Drive a convertible – worldwide

The gleam of chrome, the wind in your hair, the lure of the open road – taking off in an open-top auto adds a touch of honeymoon magic to a regular road trip

Where to go depends on the time of year, reckons Sarah Dowding of Classic Travelling (www.classictravelling.com), which offers holidays in classic, vintage and sports cars. "Try the Scottish Highlands - landscapes, cosy hotels and baronial mansions - in May/June. In summer, the Alps (pictured) offer stunning scenery, quaint villages and awesome roads. New England is perfect for Sept/Oct, with beautiful autumn colours and charming inns; Vermont is particularly pretty and the roads are near empty. South Africa's Cape combines chic Cape Town with winelands around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and a Big 5 safari at Sanbona or Fairy Glen. It's great year round, but especially Sept/March."

Planning is key. "You'll want shortish driving days (up to 250km max), and a few two- or three-night stays, so it doesn't feel as if you're constantly driving or packing," advises Sarah. "Have all the info you need on the areas you're driving through to hand - having directions, maps and a GPS means you can make the most of your time and there'll be fewer arguments!"

TOP TIP

Pack a hat. Riding in older classic cars can be a little like that scene from Bridget Jones's Diary- perfect hair probably wont last; newer cars tend to have better aerodynamics.