Recreate some of the most famous American road trip movies for your next USA holiday!

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next holiday, look no further than your favourite films. Whether it be an intimate tale of friendship and self-growth, a high stakes police chase thriller, or even a silly American teen fest, for decades road trip movies have thrilled and inspired us with the endless possibilities that come with travelling on the open road.

Film critics and bloggers everywhere believe there’s an undeniable link between the concept of the road, movie and the spirit of the USA as a country. So if you’re booking flights to the States anytime soon, take a cue from some well-known flicks and get road tripping, big-screen style.

THE MOVIE: Thelma and Louise (1991)

This classic starring Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis and Brad Pitt sees two small town girls embark on the journey of their lives as their quiet weekend getaway turns into a gripping police chase across the south of America as they attempt the drive from their home town of Arkansas to Mexico.

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Thelma and Louise travel from Arkansas to the Grand Canyon via Oklahoma – a journey of roughly 23 hours without stops, but there are plenty of reasons to take some breaks along the way. Oklahoma City and Albuquerque are perfectly placed to make overnight stops along the way, and there’ll be plenty to see while driving through changes in scenery, from vast desert plains, to mountains, to acres of trees and greenery.

Thelma & Louise (20th Anniversary)

THE MOVIE: Highway (2002)

Set in 1994, this independent cult film sees two friends played by Jared Leto and Jake Gyllenhaal flee their home town of Las Vegas after Jack (Leto) is caught sleeping with a Vegas thug’s wife. The pair hit the road and make their way to Seattle, encountering a plethora of wild characters and odd experiences along the way.

DO IT YOURSELF:

The real trip from Las Vegas to Seattle is a long but beautiful scenic drive through mountain passes and plenty of national parks. There are a few different routes to take, all of which offer plenty of things to do for the nature lover. If you opt to start off along the mighty Great Basin Highway, Route 93, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge offers fishing, hunting and miles of hiking trails, while Nesbitt lake is also a popular and fishing spot. The trip is approximately 20 hours of driving without stops.

Highway

THE MOVIE: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Another cult favourite starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Torro, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas follows the twisted drug-addled story of a wild journalist and his lawyer who trek from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race.

DO IT YOURSELF:

You don’t need a boot full of drugs to recreate this road trip (in fact, we’d advise strongly against any kind of illegal behaviour…)The journey from LA to Vegas is one of the most well-known and popular road trip routes in America so expect traffic on the way, especially if you’re making to the trip on a weekend. Although it’s a relatively short drive of around 5 hours, there’s no reason to go straight from A to B. Make sure you stop past Baker to see the World’s Largest Thermometer, and there are plenty of outlet shops just outside Vegas to keep you busy for a few hours. Once in Vegas, it’s also easy to find cheap airfares to anywhere else in the country.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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Where is Istanbul?

The Blue Mosque

Whilst Ankara is the governing capital of Turkey, Istanbul was and continues to be the Turkish metropolis with it’s highly recognisable sky-line of mosque minarets. Istanbul has a population of more than 13 million which stradle two continents, Europe and Asia being separated by the Bosphorous. The two continents are now connected by the Bosphorous Bridge built during 1973 but prior to that, the only way to go between the European and Asian parts of the city, was by boat.

I travelled Istanbul and other other regions of Turkey on my own and felt completely safe as a solo-female traveller. I found it a fascinating travel destination where east meets west, the Ottoman architecture and hard working, friendly people.

If you intend to spend some time in Istanbul I highly recommend you find a hotel in The Sultanahmet district being the heart of the historic Old Istanbul. There are numerous hotels suiting all budgets. A hotel near the Blue Mosque or a hotel near the Hagia Sophia, where you will have ready access to other grand historic sites such as the Cistern Basilica and Topkapi Palace just to name a few. It really is your best base for sightseeing in Istanbul.

Rick Steves’ Istanbul

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One Great Reason to Visit Istanbul

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to view the splendid blue mosque and other divine architectural sites from the Ottoman empire.

Istanbul, Turkey

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Haunting soundtrack from ‘The Piano’

Michael Nyman is an English composer but I know him mostly for the moving sound track created for ‘The Piano’ back in 1993. I never tire of watching the movie for its cinematography and the way it captures the harsh New Zealand landscapes. If you don’t know this film or yet to hear the soundtrack, take a listen and be prepared for a visual and audio feast!

The Piano: Original Music From The Film By Jane Campion

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Where is Cairo?

Cairo, Egypt

Of all the countries in the world, Egypt is perhaps the best known for its historical sites and the sense they give of being truly in touch with the past. From the Pyramids of Giza, to the Colossus of Ramesses II in the ancient capital of Memphis, Egypt is an archaeology buff’s dream – and the scope of Egypt’s archaeological past is certainly beyond the one trip. At the same time, there’s so much more to Egypt holidays than merely touring around the pyramids and being pushed through the crowded Cairo museum. With that in mind, here are three different activities that give a truly unique perspective on this mysterious country.

Cairo Tower

Nestled in the heart of modern Cairo is the Cairo Tower – shaped as a Lotus flower, a symbol of the pharaohs, it is the tallest building in the country. Located on Gezira Island on the Nile, the tower is currently undergoing restoration in preparation for the tower’s 50th anniversary in April 2011. The tower sports a moving restaurant that completes a full rotation every hour, though those on a budget can still travel to the top and make use of several telescopes to view all of Cairo in detail.

Camel riding

Camel riding by starlight

Savvy travellers familiar with Egypt will have definitely experienced this one at some point. From the Harem district in Cairo it’s possible to hire horses or even a camel to ride out into the desert, taking in the pyramids and the Sphinx. The best time to do this is at night – few things are as memorable as approaching the pyramids by moonlight. Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for something a little more adventurous, several companies within Egypt offer camping trips to the hauntingly beautiful white desert, where lavish tents will be set up for your stay and delicious barbecue treats served up each night. Travel is usually by jeep, but intrepid travellers can stay truly authentic by hiring camels.

Ballooning over the Nile

Hot-air balloon over the Nile

If you’ve got a bit of spare cash, it’s worth considering a hot-air balloon ride – which can take you towards the Valley of the Kings or the Nile at sunrise for a truly unforgettable experience. Remember to take your camera – you’ll be witness to views only a small number of people will have seen! Just make sure that you go with a reputable company – many hot air balloon companies are in stiff competition with each other, desperately undercutting each other on price and hence avoiding some of that important stuff like, well, insurance.

Top 10 Cairo and the Nile

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One Great Reason to Visit Cairo

One great reason to visit this travel destination is without a doubt, for the history, the pyramids and the Egyptian museum which houses such treasures.

Cairo – Egypt

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