8 of the best self-driving holidays for 2024 and 2025

By Val Garibotti on 4th July, 2024

Do you love a road trip?

We love a road trip.

Think long slow drives, taking the scenic route, stopping to look at anything that catches your eye, meeting friendly locals, enjoying picnics and vafes along the way… glorious!

If you’re looking for a self-drive holiday this year, we’ve gathered 8 of the best available.

Chile | Namibia | Argentina | South Africa | Uruguay | Mexico | Iceland | Slovenia

Chile

Patagonia and the Carretera Austral in Chile can be one of the most exhilarating, stunningly beautiful, once in your life road trips. The highway is easy to drive, and very safe. It is more than 1,000 km of pure beauty, from the lake region in northern Patagonia to the southern part of the region. 

If you have the time, go all the way, drive it all and even cross into the glacier region of Argentina, to then finish off back in Chile.

If you are more limited on days, do not worry, we can work out a bespoke self-driving holiday where you can drive parts of it, so that you have enough time left to discover other highlights of the country.

Anything is possible, all you have to do is decide whether you want to live the most beautiful adventure of your life, and lucky for you, Fleewinter will do the rest.

Argentina

Self-driving is Argentina can be a wonderful option to explore the country at your own pace.

The most popular destinations are the North West – around the Salta and Jujuy provinces, and the lakes in northern Patagonia.

Tried and tested by us, we will advise on the best routes to take to enjoy a safe and exhilarating holiday.

From the otherworldly landscapes of the North West to the lush and picture perfect lake region, live Argentina at your pace!

Iceland

We love exploring Iceland by hiring a car and just getting off the beaten track. With its majestic fjords and waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, black sand beaches, beautiful fishing villages, the Central Highlands and some of the most exhilarating adventures and activities you can find anywhere in the world, it’s a country you simply must visit.

Our self-drive tours of Iceland allow you to discover the country on your own time and perhaps to go to places other people simply don’t visit (and should) like the beautiful Westfjords. Any and all of our holidays can be self-drive tours or fully (private) guided or a combination of both. Our Toddler Tour is a perfect example of this.

It’s not just for families as all our holidays are tailored to you but it does lend itself really well to travelling with little ones.

Slovenia

Hit the brakes scenery in Slovenia

The wonder of Slovenia is it offers so much but all within a short driving distance. As the only country that combines four of Europe’s distinct geographical features – the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain (a lowland basin) and the Karst (a rocky limestone region) – Slovenia boasts landscapes so perfect, they practically ache to be hiked, canoed or traversed in whichever way you see fit.

Explore some of the best destinations in Slovenia with our 7-day self-drive highlights of Slovenia itinerary. Enjoy charming Ljubljana, fairy tale Bled, the Julian Alps, castles and caves. Continue through the hit-the-break scenery of the Soca Valley. Then marvel at beautiful Lipizzaner horses and enjoy the splendour of the Adriatic coast.

Mexico

South Africa

A self-drive adventure along South Africa’s Panorama Route is an unforgettable experience. This scenic journey takes you through some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, including the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. Marvel at the panoramic views from God’s Window, explore the historic gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, and be enchanted by the cascading beauty of Lisbon and Berlin Falls.

Driving at your own pace, you’ll have the freedom to stop and soak in the breathtaking vistas, hike the trails, and capture stunning photographs. The route offers a blend of natural wonders and cultural heritage, making it ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and adventure enthusiasts alike. A self-drive trip along the Panorama Route promises a blend of thrilling exploration and serene moments in one of South Africa’s most picturesque regions. With the Kruger at its doorsteps, a self-drive safari is a great option as well.

Namibia

Having personally embarked on a self-driving adventure through Namibia, I can passionately recommend it for its awe-inspiring landscapes and boundless sense of exploration.

Driving through the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei at sunrise was a surreal experience. Etosha National Park offered unforgettable wildlife encounters, from majestic elephants to elusive big cats. Damaraland’s rugged terrain, resembling an alien world, captivated me with its ancient rock art and desert-adapted wildlife.

The freedom to stop anywhere, anytime—whether to photograph a breathtaking sunset over the plains or to marvel at a herd of oryx—is what makes this journey so special. It’s a blend of natural wonder and thrilling adventure that leaves an indelible mark on anyone who ventures into Namibia’s vast and untamed landscapes.

Uruguay

Uruguay is a destination made for self-driving. The roads are great and driving here is extremely safe. You still need a sense of adventure of course, but we do invite clients to opt for self-driving if possible.

Being one of the smallest countries in the South American continent, means that distances are short enough. You can reach all the highlights and avoid flights or long land journeys, plus, travelling on your own terms, means you can enjoy more freedom and the chance to really get under the skin of the country.

Stopping when and where you want, means you can enjoy interactions with the friendly locals and reach the best off the beaten path areas. Knowing a few words of Spanish can help, but in the tourist areas you will always find someone who can speak a bit of English.

Of course we will support you and give you all the necessary help and information to enjoy a wonderful self-driving holiday in Uruguay. And if you do not have time to spend a whole two weeks in the country, why not think about adding a few days in Uruguay to an Argentina holiday, the two countries are only an hour ferry away.

Written by Val Garibotti

Top Travel Tip

“Travel is about discovery and digging under the surface of a country. Take your time, go off the beaten track and plan ahead if you can.”

– Valeria Garibotti – Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay expert