HunterMoss : Travel Business

Jack Salter
Jack Salter - Head of Editorial
13 Min Read
HUNTERMOSS

Having redefined road trips in Europe, HunterMoss is bringing its luxury driving tours to the US. Co-Founders, Julie Hunter and Anthony Moss, steer us through the company’s transformation of conventional US road trips into truly different experiences.

THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP


The HunterMoss story began in 2008 when co-Founders, Julie Hunter and Anthony Moss, saw a gap in the market for luxury car journeys that blend immersive adventure with world-class experiences.

Their vision was to add a new dynamic to the traditional driving tour by introducing a highly curated approach and conceptualising meaningful itineraries.

“Every HunterMoss trip is framed by fine dining, boutique accommodation, and elevated extras such as yacht charters, helicopter excursions, and VIP Formula 1 (F1) hospitality,” Julie opens.

“Our tours began across Europe’s most scenic landscapes – from Tuscany to Austria – and they’ve continued to evolve ever since,” Anthony adds.

Two of the company’s signatures are its European Supercar Tour and Le Grand Tour Provence, which conclude in Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Both itineraries drive Europe’s most picturesque destinations over seven or 10 nights, paired with 5-star hotels and gastronomic experiences.

“Guests finish the journey viewing the iconic F1 race weekend on a privately chartered superyacht in Port Hercules – and can enhance the experience with private helicopter transfers from Nice and overnight stays in one of the yacht’s limited luxury cabins,” Julie tells us.

What makes a HunterMoss journey is the end-to-end hospitality, with every detail of the route meticulously taken care of.

Guests simply arrive and relax with the assurance that they won’t need to consult maps or manage their own restaurant bookings, allowing them to truly switch off and immerse themselves in the experience.

“The most impactful aspect of a HunterMoss tour is the private experiences we craft exclusively for each group – moments that aren’t accessible to conventional tour groups – from bespoke dining in spectacular settings and intimate wine tastings with leading sommeliers in esteemed wineries,” highlights Anthony.

“We also include thoughtful elements of surprise throughout each journey – unexpected moments that bring joy, spark conversation, and create shared points of connection.”

REIMAGINING DOMESTIC TRAVEL

For many years, clients had been requesting HunterMoss journeys in the US, so this felt like a natural progression for the company.

Post-COVID-19 pandemic, there was pent-up demand for slower, more enriching travel that presented a departure from the traditional ‘fly and flop’ holiday.

“Now more than ever, guests want to scratch under the surface of a destination and experience it in new, more memorable ways,” Julie observes.

“There was renewed interest from travellers in the US to explore the country in style and an opportunity for us to reimagine domestic travel with HunterMoss experiences, matching iconic driving routes with refined long-weekend stays, enriching cultural moments, and exceptional dining.”

The company has therefore launched a series of four-day, three-night itineraries that journey through some of the most cinematic US landscapes, from coastal California to the untamed inland West.

Having redefined road trips in Europe, HunterMoss has retained this legacy and translated its boutique, hands-on approach – which has been key to the company’s success on the continent – across its US tours.

“HunterMoss is a small senior team that has personally experienced every tour – spending weeks in each destination to refine itineraries year after year and hosting every journey ourselves to gain a deep understanding of our guests. This gives us an intimate knowledge of the nuances of each route, the rhythm of the roads, and the unfolding scenery and culture along the way,” Anthony explains.

“We’ve implemented this philosophy across our tours in the US. Over the years, we’ve meticulously mapped and catalogued not only the country’s finest driving roads but also the hotels, restaurants, cafés, and scenic stops that connect them.”

The outcome is a highly selective, exclusive portfolio of small group experiences, each shaped with the same care and expertise as HunterMoss’ European journeys.

“Every detail is fine-tuned, from the timing of transitions to the perfect vantage point for a coffee break and having a guest’s favourite cocktail waiting on arrival,” Julie elaborates.

Julie Hunter and Anthony Moss, co-Founders, HunterMoss

“Our journeys are slower paced, balanced, and planned to precision. We trade highways for hidden backroads, guiding guests into lesser-known corners and routes that reveal the true character of each destination; it’s a richer, more layered experience”

Anthony Moss, co-Founder, HunterMoss

A TRULY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE

HunterMoss transforms the conventional American road trip – which is synonymous with long stretches of highway driving, convenient roadside diners, and a more budget-friendly style of travel – into a truly different experience.

Whilst it is a beloved and iconic part of US culture, the company approaches car travel through a fresh lens.

“Our journeys are slower paced, balanced, and planned to precision. We trade highways for hidden backroads, guiding guests into lesser-known corners and routes that reveal the true character of each destination; it’s a richer, more layered experience,” Anthony insights.

“The cars are always a highlight – our fleet includes Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Aston Martins, but they are just as important as the experiences that frame the drive.”

Whilst the core concept remains the same, there are two key differences between HunterMoss’ European and US journeys.

The first is the scenery, as there is a striking contrast between US and European landscapes and roads.

“The true scale and diversity of character in the US was a huge source of inspiration and excitement for us,” reveals Julie.

“Its landscapes are varied and dramatic, from wide-open deserts to sweeping coastlines and vast national parks. Europe, by contrast, offers a distinct intimacy and charm – rolling hills, medieval villages, alpine passes, vast vineyards, and historic cities all packed closely together. Both destinations hold their own unique allure, perfectly suited to the HunterMoss concept.”

The second key difference is that the company’s US itineraries are designed as shorter escapes, spanning three nights from Thursday to Sunday.

Each destination is easily accessible from major US cities, which gives added appeal to domestic travellers.

“For international guests, the tours can integrate seamlessly as part of a longer US escape. Many of our guests have demanding professional lives and want to recharge, disconnect, and relax without the burden of long-haul travel,” explains Anthony.

“They prefer to take frequent weekend getaways across multiple destinations, and our tours have been developed to provide this flexibility. We reinvent the classic weekend escape with a new, compelling format.”

“There was renewed interest from travellers in the US to explore the country in style and an opportunity for us to reimagine domestic travel with HunterMoss experiences, matching iconic driving routes with refined long-weekend stays, enriching cultural moments, and exceptional dining”

Julie Hunter, co-Founder, HunterMoss

ESCAPE AND EXPLORE

The first of four US weekend escapes that HunterMoss is hosting in 2026 is the Santa Ynez Valley Weekend Getaway in February and March.

Guests explore the Pacific Coast Highway, driving through Los Padres National Forest past waterfalls, Wheeler Springs, and Lake Cachuma, with quirky stops like the world’s smallest post office.

Dining on this tour focuses on ‘Caliterranean’ cuisine, complemented by artisanal cocktail evenings, whilst spa experiences offer rejuvenation, with optional add-ons including scenic horseback rides and hands-on cookery classes with local chefs.

HunterMoss is also hosting the Napa Wine Country Weekend Getaway in March, set in a 30-mile valley home to more than 400 wineries.

In spring, the vineyards glow with golden mustard flowers, a striking backdrop for celebrating the region’s renowned wine and food culture.

“Drives follow vineyard-lined routes such as the Silverado Trail, winding past canyons, lakes, and rolling hills, with stops at the Reynolds Family Winery, CHANDON, and CRUSH Vineyard,” outlines Julie.

Culinary discovery defines the journey, with Michelin-starred dining, artisanal street food, boutique tasting rooms, and unique venues such as a former train depot turned restaurant.

“Extras such as tequila tasting, salsa making, and after-hours tours with vintners add even more depth to the escape,” Anthony suggests.

APPETITE FOR ADVENTURE

In April and May, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains Weekend Getaway invites guests to New Mexico’s high desert.

Stretching from Southern Colorado into Northern New Mexico, this land is central to Hispanic heritage, where centuries-old adobe villages meet hidden lakes and dramatic mountain landscapes.

“Guests will take the High Road to Taos, a route that weaves through pine forests, desert valleys, and snow-capped peaks – offering four seasons in a single drive. Stops along the way include Wild West villages, cattle ranches, vintage gas stations, and remote waterfalls,” Julie informs us.

Optional experiences bring the landscape to life, from leather crafting, hiking in sacred foothills, and horseback riding to cowboy traditions and stargazing beneath expansive desert skies.

Alternatively, the Park City & Deer Valley Weekend Getaway in May and June explores Utah’s Wasatch Mountains and forests.

With restaurants ranging from a refined, relaxed sushi bar to gourmet comfort food made with fresh seasonal produce, the itinerary offers a diverse yet impeccably curated dining repertoire.

“Optional activities add further immersion, from private archery and scenic horseback rides to exploring Park City’s historic Main Street with its galleries, boutiques, and lively culture,” Anthony notes.

Whilst HunterMoss sees huge opportunity for further expansion, especially in the US, its focus isn’t simply on unveiling new destinations but reimaging familiar ones and revealing them through different seasons, fresh perspectives, and more authentic formats.

“Immersive travel is one of the fastest-growing trends industry-wide, and since our tours began, we’ve seen a growing sense of curiosity and appetite for adventure. Our guests continue to inspire us – whilst the majority are seasoned, mature travellers whose appetite for adventure is stronger than ever, we’re also seeing a new generation of younger guests with a desire to engage with the world in more meaningful ways,” Julie concludes.

“They no longer seek luxury hotels as just places to stay but view them as a base to explore the landscapes around them.”

CONNECT WITH HUNTERMOSS


HunterMoss

Head of Editorial
Follow:
Jack Salter is an in-house travel writer for Outlook Travel Magazine, where he is responsible for crafting original travel features for the magazine, travel guides, and the digital platform.