These European islands launched 30 road trips — but the destinations are kept secret
The catch? Visitors don't know where the trips will take them.
The Danish archipelago's tourism board, Visit Faroe Islands, on Tuesday launched 30 itineraries that take travelers on self-guided driving tours. The tours are accessible via phone, but each stop is kept secret throughout the journey.
"You never know where you're going to end up, and none of the routes are published," said Marta Karadottir, the organization's content and communications manager. "We're trying to keep that kind of curiosity alive with travelers … [and] make traveling a little bit more unpredictable."
Travelers follow a designated route that ensures no other travelers show up at the same destination at the same time, according to a press release.
"We really want people to get that sense of … other-worldly places where you're alone and with nature," Karadottir said.
Journeys take visitors to small villages, lesser-known restaurants and lookout points, where travelers can stop, hike and spend time, according to a press release. Some of the itineraries take travelers from one island to another via ferry too, Karadottir said.
Each trip takes between three and six hours, depending on how long travelers want to spend at each stop, she said.
Trips, however, come with one caveat. Travelers must commit to completing the entire route, without deviating to popular tourist spots, she said.
"Instead of queuing up to take that one iconic picture, why not go to a place that's right next to it that you wouldn't know of … that is just as equally stunning," she said. "When you let go, you get surprised by something more beautiful, or something more real."
The guided trips, dubbed "Auto Odyssey," can be taken in travelers' own cars or via rented vehicles, starting at around $100 per day. Bookings can be made through Visit Faroe Islands.
Cradled between Iceland and Scotland, the Faroe Islands are known for their dramatic landscapes and off-grid appeal. The archipelago's population of 55,000 live on most of its 18 major islands, with 40% living in the capital city of Tórshavn, according to a governmental website.
Visitors can get to the Faroe Islands by taking a ferry from Iceland or Denmark, or by flying from mainland Europe, according to Visit Faroe Islands.
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