How to travel car-free without missing the best bits
Hitting the open road on four wheels – what could be more glamorous, more exciting, more emblematic of total freedom? Well, sometimes – but when it comes to driving abroad, the reality is often somewhat different. Throw in a twinge of anxiety about driving on the “wrong” side of the road, for example, and the odd local driving at a speed-of-light pace (hello, German autobahns), and suddenly the open road abroad is anything but relaxing.
Then there is getting your head around a new set of directions, tolls and road rules. The dastardly moments when the satnav fails you. The sights you miss when everyone choruses “Oh look!” but your eyes must remain firmly on the road ahead. The soporific effects of one road-marker after another as they are swallowed by your wheels. Missing an exit and having to navigate another 25-mile stretch before the next one. Fuel anxiety. Divvying up driving duties. The Faustian struggle presented by vineyard and cellar door visits. And, of course, the permanent hunt for a parking space.
Why you should explore without a car[1]
Post-pandemic, it was to be expected that self-drive holidays would see an uptick in popularity, with travellers keen to explore again, but wanting to retain a safe space of their own. Now, however, the pendulum seems to have swung back in the other direction.
According to Andy Austen of Wexas Travel (wexas.com[2]), “Car-free holidays are proving increasingly popular. As well as an element of environmental awareness, there is also the appeal of the journey, rather than just the destination, being part of the experience. Over the past few years, car hire costs have increased considerably, particularly at peak times, while in Spain, Italy and Portugal, even first-class trains are cheap, and high-speed options mean that you can cover huge distances and combine cities around the country in a relatively short time frame – all while enjoying the scenery and avoiding the stress of unfamiliar roads and parking.”
These days, there is a car-free holiday for every level of fitness, adventurousness and budget, ranging from kayaking and hiking to sailing and even hopping about on private planes. The benefits include a fuller, more immersive experience, seeing your destination from a different perspective and even, perhaps, encountering people, places and experiences you might have missed from the bubble of your vehicle.
Here are 15 of the finest ways to take a break from behind the wheel on your next trip.
Travelling by boat is the best way to see the islands of Istria
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Istria
For scenic walks, island swims and truffles
Covering the region at a comfortable pace, this new self-guided walking tour begins in Rovinj on the North Adriatic coast and moves, by boat, on to Brijuni, a national park group of 14 islands in the south of the region. Here, you will pass temple ruins and Roman villas, before continuing on to medieval hilltop villages, including the scenically magnificent Motovun, and finishing with the eight-mile Lungomare coastal walk from Volosko to Lovran, via Opatija. Expect swims in rocky coves, verdant forests, small waterfalls and a truffle-hunting excursion, complete with a lunch fashioned from the spoils.
Book it: Regent Holidays (regent-holidays.co.uk[4]) offers the eight-day Pathways of Istria tour from £1,875pp, including return flights from UK to Pula, airport and luggage transfers, accommodation and detailed route description. Available April to November
Fiji
For kayaking, village stays and manta rays
Over the course of nine days, you will start in Nadi and kayak your way through the Yasawa Group of islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Western Division of Fiji. With numbers limited on each tour, paddlers will have ample opportunity to seek out the best fishing and snorkelling spots, as well to get up close and personal on a swim with manta rays.
Book it: Accommodation varies from beach camping to a village stay, and even a night in traditional Fijian bures at an island resort. Southern Sea Ventures (southernseaventures.com[5]) offers the nine-day trip from £2,372pp, excluding flights and meals in Nadi
Touring Canada by train saves travel time and offers incredible views, especially from window seats on the Rocky Mountaineer
Credit: Laara Cerman
Canada
For wilderness adventures by rail and sea
Combining road, rail and sail, this tour is entirely about ensuring that the journey, and not just the destination is key. During the course of the Inside Passage Cruise, you are likely to see an abundance of marine life, plus awe-inspiring glaciers and landscapes not otherwise accessible. Later in your trip, you will enjoy two nights witnessing the majesty of the Rockies from the luxury and bi-level glass door dome coaches of the Rocky Mountaineer train.
Book it: APT Travel (aptouring.co.uk[6]) offers the 22-day Reflections of the Rockies and Alaska Cruise from £7,095pp, including returning flights from Vancouver, accommodation, 43 meals, sightseeing and Signature Experiences, transfers, porterage, port charges and gratuities
Normandy
For Gallic charm on the river, on foot and by bike
Sailing on a round-trip from Paris, where you will deep-dive into the city via a walking tour, this voyage calls at Les Andelys on the banks of the Seine, as well as medieval Rouen, plus Honfleur, with its coastal charm and colourful fishing boats. There are also stops at Caudebec-en-Caux, Vernon and Conflans, with cycle tours in several of the stops, then it is on to the delightful French village of Villequier, where the Victor Hugo Museum is located, and Richard the Lionheart’s Château Gaillard, plus a self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny, with a stop at Monet’s Garden.
Book it: Scenic Cruises (scenic.co.uk[7]) offers the eight-day Highlights of Normandy and the Seine cruise from £2,328, all-inclusive, departing on August 27
Ditch the car to discover picturesque temples and lush forests in Japan
Credit: Alamy, LightRocket via Getty Images
Japan
For paddling – and cycling – past shrines and temples
This adventure takes in Japan’s ancient history and religious sites, plus the magnificence of its natural wonders. Setting off from the bustle of Tokyo, you will hike through shukuba (post towns) which are rest stops built along travel routes – in this case, the Nakasendo Way. Continuing on to the Seto Inland Sea, you will enjoy a cycling and kayaking adventure along the Shimanami Kaido, before continuing on to historic, temple-rich Kyoto. You will then embark on a pilgrimage along sections of the historic Kumano Kodo, which takes in Nachi Falls and Nachi Taisha Shrine, before ending your journey in Osaka.
Book it: Intrepid Travel (intrepidtravel.com[8]) offers the 12-day Japan: Hike, Bike & Kayak tour from £4,770 per person, including accommodation, transport, some meals (four breakfasts, one lunch, one dinner) and various activities
Jumping on a gondolier is a popular way to explore the ‘floating’ city of Venice
Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images
Italy
For history, art and fine food by rail – or gondola
Taking in the ancient wonders of Rome, the medieval marvels of Florence and the otherworldly beauty of Venice, this five-night tour is a pocket-sized sample of the romance and magic of Italy. Travelling to each city by first-class train, you will sample fabulous food and stay in well-situated hotels along the way, as well as experiencing a gondola ride through the canals of La Serenissima.
Book it: Wexas Travel (wexas.com[9]) offers this five-night Italian Job itinerary from £2,045pp, including flights, UK airport lounge access, airport transfers, rail tickets, a Rome sightseeing tour, a walking tour of Venice, and accommodation on a B&B basis
Spain
For mountain walks, fishing villages and fresh air
Venturing from Picos de Europa – which includes the Camino Lebaniego pilgrims’ path and the moonscapes of Sotres – to the green coast of Asturias, this seven-night trip starts with four days of leisurely walking in the mountains before taking in colourful fishing villages, secluded coves and captivating coastline. Temperatures in August average 22 degrees, making this an ideal choice for summer, when walking won’t come with a side serving of stickiness. Along the way, accommodation is in family-run guesthouses and traditional hotels.
Book it: Macs Adventure (macsadventure.com[10]) offers this Picos to Coast adventure from £720pp for a seven-night trip, including seven nights’ B&B accommodation, four dinners, luggage transfers, some hotel transfers, detailed route maps and GPS navigation app, plus 24/7 assistance if needed. Flights and transfers to first/from last accommodation are not included
Singapore’s air-conditioned public transport network is one of the best in Asia
Credit: Getty/iStock
Singapore
For adventures by metro, bus, train and bike
Asia is now fully open to visitors again, but Singapore offers international guests some of the best experiences in south-east Asia, from its Unesco world heritage-listed Botanic Gardens and Universal Studios theme park to its vibrant nightlife, wealth of cultural and historical attractions, 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay and Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s new Bird Paradise. Best of all, the country’s petite dimensions and efficient Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) metro system make it a breeze (almost literally, since the MRT is blissfully air-conditioned) to get around, as do the number of available SG bikes, the local bike-sharing operator. Pick up a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited bus and train travel for up to three days, or an EZ-Link card, which covers MRT trains, river taxis, local buses and the Sentosa monorail.
Book it: DialAFlight (dialaflight.com[11]) offers six nights at Singapore’s five-star Shangri-La Rasa in the beach resort of Sentosa from £1,455pp, based on two sharing, including return flights and transfers
Île de Ré micro-climate makes it one of France’s sunniest regions
Credit: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images, Stephen Hughes
Île de Ré
For surfing, paddleboarding and reliable sunshine
Easily accessed by ferry from La Rochelle, Île de Ré’s combination of environmental regulations and a green tax – not to mention its well-marked cycle trails and 60 miles of unspoilt coastline – make it the ideal destination for a car-free holiday. The island’s micro-climate makes it one of France’s sunniest regions and, for those looking for action on the water, surfing and paddleboarding are accessible from the sand dunes at Le Bois Plage. Staying at Villa de la Cible puts you within easy reach of these, as well as the gentle waters of Plage de la Cible, and the restaurants, shops and cafés of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
Book it: Simpson Travel (simpsontravel.com[12]) offers a week at Villa de la Cible from £4,995 (accommodation only), based on travel in June 2023. The four-bedroom Maison Rétaise is in the village of St Martin de Ré and set behind a walled garden with a small, heated swimming pool, just five minutes from Plage de la Cible, a 650ft-long stretch of family-friendly beach
Norway
For fjords, scenic railways and Scandi culture
Combining Norway’s breathtaking fjordland with the vibrant, creative cities of Oslo and Bergen – both known for their music, museum and gallery scenes – this nine-day tour also takes in Trondheim, Norway’s original capital and home to the Nidaros Cathedral, Scandinavia’s largest medieval building, which is adorned with stained glass windows and looming statues of biblical and historical figures. With the inclusion of the rural idyll of Andalsnes – Norway’s mountaineering capital – this trip allows you to explore this lesser-visited corner of Scandinavia, with accommodation in heritage properties and travel on scenic railways, including vertiginous Flam, and enjoy a fjord cruise.
Book it: Best Served Scandinavia (best-served.co.uk[13]) offers this nine-day tailor-made holiday from £1,650pp including flights, eight nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis, train travel and fjord cruise
The best views of Norway’s breathtaking fjordland can be enjoyed from a cruise ship
Credit: Nick Rains
Australia
For a small-ship cruise along pristine coasts
Located in Australia’s remote northwest, the Kimberley ranks with the Arctic and Alaska as one of the last great wildernesses on the planet. Double the size of the UK, more than 2,000 islands lie off its pristine coast, which teems with marine life, including one of the world’s largest whale-birthing zones. This 10-day cruising expedition hosts a maximum of 99 guests, who can benefit from the knowledge of the Expedition Team, including marine biologists and ornithologists. The itinerary includes daily excursions onboard a Zodiac, including a visit to the Montgomery Reef, where an abundance of sea life is captured by the area’s large tidal range.
Book it: APT Luxury Travel (aptouring.co.uk[14]) offers the Grand Kimberley Coast Cruise from £6,295pp (cruise only). This includes nine nights of twin shared accommodation in a Standard Suite on Caledonian Sky, experiences in 18 destinations and daily excursions by Zodiac, 26 locally inspired meals, plus soft and alcoholic beverages. Departures run until September 2023
Jersey
For kayaking, spas and Michelin stars
For those wanting a quick break with the bonus of no immigration queues, Jersey is the answer – and, at the island’s Club Hotel & Spa in St Helier, guests can combine an overnight stay with a guided kayaking tour of the cave-riddled eastern coastline. Continuing on to the Ecrehous, a cluster of islands just off the coast, a chef and private waiter – both from the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant (the island’s only one) – serve lunch (with wine pairings) on a secluded beach. Afterwards, there is time for a stroll or a dip, before returning to the hotel for a spell in the spa, which has indoor and outdoor pools, a salt cabin and herbal steam room.
Book it: The Club Hotel and Spa (theclubjersey.com[15]) offers the Ultimate Jersey BBQ package from £1,999 for two people, including an overnight stay, guided exploration of the island’s coast and a Michelin-starred al fresco dining experience
Swap a car for a bicycle when travelling across the Danish island of Samso
Credit: Jeanette Philipsen/Visit Samso
Denmark
For ferry rides, forest trails and a giant maze
As the world’s first renewable-energy island, Denmark’s Samso lends itself perfectly to a car-free holiday. Just an hour by ferry from Aarhus – Denmark’s second city – the island spans just 1,550sqft, making it the ideal size for exploring by foot or bike. The complete absence of roundabouts and traffic lights, plus the generously wide cycle lanes, demonstrate how little cars feature here. Various trails, whether aimed at those on two legs or two wheels, will take you from villages – where organic and locally produced food provides fuel for your journey – through rolling hills, deciduous forests and untamed beaches. Don’t miss Samso Labyrinten, a tree maze equivalent to 12 football pitches and approved as the world’s largest maze by Guinness World Records.
Book it: Adventure Sense (adventure-sense.com[16]) offers a seven-day cycling tour (beginning and ending in Aarhus) from £1,695pp, including accommodation, breakfasts and dinners (based on travel in September)
Greece and Turkey
For island-hopping, secluded coves and ancient sites
Not for nothing are some of the most compelling literary tales set in these two enchanting countries. On this nine-day sailing tour, you will pay homage to the deservedly popular islands of Mykonos and Santorini, before venturing on to the lesser-known Cyclades – a circle of islands once thought to have protected the birthplace of Artemis and her twin brother, Apollo. You will visit hill villages, secluded coves and ancient archaeological sites, including the ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. Away from land, avail yourself of the opportunities to jump off the back of your boat into the astonishing blue of the Aegean to swim, snorkel or simply cool off.
Book it: Intrepid Travel (intrepidtravel.com[17]) offers the nine-day Greek Adventure Cruise from £2,795pp (sharing) including all breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners, accommodation throughout, plus tours, activities and arrival transfer
For lofty views of Namibia’s desertscape, book a hot air balloon flight
Credit: Alamy
Namibia
For big game and desert dunes by air or quad bike
Throw maps – and, it must be said, budgets – out the window and indulge in a luxury private tour that uses light aircraft to cover maximum ground in this country of contrasts. With five-star accommodation along the way, you will start your journey in a 9,000-hectare game reserve, where elephants, cheetahs, giraffes and rhinos can be spotted, before flying to Etosha National Park, considered the greatest wildlife sanctuary in Namibia. Continuing on to the WiFi-free Serra Cafema Camp in the northern desert of the country, there will be the opportunity to meet the Himba people, a semi-nomadic tribe who travel the surrounding dunes with their livestock. This will be followed by a guided quad-bike excursion in the desert. Finally your journey ends in the magnificent Namib Desert, where mountains and sand dunes provide the backdrop to stargazing and desert tours.
Book it: Lux Tripper (luxtripper.co.uk[18]) offers the 10-day Luxury Namibia Tour by Air from £10,825pp (sharing), including international flights, luxury accommodation throughout, transfers between hotels and airports, all domestic flights, plus tours and activities
Are you planning to take a car-free holiday this summer? Please let us know in the comments below
References
- ^ Why you should explore without a car (cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ wexas.com (wexas.com)
- ^ Car costs (cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ regent-holidays.co.uk (regent-holidays.co.uk)
- ^ southernseaventures.com (southernseaventures.com)
- ^ aptouring.co.uk (www.aptouring.co.uk)
- ^ scenic.co.uk (scenic.co.uk)
- ^ intrepidtravel.com (intrepidtravel.com)
- ^ wexas.com (wexas.com)
- ^ macsadventure.com (macsadventure.com)
- ^ dialaflight.com (dialaflight.com)
- ^ simpsontravel.com (simpsontravel.com)
- ^ best-served.co.uk (best-served.co.uk)
- ^ aptouring.co.uk (www.aptouring.co.uk)
- ^ theclubjersey.com (theclubjersey.com)
- ^ adventure-sense.com (adventure-sense.com)
- ^ intrepidtravel.com (intrepidtravel.com)
- ^ luxtripper.co.uk (luxtripper.co.uk)