Around the World in Cars
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 3 years ago
5 min read
- Creative
- Travel
From the Italia 458 to the Hyundai Santa Fe, we're taking you on a journey around the world in cars this World Tourism Day.
Hopefully, the sunny beach holiday you’ve been dreaming of is right around the corner. But until then, we’ve set up a virtual trip around the world in cars to get you in the mood for travel.
Take me to...
UK
If a staycation is your cup of tea, we’ve got you covered. What better place to start than the capital? Incredibly, London’s Hackney Carriages can be traced all the way back to the 17th century.
The first taxi rank appeared in 1634 on the Strand (in those days the carriages were horse drawn), and since then, Hackney Carriages have become almost as iconic as the city itself.
Brazil
In a list of the top ten places we’d rather be right now, Brazil would definitely be up there.
Named after the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro - meaning ‘River of January’ - the Kia Rio has been on sale since 1999 and is now in its fourth generation. Supposedly, the car’s bodywork is composed of flowing lines just like a river...but we’ll let you decide on that one.
Either way, the car and its namesake both share one thing in common, which is their popularity. Every year, Rio de Janeiro’s famous carnival attracts almost five million visitors who flock to experience the extravagant dancing and music that has made this carnival the biggest in the world.
Rio is definitely up there on our travel bucket list. And while it’s slightly less flamboyant, we think the Kia Rio is a pretty good car too.
Monaco
Next, we’re heading to glamorous Monte Carlo. Every year in May, the Monaco Grand Prix attracts thousands of visitors - but does the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, named after this luxurious haven on the French Riviera, live up to the same impressive standards?
We certainly think so. Not only does the 1987 Monte Carlo boast an impressive NASCAR track record, which came to define the Cup Series for almost two decades, the 1995 version also enjoyed race track success up until 2007.
Spain
Sunbathing, sangria and the SEAT Ibiza.
Just as Ibiza is the most well known of the Balearic Islands, the fun and quirky Ibiza supermini is also the best-selling SEAT model that helped to put this Spanish car manufacturer on the map. It’s currently in its fourth generation, having been around for 37 years.
In 1996, 1997 and 1998 the SEAT Ibiza won the FIA rally championship, proving it’s just as fun as the island after which it’s named. It even has an engine that was developed with the help of Porsche.
America
New experiences in New Mexico.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is named after the capital city of New Mexico and has been dubbed by many as the perfect family car. Stylish and sturdy on the outside with a sleek yet spacious interior, this is an SUV that offers a lot but won’t cost the earth.
Whether you’re inspired by the expansive, rugged landscape of New Mexico or the legendary history and culture of Santa Fe itself, the Hyundai Santa Fe embodies the unique essence of this part of the world.
Italy
Like an ice cold Aperol spritz on a hot summer’s day, the Ferrari Italia 458 is a truly iconic symbol of Italian culture.
We all wish we were lounging on a boat around the Isle of Capri or winding our way along the maze-like canals of Venice, but since we’re actually stuck in the rainy UK, we’ll have to settle for admiring the artistry of the Ferrari Italia 458 instead. It’s sleek, stylish and super fast - no wonder the 458 has won over 30 international awards to date.
Looking for affordable car repairs or maintenance? Whatever you need, FixMyCar can help you find the right garage at the right price.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.