Travel and Leisure Articles

One of the biggest advantage of renting a vehicle from someone else is that you don’t need all the hassle of purchasing a vehicle. I am certain if you have purchased a vehicle before, you can relate. You need to provide them with all your particulars, your bank information, your credit, your insurance and much more. And it is not as easy as what the sales person says. Furthermore when you purchase a car, the value of the car immediately drops. You don’t expect that the price of the car rise now, do you? These are some things you definitely something should consider when you are thinking of buying your own car. And after you purchase your car, you will need to take it in for servicing and repairs. Big hassle here. You will also need to worry about paying for insurance and premiums. So much trouble just for a car to bring you to and fro from work. If you need a vehicle just for transport, why bother?

So why not rent a car? You might think that it is more expensive in the long run but do remember that your car do depreciates in value over time. It does not mean that the price of your car remains as high when you sell it in a few years down the road. And how about insurance? Remember, you will need to pay for insurance yourself and this will factor into the cost. How about servicing and repairs? You will have to pay for those as well after the first few free servicing provided by the distributor. Do you really need to OWN that car? Why not let others worry about insurance, servicing and among others for you. All you NEED is a vehicle that drives you to and from work right? Some rental companies even allow you to choose your own model, make and colour if you sign a long term contract with them. So, this is just like getting your very own vehicle, less the many headaches of ownership.

For companies hiring foreigners, leasing a vehicle is also a better alternative. Companies look at cash flow and renting vehicles instead of purchasing them makes good accounting sense. Furthermore contract employees may come and go at any time, so leasing provides a flexible option for companies.

Most rental companies will provide you with alternate transport when they send the vehicle in for servicing or repairs. You don’t need to even send the vehicle for servicing yourself as it should be included in the rental package! All you have to do is to pay for the fuel, road access charges and parking. That’s it. What could be simpler than that?

For a fantastic car hire holiday in Italy, fly to Naples and rent a car so that you can visit Mount Vesuvius and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pompeii.

If you’re staying in Naples, it’s easy to get to Mount Vesuvius in your hire car, and it will only take you about 45 minutes to drive there. Take the A3 motorway towards Salerno and follow it until you have passed through the toll station at Torre del Greco. Leave the motorway at this exit and turn left to drive under the motorway bridge. Drive along the Via Boscocatene and the Via B. Cozzolino, and then follow the signs for Vesuvio. This will take you to Mount Vesuvius. You can park your rental car in the car park.

Mount Vesuvius is the largest active volcano in Europe and was responsible for destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum when it erupted in 79AD. It’s actually two volcanoes in one, with the active Gran Como crater sitting within the now inactive Mount Somma crater.

Once you’ve parked your hire car, you can walk to the summit to see the smouldering volcano, about 20 minutes’ walk from the car park. The crater also has cameras on it and you can see the footage from them at the nearby Vesuvius Observatory.

The Vesuvius Observatory also features exhibits relating the scientific study of volcanoes as well as to the history of Mount Vesuvius and the famous 79AD eruption.

You can also take a break from your hire car to explore the Mount Vesuvius National Park. There are nine nature trails that you can follow there and they differ in length and difficulty, so you should be able to find one to suit you.

Italy Car Hire - Naples to Pompeii

Once you have explored the Vesuvius National Park, you can return to your hire car and drive to Pompeii.

To fully appreciate this UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s worth spending at least a day there, so you can break up your Naples holiday by staying in one of the local hotels or guest houses. Pompeii is an extremely large site and there is a lot to see, so it’s important not to rush it.

Pompeii was destroyed during the 79AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius, but the city was preserved beneath the ash, and the air pockets that formed between the bodies of the citizens who died during the disaster and the volcanic debris around them meant that archaeologists could later construct plaster mummies. These mummies can be seen around the site and many people find seeing them extremely moving.

Once you have parked your hire car, you can take a guided tour of the site, or explore it using a guidebook or audio-guide. Highlights include the amphitheatre, the barber’s shop, the public baths, temples and gardens.

Italy Car Hire - Herculaneum

If you have time, you might also want to explore the Scavi di Ercolano (Herculaneum ruins), which lie between Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. This Roman town was also destroyed during the 79AD Mount Vesuvius eruption, and many believe that the ruins make for a better day out than the larger and more commercial Pompeii.

Italy Car Hire - Renting a Car

Florida, or more specifically, Orlando, is one of the top three destinations in the whole of the United States and it is hardly surprising. Many people going on holiday to Florida will stay within Orlando, and with the huge and varied amount of activities in the area it is quite easy to lose yourself and have a fabulous holiday in Orlando alone.

However, it is quite possible you are missing out on many other things you would really enjoy seeing. What about the Hollywood style of Miami? The humid, waterlogged world of the Everglades? The simply stunningly beautiful Florida Keys? All of these are within reasonable reach and can be visited at your leisure if you take advantage of a hire car.

I still remember the first time I went to Florida with my family, and I would recommend it to anybody who wants to see the “real” Florida. We took a two and half week break and started at the top and finished right at the bottom.

After landing in Orlando, we spent the first seven days working our way through the various theme parks and attractions with one or two afternoons of rest. We then left the hotel we were staying in and drove down to a small Holiday Home in the Everglades. We stayed here for three nights, and enjoyed a hovercraft tour of the alligator infested waters, a journey to a reptile breeding sanctuary where we saw the largest species of tortoise on earth, and fantastic scenery either side of perfectly flat, straight, deserted roads.

After we left the Everglades, we packed up again and then drove down further still and took the rest of our holiday in Key Largo. The Florida Keys are like an extension of the Caribbean in climate and beauty. White soft sand beaches slope into turquoise and cobalt seas, with Palm trees dotted in between the white and coral beach houses and every home with a dock at the back of the garden.

The Keys are the perfect location to end a busy holiday, with the culture and sunshine making it effortless to relax and enjoy soaking up the sunshine.

By allowing yourself the freedom of a car, you are able to witness the true offerings of Florida, which outstretches Orlando by a very long way.

The UK has uncountable amounts of romantic getaways for couples too. You could spend a long weekend in the beautiful surroundings of Loch Lomond while experiencing the world famous fish and chips in Oban. Or perhaps you’d prefer to spend some time at one of the many refurbished castles and manor houses in Wales, end enjoy the highlife in the salons and restaurants.

However if you are looking for something to do with the kids to keep the occupied you can also find this readily available in the United Kingdom. With the likes of Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Flamingo Land rivalling theme parks anywhere else in the world, you can have a fantastic day out with the family. There are also hundreds of hands on historical and educational attractions in the UK that kids just love.

For example there is the science “museum” in Halifax named Eureka. Here children can use every single of the experiments and displays with hands on activities so they are engaged in the science being taught to them. I know I thoroughly enjoyed it when I was a child!

The UK is also home to the award winning Safari in Knowsley. You can come face to face with lions, tigers, gazelles, elephants and giraffes among hundreds of other animals. There are shows on every day and a small amusement park for both adults and children not to mention the brave drive though the chimpanzee enclosure to see if your wing mirrors survive!

In short, these are a very small selection of attractions available in the United Kingdom, and they are not worth missing. Be sure you check out as many as you can this summer, either with day trips or full length holidays. I am sure you will have a very enjoyable holiday, and save a packet on flights!

Car rental insurance has to be one of the most widely misunderstood phenomena of the 21st century. In the 3+ years I have worked in this industry, close to 25% of all the issues that arise have to do with deductibles, authorizations, refunds and the geocentric validity of insurance. These situations tend to come about once a client has dropped off their vehicle and are presented with a bill that makes their eyes pop out of their head. Today we will discuss methods of avoiding this type of ocular discharge.

Let us first go over the types of insurance you will most likely be presented with when deciding what to rent for a car. There are five major types and a million different minor types, and new ones are being invented everyday. The ones you will have to keep an eye out for are:

1. Collision Insurance - Also known as CDW or LDW, collision insurance covers the body of the vehicle in the event of an accident. Please keep in mind that the last sentence is an exact measure of what it covers and when. In no case does CDW cover damage to windows / windshields, tires, roof, mirrors, interior, headlights, blinkers or undercarriage. On top of that, it only covers for an accident, not vandalism, and sometimes not for single party accidents (i.e.- running into something that isn’t another vehicle). Make sure you ask about these things when booking you reservation.

2. Theft Insurance - Simply put, it covers the car in the event that it is stolen. In order for this insurance to be valid you have to fill out a police report and alert the rental company (and credit card company if you are under their policy) within 24 hours or you will be liable for the price of an entire car.

3. Liability Insurance - Also known as Third Party or TPL, liability is almost always included in a European rental. This will cover any damages incurred to things outside of the vehicle, such as people, buildings, property, etc. So when you happen to crash it through the front window of a crowded shopping mall, you can at least be thankful you don’t have to pay for it (unless your liability insurance has a ridiculously low limit, most have unlimited coverage).

4. Personal Accident Insurance - Or PAI, this covers medical expenses for people in your vehicle in the event of an accident. Typically this type of insurance can be circumvented with a good health plan here stateside and will almost always only cover you up to a few thousand dollars, up to 20 or 50 thousand dollars in the case of death or dismemberment, but we’re all hoping that doesn’t happen anyway.

5. Personal Effects Coverage - Covers your belongings up to a predetermined amount. Usually is not valid unless you can prove the items were in the car (so take pictures of your stuff while you are there if you want this insurance).

Keep in mind that if you are cited for negligence or drunk driving, most of these insurances will be null and void. So if you are going out for a night or several of partying, it’s best to leave the rental at the hotel and take alternate transportation.

Rental companies will always try to convince you that you need to take their insurance, but this isn’t always true. In fact, if you have a US or Canadian issued credit card, it very may well have collision and theft insurance already covered for you. Most gold and platinum cards have decent coverage policies, with little to no deductible. The cards that may cover abroad are American Express & Visa (up to 30 days continuous), Mastercard (15 days continuous) and Diners Club (usually 30 days but varies). Under no circumstances should you try to use a Discover card overseas. Though you may be told by your representative that they cover the insurance, you can bet that it will not be accepted at the rental counter.

Also, don’t expect to use your stateside car insurance policy in Europe. It won’t work. Even policies that you purchase stateside with the sole intention of covering you for car rental overseas will generally not be accepted at the counter. Sometimes you can get a policy that will reimburse you for expenses related to car rental accidents, but these are treated separately since they do not directly involve the rental company.

There are exceptions to this rule, particularly in Ireland, where currently the only coverage accepted is Mastercard Platinum. It can be assumed that in the future there may be more than one country that accepts only a certain type of card so make sure you mention to your credit card company where you are picking up the car before taking their policy at face value. Get a copy of the policy in writing. Not only is this a good safety measure but it will speed up the process at the counter if the agent argues the validity of your coverage. Also, make sure to inquire into the claims procedures that your credit card company uses to enact coverage and recoup deductibles in the event of an accident. Usually there is a lot of red tape involved, but in the end if you decide to use your credit card coverage you can save anywhere from 50 to 500 dollars for a single week’s rental!

As there is an upside (saving money) and a downside (filing extensive paperwork) to using your credit card coverage, the same is true of taking the insurance from the rental company. The downsides are that you have to pay the premium to begin with, and then if you get into an accident, there is usually a deductible between $200 to $2000 or more depending on the type of car that you will be liable for. In theory you are only supposed to pay for the amount of damage done but somehow the rental companies can make a dented bumper work out to cost $2000. The unfortunate thing is that you can’t really stay to contest it. Normally you have to jump on a plane to your next destination! The upside of this is that you can walk away without having to do anything else. That block on your credit card will become a charge and that’s the end of it, until the bill gets to your house of course.

Understanding the insurance limitations and capabilities can be a mind-numbing practice. However it is one of the most important parts of the car rental experience, so it is better to be safe than sorry. Considering that the rental companies make a good portion of their profits on unused insurance, you can see why they would intentionally make it time-consuming and confusing to approach it any other way. God forbid you ever have to really apply this information to your car rental. The more prepared you are, the less you have a chance to lose during your experience. In the next chapter we will talk about how to prepare for the fun part: the actual driving.

Are you planning a big trip to Europe? Have you thought about renting a car while you are there? If you haven’t, perhaps you should. Renting a car while in Europe is actually quite simple. There are a few things you ought to know, and luckily I am about to tell you!

Research Insurance Options

There are two options for this, the first being that you acquire your insurance locally and the second is to see if your credit card has rental insurance on it. Do the research into both and find out which will work best for you and pick the one you feel most comfortable with. Make sure when doing the research into both options to tell them where exactly you will be traveling and what cities you will be renting in. The more they know, the better they can help you to make a choice on insurance options.

Advice of Travel Plans

Tell the rental agency in advance where you plan on taking the vehicle, that way they can tell you if you need special paper work to be able to go certain places. There are many restrictions, and if you don’t have the proper paperwork you could be denied access.

Manual Transmissions

Most people plan their trips well in advance, especially Europe trips. Know that in Europe driving an automatic transmission is extremely rare in most parts of Europe and that if you insist on driving an automatic transmission it could end up costing you up to $300 USD/ per week! If you don’t know how to drive a manual transmission, your best bet would be to find someone who does and have them teach you how to beforehand, cause if you wear out the clutch on your rental car your insurance will not cover it.

Request Your Extras

Be sure to remember that you are responsible for requesting your own extras. Depending on your own navigational skills, you might want to request your own GPS system for the vehicle you plan on renting. Also if you are bringing children along, then you might want to mention child seating. Most places charge little for this necessity. Be sure to ask the pricing and restrictions.

Be Aware of Additional Fees

Most airports charge a pick-up surcharge, which is an un-needed expense since most hotels are located extremely close to the airport, if your hotel isn’t. Then there is the option of a taxi, which is often cheaper than the airport surcharges in most cases.

Research the Driving Restrictions

Familiarize. Do the research so you know the proper road signs and laws,. Things are quite different in Europe so the better prepared you are, the smother things will go for you.

Remember there are NO Dumb Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Contracts can be quite confusing, so never be afraid to ask about something you don’t understand.

For regular travelers the use of budget car rentals is more of a necessity than a luxury; this can save you the hassle of costly taxi rides and time wasted waiting for them to collect you. However, the rental car market can be fiercely competitive so be careful you are not given a car with an engine that would be better fitted to a bike. OK, so I may be exaggerating a little but it is something you have to look out for because the last thing you want is to have a car that is not going to be of any use. Just so you do not get caught out with your rental car I have decided to pass on a few pointers that may be of assistance.

The first easy option is to be in control of what you spend by finding a budget car rental company online that lets you set your own financial limit. Often the site will not only get you the best deal but may even throw in an unlimited mileage just to get the deal. Look for package deals, fly-drive-stay, or fly-drive, most of these packages give great discounts for rentals, but don’t do it with an airline. The convenience of renting your car online at the airlines web site is usually offset by the higher charge you will pay.There are bargains to be found on the internet and that also means budget car rental as well. Often the discounts you are offered are only available to online customers. Besides, apart from upgrades, special offers are nearly always available if you look around. Plus, and this is the good bit; all this can be done from your home.

Discounts are often available that you don’t realize; they are those that have been arranged between the budget car rental company and your credit card company so it is worth checking as you can save even more money. Many car rental companies have arranged special deals with large organizations to ensure they have more business, perhaps you are a member of one of these.

You would be wise to inspect your rental car before you drive off as you may find minor collision damage from previous renters which you do not want to pay for when you return. For you own peace of mind and financial well-being, check out all the vehicles controls and make sure everything that is fitted works so you won’t have to pay for something that was faulty when you drove it away.

As far as rental car insurance is concerned, check your own before you pay out more for the rental company’s policy which you may not need. Saving money is the game so why pay for rental car insurance you don’t need when renting your car; even though it may not seem important, driving without auto insurance can land you in a ton of trouble.

Always make sure you have auto insurance as the penalties for driving without adequate cover are severe.

When visiting the United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and also Southern Ireland, you must consider the most appropriate form of transportation. If you choose to travel by rail you are limited to just where you can travel and when. When on board you just speed past the wonderful countryside which is Great Britain. The only reasonable way to travel is by hiring a self drive car, this enables you to travel at your own speed, visit the places you wish to see and if you notice something which catches your eye, you can stop and at leisure fully appreciate the scene before you.

It must always be remembered when you are deciding which car to hire, just how many passengers and how much baggage you will have. British cars do not have the large boots (trunks) which are available overseas. Another point to bear in mind is automatic transmission cars are always more expensive than cars with manual transmission.

It is now becoming the norm in the UK for cars to be powered by turbo diesel engines rather than petrol (gas), which whilst it is a little more expensive per gallon to buy you do receive in the region of 30% more mileage to the gallon.

Car hire prices can vary tremendously, also the services which are included in the cost of hire, so it is always advisable to fully investigate exactly the deal you are getting before committing to making a reservation. One company, fully aware of the high prices which may be charged have produced a special price for visitors to the UK and they believe they are now one of, if not the cheapest, best value for money Car Hire Company available

All vehicles are six months or less in age and have air conditioning, CD etc, whilst another feature being the company will insure drivers from the age of 21, (a small extra premium will be charged) up to over 80 years. The hire cost of the car always includes insurance, including CDW and Theft Protection, Unlimited Mileage, Location/Airport charges and one great advantage, all one way hires over three days have no extra charge.

This can only be good for the visitor and for the travel trade in general, the reason Away to Britain go all out to assist the inbound traveler whether on business or vacation.

If you are new at renting cars and you have a trip coming up, there are some basic things that you need to know before you head to the car rental agency. First of all, shopping the internet can be the easiest way to find the information that you need. Most internet sites for rental car agencies are very user friendly. You can get their rates, as well as a list of the vehicles that they rent. Are you wanting a four-wheel drive, or a minivan? These sites will be able to assist you and answer most questions that a consumer could ask. If you can’t find the answer to your question on the internet, simply call the rental car agency directly. All agents are friendly, helpful, and more than willing to help meet your needs.

When you know that you are going to be needing a car a month down the road, you should go ahead and reserve it. It will give you peace of mind to know that it has been taken care of, and it will also give the rental car hire agency adequate time to insure that the car that you have requested is ready and waiting to meet you when you arrive. Are you needing picked up? Most rental car companies provide this much needed service.

It is a good idea that you check into your clubs, or memberships, to see if you can receive a discount for car hire. Even some credit card company’s offer special discounts at rental car companies. Pull out your credit card information sheet, or call them directly. If you work for the military or government, you may be eligible for a discount, as well. Rental car agencies are there to serve the people and will work with most discounts and travel agencies to bring you the best deal possible.

If you are going to be needing your car for at least five days, you should go ahead and rent it for a week. The extra two days may give you a better deal for your money, as well as take the stress off of having to unload your luggage and return the car as soon as you arrive home.

You should rent a car that will meet the needs of the trip. If you are needing car seats, tell the agent when you make the reservation. Always remember that it is better to have a car that is too big, than one that is too small. You shouldn’t try to cram a family of four and luggage into a compact car. However, if you are driving solo on the trip and have always dreamed of driving a sleek sports car, then now is your chance to fulfil the dream. Anything is possible with car rentals.

What if your trip is last minute? That is not a problem. Rental car agencies are in the business of automobiles. They will always have one to meet your needs. You can call ten minutes before you arrive, or simply walk through their front door unannounced. You can even arrange to have them meet you at an airport in a city on the other side of the country. There are no problems that can’t be fixed with a car hire agency. They will even provide you with a map and directions to your destination if you ask. The last thing you should worry about on a trip is your transportation. Leave it to the car rental agency to advise you on the best way they can serve you.

In my personal opinion the best way to travel is by car. So when my friend, Greg, and I decided to go on a trip down to Cape Town we decided that car rental would be the first on our “must-do” list. We opted for a small hatchback to zip around on our trip from Cape Town to Hermanus and back to the Cape winelands.

On the road…

We wanted to go to Hermanus for two reasons. First and foremost to go visit my old and dear friend Michelle, and secondly for the Whale festival. The drive from Cape Town to Hermanus is beautiful. Scenic views as you drive Sir Lowry’s mountain pass filled with flowers, then small farmhouses and the occasional shop where you can buy some of the fresh farm produce that you would never be able to get in the city. So we stopped at Aunt Millie’s Farm Stall. Known for her fresh home cooked pies we of course couldn’t resist stopping for a bite first. While sitting in the car savouring one of Aunt Millie’s notorious pies, we were surrounded by the most breath-taking view around us.

Back on the road the excitement of seeing an old friend and the fact that I was on the open road again was exactly why I loved driving through the countryside. Being on the open road always gives me a sense of freedom which you don’t experience much when living in the city. There’s nothing rushing you to simply get from A to B, but taking your time to appreciate what most people just take for granted in their rush. Road tripping is not about the destination, but the journey.

A whale of a time…

When we eventually reached Hermanus we were greeted with what I despise most, traffic. Tourists like us coming to town for the Whale festival. Luckily it wasn’t too hectic, unlike rushour traffic in the big cities. After we had found parking we waited at the local pub for Michelle to come and join us. She soon joined us and we toasted to the good life. After catching up a bit we moved down to the beach front for some whale watching. Every year the whales migrate down to the Cape waters for their breeding season, giving us much entertainment as they do their bit of showing off. The whales get up close in the bay and each view of a tail or a fin causes much excitement for everyone watching them from the shore. How lucky one feels to be part of what must be such a little part of their lives.

After much time spent simply enjoying the view of the whales we moved on to the festivities that were happening in town. There were flea markets and beer gardens, children playing around with painted faces and balloons, and music playing on the speakers for everyone’s enjoyment. The atmosphere was infectious, everybody seemed happy.

Continuing our journey…

After spending two more days in Hermanus, catching up with Michelle, sharing jokes and more whale-watching, Greg and I were soon on the road again. We took the long road back towards the Cape winelands. I was quite the happy snapper when Greg was driving. I was taking a lot of photos, but being the amateur photographer I am, it almost felt like an injustice to the beauty of the winelands. You can’t really capture the essence of what you experience when looking at such breathtaking views. We stopped at what seemed like every little shop on the side of the road, taking our time to simply enjoy the splendour surrounding us. We took every dirt road and steered clear of any highways. We didn’t set schedules and didn’t book any accommodation beforehand, because this is not what a road trip should be about. It is about enjoying whatever comes your way and being spontaneous!