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Selene Nelson May 6, 2026

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Road trips have a special type of magic. There’s a sense of freedom in being able to pull over whenever you like, or go off course if something catches your eye. As the landscape slowly unfolds, anticipation builds, and the journey becomes just as meaningful as the destination.

If you’re drawn to a road trip, why not consider a fly-drive escape? Also known as self-drive holidays, these trips combine freedom and flexibility with immersion, allowing you to experience a place entirely on your own terms.

But the difference between a good road trip and an unforgettable one often comes down to planning, which is where Cox & Kings comes in. The world’s longest-running travel company has been organising small group tours and tailor-made journeys for generations, and their specialists can plan an itinerary tailored precisely to your needs, no matter how complex or unique.

From mapping out the most scenic routes and rewarding stops to offering round-the-clock support, their self-drive itineraries balance independence with insight. With the logistics taken care of, you’re free to enjoy the drive itself, without missing the details that make it special. Whether you’re dreaming of coastlines, deserts, or mountains, with Cox & Kings, every turn reveals something extraordinary.

And, right now, you can use your exclusive Rest Less discount code RESTLESS to save 5% off on your Cox & Kings holiday. So, if you’re ready to take the wheel, here are seven of the world’s most spectacular driving journeys.

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1. California’s Pacific Coast, USA

California's Pacific Coast, USA

Few places are as synonymous with the road trip as California. From sweeping golden beaches to misty redwood forests, the Golden State offers remarkable variety – and, with expert planning, you can experience it all without ever feeling rushed.

Beginning in San Francisco, Cox & Kings’ 16-day Signature California In Style journey traces one of the world’s most iconic coastlines down to Los Angeles. After a few days spent exploring the San Francisco Bay Area, you’ll pick up your car downtown and drive to Napa Valley, where world-class wines and gourmet food experiences await. From here, continue to Yosemite, swapping vineyard-cloaked valleys for great granite peaks, enchanting waterfalls, and spectacular hikes through some of the state’s most awe-inspiring scenery.

Following the iconic Pacific Coast Highway south to Monterey and Carmel, you’ll wind along Big Sur’s rugged cliffs, where the surf crashes below windswept cypress trees. Further south, Santa Barbara rewards with golden beaches, palm-lined streets, and meandering mountain trails, perfect for soaking up the sun-drenched ambience. The trip ends in laidback Santa Monica, which is the ideal base for exploring the Los Angeles area.

The route is thoughtfully mapped, allowing you to move seamlessly from one highlight to the next, from visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame to sipping a glass of local wine as the sun sets over the Pacific.

2. Costa Rica

Costa Rica

If it’s outdoor adventure you’re after, few destinations deliver like Costa Rica. From dense rainforests and misty cloud forests to smouldering volcanoes and palm-fringed beaches, this Central American country is extraordinarily rich in biodiversity… and with the right planning, it’s surprisingly easy to explore.

Cox & Kings’ Costa Rica Adventure Self-Drive itinerary is designed to showcase the best of this small yet spectacular country, while maintaining a sense of freedom. After a short stay in the capital, San José, you’ll pick up your car and head towards the Arenal Volcano region. Here, your days are filled with exploration: follow alluring jungle trails, soak in natural hot springs, and admire views of the majestic volcano rising above the trees.

Continue through the central highlands to the lush Monteverde cloud forest, where you can spot sloths, monkeys, and brightly coloured tropical birds. The pace slows when you reach the Pacific coast, with its golden beaches and warm turquoise seas. Days here can be spent swimming, surfing, hiking in Manuel Antonio National Park, or heading out to sea in search of dolphins. As dusk falls, expect spectacular ocean sunsets.

Accommodation is arranged, and routes are mapped, leaving you free to focus on the experience itself: the lively sounds of the rainforest, the warmth of the springs, and the gentle rhythm of the surf.

3. Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is often considered the quintessential European road trip. From rolling hills and medieval towns to sun-drenched Renaissance cities, this corner of Italy is made for slow exploration. It’s less about ticking off the sights and more about savouring the journey, and on Cox & Kings’ Tuscany in Style itinerary, you can do exactly that, immersing yourself in the region’s culture, history, and cuisine at a leisurely pace.

Your journey begins in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, where you’ll have two days to wander between galleries and piazzas, admire the grandeur of the Duomo, and ease into Tuscan life over a glass of wine. From here, collect your car and head into the countryside, where silvery olive groves, vineyard-cloaked hills, and cypress-lined roads lead you from one quietly extraordinary town to the next.

Visit honey-hued Montalcino, San Gimignano with its iconic towers, and beautifully-preserved Siena, where narrow streets weave towards sunlit squares. Each invites you to stop and pause – over a coffee, a meal, or simply by watching daily life unfold. Pisa, too, offers more than its famous tower: think elegant Renaissance squares, stunning Romanesque architecture, and delicious cuisine.

There’s also time to visit family-run vineyards, dine in rustic trattorias, and savour the food and wine that define this region. The itinerary balances highlights with spontaneity, whether that’s stopping for a long lunch, taking an unexpected detour, or watching the sunlight move across the hills over a glass of Chianti.

4. British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia, Canada

Few places feel as vast and untamed as British Columbia. Home to snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and ancient forests, Canada’s west coast boasts one of the world’s great driving landscapes. On Cox & Kings’ Wild Wonders of British Columbia journey, you can experience both the iconic highlights and its quieter, lesser-known corners.

Begin in Vancouver… but not behind the wheel just yet. You’ll take to the skies, soaring above the city on a seaplane for a new perspective on the coastline below. After three days in the city, collect your car and board the ferry to Vancouver Island, where the pace shifts and days find their own rhythms. One day you’ll be hiking through pine-scented forests or kayaking across glassy lakes, and the next watching eagles soar overhead from a quiet mountain viewpoint.

This is British Columbia at its most immersive… so wildlife encounters are part of the deal. Watch grizzly bears roam the inlets of Knight Inlet, and spot humpback whales gliding through the waters of Clayoquot Sound. There’s plenty of culture, too: in the relaxed town of Tofino, you can browse local galleries and Indigenous craft shops, while in Victoria, delve into the culinary scene on a guided food tour.

While the landscapes invite adventure, the itinerary allows time to slow down and absorb it. It’s not just about seeing the wilderness, but feeling it, too: the scale, silence, and unique perspective it brings.

5. Namibia

Namibia

For a completely different kind of driving adventure, there’s Namibia – a country defined as much by space and stillness as by its iconic red dunes and sun-bleached salt pans. Here, roads stretch endlessly towards the horizon, and a sense of timelessness floats across the starkly beautiful landscapes, from ancient deserts to the remote reaches of the Skeleton Coast.

Cox & Kings’ Classic Self-Drive itinerary loops through some of the country’s most awe-inspiring scenery. Begin in the Namib Desert, where the towering orange dunes and twisted trees of Sossusvlei combine to create one of Africa’s most surreal scenes. Continue to the Atlantic coast and the laidback town of Swakopmund, where you can take a catamaran cruise to spot dolphins, whales, turtles, and seals.

Wildlife encounters are an unforgettable highlight throughout. In Etosha National Park, watch lions, rhinos, and giraffes as they gather at waterholes, while at Okonjima Nature Reserve, you can learn about native carnivores, including leopards and hyenas. In the rugged landscapes of Damaraland, track desert-adapted elephants before visiting Twyfelfontein, home to one of Africa’s most impressive collections of prehistoric rock art.

In a landscape this remote, having the right route – and support – makes all the difference. Distances are carefully considered, and lodges are perfectly positioned, allowing you to experience Namibia’s ever-evolving scenery with confidence.

6. Andalucía, Spain

Andalucía, Spain

With its winding mountain roads, whitewashed hill towns, and glimmering sapphire seas, southern Spain feels made for driving. Cox & Kings’ seven-day Andalucia Self-Drive itinerary brings together the region’s highlights, taking you from the vibrant cities of Seville, Granada, and Córdoba through rolling countryside and the soaring peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

Soak up the energy of Seville, where you can admire the ornate Alcázar Palace and Europe’s largest cathedral, stroll maze-like streets, and sample local dishes like espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas) and cazón en adobo (marinated fried fish) in lively tapas bars. Then, pick up your car and drive to Córdoba, passing olive groves and sleepy villages, stopping off in the charming town of Carmona.

In Córdoba, marvel at the extraordinary Mezquita, with its striking Moorish arches, before exploring the narrow lanes and flower-filled squares of the old Jewish quarter. Continue to Granada, where the magnificent Alhambra rises dramatically against the backdrop of the rugged Sierra Nevada – a 13th-century masterpiece of palaces, courtyards, and gardens.

The journey moves effortlessly between city and countryside, allowing you to relax over long, sun-soaked lunches, admire mountain views, and lose yourself in winding cobbled streets.

7. California Coast & Desert, USA

California Coast & Desert, USA

As arguably the world’s most famous road trip destination, California earns a second spot on this list. But if the Pacific Coast Highway is California’s most iconic drive, this southern loop reveals its contrasts. Cox & Kings’ 12-day Golden Coast & Desert Drive journey explores the southern half of the Golden State, weaving from sunbaked deserts to surf-pounded shores.

Touch down in Los Angeles, with ample time to explore at your own pace. Cycle along the sea-salted boardwalks of Venice Beach and Santa Monica, browse the stylish boutiques of Beverly Hills, and stroll the esteemed Hollywood Walk of Fame. Then pick up your car and follow the coast south to San Diego, where the historic Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla’s coastal cliffs, and a sunset yacht cruise show off the best of this city.

From here, the landscape changes dramatically. Head inland towards Palm Springs, leaving the Pacific behind as the desert takes over. Experience the town’s mid-century charm, kick back by the hotel pool, and learn about its evolution from a dusty stagecoach stopover to a trendy retreat. Continue to Joshua Tree National Park, where bizarre rock formations, hidden canyons, and gnarled trees create a striking, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

The journey ends back on the coast in Huntington Beach, where you can spend long, sunny days drifting between oceanfront cafés, wide, dune-backed beaches, and the serene trails of Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

Final thoughts…

Whether you’re skirting California’s coastline, crossing Namibia’s vast desert plains, or winding between Tuscany’s hilltop towns, the beauty of a road trip lies in the journey itself; having the freedom to stop, explore, and follow wherever the road, or the urge, leads you.

With Cox & Kings, that sense of freedom comes without the usual complexities. Every route is carefully considered, every stay thoughtfully chosen, and support is always within reach. With 24-hour assistance, trusted car hire partners, and on-the-ground expertise, you can explore with confidence from start to finish.

Whether you’re drawn to culture, wildlife, or simply the joy of the open road, with the right planning, every mile becomes part of the adventure.

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Selene Nelson

Selene Nelson is an author, freelance journalist, and lifestyle writer for Rest Less. After graduating from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature, Selene began contributing to many major newspapers and websites, and has written for the BBC, The Sunday Times, The Independent, Town & Country, and HuffPost. Her specialist subjects include food, travel, and health, though she enjoys writing about a wide range of topics (e.g. her two books are about veganism and psychopathy, respectively!). She enjoys cooking (particularly pasta and Asian noodle soups), reading, travelling, hiking, attempting to keep fit, and watching animal videos on YouTube.

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