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Rental Car
Corncrakes For Twitchers In The Morning
Aug 8th
If there’s one reason to enjoy car hire in Poland, it has to be to experience the wildlife.
Poland is at the geometric heart of Europe and much of it is still unsoiled in that it supports such diverse wildlife, the likes of which you will be hard pushed to see elsewhere. A dis-used bunker in the West of Poland houses some of the rarest bats in the whole of Europe. The Nietoperek bat reserve houses Barbastelle, Bechstein’s, Whiskered, Natterer’s and Brown Long-Eared bats among others.
Twitchers would be in their element if they used car hire in Poland to travel around this beautiful, picturesque countryside. While taking in the breathtaking scenery they may just be in luck to see a Corncrake. An attractive bird with a very distinctive call and the world’s most threatened bird, the Corncrake is on the wish list of all avid bird watchers.
Other delights in the world of twitching come in the form of the White-backed Woodpecker, three toed Woodpecker, Hazel Grouse, Aquatic Warbler, Red breasted Flycatcher, Thrush Nightingale, Great Snipe, Cranes, Black Storks and Golden Eagles. In many towns, storks can be seen nesting all around. This is because Poland has the largest concentration of white storks than any other European country.
Take car hire from Poland out of the cities and into the forest areas and expect to come across Grey Wolves. Nowhere else in the world are packs of grey wolves to be with such significance, due to the fact that Poland is the last country with a large enough forest complex to support such animals.
The world’s largest rodent, the European Beaver, can be seen near waterways. So, if using car hire in Poland to camp out, be aware that you may come across these rather large animals. Also look out for the Eurasian Lynx, a distinctive wild cat with a short tail weighing up to 80lbs.
Poland hosts one of Europe’s last remaining primeval forests and this is what allows it to sustain such creatures. One such animal is the European Bison – one of the largest of its kind that you will come across.
If it’s more of a historical feel you are after, then car hire in Poland is the way to go. This country is covered in castles and fortifications that are steeped in history. For one of the most moving trips you can possibly make, visit Oswiecim, the site of the Auschwitz and Birkenau German death camps. Might not seem like a holiday but my goodness you will appreciate your life, even with all its stresses, when you get home.
Another moving site to see is skull chapel in Czermna. Founded in 1776, this church is made up of human skulls and tibia bones from the victims of the Silesian wars and epidemics. This is a very shocking place to see and quite macabre for my taste. However, this is thought provoking stuff and one way for all the victims to be remembered. Possibly a wedding venue for the slightly unhinged?
For mountain lovers, take car hire in Poland into Zakopane, on the edge of the Tatra Mountains. Home to some of the most beautiful wooden churches, it makes an excellent base for those wanting to experience skiing and mountain hiking.
One way or another, there are innumerable reasons to use car hire in Poland. Whether you are a nature lover, twitcher, history and architecture enthusiast or just want to encounter the unhurried pace of life enjoyed by our Polish friends, take some time to visit this country and you will not be disappointed.
Car Hire Terms And Terminology
Jul 24th
The world of car hire can be befuddling for the traveller. With so many terms bandied about by car hire representatives you are often left feeling confused and bemused and in the main, unclear on what you are actually paying for. While the rep may have a clear idea of what they are talking about, it is often the customer who has lost the conversation long ago and ultimately is trying to hang on to any semblance of relevancy in the hiring process. For some help to travellers wishing to hire a car, here are a number of terms used in the industry.
Additional drivers are those added to the hire package when in the process of hiring your car. Understandably, if you are hiring the car for a long period of time and driving large distances it is advisable to share the driving with another member of the party. The car hire company should be notified of this person, adding them to the contract. While there will normally be an additional charge for adding other drivers, it will be ultimately worthwhile as sharing the workload can make the trip that much more enjoyable for everyone.
Airport surcharges are usually added when using car hire from a major airport. While the consumer may be at a loss to explain why a hire car should be any more expensive whether hiring from an airport or not is relatively simple. The hire company will normally have to pay the airport authorities a payment that secures their desk in the terminal. These fees are usually passed directly onto the customer, like it or not, you will probably have to pay more if hiring from an airport.
Personal accident insurance will provide both driver and passengers with protection and coverage from personal injury. This is especially useful when in a foreign country as medical bills for holidaymakers can be exorbitant. Companies will vary on prices for this kind of package so be sure to check over the small print carefully.
A theft protection package can help you should your hire car be broken into or stolen. While this is usually included as part of the hire package, it is worth checking the contract carefully, if it is not their as standard, it may well be worth taking it as an extra.
If you are planning to use a hire car whilst abroad it is often needed to apply for an international driving permit. This does not mean it is valid as a licence however and should only be used as an additional element to your domestic license.
It is hoped this brief glossary has helped the consumer to gain a better understanding of the terminology used within the car hire industry. By decoding some of the phrases bandied around by reps it is possible to get a better deal and a further understanding of what you are paying for. For the traveller, this should be a vital and useful resource.
Travel Advice For Those Wishing To Use A Hire Car
Jun 11th
Car hire can be confusing for some; it can be a complex procedure of choices and paper work that can leave you tired before you even leave for your onward journey. Here a few hints however that will help those who have never used a hire car to get the best from their experience.
Firstly it is important to book in advance. As with many elements of travel, booking your hire car early can pay dividends. Some companies will in fact increase their rates if demand is great, so by booking at least a week in advance you should be able to secure the price you will be paying. Also by booking in advance over a longer period it is possible with many car hire companies to receive considerable discounts on rates. It must be remembered that the company’s cancellation policy should be studied in detail to see if any fines will be applicable.
When choosing a car hire company there are certain factors that you should base your decision on. Firstly of course should be rates, then vehicle availability and finally services. While it may be tempting to take the cheapest option it may be the case that services and availability suffer.
Regular travellers may want to look into frequent customer benefits while the occasional traveller will be more interested in the types of car that are available. Remember that if you are after a specific model you will have to book well in advance and perhaps call many car hire companies to ensure that model is available for reservation.
Service, as with many things in life should be of primary concern. If you have used a car hire company previously and liked the service or if you have a personal recommendation it is usually worth using this company again; selecting a company will however take some consideration. Research the efficiency and effectiveness of a company on travel websites to find a company that has a good track record; as stated previously, while a cheaper company may offer fantastic rates, service is something that is harder to quantify.
Whilst at the desk you will be bombarded with a variety of extra insurance policies for your hire package. This smorgasbord of options can be befuddling and while the benefits for some of these policies might be evident, the price does not always relate to value. A general rule of thumb is that if you are renting on business or for a short period these extra policies will probably be worthwhile, however if you are renting for a longer period of time it may prove to be an expense that is not viable.
Remember that when booking it is important to include all of the drivers that may be in control of the vehicle in the hire contract. By letting someone drive the car without them being included on the contract can void any protection you may have had. It may cost a little extra, but this sum will seem trivial if anything serious does occur.
Before you head out on your journey it is essential to inspect the hire car carefully and ensure that any damage is reported to the representative immediately. Charges for any damage above average wear and tear can be costly, so by doing this you cover yourself from any claims that the representative may have when you return the car. If the car does happen to break down, check you hire contract as many companies have their own free towing service.
By following this advice you car hire experience should go smoothly. While you cannot help accidents and breakdowns, you can plan for them, so look in detail at the insurance and policy extras. By finding a company with a good reputation any problems should be settled quickly and easily and you journey should be stress free, apart from the traffic of course.
Renting A Car During A Holiday
Apr 8th
Some families will choose to travel by automobile to save money because groups of people traveling on a vacation by air would seem impossible to fit into the family travel budget. At times there may be more people than space in the family car and they will turn to rental car companies to rent a car during a holiday period. These automobile rental dealers offer various sizes in the automobiles that they rent.
A family of twelve could fit quite nicely into a rental van and be afforded the opportunity to travel in stylish comfort to any location that they care to go. The stress of driving on long trips will be lessen by the number of drivers that are in the group because car rental companies allow people to add extra drivers onto the rental agreement and only charge nominal rates for them to be able to do so.
Some travelers will make rental car reservations several months ahead because they know they are traveling during the holiday season. There will be many people on the road during these joyful times of the year and there never seems to be enough rental cars available for everyone to get one that meets their needs. If they reserve one ahead of time, they are assured of getting the best choices in cars in the rental car fleet.
Younger drivers prefer to make reservations for sports cars. These rental cars are generally priced very competitively but the rental cost charges per day will be substantially higher than those charged for a compact car which is visibly plainer in its exterior features. The one feature that people want in a sports car is the convertible top and they are willing to pay the price to enjoy that feature during the holiday season.
There are many ways that people save on rental charges during the holiday season. They might take advantage of a rental car discount that came with their membership in a group formed specifically to cater to the retirement community. These older drivers will generally select a luxury sedan because these rental vehicles offer comfort and style and all of the amenities that they have grown used to having in the vehicles that they drive everyday.
Some people travel to locations that they have never been to before during a holiday period. They might be going to meet future in-laws and realize that they do not want to get lost along the way. These travelers will select a rental car company that offers mapping machines in the interior of the car that will clearly define which way they need to go in the rental car that they selected.
Travel Tips For Those Using Car Hire Services
May 6th
Car hire can be expensive when you are travelling, hence getting the best deal possible is always advisable. To achieve a bargain when you are utilising car hire services there are certain strategies that you can employ that will result in more affordable pricing. It is hoped that this article will be able to highlight some of these strategies that will enable you to hire a car at the cheapest price.
One piece of advice to is to hire the least expensive model in the range. This is advisable for a number of reasons; naturally, it will be cheaper than the other cars in the range so the benefits are immediate. Also, by hiring the least expensive model you leave yourself open to upgrades. If you arrive at the car hire desk and find that the car you have reserved is not actually available, the majority of companies will be happy to give you a car further up the range free of charge. Even if your car is available, it is normally possible to get an upgrade at the desk for a much cheaper price than when initially booking, just remember to negotiate.
Most car hire companies allow customers to add other drivers to the rental package; unfortunately this usually means an added premium. It is worth checking local laws and regulations however as in some locations married couples can gain an additional driver at no extra cost. Do not wait for the representative to enquire about your personal situation, tell them you are married on arrival to ensure they are fully aware.
Another way to avoid additional driver fees and gain better deals more generally is to join the company’s frequent user programme. The benefits of these schemes are immense, even for those who rarely use car hire services. often it can be cheaper to pay the joining fee in addition to the rental package rather than adding extras that all come at a premium. This is a great way to reduce the cost, and if you do use the company’s services regularly, it should be a prerequisite of your hire process. With great savings, you would be mad not to.
Another benefit of joining the loyalty club is that your transition from desk to car should be greatly improved. Many frequent user packages mean you can skip the cues and pick up the keys in no time. Added to this, the paperwork is reduced as the company already has your details, so going through the rigours of filling in forms is completely removed from the hire equation. It also means that you are spared the usual marketing spiel from representatives as the company know what car you will need and will be able to supply it without the upselling that is usually endured.
If you are using large companies it is worth remembering at the time of booking that they are normally constructed along a franchise basis. Hence it is sometimes possible to get better deals by going direct to the franchise, rather than the headquarters. It is often possible to gain a discount or added features for less if you deal directly with the franchise manager, as they have the power to strike a deal with customers.
A lot of car hire companies offer added insurance policies to customers, whether you need this insurance is worth considering. While some insurance policies offered can be extremely useful it is usually worth studying your own insurance details to see if you will be covered when using the hire car. In addition if you pay with your credit card, it is also worth checking with the card company if any insurance is applicable when using a hire car.
Hopefully this article has given the traveller and hire car user ways to make their rental package cheaper. As evermore people hunt for great deals, be sure to use these tips to make you trip that much more affordable.
Why Holiday Rentals Are Popular Around The World
Apr 30th
America is another country offering a great choice of holiday rental homes. Florida is probably the most popular holiday destination amongst families choosing a holiday rental. The great thing about Florida is that there are holiday rental homes to suite all budgets.
You can select a small holiday rental in Florida and end up with quite a cheap holiday. If however you have a bigger budget you can splash out and rent some amazing holiday homes in Florida. If you want a vacation holiday rental in Florida you are going to be spoilt for choice. Many holiday makers go on a family holiday to Florida and return year after year staying in holiday rental homes.
When choosing to stay in a holiday rental home you must decide what sort of holiday home that you are looking for. You must first decide how much money you want to spend on your holiday rental and how many bedrooms that you need in your holiday home.
Some of the holiday homes that you can rent in Florida can be big and offer amazing accommodation. Typically holiday rental homes in America have big bedrooms and have a very high standard of furnishing.
When you have decided how many bedrooms that your holiday rental home has, you then need to decide what appliances that you are going to need. It is possible to rent a holiday home with a swimming pool and these are very popular holiday rentals in countries with a warm climate. Some holiday homes have veranda doors that open straight out onto the swimming pool area.
If you rent a holiday home with a swimming pool it is wise to check that the holiday home also has pool loungers and also an outside table and chairs. It will make your stay in your holiday rental far more enjoyable if you can catch the sun by the pool and also have the facilities to eat next to it as well.
Some holiday home rentals also provide barbecues which can be used to cook your own food outside. There is nothing better than cooking a steak by the side of your swimming pool with a cool beer of bottle of wine nearby.
If you are staying in your holiday rental home for more than a few days it would be good to check that they have washing machines and tumbler driers. Many holiday home rentals now provide these as standard but it is still worth checking to see that they are there.
If staying in a holiday home in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal or indeed any warm climate it is worth checking that there is some form of air conditioning or fans. Remember that many of these holiday rental homes can get very hot in the summer months.
Some of the holiday rental homes in France can be quite charming and many are set in beautiful rural locations. By staying in a rural holiday home in France you can have a very peaceful and relaxing holiday. You can sample the local food and try many of the local restaurants that are close by to your holiday rental.
Many holiday makers staying in a holiday rental in France love to go leave their holiday home in the morning and sit in a local cafe and eat French bread and wash it down with a strong cup of coffee.
Taking a Rental Car Across the Border
Feb 8th
Driving a rental car across the border can be tricky. Whether or not a rental company will allow this really depend on a variety of factors, including the car rental company and which border you are trying to cross.
However, you may need additional insurance in order to drive in another country and you will need to find out if there are any differences in the road rules in the country you are heading to.
Canadian Border
You have a lot more leeway here than if you are wanting to cross the border into Mexico. The majority of car rentals in both Canada and the U.S. will allow you to take your rental car across the border, as long as you are planning to come back again. The exception to this rule is if you are a resident of the country that you are driving into. For example, if you are a Canadian citizen, you cannot take an American rental car into Canada unless it has Canadian license plates.
Also, if you are going to be taking a rental car across the border into Canada, you will need to show your rental documents to the border officials, so have them handy. In addition, you will probably need to purchase additional insurance, since the insurance that comes with the car rental won’t cover accidents or theft outside of the U.S. You will probably need to have a Canadian non-resident insurance card in this case.
Talk to your rental company before attempting to cross the border, since you don’t want to be crossing without permission or insurance!
Mexican Border
This is a bit trickier. You’ll be hard pressed to find a car rental company that will allow you to take a rental car into Mexico, due to the high crime and theft rate in this country. There are a few rental companies that may allow you to take the rental car across the border, but this is fairly unlikely. A better option would be to just park at the border and walk across. If you need to have a vehicle on the other side, rent from a Mexican car rental company as they are better equipped to deal with the risks.
You will definitely need to buy extra insurance if you do decide to cross the border into Mexico in a rental car and manage to get permission from your car rental company. Sometimes, you can get this extra insurance to cover you in Mexico from your rental company, but you may prefer to go with a third party insurance supplier if it is cheaper. Read the contract carefully and make sure that you are covered for everything from car theft to accidents. Mexico can get a bit wild, particularly in the border towns, so try to park the car in safe areas where you pay someone to keep an eye on it.
Taking a rental car across the border is possible in many cases, depending on which border, but do make sure to talk to your rental company first about your plans. They may require extra insurance or have some tips for you. You can also find out what is required in order to cross the border, whether or not you need a passport and what other paperwork is necessary.
As long as you do your research, you should be fine to take a rental car across the border. Just be sure to have everything in order, including the extra insurance, so you won’t be faced with unexpected delays.
It’s very important to know the terms and policies of your car rentals before embarking on a vacation. It is especially important to verify that your specific rental car has been thoroughly inspected by the company before you sign any rental agreement. Be sure to inquire about any problems or concerns you may have before you go on your trip.