Take charge of your time by renting a car and discover any country at your own pace. Whether you are in a high-performance vehicle, a luxury convertible or a simple sedan, you can cruise the open road in a fantasy that knows no borders. Explore diverse landscapes, big cities & beautiful towns full of local ambience and culture, breath taking viewpoints, scenic roads, architectural masterpieces, lively beaches and more on a thrilling self drive holiday. So drive on the Auto Bahn in Germany at 300 kms per hour, enjoy California’s scenic coastline, or experience rugged South Africa and stunning New Zealand for a unique & diverse holiday experience.
Essential New Zealand
New Zealand is a small, young country that is any holiday-maker's dream destination. The tremendous diversity of its topography is comparable to an entire continent: from subtropical beaches to alpine glaciers, from fiords to rainforests and from cosmopolitan cities to great tracts of wilderness, New Zealand has it all. A self drive holiday here is just perfect - the roads are excellent, congestion is non-existent and the scenery is stunning. There are dozens of scenic driving routes to choose from, each exploring a unique part of New Zealand’s landscape. From Auckland, the dolphin-filled waters of Bay of Islands, the pretty beaches of Coromandel, the hot springs of Rotorua, the Kaikoura coastline, the alpine resort of Queenstown, South Island's largest city-Christchurch to the most scenic drive of Milford Sound and New Zealand’s popular capital city of Wellington, all these popular itineraries provide the ultimate touring experience of New Zealand.
A Coastal Self Drive in Australia
Australia, bestowed with 50,000 kilometres of mesmerizing coastline is the ideal place for a coastal self drive journey. Opt for your favourite among these 3 classic journeys:
Great Southern Touring Route
Start your journey from West Gate Bridge which leads the way out of Melbourne and drive along the Great Southern Touring Route to Geelong. Drive past the vineyards of the Bellarine Peninsula to the scenic Great Ocean Road. Along this route you'll pass some of the most dramatic seascapes and landscapes imaginable, including the highly recognizable 12 Apostles (although there are now only 11 — the 12th having succumbed to erosion a few years ago). The route also takes you past Loch Ard Gorge, the sight of a tragic shipwreck, the Arch, the Blowhole and the nearby Bay of Islands. Try a spot of whale watching near Warrnambool, explore seaside villages and sandy beaches, and then turn inland to the walking trails, waterfalls, and wildflowers of the Grampians National Park. Finally head east to Ballarat, the home to Sovereign Hill and experience what life was like on the goldfields in the 1800s.
Pacific Coast Touring Route, NSW
The Pacific Coast Touring Route is an exhilarating 1,539-mile drive from Sydney to Cairns, taking in some of Australia’s best coastal scenery, pristine beaches and buzzy little holiday towns. This scenic drive along the Pacific Ocean coastline takes you through some of the most striking landscapes in NSW. On your way explore the sparkling beaches and lush hinterland of the Central Coast, the wineries of the Hunter Valley and the picturesque inlets of Port Stephens. Traverse through the Hunter Valley, Byron Bay & the glittering Gold Coast and see the World Heritage-listed wonders of Fraser Island and Great Barrier Reef. An almost continuous line of surf beaches, national parks and a hinterland of rolling green hills and friendly villages make this a great drive.
Sydney to Melbourne Coastal drive
The magnificent stretch of coastline between Sydney and Melbourne is one of Australia’s most dramatic and naturally beautiful self-drive experiences. Pretty seaside towns, historic villages, a string of quiet beaches & bays and more than 30 national parks & reserves contribute to the pleasures of this drive. Explore unique environments in national parks, white sand beaches and Australia’s largest waterway system and see whales, seals, penguins & wildlife in their natural habitat. Spot koalas, colonies of fur seals, and little penguins parade up the beach at Phillip Island, look out for migrating whales at Eden and many headlands along the NSW South Coast. See seals and sea birds on Montague Island. On the Mornington Peninsula, indulge yourself in a luxurious country retreat, enjoy innovative regional cuisine, superb local wines and visit grand gardens. Drive the alternative inland route from Lakes Entrance to Melbourne via Walhalla taking in the beautiful green countryside, magnificent vistas, mountain scenery and historic villages.
USA: Coastal California
Explore the “Golden State’s” stunning coastline on this incredible California adventure. California’s varied coastline is one of the most iconic in the world, featuring in countless movies. A drive from the state of California offers miles and miles of fabulous coastline, dramatic mountain ranges, redwood forests, pristine lakes and eerie deserts waiting to be explored. The Coastal California itinerary starts off in San Francisco, takes in charming Monterey and Carmel, dramatic Big Sur and on to the sunshine shores of Santa Barbara & LA and then on to San Diego. Discover the inland delights with a trip to see the giants in Sequoia National Park or the strangely shaped joshua trees near Palm Springs. If you are ready for an "only in California experience," take the Death Valley Scenic Drive. Be your own tour leader as you hunt for scenic lookouts and head off the highways in search of hidden treasures. Halt anywhere, anytime and enjoy the magic of California at your own pace.
South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route
Spanning from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route is an incredibly scenic part of South Africa. The Garden Route begins at Mossel Bay, and then journeys through George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay before ending at the beautiful Nature's Valley. From the semi-desert of the Karoo and forests of Tsitsikamma, pretty seaside towns & white sandy beaches to historic towns and scenic vineyards of Winelands region, the Garden Route is an ideal self-drive destination with good roads, easy access and a range of highlights to keep you entertained.
Mosssel Bay offers a peaceful and wondrous tranquility as the warm Indian Ocean calmly washes onto its long sandy beaches. George is the biggest town on the Garden Route, which is framed by the dominant Outeniqua Mountains. A short drive from George, back along the N2 coastal road, will bring you to the formidable Wilderness National Park. This enchanting landscape incorporates wonderfully lush forests, dominant mountain ranges and beautiful lakes, rivers and estuaries, beaches and an unparalleled amount of outdoor pursuits.
Knysa is known as the 'Pearl of the Garden Route' because of the oyster fishing in the area. This small city combines a number of craft and gift shops with a plethora of outdoor pursuits and activities. Just a few kilometers from Knysa are the luxurious settlement of Plettenberg Bay, or 'Plett' as the locals call it. The sumptuous surroundings of Plettenberg are marked by the red sandrocks that rise from the two rivers and Indian Ocean and also the stunning white beaches. The climax of this incredible journey is the 65km long Tsitsikamma National Park which remains a must visit for nature lovers.
At the final leg of the journey, Port Elizabeth boasts of attractions including the South Africa Airforce Museum, Bayworld, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, the Wezandla African Arts and Crafts Gallery and the Alexandria Dune Fields, which are the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Spain by Road
A self drive holiday in the vibrant country of Spain will let you explore bustling cities, stunning coastlines, and areas where some of the finest food and wine are made. Visit Gaudi’s Barcelona; enjoy the art scene in Madrid and Europe’s best nightlife. Discover magnificent, unique cities and monuments in Leon and Castilia. Visit the three Spanish cities declared as World Heritage Cities by the UNESCO: Segovia, Ávila and Salamanca. If you love wine, set aside some time to visit the La Rioja region in the foothills of the Pyrenees with historic wineries and vineyards like Herederos de Marques de Riscal, founded in 1850. Head south to Moorish Andalucia and visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada & Cordoba’s Great Mosque. Tour the tapas bars of Seville and enjoy authentic flamenco and a bullfight. Head to the coast and combine a drive around some of Spain’s tourist attractions with some lazy days on a sandy beach. Experience the vitality of Spanish towns, with shops, markets tasting the traditional and exquisite local gastronomy. Learn to siesta by day, and enjoy tapas while you dine and dance the night away.
About Odyssey Travels
Odyssey Travels is a leading IATA accredited Travel Company, established in 1992. We specialize in planning customized holidays in India and abroad for our clients which includes air ticketing, worldwide hotel reservations, inclusive tours, sightseeing activities, visa assistance & travel insurance services. For further information or to make a booking contact 020-66442929 or visit http://www.odysseytravels.net/