Journeying around Europe on trains and buses is a great thing to do. The trains are very reasonably priced and the buses run on time. The only problem is that some of the best places to see are off the beaten track. If you are open to renting a car then it is certainly worth leaving the main roads to explore these wonderful places.

Bled, Slovenia

This is a very beautiful part of Europe that is certainly worth exploring. Lake Bled is the main focus of this town; the lake attracts both tourists and locals alike. If you can make your schedule fit, make sure that you are at the “Bled Days” on the fourth weekend of July – this is the festival that is held around the lake at dusk. Thousands of candles are floated by the local children on the surface of the lake. The effect is magical, especially as the scenery is so picturesque. It is certainly worth the trip.

Tulum

The town of Tulum in Mexico is a little off the beaten track. It is south of Cancun and in a decent hire car it will take approximately one hour. This place is worth the drive as it is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The stunning Mayan ruins sit aloft the coast, directly on top of a perfect beach. This Mexican gem is a really great place to explore, do not expect a beachfront full of huge, expensive and ecologically damaging hotels. Instead you will find charming beach huts, cabanas with all mod cons and twinkling candle light as the sun goes down. It is unhampered by the mass commercialism that is so popular in Cancun. Using a rental car will guarantee that you get to Tulum in a timely fashion , click here for more information.  

Alnwick

Northumberland is in the north east of England, it is the last stop before Scotland. This is a very nice place to visit. If you are into Harry Potter then this is the place on your travels, never to be missed. Many of the exterior shots of Hogwarts were filmed at this historic castle and there is often a giant or two stalking the grounds. There is annual entertainment here, kids can try their hand at being a knight for a day or there is always a feast being served in the great hall.

Alnwick town is a sweet, traditional Northumberland market town and is a charming slice of country life. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the local tea shop or have a look in the best bookshop in Britain! This place is a great place to explore if you have a car and it is a great opportunity to explore the Northumbrian coast at the same time.

The best places are usually the amazing places that you find when you move away from popular routes and put your adventurous hat on. If you are travelling with kids, get them involved in finding somewhere off the beaten track and you may just find a place that you return to time after time.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source

Written by Elizabeth James who writes for Hirecars.co.uk