We would get a trip to Hawaii to cover the introduction of some new fangled thing or go along with a group of classic Porsche enthusiasts as they threaded their way through the back roads of Northern California.  Our coverage would be confined to reports on how the cars performed and about the history of the cars.  All the while we were zooming by some great scenery that was full of history.

Unfortunately, with so many of these trips you couldn’t stop to explore any of this because you had to hurry to get to the next stop.  This didn’t make any sense.  The cars had become a distraction instead of a way to increase our knowledge of the world.   Don’t get me wrong – I love cars but how many more reviews of the new turbo charged watchamacallit set against the splendors of the Canary Islands do we need? There are many dedicated practitioners of this art who really bring something to this mechanical party and we weren't sure what we could add.

But we did like the travel part.  Quelle dilemma.  Our solution --- create a travel show using what we love best, cars, and doing what they do best, driving.  We enlisted the support of hotels.com, got a Street Pilot GPS unit from Garmin, wrangled some cars from a few kindly auto companies PR folks and hit the road last Spring and Summer to produce thirteen shows we’re calling Great Drives. 

We think it’s the logical next step, a way to put those great cars on the road.  It’s a way to create an automotive adventure series that puts viewers in the driver’s seat for the ultimate road trips.  

Propelled by the lure of discovery and the freedom of the open road, we’ll show viewers the joys of quick escapes, weekend getaways and the trips of a lifetime – all filled with fascinating detours and soaked in history.   We set out and discovered breathtaking panoramas unfolding through the window of our great cars as the highways stretched out before us.  We roamed along back roads through places like the majestic Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Park, encountered the blue water splendor of Hana, Maui by taking the twisty Hana Highway, explored Florida’s mysteries along the Keys, then headed up the coast to St. Augustine, America’s oldest city (with a stop at the birthplace of speed – Ormond Beach), we got our kicks on the longest stretch of old Route 66 (with detours at Meteor Crater and the Grand Canyon), went searching for King Arthur in Wales and explored Europe’s wild West, the Scottish Highlands.

Everywhere we went we picked up unique recommendations for lodging, restaurants and places not to miss.  It was liberating to go wherever our imagination led and have the chance to behold wondrous vistas along the way.  In future seasons we’ll take this show on the road – and roam the famous by-ways of England, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Alaska and beyond.  Monet’s gardens at Giverny, the Chateaux of the Loire Valley, and the French Riviera will reveal their secrets as we share the places we love most.

Great Drives offers relief from the monotony of the daily commute and show people that driving is more than a chore – it can be the ticket to adventure and romance.  It’s about enjoying the ride.  We’ll rekindle America’s love affair with the automobile while we provide people with a chance to rediscover a great American pastime – the road trip. Great Drives – the name says it all. There are millions of miles of highway and countless numbers of experiences – all you have to do is turn the key and go. Viewers will be entertained and informed as they’re inspired to get out on the road. 

We invite you come along.  Take a look at some of the clips from our shows.  We’d love to hear about your great drives.