By William Coleman
With both escorted and independent worldwide tours including motorhome hire, pre-booked campsites and personalised road books packed with local travel tips, there has never been an easier time to enjoy an international road trip with the Caravan and Motorhome Club.
USA
The Club has recently launched three new tours in the United States. Each tour covers some of western America’s very best national parks, highways and cities, with different tour lengths meaning that there is something for everyone.
The Big One sweeps through California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah, cruising along some of the US’ most iconic highways, including Route 66 and California Highway 1. This 38-day independent tour covers some of the USA’s best-known natural attractions, from the infamous Yosemite National Park to the incredible Grand Canyon.
Kick things off in glamorous Los Angeles before winding down through some of the world’s best national parks – Joshua Tree for stargazing and the epic Grand Canyon. The route then travels through the desert to Lake Powell, a shimmering man-made reservoir that cuts through the landscape. Continuing the exploration of canyon country, the tour crosses Bryce Canyon National Park and Boulder Mountain and on to Zion National Park, the oldest national park in Utah.
After exploring the beauty of Zion, it heads to the bright lights of Las Vegas before venturing back to nature to explore the giant trees at Sequoia National Park and monoliths of Yosemite. The trip finishes with three nights in San Francisco to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, before cruising through one of the world’s most scenic driving routes – the Pacific Coast Highway and the Big Sur, known to many now as the home of Big Little Lies.
As it’s an independent tour, holidaymakers have the flexibility to choose their stops between sites – from stopping at the awe-inspiring Antelope Canyon, laid back Santa Cruz or the wineries of Santa Barbara.
Prices start from £4799 per person, with departures between April and October 2020 and 2021.
California Calling is perfect for those looking to explore the very best of the Golden State and beyond, but have a little less time to explore. This 25-day independent itinerary winds through Californian highlights, with a little time exploring Arizona and Nevada for good measure. As with the Big One, holidaymakers will hit all the top spots, including the stunning nature at Joshua Tree, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, and the thrilling cities of Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco.
Prices start from £3599 per person, with departures between May and October 2020 and 2021.
Those who are seeking more time with nature will prefer America’s National Parks, a 22-day independent tour starting in Las Vegas. Following a similar route to the Big One, the tour passes through some of the USA’s greatest national parks. Stops include the Grand Canyon National Park, Lake Powell, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.
Prices start at £3179 per person with departures between April and October 2020 and 2021.
Canada
The Maritimes is a 23-day long independent tour across Canada’s Maritime Provinces, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, taking in some of the very best of Canada’s coastline.
This Canadian adventure begins in Halifax to check out the Citadel before taking the Lighthouse Route past beautiful beaches and rugged coastline, stopping at The Old Town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The route then moves through some of Canada’s most stunning landscapes, firstly through the wilderness of Kejimkujik National Park, to the National Historic Site, Fort Anne and then Five Island Provincial Park. The trip then heads over to Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island. After exploring this quaint island, the route winds across the Ceildh Trail, with the chance to stop and go whale watching, then on to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park for moose spotting.
The tour finishes off with visits to the historic sites the Fortress of Louisbourg and Sherbrooke Village, before returning back to Halifax.
Prices start at £3999 per person with departures between May and September 2020 and 2021.
Australia
The Club has launched two new Australian itineraries for 2020 and 2021.
Tasmania – The Wild Island State is a new 24-day independent tour around Australia’s smallest state, Tasmania.
Starting in the capital city, Hobart, to visit the unique MONA gallery the tour then passes through Tasmania’s picturesque east coast to Freycinet National Park. After taking in the stunning wildlife, the drive continues to St Helens with its many parks and dunes – an ideal spot for walking.
Looping round into Launceston, known as the garden city, visitors can explore this beautiful valley before heading to Cradle Mountain. Cradle Mountain is renowned for its abundance of wildlife, with wallabies, potoroos and parrots all to be found.
The itinerary finishes back in Hobart after a stop at the lush Tasmanian rainforest at the South West World Heritage National Park.
Updated itineraries for 2020 and 2021
The Club has recently updated some old favourites to include new stops:
Vancouver Island & the Sunshine Coast is a 20-day escorted tour exploring Western Canada. Building on the popular Vancouver & the Sunshine Coast itinerary from 2019/ 2020, this itinerary now includes stops in Nanaimo, Ucuelet and Sechelt so that adventurers can see the very best of Vancouver Island.
Highlights also include driving along the Sea-to-Sky Highway along the Pacific Coast to Whistler and Burnaby, with stunning fjords, waterfalls and beautiful landscapes as far as the eye can see.
Prices start from £3899 per person, departing on 11 September 2021.
