ROAD TRIP

The definition of a road trip is a 'journey on roads'. One of the earliest recorded road trips was in 1907, the Pecking to Paris road race. Today road trips are vastly popular and can take place almost anywhere. Whatever your route, all road trips result in a journey including stories for life, hilarious photos, too many sweets/alcohol and usually one of the most memorable times of your life. Every road trip is unique, but here are some that i have either done, will do or hope to do in the future!

AMERICA

When i was younger me and my parents did two very different road trips, New York to Boston and Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Both very different, but amazing in their own unique ways. New York to Boston included trying to navigate ourselves out of new york, boat trips in New England and using the pool of a posh hotel next door to our questionable motel! Las Vegas to LA saw us take in a vast expanse of desert that's magical and scary at the same time. Stopping off at Santa Barbra and San Luis Obispo brings you back to reality (well a high class reality!). DREAM ROUTE - route 66 of course! Check out this website for tips - http://www.roadtripusa.com/

AUSTRALIA

This September to December, we will be travelling between Cairns and Melbourne - although on a bus rather than a car i still think it counts as a road trip! I can't wait to visit the cities including Sydney and Brisbane but also the chilled out paradise of the islands and sunshine coast. The ultimate chilled out, sunshine and cosmopolitan road trip. This website is a great planner - http://www.australianroadtrips.com/

EUROPE

I've done a fair few french road trips in my time including lots of french bread, cheese and attempts at speaking french. While i think a french road trip is a must, it's so easy to explore the whole of Europe in a car - no need to stick to one country. A little closer to home, me and some friends have done a few summer road trips to wales which has also provided endless excitement and memories and a cheap alternative. DREAM ROUTE - Italy, South of France and Spain.

Go get a map and start planning your road trip now. The possibilities are endless! HX

The Travel Writer

Travel writing as a carer would be a dream for me. Getting to travel, write about about the travels and then paid for it - yes please! Although I'm sure there's a tad more hard work involved! Jane Egginton has had 20 years worth of experience writing and editing in the travelling field. Some of the travel guides she has edited and written in include Dorling Kindersley, Thomas Cook and Michelin. She also spent four years in house at Readers Digest. Suffice to say she has had a lot of travelling experience and knows her stuff! I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to ask her some questions, so here they are. Also check out her travel blog here (I love it!) - http://www.travelwriteruk.blogspot.com/ and follow her on twitter here - http://twitter.com/#!/janeegginton. Thank you Jane!

Holly - I've just arrived in Thailand what's the first thing I should do?

Jane Egginton - I would jump in a tuk tuk, whizzing round the traffic clogged streets, this always gives me a real buzz. Then, pull up at a street stall and tuck into some freshly cooked, delicious local food.


H - Thailand is known for it's food, what's good to eat there and any favourite meal you've had there?

JE - I love it all. The fresh fish, cooked in delicate spices, the chilli infused noodle soups, crunchy pad thai...


H - For you does Thailand mean party party or rest and relaxation (or both?!)?

JE - I was never one for those full moon parties, but I love to languish on the white sand beaches and usually find myself having a massage every night - they are a steal and some of the best in the world


H - How would you sum up Thailand in three words?

JE - Smiling, spicy, beautiful


H - What attracted you to South America?

JE - The language (I wanted to improve my Spanish, but couldn't communicate in Spain - Latin Americans are so much more patient), the landscapes - the variety - from beaches and desert to rainforest and mountains is astounding.


H - What are some of your favourite places, things to do or experiences in South America?

JE - I love the desert in Bolivia, which also has a fascinating indigenous population. Colombia is extraordinary and I got married on the beach on its Caribbean coast. My favourite is Brazil. The people are so open (they call us 'fechado' - closed).


H - What's unique about Brazil?

JE - Well, they speak Portuguese, unlike the rest of South America, but what really hits you is the personality of its population. Just go - you will understand what I mean.


H - What are your essentials when setting out on a new trip?

JE - I am not a great planner, but I always carry my iphone with me to be connected to the world.


H - Finally for you, what's the best thing about travelling?

JE - Meeting other people and learning about the world.


HX