Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Exploring Cultures, driving on your own

We believe travel is about more than a vacation. It is about getting to know a country in all its glory, through interacting with local people & seeing places through their eyes. The world we live in consists of an extremely diverse human population which, throughout the ages, has developed distinct cultural & political norms specific to their religion and beliefs.

Today, this diversity has left us with a plethora of events, some traditional with a deep seeded history & some not-so-traditional developed purely for a specific need, that shed light into & allow us to experience cultures different from our own.

Self-drive holidays – Get your motor running & head out on the highway…..

One of the drawbacks of an organised tour is being shunted along with lots of other people to tourist attractions but then only having a limited amount of time to appreciate them, or spending time in the confined quarters of a coach, bus or train with people you have little or nothing in common with.

A self-drive holiday is one where you drive yourself to the place where you are staying, rather than being taken there by plane or coach. Freedom to explore a country at your own speed, driving through shifting landscapes with the window wound down, is a soul-stirring & flexible way to travel.

Although there are many transport options on offer for travellers, a self-drive holiday with your own rental car gives you the freedom and independence that you can’t get from any other form of travel. You will have the freedom to spend as long or as little as you like in each place or attraction, have the power to decide where to go next, not to mention having the choice of who you travel with, rather than end up on a packed bus full of strangers. If you prefer exploring independently but you like the thought of back up when you need it, then self- drive holidays are certainly an option worth pursuing further.

It is always easier when you know your way around, right? Those scenic routes & out of the way hidden landmarks; that coastal road leading to the beach that no one knows about; or that winding country lane that ends up overlooking the whole of the valley below.

Local knowledge is what makes driving worthwhile. It cuts out the guesswork when considering how long a journey will take. It ensures you minimise your time on motorways but also reach a destination as efficiently as possible, without the stress. 

If the weather is bad then you can keep going or, if things clear up, you can stop for an extended break.

When you're ready you can jump back behind the wheel and head to the next destination. Perhaps you will cross borders or swap a city hotel for a remote rural retreat. Maybe you will head for a couple of nights at the seaside or drive into a deep, dark forest where a log cabin by a lake awaits.

Who knows! Self-drive holidays put you in control. They exemplify freedom but also give you the added comfort and confidence of local knowledge where and when you need it most. In a nutshell: you are in the driving seat even if you are miles from home.

The beauty of a self-drive itinerary is that you can stop off at any number of different places away from the tourist hotspots & discover those tiny, secret treasures that only local people know about. Staying in one location is fine for day trippers but if you are looking for a deeper understanding of a country then listen to the call of the wild as you drive beyond the outer limits & explore the freedom, just like Hopper & Fonda in Easy Rider. Break away from the crowds & unleash your sense of adventure with the freedom of your own transportation.

Self-drive holidays let you travel at your own pace, with the added freedom of changing your itinerary & the joy of seeing great destinations up close. The appeal of driving is that you decide the overall pace of your holiday and have the flexibility to go where you choose, and then spend as long as you want there - a truly luxurious, tailor-made experience.

The added freedom you get from hiring a car on holiday is unquestionable. However, to ensure travellers get to experience driving without the stress, an organised tour lets you wind down the window, throw off the driving gloves & make the most of map routes that are as much about the highlights that you will discover enroute, as the handpicked accommodation waiting around the bend. These holidays suit those of an independent spirit, who like to travel at their own pace, getting beneath the surface of a destination by exploring it in depth.

Some of the most spectacular self-drive holidays are to be had in southern Africa, winding through forest-clad mountains, Wine land valleys & Big Five safari reserves, with time to pause at beautiful beaches. Take to the road & discover South Africa for yourself. Get up close and personal with the wildlife, cruise along the coastlines & Garden Route and discover a unique culture all at your own pace. Namibia’s natural beauty promises an unforgettable road trip. Home to the world’s longest desert, towering dunes, a lush Bushveld along the Caprivi Strip & a wide array of game, you will have no shortage of things to witness.

European self-drive holidays are full of history & culture, excellent food & wine, and huge number of accessible, rewarding roads to enjoy. Imagine driving at 200 mph (if you can) on the German autobahns.

Parts of Asia are difficult to navigate on a self-drive holiday but, if you are bold and keep your wits about you, then there's plenty of adventure to be had travelling through the region in this way.

Our self-drive holidays allow you to discover secluded beauty spots, stop at villages far from the tourist trail & take your time meandering through winding canyons or beside crystalline fjords. Endless possibilities, world over.

Meanwhile with the reassurance of expert planning, reservations at carefully-selected hotels, 24 / 7 support from The Journeys team whenever you need it, you can be sure of a smooth well-planned experience..

Our itinerary ideas will give you a starting point for what your trip could entail. The countries we recommend self-drive in generally have excellent road networks, so getting around should pose no problem.

Regardless of the car type you choose, you have the total freedom & flexibility to get to places off the beaten track & then spend as much time as you want there. Our specialists have driven on the recommended routes & vetted the accommodation. We will provide you with detailed notes of these suggested routings, giving directions, road maps, distance. In some destinations, a pre- programmed GPS is included with our compliments. Driving notes will also include things to look out for along the way as well as local recommendations as to where to stop for a bite to eat or scenic viewpoint that might otherwise pass you by & nearby sights of interest. Once you have arrived at your accommodation you are able to do much, much, more than simply stretch your legs. You can stay a couple of nights, or longer. Your tailor made itinerary might include activities or walking routes or places to visit in the car or on foot.

We arrange all aspects of your self-drive holiday, including flights, accommodation & car rental. All you need do is  choose your car hire from a large fleet range including compact, full size, four wheel drives, vans, wagons & more, with automatic or manual transmission and  arrive at the destination airport..

Please note currently all our Journeys are listed under the “Culture” theme before being transitioned gradually under the respective Headings. 

Check-out our suggestions (work in progress) & if you have a specific destination in mind, even if it is not yet featured on our site, we can always design & customise a Journey, especially for you. Almost all of our Journeys are available on demand, allowing you to specify a departure date & group size. Private departures are ideal for family, friends & social groups.

We are in the process of updating our experiential offerings of Self-drives. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore more options & we will be happy to customise & offer suggestions based on your personal preferences……

Come……be inspired & discover the World