Specialist tour operator Journey Latin America is delighted to introduce four new holidays to their Self-drive Holiday Collection. From Nicaragua and Colombia to Chile and Uruguay, these holidays suit those of an independent spirit, who like to travel at their own pace, getting beneath the surface of a destination by exploring it in depth.

The 11-day Self-drive Nicaragua: Adventures by road holiday is a unique way of discovering this little-visited nation giving guests the chance to venture off the beaten track. Guests will collect their 4WD vehicle in Managua and drive north to Matagalpa, the heart of Nicaragua's coffee industry and the gateway to the cloud forest, where they will spend two nights on a coffee estate. Next guests will travel to the colonial city of León passing through magnificent volcanic landscapes on the way and enjoying a guided walking tour during their stay in the city. Guests will then drive down the Pan-American Highway towards Granada, the oldest city in the New World, with the option of visiting Masaya Volcano en route. After spending a few days exploring Granada and its environs, guests will drive down to the tranquil fishing village of San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast to relax by the beach before returning to Managua the following day. The holiday costs £1,489 per person.

The 12-day Self-drive Colombia: Exploring the coffee region and beyond holiday offers guests the chance to experience Colombia in a way few tourists do. Beginning in Pereira in the heart of the coffee region guests will collect their 4WD vehicle and drive through rugged yet softly green mountains to Salento, a small colonial town. A short 12km drive on a rough track from the town centre is the Cocora Valley, undeniably one of the most picturesque landscapes in Colombia packed with hundreds of wax palms. Guests will spend the next few days exploring reserves and coffee plantations as they head up north to the white-washed village of Salamina. The following day sees an adventurous drive to San Felix and La Samaría Wax Palm Forest where guests will be presented with a surreal sight of hundreds of tall, skinny wax palm trees standing on golden-green hillsides. The holiday draws to an end with a few days in Honda on the banks of the Magdalena River. The holiday costs £1,999 per person.

On the 14-day Self-drive Chile: Lake District and southern Patagonia holiday guests will fly to Temuco in the Lake District where a 4WD will be awaiting collection. A new feature for the coming season is the spectacular road between Pucón and Puerto Varas which passes beneath Osorno Volcano and travels along the eastern shore of Lake Llanquihue. Guests will explore the region's criss-crossed network of scenic roads before dropping off their car and flying to Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia. A new hire car will be waiting for guests at the airport and they will begin the Patagonian leg of their holiday by driving to Puerto Natales. It is an increasingly scenic drive to Torres del Paine National Park where guests will stop for a few days to explore the park's attractions. Guests will then drop off the car and fly back to Santiago, where the holiday comes to an end. The holiday costs £3,409 per person.

The 13-day Self-drive Uruguay: Classic highlights holiday sees guests drive from the quaint port town of Colonia along Uruguay's well-maintained roads towards Carmelo, the centre of the wine-producing region. Guests will then spend two nights at the charming Relais and Châteaux property, Narbona Wine Lodge, with opportunities to explore the estate and tour the winery. Driving east, guests will stop in the capital, Montevideo, for two nights before continuing their journey. They will then drive through the province of Rocha, passing the glamorous beach resort of Punta del Este, until they reach the rural country estate which will be their accommodation for the next three nights. There is the opportunity to explore the region over the next two days, visiting highlights such as the magnificent dunes and coastline of Cabo Polonio National Park. The holiday ends with a short drive to the sophisticated coastal resort of José Ignacio, with time to sample its fine restaurants and boutiques. The holiday costs £2,586 per person.

Notes to the editor

• All holidays include good-quality accommodation, car hire, transfers, excursions, and breakfast daily. International flights are extra.

About Journey Latin America   

Journey Latin America is an award-winning tour operator with over 36 years of experience creating tailor-made holidays and group tours to all of Central and South America as well as Antarctica, Cuba and Mexico. The holiday firm has over 60 members of staff who have all lived, worked and/or travelled extensively throughout the region and as such can offer first-hand knowledge based on personal experience. All holidays are ATOL protected.

For more information on Journey Latin America visit www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk or telephone: 020 8600 1881

Press contacts:

Jenny Powles, Head of Press

Laura Rendell-Dunn, Press Manager

press@journeylatinamerica.co.uk

020 8747 1881