On a single transfer, the choice of car is about the next hour or two. On a tour of seven or ten days, it is about every morning and afternoon of the trip. The car is where you spend the time between hotels, where your luggage lives for the whole journey and, on long days through the Alps, where you rest, read, work or sleep. This guide explains how we match the three vehicles we use for tours to different groups.
The Mercedes S-Class: two people, maximum comfort
The S-Class is the most comfortable car in our fleet for one or two passengers. The rear seats are designed for long journeys, the cabin is quiet at motorway speeds and the ride is smooth on mountain roads. For a couple travelling with normal luggage, it is the natural choice.
The limit is the boot. Two large suitcases and a couple of smaller bags fit well; a week of shopping, golf bags or ski equipment may not. If you expect to buy a lot along the way, or if you travel with bulky items, the V-Class is the safer option.
The Mercedes V-Class: couples with luggage, families and small groups
The V-Class seats up to seven passengers and has real luggage space. For a couple it means comfort and almost unlimited room for bags. For a family of four or five, it is the vehicle that keeps everyone and everything together without compromise. The sliding doors make it easy to get in and out many times a day, which matters on tours with frequent stops.
The Sprinter Luxury VIP: groups that want space
The Sprinter Luxury VIP carries up to eight passengers with all their luggage in one cabin, with individual seats and room to move. It is the vehicle we recommend most for multi-day tours with families or groups of friends: everybody travels together, the luggage area is large, and long days feel shorter when you can stretch your legs.
It is also the right choice for groups who travel with golf bags, ski equipment, prams or instruments, or who simply expect to come home with more than they left with.
Comfort on long days
On days with three or four hours of driving, small details matter. Tell us your preferred temperature, whether you like music or silence, and whether you want still or sparkling water on board. Many guests use the time to work or make calls, and the rear of all three vehicles is quiet enough for it. The driver plans a break roughly every two hours on long stages, and more often with children. If somebody in the group suffers from car sickness on mountain roads, let us know: the driver can choose a smoother route where one exists and drive more gently on the bends.
Where a large vehicle needs planning
A few places on our itineraries have narrow streets or restricted access: the village of Portofino, the old towns of Salzburg and Ljubljana, the historic centres of Florence and Rome, and some mountain lanes. In these places a large vehicle may stop a little further from the hotel door. We check every hotel in advance and tell you where the car will stop, and the driver carries the luggage the last stretch when needed.
One car or two
For groups larger than eight, or for a family that wants a separate car for the grandparents, two vehicles can travel together on the same plan. Each has its own driver, and the two drivers coordinate departures and stops. It is also a good solution when part of the group wants to leave early or take a different route for a day.
What stays the same whatever you choose
Whichever car you choose, you have the same dedicated chauffeur for the whole tour, the same vehicle every day and a written quote that lists exactly what the price covers. The difference between the cars is space and comfort, not the level of service.
How to choose
If you are unsure, send us the number of travellers, the luggage you expect to carry and the route. We suggest the vehicle that fits and explain why. Price on request, quoted in writing for your dates.