Forget about badly organised coach trips from your holiday resort; the best way to experience the sights, culture and way of life of a country, is to take a road trip. And being able to hire a car at any Avis branch across the world makes road trips a real option, not just a daydream!

The home of the great road trip has to be the United States, with thousands of miles of wide open highway criss-crossing America and creating some of the most famous road trips in the world. The iconic Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica takes in 2,400 miles of ever changing country, while the Pacific Coast Highway includes the magnificent Big Sur. On the East Coast, you can drive all the way from New England to the southern tip of the Florida Overseas Highway, with its 43 bridges across the Florida Keys.

World wide, there are lots more thrilling drives for you to enjoy with a little help from Avis. The Savannah Way carries you 2,300 miles from coast to coast in Australia, from Cairns, in Queensland to Broom on the west coast, via 15 stunning national parks. Discover the spectacular settings for Lord of the Rings by driving the 300 miles of New Zealand’s South Island, or drive across Canada, taking in incredible wildlife and wilderness along the 5,000 miles of the Trans Canada Highway – a trip that makes Avis GPS an essential extra.

Europe too has some stunning drives right on your doorstep, so you don’t have to fly off around the world to enjoy a classic road trip. From the French Riviera to Italy’s beautiful Amalfi Coast, from Finland’s 1000 Lakes to the ethereal beauty of Iceland, there’s so much to see. Head for Central Europe and put your driving skills to the test with the twisting, winding Alpine passes. Great St. Bernard Pass, in Switzerland and Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria, both offer breathtaking views. These can be quite challenging but having an extra driver gives you a chance to enjoy some of the scenery and sharing the drive.

And don’t forget about the top road trips you can take right here at home, from the Devon and Cornwall coasts, to the historic Highlands of Scotland, plus of course, the all time classic Lands End to John O’Groats run.

Renting a car from Avis gives you the freedom to explore anywhere you want, in your own time and the way you want. Plus, you can choose the perfect car for any journey, be it a convertibles for Route 66 or a 4×4 for the Australian Outback. And thanks to the convenience of one-way rentals, one-way trips are no problem.

So this summer, forget the bland resort holiday full of fellow Brits; head out and discover the real world on an original road trip with Avis Car Rental Rent a Car.