Dick Hannah Vancouver Collision Center

Top 5 International Roads

We all have those friends who live to travel and see the world. Then, we have those other friends who prefer to watch sports on the couch. Which one are you?

For those who wish they were Marco Polo and have a passion to visit amazing places all over the globe, you might be intrigued by our Top 5 List of International Roads. Each has its unique history and is legendary for its own reasons and that's why they made our list here at Dick Hannah Vancouver Collision Center.

1.) Amalfi Coast in Italy

Known for all of the quaint, little coastal towns including Positano and Ravello along the Amalfi Coast this road is all Italian! Named SS163, this crooked two-lane road squeezes against the with the beautiful Tyrrhenian Sea below. Tourists are often frightened by the heights and the crazy Italian drivers that speed all along SS163, so maybe when you visit, hire a driver.

2.)

That's right--it's a legendary racetrack that is also a public road.  This 12.93-mile loop also happens to be a toll road that anyone with a desire to speed can drive when no races are scheduled. The charismatic racer Jackie Stewart once referred to Nurburgring  as "the green hell," because it contains a wide range of potentially dangerous landmarks, including the Caracciola Karussell (the Carousel) and Flugplatz (aka "the Airport," for its propensity to send vehicles skyward). If you're not a seasoned racer, stay away from this road, because with 154 crazy curves, it is an accident waiting to happen.

3.) Ruta 40 in Argentina

Argentina's Ruta 40 is one of the longest highways on the planet, connecting 20 national parks with myriad passes through the Andes mountain range. If you don't have enough time to travel the  3,000 miles of this road, we suggest that you avoid the tourist-clogged southern stretch and check out the upperr part of Ruta 40, where it climbs as high as 16,000 feet above sea level.

4.) Khardung Pass in India

At a peak of 17,582 feet at it highest point, the Khardung Pass offers thrill seekers the highest altitude of any road anywhere. A caravan route traveled by mules and camels, this insane series of twists and turns has it all: glaciers, crevice-ridden peaks and a wide assortment of trucks, vans and buses. Inexperienced travelers will likely be amazed (and a little scared) by the Khardung Pass, but it's still on many peoples' bucket lists.

5.) Guoliang Tunnel Road, China

Certain roads gain worldwide acclaim for being dangerous, but the Guoliang Tunnel is best known for its overall visual impact. Located in the Henan province of China, the Guoliang Tunnel gets ohhs and aahs in literally every language. Chiseled into the the side of the Taihang Mountains, the Guoliang Tunnel Road is addicting for those searching for the next thrill!

Hopefully, one of these days we can venture away from Vancouver, WA and see the rest of the planet. But, in the meantime, we can still dream about these iconic roads and hope to see them sometime in the future, right?

Sources: Wikipedia, MSN and BBC