“Road trips are the ultimate form of travel — complete freedom,” says Sebastian Canaves. His eyes sweep over the almost endless rich green of Ireland, the steep cliffs and finally out to the open sea. A stiff breeze blows into the face of the travel blogger, who is exploring the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland together with his partner Line Dubois and the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS.
Sebastian Canaves has travelled the world. He has already seen all the continents of this earth, visited more than 100 countries, and runs one of the most successful travel blogs in Europe with “Off the Path”. And yet, at this moment, you can feel how impressed he is by the natural force of Ireland and the ever-present expanse of the country.
“This is one of the most spectacular and beautiful road trips I know,” says the outdoor expert. He is referring to the Wild Atlantic Way. More than 2,600 km in length, this is one of the longest and oldest defined coastal roads in the world. From the far north and the sleepy villages of Donegal to the small coastal town of Kinsale in the south of County Cork, the road hugs the coast directly next to the ocean.
“A new adventure awaits around every corner” Sebastian Canaves
“A new adventure awaits around every corner,” says Canaves. Behind the wheel of the bright yellow 718 Cayman GTS, the focus will be on sporty driving for the blogger in the coming days. Here in particular, where twisting bends add a little extra excitement, the mid-engined sports car from Porsche is the perfect choice. Driving through enchanting small villages and lively towns, passing monumental historic buildings and countless herds of sheep while bright sunshine alternates with mythical fog, green Ireland shows its magical side.
Untamed nature has shaped the road over decades. The constant ebb and flow of the tides has moulded a deeply indented and wild landscape with towering cliffs, spellbinding bays and mystical islands. The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is also always an encounter with history. Between the Inishowen peninsula close to the Northern Irish border in County Donegal and Limerick, the ancient myths of the Celts and the language of Ireland are always present through the welcoming inhabitants.
“You can discover a country in your own way on a road trip. At your own speed. You can drive on when you feel like it, stop for a while, allow yourself to go with the flow and discover everything you want,” enthuses Canaves, as he begins his journey at the northernmost point of Ireland, Malin Head. His route will take him to almost poetical calm, crashing waves, green hills, grazing sheep, isolated lighthouses, enchanted country homes, sweeping coastal roads and the unique interplay of fascinating countryside and wild beauty.
Canaves loves adventure. And freedom. The Wild Atlantic Way and the 718 Cayman GTS are the ideal combination to make this perfect dream come true. From Derry through Letterkenny, to Belmullet and Westport and on to Galway and Castlemaine, the blogger travels on one of the most spectacular roads in Europe. Rocky. Isolated. Twisting. And free.
Sebastian Canaves' five must-see spots on the Wild Atlantic Way: