Scenic Highways for the Soul: Journeys That Matter More Than Destinations
Is it the Journey or is it the Destination?
Eventually, you will discover a subtle reality: the journey itself holds greater significance than the final destination. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “It’s not the destination; it’s the journey,” and once you’ve been on the road for some time, you’ll start to feel the weight of those words.
If you’re driving for the purpose of enjoying one of the scenic highways in the world, then every mountain pass, shifting coastline, or glowing desert will serve to reinforce this idea. Maybe the destination is a hotel, but it’s the journey toward it that makes lasting memories. For example, some travelers in the Middle East choose to rent supercar Dubai to turn a simple trip into moments caught in time, especially when planning their travel one of the scenic highways.
Why the Road Matters More Than the Arrival
Exploring the Most Scenic Highways
Embark on an adventure through breathtaking landscapes by driving along the most scenic highways across the globe. Each route offers a unique experience, showcasing nature’s beauty and the joy of the journey.
If you enjoy driving long distances, then there are probably some that were memorable. Perhaps they occurred in Tuscany or along the Pacific Coast Highway. The scent of grapevines or a fresh breeze carrying the smell of salt water can take you back to a specific stretch of road where its shifting beauty becomes part of you.
By the time you have to stop, your final destination feels secondary and almost insignificant. It’s a universal feeling and the same for a traveler in Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Americas.
From the winding mountain roads of Oaxaca to the palm-lined highways of Cancún, where turquoise waters shimmer beside the asphalt, every journey tells its story. They will all tell you the same thing: the true joy came during the ride. They will all tell you the same thing. The joy was experienced during the journey.
Villages slip by, clouds rearrange themselves, and sunny skies turn to darkness, all to the steady beat of the tires on the asphalt. In such moments, you feel more awake than ever.
Routes That Breathe Life Back Into You
Discovering wonderful and breathtaking roads is abundant. In fact, many scenic highways are within an hour of where you’re sitting reading this. Some better-known favorites include
- Puebla – Oaxaca (Tehuacán – Cuicatlán), Mexico – Driving through this stretch feels like crossing worlds: dry cactus-studded valleys provide way to lush greenery, with winding roads that seem to dissolve into the horizon. Every turn reveals a new landscape. Driving this route is basically like driving on a European Autobahn, containing scenic highways and very well lit, safe Toll roads
- The Scottish Highlands, Europe -With mists curling over the hills covered in heather, the winding roads take you down to Lochs where castles suddenly loom out of the stillness and then disappear.
- Chiapas (Tapachula – San Cristóbal de las Casas), Mexico – From steamy lowlands and coffee plantations to cool mountain air, this journey takes you through jungle canopies, colonial towns, and views that seem painted with every shade of green. Mountains, waterfalls, and animals. This route is the best of the scenic highways in Mexico, in my opinion. Rent a car in Chiapas and don’t miss San Cristóbal!
- The Pacific Coast Highway, USA – Driving along California’s coast, with your elbow out the window and cliffs on one side while the shimmering blue Pacific is on the other. This is one of the best coastal scenic highways in the US. It feels like being in a Hollywood movie as you drive along these sections of scenic highways.
Coming Back to Dubai
Then there are different types of journeys: scenic highways and stretches of two-lane roads, along with roads that are away from the quiet countryside and built on modern luxury. The city of Dubai is a driver’s paradise with wide streets and roads built for speed, comfort, and the thrill of new destinations. With Trinity Car Rental, you can live the dream. Whether it’s driving an exotic sports car along the coastal roads or a luxury SUV up into the dunes, there’s a memorable trip just around the next corner.
We guarantee a secure and modern driving experience with our fleet of over 80 prestige vehicles, all with minimal mileage and many 2024 models. Moreover, we can deliver your hire car to any location, including your downtown office, hotel, or airport. With no deposit required, payment options include cash, cards, or crypto. Coming with the gift of a full tank of fuel, it’s the perfect way to start your next adventure.
Feeling the Road in Style
There’s no feeling quite like an evening cruise along Sheikh Zayed Road in a prestige car rental. In front of you, the desert lies stretched out to the darkening horizon. Behind you, Dubai’s lights shimmer in your rearview mirror. Lower the windows or roof to feel the fresh breeze tingling on your skin. In these moments, the final stop of a restaurant or hotel loses all importance.
Living in the moment, you feel the engine, enjoy a quick glance at the person sitting next to you, or simply feel lost in the vastness of the Arab night. A luxury car rental in Dubai turns every moment into a story. On a practical level, every car comes with a 300 km daily limit, with all tolls, full insurance, and VAT included in the price. And If you need a driver, simply ask your dedicated rental manager for one.
Much like Dubai, Cancún has also become a global hotspot for luxury car rentals, but here the setting is the Caribbean coast instead of the desert. In Cancún, travelers can swap desert highways for palm-lined roads, cruising past turquoise waters and luxury resorts in exotic sports cars or premium SUVs. Both cities offer not just a vehicle but an elevated travel experience where the drive itself becomes the highlight of the journey—whether under the starry Arabian sky or along Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
Stories from the Road
Despite the potential for memorable drives in the city, the bustling activity prevents you from fully unwinding and enjoying the journey. However, directing the car’s bonnet towards the countryside offers an entirely distinct experience. AAs the car blends into the scenery, you become one with the landscape.
Rather, it can amplify the experience, as you’ll feel like a million dollars during the journey, and it’s the same story wherever you choose to stop. Although the car forms a part of the memory, it doesn’t take away from the scenic highways’ surroundings.

The Emerson Reminder
Ralph Waldo Emerson was indeed correct. A destination merely represents a point on a map where you will ultimately arrive. It’s the road that carries you there that matters. In some ways, this is the route you will always carry within yourself. Your memories build upon the scenery, the pauses along the way, and the tiny details.
Whether you’re threading through a tiny Asian mountain pass, tracing the edge of a European lake, or driving a premium car down Dubai’s boulevards, it all leads to the same place. Our collection of small, vivid snapshots brings us true happiness as they forever echo through our lives.
11 Big Discounts Are Available for Readers Who Finish This Article! Which Partner Discounts Will You Use?
🏨 What’s the best way to find accommodation in Mexico?
Expedia.com is wonderful specifically for reserving high-end luxury hotels and resorts and is by far the best for reserving flights. Booking.com is awesome for affordable hotels in Mexico. VRBO specializes in apartment and house rentals, making it a wonderful place to find long-term stays.
✈️ What’s the best way to find affordable flights?
In my experience traveling to and within Mexico, I LOVE Expedia.com because they simplify rate comparisons between different airlines. I’ve always come back to Expedia.com because of how wide the selection is of airlines to choose from that go to Mexico. Great pricing is another reason, too!
💸 How should I exchange money in Mexico?
Have you ever heard of the company named WISE? WISE is an app that offers the best solutions for individuals and businesses traveling internationally, providing the fastest and most cost-effective way to convert money into a foreign country’s local currency. It is the least expensive and fastest way to transfer money from your home country’s bank to one in a foreign country.
🚖 How do I find a safe airport transfer?
I recommend GetYourGuide.com for airport transfers anywhere in Mexico. It’s almost as excellent and simple to use as Uber, in my humble opinion. I’ve used them LOTS.
🚗 What’s the best way to find rental cars in Mexico?
I recommend Booking.com. What I’ve found is that their price comparison tool is updated multiple times daily, making it easy to find and prepare to snag the best deal possible because of the inclusion of fire sale types of discounts.
Other companies don’t include these short-lived discounts in their price comparison because they sync once a day (typically overnight) with each rental car company. The Booking.com tool for comparing rental car prices is what I use for car rentals in Mexico. I’ve yet to have complaints about them.
🚐 How do I book bus tickets online in Mexico?
Book your tickets with Busbud—the site is in English and takes foreign credit cards.
🤿 How do I find cool activities and tours in Mexico?
TripAdvisor is the usual website and service I use for finding fun things to do; it has great options and it’s much faster to book with them since they organize their personalized recommendations for you if you’re signed in.
🇲🇽 How can I experience Mexico like a local?
Travelers can hire a local guide through GetyourGuide.com. You’ll be able to tailor tours based on your interests—it’s basically like experiencing a destination with a local bestie!
🧳 What’s the best luggage for Mexico?
Unless you’re staying at a resort, a travel pack is recommended. I’ve used travel backpack from Osprey for the last 8+ years.
👯♀️ How do I connect with fellow travelers in Mexico?
Join my Female Travelers in Mexico Facebook group, a supportive community of fellow Mexico travel enthusiasts, where you can find answers to all your travel questions!
✈️ Janine, How can I make a website like JanineintheWorld.com?
BigScoots.com is who I use for managing my WordPress website (which they help you make changes to and teach you as part of their service).
Use the coupon code JANINE2025 for a 15% discount on any product or service that they have. They’re really the best-managed WordPress hosts out there. This website is significantly superior to both WPengine and Bluehost.
I absolutely LOVE BigScoots. The support team at BigScoots is always available to help me with the free WordPress site they set up for me and even assisted in setting up my email! It’s the best website hosting provider with the best prices.
I assure you that you’ll love them too! What can I say? We are a company powered by WordPress.
Learning more about WordPress and WordPress plugins that basically do the work for you, especially nowadays with AI at your side.
If I can do it and make a living, then you can too! Purchase the WordPress entry level plan if you want the best WordPress support that has ever existed. It’s like getting a custom Louis Vuitton purse and picking it up at the factory.
Join my Female Travelers in Mexico Facebook group, a supportive community of fellow Mexico travel enthusiasts, where you can find answers to all your travel questions!


![8 Uniquely Memorable Things To Do In Cozumel: Travel Guide [2025] Janine perched on top of a jeep on cozumel with the cerulean caribbean sea in the background](https://www.janineintheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cozumel_janine-jeep-768x576.jpg)




