Are you planning a trip? The data suggests you are – with a survey by Bridgestone Potenza showing that 75% of people are more likely to take a vacation because of Covid-19. I can’t blame you – even after the world travel bans started to lift and local lockdowns were relaxed, the thought of jumping on a plane full of strangers doesn’t seem so appealing to me. . Instead, I would suggest loading up the car and heading to the best driving routes in the UK, many of which offer the perfect blend of nature, adventure and luxury.

In the name of science, Bridgestone provided me with a car, a new set of Potenza Sport tires and an itinerary to see what the UK has to offer. Where did I end up going? With high temperatures and sunny weather, there was no better place to visit than the Isle of Wight, which not only has a varied coastline of cliffs, coves, sandy beaches and rock pools, but also has some of the best roads in the country. .

Of course, before you get to the island itself you need to make your way to the ferry terminal on the south coast, and rather than bombarding the highway we suggest you take a scenic drive through North Wessex. Downs and the South Downs.

I stopped at White Horse Hill for a short circular walk, then stopped again at the Vyne National Trust Estate – a former Tudor powerhouse turned into a 17th century family home. This is the perfect place for a lunch break at the estate’s café, followed by the opportunity to explore the house set in gardens, woods and wetlands.

Back on the road, it’s time to take a little detour to Godalming along the ‘Hidden Hampshire’ roads (A283 & A285). These winding, winding roads lead you to Petworth and Portsmouth, where you can board the car ferry to the Isle of Wight. After the short 30 minute crossing, I headed straight for the hotel to recharge for the next day.

I stayed at Lakeside Park, a contemporary upscale hotel with spa facilities, an outdoor thermal garden, and marked walking and biking trails around the grounds. This is just one of the luxury options on the Isle of Wight, you can also try the elegant George Hotel or the opulent Haven Hall.

(Image credit: Getty)

After a quiet start the next day, it was time to test the new Bridgestone tires. The next-generation Potenza Sport is a premium, high-performance sports tire that aims to deliver optimum performance in the dry and exceptional control in the wet.

My journey started taking in the sea views from Ryde, looking north across the Solent to the Portsmouth skyline, then following the coastal road, via Bembridge onto Shanklin China. It was the perfect place to stop for a short break, build in time to admire Bali’s natural gorges nestled into the coast.

Back in the car, my trip around the island continued along Military Road, which was built by prisoners of war during WWII. Here I was able to really explore the tire grip along the smooth, hilly coastal road with stunning coastal views.

After a lively drive along Military Road, I headed to the westernmost tip of the island to see The Needles rock formations, Trinity Lighthouse, and the multicolored sands of the Alum Bay Cliffs.

From there I traveled a little further along the coast and had lunch at The Hut in Compton Bay, which serves fresh seafood in a setting that looks more like the Mediterranean than in the UK. .

After lunch, I enjoyed a leisurely drive back through the impressive arched woods and incredible rolling hills of Middle Road.

Have we inspired you to escape to the Isle of Wight? You can plan your trip using the Visit Isle of Wight website and if you need new tires for your trip the Bridgestone Potenza Sport has served us very well.

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