WITH the end of the year being just two months away, many families would have already started planning their year-end vacation. As this time also coincides with the school holidays, such a getaway gives the family a great opportunity to cherish their moments together and bond, as they look forward to another fruitful year ahead.

While some families may prefer to experience a wintery wonderland in cooler climes, many still find it worthwhile to bundle their loved ones into their vehicles and go on road trips, driving through highways that will take them on their very special Cuti-cuti Malaysia.

Some families or groups of friends even plan short jaunts to places just two hours away for a weekend, or to outlying small towns just beyond the KL city limits like Sekinchan or Cameron Highlands to experience a different, even quieter way of life.

So, if you live in the Klang Valley, you can take a two hour-drive northwards where you can get to Kuala Kubu Baru, with its quaint shophouses from the turn of the century selling enticing cakes and wholesome local dishes. There you can also enjoy the many hot springs within that town to soak in.

Drive a bit farther to the east uphill and you’ll arrive at the Sungai Selangor Dam, which has several vantage points with spectacular views of the surrounding hillsides as their slopes meander down to the lapping waves.

An idyllic sunset in Sekinchan, Selangor.

Go farther on for about 31km you’ll arrive at the pass on the Titiwangsa mountain range, where you can either proceed up to Fraser’s Hill or to follow the highway till you get to Raub and the East Coast of the peninsula.

Travel north-east from Kuala Lumpur for about an hour and you’ll get to Bentong where you’ll find generous offerings of durian during its fruiting season, as well as explore the charming atmosphere of a bygone era that the place exudes.

Durian runs in Bentong, Pahang, is easily achieved via a safe and easy drive from Kuala Lumpur along the E8 highway. –file pix

The more adventurous types might even consider driving off the beaten track, in search of that hidden town that might end up a gem that once exposed, all weekend vacationers will include in their list of destinations.

Or take a nice cruise on the North-South Expressway and go north to Ipoh for its limestone caves or even farther up to Penang for its hawker food stalls or even Perlis. Down south, you can explore the sights and sounds in Seremban, Melaka and Johor.

And what better way to travel all over the peninsula than a reliable car that is economically sound and safe.

It isn’t surprising that Honda cars are consistently listed high in terms of reliability, which has been its hallmark since the early 70s.

Since the company – which began after World War II manufacturing motorcycles – started producing automobiles in 1973, it has stood out for its car’s economical fuel consumption as well as ensuring drivers have a sound driving experience, as mentioned by the US Consumer Reports.

With its comfortable capacious interior, exceptional handling and its award-winning safety features, Honda makes the perfect vehicle for weekend road trips.

Because of such dependability, the Honda would indeed fetch a good resale value with excellent investment potential. With eight solid models that cater to any potential car owner, Honda certainly provides value for money choices coupled with a sturdy performance.

The month of November is also a perfect time as Honda is presenting its HOT list, or rather, its Honda Outstanding Treats, which rewards buyers of any of its six models amazing rewards when they drive off any Honda model as their new car.

And for each of the model they choose as their own, they’ll get to enjoy both a year-end bonus gift as well as a service voucher or a cash option and a free gift to boot.

The full list of rewards you can receive can be found on Honda’s promotions website.