Best road trips for families including Star Wars sights in Ireland

From Star Wars sights in Ireland to the dense forests of Estonia

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland

The Ring of Kerry, one of the most scenic parts of the Wild Atlantic Way (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Despite its proximity and shared history, Ireland remains a misunderstood and neglected destination for most UK tourists. However, with several airports, an excellent road network and stunning coastal scenery, the 1,553 mile Wild Atlantic Way is a perfect way to introduce kids to the UK's closest neighbour, with several towns and cities along the route catering to families.

Where to fly into

A surprising number of airports connect the UK with the Wild Atlantic Way. Flying into Cork Airport in the south is a logical starting point. It's also possible to fly to Kerry Airport in the west or Shannon and Knock in the Midlands. However, if you want to enjoy the entire route, Cork is the ideal starting point, though flying to Dublin and driving west is a possibility.

Points of Interest

The Wild Atlantic Way stretches from County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland to Cork in the south and takes in the country's west coast and many of its most notable cities. The route is broken into five sections, each with numerous attractions of its own. For those with children, flying into the city of Cork is a good starting point. The city is small and easy to get around, and has a number of educational museums.

From Cork, take the road west to Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland's most scenic roads, with beautiful mountains and meandering roads. In recent years, it has begun to attract visitors in greater number after scenes from Star Wars films The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi were shot on the beautiful Skellig Islands, a former monastery seven miles offshore. Boat tours run from March to October and should be booked in advance. Other notable places of interest along the route include the beautiful Cliffs of Moher in Clare, and the city of Galway. Though small, it has a number of restaurants and cafes and is a good alternative to pricier, more crowded Dublin in the east.

Cuisine

Like the UK, Ireland has enjoyed a culinary renaissance in recent years, with a heavy emphasis on fish and seafood. Most towns, cities and villages have at least one decent restaurant or pub serving decent food, while the cities each have their fair share of high quality restaurants. Kenmare, in County Kerry, is particularly popular with foodies, while Idas Dingle, in the same county, celebrates the best produce of the Dingle Peninsula.

Things to note

Ireland's road system is much better than in previous years. Heavy EU investment links counties and cities far more efficiently than in the past. That said, the Wild Atlantic Way's windy roads can be misleading. While road quality is good, their meandering nature means it often takes far longer to get between places than a map would suggest. Extra caution should be exercised when driving in rainy conditions, which can be fierce at times with heavy sea breezes.

North Atlantic Coast – USA

(Getty Images/iStockphoto (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

At a time when the USA hits the headlines on a daily basis, a road trip to America with the family is an ideal way to learn more about this fascinating country. While a long route through the deep south or down California's Big Sur might suit couples, the North Atlantic Coast route has an excellent mix of educational and recreative activities for children, and is a great window into American culture.

Where to fly into

To do the road trip in the order listed below, the best option is to fly into Boston's Logan International Airport, which operates several direct flights to the UK with airlines including Delta, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, Norwegian, American and Air France.

Points of Interest

The city of Boston has enough to keep you entertained for weeks, but its highlights include the Freedom Trail to learn about the American Revolution, the Boston Red Sox and the New England Aquarium. From there, the route takes you to Newport in Rhode Island with its historic 19th-century mansions, the Big Apple and Philadelphia. Kids (and parents) will enjoy the city's famous Philly Steak, while the city of Brotherly Love is also home to the Liberty Bell and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Atlantic City's entertainment resorts might seem a little kitsch to parents but there is plenty to enjoy, and kids will love them, as well as Mount Vernon. George Washington's former plantation home, it has a farm with animals and guides dressed up in traditional 17th-century clothing.

Cuisine

Massachusetts is famous for its seafood, but if you have kids who aren't fans, there are plenty of alternatives, with each city boasting a number of laid-back eateries to cater for children and every taste.

Things to Note

American roads can get very busy, particularly the highways, but although they are well worn in various parts of the country, they are safe to use as long as you clue up on the rules of the road before your visit.

Tallinn & Lahemaa National Park – Estonia

Lahemaa National Park was the first park created in the Soviet Union in 1971 (Visit Estonia)

Estonia remains off the radar for most UK travellers but as of last year it has become easy to reach, with direct easyJet and British Airways to capital city Tallinn. Tallinn was made Lonely Planet's Best Value city for 2018, and as a country it has around 50 per cent forest, making it ideal for families wanting to get out into nature without sitting in a car for prolonged periods of time.

Where to fly into?

Both British Airways and easyJet traveller now operate direct flights between London and Tallinn.

Points of Interest

Known as a tech hub, Tallinn has a beautiful, cobblestone Medieval city centre. Kids will enjoy Olde Hansa, a restaurant where staff dress up in Medieval costume. Parents might find it a little kitsch, but the food makes up for it. From Tallinn, Lahemaa National Park is an easy, 45-minute drive and is famous for its lush forests. Head to Viru Bog, a 2.17 mile marsh and bog trail in the west of the park, before venturing to Käsmu Captains’ Village which has a nice maritime museum and sits beside the Baltic Sea. Travelling east along the coast you will find a number of charming little villages, or you can head back into the dense forest where, if you're lucky, you will spot bears, deer, foxes, lynxes and more. If you want to stay in the forest itself, Adami Guesthouse, on its eastern fringes, has warm wood-log fires, a sauna and a hygge-esque interior with books and boardgames to help parents and kids relax in retro style.

Cuisine

Estonia's cuisine is heavily influenced by neighbouring countries and those which have occupied it in the past, and as such it has similarities to Russian, German, Latvian and Lithuanian cuisine, though in recent times Scandinavian influences have become prominent. There are several great restaurants in Tallinn and nearby including NOA, though families may want to check out more affordable eateries in the city centre and hip Kalamaja district.

Things to Note

A success story of the post-Soviet era, Estonia is a thriving economy and its road system is both extensive and good quality. Spring and summer are the best times to give children a chance to run around in the dense forest, though do note that most forested areas have specific hiking trails which guests must follow rather than going 'off-track'.

The Faroe Islands

Mulafossur Waterfall on the island of Vagar is one of the Faroe Islands' most beautiful spots (Kate Chapman)

With direct flights from Edinburgh and Copenhagen, the Faroe Islands are far more accessible now than in previous years. Though a trip to the unique archipelago will take a little extra organisation, it does offer families a chance to spend a night in either the Scottish or Danish capitals before heading to a place famed for its stunning waterfalls, remote natural beauty and excellent seafood.

Points of Interest

Visitors to the Faroe Islands tend to travel around by car, taking in the mountain scenery and breathtaking coastal roads. With most towns and villages within 45 minutes to an hour of each other, there is plenty to see and do without running the risk of children getting bored.

The villages of Saksun and Gjógv are particularly beautiful, as is Gásadalur with its famous waterfall. Children will love to run around between the hobbit-like grass covered houses of Old Town, while Torshavn, the pocket-sized capital, has a number of nice cafes and shops where you can buy knitted wear. The islands Mykines and Suðuroy can be reached by ferry for overnight stays, while its also possible to enjoy horse riding excursions on either Faroese or Icelandic horses with a backdrop of mountains and fresh air.

Cuisine

Eating out in the Faroe Islands isn't cheap and is something to take into consideration when thinking about a family road trip here, but if you do decide to go, there are a surprising number of excellent restaurants for such a small country. Koks is the most famous, after winning a Michelin star in 2016, but sushi restaurant Etika is excellent for fresh seafood, while Ræst specialises in fermented food, a Faroese speciality. If that seems a little challenging for young ones, other options include Barbara Fish House and Aarstova.

Things to Note

Roads in the Faroe Islands are good quality and much investment has been made in their infrastructure . There are two sub-sea tunnels connecting the country's larger islands and while they may seem daunting, they are safe to use and open up previously difficult-to-reach areas of the country. One connects the western island of Vágar (Airport) to the island of Streymoy and capital city Tórshavn), while the other sub-sea tunnel connects the northern island of Borðoy (with second city Klaksvík) to the island of Eysturoy and the town of Leirvík. They cost DKK 100 (approx £11) to use and payments can be made online. There are also a few tunnels in the country which are only one way. With a limit of 5mph, the tunnels have numerous pull-in points to allow oncoming traffic to pass, though it can take a short while to get through them and should be avoided if you have children who are afraid of the dark.

Portugal

Porto is full of chilled-out charm, particularly in the old town (Getty/iStockphoto)

In recent years, the Portuguese cities of Lisbon, and to a lesser extent Porto, have become popular city break destinations, while the Algarve remains a favourite of families and beach lovers. However, with its relatively small size, Portugal makes for an ideal road trip, its nature appealing to kids and parents alike, and the hospitality of the people certain to make for a memorable holiday.

Where to fly into

This route can be done from north to south or vice versa, with flights from the UK flying into both Porto and Lisbon.

Points of Interest

Little legs may struggle with hilly Porto, but there are plenty of family friendly restaurants to rest, and kids will instantly forget long walks when tucking into francesinha, a sausage, ham and cheese filled sandwich best enjoyed in Porto.

Then drive south to Figueira da Foz, a city with close proximity to a number of quiet beaches which kids will love. A little further south are the towns of Peniche or Ericeira which also have great beaches and schools where young ones can take up surfing and other watersports for the first time.

Should you want to extend your road trip further, Lisbon is the next stop. Again, while kids might baulk at the hilly roads, they'll quickly forget their troubles when tucking into nata (custard tarts) at Pasteis de Belem, while they'll also love the meandering tram rides through Alfama and Mouraria.

Cuisine

Portuguese cuisine is varied, with hearty, meat based dishes favoured in the north, seafood in the south. While kids might find some of the local specialities rather challenging, there are many different types of restaurants, especially in cities, catering to every taste. Parents will also enjoy wines of the Duoro Valley, particularly port, the country's speciality.

Things to Note

Roads in Portugal are well developed and safe, though in the mountain regions they can be particularly narrow and meandering, and are recommended for confident drivers only.