The best places to take a coach tour

New Zealand

New Zealand’s spectacular scenery ranges from shimmering turquoise sea to snow-capped mountains, dramatic fjords in lush countryside to bubbling mud pools in Rotorua, and there are few better ways to enjoy these astonishing landscapes than by road.

While the country does have one of the world’s best train journeys, many of New Zealand’s biggest sights are only accessible if you’re driving – so why not hand over the navigation to someone else, and sit back to soak up the sights from a comfortable seat instead? Stretching for almost 1,000 miles from north to south, a coach tour in New Zealand also cuts down hours behind the wheel, especially if you’re planning a holiday visiting everywhere from the Bay of Islands in the north to Doubtful Sound in the south.

USA

The United States is famously a land for drivers, where the car is king, the roads are wide and open, and long journeys are part of the experience. But if driving for hours doesn’t tempt you, public transport is rarely an easy alternative if you’re hoping to cover the long distances between the country’s attractions.

So the USA is one of the world’s best places to take a coach tour, whisking you from destination to destination, whether you’re hoping to visit the magnificent national parks, explore the Deep South or even follow the classic Route 66 road trip itinerary without having to worry about the practicalities of driving in the US.

Canada

Like the neighbouring US, Canada is a land of wide-open spaces and awe-inspiring scenery. And while you’ll find some iconic train journeys to take you through the Rockies and from coast to coast, a coach tour of Canada is one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery.

If you’ve always wanted to explore the Rocky Mountains but don’t fancy tackling the steeply winding roads yourself, a coach tour is ideal. With an expert behind the wheel, all that’s left is for you to gaze out of the window. Or explore one of Canada’s less well-known landscapes, following the legendary Cabot Trail on one of the world’s most scenic drives through the Canadian Maritimes, on the country’s east coast.

Australia

The world’s sixth-largest country, around a third of Britons have Australia on the bucket list. And with so much to squeeze in, from the Great Barrier Reef to the great cities, Uluru and the Red Centre, fascinating wildlife and fabulous wine, a holiday in Australia is always going to involve plenty of travel. The country’s sheer size means that you’ll be hopping on a few planes unless you’ve got months to explore, but otherwise, the roads are the best way to get around.

Australia has some spectacular drives, including the Great Ocean Road stretching for around 150 miles along the south-eastern coast of Victoria. The iconic 12 Apostles rock stacks are one of the highlights, but you’ll also discover rainforest, dramatic cliffs, glorious beaches, and plenty of native wildlife as you go. So rather than having your eyes glued to the road, travelling by coach in Australia means you can enjoy the sights without the effort.

South Africa

South Africa is home to one of the world’s top road trips, travelling the 112-mile Garden Route which stretches along the Cape – perfect for combining with time in Cape Town and an Eastern Cape safari, it’s home to some of South Africa’s most memorable scenery.

Although the route itself isn’t long, there’s lots to pack in, from whale-watching at Hermanus to the lagoon at Knysna and nature reserves, as well as inland detours to ostrich capital of the world Oudtshoorn, which sits on the equally unforgettable Route 62 leading to Franschhoek and the Cape winelands. So, whether you’re hoping to sample a few glasses of local wine, or simply want to relax in between sightseeing, a coach tour of South Africa is a fantastic way to explore this corner of the world.

Germany

It’s not only the world’s bigger countries which are perfect for a coach holiday, with plenty to tempt you to explore Europe by coach too. Germany’s efficient autobahns make it easy to get around the country, as well as having experienced local drivers to tackle the roads in busy capital Berlin. A coach tour of Germany also lets you combine a string of destinations into a 10-day break, exploring the home of Prussian kings, elegant Dresden, infamous Colditz Castle, the dramatic Harz mountains and picturesque medieval towns along the way – and there’s nothing to stop you trying a few steins of local beer as you go either.

Amalfi Coast

Italy

Italy might not be the first destination that springs to mind when you’re considering a coach trip holiday, but it’s a fantastic way to see some of the country’s highlights. The beautiful Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most popular destinations, and for good reason with its string of colourful villages clinging to the cliffs. Driving the vertiginous mountain roads to reach them, and dodging Italian drivers as you search for parking spaces is a lot less tempting, so a coach tour is a very attractive alternative.

And if you’re hoping to get a taste of Italy from Venice in the north to Sicily in the south, travelling by coach lets you relax between sightseeing, avoid traffic restrictions in the historic cities, and even spot buffalo herds grazing in Calabria on the way, the source of Italy’s delicious mozzarella cheese.

Ireland & Northern Ireland

Ireland is renowned for its lushly beautiful scenery, particularly on the island’s west coast, and it’s also easy to discover some of the highlights of Northern Ireland during the same visit. But if you’d prefer to swap driving down narrow country lanes for a chance to enjoy the scenery, a coach tour of Ireland is the answer.

With hundreds of miles separating the dramatic Causeway Coastal Route in the north of the island from the Ring of Kerry in the south, it’s also a far more relaxing way to see some of the best of the countryside without hours behind the wheel.

Iceland

Iceland’s ‘ring road’ is easily the most exciting one to drive along; forget traffic jams around UK cities, this circular route takes you from the capital Reykjavik to the waterfalls, geysers and other attractions of the Golden Circle, whale-watching in Akureyri, the otherworldly Lake Myvatn, the vast Vatnajokull Glacier, the icebergs and marine life of Jokulsarlon lagoon and more.

Although you can drive the route yourself during the summer months, with the appropriate vehicle and some preparation, Iceland’s roads come with their own challenges, so for a hassle-free alternative, travelling on a coach holiday in Iceland is the best of both worlds.

India

While India’s rail network is famously one of the world’s largest, having an experienced local driver to help you explore the country is always a bonus. Because while the chance to experience India’s endlessly fascinating culture is what persuades so many travellers to book, the riot of colour and sound in this vast country can also be overwhelming at times.

But with your own peaceful transport to retreat to and all the practicalities taken care of, you can seize the opportunity to see the Golden Triangle, home to the iconic Taj Mahal, to spot tigers prowling in the jungles of Ranthambore and to make unforgettable memories.

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