Classic Car Journeys

2008 Classic India

Day 1 Sept 20th - Leave Heathrow for the flight to Mumbai.

Day 2 Sept 21st – Arrive Mumbai and transfer for the short 1 hour flight south to Calicut. Gaze out of the window on approach to Calicut and admire the coconut palm lined runway. Exit the airport for the transfer to the first hotel and put on a brave face while taking your first look at Indian traffic and secretly not really believing that you are going to be in amongst it. Spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Day 3 Sept 22nd – A gentle day. A local run out and your first drive of a car designed in the late 1940’s. A chance to swim in the Indian ocean followed by the hustle and bustle of the local town.

Day 4 Sept 23rd – This is it. We’ll be up at the crack of dawn for a drive south through lots of villages to the historic city of Cochin. On arrival the swimming pool is going to seem very inviting.

Day 5 Sept 24th – In the morning we’ll have a late start enabling a sightseeing/shopping tour around the old part of Cochin and a chance to watch the old fashioned Chinese fishing nets in action. We’ll get back about lunchtime for an easy drive to the next nights stop in Kumarakom to spend the night on the shores of Lake Vembanad.

Day 6 Sept 25th – Well be up early again for a wonderful gentle climb to Munnar the old summer resort of the British. Munnar is a lively, vibrant town and there’ll be a chance to look round before dinner.

Day 7 Sept 26th – An absolutely beautiful day. We’ll leave Munnar and drive through some of the highest and most beautiful tea plantations in the world. We’ll cross a large sweltering plain and then tackle the long climb to Udagamandalam, better known as Ooty, the old British hill station and the seat of Govt. for South India in the days of the Raj.

Day 8 Sept 27th – We’ll be spending two nights in Ooty so you’ll have a chance to explore, perhaps taking in a walk past Charring Cross (the town center) and up to the botanical gardens followed by a cup of tea in the old country club.

Day 9 Sept 28th – We now head down from the hills hoping for clear weather to enjoy the spectacular views as we head towards Mysore the city of palaces.

Day 10 Sept 29th – We’ll be leaving Mysore and heading through the Wayanad wild life reserve, while you no doubt try to spot your last wild elephant prior to descending the hills for the final run to Calicut.

Day 11 Sept 30th – Completely your own day to do with what you want. Perhaps a bit of last minute shopping or maybe you’ll fancy another day on the beach. In the evening we’ll be celebrating the end of the trip with a traditional Indian party.

Day 12 Oct 1st – A chance for a lie in prior to catching the coach for the airport.

2008 Classic Europe

Day 1 Aug 29th - Make your own way to Calais arriving late afternoon ready for a welcome dinner. Overnight in Calais.

Day 2 Aug 30th - A gentle start with a lovely route on quiet rural roads through northern France to Verdun arriving in time for a look around this historic sight. Overnight in Verdun.

Day 3 Aug 31st - After a stretch of motorway we head over the Vosges mountains with an optional stop at Le Struthof. After descending we cross the Rhine into the Black Forest. Overnight in the Black Forest.

Day 4 Sept 1st - A stunning drive across Bavaria on beautiful roads. A chance to spend the afternoon sightseeing at Neuswanstien castle before a short drive to Ehrwald in Austria. Overnight in Ehrwald

Day 5 Sept 2nd - Hoping for good weather we cross the Grossglockner, the highest alpine pass in Austria. In the evening we arrive in Bled, the holiday city of Slovenia. Overnight in Bled.

Day 6 Sept 3rd - We leave Bled for an easy day across Slovenia with the odd excursion or diversion thrown in to pass the time! Tonight we’ll be going out for dinner in Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city. Overnight in Maribor

Day 7 Sept 4th - Today we head through rural Slovenia into Hungary along lake Balaton and on up to the city of Budapest for a traditional Hungarian night out in a gorgeous setting. Overnight in Budapest.

Day 8 Sept 5th - Your choice. If you want to start heading back to the UK, do so. If you’re planning to stay in Budapest for longer, we’ll arrange the hotel booking for you.