Summer, warm breeze from the ocean, scenic route and convertible car. Isn’t it a nice idea? Many people say that every person should own or rent a convertible car at least once in a lifetime. We completely agree with that! That’s why we decided to create this inspirational blog post with some pictures of nice convertible cars, ideas on where to go and even put together a soundtrack for this potential journey.
WHY CONVERTIBLE CAR?
I’m sure a lot of people have a dream to own a convertible car one day. But we all know that cars with foldable roofs are usually not very practical and don’t suit most of the climate zones in the world. Sometimes it’s too hot, sometimes it’s way cold. There is a solution! You can definitely go for a convertible ride for your next holidays!
We have a couple of ideas on where to go if you want to enjoy some of the world’s scenic routes. We included 3 great ideas in New Zealand and 3 other spots around the world if you are in for a bigger adventure. These roads not only offer amazing views but also nice for driving. It means you can borrow your mate’s car or rent one and enjoy this driving experience at its fullest. I bet it will be an adventure of a lifetime! Grab your friend / partner / family member / stranger, turn the music on (check out our playlist below) and let’s go!
During the last couple of years, we had an opportunity to drive several convertible cars including BMW Z4 and Mini Cooper S Convertible. These cars were great to drive and foldable roof definitely gave us a chance to see our beautiful region from another angle. In places like the Bay of Plenty where it’s warm almost all year round, a convertible car is not just a stylish weekend ride, it can definitely be an everyday vehicle that helps to enjoy life a little bit more.
TOP-3 PLACES FOR CONVERTIBLE DRIVES IN NEW ZEALAND
MOUNT MAUNGANUI
Stunning views of the famous Mount Maunganui and picturesque beaches make this place one of the best spots for a convertible drive in New Zealand. Drive along the Marine Parade to get some ocean breeze, make a stop to have a swim or enjoy the food at one of the many cool local restaurants. Climb the Mount at the sunset for breathtaking views of the city and surroundings.
Bay of Plenty is our home region so we have lots of videos showing its beauty. Check them out here.
MILFORD SOUND
Mind-blowing views of the Eighth Wonder of the World will look even better in a roofless car. The road from Queenstown to Milford Sound is officially one of the most scenic in the world. Start your trip early in the day and make sure to stop at lookouts along the way before arriving for your Milford Sound Cruise. The road goes through the picturesque Fiordland National Park and has lots of interesting bends, uphill and downhill sections as well as super-long tunnel! This is definitely a must do. The best time for it is between November and April.
Watch our vlog from Milford Sound or read the in-depth guide about Milford Sound Cruise.
NAPIER
If you are looking for some historic inspiration, Napier is the place to go. A car with a foldable roof will give you an opportunity to enjoy beautiful art-deco buildings without even going out of your vehicle. This city has cool retro vibes so consider taking one of the older convertibles. Out of town, there are many places to go as well. Hawke’s Bay is famous for its wine, so checking out some of the wineries is probably a great idea as well. But please be responsible, never drink and drive.
Watch our vlogs about Hawke’s Bay or read our Ultimate Hawke’s Bay Guide
TOP-3 PLACES FOR CONVERTIBLE DRIVES AROUND THE WORLD
AUSTRALIA
If you are travelling from New Zealand, Australia is probably one of the first choices to consider for convertible drives. Quite a short flight and you can enjoy amazing views of the coastline or turn your head for skyscrapers in Melbourne or Sydney. Scenic Route we can definitely recommend is Great Ocean Road starting from Melbourne and going 240 kilometres to the resort of Torquay. This route goes through national parks, rainforests and beaches, so there is plenty to see including waterfalls, limestone formations and whale watching. Great idea for a weekend!
Watch the video from our recent trip to Australia.
USA
Offering many both manmade and natural wonders, the USA is a perfect place to enjoy a summer road trip in a convertible car. There are many roads worth taking in this country but arguably the best place to go is Florida. The Sunshine state has long summer period and offers lots of fun stuff to do. Stay in Miami, drive along the Ocean drive to see a lot of amazing cars and restaurants. When you are ready, take one of the most scenic routes in the world – Overseas Highway. It is 113 miles long road with 40 bridges, stretching between mainland Florida and Key West. It literally was made for convertible cars!
Need more inspiration? Watch our USA Travel Videos on YouTube!
ITALY
One of our favourite countries in the world, Italy is extremely picturesque. It is remarkably diverse and offers lots of great views for any taste: old towns, mountains, lakes, coastlines – you name it. We would definitely recommend spending some time in a beautiful city of Verona, home to world-famous Romeo and Juliette. If you want some more driving to do – consider taking the breathtaking Stelvio Pass road across the Alps. At an altitude of 2,757 meters, Stelvio Pass features 48 numbered bends to challenge you as a driver. It was named the “greatest driving road in the world” by Top Gear.
We’ve been to Italy 4 times and filmed quite a handful of videos. You can watch them here.
CONVERTIBLE DRIVE PLAYLIST
Music plays a vital role in any road trip. To get you in the right mood, we decided to put together our favourite summer road trip tunes. If you would like to see more playlists from us, please consider subscribing to our Spotify.
BOOK YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
Booking.comDisclaimer
This post is not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above. Booking.com box is a part of the affiliate program. We may receive a part of the profit from the booking made via this box but you don’t pay any extra fee.
We want to say a special thank you to BMW Group New Zealand for sending us BMW Z4 and Mini Cooper S Convertible for a test drive.
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