Classic Travelling – Vintage & classic car tours in the UK, Europe, and worldwide

Normally, about 18-20 cars – but a minimum of 12 cars for Classic Travelling club tours. However, we can organise tours for any party size. Our club tours can have between 10-60 cars.

All the hotels, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts for our Club Tours (and many used for our Independent Tours) have been personally inspected by us to ensure a high standard. With the occasional exception, we only use small, owner-managed establishments. What Classic Travelling values in our recommended accommodation is a warm welcome, rooms with character, a lovely setting and good food, usually locally sourced. But our most important criterion is “Can I relax here?” We want your stay to be memorable – for the right reasons – and refuse to use large hotel chains with featureless, identikit rooms that could be anywhere in the world. Classic Travelling uses establishments that have proper bed linen, tasteful decor and good food. Usually the hotels are within interesting or historical buildings. The hotels and guesthouses we use tend to be three or four star (or equivalent) with some five star hotels. We will not use a hotel just because of its star rating though: We stay in accommodation that offers good value for the experience. We do the legwork finding great places to stay – you reap the rewards.

Obviously we also ensure that there is suitable parking for your car. This may not always be under cover, but it will be in a private car park and not on the street. We also ensure that the access for our cars is appropriate.

The key to the tour is flexibility: There are no convoys, early departures or competitive stages. The route is merely a suggested one, and you are welcome to divert off-route if you wish. Our routes give you the opportunity to stop along the way, explore the local sights, and eat where you like – all at your own pace. The tour is organised, not you. Generally crews drift away from the hotel after breakfast. Pleasant lunch spots may be suggested and, after an enjoyable day’s driving, you should be able to arrive at your hotel in plenty of time to relax before dinner. Should you wish to drive with other cars during the tour, then that is entirely up to you.

For our group tours all we ask is that you have a classic, vintage or sports-type car, of any age. Classic Travelling has chosen not to offer mechanical back-up on most of our tours (except for the XK Club and E-type Club tours), because frankly the costs are prohibitive, and in our experience, classic car drivers believe that prevention is better than cure. Prior to the tour we give each crew a comprehensive check list that identifies the most common problems previously experienced, and we ask you to ensure these things are checked. We also recommend that you have European breakdown cover (obtainable either from your insurance provider or breakdown service provider). For tours outside Europe we will provide breakdown cover in the relevant countries as part of the package price.

The most important thing is that your car is in excellent mechanical condition. We suggest that you tell your garage about the event and the time and distance and if in any doubt over any part, replace it or take a spare.

Power and handling are less important that robustness and reliability. Engines can tend to get quite hot when driving mountain roads, so an efficient cooling system is essential. Gradients can be severe, so please ensure your brakes are in perfect condition.

For our independent or tailor-made tours you can take any vehicle of your choice.

The Classic Travelling event director and tour guide will accompany the tour in a classic car. At least one of the Classic Travelling crew is trained & qualified in first-aid (human, not car!).

Their vehicle will have a small first-aid kit, basic tool kit, and mobile phone.

There is not usually any mechanical support (except for XK Club and E-type Club tours), so please ensure you have enough spares with you and that the car has been fully prepared for its journey.

The organisers’ resources are limited and may not be able to cope with a serious accident or breakdown. We recommend you have European breakdown cover. For tours outside Europe breakdown cover and fully comprehensive motor insurance are included in the tour price.

Personal insurance: You are responsible for arranging you own travel and medical insurance, covering personal liability, theft or loss of personal effects, repatriation and cancellation. Please ensure that your insurance covers you for the full amount of time that you will be away for. We recommend that you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which entitles the holder to free or reduced cost, state-provided medical treatment in any European Economic Area country and Switzerland. The card is free and you can apply online (www.dh.gov.uk/travellers), over the phone (0845 606 2030) or by collecting a postal application from the Post Office.

Motor insurance: You will need to inform your motor insurance provider that you are travelling outside the UK (if applicable). For tours outside Europe we will arrange comprehensive insurance for your car whilst it is out of Europe, but this will be extra to the tour price. If your car needs to be shipped we will include marine insurance during shipping too.

You will need to ensure you have the necessary documentation in your car (insurance certificate, vehicle registration document, driving licence) for travel. We strongly recommend that you have European breakdown cover, and that it covers the countries to be visited. For tours outside of Europe we obtain breakdown cover for the cars.

Each car will receive a comprehensive tour book. This includes detailed written directions, overview maps showing the recommended routes, accompanied by a road atlas. The book also has details of where you are staying and includes details of everything there is to do, see and visit each day, as well as a potted history of the areas through which you will pass. There is also general overview information and history on each country or region, and language information, where applicable.

No. Our tour books have detailed, written directions, accompanied by the overview daily route, which is also marked on a map (Autoroute). We also provide a road atlas for you. We find this easier for those who may wish to deviate from our recommended route, or for those who do not wish to spend each moment looking at directions, and be able to enjoy the countryside you are travelling through. We offer a choice of so many different things to visit on or nearby our routes, that traditional maps are easier to follow, and allow you to travel exactly as you wish.

Our recommended routes are usually along excellent,fully-metalled, quiet, scenic roads. We avoid motorways and main roads where ever possible. This generally ensures you will be driving along the quieter back roads, usually surrounded by lovely scenery.

On some tours (mainly outside Europe) there may be sections of untarred road (to which there are usually alternative routes provided), but these are of good quality and we have driven our cars along them already on the reconnaissance trip. Where we do use untarred sections it is because the road or scenery is so outstanding that we think it really should not be missed! Obviously, driveways to some of the hotels will be gravel or similar too.

No! It does, of course, help that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, relish individual, character hotels, and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers. But it is not the intention to make the tour exclusively car-oriented. Classic Travelling tours are first and foremost holidays to relax, enjoy and experience the countries we visit. We aim to satisfy everyone, (including non-car enthusiasts) so let us know if you have a particular interest that you would like us to try and accommodate.

All the accommodation includes breakfast. On group or club tours we tend to include about half the evening meals in the price. We rarely include meals at hotels and guesthouses in towns and cities, as there is often a good range of restaurants to choose from, and we will often be able to recommend somewhere to eat. Occasionally it is also pleasant to have a meal without the group. Where there is no alternative, such as rural hotels, we will include dinner. This will usually be a set menu. Lunch is also of your own choosing.

Comfortable travelling clothes are more important than looking stylish. However, for our escorted tours, it is preferred if guests change from their travelling clothes for dinner in hotels. You may wish to take something slightly smarter, but men usually won’t need a jacket and tie – smart casual will be fine. We also recommend that you take plenty of sun protection (high-factor cream and hats), warm clothing for cooler days, and a waterproof layer.

Our customers book our tours to enjoy their cars, beautiful scenery, good food and wine, and quality hotel accommodation, that offers value for money. Some of your fellow travellers are sampling European motoring for the first time, whilst others have been touring for years. Age ranges vary from mid twenties to mid eighties!

Please contact us to discuss your requirements. We will seriously consider any suggestions as an escorted tour, or we can arrange a tailor-made tour for you, to meet your exact requirements.

That’s no problem at all: Classic Travelling can arrange the hire of a suitable classic or sports car on your behalf. Please contact us to discuss your requirements. We can arrange car hire in:
UK: London, Yorkshire, Edinburgh, Stirling, Kent, Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, Cotswolds, Surrey, Cornwall

France: Dordogne & Burgundy
Italy: northern Italy – Piedmont, Lombardy, Trentino
South Africa: western Cape

Once you have decided which tour you want to go on, just contact us to ensure places are still available. Then download the booking form, fill it in and send it back to us. We require a deposit of 25% of the tour price to secure your place. Bookings made by telephone will be held for 7 days, by which time we hope to have received your booking form and deposit. The balance (75%) must be paid no less than eight weeks before departure.

There are various ways to pay: Direct bank transfer; Credit/Debit card via PayPal; Cheque (payable to ‘Classic Travelling Ltd’)

Call Classic Travelling on 0845 230 1678 (or +44 1264 358025 if you are calling from outside the UK).

In accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992″ all passengers booking with Classic Travelling have their monies held in a Trust Account that is independent of the regular business trading/current accounts. All of the monies paid into this account are only released and available to Classic Travelling Ltd on completion of your tour, so your money is safe and there to run your holiday, whatever may happen to Classic Travelling (nothing we hope, of course!)

This does not replace your travel insurance and we strongly recommend that you have this. It may cover you for various unforeseen eventualities during your trip, and may provide cover incase you have to cancel your holiday, and are not entitled to a refund.

Classic Travelling was established in 2003 and offers travel services and motoring holidays. The founder of the business, Sarah Dowding, has extensive experience of touring and motoring, having driven well in excess of 250,000 miles over the finest roads in Europe, North America, and southern Africa. With Classic Travelling’s continual presence on the best touring roads, we are second to none for advice about exploring the world by road, and off the beaten track. Our knowledge and experience means we have a in depth and unique knowledge of where and when to drive, depending upon your budget, interests and car. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail in preparing every trip we undertake. For example, we always spend a substantial amount of time inspecting the access to any car parking and ensuring that the security arrangements for your car are the best reasonably available. Our guides are knowledgeable, friendly, experienced and approachable. On our escorted tours they are there to look after you and ensure that you have an enjoyable and hassle-free holiday. Whether you need help with your bags, ordering a meal, sourcing super unleaded fuel, or seeking medical advice, our guides will help to the best of their ability. There will also always be at least one qualified first aider.

Classic Travelling Ltd is a fully bonded tour operator. We specialise in the organisation of motoring tours and holidays for classic, vintage and sports cars of any age.

We organise:
Escorted Tours: scheduled tours for groups of around 12 cars. Wonderful camaraderie with like minded travellers and drivers. You can rely on us for choosing lovely accommodation (with suitable parking), scenic routes and we give you a comprehensive tour book, with maps, routes, and all the details you need to make the most of your holiday. There is no convoy driving, early departures and competitive stages – just a relaxing and fun touring holiday.

Independent Tours: itineraries we have put together that can be taken at any time to suit you. This helps to take away the hassle and guesswork of organising your own trip. Bespoke itineraries – If you can’t find one of our tours to suit you then tell us where you want to go and what your budget is and we will arrange a holiday to meet your exact requirements.

Club Tours: We have worked with a number of car clubs to arrange tours for their members. We can professionally organise the entire tour so clubs do have have to rely on the goodwill of volunteers. We take away the hassle of arranging a touring holiday for a large number of people – which always takes far longer than any novice volunteer ever thinks!

Bespoke Itineraries: If our tours don’t meet your needs, just tell us where you want to go and your budget, and we shall tailor-make a tour to meet your exact requirements.

We make all the arrangements and reservations (except for flights, where applicable). All you need to do is turn up! We are also agents for P&O Ferries, Brittany Ferries, Stena Line, Sea France, and DFDS Seaways, so do let us know if we can help with your sea crossings.