The Hottest Holiday Destinations Best Explored with a Car
16/04/2025
Thinking about renting a car for your next adventure? Trust us, the world is packed with destinations that are best explored with the keys to your very own ride. And we can help you with car hire everywhere and anywhere as part of your holiday package. So buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a ride through the hottest holiday spots and hidden gems, where renting a car is not just a good idea—it’s an absolute must!
Hire Car Holidays
Ah, the open road. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the freedom to go wherever you want. That’s the magic of hiring a car on holiday. You can skip the taxis, the overcrowded buses, and the “we’ll just take a tour” routine. Instead, you get to create your own personised adventure, discovering places at your own pace.
Press the break on real life and turn on cruise control- a road trip is the perfect holiday extra. All you need is a great playlist, plenty of snacks, and a sense of adventure. We’ll sort the rest.
Our Top Road Trip Routes
At Hays Travel we love a road trip, so it's no wonder our customers love them too! From the USA's iconic routes and Canada’s wide open roads to Italy and Portugal’s coastal highways, here's some of our top destinations to hire a car in!
California Dreamin’
Let’s start with a classic: California. Cue the Great American Hits CD. From the shimmering beaches of Los Angeles to the jaw-dropping cliffs of Big Sur, California’s got it all. Hiring a car here? Pure magic. Cruise along the Pacific Coast Highway, stop at quirky coastal towns like Santa Barbara or Carmel-by-the-Sea and let’s not forget those legendary roadside diners straight out of the movies. California is one big scenic route and the car? It’s your ticket to it all.
Perfect for: movie buffs, beach bums, and classic car lovers.
Scenic Spanish Drives
One minute you’re winding through the sun-baked hills of Andalusia, the next you’re sipping sangria by the sea in Costa Brava. Hiring a car in Spain opens up a world beyond the usual tourist trail—think medieval hilltop towns, hidden tapas bars, and spontaneous beach stops. Cruise from the fiery flamenco vibes of Seville or hit the lesser-known gems like Ronda or Salamanca. With a car, you can chase the sunsets and siesta whenever (and wherever) you please. Vamos!
Perfect for: families and anyone who thinks siestas should be a global rule.
‘Ahh'-malfi Coast
Is there anything more romantic than Italy? Sure, but driving the Amalfi Coast in a cute little Fiat 500 with the Mediterranean breeze in your hair might come pretty close. The coastline is dotted with pastel-coloured villages perched on cliffs, winding roads that hug the sea, and a world of hidden beaches waiting for you to explore. Pro tip: skip the touristy bus tours and drive yourself to secret coves and hole-in-the-wall trattorias—you’ll thank us later.
Perfect for: romantics and drivers who don’t mind a few twists and turns.
Top Reasons to Hire a Car on Holiday
Why hire a car on holiday, we hear you ask? Oh, we’ve got plenty of reasons. And if you’re travelling with the whole family in tow, these reasons will make your next family holiday even smoother.
Freedom:
No waiting for buses, no tours that last too long—just you and the open road. Sounds pretty perfect, right? And let’s not forget convenience. No lugging your luggage around, no sharing a cramped ride with strangers. It's just you, your loved ones, the open road, and a whole world waiting to be discovered.
Flexibility:
Want to pull over at a random viewpoint? Go ahead. Fancy a detour to explore a tiny village you stumbled across? Absolutely. Do the little ones need to stretch their legs? Stretch away! You’re the driver, this is your holiday.
Fun, Fun, Fun!
This one's pretty obvious. Car + Holiday + Choice = FUN!
Our Hidden Hire Car Holiday Gems:
We all know the beaten paths of the world, but the best thing about hiring a car is you can take the road less travelled and steer clear of the crowds. Ready to shift gears into a more unusual destination?
Iceland (Yes, really!)
Iceland might sound like a crazy choice for a car hire holiday, but trust us—it’s magic. Imagine driving past glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes while singing your heart out to Björk. The Golden Circle route is a must, but the real beauty lies in venturing off the beaten track, discovering hidden waterfalls, and exploring dramatic black sand beaches. With a rental car, you get the freedom to explore this otherworldly destination at your own pace—just be sure to watch out for the occasional sheep crossing the road!
Perfect for: wild-at-heart adventurers and believers in elves (hey, it’s a thing!)
South Africa
We know what you're thinking... 'I don't know if my hire car can keep up with the king of the jungle!' But we're here to tell you you're missing out— from safari to seaside, city to vineyard this is a ride worth taking. Set off from Cape Town to spot big cats in Kruger National Par, cruise along the Garden Route and don’t forget the famous Route 62—South Africa’s answer to Route 66, packed with quirky pit stops. Plus South Africa drive on the same side of the road as the UK, what a bonus!
Perfect for: wine sippers, and road trippers who like their drives with a side of safari.
New Zealand’s South Island
If you’ve seen “The Lord of the Rings” (and let’s be real, who hasn’t?), you know how epic New Zealand is. But there’s more to it than just cinematic landscapes. Hire a car in the South Island and you’ll be driving through glaciers, fjords, and lush valleys that look like they’ve been plucked straight out of a fantasy novel. Christchurch, Queenstown, and Fiordland National Park are all on your road trip hit list—but let’s be honest, the journey itself and quirky pitstops are half the fun.
Perfect for: nature nerds, Lord of the Rings superfans, and campers with epic playlist taste.
Ready to hit the road? Enjoy total freedom and flexibility with convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off services across Europe and the USA, car rentals in over 23,000 destinations, and a wide range of vehicle types to suit every journey.
Pop into your local Hays Travel branch or enquire about our Car Rentals online now!