With the surge in interest in motor racing following the debut of the Netflix series, Drive to Survive, here are our picks of the best European luxury road trips that offer journeys through pristine landscapes (and stay in luxurious hotels)
Le Grand Tour Provence
Ultimate Driving Tours’ Le Grand Tour Provence is a five-night long weekend getaway along the Cote d’Azur’s most renowned driving roads, including alpine passes, fast-paced autoroutes and winding country backroads. The trip, which offers drivers a handpicked selection of the world’s finest supercars, departs on 22nd May from Nice, journeying through the pristine landscapes of Provence. From the idyllic town of Grasse to the charming city of Aix-en-Provence, guests will traverse a curated route encompassing winding country backroads, alpine passes and coastal roads.
In the evening, all guests will convene at the Palais de la Méditerranée for transfers to Monaco for the cocktail party aboard a superyacht. The itinerary for the weekend includes an exclusive Monaco Grand Prix experience aboard a privately chartered superyacht, where guests can indulge in all-day gourmet catering, a full premium bar and bottomless Champagne while soaking up the electrifying atmosphere of Formula 1. From Saturday’s Practice and Qualifying sessions to the adrenaline-pumping Grand Prix race on Sunday, guests will be treated to a thrilling line-up of events.
Le Grand Tour Provence wraps on 27th May with a leisurely start to the day before onward travel plans. Alternatively, for those seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush, guests have the rare opportunity to drive a real Formula 1 race car at a private circuit in the south of France.
Le Grand Tour Provence starts from $21,990 per person.
Swiss Supercar Tour
For the motoring fan who wants it all, there’s Ultimate Driving Tours’ Swiss Supercar Tour: a six-day journey through Switzerland’s alpine passes, all from the driving seat of the latest-release supercars. Guests will arrive in Zurich to commence their Swiss adventure on July 7th, with a warm-up cruise around Lake Zurich and a drive through Susten, Grimsel and Furka Passes. The second day of driving follows a sweeping loop around Andermatt, the heart of the Swiss Alps, to experience the San Gotthard, Lukmanier and Oberlap passes. With a history dating back to the 13th century, Gotthard’s modern route, built in 1830, was and continues to be a favourite among European driving enthusiasts. Guests will then venture to Switzerland’s highest paved road to re-explore San Gotthard and Grimsel Passes before arriving at Interlaken for relaxation or scenic helicopter flights over the Alps. A drive through the rolling valley of Entlebuch Biosphere marks the return to Lake Lucerne for a final evening.
The accommodation includes a selection of the most luxurious hotels in Europe. The first evening will be at the ornate Dolder Grand, perched high above Zurich with panoramic views of the city and lake below, nights two and three will take place at an ultra-luxe ski chalet in the middle of the Swiss Alps and the historic Grand Hotel Victoria Jungfrau awaits guests on night four. The final evening will wrap up with an evening on the shores of Lake Lucerne at Park Hotel Vitznau.
There is also the optional addition of a VIP weekend at Goodwood, an annual event for motoring enthusiasts, showcasing stunts, a diverse range of drivers and vehicles testing their mettle on the Hillclimb and some of motorsport’s most famous faces.
Swiss Supercar Tour starts from $22,990 per person.
Tuscany 2024 ultra lux supercar driving tour
Luxury Escapes’ luxury driving tour, Tuscany 2024 Ultra Lux Supercar Driving Tour, will have guests harnessing the horsepower of a fleet of supercars and sweeping across 800 kilometres of Tuscan tarmac. Throughout the seven-day journey, guests will traverse Tuscany behind the wheel of either a Porsche, Ferrari or maybe even a Lamborghini as they weave through vine-covered hills and centuries-old castle towns.
The tour begins on arrival at Florence Airport, where guests will be welcomed and transferred to accommodation overlooking the picturesque Florentine cityscape. In the evening, guests will join their fellow travellers to celebrate the start of the supercar voyage with a fine dining experience at Michelin Star restaurant, Borgo San Jacopo. The itinerary for day two includes a guided tour of Florence’s most beloved sights, as well as its best-kept secrets, before an early rise for the first day behind the wheel. Whether admiring the sleek curves of the Ferrari 488 Spider, the timeless appeal of the aerodynamic Aston Martin Vantage F1 Roadster or the low-lying elegance of the Mercedes AMG GTR, the scenic tour of Tuscany is a chance for guests to revel in the revving engines of the world’s most luxurious vehicles.
The road trip continues on day four with a comfortable half-day loop through the glorious countryside around San Gimignano and a full-day drive on day five from the olive groves and orchards of Chianti to the medieval hillside town of Montepulciano. The final day on the road will take on a half-day spin through Chianti as guests weave back toward Florence in the morning, before an afternoon of truffle hunting along the fresh, forested hillside around Tenuta Torciano estate. The journey concludes on day seven, with a breakfast overlooking the scenic surroundings, before a midday checkout.
Tuscany 2024 Ultra Lux Supercar Driving Tour starts from $22,990 per person.
Flavours of Spain 2024 Gourmet Luxury Tour
Luxury Escapes has also launched a 17-day European road trip that comprises Michelin-starred dining, caviar tasting and a visit to Alhambra Palace. The Flavours of Spain 2024 Gourmet Luxury Tour will see guests touching down in Barcelona before being privately transferred to the city centre to explore Antoni Gaudi’s architectural marvels. For the first two evenings of accommodation, guests will stay at Barcelona’s five-star Nobu Hotel and visit the city’s most iconic marketplaces. There, they will discover the secrets behind selecting and making the most out of Spanish ingredients before using them to cook their paella lunch.
The journey continues with a drive to explore Northern Spain’s cultural and gastronomic highlights, with a visit to Zaragoza’s ancient Roman ruins and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar, followed by a degustation menu at La Rioja’s Palacio Tondon. A visit to the picturesque nearby town of Laguardia, where guests will stop to sample traditional flavours and favourites, takes place on day four. Guests will then visit award-winning wineries of Haro and enjoy a traditional lunch in Santo Domingo de la Calzada on day five, before arriving in Bilbao for an evening of leisure, exploring pintxos bars, Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park and the iconic Guggenheim Museum. The road trip continues to San Sebastian, venturing to Getaria to tour a historic farmhouse and cider press and explore the old town before returning to Bilbao.
The adventure includes a visit to Salamanca’s architectural highlights, a dinner at Las Corchuelas and an exploration of Jabugo’s Jamn Iberico farm, before arriving in Seville for a relaxing evening. A guided tour of the Real Alcazar will be followed by an authentic tapas dinner, a visit to the Mezquita and an exploration of the Jewish Quarter, before driving to Granada on Day 13 for an olive oil tasting and a visit to the Alhambra.
The final few days will boast a flamenco show, a Spanish dinner in Granada, an expedition to Toledo and a morning tour of Madrid, sampling tapas and exploring the city’s landmarks, followed by a farewell dinner at El Club Allard on the day 16.
Flavours of Spain 2024 Gourmet Luxury Tour starts from A$13,999 per person.
