Top Destinations: Car Rental

South Africa

Tour Driving holiday in South Africa

Rated as the top destination in the world for a tour driving holiday, The Garden Route along South Africa's southern most coastline, is a secret place where unmatched luxury exists in one of the world's most spectacular settings. It is a slender stretch of coastal plain that between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth that can be driven in a leisurely ten day trip. The Garden route bears a legendary status as South Africa's paradise - reflected in local names such as 'Garden of Eden' and 'Wilderness'. This soft, green, forested swath of nearly 200 km is cut by rivers from the mountains to the north, tumbling down to its southern rocky shores and sandy beaches.

Wildlife-spotting, deserted sandy beaches, sheltered lagoons, bush land and mountain passes: this stretch of the Western Cape coastline is an area of spectacular natural beauty. And with outdoor sports including the world's highest bungie jump at Bloukrans bridge, and delicious local food, there's plenty of entertainment along the way.

Apart from the Garden route, South Africa as a whole has a comprehensive road network that crosses kilometres of beautiful countryside and makes driving and travelling a pleasure. Driving is on the left, the roads are good and all the road signs are in English. Car rental is straightforward and a self drive tour gives you the flexibility to enjoy the day as you want unconstrained by a set itinerary… the freedom to travel at your own pace.

If you prefer to join a tour group, there are numerous companies who will also craft a vast number of self drive holidays individually, taking a detailed brief from you.

The main driving routes around the country include the N1 between Johannesburg and Cape Town, the N7 that goes from Cape Town to Springbok and Namibia and the N2 that goes along the Cape Garden Route from Cape Town to Durban and further towards Swaziland. The N3 connects Johannesburg with Durban and the N4 Johannesburg and Kruger Park.

Austria

Rated as one of our top ten tour driving destinations, Austria is perfect for a driving holiday - although we cannot say it can properly experienced from the back seat of a car! Savouring the view, taking your time, and going where you want to go, are three top reasons to see Austria by car. Drive up into the mountains, glide through pretty Austrian villages, descend to the lakes and forests on the lowlands. Whatever you want to see, you are the master of your holiday, and taking a car journey through Austria couldn’t be easier. With clear and well-maintained roads, you can drive at your own pace and soak in the sights. Just remember that in Austria you drive on the right, seatbelts are compulsory, children under 12 must not ride in the front seats, and speed limits are taken very seriously, with on-the-spot fines for drivers who do not comply. Expect to drive at around 50km/h through towns, 100km/hour on the open roads, and 130km/hour on the motorways.

Switzerland

Rated as one of the top destination for a tour driving holiday, Swizterland's Grimsel Pass is a Swiss high Apline mountain pass between the valley of the Rhone River and the Haslital. Here you can explore some magnificent mountain country at the eastern end of the Bernese Alps. With many of the most scenic places quite out of the way, driving and touring around Switzerland is a good option. As long as you are prepared for some winding mountain roads, there is much to recommend taking a touring holiday in Switzerland, but be aware that in the winter many roads and passes may be closed or at the least less passable because of the snow. In spring, summer and autumn, by all means take yourself off in the car in Switzerland, but remember to buy your Swiss motorway vignette before you go. You must pay to use motorways in Switzerland.

If you hire a car in Switzerland, the vignette should be already attached to the windscreen. Behind the wheel of your car in Switzerland, you’ll have the chance to experience fantastic mountain scenery, beautiful lakeside views, stop off for walks in alpine meadows, and join scenic railway trips.
 

San Francisco

The Pacific Coast Highway – is one of America's most scenic drives. For visitors touring California, taking this road between San Francisco and Los Angeles opens up a variety of coastal scenery, from rugged sea cliffs and pounding surf to nature preserves and rural towns a world away from their big-city anchors.

This 485-mile Pacific Coast Highway drive is not the fastest route between these cities. Allow at least two days to include a minimum of sightseeing, more if you plan to linger along the way. Here are some of the highlights on the northern stretch between San Francisco and Monterey.

Beaches: Leaving San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway, the urban sprawl of the Bay Area gradually gives way to the freedom of the ocean road. A string of state beaches hugs the coast along Highway 1, beginning at Pacifica and running south to Pillar Point Harbor, a natural harbor and former whaling station.

Wide sandy beaches stretch for four miles along Half Moon Bay, an old agricultural town which hosts an Art and Pumpkin Festival every October. Further south, Pescadero is another quaint farming town with whitewashed churches and buildings.

In between are more sandy beaches backed by rocky bluffs, and idyllic coves with roaring surf, tidepools and lagoons. Sea lions can often be seen offshore from the lighthouse at Pigeon Point.
 

Italy

Italy's Northern Lakes shimmer in an area of outstanding natural beauty spanning over regions. Featuring the lakes of Garda, Como, Maggiore and the less-touristy Iseo, the alluring lakes won't fail to please on a tour driving holidayr, from moorish wine and picturesque villages to mountainous backdrops and striking gardens. The most Eastern of the Italian lakes is Lake Garda, and the most popular tourist draw.

Tour Lake Garda if you want to sample scenery and cultural diversity or spend warm, sun-blessed days taking boat trips across the lake. Lake Como is widely regarded as the prettiest lake, the sparkling gem of which is Bellagio, deemed the most beautiful town in Italy, and Lake Iseo lies in the one of the best wine growing areas in the North with vineyards and cellars for exploration in abundance.

The Lake Maggiore Express departing from Domodossola makes an excellent day trip, taking a romantic path through the winding Centovalli (100 Valleys) to Locarno in Switzerland. From there hop on the boat to Stresa, taking in the Borromeo Islands along the way. No wonder Italy is on our top ten list for tour driving destinations!

South of France

The South of France offers some spectacular scenery for a perfect touring/driving holiday. Long winding roads which lead you through lavender fields and vineyards on your way to ancient hilltop villages, or the rugged surroundings of the several national parks in the area will satisfy anyone looking for a driving holiday to the South of France. For total contrast why not take a driving tour along the spectacular coastal road along the French Riviera and peer down at the blue azure water of Southern France many feet below.

There are hundreds of suggested driving itineraries around the South of France available on the internet which will give you the best out of your touring holiday.
 

Gold Coast

A new addition to our top ten list for tour driving destinations, the Gold Coast certainly boasts some beautiful scenic roads in the hinterland. Admire panoramic views of the subtropical forest dropping down to the vibrant coast and the never-ending ocean. There are also lovely drives to discover along the seafront in Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Miami Beach, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin, Kirra Beach and Coolangatta.

The Gold Coast Highway runs from Labrador to Coolangatta, not far from the waterfront, while the Pacific Highway (M1) is situated more inland. The major motorway linking Brisbane to Sydney, the Pacific Highway is a faster option if you want to travel from Southport or Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta.

Florida

Driving the USA’s famous highways, such as the Florida Keys from Miami to Key West, is a lifelong dream for many people. Driving holidays can also be enhanced by hiring an unusual vintage car, such as a Chrysler convertible or a Ford Mustang.

Driving holidays guarantee you and your family the freedom to travel as and when you wish, taking in great scenery and stopping off at leading cities, historic landmarks and cultural centres along the way. The highways across Florida are excellent, petrol is cheap in the USA, and inclusive car hire is the most economical way to cover ground.

While traveling along the Florida Keys to Key West – you will find a laid-back destination with lots of character. Stop on the way at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and in Key West visit spots like the Hemmingway House, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum or take a trolley tour. Drive along the Gulf Coast and the town of Fort Myers, where you can see inventor Thomas Edison’s winter home and laboratory and visit Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, which both afford breathtaking coastal views. Sanibel Island is one of the best spots in America for finding sea shells – there are more varieties found here than anywhere else in the country.

Drive along Fort Myers/Marco Island - Tampa/Clearwater and experience Babcock Wilderness Adventures to get close up to Florida’s native wildlife, like alligators, rare Florida panthers, snakes and birds. Stop off at the South Florida Museum to trace the state’s history from prehistory to the present day. In Orlando, with its unparalleled selection of attractions, like Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld and Universal Studios.

There are plenty of interesting towns and nature reserves to explore. Move on to the east coast of Florida and to St Augustine, America’s oldest permanently settled European city, founded by the Spanish back in 1565. St Augustine combines old-world charm with excellent shopping and dining. Drive along the Space Coast touching Kennedy Space Center or head for the nature at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore.

You can rent a rent a Mid-size car for $229.99/week when you rent for 5 days or more at one of the participating rental car locations in Florida. Offer available for pick up February 26th through May 16, 2009. 24 hour advanced reservations required.

New Zealand

Rated as one of our top ten destinations for a tour driving holiday, New Zealand is abound with natural beauty and stunning scenic landscapes to drive through. The Pacific Coast Highway, traversing the spectacular east coast of New Zealand's North Island, is one of the great touring routes of this vast country. Linking The Coromandel, Bay of Plenty & Whakatane and Eastland with Auckland in the north and Hawke's Bay in the south, the Pacific Coast Highway travels through a unique region where land and sea intermingle.

The Pacific Coast Highway is well signposted along the entire route, giving a safe and easy way to navigate through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery New Zealand has to offer. Be among the first people to see the sun as it rises majestically over the Pacific, casting its first rays over the stunning white sand beaches along the length of the Highway.

Spain

Spain is vast - and with countless beautiful sites, it sits proudly on our top ten list for a tour driving holiday. Visit Gaudi's Barcelona, enjoy the art scene in Madrid and Europe's best nightlife. Head south to Moorish Andalucia to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada and Cordoba's Great Mosque. Tour the tapas bars of Seville and enjoy authentic flamenco and a bullfight. Go up to Roman Merida and visit Trujillo, the home of the Conquistadors. Or head to the coast and combine a drive around some of Spain's tourist attractions with some lazy days on a sandy beach.

Touring Spain by car is a great idea as you can become part of the scenery rather than simply viewing it. Driving in Spain does not have to be difficult - simply equip yourself with all that you will need to find your way to where you want to be, by making a list of certain landmarks or locations that you wish to visit. You can bring your own car into Spain if you choose not to rent one, but you must have all of the legal papers needed for that car. Insurance and registration must be up to date and you will have to show that you have a valid driver's license in your own country. All of the passengers in your car should make sure to have their proper identification present as well in case it is asked for. Make sure to read up on differing driving laws before you embark, and you should be able to enjoy a pleasant tour of Spain by car.

Cairns

There is no better way to explore the rich natural diversity of the region than by embarking on a driving holiday in Cairns. North Queensland is an extremely attractive place with winding drives through dense rainforest and along coastal roads that have often been rated some of the best in the world. The drive from Cairns to Port Douglas is approximately 70 kilometres (43 miles), and without a doubt, it is a truly memorable experience.

Parking is easy in Cairns, and is clearly sign posted and in the heart of town there are parking meters which charge around $1 for 2 hours. When touring, it is important to not leave any valuables in the car if it is being left for any extended period of time. In the hot summer months from November to March the interior of a car can become incredibly hot, to the point where CD's will melt. In the more rural parts of Cairns, visitors should take care especially at night when animals such as kangaroos, bandicoots and pigs often stray onto roads.
 

Canada

Canada driving trips are an excellent way of exploring the country. The eastern provinces of Canada are steeped in history and culture, and its natural beauty remains untouched. Many people love driving in theis part of Canada thanks to the winding highways and gorgeous countryside. There are also some interesting diversions and of course there are plenty of big cities to stop off in and explore. Highlights include the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia and St. Johns in Newfoundland. During your driving tour of Canada you can expect to see some of the highest tides in the world in the land of Anne of Green Gables, great dunes and gentle coastlines. Activities you may wish to try while you are there include whale watching and rafting. Make sure you book your tour of Canda during the summer months as conditions may be less than favourable during the cold and snowy winters.