Timeless Book "Who Needs a Road?" Inspires Roadtrippers

One of the most ambitious overland journeys currently underway is The World By Road Expedition.

Americans Steve Shoppman and Steve Bouey, and a small and evolving crew of global wanderers they have picked up along the way, are aiming to drive through more than 80 countries in six continents in less than two years time.

Since starting the trip in Spring 2007, the TWBR team has taken their two 4x4 Toyota trucks into 50 countries in Asia, Europe Africa and South America, as well as Australia.

They are currently in Cali, Colombia arranging to have the trucks shipped around the Darien Gap and into Panama.  continue reading... »

Airstream Trailer Penthouses Top Hotel in South Africa

A new trailer park is opening in Cape-Town, South Africa.

Starting in mid December, guests at the Grand Daddy Hotel will have the option of staying in one of seven Airstream trailers that are parked on the building’s roof.

But if déclassé RV parks aren't for you, no need to worry. The owners of the boutique hotel are deeming the experiment to be “more trailer park flash than trailer park trash”.

This is because the lavish interior of each of the vintage silver bullets has been uniquely designed by a local artist. The decor in one of the suites, for example, was inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous 1969 "Bed-Ins For Peace" in Amsterdam and Montreal.  continue reading... »

VW Vagabonds Three-Year Odyssey

Name: Amanda and Richard Ligato
Roadtrippin Name: VW Vagabonds
Hometown: San Diego, California, United States

Road trip destination: United States, Mexico, Central America, South America and Africa

Inspiration for the trip: Seeing a billboard one day for the US$14.1 million California lottery and starting to think what they would do with their lives if they ever won it.

Number of years saving money for the trip: 6

Vehicle: 1978 VW Westfalia campervan
Date left home: September 2000  continue reading... »

"Wide-Eyed Wanderers" by VW Vagabonds

The VW Vagabonds - Richard and Amanda Ligato - have earned the title of senior spokespersons for the roadtrippin circuit.

Their epic three-year road trip saw them travel half way around the world in a 1978 VW Westfalia bus.

And after they finished driving and camping their way through North, Central and South America, and Africa, they settled down in Southern Africa to write a book chronicling their travels.

The fruits of their labours is Wide-Eyed Wanderers: A Befuddling Journey From The Rat Race to the Roads of Latin America & Africa ($18.95 plus shipping).  continue reading... »

Wicked Campers Worldwide

Wicked Campers is dedicated to making the roadtrippin experience happen in Australia.

As well as in New Zealand, the UK/Europe and, most recently, in Canada and Africa.

Started in 2001 by a Brisbane mechanic with 15 second-hand, graffiti-painted vans, Wicked Campers has grown to include nine locations across Australia, seven locations in the UK/Europe, three depots in New Zealand, as well as single depots in Canada (in Vancouver on West Hastings Street) and Africa (Botswana).  continue reading... »

Overland World Road Trip

Name: Felix Bergmeister
Hometown: Vienna, Austria
Former life: 10 times Ironman' ultra-triathlon winner

Road trip destination: Around the world

Age at start of road trip: 29
Date started dreaming about the trip: 9 years before taking off

Purpose of trip: raise awareness of, and funds for, UNICEF
Vehicle: R 80 GS Basic motorbike

Start of road trip: October 21, 2006  continue reading... »

Roadtrippin Africa

Name:Todd
Hometown: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada

Roadtrip Destination: Africa. Twice

Road Trip #1: February 1998 to June 1999
Vehicle: 1980 Toyota Hilux 4x4, converted into what the South Africans call a “Station Wagon” (Aka "Breakfast").
Countries driven through: Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Congo (illegally), Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar, Swaziland, Lesotho

Road Trip #2: January 2004 to June 2006
Vehicle: 1991 Toyota 4Runner (Aka "Too Much Sweet")  continue reading... »