Driving holidays
Driving holidays guarantee the freedom to travel as and when you wish, taking in great scenery and stopping off at leading cities, historic landmarks and cultural hot spots along the way.
Driving holidays can be adventurous and spontaneous – or carefully planned with itineraries. You may be taking your own car through the Channel Tunnel or by ferry to mainland Europe and travelling onwards from there. Some choose to hire a car on arrival at an airport, but by booking an organised driving holiday all accommodation can be pre-booked and you’ll be provided with route maps and driving advice.
Is it for me?
Driving holidays are ideal for those who enjoy the open road and like to explore in comfort. Such holidays provide the ultimate means of exploring a whole country, or if you prefer, one particular region. Most driving holidays take you on international driving experiences across some of the best roads located among some of the world’s most scenic destinations.
It's an affordable and practical way to spend time with the family, have some one on one time with your partner or turn it into a fun road trip with a small group of friends.
Driving holidays can also be enhanced by hiring an unusual vintage car, such as a Chrysler convertible or a Ford Mustang.
Where to go?
There are plenty of options dependant on your personal tastes, ideas include; French countryside, the glacial mountains of Norway, or taking a scenic road trip around Cork and Kerry in Ireland. For wilder, more demanding driving, how about a four-wheel drive adventure in Iceland, Turkey or Croatia?
In France, Italy and Spain driving holidays can utilise the many holiday parks and camp sites they have to offer, where accommodation and facilities can be pre-booked.
America is the most popular destination for long-haul ‘fly-drive’ holidays, which involve driving along the USA's famous highways, such as Route 66, or along the Florida Keys. Australia and New Zealand also make excellent driving holidays, allowing you to cover many different landscapes in a short space of time.
Top tips
- Reduce chances of breaking down by having your car serviced before you go
- Contact your insurer to make sure that you have adequate cover for driving abroad. Some companies limit comprehensive cover to a fixed number of days abroad in one trip
- Make sure you take your driving licence and motor insurance certificate.
- Familiarise yourself with the motoring laws of the country you will be driving in by checking with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In some countries you are required to keep emergency items in the vehicle at all times.
- Take turns driving – it’s a safe and fair way to travel and gives everyone an equal chance to rest and take in the surrounding scenery.
- On long journeys supplies and planning is important – take medication, first aid items and plenty of water with you.