5 Must Read Car Hire Tips

Considering car hire is a popular mode of transport for getting around whilst on holiday, here are a few car hire tips that could go a long way helping you avoid unnecessary costs.

Ask about the fuel policy

One thing that receives many complaints is paying for fuel you haven’t used.  Some car hire companies will charge you a full tank of fuel and ask you to return the car empty.  Chances are that you might not use the full tank which you have paid for.  Therefore when checking out costs of car hire, don’t forget to ask about the fuel policy as a cheap deal might not be cheap if you are left paying for fuel you don’t use.

Shopping Around

When comparing car hire, don’t forget to compare like for like bundles.  Some companies will bundle things together such as Insurances, additional drivers, unlimited mileage all into one package where as others might not.  To get the best deal compare car hire packages rather than the daily price of car rental.

Check Your Insurance

Insurances that come with supplied in your package will not cover personal injury and in some cases won’t cover cost of damage to third parties.  Therefore it is advisable to get adequate cover to protect you from all eventualities.   You can normally find travel insurance online that includes driving abroad for an additional fee.

Keep Damage Reports

Another thing some companies are known to do is charge customers for damage that was already present on the car before they used it. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable and go over every dent, bump and scratch on your car with a fine tooth comb and get the report signed off and keep a copy.  If the car is wet or dirty it will be harder to see any damage on the car, please ensure the rental company comments on the report what condition the car was checked in.

Take Emergency Numbers

In an event of an accident you will need to have with you emergency numbers to call.  You will also need to alert the car rental company if you are involved in an accident.  Therefore ask the company what their emergency number is and who to call before driving away.

These are just a few tips to help you plan car hire for your next holiday and avoid unnecessary costs.  Don’t forget to read more travel guides before going on holiday to help you plan and get the most from your holiday!

Great Travel Destinations

Looking to find one of the best travel destinations in the world? You can't go far wrong with one of these.

Oia in Greece

Oia is located up in the cliffs, where you will see all kinds of picturesque white Greek-style buildings with colourful roofs. You can enjoy many a peaceful stroll  in the sun here. Whatever you do - don't miss the sunset because it is a magical moment and one of the best sunsets I've seen. I'd recommend experiencing it relaxing in one of the beachside bars or at sea on a rented boat.

Florence in Italy

This city is famous for many things including Heaven’s Gate and Michelangelo’s David. Beauty is everywhere in Florence. Do not miss the sunset on the Arno Rive and the wine in Chianti - one of the world's top wine producing regions.

Queenstown in New Zealand

Queenstown has amazing natural beauty. In addition, it is famous for Tolkien's Hobbits. Outdoor sport enthusiasts flock to here to enjoy the excitement and pleasure with a spot of kayaking, bungee jumping, speed boating, water rafting, hiking, skiing and other many more.

Napa in California

Here may just be one of be the most perfect places to spend a week in the world. Romantic hotels, delicious food and wine, relaxing hydrotherapy, what else do you want? Oh, the weather is stunning. It certainly makes a change from a  rainy week in England.

Providenciales in the Caribbean Sea

Located in the Turks and Caicos Islands, this is as near to paradise as you can get. You can choose to indulge in scuba diving, horseback riding or of course, sunbathing, among others. The island is so quiet that it makes a beautiful change from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Holiday Compensation Claims Abroad

For many of us, our holidays are the culmination of a years hard graft at work as well as a year's frugal spending. As soon as we touch down from our flight from Alicante or wherever it may be, we are instantly looking forward and planning our next getaway in our heads. Its essential we get the most out out of holiday and maximise it while we are out there to pay back that lengthly investment we make over the year.

Thats why an accident or sickness abroad can ruin your holiday. One of my friends for example recently went on a skiing holiday and broke her leg - not on the slopes themselves as you may expect, but actually at the apres-ski! Luckily for her it was on the final night of the holiday but it still resulted in her holiday being ruined and plenty of expensive hospital bills.

If you have are involved in an accident whilst on holiday that was not your fault, then there are certain avenues to go down. It is best to get in touch with holiday accident lawyers to find out how you can make an accident claim abroad - they offer expert advice and the company I was recommended operate on a no win no fee basis.

Many  of us don't realise the options available to us after having an accident of getting sick whilst on holiday - I would recommend researching the possible scenarios and solutions before you go away. All countries have different laws too so don't assume one thing will always be the same in another country. having some peace of mind like this can help minimise the stress if, touch wood, anything does happen to you on holiday.

Miami - The American Dream

The word Miami is hot. Not only in terms of the temperature here, but also the characteristics of this styish city. 

World Class Beach

Miami is often claimed to be the most famous beach in the United States. The iconic South Beach attracts millions who have come to relax in the sun and many who love to show off themselves. Countless movies have been filmed using the gorgeous backdrop of Miami beach, and its easy to see why.

The Art of Decoration

Many of the largest Art Deco buildings in the world are found in Miami. There are more than 800 important buildings in the Art Deco District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Everglades

There are 2 000 species of plants, 700 species of fish, 400 species of birds and 100 kinds of mammals in the Everglades National Park in Florida, making it a naturists paradise.

Shopping

Do you (or your partner!) like to go shopping crazy during the day and be seen in the first-class restaurants and clubs like a supermodel in the evening? All this can be realized in South Beach.The shops and restaurants are first class here.

Four Effective Ways to Save Money When Traveling

Go travelling in low season 

Many people go travelling at the height of the tourist season, and often visit the tourist hotspots of the time. High demand at specific times of year can lead to hotels, bars and restaurants raise their prices due to suppy and demand. If you go in high season, you should be prepared to spend a lot of money. On the contrary, if you go in low season or to some less developed scenic spots off the beaten track, you’ll save money.

Don't use an agency

You’ll save on preparation time if you go with a travel agency. But almost without exception, travel agencies are profitable organizations; they’ll take money off you along the way. So in order to save money, it’s better to do your research before you go and ignore the urge to use an agency.

Travel by train


Taxis are often expensive and will often raise their prices when they realise you are a tourist. If you don't mind taking a little longer to reach your destination, take the bus or perhaps the train to save a good chunk of money, which you can use for more important things like food or drink.

Choose cheap hotels or hostels


It’s very important to find a comfortable and quiet place to relax after a long time on the road. But it doesn't mean you need to check into in a four star hotel. A cheap hotel or hostel with decent, comfortable living qarters is a better option.

If you are looking to book your 2011 holiday in the near future, I recommend this Low Cost Airline Guide to help you save money on your flights. 

Beautiful Beaches in the Southeast Asia

If you travel to Southeast Asia, you can’t miss the beautiful beaches described in the following article.

Olhuveli in the Maldives

Olhuveli has beautiful white beaches up to 2 km long and modern facilities helping it become the award-winner of the Best Beach Award in 2001, 2002 and 2006. There are sharks (mostly harmless!) and other fish parading in the sea alongside cliffs, extending from the island to pier, from time to time. At the pier, there are  hundreds of thousands small fish at the side of the coast. For watching fish, the pier at Olhuveli is extremely exciting and this makes the area first class for tourists.

Patong Beach in Thailand

The beach is located in Phuket, the famous resort island in Thailand, and it is arguably the most perfect beach on the island. Enjoy a Thailand style massage on the beach - you won't regret it. In addition,enjoy a ride ona jet ski, boat, rubber dinghies, beach volleyball or diving - all are wonderful. There are many hotels, shopping oppurtunities, an array of entertainment and water sports facilities at the beach, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery from both the the sea and sky. If you want to taste the delicious authentic local food, Thai seafood such as Phuket Lobster is available in many famous hotels and can be a highlight of the trip.

Boracay in the Philippines

Boracay is located in Alcan province in the Philippines and is known as one of the world’s best beaches.  the array of recreational activities on offer and the beach bars make Boracay an excellent place for a social gathering. At the same time, it is a good place for a weekend trip because of the fine white sand blue sea and cheap prices. You may not want to return home.

Welcome to Holidays and Travel!

Hi, welcome to Holdays and Travel, my blog for all things travel. Hopefully over the coming years and months you will find this a useful resource, I will be writing about places I have visited, travel news and tourist information. I hope you find this blog useful. If you are interested in guest blogging, please contact me at nick01dp@gmail.com - no spam please!
Thanks again and I hope you get at least something positive out of my blog.