Car Rentals-Driving Tours

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Car rentals do not mean that you just have to drive from point A to point B, you can enjoy your rental car more if you take it for a tour of some sights. Here are some of the best places to drive, when all you really want to do is drive, and see the sights around you.

Alaska

You could drive the 358 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks in the better part of a day. You could also fly the route in less than an hour, but you'd miss some of the planet's most entrancing real estate.

Because of its vast size-586,412 square miles, one-fifth the size of the entire "Lower 48"-one is not going to "see Alaska" in one trip. But picking a route and an itinerary that maximizes a visitor's "northern exposure" is possible.

There are many ways to start off an Alaskan tour, but why not begin in the capital of Anchorage. If you take the Glenn Highway (AR1) approximately 30 miles to Eklutna, you can visit the Eklutna Village Historical Park. The park preserves 350 years of the heritage and traditions of the Athabascan Alaska natives as well as the state's Russian influence. Attractions include the historic St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, a hand-built Siberian prayer chapel and brightly colored "spirit houses" in the village cemetery. Tours of the village take only 30 minutes.

From Eklutna take the Glenn Highway (AR1) approximately five miles to the junction with the George Parks Highway (AR3). You can exit at Wasilla to see the lditarod Headquarters and the Museum of Transportation. Then follow Knik Road to the Sled Dog Mushers' Hall of Fame. The Mat-Su Valley (Matanuska-Sustina Valley) includes the towns of Palmer, Wasilla, Houston Knik and Willow. In this scenic valley farmers grow "Alaska-sized" vegetables, such as 96 pound cabbages.

Take the George Parks Highway to Mile Marker 98.7 and Talkeetna Spur Road. Proceed 13 miles along Talkeetna Spur Road to a large grave and a double-ended turnout with an interpretative sign and viewpoint. Return on Talkeetna Spur Road to Mile Marker 115. Though just shy of 100 miles from Anchorage, Talkeetna is one of those Alaskan towns in the running as a prototype of the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska, of the TV show Northern Exposure. Here in winter, tourists might well see a wayward moose skid across icy streets.

When ready, leave Talkeetna and head to Denali National Park. Return along Talkeetna Spur Road to George Parks Highway and proceed north to mile marker 237. One of the gems of any trip to Alaska, Denali is home to Mount McKinley and abundant wildlife such as brown bears, moose, sheep and eagles.

Next take George Parks Highway north to Fairbanks to Mile Marker 358. Fairbanks is a half-day drive from Denali National Park and 358 miles out of Anchorage via the George Parks Highway. A product of the Gold Rush, Fairbanks has grown into one a transportation and business hub for the interior and northern Alaska.

For a little bit of excitement, visit Santa's house at North Pole, Alaska, 14 miles east of Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway. This is the place the U.S. Postal Service sends children's letters to Santa each year. Open daily.

Return to Anchorage via the Richardson Highway, a scenic route leading past glaciers, through spruce meadows and across tundra meadows, and running parallel to the trans-Alaska Pipeline. Extending 368 miles from Fairbanks to Valdez, it was Alaska's first road, known to Gold Rushers as the Valdez to Eagle trail.

California

California's central coast makes for a relaxing, scenic drive winding through mountains, with ocean views. There is much to do and discover, including the influence of the Spanish, and the legendary Hearsts Castle.

There is so much to see in and around Santa Barbara that you can start a wonderful rip off just by spending the day in the area. The Spanish architecture of Santa Barbara, with its red tile roofs and adobe buildings, makes this beachside community beautiful and historic. The town was founded in 1782 as a Spanish presidio and later became a health resort. Historical plaques and markers identify early buildings. If you head north on Hwy. 154, to the Los Padres National Forest, you can take the 24-mile Scenic Drive for a glimpse of the beauty in and around Santa Barbara. For lunch or dinner, try the Wine Cask (805-966-9463) or Citronnelle (805-963-0111).

If you are looking for a little detour outside the city, head to Ojai, which is 40 miles south of Santa Barbara. To get there, head south on Hwy. 101 to Hwy. 150, which loops back to 101 north. Ojai (pronounced 0-Hi) is an Indian name that means "the nest," but film lovers know it as the setting for Shangri-La in the 1937 film Lost Horizon. A stroll around the city, located at the edge of Los Padres National Forest, includes stops at art galleries, quaint shops and restaurants.

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is located 25 miles north of Santa Barbara. Take Hwy. 154 north to the lake. Here you will find a full-service campground and man-made lake where you can hike, go boating, fishing, horseback riding, bicycling, or see what is on at the Weekend Fireside Theatre.

For a drive you can head to Solvang which can be accessed by taking Hwy. 154 to Hwy. 246 from Cachuma. It is a city of 4,850 residents, of which 2,700 claim to be of Danish descent, making Solvang a little piece of Denmark in California. Try dinner at the Bit O'Denmark Restaurant (805- 688-5426). Take time to explore The Old Mission Santa Ines, Nojoqui Falls County Park (located seven miles south of Solvang).

From Solvang head to Pismo Beach, along U.S. 101 north. Get off at the Pismo Beach exit. Pismo Beach is also home to groves of tall eucalyptus trees. From the fall through the spring, the trees are a haven for migrating Monarch butterflies that travel from as far away as Canada.

From Pismo Beach the next great place to visit is Morro Bay. Take a short drive up U.S. 101 to San Luis Obispo and pick up Hwy. 1 north to Morro Bay and exit on Morro Bay Boulevard to drive through the city to the bay. The 576-foot volcanic dome-shaped Morro Rock is the last visible link in a chain of nine volcanic rocks between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. Morro Rock is a protected nesting ground for peregrine falcons, so climbing it is prohibited.

A must see is the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, also known as Hearst Castle. Built as a retreat in the 1920s, the property features a 165-room Mediterranean Revival-style main house, three guest houses, indoor and outdoor pools, terraces and extensive gardens. The house is more of a museum with medieval and Renaissance furnishings and art objects from Europe.

Florida

Driving in southwest Florida gives those an opportunity to see much of the state's history, heritage, natural resources, and beauty, as well as experience the pampering and luxury of some of the world's finest resorts.

Start the trip off in Naples, where you will find seven miles of sandy shoreline, 53 championship golf courses, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and the Gulf of Mexico. Naples and the surrounding area offer an amazing collection of sights and experiences that will easily become the centerpiece of a memorable vacation. You can head to the Collier County Museum along the famed Tamiamie Trail (U.S. 41) south to the Gordon River Bridge and to the junction of U.S. 41 and Airport Road. The museum traces the history of the county from the Calusa Indian period to modern times. While in Naples you can also see Caribbean Gardens Zoological Park (with lions, tigers, cougars and even a hybrid big cat called, appropriately enough, a "tigion."), the Conservancy's Naples Nature Center, the Teddy Bear Museum of Naples.

After getting your fill of the beautiful Naples take the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) southeast approximately 18 miles to state Rte. 951, and head onto Marco Island. Marco Island provides a scenic, relaxing stop; it is renowned for beautiful sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Next, point north and head for the National Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, an 11,000-acre wilderness preserve just 20 miles from Naples. Drive north on state Rte. 951 and proceed to 1-75 north. Proceed along 1-75 to exit 17 and then make a right turn on to Hwy. 846 (Immokalee Road). Follow the signs along Hwy. 846 for the National Audubon Society Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The entrance is on the left. Head for Fort Myers and take a lunch break. Return along Hwy. 846 to 1-75 north. Follow 1-75 to exit 22 (Colonial Boulevard). Make a left on Colonial Boulevard and travel west to McGregor Boulevard (Rte. 867). Make a right turn onto McGregor and proceed approximately one mile to the Oasis Restaurant. The Oasis is located at 2222 McGregor Blvd., two blocks past the Edison Ford Complex.

From Fort Myers head to Sanibel and Captiva islands. Take Rte. 867 (Sanibel Causeway) southwest to Sanibel. Here you will find a nature experience with a natural habitat view of alligators, roseate spoonbills, great egrets, ospreys and many other reptiles and mammals at the 'Ding' Dading Wildlife Refuge. Take a scenic coastal drive for the return to Naples, along San Carlos Boulevard (Rte. 865) south to Bonita Beach Road. Take Bonita Beach Road east to the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41 south) to Naples.

Italy

Florence is acclaimed as the cradle of the Renaissance during its time (14th to 16th century). Florence contains a wealth of artistic and architectural treasures along with museums, monuments, churches, and palaces. Modern Florence offers antique shops, markets, and restaurants.

Experience Florence's Renaissance heritage at the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). Located here is the city's great Duomo (cathedral), which sports a facade of white, green and rose marble. Construction began in the year 1296 and continued off and on over six centuries. The Duomo's striking red-brick cupola, which has come to symbolize Florence, is visible from all over the city and can also be seen from the surrounding Tuscan hills. Also great places to visit in Florence include Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, on the east side of the Piazza del Duomo; the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, a 15th-century palace; the Piazza della Signoria, the site of Florence's ancient town hall, the Palazzo Vecchio; the Uffizi Museum; the Ponte Vecchio; Boboli Gardens, located near the Ponte Vecchio; the Modern Art Gallery and the Silverware Museum.

After your fill of Florence head to Venice (159 miles) along Autostrada Al to A13 at Bologna and to A4 at Padova, then continue into Venice. Topping Florence is hard, but Venice offers its own blend of style and romance. There are more than 175 canals crisscross this uniquely situated city, built on an archipelago of 118 islets along Italy's Adriatic coast. The must-see's of Venice include the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square), where flocks of pigeons greet thousands of visitors every day; the 11 th-century St. Mark's Church; St. Mark's Bell Tower for a panoramic view of the city; the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace); Murano Glass Factory (on the island of Murano, situated in the Venetian lagoon); the famed Bridge of Sighs; the Galleria dell'Academia, with the most outstanding collection of Venetian art; and the Peggy Guggenheim collection of modern art, housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal. After your stay in Venice return to Florence.

From Florence head to Orvieto through Siena. Siena is 35 miles south of Florence on Hwy. SS2. Located here is the Piazza del Campo, the site of the world famous Palio horse race, first staged in 1656 and held each year on July 2 and August 16. Siena's imposing 13th-century, Gothic-style Palazzo Pubblico (town hall) is the finest example of public Gothic architecture in Tuscany. Keep heading south on Hwy. SS2 another 17 miles to the town of Buonconvento, then take the smaller country road for another seven miles into Montalcino. From Montalcino, return to SS2; leave Tuscany and head south into the province of Umbna. Less crowded than Tuscany, Umbria is known as the "Green Heart of Italy" for the olive groves and grapevines that flourish in its fertile soil. Follow SS71 to the town of Orvieto, which is dramatically situated high on a rocky precipice, and visible from miles around.

Leave Orvieto and head to Perugia through Assisi taking SS448 east to SS3 at Todi and continuing on SS3 to Spoleto, an ancient city with Roman ruins and a 12th century Duomo. Leaving Spoleto, drive north into Assisi, a hillside town with immaculately preserved medieval buildings. It was here that St. Francis (1182-1226) founded the religious order (the followers of which became known as Franciscans) and built the great St. Francis Basilica. From Assisi, head east on SS147 to SS298 into Perugia. The medieval architecture around the central square includes the formidable Palazzo dei Priori (Town Hall) and the 13th-century Fontana Maggiore (Great Fountain). The Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbda, on the third floor of the Town Hall, contains a fine collection of Umbrian art.

From Perugia head to Rome. Take SS3 South to Al. A good place to begin is in ancient Rome at the Colosseum, where the notorious gladiators engaged in their bloody battles. Completed in A.D. 80 by 20,000 slaves and prisoners, this four-tiered amphitheater held 50,000 spectators. Make sure to see the Baths of Caracalla and the Catacombs; the Roman Forum, just north of Palatine Hill; Palatine Hill, overlooking the Circus Maximus, from here there is a great view of the Colosseum and Forum; the Trevi Fountain, where visitors customarily toss a coin over their shoulder to ensure their return to Rome; and the Pantheon's dome.

Also don't forget to visit the artistic and architectural wonders within Vatican City, the papal residence for more than 600 years and a separate sovereign state covering 108 acres. Try to see the Vatican Museums for one of the world's richest collections of art, as well as the mastehy frescoes of the Raphael Rooms, the elaborately decorated Borgia apartments and the Sistine Chapel.

Next Head to Sorrento from Rome via Pompeii. Follow Autostrada A2 south across the mountains and valleys of Campania, then continue around the Bay of Naples to Ercolano, connecting with SSIS into Pompeii. This fabled city frozen in time, buried by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, A.D. 79. Excavations are still in progress in Pompeii, which offers a vivid look at what everyday life was like during the height of the Roman Empire. Head along SS145 to the coastal resort town of Sorrento. Surrounded on three sides by ravines above the sea, Sorrento is an ideal base for excursions along the coast.

From Sorrento you can head back to Florence along the Autostrada (A2 to A1).