In a matter of weeks, So Where Next will be on the ground in the USA, joining in on the country's biggest travel media event, IPW. We're already in a United States state of mind, sharing eight of the greatest road trips you can take nationwide. Being one of the most accessible ways to travel, the humble road trip has mass appeal.

On the other end of the scale, there are the experiences that are so indulgent, so exclusive, that only a handful of people in the world will ever get to do them. Take, for example, the Veuve Clicquot Solair journey. It's unknown how much the trip from Reims to the Åland Islands costs, but if a rare tasting of ocean-cellared champagnes is the pinnacle, we're willing to bet this is one for those with a caviar and diamond budget.

Finally, grab a tea and cosy up to enjoy a first-hand account of a sprawling stay in one of Western Australia's most beautiful beachside towns.

UNITED STATES

Eight of the best road trips in the United States

The vastness of the USA makes it an ideal country to see by car, with roads leading you to anywhere you could imagine. Along these roads, hidden gems and untouched beauty are waiting. From Michelin-star restaurants to cliffside luxury resorts and chic experiences, here’s your guide to the best road trips in the United States. And, no, don’t worry. You won’t have to compromise on the finer things in life.

FRANCE

Veuve Clicquot’s Solaire journey to the ‘Cellar in the Sea’ is an oenological experience like no other

To make champagne, a Maison must follow a complex set of rules. That long list certainly doesn’t include a caveat to age the bottles under the sea.

But, revered Maison, Veuve Clicquot, is bending the long-standing champagne laws with its oenological experiment some 40 metres below the Baltic Sea. The discovery of 168 near-perfect condition bottles on a sunken wreck off the coast of Finland in 2010 sparked the Maison’s most ambitious project yet — a 50-year ageing experiment in its Cellar in the Sea.

AUSTRALIA

Australia’s most vibrant pink lakes and where to find them

While Australia is filled with mind-blowing aquamarine coastlines, few compare to the pink hues of the pink lakes around Australia. From coastal Western Australia to inner city Melbourne, the pink lakes are an unmissable attraction. 

These bubblegum-coloured basins will make you wonder just how they get this glorious hue. The lakes turn so pink because of the algae that grow in them, the most common algae being Dunaliella salina and Halobacterium cutirbrum. With salinity almost as high as the ocean and the bright Australian sun shining down, the algae take on a pink pigment called beta-carotene. 

AUSTRALIA

Space and seclusion: Roo Corner is the epitome of laid-back luxury

My hands are curled around a steaming mug of tea, the gentle warmth of the morning sun rousing me from my sleepy state. It’s a crisp and clear morning, typical of late summer and early autumn in southern Western Australia. I take a sip from my mug, and over the rim, I lock eyes with our neighbours. They’ve been milling about on our lawn since daybreak, and I have absolutely no intention of asking them to leave; it’s rather a joy watching them.

At least ten kangaroos are grazing just beyond our patio; flyers, joeys, and muscular boomers. It’s a flyer and her joey that I’ve drawn the attention of, but they’re seemingly unperturbed by my presence. Slowly, they get through their mouthful of grass and hop along a few inches in search of another. 

Destination of the week

Buena Vista, Colorado

Often referred to as the USA's whitewater rafting capital, the charming town of Buena Vista, Colorado, is an outdoor adventurer's wonderland. Helmet up and take to the turbulent waters of the Arkansas River for a thrilling ride, snow-shoe through the deep, fluffy snow at Monarch Mountain, or climb to an elevation of 14,000ft and conquer a summit in the fringing Sawatch Mountain Range.

It's just as well the town is also known for its hot springs because a good soak is in order post an action-filled day. Submerge yourself in the steaming pools at the Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort and enjoy the sight of the snow-dusted mountains and frozen river in the distance. Though Buena Vista is small, it has some prime local watering holes. Take, for instance, The Jailhouse and The Lariat, both taking pride in their local beer taps and fresh menus. After a long day, a beverage and some jalapeño cornbread are just the ticket.

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