline from Salerno through Ravello and ending up in Positano offers the most exquisite vistas in all of Italy. This spectacular trip takes you through grottoes, gorges, gardens and beautiful towns nestled high above the azure sea. Take this trip in the colder seasons to avoid some of the tour buses.
Bayside Travel Group of Companies
124 Larchmont Ave. • Larchmont
(914) 833-8880 • luxurytravelservice.com
