The Guardian Travel section launches a European road trip competition, inviting readers to share their best driving experiences across the continent. Winners earn £200 vouchers toward stays at Coolstays properties, which operate over 3,000 accommodations worldwide.
Judges include Tom Hall from Lonely Planet, who will select the winning submission weekly. The competition welcomes stories of any road trip style: dramatic alpine passes delivering mountain panoramas, coastal routes threading between coves and seaside villages, or sweeping lowland highways offering cinematic backdrops.
This initiative taps into the enduring appeal of self-drive holidays across Europe. Road trips remain popular among travelers seeking flexibility and immersion beyond standard tourism routes. The competition recognizes that European driving experiences span diverse landscapes and driving styles, from the serpentine roads of Swiss Alps to Portugal's dramatic Douro Valley, from Scandinavia's fjord-hugging highways to Mediterranean coastal drives.
Coolstays, the accommodation partner, positions itself as an alternative to conventional hotel chains by offering curated independent properties. With 3,000+ listings across Europe and beyond, the company targets travelers prioritizing unique stays over standardized experiences. A £200 voucher covers several nights at many Coolstays properties, particularly appealing for road-trippers seeking character accommodations in smaller towns and villages.
The prize structure emphasizes experience-sharing over monetary reward. Winners gain both recognition in The Guardian's travel coverage and practical discounts for future trips, creating value for travel storytellers.
This campaign reflects broader travel trends. Post-pandemic, self-drive holidays gained traction as travelers prioritized private transport and flexible itineraries. Road trips offer direct access to lesser-known destinations unreachable by public transit, particularly valuable in rural regions across Eastern and Southern Europe. European infrastructure supports road travel well, with diverse routes suitable for various skill levels and interests.