Let's Talk Twenty-Seven

Life is always better with something to look forward to. So, even though we're currently locked into an epic summer of searing sunshine and smooth tarmac, it's always good to have one eye on the future as you roll on through the present. So, with that in mind, we've got a treat for you - your most in-depth glimpse yet into what we're planning for next year. So, from the Arctic tundra to the sands of the Sahara, and from alpine passes to fancy chateaux, here's Pub2Pub's 2027 calendar as it currently stands.

30th January to 07th February - the Scotchstorm Rally

The NC500 is one of the world's great drives. Trust us, we've done a few of the others, and it really is that good. So good, in fact, that it's became a victim of its own success. Clogged with campervans, swarmed by cycle-tourers and choked by coaches, it's just not the same as it was a decade ago. In fact, it can be a pretty frustrating drive these days, if you head up in high summer.

Fortunately, we have the answer.

Drive it in winter. Because then, everything changes. The campervans are replaced with empty tarmac. The midges vanish, replaced with cool, crisp air. The landscape gains a drama unseen in summer, and the unpredictability of the weather turns one of the world's greatest drives, into one of its greatest adventures. So, if days cruising Scotland's wild west coast, followed by evenings with a dram by the fire, appeal, then Scotchstorm could just be the best possible start to your year. Details here.

26th February to 15th March - the Snowstorm Rally

'Let's drive to the Arctic in Winter.'

It was a simple suggestion which we first made a few years back, and if we're honest, we've been blown away by the reaction. We've run the Snowstorm Rally twice now, and each time it's been a real favourite of those who've taken part in it. And it's been quite an eclectic bunch of vehicles which have taken on the epic drive to the frozen north and back. We're talking everything from Jaguar saloons to Lexus SUVs, VW Golfs to Volvo 940s. Oh and then there's the Rover 200 cabriolet we used as a support car on this year's event, of course. But that's a whole different story...

So, what did people remember the most from their Arctic adventure? Well, how long have you got? It's that kind of trip. From driving ice roads on frozen lakes, to snowmobiling through the Swedish wilderness, or from spotting moose on the Arctic Highway, to being wowed by the crags and summits of the Lofoten Islands, it's just the trip that keeps on giving. And for some, it gives more than seems fair. Because sometimes, the northern lights come out to welcome us to the Arctic - we've seen them three times so far, on the two tours we've run.

But anyway, enough waffling, because words can't really do this one justice anyway. We'll just leave it at 'the trip of a lifetime', and let you make up your own mind, by taking a look here.

09th to 15th May - the Spring Chateau Break

Here at Pub2Pub, we're a sucker for a good chateau. They make for great backdrops to our cars, and always provide a nice memorable escape from the real world.

Now, of late, our chateau breaks have taken place in the late summer. But in 2026, we figured you can't have too much of a good thing, and so we added a second chateau trip into the calendar, in the spring. Thus, if you fancy it, you can bookend your entire summer with chateau breaks.

The exact plan for the 2027 Spring Chateau Break is currently a work in progress, as we look to mix things up a bit to keep them fresh. However, from the five chateau breaks we've already run since launching Pub2Pub, you'll likely know what to expect - a relaxing break in the French countryside with like minded enthusiasts, all based around the finest venue we can conjure up.

(Provisionally) - 05th to 14th June - Pub2Pub's 10th Anniversary Tour

Can you believe it?! 2027 marks ten years since we set off on the Pub2Pub Expedition, kicking off the journey which has led us to where we are now.

Cause for a celebration, don't you think? We certainly do...

For the Tenth Anniversary Tour, we're pulling out all the stops with a European tour like none you'll have seen before. We'll be visiting plenty of new places which have yet to be graced with a Pub2Pub trip, and dropping by a few favourite haunts, too. We're being close-lipped on the route for now, but we can let you know roughly what to expect by revealing the trip's tagline - ten different countries, in ten days. Because, tenth anniversary - geddit?

To notch up ten countries, our route will be taking us through the low countries, as well as spending a not inconsiderable amount of time in the Alps, driving passes which have so far escaped us. And you can expect a few more Pub2Pub firsts along the way, as well. But as we're still beavering away on this one, you'll have to wait just a little bit longer for the full details. Suffice to say, though - it'll be worth it.

One quick note on the dates given for this one, by the way - there's a good chance the trip will end up being a bit longer than the ten days, as there's so much we want to fit into it. So, don't take 05-14 June as gospel - it may well overrun this by a few days.

26th June to 05th July - The Beer Italia

It's an old favourite, this one. And with good reason, because let's face it, you can't really beat a week spent crossing the Alps to Italy, spending some time mooching around the Modena area - where the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini are based - and then heading back through the mountains on the way back north. If you're a car enthusiast, it's a bit of a no-brainer, really. But we've put our brains to work on making it as good as possible, with an itinerary which covers everything you could possibly want from such a trip - from stunning scenery and sweeping curves, to iconic metal and epic bars. In short, this is a trip you really should do one of these years - it's simply that memorable.

Sounds good? Here's the webpage.

26th June to 05th July - the Alpine Traverse

This one was new for '26, and it was such a fun time we figured we'd keep it rolling on into '27. The thinking behind it is pretty simple - let's drive clean across the Alps, from one side to the other. Or more specifically, from Grenoble to the Grossglockner, taking in as many of the Alps' famous high passes as we do so.

Yep, the Alpine Traverse is very much designed around the driving.

And you can expect to drive all manner of fine routes between the peaks. From the Furka to the St Bernard, from the Stelvio to the Sella, from the Grimsel to the Gottard, this is comfortably the most uppy-downy trip we've ever put together. And naturally, it saves the best 'til last - the Grossglockner is pretty damn awesome, after all.

So, ten days of twisty driving twixt valley and summit - that's gotta be something to look forward to, surely? You can find all the info here.

Provisionally 28th August to 05th September - Ireland

See that, over the sea to the west? Yep, that's Ireland, and frankly, it's amazing we haven't headed over there en-mass yet. But we will be, for the first time, in 2027.

This is another work in progress, so you'll have to wait a month or two for the full details of what we're conjuring up. However, rest assured we're applying our usual level of thoroughness in putting together an itinerary which will do the Emerald Isle the full justice it deserves.

Yep, we're looking forward to this one, and not only for the Guinness Full details soon...

30th August to 12th September - Mountains and Machines

You asked, so we're making it happen.

Making what happen, exactly? An epic adventure through France, the Pyrenees and Northern Spain, that's what. We first ran Mountains and Machines way back in the mists of time - or 2024, to be exact. But we rested it the following year to make space for the Trafalgar Tour. However, you can't keep a good trip down, and so here it is again, sneaking back into the itinerary - with a twist.

The 2027 Mountains and Machines will be beginning with a ferry to northern France, from where we'll start heading south. The landscape will gradually increase in drama as we head through the Dordogne and Lot, before we find ourselves deep amongst the Pyrenees, driving the epic Route des Cols, which runs clean from the Med to the Bay of Biscay. Once we drop down out of the mountains, we'll be enjoying the smooth empty tarmac of northern Spain - and the local wines, too, most likely - before finally boarding a ferry home from Bilbao, across the Bay of Biscay. Sounds good, doesn't it? We'll have this one written up on the website soon...

11th to 20th September - The Eagle Rally

Does this one even need an introduction? 2027 will mark the eighth running of the Eagle Rally, which winds its wonderful way down to the Eagle's Nest in deepest Bavaria, via such under-the-radar driving roads as the German Alpenstrasse, and the backroads of the Ardennes. And a few more well-known ones, such as the Black Forest High Road. Oh, and the Nurburgring, if you're that way inclined.

As well as the driving roads, life is pretty sweet when you pull over, too. From the Porsche Museum to Neuschwanstein Castle; from Motorworld Munich to the Unimog museum, you won't be short of things to do when not driving.

After all, there must be a reason why we're still not bored of this one, even eight years after we first ran it. Here's the info on this year's trip - the 2027 event will differ only in detail.

26th September to 02nd October - Chateau Pub2Pub

If Pub2Pub has a home-from-home, Chateau du Courtomer is in with a shout for the title. This fine chateau is located in Normandy, and to mark the end of summer, every autumn we make a pilgrimage there.

Because what better way to mark the changing of the seasons than with one last drive-out, to live like French kings for a week? Just without the beheddings, of course.

The chateau's versailles-like exterior offers the perfect backdrop to the cars in which we make the trip, while its classy interior makes relaxing a cinch. And the best bit? It's ours for the duration of our stay. No other guests, just the Pub2Pub crew enjoying the Versailles vibe.

2027 will be the fifth time we've headed to Courtomer, and we'll be aiming to make it the best. We'll be updating the webpage with details of next year's trip soon...

08th to 27th October - The Trafalgar Tour

Are we saving the best 'grand tour' for last? Quite possibly.

First run in 2025, our tour of the Iberian Peninsula, which takes in the best that Spain and Portugal have to offer, is back for its third lap in 2027.

We've chosen the dates of this one very carefully - it's in an October slot which, in the UK, generally sees summer being over and the wintery weather setting in. But down south, it's still all sunshine and smiles. So, by booking onto the Trafalgar Tour, you can effectively extend your summer for a few weeks, and have a great time on the road in the process. And it's not just the weather that'll excite - the roads are great, the culture a breath of fresh air, the landscapes as epic as they are varied, and the beer is pretty cheap, too.

Yep, if your summer has to end, it may as well end on a high, a few weeks later than everyone else's. Details of the 2026 event can be found here.

08th to 27th October - the Sandstorm Rally

Do you like the idea of extending your summer by a few weeks, but you'd rather do so on a full-on adventure, rather than a grand tour? If so, then naturally you'll be wanting to head to the Sahara. Following a route over the High Atlas Mountains. Then heading home via Marrakesh, of course.

Anything else simply wouldn't do.

We're launching the Sandstorm Rally in 2026, and to say we're psyched for it would be an understatement. Because ever since that time we decided to drive a Rover P6 V8 to the Sahara years ago, we've known that when it comes to accessable adventure, you can't really beat Morocco. You really can't.

And what better way to end your summer than by driving to Africa, before doing some doughnuts in the Sahara? Yep, exactly.

Here's the 2026 event - we'll be finalising plans for 2027 once it's run. But in the meantime, let us know if you'd like a place on the waiting list...

So, that's what we currently have planned for 2027. Depending on how things go, we may throw in another event or two, but for now, this should give you some ideas around which to plan your year on the road. And please do include a Pub2Pub event or two in your plans - we'd love to join you on the roads of Europe or Africa next year.

Ah, yes. Europe or Africa. That reminds us - we've got another little something up our sleeves which we haven't mentioned yet.

Colombia.

Because for our first foray into the new world, Colombia makes perfect sense. Allow us to explain...

Dates TBC - The Coffee Axis Rally, Colombia

Here's a curveball for you!

Yep, while doing all we can to bring you the finest European driving tours in the whole of, well, Europe, we've also been busy behind the scenes setting up Pub2Pub Colombia.

It's not Pub2Pub, but it is Pub2Pub's South American cousin. And soon, it'll be inviting you to jump in a Renault 4 and head out on a self-drive tour of Colombia's head-shakingly beautiful coffee region.

Sounds ambitious, doesn't it? You could say that. However, worry not, because we've been making some pretty damn impressive progress, if we say so ourselves. Firstly, we've teamed up with several people we know from the original TVR Pub2Pub Expedition to make it happen, giving us local knowledge and connections from the outset. We have a country guesthouse, or 'finca', to run the trips out of, and to store the Renaults at when they're not in use. We've also done some shopping, and now own no less than five Renault 4s - not all of which are red, amazingly, so don't believe the rumours. We've got the route of the first rally figured out, a circular tour of the coffee district, which takes in everything from the highest biodiversity in the world, to unspoilt Andean villages, and from suprisingly good driving roads to the volcano which the Grand Tour folks drove up on their Colombia Special. And naturally, following extensive testing, we've confirmed that a well-chilled Club Colombia Dorada beer is the best way to end a day spent bouncing along a rural Colombian track in an old Renault.

In short, it may be our most ambitious undertaking yet, but Pub2Pub Colombia is shaping up brilliantly.

We plan on running three to four rallies in the Colombian coffee district next year, depending on demand. Naturally places are going to be limited as while we're still car shopping, we don't plan on having more than eight Renaults on each rally. So, if you'd like to be kept in the loop so you have early refusal on a place, drop us an email at ben@pub2pubadventures.com and we'll add you to the list.

And likewise, if any of the European (or African) tours float your boat, feel free to get in touch and we'll make sure there's a place for you, should you wish to take it up.

Thanks for reading this far, and hopefully we'll be seeing you on the road somewhere in the world soon...