July 2024
August Results Day: Road Trips for Empty Nesters
Chief adventurer at CamperDays, Max Schmidt, shares his guide to the best road trips for empty nesters.
With results day looming on the 15th August in the UK, many students may be looking forward to flying the nest and heading to their chosen universities or finding freedom in a gap year. Meaning there will be many parents experiencing a child-free abode for the first time in eighteen-years and presented with an opportunity to revisit those bucket list trips that were put on hold whilst raising their family.
Max Schmidt, Chief Adventurer and Head of CamperDays says, “While it’s undoubtedly daunting to see your little ones find their independence and fly the nests, parents should relish in the abundance of free time that they stand to gain.
“No more extortionate costs that come with having to book a trip during the school holidays or from having your kids enjoying the perks of a ‘free’ family holiday. The time is yours to pack up and explore the world! Why should the kids have all of the fun?”
Below, Max shares a selection of the most iconic road trips that are perfect for empty nesters to enjoy post-September…
1. Australia’s Great Ocean Road
Route: Torquay to Allansford, Victoria
Distance: 151 miles (243 kilometres)
What better way to celebrate your newly found free time than living your very own gap year dream? The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that twist along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean, extending from Torquay in the east to Warrnambool in the west.
This coastal drive is renowned for its stunning ocean views, iconic rock formations like the Twelve Apostles, lush rainforests, and charming seaside towns – the stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is particularly scenic. Travellers can enjoy scenic lookouts, wildlife spotting, and surfing along the way.
2. Italy’s Amalfi Coast
Route: Sorrento to Salerno
Distance: 37 miles (60 kilometres)
The Amalfi Coast offers dramatic cliffs, picturesque villages, and vistas of the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea.
The road trip spans the E45 motorway, or autostrada, and key stops include the towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Visitors can explore historic sites, enjoy delicious Italian cuisine, and take in breathtaking vistas.
One for the more experienced campervan driver who isn’t deterred by the narrow, winding roads of this gravity-defying coastal road.
3. North America’s Route 66
Route: Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California
Distance: 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometres)
One of the world’s most famous road trips and known as the "Main Street of America," Route 66 is a journey through American history and culture, crossing eight states and three time zones. The epitome of American driving holidays, this route takes you east to west, from Chicago to Santa Monica and Los Angeles.
Travellers encounter quirky roadside attractions, vintage motels, classic diners, and scenic deserts. It's an iconic road trip filled with nostalgia and adventure for American culture and travel buffs alike.
4. Iceland’s Ring Road
Route: Circular route around Iceland
Distance: 828 miles (1,332 kilometres)
Perfect for nature lovers, Iceland's Ring Road offers diverse landscapes, including waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and geothermal hot springs. Key stops include Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, Vatnajökull National Park, and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
With the sun at its solar maximum in 2024 and 2025, you’ll be in with an even greater chance of enjoying the Northern Lights.
5. South Africa’s Garden Route
Route: Mossel Bay to Storms River
Distance: 190 miles (300 kilometres)
The Garden Route follows the N4 highway between Mossel Bay and Storms River, featuring stunning coastal scenery, lush forests, and diverse wildlife. Highlights include the towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, and the Cango Caves.
Activities along the route range from hiking and whale watching to bungee jumping and wine tasting. So park up and enjoy, safe in the knowledge that you’re able to retire to your very own home on wheels before heading off on another action-packed day.
6. Scotland’s North Coast 500
Route: Inverness to Inverness (loop around northern Scotland)
Distance: 516 miles (830 kilometres)
For parents who don’t want to stray too far from home, the NC500 showcases Scotland's rugged coastline, historic castles, and scenic highlands. Encompassing six regions – all unique and different to one another – a campervan is the best way to explore this mesmerising route, as it allows you to spend two or three nights in each area.
The route has been voted one of the world’s top coastal tours and travellers can explore the towns of Ullapool and John o' Groats, visit the Dunrobin Castle, and enjoy the stunning beaches and cliffs. It's perfect for those seeking adventure and natural beauty.
About CamperDays
Launched in Germany in 2013, CamperDays is Europe’s leading camper tour operator, working with 150 partners in over 700 locations globally.
CamperDays facilitates access to over 35,500 vehicles available for rent worldwide, including in the UK, Europe, Australia, USA, Canada and South Africa. The platform allows customers to choose from a selection of trusted providers globally via an easy three step booking process, with rentals available from just £70 per day.
Since it was launched, CamperDays customers have booked over 1,000,000 nights in vehicles rented through the site. CamperDays provides access to a broad selection of campervans and motorhomes catering to every type of traveller, with transparent pricing and no hidden costs. All vehicles come with insurance, with excess, as standard, to allow renters a truly carefree holiday.
For more information or to make a booking, visit the website: www.camperdays.co.uk.