Holiday season has just begun, but do you want to do something different this year? Forget the beaches and hill stations and take your family out on a car-crazy trip. We list some of the best places to visit if you want to see and experience the finest automobiles and motoring-related activities in the world. Of course, this list is not exhaustive, but we have selected a handful of the more popular and accessible places
USA
Petersen Automotive Museum
Where is it?
Los Angeles, California
What’s it all about?
To put it simply, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a vast museum where a car-lover can spend hours, if not days, looking at the machines on display. Unlike other other museums where your kids may get bored, this one dedicates a whole floor to keeping them entertained, while educating them about cars. As for you, you get to see the evolution of the biggest car market in the world. Not just production cars, but outrageous concepts too. The permanent displays include cars from film and television plus the Hot Wheels hall of fame. Not to be missed if you love American Iron.
Don’t miss...
It’s not only about American cars. The “Sculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design” exhibition is going on currently.
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Carsland, Disneyland
Where is it?
Anaheim, California
What’s it all about?
Ever since we watched the Disney movie, Cars, we’ve wanted to drive down the historical Route 66 in hopes of running into the magical town of Radiator Springs. Instead of taking a trip down the now mostly deserted Route 66, though, you can just head down to Carsland, a full-size recreation of Radiator Springs and its surroundings, in Disney’s California Adventure. You can either choose to race against others on the banked scenic roads outside the town or pay a visit to Mater’s junkyard or Luigi’s tyre shop for some fun off the road. This is an experience no Cars fan can afford to miss.
Don’t miss…
The transformation of Radiator Springs at sundown.
UK
Haynes International Motor Museum
Where is it?
Somerset, Great Britain
What’s it all about?
When in doubt, people the world over have consulted Haynes Automotive manuals. But this is one Haynes you can visit. The Haynes museum features cars, motorcycles and racing machines from the early 1900s to the present day. And it’s not just exotic cars like Bentleys, Jaguars and Rolls-Royces. If you want to look at quirky automobiles, you’ll find them here, too. Like the ambulance from the popular movie Ghostbusters and the DeLorean DMC from the Back to the Future movies. The museum is divided into 10 halls with cars and motorcycles mostly arranged according to the era to which they belong.
Don’t miss...
The Red Room. This room is enough to make any automotive nut weep with joy.
It quite simply is a room that houses only exotic red sports cars — lots of them! From Ferraris and Porsches to rarer models like a flaming red Lamborghini Countach.
National Motor Museum
Where is it?
Hampshire, Great Britain
What’s it all about?
The National Motor Museum features 250 of the most significant cars in terms of automotive history, and also houses rare and path-breaking machines. The museum has the world land speed record-breaking 1925 350 bhp Sunbeam, and Donald Campbell’s Bluebird CN7. Children will like to see Mr Bean’s Mini and the Ford Anglia from the Harry Potter movies. The museum also features a rally car simulator ride and a go-karting rink too.
Don’t miss…
The collection of automotive literature and film that is regarded as one of the finest in the world. The rare automotive books and journals are a must-see.
EUROPE
Autostadt – Volkswagen Group
Where is it?
Wolfsburg, Germany
What’s it all about?
The Autostadt is the Volkswagen Group’s museum. It includes not just Volkswagens but all the brands under the Volkswagen umbrella, from Audi to Bentley to Bugatti and Lamborghini! Spread across 25 hectares, the Autostadt is not just a place for hardcore motoring enthusiasts but also an iconic place to visit for the sheer magnitude of history and diversity it accommodates. You must visit the classic car exhibition which hosts some of the rarest cars from the group, all in fresh-off-the-production-line state, of course. You can also view various works of art, films and the famous twin car towers.
Don’t miss...
The all-terrain track, where you can test your off-road driving skills at the wheel of one of Volkswagen’s many SUVs over a challenging 1 km course.
Mercedes-Benz Museum
Where is it?
Stuttgart, Germany What’s it all about?
The Mercedes-Benz Museum is, undoubtedly, the best place in the world to see for yourself the most comprehensive collection of cars from the three-pointed-star marque. Located right outside the Mercedes-Benz (Daimler) factory, the mammoth museum is an overwhelming experience for car lovers. The museum houses 160 vehicles — the finest production cars, concepts and legendary race winners. Mercedes-Benz provides audio tours of the facility in a number of languages and the amount of insight you can get into the marque is truly breathtaking. For those less interested in cars, the building is itself a masterpiece of architecture. Don’t miss…
The cars! Start with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing.
Porsche Museum
Where is it?
Stuttgart, Germany
What’s it all about?
The Porsche Museum is one of the most visually stunning museums in the world. That statement holds true for both the interior and the exterior. Opened to the world in 2009, the museum is host to a dramatic display of cars from the early days of this performance car manufacturer, leading to some of the most legendary race cars ever made by the marque. Detailed literature and archival material complement the automobiles on display, although the focus always stays on the automobiles. Porsche’s racing heritage, especially its Le Mans racers, will blow your mind.
Don’t miss...
The museum workshop. Want to watch a classic Porsche being restored? This is the place to be. BMW Museum
Where is it?
Munich, Germany What’s it all about?
In terms of sheer diversity of exhibits, the BMW museum takes the cake. This incredibly large (and sophisticated) property houses BMW’s iconic motorcycles, aircraft, engines, turbines, and of course, cars. For those who don’t know of a BMW beyond the swanky cars, the museum is a great place to learn more. Getting to see cars like the 507 roadster, the famous “Baroque Angels” and the iconic turbocharged Beemers is truly overwhelming, and with over 25 different exhibition zones and a number of audio-visual insights into the history of the BMW marque, this is definitely an automotive pilgrimage.
Don’t miss…
The many concept studies, aircraft and some stunning World War-era motorcycles.
WEST ASIA
Ferrari World
Where is it?
Abu Dhabi
What’s it all about?
All things Ferrari, that’s what. What more do you want from a holiday other than sun, sand and lots and lots of Ferraris? Among other attractions there, you can get a ride on the world’s fastest roller-coaster, take a trip down Ferrari’s past of both race cars and road ones, too, and find out how your favourite Ferraris are made. You can also enjoy a peaceful ride on a very detailed replica of a 250 GT while your kids race go-karts which look like F1 cars. This is the perfect vacation destination for a tifoso.
Don’t miss...
The tour, from intake to exhaust, of a giant V12 engine.
Bahrain GP
Where is it?
Sakhir, Bahrain
What’s it all about?
Formula 1 is a high-speed thrill, and not just for the drivers. If you’re an F1 buff and want to go see the cars in action this summer, head to Bahrain for the upcoming Bahrain GP, on April 20-22. It’s one of the most affordable and accessible grands prix for Indians; sure, there’s the Chinese Grand Prix coming up on April 13-15, but it’s a little too late for ticket booking. While Bahrain might not have the history associated with tracks like Europe, it always throws up an exciting race. And given the fact that the Red Bull Racing team isn’t dominating the sport at the moment, 2012 promises a thriller.
Don’t miss…
The drivers’ parade. It’s the only time you get to see F1 drivers going slow, as they are driven around in vintage cars and wave to the fans before the start of each race.