During the summer break Lifetime’s intrepid founders Ralph and Anita Stewart drove coast to coast in India, with the help of Great Road Journeys. Ralph shares some of the highlights from their unforgettable road-trip.

I’m always telling Lifetime customers that if after carefully planning your income and outgoings in retirement you find you have a bit left over to play with, then by all means do that! Explore the world if you have the appetite and means, or throw yourself into your hobbies…but try to enjoy every moment, because you’ve earned it.

This is exactly the mindset my wife Anita and I adopted when, slightly out of character, we decided to drive ourselves from one side of India to the other.

Anita and I aren’t the type to spend holidays lounging by the pool. We’re naturally curious, love classic cars (my beloved 23-year-old Mercedes isn’t quite a ‘classic’ yet and it’s 50/50 whether it’ll start on a cold day, but we can dream!), and enjoy being on the move. While looking for holiday inspiration online, we discovered Great Road Journeys, a UK-based company offering guided driving tours around the world.

The India tour looked amazing, but we were wary. Having previously fallen victim to an online travel insurance scam, we knew the risks of committing to an unknown operator.

After several personal email exchanges with Great Road Journeys’ founder, Steve McCullagh, our fears evaporated. This wasn’t an impersonal, automated booking process—Steve’s direct responses reassured us we were dealing with a reputable company and he was someone we could trust. Just like that, we signed up, paid the deposit, and booked our flights.

The 12-day journey took us from Chennai (formerly Madras) on the east coast to Cochin on the west coast, covering India’s vibrant southern landscape. Alongside 24 other couples, many seasoned Great Road Journeys travellers, we navigated the roads in modern, air-conditioned Suzuki Breezas, with speeds capped at 80 km/h for safety.

Each morning began with a comprehensive briefing from Steve, supported by his son Jack and their local guides, Lokesh and Don. The detailed road safety guidance was invaluable in preparing us for driving in India, which was so much less daunting than you might think. The route was meticulously planned, avoiding predictable Google Maps highways and instead leading us through breathtaking countryside, bustling villages, and hidden gems we’d never have found on our own. There was also no convoy driving, so you never felt like you were merely following along.

Don’t just take my word for it, check out this short video for more: click here.

While the journey itself was remarkable, the people made the experience unforgettable. The group, mostly in their 60s and 70s, was filled with fascinating individuals, each bringing their own stories and enthusiasm for adventure. Our evening dinners were a highlight - lively discussions, shared laughs, and lifelong friendships forged over delicious meals.

The accommodation was just as well thought out as the route, including 4 to 5-star hotels and resorts, blending traditional Indian charm with Western comforts.