Europe by Private Car
At your own pace wherever your personal interests may lead.
Sit back and relax with your own English-speaking and knowledgeable driver-guide as you experience the ultimate in luxury travel. Enjoy the utmost discretion, comfort, and privacy with a wide range of luxury vehicles and exceptional accommodations.
Following are 14 luxury journeys designed for the upscale traveler looking for a short getaway. Whether it be a quick break from a hectic life, or an add-on to a pre or post package, these short, private, chauffeur driven tours are the perfect escape. As with everything AutoVenture does, these journeys can all be modified to fit the travelers exact needs.
France Italy England, Scotland & Ireland Greece & Turkey
France
The Burgundy Wine Country
3-Nights / 4-Days
(Paris back to Paris)
Destination — the Cote d'Or and the village of Chambolle-Musigny and the luxurious Chateau Andre Ziltner. The northern half of the Cote d'Or is called the Cote de Nuit and produces the famous red wines of the Pinot Noir grape. Your second day is spent visiting the best known vineyards in this district including Vougeot, La Tache, Romanee-Conti and Gevrey-Chambertain. Have another favorite? Ask your driver. The following day is to explore the Cote de Beaune where the great white wines are produced with the Chardonnay grape. Visit the tiny village of Puligny-Montrachet and end with a visit to the famed Chateau de Meursault. For a unique tasting try the Marche aux vins in Beaune.
Starting from $3,930 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Normandy
3-Nights / 4-Days (Paris back to Paris)
Journey through the beautiful Seine Valley to Monet's garden en route to Normandy, and the Chateau d'Audrieu. Spend a full day of exploring this dramatic stretch of the invasion beaches from Arromanches to Omaha Beach and the emotion engendered by the American Cemetery – and finally to the rugged cliffs of the Pointe du Hoc where the landscape of fierce battle remains untouched since D-day. Discover Mont-St-Michel to experience possibly the most historic monument in Europe, and one of the great architectural sites of the world. Return to Bayeux to behold the amazing Bayeux Tapestry, the most important document to come down to us from the middle ages.
Starting from $3,950 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Chateaux Country
3-Nights / 4-Days
(Paris back to Paris)
The Loire Valley presents possibly the most fascinating and historic landscapes in Europe. On arrival, settle in at the elegant 16th century confines of the Chateau de Noizay. Here, in the "Vallee des Rois" you will find castles and grand manor houses covering the entire medieval era with every conceivable style of architecture. The following morning, in the western sector, visit Azay-le-Rideau, the famous gardens of Villandry, Chinon and Fontevraud l'Abbaye. Day 3 in the eastern sector includes Amboise, Chambord, Cheverny and Chenonceau. Your last day takes you via the remarkable cathedral of Chartres beore returning to Paris.
Starting from $3,910 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Paris to Nice
3-Nights / 4-Days
(Loire Valley, Burgundy, Provence)
Discover the Loire Valley and the great chateaux of Chambord and Amboise. Overnight in the Domaine des Haut-de-Loire. Meander through the gentle countryside into the heart of Burgundy to discover the famous vineyards of the Cote de Nuits and the Cote d'Or. Settle in at the Hotel Le Cep in the "capital" of Burgundy, the walled town of Beaune. Continue into Provence to Avignon, encircled by ramparts and defensive walls. Explore the ancient center from the luxurious La Mirande. Leave for the Cote d'Azur, but first stopping in Aix-en-Provence, the City of Fountains, before experiencing the spectacular coastal road to the Riviera.
Starting from $5,700 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Provence
3-Nights / 4-Days
(Nice back to Nice)
Drive via Grasse deep into the Haut-Provence to the spectacular setting of Moustiers-Ste-Marie, famed for its pottery, Faience. Overnight in the luxury and charm of the Bastide de Moustiers. Continue to the Provence of Peter Mayle and the hilltown villages of Bonnieux and Menerbes, then via Gordes to Avignon and the luxury of the Auberge de Noves for two nights. Visit the magnificent 3 tiered aqueduct of the Pont du Gard and the town of Arles called "the soul of France" where Van Gogh painted most of his celebrated works. Return to Nice via St-Tropez and Cannes along the sea.
Starting from $3,920 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Italy
Florence to Venice
3-Nights / 4-Days (Florence, Portofino, Lake Como, Venice)
Wind your way down to the unusual coastal strip known as the Cinque Terre and its main village,
Monterosso al Mare. Continue via Santa Margherita to Portofino and the amazing Hotel Splendido to enjoy the gardens, dining terrace and panoramic views.
Drive north to Lake Como and the world renowned Villa d'Este to relax in elegant comfort for two nights in one of the most favored spots in Italy. Explore the unique and important Roman city of Verona en route to Venice.
Starting from $5,980 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
The Amalfi Coast
3-Nights / 4-Days (Rome back to Rome)
Leave Rome driving south via Pompeii to see the "living" remains of this antique Roman resort that provides a fund of knowledge about everyday domestic life of the 1st century Romans. Then on to the fisherman's cliff hanging village of Positano and the 5 star luxury of Le Sirenuse. Positano is known for its white cubed houses with terraced gardens above the shimmering azure sea. The famed Amalfi drive following the twisting rocky coast between Sorrento and Salerno the most spectacular in Italy. Sorrento with its warm climate, beautiful gardens and magnificent vistas, and the Moorish gardens of Ravello high above the sea with Capri lying invitingly just offshore.
Starting from $4,250 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Rome to Florence
3-Nights / 4-Days
(Rome, Tuscany, Florence)
Drive via Spoleto and the Italian hill towns to Assisi to visit the Basilica of St. Francis and the frescos of Cimabue and Giotto that marked the beginning of the Renaissance. Continue deep into Tuscany and the Locanda dell'Amorosa for two nights. Visit the Tuscan towns of Multipulciano, Pienza and Montalcino. Continue to Siena to visit the Piazza de Campo one of the best-known piazzas in Italy because of its architecture and its annual Palio horse races. Deeper into the countryside brings us to the elegance of the Relais La Suvera. End in Florence via San Gimignano.
Starting from $4,490 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
England, Scotland & Ireland
The Gardens of England
3-Nights / 4-Days
(London back to London)
The first stop is the medieval manor house and garden of Knole, one of the largest country houses in England. Drive via Sissinghurst where Vita Sackville-West and husband, Sir Harold Nicolson, created one of the loveliest gardens in England. Overnight at Eastwell Manor, set in 62 acres of gardens and grounds. Next day drive via Brighton and Aurndel to Petworth House England's closest example to a Louie XIV chateau with gardens by Capability Brown. Continue to the 16th century Elizabethan manor of Gravetye Manor for two nights with lovely rooms overlooking the beautiful gardens. See Chartwell, the wartime home of Winston Churchill, with its garden of wide lawns including a brick wall around the kitchen garden built by Winston himself.
Starting from $3,760 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
The Cotswolds and Bath
3-Nights / 4-Days
(London back to London)
Meander through the delightful Thames Valley via Oxford, Blenheim and Woodstock into the world of Cotswold villages and the magnificent Buckland Manor for two nights. Discover the "wool" towns of Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden and the Slaughters. Experience neo-classical Bath famous since Roman times for its warm mineral springs. See the Pump Room and the Roman baths. Overnight is at the opulent Bath Spa Hotel. Return to London via Stonehenge, Britain's most celebrated prehistoric monument.
Starting from $2,985 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Scottish Highlands
3-Nights / 4-Days (Edinburgh back to Edinburgh)
We're heading for the Whisky Trail en route to Inverness, the gateway to the Highlands. Glistening chandeliers, marble fireplaces feature in the décor of Culloden House, a Palladian mansion dating from 1772, and your Highland home for the next two nights. Among its famous visitors was Bonnie Prince Charlie, who fought his last battle by the park walls. Spend a day exploring deep into the Highlands via Bonar Bridge and through the Glens to Ullapool. Drive the length of Loc Ness whose dark waters are the home of the elusive "Nessie." Set against some of the most magnificent scenery in the Western Highlands, dwells the famous Inverlochy Castle in 500 acres. Other guests have included Queen Victoria and the King of Norway.
Starting from $3,250 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Dublin to Shannon
3-Nights / 4-Days (Waterford, Killarney, Bunratty)
Through the scenic and historic site of Glendalough founded by St. Kevin in the early 6th century to Ireland's most celebrated medieval city, Kilkenny. Continue on to Waterford, known the world over for its glass making industry. The factory, located just outside the city offers guided tours and views of the glass making process. A small car ferry takes you to a little island for over night at Waterford Castle.
The road continues through Blarney Castle to the Ring of Kerry before settling in at the beautiful Killarney Park Hotel. Travel via Adare, reputed to be Ireland's prettiest town, through Limerick to Bunratty Castle. Your last night is the historic Dromoland Castle situated in 375 beautiful acres.
Starting from $3,325 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
Greece & Turkey
Classical Greece
3-Nights / 4-Days
(Athens to Athens)
The glories of Ancient Greece. From Athens travel the Sacred Road to the Corinth Canal, and on to Epidauros, the finest theater in the Ancient world. Continue to Mycenae to see the Palace, Lions Gate and Tomb of Agamemnon. Stop for the night in the picturesque seaside town of Nafplion at the luxuries Ampihtryon Hotel. The next day race across the Argos plain to Tripolis and Vytania to reach Olympia and the stunning Mandola Rosa boutique hotel. This afternoon explore the ruins of Ancient Olympia. In the morning continue north to the magnificent Rion Antiron Bridge crossing the Gulf of Corinth to the mainland and on to Delphi. The last day is devoted to the ruins of Delphi, Sanctuary of Apollo, one of antiquities greatest sights whose mysteries we ponder on the return to Athens.
Starting from $2,665 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top
The Wonders of Turkey
3-Nights / 4-Days
(Cappadocia to Cappadocia)
With its unique cultural heritage and spectacular landscape, Cappadocia is one of the world's most fascinating destinations. Your driver will meet you at Kayseri Airport for the drive to Goreme and your base for the next three nights — the luxurious Anatolian Houses, a boutique hotel carved out of volcanic rocks in a fairytale setting. Day Two we see the extraordinary underground city of Kaymaklit; Pasabag with some of Cappadocia's most spectacular fairy chimneys; and Devrent, famous for its animal-shaped rocks. Day Three we then continue with the highlights of southern Cappadocia — dramatic Ihlara Gorge with medieval frescoed churches clinging to its steep sides, spectacular Selime monastery with its cathedral-sized church, and Guzelyurt, with many lovely old stone mansions, its own small underground city and the 4thC St. Gregorious church. On the last day, we visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a Unesco World Heritage site with an afternoon transfer to Kayseri Airport for return to Istanbul.
Starting from $2,395 per person for private car (based on double occupancy) top