5 Self-Drive Trips to Take in 2020: Iceland, France, Costa Rica, New Zealand, & South Africa
#1 Iceland: Relaxed Ring Road Adventure - 10 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival and Downtown Reykjavik | Reykjavik |
| Day 2 | North to Glymur Falls and Snaefellsnes Peninsula | Snæfellsnes |
| Day 3 | Scenic Drive from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Akureyri | Akureyri |
| Day 4 | The North: Godafoss, Whale Watching, and Big Waterfalls | Lake Myvatn |
| Day 5 | Geological Wonders of Lake Myvatn | Lake Myvatn |
| Day 6 | Scenic Eastern Fjords | Seydisfjordur |
| Day 7 | Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skaftafell | Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
| Day 8 | South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches, Golden Circle | Golden Circle |
| Day 9 | Golden Circle & Back to Reykjavík | Reykjavik |
| Day 10 | Visit the Reykjanes Peninsula & Depart From Reykjavík |
With ten days on the road, you can discover a variety of regions and landscapes as you loop around Iceland's famous Route 1 (Ring Road). This moderately paced self-drive itinerary will take you to the best spots along the 828-mile (1,332 km) route, with stops in its two biggest cities, as well as volcanoes, waterfalls, lava fields, black sand beaches, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers, as well as major attractions in the Golden Circle. Learn more
#2 France: Pure Provence Road Trip - 12 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Explore Marseille | Marseille |
| Day 2 | Cruise in Calanques National Park - Return to Marseille | Marseille |
| Day 3 | Les Alpilles Natural Park | Les Baux de Provence |
| Day 4 | Avignon and a Wine Tour of the Rhône Valley | Avignon |
| Day 5 | Driving Tour in the Luberon | Bonnieux |
| Day 6 | On the Road to Gréoux-les-Bains | Greoux-les-Bains |
| Day 7 | Valensole Plateau and Lake Sainte Croix du Verdon | Moustiers-Sainte-Marie |
| Day 8 | Travel to the Verdon Gorges | Moustiers-Sainte-Marie |
| Day 9 | Aix-en-Provence - Private cultural tour | Aix en Provence |
| Day 10 | Food & fashion in Aix - Optional Spa session | Aix en Provence |
| Day 11 | Return to Marseille - Depart Provence |
France is known the world over for its romance, but there might be no other region that encompasses its quintessential beauty—the cities, villages, hills, and beaches—quite like Provence. This is where the countryside meets the coast, where the Alps meet lavender fields, and where the French Riveria runs from Marseilles to the Italian border. Experience it all on this luxurious 12-day self-driving tour. Learn more
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#3 Costa Rica: Active Arenal, Monteverde & Pacific Coast - 12 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Liberia - Drive to Río Celeste | Tenorio National Park |
| Day 2 | Hiking in Río Celeste - Drive to La Fortuna | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 3 | Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 4 | Arenal Volcano from Land and Water | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 5 | Arenal to Monteverde Self Drive, with Nocturnal Nature Tour | Monteverde |
| Day 6 | Zip-Line Fun in the Cloud Forest | Monteverde |
| Day 7 | Monteverde to Playa Sámara (Self Drive) | Sámara |
| Day 8 | Sámara Beach Free Day | Sámara |
| Day 9 | Sámara to Tamarindo (Self Drive) | Tamarindo |
| Day 10 | Private Surf Lesson at Playa Tamarindo | Tamarindo |
| Day 11 | Free Day in Tamarindo | Tamarindo |
| Day 12 | Gulf of Papagayo to Liberia, Depart Costa Rica |
Explore the highlights of Costa Rica, from volcanos and jungles to the country's best surfing beaches, all in one self-drive vacation. Arrive in Liberia and head to Tenorio National Park, where you'll hike along the electric blue waters of the Río Celeste. Next up is Arenal Volcano National Park, a hotbed of adventure activities. After a waterfall trek and whitewater rafting excursion, drive to Monteverde for a zip-line tour of the cloud forest canopy and a guided wildlife night hike. Finally, it's off to the beaches of Sámara and Tamarindo on the Nicoya Peninsula to catch a wave. Learn more
#4 New Zealand: Fjord, Glaciers, & Mountains Road Trip - 10 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Christchurch & Hop On Hop Off City Tour | Christchurch |
| Day 2 | Christchurch - Self-Guided Tour | Christchurch |
| Day 3 | Mt Cook National Park Glacier & Valley Tours | Mount Cook Village |
| Day 4 | Scenic Drive to Te Anau & Visit Glowworm Caves | Te Anau |
| Day 5 | Milford Sound Nature Cruise Day Trip | Te Anau |
| Day 6 | Drive to Queenstown & Walter Peak Dinner Cruise | Queenstown |
| Day 7 | Queenstown Exploration | Queenstown |
| Day 8 | Visit Wanaka & Tour Franz Joseph Glacier | Franz Josef Glacier |
| Day 9 | Trains to Greymouth & Christchurch | Christchurch |
| Day 10 | Departure From Christchurch |
In this 10-day road trip through New Zealand, fjords, glaciers, and mountains abound. Begin in Christchurch and make the beautiful drive to Mt. Cook National Park, where you'll discover Tasman Glacier and the surrounding peaks. Next is another eventful drive—with stops along the way—to Te Anau, including a visit to a glowworm cave and a day cruise through stunning Milford Sound. Take a dinner cruise in Queenstown, visit Wanaka and Franz Joseph Glacier, and drop off your car before riding the exhilarating TranzAlpine Scenic Train back to Christchurch. Learn more
#5 South Africa: Cape Town & Private Safari Self-Drive - 11 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cape Town | Cape Town |
| Days 2-5 | Explore Cape Town - More Quarter Hotel | Cape Town |
| Day 6 | Drive to Gondwana Game Reserve | Mossel Bay |
| Day 7 | Safari at Gondwana Game Reserve | Mossel Bay |
| Day 8 | Drive to Franschhoek | Franschhoek |
| Days 9-10 | Explore Franschhoek Winelands | Franschhoek |
| Day 11 | Drive to Cape Town Airport |
This stunning road-trip itinerary encompasses urban sophistication, a wildlife safari, and one of the country's best wine regions—all in the span of 11 days. Kick-off in Cape Town where you'll have four days to explore the city's culture and hiking trails. From here, drive to the beautiful, private Gondwana Game Reserve, home to the 'Big 5' and more. Finish in the Franschhoek Valley to tour (and taste) in some of the best wine estates and gardens in South Africa. Learn more
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