Whether you want to explore the English countryside in a Jag, tear through Italy’s wine country in a Porsche or even pull donuts in your Aston Martin around an icy track in Lapland, these driving experiences should be enough to satisfy any petrol head.
Jaguar
If you’re a true car nerd and want to experience the best of Jaguar, this could be the one for you. The British marque launched its Heritage Driving Experience back in October, allowing the carmaker’s fans to get behind the wheel of some classic heritage models. A variety of experiences will be available, from one-hour drives to half-day Le Mans 24 Hours race-themed specials and also Jaguar's "Grace and Pace" driving programme. The experiences all begin at the Fen End test facility, near the home of Jaguar Land Rover in the West Midlands.
The basic option is the Jaguar Experience, which sees passengers paired with seasoned professionals - including some recognisable faces from the world of motorsport. Visitors can choose from individual models - including an XK150 or Mark 2 saloon - or selected pairings such as the Series 1 and Series 3 E-type. There's also the option to drive heritage cars alongside their modern counterparts, such as an E-type with a factory-fresh F-TYPE.
The pricier Grace and Pace Experience (US $3,000+) offers a full day of driving Jaguar Heritage legends, from post-war racers to sports saloons, coupés, roadsters and much more, including the new XFR and F-TYPE R Coupé models. There’s also the opportunity to drive creations from the company's Special Operations division, and includes chauffeur-driven transfers in classic Jaguar saloons to a gourmet lunch venue.
Aston Martin
All men want to be Bond, but the act would be a little more convincing while you’re revving the engine of a brand-new Aston. Aston Martin On Tour combines spectacular roads, beautiful scenery and luxurious hotels to create exclusive driving experiences all throughout Europe. The 2015 itinerary will soon be announced but, in the meantime, the carmaker is offering other packages, such as the recent Louis Roederer Driving Experience. Aston Martin teamed up with brand partners Louis Roederer Champagne to offer a unique driving experience in France. With characterful châteaux, delicious French cuisine and a private tour of the rarely available Champagne House of Louis Roederer, this is a great opportunity to discover the history, culture and landscape of France – all for around $10,360.
If you want to add a little more adventure to your Aston experience then why not try Aston Martin on Ice? In addition to similar adventures in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the luxury British sportscar maker is also offering icy driving experience in Swedish Lapland, beginning this week. For around $7,300, Aston enthusiasts can drive an Aston Martin fitted with more than 2000 spikes. Feel the power and sound of our V8/V12 engines in a perfect set-up on ice as you immerse yourself in what is being billed as “the ultimate Aston Martin experience.” The training is aimed towards those with a penchant for sporty driving and prior experience of using advanced driving skills is recommended. However, in the step-by-step training sessions you get learn ice driving and drifting skills.
The Lapland lake venue will have approximately 13 to 15 km of track, with driving time amounting to around 15 hours per car, depending on weather conditions & travel arrangements. Cars are provided on spikes-tires, with two participants sharing one car. The current range of Aston Martin models will be available: Vanquish, V12 Vantage S, V8 Vantage N430 – all left-hand drive cars.
Bentley
Not to be outdone, Bentley is also offering its own winter driving experience: Power on Ice, which also kicks off this month. On the edge of the Arctic Circle, close to the country’s border with Russia, a vast and frozen lake surface has been turned into a very special driving course. This is the home of Bentley Power on Ice, where participants get to handle a Continental GT3-R after two full days of driving and tuition from a dedicated instructor. But don’t worry too much about the cold, you’ll get to enjoy heated leather seats the whole time. The top option includes accommodation at Ruka Peak Cottage, which sees the experience come in at $15,860.
If you want the power and the majesty of the Bentley, without the chills and spills, then perhaps Secret Britain is more up your street. The focus is less on driving and instead puts UK landmarks on centre stage. The five-day packages are all exclusive to Bentley and include a chauffer-driven drive to The Park Tower Knightsbridge, a Luxury Collection Hotel for dinner, powerboat tours of The Thames and gourmet lunches at the Bentley Room of the Michelin-starred Mosimann’s restaurant.
Then there’s the afternoon of shopping at Harrods, before a private evening tour of Windsor Castle and dinner at Cliveden. The next morning is a visit to Eastnor Castle, where you will stay overnight as personal guests of the Hervey-Bathurst family. During your visit, you’ll have the chance to try your hand at country pursuits including falconry, archery and clay pigeon shooting. On the final day, you will tour the Bentley factory in Crewe and see at first hand the traditional craft skills that make Bentley cars unique. There follows a private lunch at the Bentley Mews – home of Bentley’s Chairman & CEO. Finally, you will be driven to the historic town of Chester for a farewell dinner. The experiences are on offer all throughout the year, priced at around $10,000 per person.
Maserati
Haven’t had your fill of wine country? Maserati wants to take you to the Tuscan hills with its Master Italian Lifestyle Experience. Il Tridente promises an unforgettable weekend that combines the track and the essence of “Made in Italy”. The experience allows you to polish your driving skills both on the track and on the road as you spend your weekend enjoying both the circuit and some of Italy's most captivating attractions: art, fashion, luxury and shopping.
From day one, while the driver takes part in the track sessions, his or her travelling companion can enjoy a tour of the city of Parma. After lunch together, the driver can continue working on the circuit while his companion will be whisked off to Florence for an afternoon of shopping in the chicest boutiques. The driver will then arrive in Florence in a Maserati, taking turns driving with the instructor. The package costs $5,584 for drivers, including all activities, accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, museum entry and guided tours. Drivers’ companions are charged at $1,473, which includes accommodation at Grand Hotel De La Ville and Grand Hotel Villa Medici.
Porsche
Another sportscar brand that wants to keep things relaxed and refined is Porsche. The German marque’s best driving package is the Porsche Tour of Vienna, Budapest and Prague – a six-day journey across three capital cities via a Porsche of your choice (the Boxster S is recommended). Tour highlights include guided tours of the three stunning cities, a tour of the Palais Coburg's famous wine cellar and a drive through the vineyards of Austria's Styria region. The road to Budapest also offers a chance to get acquainted with the lesser-known Transdanubian countryside where you’ll get to stay at Hotel Amade Château, which Porsche describes as “eminently elegant”. The experience is available from August 2015, priced at $5,470.
However, if you wanted to escape Europe altogether, then consider a very different kind of safari. The Porsche Adventure Tour of Namibia is an 11-day package with a Porsche Cayenne or Macan. More than twice as large as Germany, it is also the least densely populated country in the world with just under 2.2 million inhabitants. The experience, priced at $11,415, includes a drive through the NamibRand Nature Reserve and Namib Desert, a boat trip in Walvis Bay and a visit to Etosha National Park.
