Carhire 4 Airports

Cheap travel insurance for the over 50s over 60´s, over 70´s, over 80´s

2011-07-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

99% of all medical conditions covered for £2.99 single trip

One in four people travel without any form of travel insurance, and the over-50´s are particularly at risk. Travel insurance is not compulsory but by purchasing the right policy for you and your family, you can avoid unexpected medical expenses, and protect yourself against cancellations and lost baggage.

Make sure your travel insurance provider covers pre-existing medical conditions and always use a regulated UK company. The amount of cover can vary from policy to policy, and if you want peace of mind on holiday, it pays to shop around.

Look for a company who puts the emphasis on outstanding customer care, low prices and comprehensive cover. Whether you are going on holiday for a week or you want cover for up to 18 months, you need to know that you are covered for any eventuality. Travel insurance for the over 50s and the over 65s is essential, and whatever your medical condition, you can be covered by long term travel insurance or a single trip policy.

Travel insurance forums giving information about how to pick a good travel insurance company can be found easily on the internet, and cheap holiday insurance for the elderly is available from Staysure. Affordable annual multi trip travel insurance can be booked online in just a few minutes, and you should always use a company who understands the importance of customer care.

Cheap travel insurance for the over 50´s, over 60´s, over 70´s, over 80´s and the over 90´s should be affordable and easy to book. Quick payouts are essential, and cover can include cheap cruise insurance, plus European and worldwide travel insurance cover.
Single trip travel insurance cover starts at just £2.41, and multi-trip insurance from just 8p a day.

10 Top tips to consider before booking medical travel insurance include:

1. Is travel insurance an optional extra?

Never consider travel insurance to be an optional extra, as it is a vital part of any holiday plans. Medical travel insurance policies normally cover accidents, illness and loss, but make sure your policy also provides compensation for delays and cancellations, and covers damaged or lost luggage. Also make sure you are provided with a helpline for use in emergencies.

Don´t automatically plump for the cheapest option, before you check if the policy suits your requirements. Although medical travel insurance for the over 50´s is not a legal requirement, you should still read all the terms and conditions thoroughly of any policy, so that in the event of any claim you know what to do. Every holiday travel insurance policy is different, and you need to find the right one for you. Basic policies for example will not suit you if you take a lot of high value items on holiday, such as expensive sunglasses and jewellery. Make sure your travel insurance policy covers everything you want it to and if you are looking for winter sports insurance cover, shop around for the best inclusive policy.

2. Am I better off with a single trip policy or annual multi-trip cover?

Single trip travel insurance may appear cheaper, but it is only cost-effective if you take two or less trips every year. Annual travel insurance or multi-trip cover may also cover you during domestic and overseas holidays, which makes it a more complete policy.

Check the maximum number of days you can be covered for before you travel as some policies may limit the duration of days you can be covered. Check out the reviews of medical travel insurance companies, and only use those who include over 200 pre-existing medical conditions at no extra cost. Also check the countries you can travel to as there may be some excluded countries. Comprehensive medical travel insurance should cover most worldwide destinations and European ones, including: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Albania, Israel, Poland, Andorra, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Kosovo, Rumania, Belarus, Latvia, Russia, Belgium, Lithuania and Serbia.

Over 35% of travellers book their insurance at the last minute, which explains why so few people find the appropriate cover to suit their requirements, and simply go for the cheapest option. Up to 25% of people have never bought travel insurance, and often think they can claim on their home insurance for certain items. This may be true, but if you make a claim on your home insurance it will bump up your annual premium, and a travel insurance policy will save you money and hassle.

3. Exclusions for medical travel insurance for the over 50s

It is important to check for any ´exclusions´ before you book your medical travel insurance, particularly if you are over 50. You must declare the following information to your medical travel insurance company:

• You have previously been refused travel insurance or it has been cancelled or any special terms imposed

• You have any criminal convictions for fraud, dishonesty or deception during the past five years

• You have had more than 3 travel insurance claims in the last three years

• You have already started the trip you want cover for

• You are taking a cruise ship holiday, which may not be covered by basic policies

• You are travelling without at least one adult named on the policy
• You have any pre-existing medical conditions

You may want additional cover which cheap holiday insurance will not include, such as flight cancellations or additional flights should you need to come home early from a world trip. If you are planning to take part in adventurous sports, such as bungee jumping, (not in the top ten list of things to do for the over-50´s but you never know), skiing or horse riding, you may need to enquire about additional cover.

4. Compare travel insurance quotes and get the best over 50s cover

Before you travel, make sure you have compared quotes with several travel insurance companies, to find the best one for you. Once you have chosen the best over 50s travel insurance cover, keep a separate note of your policy numbers in case you need to make a claim, and leave additional copies of details with a family member in the UK. This way, if you are unfortunate to suffer an accident or injury abroad, it will be easy for you or your family to contact the insurers.

Bear in mind that if the Government has advised against travelling to certain countries or areas, and you go anyway, your insurance will become void.

Remember to keep all valuables, passports, money and insurance documents in the safe at your hotel or holiday accommodation, and keep all important policy numbers and document copies in a separate place.

5. Top holiday tips and travel insurance for the over 75s

If you are planning to travel abroad, travel insurance for the over 75s is essential. You will also need a full ten year passport, even for a day trip, so check all your important documents well in advance of your travel date to make sure they are not out of date. If you need to renew your passport in the UK, contact the Identity and Passport Service on 0870 521 0410.

Some countries do have immigration requirements for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period (normally six months) beyond your date of entry to the country so check these requirements as soon as possible. Questions can be asked at the relevant Consulate or Embassy of the country you are travelling to. Make sure your over-75s medical travel insurance covers you for any eventuality, and take your time to find the right policy for you. Outside the UK you can get advice from the nearest British Embassy or Consulate if you lose your passport or have it stolen, and staff can issue standard replacement passports in most countries.

Also check visa requirements if you plan to travel outside of Europe, from the country´s Consulate or Embassy. If you are using a travel agent, they should also be able to advise you about visa requirements.

Check the Department of Health's travel advice website before you travel, as it is full of useful travel information including local sources of medical treatment. If you take regular medication, make sure you have more than enough to cover your trip, and take a small first aid kit for any minor accidents.

Most importantly, book your medical health insurance well in advance to ensure you have the right policy to suit your requirements. Don´t leave it until the last minute and don´t just go for the cheapest option without checking the terms and conditions.

6. Holiday theft and loss insurance

If you are looking for comprehensive travel insurance that will cover loss and theft of money and credit cards, check out some of the senior citizen´s travel insurance policies online. You can be covered for holiday medical travel insurance in countries worldwide and in Europe, including: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Monaco, Croatia, Cyprus, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey and Switzerland.

Never take large amounts of cash with you but use traveller´s cheques instead. Check whether your bank will charge you for withdrawing funds abroad with a UK cash machine card. Take all your emergency number with you in case you need to cancel credit cards and bank cards. Only change your money in banks or with legal foreign exchange dealers to ensure you are not conned with the exchange rate. Leave a credit card at home with friends or family in case yours is stolen and leave details or copies of traveller´s cheques at home in case yours are lost or stolen.

7. Car hire tips abroad and travel insurance

If you plan to hire a car abroad, it is essential you take out medical travel insurance in case of accident or injury. Car hire firms will insure you to drive the vehicle but make sure you also take travel insurance cover to safeguard yourself in the event of an accident. Make sure you know the driving laws in the country you are visiting and also ensure your UK driving licence is valid and that you understand the driving laws in your destination country. On the spot fines exist in many countries for traffic offences so make sure you carry out some research about local traffic laws before you travel.

Keep up to date with the latest airline security measures and allow plenty of time to get through airport controls. Keep hand baggage to a minimum and make sure there are no sharp items in the bag to be carried on board. Once you arrive at your destination, find out where all the main services are, including the police station and medical centre. Make sure the tap water is safe to drink and if you are unsure, drink bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Never leave belongings unattended.

8. What to do if something is stolen

Travel insurance will cover you against having items stolen, but check your policy before you travel, so you know what is and what is not covered. Cheap holiday insurance is not always the best option as it may not cover everything you would expect of a comprehensive travel insurance policy. If your money, passport or any other item is stolen you need to report it straight away to the local police and inform the holiday rep at your hotel. You will need to keep a copy of the police statement in order to claim against your insurance. If you have had a credit card stolen, contact your bank immediately in the UK to cancel it or use the emergency number. If you have had travellers cheques stolen, contact the issuing agent and for theft of tickets, contact your tour representative in the resort or the airline agent.

9. Winter sports and medical travel insurance

If you are planning a winter sports holiday, it is vital you choose the right medical travel insurance for you and your family. Snowboarding and skiing is great fun, but it can also wreak havoc with your holiday if you are involved in an accident. Most skiing accidents are caused by a third party so even if you class yourself as an expert skier, you can still come unstuck. Many basic travel insurance policies exclude winter sports so check your policy very carefully before you travel.

It is also worth checking for cover for mountain rescue costs, plus cover for prepaid expenses such as ski passes and skis or expenses incurred as a result of delays caused by avalanches or adverse weather conditions. Don´t think that just because you are on the slopes you are safe from thieves. Always keep an eye on your equipment, particularly on ski lifts and in mountain restaurants.

10. Important medical help and holiday travel insurance

Losing money abroad or having a wallet stolen on holiday can ruin your trip, but it is nothing compared to the pain of sustaining an injury or illness when you are thousands of miles from home. Not every country has a free health service, particularly outside Europe, and medical bills can run into thousands if you are suddenly taken ill. Make sure your medical travel insurance covers any eventuality, especially if you are over 65 and you already have a pre-existing medical condition. You can get holiday travel insurance cover for over 200 pre-existing conditions which will not cost you an arm and a leg. For small amounts such as paying for medicines or minor treatments, you should pay at the time and claim the expenses back later. Always keep all receipts for medical expenses and/or prescriptions. Larger claims can usually be sent directly to your insurer, as long as you contact the emergency contact number as soon as possible after the accident/illness occurs.

If you are travelling to Europe, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card before you leave. The card will entitle travellers to reduced-cost and sometimes free medical insurance, but you are always advised to take additional medical travel insurance to safeguard you against holiday illness and injury.

cheap travel insurance

2011-07-26T22:56:00.000-07:00

We are proud to be partnered with Staysure, which is one of the leading travel insurance companies in the UK. Specialising in travel insurance for the over 50´s, Staysure has over 100,000 satisfied repeat customers who benefit from the company´s expertise in the travel insurance market. Combining low prices with quality cover and a quick quote process, the company is FSA regulated and authorised, and even offers a 14 day refund policy.

Staysure understands your needs and the purchase process is simple and easy, and includes multiple choices of cover level. With highly competitive rates and friendly, helpful advisors in a UK call centre, Staysure offers travellers a complete travel insurance service at an affordable price. Whatever type of travel insurance cover you require, Staysure will find a policy to suit you, including single trip, annual multi-trip or long-stay. Offering outstanding customer service, quick payouts and a hassle-free service, Staysure gives you complete peace of mind, so you are free to relax and enjoy your holiday.

Serious medical conditions

If you need cover for minor illness or serious medical conditions, Staysure medical travel insurance includes over 220 pre-existing conditions at no extra cost to you.

You may be thinking of travelling abroad on holiday but are worried about finding travel insurance to cover your pre-existing medical condition. Staysure will put your mind at rest so you can enjoy a hassle-free holiday. Our specialist medical travel insurance offers the benefits of our standard travel cover, including over 220 pre-existing medical conditions at no extra cost, plus additional cover for more serious pre-existing conditions.

Conditions covered can include diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, blindness, epilepsy and many more illnesses via our medical screening facility, to give you peace of mind when you travel.

You can get an instant online quote to find out about our extensive medical travel insurance cover, and you can see how reasonable our prices are at the same time.

Why Staysure for medical travel insurance?

The benefits of using Staysure for your medical travel insurance include:

• Policies are available for travellers up to 85 years of age

• Over 220 conditions are covered as standard with no extra costs

• Most serious conditions are covered through medical screening

• You can arrange medical screening online or through our call centre

Testimonials

Thank you for keeping your word by phoning me to let me know that my policy was being sorted and then again to check that I had received it. You have restored my faith in human nature. So thank you again."

S Bell

Thanks for sorting out our travel insurance, it's nice to see an insurance company doing that bit extra"
Ken Gregory

Cheap travel insurance for the over 50´s

Are you looking for a policy which will provide cheap travel insurance for the over 50´s?

No problem! Staysure has a range of great value online travel insurance policies which cover all age groups, including the over 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Our travel insurance is perfect for all types of trips and holidays ranging from weekends away to 3-month world cruises.

Over 220 conditions are included under Staysure´s standard travel insurance policy, and covers conditions including diabetes and hypertension at no extra cost. More serious medical conditions can also be covered by medical screening.

Staysure is one of the UK´s leading over 50´s travel insurance providers with a reputation for excellent service and great value and choice. Single trip travel insurance can is available at two levels, which include:

1. Basic – this covers emergency medical treatment, personal liability and baggage.

2. Comprehensive – this policy is a complete product which offers medical emergency, cancellation of booking, baggage, loss of passport, personal money, repatriation and much more. You can also tailor these policies to suit your needs with the addition of golf, winter sports and even wedding cover.

If you have a history of medical problems, Staysure´s single trip insurance coversover 220 pre-existing medical conditions at no extra charge plus more serious illness via medical screening.

Wherever you intend to travel in the UK, Europe or the rest of the world, Staysure has a policy to suit you at an affordable price. Check out our prices or get an instant online quote now. If you prefer to speak to one of our professional and friendly staff, call us directly on 0844 277 0844. We are waiting to hear from you.

Staysure benefits for single trip travel insurance

Our one-way or single trip travel insurance starts from just £3.35 per person and we cover all destinations, including: the UK, Europe and worldwide, including pre-existing medical cover, with policies covering age groups up to 85 and prices to suit all pockets. Our cover includes:

• Tailor made policies to suit your needs

• Medical screening for serious medical conditions

• Single item upgrades, including wedding, golf and winter sports cover

• Friendly UK staff available 7 days a week, including bank holidays

Long stay travel insurance with Staysure

Staysure long stay travel insurance covers trips from 3 to 18 months, and prices start from just £36.21.

However long you intend to stay away from home, we can arrange comprehensive travel insurance for up to 18 months. You may be travelling the world, visiting family overseas or getting away from England in winter but for total peace of mind, you should have long stay travel insurance before you go.

Our long stay insurance cover is available for travellers up to 75 years of age and we also cover over 220 medical conditions at no extra cost. Medical screening is also available for more serious medical conditions.

You can choose the level of cover to suit your needs, and our policies are tailor made to make sure you only pay for the cover you require. You may be going on a cruise as part of your trip, which Staysure will cover at no extra cost as part of our comprehensive policy. We also include cancellation cover for the holiday up to a value of £5000 per person.

You can get an instant online quote today or speak to one of our fully trained British staff on 0844 277 0844, who will be more than happy to help.

A Summary of long term Staysure insurance policies

• Great value for money and comprehensive policies which last from 3-18 months.

• Cover for over 220 pre-existing medical conditions for no extra cost.

• Full medical screening available for serious conditions.

• Cover up to the age of 75.

• Maximum trip duration which is the best in the industry

• No extra cost for cruise ship holidays

Staysure winter sports cover

Our winter sports cover starts at just £10.18. If you are planning a skiing trip this winter, 17 days are included free as part of our annual insurance policies.

Without doubt, winter sports are an exciting annual pastime for thousands of travellers, but they can be dangerous. Most accidents are caused by third parties, and whether you are planning a gentle slide down the nursery slopes, or are hoping to break the world speed record on snow, you will need the necessary winter sports insurance cover to prepare for any eventuality. Staysure will insure you against costly medical bills, loss, damage and holiday delays.

Staysure winter sports cover also provides cancellation and baggage cover, plus additional cover for skiing, mono-skiing and snowboarding, plus delayed or lost ski equipment, ski pass, piste closure, off-piste skiing in authorised areas and much more to give you peace of mind.

For an instant quote, you can choose your travel dates, select the amount of cover you require and we will come up with a price for you.

If you plan to travel more than once a year, consider Staysure´s Annual Multi-trip cover, which includes 17 days winter sports cover as standard, plus cover for any other trips throughout the year.

Why choose Staysure for winter sports travel insurance?

• Policies for travellers up to 65 years of age

• We cover mono-skiing, cross country and snow boarding

• Off-piste skiing in authorised areas, ski pass, piste closure and many extras

• Discounts for couples and families

• Covers over 220 pre-existing medical conditions at no extra cost

• Covers up to £5000 for cruise cancellation as part of comprehensive policies

Staysure frequently asked questions

As one of the major travel insurance companies in the UK, Staysure offers policies to all age groups, and we are always happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.

Frequently asked questions include:

1. Does Staysure insure people under the age of 50?
2. Does my policy cover repatriation?
3. What is insurance premium tax (IPT) and why is the charge 17.5%?
4. Can travel start from outside the UK?
5. Do I need to declare medical conditions which I suffered over 5 years ago?
6. What does it mean if a medical condition is ´excluded´?
7. I am a non-UK resident. Can I still get insurance with Staysure?
8. Can you quote me if I am currently being diagnosed or awaiting an operation?
9. What happens if I want to cancel my policy?
10. Can I change my policy if I need to?
11. Do I need to tell Staysure if health or medical condition changes?
12. Can I renew my policy while travelling?
13. Who do I call if there is a mistake on my policy?
14. Who do I contact to make a claim?
15. Does a ´couple´ just refer to husband and wife?
16. How many people constitute a ´family´ in terms of travel insurance?
17. What is the definition of a single parent?
18. What shall I do if I haven´t received my policy?
19. What shall I do if I am unable to open my policy documents?
20. What shall I do if I haven´t received my posted policy documents?
21. Do I have to declare high blood pressure if it is controlled by tablets?
22. What is the maximum length of trip I can take if I am covered by an annual multi-trip policy?
23. What is the maximum trip I can take for a single trip/long stay policy?
24. Does annual multi-trip insurance include cover within the UK?
25. Does Staysure cover include business or voluntary work?
26. Does annual multi trip cover include winter sports?

Answers

1. Does Staysure insure people under the age of 50?

Yes, Staysure insures people from 0-85. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an insured adult and the under 2s go free of charge.

2. Does my travel insurance cover repatriation?

Yes. All policies include repatriation, but obviously the decision whether to repatriate lies with you.

3. What is Insurance Premium Tax? (IPT)

IPT is a levy dictated by the Government which applies to all insurance policies and travel insurance qualifies for 17.5% tax. Other insurance products only have a rate of 5%, but the 17.5% has nothing to do with VAT, which is currently 15%.

4. Can travel start from outside the UK?

No. Travel must always start inside the UK (which includes the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey and also the Isle of Man).
5. Do I have to declare medical conditions suffered over 5 years ago?

You need to declare any past or current medical or psychological sickness, disease, condition, injury or symptom that has caused symptoms, or any form of treatment or prescribed medication and medical consultation, investigation or medical check up required during the 2 years prior to the commencement of the insurance cover. Any cardiovascular or circulatory condition (such as a heart condition, hypertension, blood clots, raised cholesterol, strokes or aneurysm) which has occurred any time must be declared prior to your trip.

6. What does it mean if a medical condition is ´excluded´?

If a medical condition is excluded, it means that any claim which links directly or indirectly to the excluded condition will not be covered. Cover will still be in place however for any other unrelated insurance claim.

7. Can non-UK residents use Staysure insurance?

No. All Staysure clients must have a UK address and should be registered with a UK doctor.

8. Can I take out Staysure insurance if I am being diagnosed or awaiting an operation now?

Yes you can, although the decision to provide cover can only be decided after full medical screening and the underwriters reserve the right to specifically exclude any undiagnosed or suspected conditions.

9. Can I cancel my policy at any time if I need to?

Yes. Policies are fully refundable within 14 days of booking, as long as travel has not commenced and no potential claim has been started. After 14 days, policies are non-refundable but can be upgraded or changed for an additional premium.

10. Can I change my travel insurance policy?

Yes upgrades can be made at any time as long as they are within the terms and conditions of the policy but it is not possible to reduce coverage in return for a refund.

11. Do I need to tell you about any changes to my health or medical condition?

Yes. Any changes to your health or medical condition since you purchased your policy need to be declared. Underwriters would normally accept new conditions free of charge on a single trip policy but you may need to be screened prior to acceptance if you have a multi-trip policy.

12. Can I renew my policy while I am travelling?

Annual policies can always be renewed to run concurrently by notifying us at least one day before expiry, except in extreme circumstances when your trip has begun. If you think you may need to adjust your trip duration, contact us before you travel where possible.

13. What shall I do if there is a mistake on my policy?

If you see any error on your policy, please call customer services on 0870 046 4560 or e-mail info@staysure.co.uk and we will respond immediately.

14. Who do I contact to make a claim?

Depending how serious the incident is, you should contact Europ Assistance Holdings Ltd on:

GENERAL TRAVEL INSURANCE CLAIMS – 0844 338 5838

MEDICAL EMERGENCY – 0844 338 5834 or 0044 0844 338 5838 from abroad
15. What is the definition of a couple?

A couple is defined as a husband and wife or common-law partners (including same sex partners who have lived at the same address for at least 6 months). If you have multi-trip cover, each adult may travel independently.

16. What is the definition of a family?

A family is defined as husband and wife or common-law partners and dependent children under 18. Your children must be in full time education and/or living with you. Children under 2 are covered free of charge. For annual multi-trip cover, adults can travel independently but the children must travel with at least one of the insured adults on the policy to be covered.

17. What is the definition of a single parent?

A single parent family is defined as one adult and any dependent child under18 years of age who is in full time education or living with you. For annual multi-trip insurance cover the adult can travel independently but any child must travel with an insured adult.

18. What can I do if I haven´t received my policy?

All of our policy documents are sent by e mail and you should have them within a few minutes of booking where an e mail address is provided. If an e mail is rejected by your internet service provider or for any reason you have not received your policy within 4 hours of booking and leaving an e mail address, call our customer service department on 0870 508 9886 and we will re-send your documents.

19. What can I do if I am unable to open my policy documents?

If you can´t open your policy documents, which we will have sent to you as a PDF file, you may need to download Adobe reader if it is not already installed on your computer. This is free and you can download it from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader. If you still have problems contact our customer services department on 0870 508 9886, and a member of staff will be happy to help.

20. What if my posted policy does not arrive?

Allow 5 working days for your policy to arrive through the post. If you have not received your policy after 5 days, call customer services on 0870 508 9886 who will arrange to re-send your documents.
21. Do I have to declare high cholesterol and high blood pressure to you if the condition is being controlled by tablets?
Yes, you must disclose this information to us, even though it may not cost you any more for your travel insurance.

22. What is the maximum trip duration if I have an annual multi-trip policy?

This varies depending on your age. If you are currently under 65 or you were under 65 when you took out the travel insurance policy, the standard maximum trip duration is 50 days. This can be extended to 100 days for a small additional cost but if you are aged between 66 and 80 the maximum trip duration is 35 days and this cannot be extended.

23. What is the maximum trip duration for a single trip or long stay insurance policy?

This varies depending on your age and the destination, and is as follows

23. What is the maximum trip duration for a single trip/long stay policy?

This varies according to your age and destination, and you can check out this information when you speak to one of our advisors.

24. If I have multi-trip insurance does it include cover in the UK?
Yes. Travel within the UK is covered as long as the trip lasts for at least 2 nights and includes pre-booked travel or accommodation or is more than 25 miles from your home (not including a sea crossing).

25. Does Staysure travel insurance cover business or voluntary work?

Staysure policies don´t normally cover any manual work unless it is undertaken on a voluntary basis. However, cover would not include installation, assembly, maintenance or repair of heavy electrical, mechanical or hydraulic equipment or working at heights above 3 metres. If you plan to carry out any work, voluntary or not, while covered by a Staysure travel insurance policy, mention it when you speak to one of our advisors and they will advise you about your cover.

26. Does annual multi-trip travel insurance cover winter sports?
Our basic annual multi-trip travel insurance policy does not provide winter sports coger but all other policies include up to 17 days cover as standard which can be extended to 31 days for a small additional premium. Note that the 17 days free cover can be shared over several trips.

If you are looking for a competitive travel insurance quote, contact the experts at Staysure and one of our friendly and helpful advisors will be able to help you. Contact us at www.staysure.co.uk Our UK staffed call centre is open from Monday to Friday: 8.30am-9pm, Saturday: 8.30 am-6pm and Sunday: 10am-6pm. We look forward to helping you.

Rent a house in London

2011-05-17T02:06:00.000-07:00

If you want to rent your room out in London, or you have a spare room to rent, you can register easily online with Holiday Crash Pads.

London is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, and millions of people look to rent accommodation in London, including spare rooms, flats, apartments and attic rooms. Whether you are looking to rent out your boat, your barge or your sofa in London, you can take charge of your bookings, and enjoy simple navigation on the website.

London flats to rent are big business, and usually command high prices. If you rent out your spare room in London, your penthouse or your studio, you can undercut the guest houses and hotels nearby, and still make a profit from renting your out your unused space. Wherever your property is in London, you will potentially be promoting it to millions of travellers when you register with Holiday Crash Pads, and the more reasonably priced it is, the more bookings you are likely to get when you advertise your spare room for rent in London.

Advantages of being a host with Holiday Crash Pads include: Making cash from renting out an unused space in your house, having the flexibility to accept or refuse bookings once you have read the guest´s profile, not having to pay a penny to rent out your room in London, and also you will meet new people from around the world. There are just as many people looking for cheap accommodation in London, as there are travellers who want luxury accommodation, penthouse suites and 5-star elegance.

Whatever type of pad you have in the capital, you can promote and advertise it to potentially millions of travellers worldwide, and enjoy having total control of your booking. Our online calendar will allow you to block dates when booked, and give you easy access to guest profiles and other important information. Whether you are looking to book a room in London on a short term basis, or you want to become a Holiday Crash Pads host, we bring both parties into contact.

If you have a cheap room to rent in London, or a barge, a boat, a sofa or a futon, you can make the most of your unused space by renting it out. The cheaper the room in London, the more bookings you are likely to get, and any space you have available can be utilised.

Holiday Crash Pad hosts can e-mail the prospective guests and find out more about them by browsing through their profiles before deciding to accept or decline the booking. It is your space, and it is entirely up to you whether or not you want to rent it out. London is not only one of the most exciting cities in the world, it will also be host to the Olympics in 2012, and if you want to make the most of your spare room in London, register it now and make the most of biggest event for years coming to London.

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Top 10 tips for over 50,s travel insurance

2009-12-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

Travel insurance is important, particularly for the over 50s. Now more than ever, you need insurance cover to protect yourself against any unfortunate accident or illness on holiday.
Travel insurance for the over 50s is vital, and as many retired couples and singles spend so much time travelling, the right holiday insurance will cover you for medical emergencies, cancellation of holidays, theft of credit cards and money, and a host of other eventualities.

Ten top tips about holiday travel insurance:

1. Shop around before you buy holiday travel insurance as policies and prices vary between insurers. It is vital you search the market for the right product for you as over 50s travel insurance can differ greatly.

2. Make sure you read the policy documents thoroughly, particularly the small print, to understand what is covered and what is not. If you have any questions, ask your insurer before you leave.

3. Keep a copy of your travel insurance documents at home or give a copy to a family member in the UK in case they need to contact your insurers on your behalf.4. You may be given a wallet-sized insurance card with emergency numbers, so keep this safe at all times.

5. Make sure you declare any pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer as failure to do so could result in your insurance being invalid.

6. If you are travelling to Europe, take a European Health Insurance Card with you. You can pick up a form for this from your local post office. This will give you access to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment in the EU. Additional medical travel insurance should also be taken however.

7. Never let your luggage or belongings out of your sight or your insurer may refuse to pay out for any baggage loss claim.

8. Make sure you are not travelling to a country that has been declared unsafe by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as it will be almost impossible to get travel insurance cover.

9. If you are over 50, choose a travel insurance company which allows pre-existing medical conditions with no excess to pay.

10. Don´t choose the cheapest option travel insurance without checking if the cover is adequate for you and your family.

Leaving home without adequate medical travel insurance cover is not just foolhardy, but it could even result in you spending your life savings on medical expenses. Make sure you are safe on holiday and insure for emergency treatment, loss of baggage or personal items, and general medical expenses.

If you are over 50, over 60, over 70 or over 80, choose a regulated travel insurance company which specialises in travel insurance for the over 50s. A full and comprehensive travel insurance policy will give you peace of mind on holiday, and all you will have to worry about is enjoying yourself.

England World Cup draw and things to do in South Africa 2010

2009-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

England´s draw for the South Africa World Cup, 2010 will see them play Algeria, the USA and Slovenia in the opening matches of the tournament.

The complete World Cup group draw for South Africa 2010 is as follows:

Group A – South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B – Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece
Group C – England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D – Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia
Group E – Holland, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark
Group F – Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G – Brazil, North Korea, Cote D´Ivoire, Portugal
Group H – Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland.

If you are planning to follow England to South Africa for the World Cup Finals, 2010, there are plenty of things to see and do between watching football matches.

1. Ostrich riding South Africa 2010

Take a trip by hire car to Karoo, where you will find plenty of ostrich farms. If you are feeling adventurous, ride an ostrich in Oudtshoorn. Once you have ridden an ostrich you can eat it if you fancy (well not necessarily the same one), as this area is also famous for its ostrich paté and ostrich steaks. Do something different in between watching football at the World Cup Finals, South Africa, 2010.

2. Accomodation for South Africa World Cup 2010

If you are looking for somewhere different to stay during the South Africa World Cup, 2010, lodge in a tree house for a few days in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountain Range. Check out Sycamore Avenue in the Drakensberg Mountains or Pezulu Tree house Game Lodge in Timbavati where you will feel completely at one with nature in these stunning surroundings.

3. South Africa coastline World Cup 2010

The Eastern Cape is a must see region if you are visiting South Africa for the World Cup in 2010, as it is home to some of the most scenic coastlines in the country. If you hire a car and drive up to the Eastern Cape area, you can explore the isolated beaches and forests on foot or even include a walking tour in your South Africa 2010 trip.

4. Swim with the penguins

Go swimming with the penguins on the Cape Peninsula, next to the penguin colony in Cape Town, South Africa, 2010. If swimming is not your thing, enjoy the view of the penguins from the boardwalk around the dunes.

5. Diving with sharks South Africa 2010

If the football isn´t providing you with a big enough adrenalin-rush (unless England go to penalties of course), dive with some Great White Sharks in Gansbaal. Situated just a couple of hours´ drive from Cape Town, Shark Alley will be welcoming some of the more adventurous football supporters to go cage diving during the World Cup Tournament in South Africa, 2010.

6. Luxury train travel in South Africa

If you plan to visit South Africa during the World Cup Finals, 2010, take advantage of some of the most luxurious trains in the world. The world famous blue train will transport you from Pretoria to Cape Town, and for footie fans with plenty of cash, this is definitely the best way to travel. Check out where England is playing and book ahead on the blue line if you want to travel in style. Failing that, book cheap car hire from Pretoria or Cape Town Airport.

7. Orange River South Africa 2010

Visit the Richtersveld National Park in South Africa 2010, which is close to the Namibia Border, and raft down the Orange River for a fantastic experience. The river flows down to the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean so take a break from the football and enjoy one of South Africa´s most stunning regions.

8. Football World Cup South Africa 2010

If you are planning your trip to the Football World Cup Finals in South Africa, 2010, take a look at the FIFA website to see about ticket availability. Avoid having to pay ticket touts exorbitant prices and try to book your tickets well in advance. Book cheap airport car hire at the same time you book your flights and you will save even more money. If you wait until the last minute, you could find yourself with tickets for different stadiums and no transport to get you there.

9. Robben Island South Africa 2010

If you plan to visit South Africa during 2010 for the football world cup, make sure you add a trip to Robben Island to your itinerary. Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life, and many ex-prisoners from the island are now tour guides, who can fully explain the true horrors of this historical island. Situated off Cape Town, a trip to Robben Island can be pre-booked before you travel to South Africa in 2010.

10. Safari with elephants South Africa 2010

Enjoy a safari with elephants in South Africa, 2010. African elephants are not usually ridden by tourists as they can be more temperamental than the Indian species, but several lodges in South Africa now offer visitors a unique chance to ride an African elephant in a safe environment. The Elephant Sanctuary and Addo National Park are well worth a visit.

If you are planning a trip to South Africa for the Football World Cup in 2010, make sure you book your airport car hire well in advance.

England World cup draw South Africa 2010

2009-12-06T23:54:00.000-08:00

The World Cup Draw for South Africa 2010 has now been made and England will face the USA, Algeria and Slovenia in the early rounds.

The complete World Cup group draw for South Africa 2010 is as follows:

Group A – South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B – Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece
Group C – England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D – Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia
Group E – Holland, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark
Group F – Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G – Brazil, North Korea, Cote D´Ivoire, Portugal
Group H – Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland.

The Football World Cup in South Africa 2010 is the biggest sporting event on earth, and will run from June 11th to July 11th, 2010 in cities including Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Football fans will flock to South Africa to join in the fun, and if you are thinking of travelling to the World Cup Finals, 2010, make sure you book accommodation and car hire in plenty of time.

Football stadiums and venues South Africa 2010

You can find a map of the football stadia to be used in South Africa, 2010 on the FIFA website. Take a look at the map and you can start planning your trip to watch England, Spain, France, Argentina, South Africa or any other team taking part in the World Cup Finals 2010.
The stadiums to be used for South Africa, 2010 include: Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg, The Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, Vodacom Park in Bloemfontain, Mbombela in Mpumalanga and the Nelson Mandela Stadium in the Eastern Cape. The Peter Mokaba Stadium is being rebuilt for the World Cup in South Africa, 2010 and the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town will also see major reformation. Green Point will also have a removable dome to cover fans if it rains during the tournament. England World Cup fans visiting South Africa 2010 will find plenty to see and do in this beautiful country, in between watching the fixtures.

June and July World Cup weather South Africa 2010

If you are planning to visit South Africa during summer, 2010 the weather should be mild. May to July is winter in South Africa, which normally means temperatures between 17°C and 20°C during the daytime and colder temperatures at night. Wherever England are playing in South Africa, 2010, make sure you take a jacket or coat for the evenings, and daytime temperatures could be chilly.The best way to get around to the different venues and stadia to watch England at South Africa, 2010 is by hire car from the airport, although public transport services are generally good.

Tickets for the World Cup Finals in South Africa 2010

Now the draw has been made for the World Cup Finals in South Africa, 2010 you can book tickets through www.fifa.com
If you buy your tickets and book car hire at the same time, you will be assured of transport and flights for your South Africa trip, 2010.

England world cup draw South Africa 2010

2009-12-06T23:46:00.000-08:00

England has drawn the USA, Algeria and Slovenia in the group draw for the South Africa Football World Cup in 2010.

The full World Cup group draw for South Africa, 2010 is:

Group A – South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B – Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece
Group C – England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D – Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia
Group E – Holland, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark
Group F – Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G – Brazil, North Korea, Cote D´Ivoire, Portugal
Group H – Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland.

Taking place between June 11th, 2009 and July 11th, 2009, the World Cup, South Africa, 2010, promises to be one of the most spectacular football tournaments ever held. Thousands of football fans from around the world started booking their flights, car hire and accommodation for South Africa, 2010, as soon as the England draw was announced.

If you plan to travel to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, don´t delay when it comes to flights and car hire, or you could end up paying a high price. Top stadiums in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontain, Nelson Mandela Bay, Nelspruit, Polokwane and Rustenburg are hosting the World Cup Finals 2010 in South Africa, and millions of football fans are expected to descend on the country next summer.

If you are travelling to South Africa for the World Cup 2010, check out the following information about the stadiums you will be visiting:

1. Green Point Stadium Cape Town South Africa 2010

Green Point Stadium is one of South Africa´s most modern stadiums, and it will host one of the semi-finals of the South Africa World Cup, 2010. If you hire a car from Cape Town Airport you can enjoy a comfortable drive to Green Point Stadium and other World Cup Stadiums in South Africa. Green Point Stadium has an overall capacity of 70,000 and England could play in Cape Town. Airport maps and information will be released nearer to the time of the World Cup Finals, 2010, so all visitors will be able to easily reach Green Point Stadium by hire car.

2. Moses Mabhida Stadium Durban South Africa 2010

Moses Mabhida is a new and modern stadium in Durban, which will host one of the semi-finals of the World Cup in South Africa, 2010. Cheap car hire is available at Durban Airport, and the 70,000 capacity stadium of Moses Mabhida has been designed as a multi-purpose venue and amphitheatre, with extra facilities including a cable car which offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding areas. The Moses Mabhida Stadium is a work of art, and every seat in the arena offers fans superb views of the pitch. Book your car hire at the same time you book your flights for South Africa, 2010 to avoid disappointment.

3. Ellis Park Stadium Johannesburg South Africa 2010

Johannesburg is at the centre of football in South Africa, and the city has more professional football clubs than any other in the country. Ellis Park Stadium has a capacity of 62,000 and offers football fans some of the best facilities in South Africa. The England draw means they could be playing at Ellis Park Stadium, so book your car hire early at Johannesburg Airport to make sure you get to every match you have tickets for in South Africa, 2010.

4. The Free State Stadium Bloemfontain South Africa 2010

The Free State Stadium at Bloemfontain, South Africa, will be hosting matches during the World Cup, 2010. The stadium has been completely reformed and now has a capacity of 45,000.

5. Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium South Africa 2010

Nelson Mandela Bay will host the third and fourth place play off during the World Cup Finals in South Africa, 2010. The stadium will also host a quarter final during the tournament, and if you have tickets for any of the matches being held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, you can book cheap car hire at the airport in South Africa 2010 to help you travel between cities. If you book early you will avoid late price hikes and be able to plan your world cup route for 2010.

6. Mbombela Stadium South Africa 2010

Mbombela Stadium is one of the newest football arenas to be built in time for the World Cup Finals, South Africa, 2010, and it has a capacity of 46,000. Situated just 7km from the city centre, the best way to get to Mbombela Stadium is to pre-book a hire car from Kruger-Mpumalanga Airport.

7. Peter Mokaba Stadium Polokwane South Africa

Situated in Polokwane, which is the northern most province in South Africa, Peter Mokaba Stadium holds 46,000 people which is a massive increase on the previous stadium.

8. The Royal Bafokeng Stadium Rustenburg South Africa 2010

With a capacity of 42,000 The Royal Bafokeng Stadium will host matches for the World Cup Finals in South Africa, 2010. Situated just 25 minutes from Sun City, The Royal Bafokeng Stadium is also 12 km from Rustenburg City, and if you want to combine a holiday with a football trip, there is no better place to stay. Cheap car hire in Rustenburg will enable football fans to make the most of their trip to the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

9. The Loftus Versfeld Stadium South Africa 2010

Tshwane and Pretoria will be hosting World Cup football matches in South Africa 2010 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. One of the most famous football stadiums in South Africa, the Loftus Versfeld is the oldest stadium in Tshwane and Pretoria and has a capacity of over 51,000. Through the years the stadium has undergone various name changes as sponsors came and went, though locals have always referred to the stadium as Loftus Versfeld.

The best way to get to the different football stadiums in South Africa during the World Cup Finals, 2010, is to hire a car from your arrival airport. Car hire and car rentals South Africa is available at the touch of a button, and to avoid disappointment and high prices, it is advisable to book your South Africa car rental when you book your flights for the World Cup 2010.

England world cup draw South Africa 2010

2009-12-06T23:37:00.000-08:00

England has been drawn against the USA, Algeria and Slovenia for the opening stages of the Football World Cup in South Africa 2010.
The complete World Cup group draw for South Africa 2010 is as follows:

Group A – South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B – Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece
Group C – England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D – Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia
Group E – Holland, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark
Group F – Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G – Brazil, North Korea, Cote D´Ivoire, Portugal
Group H – Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland.

The World Cup South Africa 2010 will be held between 11th June and 11th June, and thousands of football fans have started already started booking flights to South Africa for next Summer´s tournament after the England draw was finalised today. Ticket agencies have been inundated with requests for information and car hire firms have received hundreds of booking requests for South Africa 2010, from fans who are desperate not to miss out on the biggest football show on earth.

Whichever team you are following at the South Africa World Cup, 2010, including England, Spain, Germany, Holland and France, you will need to book car hire early so you can travel between Green Park Stadium, Cape Town, King Senzangakhona Stadium in Durban, Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg, The Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane/Pretoria, the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, Mbombela Stadium at Nelspruit, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (encompassing Port Elizabeth), Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, which is the premier international football tournament, held every four years. The 2010 World Cup in South Africa is the culmination of a long qualification process which began back in 2007, and started with 204 teams involved. Along with the 2008 summer Olympics, this is the biggest sporting event in the world.

South Africa beat Morocco, Egypt, and Libya/Tunisia in the initial bidding process to host the World Cup in 2010. The draw for the World Cup Finals has taken place today in Cape Town (4th December, 2009) so football fans can see who their teams are up against in the initial stages.

The host nation, South Africa will automatically qualify for the tournament, although they did take part in the qualifying process, as the qualifying matches also serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

Teams which qualified to take part in the South Africa World Cup Finals 2010 include: Australia, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Honduras, Mexico, United States, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Algeria, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.

FIFA threatened Chile with disqualification from the World Cup on 26th November, 2009, when domestic club, Rangers, tried to get the Chilean Courts to annul their relegation from the first division in Chile for fielding an ineligible player. FIFA ordered the Chilean Football Federation to resolve the dispute within 72 hours or face sanctions, including suspension from the South Africa World Cup Finals, 2010. Rangers then dropped the case and accepted relegation.

On 30 November, 2009, the Republic of Ireland asked to be included in the finals as an extra competitor as they believe their chances of reaching the finals was denied by a Thierry Henry handball during their qualifying play-off match against France. Their request was rejected on December 1st, 2009.

The official mascot for the 2010 South Africa World Cup is ´Zakumi´ - an anthromorphised leopard with green hair.

If you are planning to travel to South Africa for the World Cup 2010, book your car hire as soon as you book your flights to avoid disappointment. Car hire in South Africa is likely to be more expensive closer to the tournament, so for peace of mind, and to make sure you don´t miss any of England´s matches, book car rentals in South Africa as soon as possible.

Lake Balaton-biggest Lake in Europe

2009-12-03T00:49:00.000-08:00

Transdanubia, which is situated to the left of the river Danube, has been home to human settlements since times immemoriaL Since the earliest times, too, civilizations have preserved and passed on their traditions to posterity. Celts lived here in early historical times.
The memory of their settlements is preserved by exquisite pieces of ironwork, fine earthenware dishes and statues. Ruins of the Roman Age are still being unearthed at construction sites all over Transdanubia, once the Roman province of Pannonia. The Roman heritage did not disappear completely in the turbulent period of the Great Migrations; the Goths, Longobards, Gepids, Avars, Franks, and Slavs preserved and passed on a great deal of their culture amidst the turmoil of war.

The flourishing vineyards along Lake Balaton were planted under the reign of Emperor Claudius

I, and their cultivation was continued by the various peoples succeeding each other in the area.
The Magyars' adherence to tradition was so strong that even at the beginning of the twentieth century in the flourishing vineyards of the Balaton region many Hungarian growers pruned vine stocks with characteristically Roman-shaped pruning knives. Near the small town of Tac, near Lake Balaton, archaeologists have unearthed the Roman town of Gorsium. Traces of several buildings and streets of the former town, which had a population 0 8,000, can still be seen on the spot while an open air museum has beer stocked with Roman Age statue, carvings, tombstones and column,

It is characteristic feature of the landscape of the former Roman province of Pannonia that it is composed 0: small units characteristic only of the area in which they are found. The are2 stretching to the north of the lake especially is characterized by the fact that each village has its own colours the jugs are decorated in a different way by the potters, and local memories are attached to the unique folk tales. The ancient symbol, the disc of the sun, is, carved a little differently on the gates of the houses. This is a region where the modem tendency towards uniformity has not been able to wipe out the vestiges of olden times altogether.

Journey from Budapest

If we begin our journey from Budapest, the capital of Hungary, about 20 km. from the city we

come to the town of Martollvasar, where the fonner town house of the Brunswick counts, built in 1775 though later converted in the English neo-gothic style, houses the Beethoven Museum. Beethoven, a friend of Count Ferenc Brunswick, was a guest several times, and tradition has it that some of his works, including the Appassionata and the Moonlight Sonata, were inspired by his stay at Martonvasar. It is whispered that the "immortal beloved" for whom the composer wrote his touching love letters was no other than one of the young Brunswick countesses. Today in the summer the grounds draw large crowds for the yearly Beethoven concerts. After Martonvasar, the road leads toward Lake Velence, whose shores are dotted with small summer homes and fishing huts, and its waters are covered with thick reeds. The lake, which is a fisherman's paradise, is also known for its birds.

Szekesfehervar

About 60 km. from the capital we come to the town of Szekesfehervar. Known as Alba Regia in

Roman times, Szekesfehervar is the oldest city in Hungary. Its history goes back to preChristian times. After the Magyars settled down in the area, one of the seven chieftains, Prince Arpad, put up camp here. The town itself was founded around 972A.D. by Geza, who became King (St.) Stephen's father. King Stephen built a wall around Szekesfehervar and vested it with privileges that served as models for the other Hungarian towns in the centuries to come. King Stephen also had a palace and a cathedral built here, but the town remained a royal seat only for a short time, because the Court first moved to Esztergom, then subsequently to Buda. For a long time, however, Szekesfehervar remained the scene of the coronations and burials of the kings of Hungary.

Unfortunately, the magnificent architectural creations of the Arpad period were all destroyed during the Turkish occupation of Hungary. Only the pillars, capitals and carvings located in an outdoor museum in the heart of the town bear witness to the onetime coronation cathedraL Even less has survived from the former royal palace. However, a section of Prince Geza's royal dwelling was recently uncovered at a construction site. The unearthed walls were preserved in their original place. Furthermore, for some reason the Turks spared a graceful Gothic building of medieval Szekesfehervar, Saint Anne's Chapel.

Inside we find painted walls from the Turkish period, and in front stands the stone statue of the fifteenth-century Humanist priest, Domonkos Kalmancsehi, an enthusiastic patron of the arts who commissioned an exquisite codex that has luckily been preserved amidst centuries of turmoil.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Szekesfehemlr was rebuilt in the baroque style, which was later eclipsed by the popularity of the rococo, and still later, the neo-classical style. The old town core still preserves something of the baroque atmosphere. The Bishop's Palace, built between 1790 and 1801, for example, still stands. Its library has many valuable codices and nearly 500 incunabula 4,000 nold volumes in all. The area around the inner town core is characterized by nondescript prefab housing. Beyond these there are industrial plants. The city can also be reached from the north-eastern tip of the Balaton in less than half an hour.

Balaton largest freshwater lake in Europe

Searching for Hungary on a map of Europe, the eye is inevitably drawn to the blue patch that is

Lake Balaton, the Central-Europe's largest freshwater lake covering an area of 600 square km. It would be impossible to determine the full influence the lake exerts over the lives and thoughts of the people of Hungary. It is as though the nostalgic feelings and expectations of an entire country - which, one might add, is land-locked - had fallen under the spell of this huge expanse of water, which the locals call "the Hungariansea", Indeed, its unique flora, fauna, and micro-climate make the lake more than the sum of its parts. It is as though some secret inspiration had been flowing from the lake for over a thousand years.

Balaton history

Lake Balaton has been a source of inspiration for nearly every branch of the arts, from the earliest times to the present. Some remarkable remnants of Hungarian Romanesque and gothic architecture can still be found in its environs. In the period following the foundation of Hungary, traditionally in 1001 A.D, when the king and Christianity were victorious in their struggle against tribal aristocracy and pagan religion, parochial villages were established in the Balaton area and, fortunately for posterity. a few stone temples on the hills and in remote valleys survived the destruction that befell most Hungarian historical monuments during the Mongol invasion and the Turkish occupation.

The authentically restored church at Fels6• ors near Balatonalmadi is one of the most beautiful examples of architecture from Arpadian times. The abbey church in Tihany, situated near the tip of the Tihany peninsula reaching into the waters of the lake, had at one time been part of the Benedictine abbey founded by King Andrew I in 1055 A.D. Today, only the crypt remains of the ancient structure. The abbey is also well known in Hungary because its deed of foundation contains the first written record of the Hungarian language. Though it was composed in Latin, the deed contains nearly one-hundred recognizable Hungarian words. Following the Mongol invasion, a castle fortified by a palisade was built around the abbey, and although the fortress was far below the standards of the age, its defenders put up a successful fight against the renewed Ottoman sieges of one hundred and fifty years.

Tihany

The castle was destroyed only in the early eighteenth century when, following the Kuruc War of

Independence, the imperial administration ordered that every Hungarian fortress be blown up. The castle of Tihany met the same fate, and its stones were subsequently used in the construction of the baroque church and monastery adjacent to it, which housea museum today. Only the crypt survived in its original fonn; here, amon~ the massive Romanesque columns lie the body of the founder, King Andre I. Beyond the church there are a fell thatched cottages in the village - the relics of old peasant homes. Thanks to its unique indigenous plants and animals as well as geyser cones, witnesse to volcanic activity, the peninsula itset has been declared a nature conservation area. Balatonfiired

The holiday resort of Balatonfiired to the east of Tihany, has a neoclassical ambiance, thanks to the prevailing style of architecture of the earl: nineteenth-century. Life at this once elegant Balaton resort was marked b: animated discourse and well-attendee balls, where the gentlemen wore frogged "Attilas", or Hungarian jackets, and ladies danced in bodices embroidered with Hungarian folk motifs. Today, Balatonftired owes its fame partly to the presence of effervescent thermal waters which have made it a well-known health resort, while its excellent beach and its harbor for sailing boats provides splendid opportunities for bathing, sports, and entertainment. In fact, this duality still characterizes Balatonfiired today. Its Hospital for Cardiology is an internationally renowned institution where writers and artists, from Rabindranath Tagore to Quasimodo and other public figures, have sought cure.

The 300 to 400 meter elevations along the northern shores of the lake were formed in the course of volcanic activity in one of the early periods of geo-history. One does not have to be a geologist to discover, while roaming the picturesque highlands of the Bala• ton region, the hollow cavities of the original craters, and the thousands 01 stone fragments ejected from the volcano. On the slopes of the Badacsony Hill and Szentgyorgy Hill rise the famous "basalt organs" (columns 01 basalt resembling organ pipes) of solid lava.

They are surrounded on all sides by flourishing vineyards which have withstood the extremities of the weather and have survived all devastation and destruction for over two housand years. The green of the vineyards is interspersed with the reddish purple earth tinted by rich mineral deposits. The colours combine to present an almost surrealistic image. The blue of the lake, the golden rays of the sun, the green of the vegetation, and the reddish-purple of the soil all contribute to this vision of loveliness. Still, there is a quality that brings everything down to earth and suggests the ultimate indivisibility of man and nature.

Szigliget

As we travel further west along the northern shore of the lake, we come to the town of Szigliget. The hills thaJ gird the town owe their origin to volcanic activity. Known for its exquisite beauty, Szigliget had taken shape centuries earlier by the foot of the castle, which now lies in ruins, bUl offers a breathtaking view of the lake below. Built in the thirteenth century the castle was blown up on imperial orders, thus suffering the fate of all the fortified castles in Hungary.

Keszthely

Situated at the north western tip of the Balaton lies the popular town ( Keszthely, the largest settlement of tt lake region. Having sprung up at tu junction of ancient roads, it is remote the oldest and most time honour bathing places, though today most visitors like roaming its streets for the sake of the atmosphere and architecture. Keszthely began to attract the intellectual elite of the age in the second half of the eighteenth century, when Count Gyorgy Festetics, a member of the powerful aristocratic family who owned the town, disregarded the traditional loyalties of his Church and family and founded a school for agriculture in 1797. (The Georgikon later became one of Europe's leading agricultural schools). He also organized the annual Helicon festivities each spring with the participation of the leading lights of Hungarian arts, letters, and the sciences. Much of this atmosphere still lingers in Keszthely today. For example, the library founded by Festetics aud stocked with old codices, incunabula, aud the rich Balaton collection, is still open today, while the castle's music hall and courtyard are used for summer concerts. In the town park there are unique species of trees that are over one-hundred years old, while all around there are baroque houses.

The building with the vaulted and arcaded courtyard was the birthplace of Karoly Goldmark, the composer of "The Queen of Sheba" and other operas. In addition, the former Georgikon School of agriculture has developed into a university for agricultural sciences. About six kilometres from Keszthely lies Heviz, one of the country's largest and best known health resorts. It owes its popularity to the 3.5 hectare thermal lake, the largest of its kind in Europe. The lake is 36.5 meters in depth; the spring situated in a cone shaped cavity gives about 86 million litres of water a day. The temperature of the lake is 33° to 34°C in summer and 26°to 28°C in winter.

The southern shores of Lake Balaton

The bottom of the lake is covered with peat moss several meters deep, which is used for therapeutic purposes. The town has several spas. A noteworthy historical monument near Hevfz is the Romanesque church of Egregy, dating from the first half of the thirteenth century. The southern shores of Lake Balaton, known for its long stretches of sandy beach, are bordered by flat country. The water is shallow and deepens only gradually, so that it is quite safe for children. This sixty km. stretch is virtually a gigantic family holiday camp whose innumerable bathing resorts follow one another in what appears to be an endless chain. The largest settlement of the area is the bustling town of SiOfok with its busy harbour, its water-front hotels and its wide range of entertainment facilities. The most distinguished bathing resort is that of BalatonfOldvar, the boating center of the Balaton, and the final stop of the Annual Blue Ribbon race. Not far from here, rising on the top of the vine covered Koroshegy, there is a beautiful fifteenth-century gothic church in which concerts are held ~I. the summer. Beyond the rows of at the bathing resort of Balatonbogla spreads a large vine growing and covering Beyond Balatonboghla, as we advance to the west, there are several other bathing resorts before the lake an end. But the lake is followed byof the most interesting conservation areas of the country, the Little Balaton, where patches of reed and alternate with open waters aboundin water lilies. This area covers 1,400 hectares (3,459 acres).surface, an observation post has been constructed on one of the islands, from which botanists and ornithologists have the opportunity to study the vegetation and animal life of this unique marshland.

Northern shore of Lake Balaton

Along the northern shore of Lake Balaton rises the mountainous region known as the Bakony. Its southern reaches, which stretch down to the lake, form the Uplands. The Bakony is not merely a part of the country, a geographically unified range of mountains; thanks to its unique folk lore, its architecture, the structure of its villages and the life-style and customs of its inhabitants, it makes for a small world of its own. Even today, the word Bakony conjures up a stretch of impenetrable mountain woods which at one time stretched far towards the north west, to the hills of the Kisalfbld, or Little Plain. This image of the pathless wilderness is further colored by tales of fonner betyars, or wayward highwaymen and outlaws, who made it their haunt. In the national imagination these men, also called "the poor lads", stole from the rich and gave to the poor, though after a time, their ill luck or treachery would find them on the gallows. In fact, the heroes of such legends were mostly peasants evading conscription or fleeing the wrath of some lord against whom they had transgressed. In the centuries following the Magyar Conquest in the late ninth century A.D., the fertile, forest -clad valleys of the Bakony also became a cultural center of sorts with a number of "headquarters". One of these was Zire, where a Cistercian abbey was founded in 1182 A.D., while the Benedictine abbey of Bakonybel was founded in 1018 A.D. by King (St.) Stephen. The former played an important role in the development of agriculture, the latter in the establishment of the handicraft industry. Today, the city of Zirc draws visitors because of its ancient buildings and beautiful arboretum. Not far from Zirc is situated the ruins of the thirteenth-century castle of Csesznek. Built atop what is known as Castle Hill, it was put up in the gothic style.

Nagyvllzsony

The medieval castle in the town of Nagyvllzsony is one of the most interesting historical sites of the region. During the campaigns against the Turks, it was an important Hungarian outpost. The gothic chapel of the donjon contains the red marble tomb of Pal Kinizsi, celebrated for slowing down the imminent Turkish onslaught, which ended in a hundred and fifty years of Turkish occupation. There is also an exhibition of Roman and gothic sculpture, most of which comes from the Pauline monastery. Kinizsi was also the founder of the nearby gothic Pauline monastery and church in 1483. Even though it is now in ruins, the monastery still draws many tourists to the site.

Tapolca

The town of Tapolca, which has one of the most charming townscapes in Transdanubia, is situated on the northern edge of the Tapoica Basin of the Bakony Mountains. Its major tourist attraction is the Cave Pond (Tavasbarlang), which can also be accessed by boat. In the vicinity of Gyulakeszi, situated to the south-east of Tapoica, on top of Csobanc Hill, lie the ruins of the castle of Csobanc. Built in the thirteenth century, along with Nagyvazsony, it was one of the major outposts of northern Transdanubia during Turkish times. Still, the town that draws the most tourists to the part of the Bakony, and which is well worth a visit, is the ancient settlement of Siimeg. Of its many historical monuments, the best knows is the fresco of the Parish Church, the work of the great eighteenth-century painter Franz Anton Maulbertsch. The eighteenth-century baroque Franciscan Church and the castle of Siimeg with its thirteenth century watch tower, situated at the southern end of the castle, are also important historical monuments.

Veszpnem

The capital of the Bakony region, offers an interesting combination of old and new. In the middle of the town, at the top of a steep cliff, is the Castle District with the early-gothic Gisela Chapel, one of the oldest relics of medieval architecture in the country. The chapel was originally commissioned by Queen Gisela, the wife of King (St.) Stephen. However, its present shape dates from the thirteenth century. The frescoes depicting the apostles also date from that time. The Episcopal Palace, which rises in the middle of the Castle District, is the work of the outstanding baroque architect Jakab Fellner. The watch tower combines the stylistic features of several centuries. Its foundation is from medieval times, its first floor and balcony are from the baroque age, and its upper half is from the early nineteenth century. The baroque atmosphere of the old town continues beyond the castle district, but then the visitor suddenly finds himself in another Veszprem, the town of today there is ample evidence that a visit to the Balaton should not be restricted to bathing, ewn though the silky water with its moderate temperature, well suited to Swimming. Are hard to resist, as is the water skiing and sailing on the lake. It is well worth visiting the environs of the lake as well. Because this beautJful region enchants one and all with its relics of the ancient past.

10 Top tips when buying medical travel insurance for 50, over 65 or over 75

2009-11-30T23:50:00.000-08:00

If you travel without medical travel insurance cover you could deeply regret it if anything goes wrong. Never assume your credit card accident cover is enough, or that your home insurance will cover you against any eventuality. Even private health cover is often not enough to ensure you are treated quickly in the event of an accident or illness.

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Even in these days of credit crunch and recession, thousands of people are still planning holidays and short breaks to Europe and worldwide. Failing to take out travel insurance can prove costly and may not only ruin your holiday, but it could ruin your life. Even minor surgery in Europe can cost around £10,000 and much more in the USA and beyond.

Don't let the price quoted by your travel agent put you off - according to Confused.com, policies bought from travel agents can cost four times as much as those you find by shopping around. Follow our 20 tips on cutting the cost of travel insurance and making sure you get the right policy for you.

An emergency abroad can be very expensive and can even wipe out your life savings. If you need to be flown back to the UK, you could end up paying thousands of pounds if you don´t have adequate insurance. Approximate costs include:

• Air ambulance from USA, east coast - £35-45,000• Air ambulance from Canary Islands - £12-16,000• Scheduled flight with doctor escort from Australia - £15-20,000 If you are over 50, over 65 or over 75, medical travel insurance is not only important it is essential, so make sure you have adequate cover for your trip and pick a good travel insurance, not just the cheapest.
The British Embassy or High Commission will not pay for you to be flown back to the UK, no matter how serious your injuries are so, whether you are covered by multi trip travel insurance or single trip travel insurance, or travel insurance for the over 60s, make sure your policy covers:

• Any pre-existing medical conditions
• 24 hour emergency services and assistance
• Personal liability cover in case you are involved in an accident and you are sued by a third party
• Cover for lost or stolen possessions, including passport, money and credit cards
• Cancellation or cutting short your trip
• Extra cover for activities which may not be included such as winter sports
• Personal accident cover
• Legal expenses cover
• Financial protection in case in case your travel company or airline goes bankrupt before you travel.

If you are over the age of 50, try to use an insurance company which specialises in travel cover for the over 50s, and you may get a more complete service at a lower price than you will pay elsewhere.

Always check the conditions and exclusions of your policy, as most medical travel insurance will not cover drink or drug related incidents. Also, with world terrorist threats on the increase, make sure terrorism is not excluded from the policy.

Top medical and travel insurance tips include:

1. Choose the right travel insurance policy

Make sure you choose the right travel insurance policy look beyond the cost. If you are over 50 and you are looking for medical travel insurance, choose a company who specialises in over 50s policies, and one that puts great emphasis on customer care. You can check reviews of travel insurance companies online before you book insurance or look at the customer testimonials. Also, only use a regulated UK company. Ask as many questions as you need to about multi-trip travel insurance and single trip travel insurance for the over 65s, and don´t leave it until the last minute to book or you may be rushed into taking out unsuitable insurance.

2. Different types of medical insurance policies The two main types of medical travel insurance policies include single trip policies and annual multi-trip policies which will cover the insured for every trip they take within 12 months. Some holiday insurance companies will offer tailor-made packages to suit your individual requirements. If you know you will only be taking one holiday during the year, a single trip policy is best for you but if there is a likelihood you will be travelling more than once, a multi-trip policy can save you money and offer you comprehensive cover.

3. Where do you want to travel on holiday?

The price of holiday travel insurance can vary greatly depending on where you plan to travel and for how long. It can also depend on your age and the over 50s, over 60s, over 70s, and over 80s can arrange specialist travel insurance which will keep the cost down and cover them for all eventualities. If you want a multi-trip policy, most insurers will offer worldwide cover or European cover.

Comprehensive medical travel insurance should cover most worldwide destinations and European ones, including: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Albania, Israel, Poland, Andorra, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Kosovo, Rumania, Belarus, Latvia, Russia, Belgium, Lithuania and Serbia.

It may be worth you booking single trip insurance for a one off visit outside Europe and also a multi-trip policy covering Europe if you intend to take more trips within a year. If you intend to take part in any high risk activities such as winter sports or scuba diving while you are away, make sure your policy covers these, as you may have to pay an extra premium. If you are older and have pre-existing medical conditions it will definitely pay to go to a medical travel insurance company which specialises in cover for the over 50s. Non-disclosure of pre-existing medical complaints could result in any claim being rejected so you must always be completely up front and honest with your travel insurance company.

4. What is the maximum trip duration?

Again, maximum trip duration usually depends on your age and the destination you plan to travel to, but most long stay travel insurance policies should cover you. If you are over 75, you should still be able to find affordable long stay travel insurance from a firm that specialises in cover for older travellers. Look for a specialist travel insurance company that will insure you from 3 to 18 months if you are over 50 (maximum trip duration can depend on age). Also, if you intend to travel widely around the UK during the course of a year, make sure this is included in any multi-trip travel insurance, which may only cover holidays abroad. You are just as likely to have your credit cards stolen in Blackpool as you are in Benidorm!

5. Cancellation insurance

Book your travel insurance as soon as possible after arranging your holiday, and make sure you have cancellation insurance cover. If your trip has to be cancelled or delayed for any reason you can claim for this. Look for a policy with higher cancellation cover, particularly if you are going on a cruise or an expensive holiday.Work out how much you have paid for your holiday and insure your trip for close to that cover. In other words, even if you insure a trip for £5,000, if it only cost you £1,000 and it is cancelled, you will only receive back the money you paid for it, so don´t waste money on high insurance cover that you will not benefit from.

6. Baggage insurance

Senior citizen´s travel insurance should normally cover loss or damage to baggage. You may want travel insurance to cover a trip to Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Majorca, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Romania, Malta or any other worldwide destination, but make sure your over 50s holiday insurance includes everything you want covered. British travel insurance is among the best in Europe, and even with pre-existing medical conditions, you should be able to find a policy to suit you. Claiming for lost or stolen baggage abroad can be difficult and costly so make sure you are covered before you travel.

7. Family holiday travel insurance

If you are travelling with your family, family travel insurance is usually the best option. Most policies are flexible and some are individually arranged to suit your requirements, so if you have any particular questions, put them to the insurers before you book your insurance. Also check, if you have younger children, if they will be insured if they travel without you.

8. Driving insurance for the over 50s

If you are planning to drive while you are on holiday abroad, make sure your car insurance covers you. Some insurers do this as standard but others may require that you pay extra. You also need to know about local traffic laws and regulations so you don´t end up with on the spot fines for illegal parking. In Spain for example, you must carry a high visibility jacket in the car to put on if you break down and you must carry a two red triangles to put on the road either end of your car in case of breakdown. Most car hire companies don´t tell you about this, so check for yourself before you travel.

9. Airline failure and insurance cover

During 2008, several airlines and travel companies collapsed, which prompted concerns from travellers that their insurance may not cover them for flight and holiday cancellations. Some travel insurers now include this in their standard cover, but if not, you should be able to include airline failure for a small extra premium. If you pay for your flight with a credit card, you are covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act for purchases between £100 and £3,000. If you are wondering how to pick a good travel insurance for long stay visits or short term breaks, make sure trip cancellation is included in the cover. 10. Checks to make before you travel

If you are planning to jet off on holiday, make sure you have checked any visa requirements for countries outside Europe. You can find the information from the Embassy or Consulate for the country you are travelling to. Also, make sure your passport has at least 6 months left on it as some countries require you to have this before they will allow entry. Remember to take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you are travelling to Europe as this will ensure some medical treatment is paid for. This is not a substitute for a good medical travel insurance policy though, so always book comprehensive insurance before you travel.

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Striking while the weather is cold

2009-10-16T04:33:00.000-07:00

There is no need to wait for the new series of ‘Ashes to Ashes’ to be transported back in time, you only have to turn on the TV or open the newspaper and here the union rhetoric about need for imminent postal strikes in order to get a taste of the 1970’s. Unfortunately, it looks like nothing else will be transported, particularly not letters or Christmas cards.

Although inconvenient to the majority, it can be a matter of sink or swim for some families and smaller businesses that rely on receiving or sending payments and products by post. Amazon has already made plans to withdraw their business from Royal Mail, Argos and eBay are set to follow suit, and according Post-Switch thirty of the Royal Mail’s largest clients are seriously considering jumping ship, as the general consensus is the service is no longer viable. It can only be a matter of time before we all consider alternative methods of postage that can be relied upon. We could write to complain but who would deliver the letter?

10% increase for 2010 travel

This year the media has been banging on about saving money by taking a ‘staycation’ to use the correct lingo but the fact is that many of us who stayed at home are now feeling pretty sorry for ourselves and are rushing to the travel agent to book up a winter break, desperate for a bit of sunshine.

Travel agents recently reported a surge in autumn and Christmas holiday bookings. The predictable American sunshine destinations such as Las Vegas and not surprisingly the ‘sunshine state’ of Florida are top of the list. There was also a promising increase of 10% in September on bookings for next year, as holiday makers show their determination to take a holiday in 2010. This could be attributed to confidence in the economy, a devil may care attitude to spending or simply because the UK weather wasn’t particularly sizzling this summer.

A bag in the hand is worth two in the hold

With all the recent fuss about airline baggage allowances and increased checked-in luggage charges, it’s easy to get carried away with the notion of travelling light, taking just one item of cabin luggage. This is a great strategy for those wishing to avoid the stress of the carousel, wondering if your luggage has arrived with you or is currently winging its way to another destination, whilst forlornly watching a solitary umbrella go round.

However, in reality many of us confuse the travelling ‘light’ with the number of bags taken, not the weight and the amount stuff we try to pack into your ‘one’ item of hand luggage. Unfortunately, each airline has its own idea as what constitutes the optimum size and weight, which could cause major inconvenience if using two different airlines on the same trip.
The Department of Transport has published guidelines stating the maximum size allowed (22in x 18in x 10in including wheels, pockets and handles). All airlines, with the exception of British Airways, stipulate a smaller size and to be fair this could be dictated by the room available in the overhead lockers.

Some kindly check-in staff may take pity on you depending on how much you have exceeded the limit, but don’t look for any wriggle room with certain low cost carriers. If your bag is too big or heavy, you could pay dearly. It seems size really does matter!
It may be a bit nippy but autumn is a beautiful time to be in the UK. The crunch of leaves beneath the feet and a palette of rich russet brown and tan are a delight to the senses, which is all very well, but the only tan you are likely to achieve, is out of a bottle or by jetting off to sunnier climes.

If you decide to take advantage of some of the great low priced holidays on offer this month make sure that your holiday doesn’t change from a bargain break into an expensive expedition by inadvertently paying for expensive travel insurance surreptitiously added on to your booking by the airline or agent.

Striking while the weather is cold

2009-10-16T04:29:00.000-07:00

Major airlines introduce new baggage fees

2009-10-02T04:27:00.000-07:00

There are many things to take into account when choosing which airline to use least of all is whether they can get you to where you want to go, when you want to get there. And although price is a major factor, it’s also the little things that matter such as complimentary beverages. Plus if taking more than a weekend bag, there is the question of baggage allowance.

It’s the issue of luggage that has recently come under the spotlight as four of the major transatlantic airlines have just announced that they will be introducing restrictions for checked-in baggage and charges for extra items. However, there is no need to panic just yet as passengers will still be allowed one piece of luggage weighing up to 23kg but any additional baggage with charged between £27 and £40 pounds per bag depending on the airline, with discounts available for online prepayment. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be introducing the charge for a second bag towards the end of this year. Travelling light not only saves hassle but now it also save you money!

BMIbaby increases presence at East Midlands

2009-10-02T04:20:00.000-07:00

Passengers disappointed by Easyjet’s imminent departure from East Midlands airport can take heart that BMI baby has already signed up to fill the slot, adding three new aircraft to their fleet.

The company has been a fixture at East Midlands since 1965 and these extra routes only serve to illustrate their continued commitment to the area and airport. With the addition of eight new routes, they will be flying to 24 European destinations by 2010, already introducing new routes to Barcelona, Cork, Corsica, Dubrovnik, Malta, Newquay and Venice. Plus there will be further routes added throughout the winter. In spite of the recession BMIbaby are planning to increase capacity by forty percent.

Clear American Customs on the Emerald Isle

2009-10-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

Anyone with a bee in their bonnet about ‘global Americanisation’ could be forgiven for thinking that Ireland has just become the 51st state of the USA. Shannon Airport in southern Ireland is the first airport outside America to provide full US customs and border protection pre-clearance facilities for aircraft en route to the USA.

This is great news for travellers previously put off by the lengthy and sometimes overzealous Customs procedures upon arrival in the USA. For a fee of just 10.50€ per passenger; customs, border and agricultural formalities can be addressed at Shannon Airport thereby pre-clearing passengers to land at any domestic airport in continental America.

Airlines also benefit by pre-clearing customs, allowing the option of landing at any domestic airport which will not only reduces costs but also creates possibilities for new routes. It also enables them to avoid the delays and congestion associated with international terminals and reduces connection times for passengers travelling onwards in the USA.

IMPORTANT: If you would like to visit the USA and take advantage of Shannon’s US immigration facilities don’t forget to apply for travel authorisation on the www.esta.co.uk website (Electronic Travel Services) before buying your flight ticket or booking accommodation!

Aphrodites Hotel New luxury Themed Organic Boutique Hotel in The Lake District

2009-09-24T01:39:00.000-07:00

Top 10 reasons to eat organic foods

More and more people in the UK are turning to organic foods and cooking with organic produce. Ten top reasons to eat organic foods include:

1. Organic food is healthy, and generally includes higher levels of vitamin C, cancer fighting antioxidants, and calcium, iron and magnesium.

2. Organic food does not have any harmful additives, which can cause health problems, including heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity.

3. Organic food is not exposed to pesticides. Over 400 chemical pesticides are regularly used in conventional farming, and are often present in non-organic food you find in the supermarket.

4. Organic food is not subject to genetic modification. GM crops and ingredients are not allowed in organic food produce.

5. Organic farming standards do not allow use of antibiotics and growth hormones in farm animals.

6. There are no hidden costs with organic food. Taxpayers pay for chemicals, including pesticide from conventional farms, to be removed from our drinking water.

7. Organic food can only be produced from trusted sources, and these are inspected regularly to ensure they meet high standards of compliance to organic methods.

8. Animal welfare is paramount with organic farming and food produce.

9. Organic farming is better for wildlife, and causes lower pollution and less damage to the environment. Less carbon dioxide being released into the environment results in less dangerous waste and lower global warming.

10. Organic food tastes better. Well balanced soils grow strong healthy plants that are much tastier than fruit and vegetables grown by conventional methods. Every food category now has an organic alternative and even non-food agricultural products are being grown organically such as cotton.

Aphrodites Hotel is a new luxury themed organic boutique hotel in the English lake district Cumbria close to Bowness and Windermere guests can dine / drink watching a Colourful Dancing Fountain

Aphrodites Themed Boutique Lake District Hotel Longtail Hill, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3JDTelephone : 015394 45052 Fax : 015394 46702

The 10 best lakes to see in the Lake District

2009-09-24T01:07:00.000-07:00

Windermere, in the Lake District, offers visitors a wealth of things to see and do, and some of the best boutique hotels in the country. Every lake in the Lake District is unique and offers visitors something different. Below are the top ten lakes to visit in the Lake District.

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1. Bassenthwaite Lake the Lake District

Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the major lakes in the Lake District and is situated between Keswick and Cockermouth. If you take the minor road from Braithwaite village to the Whinlatter Pass, you can enjoy some of the most incredible views of the Lake District. If you go to Bassenthwaite Lake, make sure you enjoy the RSPB sanctuary and Mirehouse on the eastern shore of the lake.

2. Brother´s Water the Lake District

One of the smallest lakes in the Lake District is Brother´s Water, between Ullswater and Ambleside. Take a trip to the bottom of Kirkstone Pass where you will see the shallow water and lily pads of Brother´s Water, which seem to create a green carpet over the water.

3. Buttermere the Lake District

One of the most spectacular lakes in the Lake District is Buttermere, which is set below Grasmoor. Here you will find picnic areas and trails leading to nearby hills. The stunning Honister Pass is also closeby.

4. Coniston Water the Lake District

Almost parallel to Lake Windermere in the Lake District is the famous Coniston Water, where Donald Campbell broke several world speed records in The Bluebird, and also where he met his untimely death. Take a steam gondola trip over Coniston Water to Brantwood, home of Victorian author, John Ruskin, and take advantage of a good range of accommodation in and around Coniston.

5. Crummock Water the Lake District

Crummock Water is situated just north of Buttermere at the foot of Grasmoor Peak. You can enjoy stunning views from the shores of the lake of the surrounding hills. One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region is Scale Force, which is situated just to the west of Crummock Water.

6. Derwent water the Lake District

If you want to enjoy water sports and boating in the Lake District, there is no better place to visit than Derwentwater. Numerous marinas offer boats for hire, and Keswick is the main town in this beautiful region of the Lake District. Visit the Bowder Stone, on the eastern side of the lake, where a huge boulder balances precariously, and take the Watendlath road to enjoy fabulous views over the lake. Some of the best hiking and hill walking routes can be found nearby in Borrowdale.

7. Ennerdale Water the Lake District

Ennerdale Water is located at the western edge of the Lake District National Park, and is one of the most remote and picturesque lakes in the area. Ennerdale head is a great start point for walks around the region.

8. Grasmere the Lake District

Grasmere is a small lake in the Lake District which attracts visitors from all over England. Grasmere village is home to the 17th century house of Beatrix Potter, where the famous authoress wrote most of her children´s stories. Park at the eastern end of the lake, and enjoy a wonderful walk along the shores of Grasmere.

9. Rydal Water the Lake District

Rydal Water may be one of the smaller lakes in the Lake District but it is one of the most beautiful regions in Cumbria. Situated just outside Grasmere, at the foot of Loughrigg Fell, Rydal Mount was the family home of poet, William Wordsworth.

10. Ullswater the Lake District

Ullswater is the major lake in the north east of the National Park, and is the gateway to the region for visitors leaving Penrith. You will find several places to park near Ullswater, and you can cross the river by steam boat. Glenridding is home to most of the attractions around Ullswater and you will find plenty of boutique hotels and luxury accommodation just a short distance away.

If you are looking to stay in a new luxury boutique hotel in the English lake District Cumbria in Windermere or Bowness and is only a few minutes from the centre of the village , the best hotel is ....

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Boutique hotels in Windermere and the Lake District

2009-09-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

Explore the Lake District by hire car and check out two of the best boutique hotels in England.

Aphrodite´s Lodge and 21 the Lakes are the perfect places to stay if you want comfort and luxury in the Lake District. These elegant, but quirky boutique hotels near Bowness, Windermere offer guests opulence and style in a beautiful setting. Each suite is different at 21 The Lakes, and combines old-world Lake District charm with a contemporary and modern edge. The Aphrodite´s Lodge Hotel boasts both classical and themed suites including Cleopatra, Tarzan and Jane, Parisian and The Flintstones, and offers guests an organic menu. Not quite the Bellagio at Las Vegas, but equally impressive, is the dancing fountain outside, which performs a fantastic light and music show for guests.

The Lake District is undoubtedly one of England´s highlights, and if you were to stay in one place and not tour around, you would be doing yourself an injustice. The most relaxing and comfortable way to find the hidden lakes and beauty spots in the Lake District is to hire a car and drive around at your own pace. Car hire in the Lake District can be pre-booked picked up directly from Manchester Airport, Blackpool Airport or the Lake District.

Windermere information and best hotels

Situated in Cumbria, England, Windermere lies about 1km from the lake of the same name. The older lakeside town of Bowness-on-Windermere is close by, and both offer visitors a wealth of beautiful scenery and vibrant town centres. Boat trips in the Lake District sail around Lake Windermere, calling at Ambleside and Lakeside. Wherever you stay in the Lake District, Windermere is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in Europe, and you will be drawn to its scenic beauty and superb boutique hotels.

21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge boutique hotels in The Lake District

21 The Lakes is a luxury boutique hotel which is situated between Windermere and Bowness in the Lake District, Cumbria, England. Close to the nearby village of Bowness, visitors lucky enough to stay at 21 The Lakes can stroll to the village and browse around the shops, or visit one of the wine bars or country inns at Bowness Bay and Lake Windermere. Luxury hotels in the Lake District and boutique hotels in the Lake District are few and far between, but 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge offer visitors the utmost in luxury and comfort.

Attracting celebrities from far and wide, 21 The Lakes was once owned by a wealthy Edwardian gentleman who furnished the house with unique period furniture and features. Now completely refurbished but retaining its original charm, 21 The Lakes is the leading contemporary boutique hotels in the Lake District. Whether you are looking for short breaks in the Lake District, hotels in the Lake District, accommodation in the Lake District, luxury Lake District hotels or boutique hotels in the Lake District, make sure you check out 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge before looking any further.

Aphrodite´s Lodge is largely seen as being the ´hip hotel´ to stay in the Lake District, and great emphasis is put on offering all organic food, locally sourced and fair-trade where possible. An environmentally-friendly bio-mass boiler, which is carbon neutral, and electricity from a renewable source keeps the hotel running. An environmentally-friendly hotel in the Lake District, combining comfort, style and excellent organic food is not easy to come by, but Aphrodite´s Lodge is unique. The choice of accomodation in the Lake District is massive, but whether you want to spend a short break in the Lake District or you are looking for a Lake District guest houses, Aphrodite´s Lodge and 21 The Lakes offer quality, service and an unbeatable Windermere location. For a luxury short break in the Lake District, 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge offer superb food in a stunning location.

10 things to do and see in the Lake District

If you are planning at trip, or you have booked a short stay in the Lake District at either 21 The Lakes or Aphrodite´s Lodge, here are ten of the best things to do in the Lake District.

1. Visit the Aquarium of Lakes – Tel: 015935 30153
2. The Arts and Crafts Centre Blackwell – Tel: 015394 46139
3. The Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Tea Room – Tel: 015394 88444
4. Brockhole Visitor Centre –Tel: 015394 46601
5. John Ruskin´s home and gardens, Brantwood – Tel: 015394 41396
6. Dove Cottage, William Wordsworth´s House – Tel: 015394 35544
7. Hill Top, Beatrix Potter Farmhouse – Tel: 015394 36269
8. Holker Hall, gardens and motor museum – Tel: 015395 58328
9. Levens Hall and Gardens – Tel: 015395 60321
10. Muncaster Castle, owls, garden centre and maze - Tel: 01229 717614

Local walks around Windermere and the Lake District from 21 the Lakes Boutique Hotel and Aphrodite´s Lodge Hotel

If you enjoy walking, you will be spoilt for choice in the Lake District, and some of the most beautiful walking routes are within a short distance of 21 The Lakes boutique hotel and Aphrodite´s Lodge boutique hotel. The best way to enjoy short breaks in the Lake District, is to make the most of your stay and explore the local area on foot. We would recommend the following walks:

1. Sheriff Walk the Lake District

Just opposite the 21 The Lakes Hotel, you can begin a wonderful woodland walk which leads to a footpath beside Lake Windermere and the Steam Boat Museum. Late hotel deals in the Lake District at a Bowness boutique hotel can be booked online. This walk takes about 40 minutes.

2. Orrest Head the Lake District

Taking approximately 1 hour is the beautiful Orrest Head walk in the Lake District. Enjoy a leisurely stroll up through Windermere Village, and follow the sign for Orrest Head. You will then climb up hill through the woods, and enjoy stunning views over Lake Windermere from the summit. Late hotel deals and luxury breaks in Lake District guest houses can be booked online at the 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge website.

3. Bowness Bay

A walk down Lake Road, and through the busy village of Bowness, with its wine bars and traditional country inns, will bring you to the shores of Lake Windermere at Bowness Bay. Here you can hire boats or take a lake cruise to fully enjoy the stunning local scenery from the water. Lake District accommodation, late hotel deals in the Lake District and Lake District guest houses can be booked online.

Luxury breaks Bowness hotel

If you are looking for luxury short breaks, Bowness hotel, Christmas Lake District, bargain weekend breaks in the Lake District, half term breaks in the UK, bargain short breaks, Lake District breaks, luxury hotel breaks, luxury short breaks or late hotel deals in the UK, check out 21 The Lakes and Aphrodite´s Lodge Hotel websites, the Lake District, Cumbria, England, and enjoy a little slice of paradise in this stunning region of the UK. Explore the Lake District and pre-book cheap car hire from Blackpool Airport, Manchester Airport or the Lake District, Cumbria, England, UK.

The 10 best things to do in Windermere and the Lake District

2009-09-18T04:19:00.000-07:00

Windermere and the Lake District is one of the most beautiful regions of England, and the stunning scenery attracts thousands of visitors every year. Whether you are looking for boutique hotels in the Lake District, or romantic hotels in the Lake District, this stunning part of Cumbria offers something for everyone. Below are 10 of the best things to do in Windermere and The Lake District:

1. The Arts and Crafts House Bowness

Visit the elegant Arts and Crafts House and Gardens at Bowness, and enjoy stunning views over Lake Windermere. The beautifully restored house features stained glass windows and carved oak panelling, and historical and contemporary exhibitions of applied arts can be seen in the upper galleries. The Arts and Crafts House, Bowness is a fascinating example of British art at its best. Combine a trip to The Arts and Crafts House, Bowness with a weekend in a boutique hotel in the Lake District.

2. The World of Beatrix Potter Bowness

Some of the best hotels in the Lake District are situated around Bowness and Lake Windermere, and there are plenty of things to see and do in this region. One of the most popular places to visit in Bowness is The World of Beatrix Potter, which is a wonderful exhibition of the famous characters from the stories. A great family day out. If you are looking for boutique hotels in the Lake District or the best hotels in The Lake District, check out the online tourist guides.

3. The Quaker Tapestry Kendal

The Quaker Tapestry at Kendal is a fascinating exhibition of 350 years of history. Often compared with the Bayeux Tapestry, the Quaker Tapestry was created by 4,000 people in 15 countries, and celebrates social history from the 17th Century. Family facilities include personal audio guides and interactive displays. Boutique Hotels in the Lake District are among the best hotels in the area.

4. Windermere Lake Cruises

Take a trip down Windermere on an old steamer, run by the Winderemere Steamboat Company. A trip on one of these beautifully restored boats is great fun for children and adults, and they operate daily between Ambleside, Bowness and Lake Side. Take a trip out from your Lake District hotel and enjoy an evening jazz cruise during the summer.

5. Lake District guided tour and boutique hotels

One of the best ways to explore the Lake District is by guided tour. The tours are informative and fun, and you will see some of the most spectacular scenery in the Lake District en route. Enjoy a half day or full day tour, and visit Wordsworth´s houses and Hill Top. If you want to make the most of your trip to The Lake District, book a couple of nights in a boutique hotel in Windermere and enjoy fabulous food in comfort and style.

6. Lake District Visitors Centre Brockhole

Enjoying a stunning location, the Lake District Visitors Centre at Brockhole, Windermere, offers visitors interactive exhibitions, the Mawson Gardens, an Adventure Playground and an information centre. Entrance is free of charge, and you can take a cruise to Waterhead, near Ambleside. If you want to book a luxury Lake District Hotel, check out the superb boutique hotels in the region.

7. Fell Foot Country Park Newby Bridge

Enjoy amazing views of the fells from the Fell Foot Country Park at Newby Bridge. From here there is easy access to Windermere, walking tours and boat hire. If you are looking for accommodation in the Lake District you will be spoilt for choice. Some of the best five star hotels in the Lake District and small hotels in the Lake District are situated around Windermere, Kendal, Newby Bridge and Bowness.

8. Fine ceramics by Gordon Fox Kentmere

Take a trip to Kentmere, near Staveley and visit the Fine Ceramics Studio, which produces hand-made lamps, tableware and individual pieces in multi-fired enamel. Gordon Fox ceramics are sold exclusively from the studio at Kentmere, so you won´t find them in the shops.

9. Hayes Garden World Ambleside

Hayes Garden World at Ambleside is a superb garden centre which attracts hundreds of green-fingered visitors every week. This is one of the largest garden centres in England, and the personal service you receive from the Hayes family is second to none. If you are staying in Lake District hotels, Bowness, Lake District boutique hotels, Windermere or small Lake District hotels, Ullswater, it is well worth the trip to Ambleside to visit Hayes Garden World.

10. The Lakes Discovery Museum Ambleside

Experience 2,000 years of local history at The Lakes Discovery Museum at Ambleside. Here you will find artefacts from Roman times, interactive displays, a museum shop and Beatrix Potter water colours plus a wide range of great things for the kids to do. If you are looking to stay in the Lake District, or you want a romantic hotel in the Lake District, take a look at the stylish boutique hotels in the Lake District, and check out the best hotels in the Lake District from online review guides.

Two great boutique hotels in the Lake District

Aphrodites Hotel is a new luxury themed boutique hotel offering guest accommodation in both classical and themed suites, Cleopatra, Parisien, Flinstones and Tarzan and Jane, to name a few.

21 The Lakes is a new luxury boutique hotel ideally situated between Windermere and Bowness, in the heart of the beautiful English Lake District in Cumbria. From the hotel guests have only a short stroll through the village of Bowness with its variety of quality shops, wine bars, a cinema and traditional country inns to Bowness Bay and Lake Windermere.

10 reasons for England to win world cup in South Africa 2010

2009-09-16T00:41:00.000-07:00

Football fans from all over the world will flock to South Africa in 2010 to cheer on their teams in the World Cup Finals. As always, millions of us will be hoping England win, and below are ten reasons we should be confident of England lifting the trophy for the first time since 1966.

1. Perfect weather South Africa
The winter in South Africa runs between May and July, and perfect weather of between 63-64°F is predicted for this time of year. More accustomed to playing in cool temperatures, England should excel in the mild climate of South Africa.

2. Zakumi the Leopard South Africa 2010

With new mascots every 4 years at the World Cup Finals, Zakumi the Leopard is sure to thrill the England fans and team. Not only is Zakumi smiley, friendly and energetic, but he has green dreadlocks and he loves football. Zakumi is definitely a lucky charm for England.

3. Neutral grounds World Cup 2010 South Africa

History shows that European teams nearly always win world cup football tournaments held in Europe, and South American teams win world cups held in South America. South Africa is neutral territory for England, which means there will be no favourite territory for any of the top world teams.

4. African teams South Africa 2010

African football teams have a great chance of making the semis of this year´s world cup in South Africa, 2010, which will make the tournament more interesting than usual, and the teams include: Cameroon, The Ivory Coast, Egypt and Nigeria. African teams have become stronger over the past 5 years, and it´s only a matter of time before they start seriously competing with the big boys of Europe and South America.

5. South Africa World cup and tourism 2010

South Africa is a fantastic country to visit as a tourist. Whether you want to make the most of the Football World Cup, 2010 or you want to combine your trip with some of South Africa´s tourist resorts, you will not be disappointed.

6. South Africa team and world cup 2010

If there was one drawback to South Africa hosting the world cup finals in 2010, it was that the football team were one of the weakest outside Europe. Not so any more. New coach, Joel Santana has transformed the team. They may still not be world beaters, but South Africa are a much improved team.

7. South African Standard Time World Cup 2010

South African time is GMT + 2, which means you will be able to cheer England on at a reasonable time. Games may kick off a little later than you are used to, but there won´t be any games in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn.

8. Free tickets for the locals in South Africa 2010

To help create a fantastic atmosphere at the stadia in South Africa for the world cup, 2010, FIFA are handing out free tickets to locals on low incomes

9. The match ball South Africa 2010

The world cup balls used for South Africa 2010, should be a lot more interesting than those used previously. Along with beautifully prepared turf, there should be no excuses for poor grounds this time around.

10. Ronaldo South Africa 2010

South Africa World Cup 2010 is the perfect place for the world´s footballing superstars to showcase their skills. Argentina and Lionel Messi look as though they may miss out on next year´s tournament, but you can still enjoy the silky skills of the world´s most expensive footballer - €80 million Ronaldo, who plays for Real Madrid and Portugal.

Cheap airport car hire

10 things to do in South Africa Football World Cup 2010

2009-09-15T23:44:00.000-07:00

If you are planning a trip to South Africa for the Football World Cup Finals, 2010, there are plenty of things to see and do to make the most of your trip.

1. Ride on an Ostrich South Africa 2010

Oudtshoorn, in the Karoo is home to hundreds of ostrich farms, where the more adventurous try ostrich riding. Amateurs can try their luck riding an ostrich in the desert area of Oudtshoorn. Strangely enough, as well as riding ostriches in this area of South Africa, you can also try some delicious ostrich recipes, including ostrich steaks and ostrich pate. Explore South Africa and hire a car from the airport to make the most of your trip to the football world cup, South Africa, 2010.

2. Tree house South Africa 2010

Lodge in a tree house in South Africa, 2010, and make the most of the beautiful area surrounding the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountain Range. Choose from Jaci´s Tree Lodge, Sycamore Avenue in the Drakensberg Mountains or Pezulu Tree House Game Lodge in Timbavati, South Africa.

3. A walk on the wild side South Africa

Situated in South Africa´s Eastern cape region, you will find some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Drive up to the Eastern Cape region, and enjoy the isolated beaches and natural waterfalls and forests on foot. You can enjoy 5 day walking tours of South Africa, including overnight stays in shacks on the beach.

4. Swim with penguins South Africa 2010

Swim with penguins on the Cape Peninsula next to the main penguin colony near Cape Town, South Africa. Enjoy a great view of the penguins from the specially constructed boardwalk which has been erected around the dunes.

5. Dive with Sharks South Africa

If you want to do something adventurous on holiday, swim with Great White Sharks in South Africa. Cage diving will provide you with an incredible adrenalin rush, and is fast becoming one of the most popular adventure sports in South Africa. Shark Alley is situated just a couple of hours drive from Cape Town in Gansbaal.

6. Luxury train travel world cup South Africa 2010

If you are going to South Africa for the World Cup, 2010, enjoy luxury train rides. One of the most popular routes is on board the famous Blue Train, which travels between Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa. If you want to travel in style between world cup venues, 2010, look up the timetables for South Africa´s luxury train services and enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

7. Raft the Orange River South Africa 2010

Originating in the Drakensburg Mountains, Orange River winds its way through mountains and heads down to the Atlantic Ocean. You can raft or canoe down the Orange River, and you can book either trip in the Richtersveld National Park, close to the border with Namibia.

8. Football World Cup Finals South Africa 2010

For information about tickets for the Football World Cup Finals, South Africa, 2010, take a look at the FIFA website or the FA website. Watch your team perform against other top world nations. Stadiums are being built in time for this huge event, and it´s the first time the Football World Cup Finals, 2010 have been held in Africa.

9. A trip to Robben Island South Africa

No trip to South Africa is complete without a tour of Robben Island, Cape Town. This former penal colony was home to Nelson Mandela for 18 years of his life, and the tour guides are usually ex-prisoners from Robben Island who will explain the history of Robben Island. A trip to Robben Island is a unique tour, and gives you the chance to hear first-hand how life on the island was.

10. Elephant Safari South Africa

Typically more temperamental than the Indian elephant, the African elephant is not normally ridden by tourists. Several lodges in South Africa now offer visitors the unique chance to ride an African elephant. Visit either Camp Jabulani, in Mpumalanga Province, Addo National Park or the Elephant Sanctuary.

Cheap airport car hire

World Cup South Africa cheap car hire June July 2010

2009-09-12T02:09:00.000-07:00

Cheap car hire in South Africa

We have over 100 different models at reduced prices and discounted rates

200 teams entered the world cup for one of the 32 places, South Africa qualified automatically

England qualified by beating Croatia at Wembley 5-1 with two games to spare

Anyone thinking of travelling to watch the some of the games will need to hire a car, we have two of the biggest search engines for car hire, search up to 500 car hire companies from our two search engines

Car rental Prices start from as little as £100 for a mini or Ford, Renault, Citroen and Volkswagen economy car, we have hundreds of different types and makes of cars you can hire including Audi, BMW and Mercedes Book now to avoid disappointment

Here is a list of the places that the games will be played in South Africa with great deals

1. CAPE TOWN ford focus from £100
2. DURBAN smart car £ 110
3. JOHANNESBURG Volkswagen golf £120
4. MANGAUNG / BLOEMFONTIEN range rover £250
5. NELSON MANDELA BAY / PORT ELIZABETH Citroen c5 £130
6. NELSPRUIT Renault Megane £110
7. POLOKWANE ford fusion £90
8. RUSTENBURG Mercedes SLK £500
9. TSHWANE/PRETORIA Audi a4 £350

Cheap car hire in South Africa airports

List of all airports in South Africa with cheap car hire

Aggeneys Airport Kortdoorn Airport Aliwal North Airport
Alkantpan Airport Alldays Airport Bethlehem Airport
Bisho Airport Bloemfontein Airport Bothaville Airport
Brakpan Airport Butterworth Airport Calvinia Airport
Cradock Airport Cape Town International Airport Durban International Airport
Virginia Airport East London Airport Ellisras (Mitimba) Airport
Empangeni Airport Ermelo Airport Ficksburg Airport
Gariep Dam Airport Springs Airport George Airport
Giyani Airport Graaff Reinet Airport Grahamstown Airport
Greytown Airport Harrismith Airport Hazyview Airport
Hluhluwe Airport Grand Central Airport Lanseria Airport
OR Tambo International Airport Rand Airport Kimberley Airport
Kleinzee Airport Klerksdorp Airport
Koiingnaas Airport (Koinghaas Airport) Komatipoort Airport
Krugersdorp Airport Johan Pienaar Airport Ladysmith Airport
Lichtenburg Airport Finsch Mine Airport Lusikisiki Airport
Mala Mala Airpotr Malelane Airport Marble Hall Airport
Margate Airport Messina Airpor Middelburg Airport (Transvaal Airport)
Mmabatho International Airport (Mafikeng Int'l) Modimolle Airport (Nylstroom Airport)
Mossel Bay Airport Mtubatuba Airport Wild Coast Sun Airport (Mzamba Airport)
Mzuke Airport Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport Nelspruit Airport
Newcastle Airport New Tempe Airport Ngala Airfield Airport
Oudtshoorn Airport Parys Airport Hendrik Van Eck Airport
Pietermaritzburg Airport Pilanesberg International Airport Plettenberg Bay Airport
Pietersburg Municipal Airport Port Alfred Airport Port Elizabeth Airport
Port St. Johns Airport Potchefstroom Airport Wonderboom Airport
Prieska Airport Queenstown Airport Reivilo Airport
Richards Bay Airport Robertson Airport Rustenburg Airport
Vredenburg Airport Secunda Airport Sishen Airport
Skukuza Airport Springbok Airport Hendrik Swellengrebel Airport
Thaba Nchu Airport P.R. Mphephu Airport Tzaneen Airport
Ulundi Airport K. D. Matanzima Airport Upington Airport Vredendal Airport
Vryburg Airport Vryheid Airport Welkom Airport

50 ways to save on holiday spending

2009-08-15T02:35:00.000-07:00

We are all guilty of overspending on holiday, but why overspend before you even leave the UK. Below are 50 ways how to save money on holiday spending.

1. Book as early as you can

Budget airlines are now selling cheap flights earlier than ever, and you can book your flight up to 12 months ahead of departure. The earlier you book, the cheaper it normally is. You can also save money by booking cheap airport car hire in advance.

2. Book as late as you can

This may be a contradiction in terms, but you can also save money by booking last minute deals. If seats and hotel room go unsold, and you are flexible about the times and destinations, then you could book a real bargain holiday. The cheapest airport car hire deals can also be booked online before you travel.

3. Hotel Package tours

You can now completely bypass the travel agent and book cheap holidays online, along with cheap car hire. You can save hundreds of pounds by creating your own package tour including flights, hotel and cheap car hire. Cheap Malaga Airport car hire can now be pre-booked.

4. Travel at unsociable hours

If you travel at what is deemed to be unsociable hours of the day or night, the cost is likely to be much cheaper. Cross channel ferry prices have plunged since the introduction of budget airlines, and if you are prepared to go at an unsociable hour, then ferry travel is worth checking out. Cheap car hire at Alicante Airport can be pre-booked online.

5. Stay in the UK

You can save a lot of money and still have great fun by staying at home for your holiday. Have day trips to local fun parks or amusement centres for the kids, and do things you don´t normally have time to do like visiting the zoo, taking a trip to the cinema or visiting some nearby leisure parks. Cheap car hire is available at Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport.

6. Split the cost

Share a holiday home or caravan with friends or family and you could split the cost in half. If you agree to share, but need to get away from the others, book cheap airport car hire before you leave the UK.

7. Swap house

Look into house-swapping (that´s house-swapping not wife-swapping), and reap the benefits of living in someone´s home, rather than holiday accommodation. Several websites help you explore the benefits of a holiday house swap, which could take you anywhere in the world. The cheapest airport car hire, anywhere in the world, is available to pre-book online.

8. Free child places and car rentals

The age limit for children travelling free may differ from airline to airline, so make sure you find the best deals, and make sure you pay as little as possible for your kids to travel. Cheap car hire at Gerona Airport is available online.

9. Surf the internet for great dealsYou can compare flight prices,

check out cheap airport car hire deals, and source information about any destination in the world on the internet. So start surfing and bag a holiday bargain. The cheapest airport car hire in Europe can be pre-booked online.

10. Take your time and pre-book car hire

Internet users can reserve flights and holidays for several days before actually paying for them. Reserve flights and then take your time to look around to see if the deals you want come available. Cheap airport car hire is available through online booking.

11. Special offers notification

You can sign up with any of the budget airlines for online information, which will give you a head start when new deals and early flight sales are announced. Cheap car hire at Malaga Airport is available now.

12. Camp it up with car rentals

If you want a real low cost holiday, book a cheap flight, pre-book cheap airport car hire and go camping in France, Spain or anywhere else in Europe. Sleep under the stars at a fraction of the cost of a hotel or apartment. Cheapest airport car hire is easily available from an online car hire comparison site.

13. Go where you want to go

Don´t make do with booking a cheap holiday if it´s not where you really want to go. Save up from the previous year and go where you really want to go, or you could end up spending money for nothing. Cheap car hire at Faro Airport is easy to book online.

14. On your bike

Many ferry companies allow you to take your bikes for free, which is a great idea if you are visiting Belgium or Holland. Both countries are bike-friendly and have hundreds of miles of bike lanes, and are famous for being flat. If biking is not your thing, check out cheap airport car hire in Belgium and Holland.

15. Youth hostelling

Not many travellers realise that youth hostels are not just for young people. Many have family rooms which you can find information about before you travel. You can also book cheap car hire at Valencia Airport if you are travelling to the region.

16. Rail schemes

Not just for students, most European countries offer special rail schemes and cut price tickets if you are travelling around certain regions. You can also book a cabin to avoid costly hotel rooms. Once you reach your destination, you can book cheap car hire for onward travel.

17. Cheap hotels and car hire

There are chains of cheap hotels throughout Spain and France, many of which you will not find advertised in the holiday brochures. You can book a room for less than £25 a night for up to three people in many of them, and they are the perfect stopping off place if you are travelling by cheap car rental.

18. Research to save money

Don´t be palmed off with the information from travel agents, check online yourself for the best places to visit and the excursions you can enjoy while on holiday. Cheap does not mean nasty, so check out the reviews online. Alicante Spain is a major tourist destination for sun seeker and fun seekers, and you can arrange to pick up cheap airport car hire at Alicante Airport before you travel.

19. Haggle for your hotel price

Take the time to sit down and check out the many small hotels and guest houses recommended online. Read reviews and surf the hotel websites to find the best deals for you and your family. Contact the hotels directly and see what is the best price they can give you. Whatever price they come back with, ask if they can reduce it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Save even more money by booking cheap airport car hire through a comparison car rentals site before you travel.

20. Watch out for holiday deals in the newspapers

Once a year, at least one UK newspaper offers holidays from just £9.50 per head, when you collect tokens over a limited period of time. Watch out for these special deals and offers at Britain´s top holiday destinations and you can save a fortune. If you are arriving from outside the UK, book cheap airport car hire through a car hire comparison website.

21. Check the exchange rates

Exchange rates fluctuate all the time. Look at the Euro to Pound ratio in 2009, and you will realise what a massive different it can make to your holiday spending money. Take note of the exchange rates and work out whether it is cheaper for you to go to Europe or further afield. Car hire prices can also make a big difference to your spending. Cheap Malaga Airport car hire is available to book months before you travel.

22. Visit the cheaper countries

Some countries are not the cheap holiday options they once were, including Greece and Spain. Compare prices and check out reviews of different resorts and destinations before you book. The internet has made it much easier to source information about European and world destinations. Cheap car hire at Palma Airport is easy to book and easy to pick up.

23. Avoid the Gatwick Express

If you are intending to travel between London and Gatwick Airport use the Southern service which is three times cheaper than the Gatwick Express. If you are flying in to Gatwick, book cheap airport car hire at Gatwick Airport before you travel.

24. Pre-book your airport taxi

With a huge rise in rail costs, it may be cheaper to book a cab from home to the airport. Mini cabs are much cheaper than other options, and if you pre-book you will have peace of mind. If you are returning a cheap rental car to the airport, leave in plenty of time to avoid traffic jams and other delays.

25. Book airport parking before you travel

Airport parking can be a nightmare. It can prove very costly if you don´t pre-book, so check out your insurance or AA membership for special airport parking deals and off-site parking offers. Do this before you travel and keep the cost of airport parking to a minimum. Cheap airport parking and cheap airport car hire can reduce the cost of your holiday by hundreds of pounds.

26. Reduce your speed on motorways

Driving at 80mph on the motorway costs an extra 4p a mile, according to the AA. If you are touring round Europe in a cheap hire car from the airport, this can add up to an extra £80 over 2,000 miles. If you want to significantly reduce costs all the way round, book a cheap car hire deal from your holiday airport and take your time to take in the sights.

27. Low-cost insurance for car hire

Not only can you save money by finding low-cost insurance on the cheapest airport car hire, but you can also save by finding cheap holiday insurance options online. Always read the small print, and if you travel a lot, consider an annual policy. Single trip policies cover you for cancellation as soon as you take the policy out but this is not the case with annual policies, so if you are unsure of the terms and conditions, ask questions. You can find cheap car hire at Almeria Airport by booking online and in advance.

28. Look around for breakdown cover

If you are looking for cheap European breakdown cover, take your time to explore the options. The AA and the RAC policies are probably the best known, but they are not the only ones, and you could get the same cover for significantly less money elsewhere. Book cheap car hire at Larnaca Airport or any other airport in Europe if you don´t want to risk your own car.

29. Eat before you fly

Budget airlines provide cheap flights, over-priced food and drink and occasionally a warm welcome. Once you are airside at the airport, you can either buy sandwiches or snacks to take on board, or an even cheaper option is to eat before you fly. There is little point in booking a cheap flight if the cost of your in flight food and drinks costs more than the trip. Make an extra saving by organising your cheap airport car hire at the other end before you fly.

30. Coach trip

If you are planning to stay at home this year, leave the car at home and take a coach trip around the UK. Coaches no longer have the same fuddy-duddy image of yesteryear, and the modern vehicles are air-conditioned with toilets and refreshments. If coaches are not your thing, take advantage of cheap car hire a cheap car at holiday destinations in the UK and Europe.

31. Where to find cheap train tickets

Finding cheap train tickets is easier than you may think. If you book 28 days in advance you will bag the best rail fare bargains. You can check individual rail sites for bargains and make sure you check online about 8-9 weeks before you plan to travel during peak periods. This way you can save as much as 50% off the cost of a train ticket on the day you travel. If you prefer to go where you want when you want, book cheap car hire from the airport, the rail station or the city centre.

32. Avoid the weekends for cheap flights

Depending on the kids´ school holidays, you can book cheap air travel if you go midweek instead of at the weekend. Summer flights are also massively reduced, and if the children have 6 weeks off, try to book on a Tuesday or Wednesday to save hundreds of pounds. One of the most useful air far comparison websites is www.skyscanner.net which does the searching for you. If you want to double up with the savings, book cheap airport car hire from carhire4airports before you fly.

33. Beware currency exchange offices

Always remember that commission free does not mean ´we offer the best rates´. Shop around for the best exchange rates. Cheap airport car hire at Madrid Airport can be booked from just €80.00 per week.

34. Control your holiday spending

Most credit card providers charge you up to 3% commission when you use your card abroad. Cheeky just doesn´t begin to cover it. Debit card charges can be similar, so be careful how much you use your cards on holiday. If you book cheap airport car hire from the UK before you travel, no such charges will apply.

35. Mobile phone costs

Check how much it will cost you to make and receive mobile phone calls on holiday abroad. Many roaming charges have now been abolished after thousands of complaints from users, but check what the situation is with your provider. If you are planning to explore your holiday destination, take advantage of cheap airport car hire deals and special car rental offers before you fly.

36. Avoid Heathrow Express

As with the Gatwick Express, the Heathrow Express will cost you a fortune if you are travelling with your family from London Paddington. Buy a one-day family travel card, set off early and use the underground. You will save even more holiday cash by pre-booking Malaga Airport car hire before you reach your destination.

37. Double up in London

If you are travelling to London by train, take advantage of the 2for1 website, which includes admission to Madame Tussauds and various top London sites for a much-reduced price. If you want cheap airport car hire to get you into the city of London, you can also pre-book cheap car hire deals from the airport.

38. Pre-book a hire car from the airport

You can save plenty of money by avoiding expensive airport taxis and high speed train links into the city by pre-booking cheap airport car hire before you go. You can book cheap car hire in Malaga, Paris, London, Rome, Alicante and at every major airport in Europe before you leave home.

39. Passport check

As often as you are advised to check your passport, how many times do you actually do it? Hundreds of passengers are turned away from UK airports every year because their passport has expired. Check your passport is still in date at least a month before you intend to travel. Cheap airport car hire and cheap car hire at Jerez Airport is available to book online.

40. Passport photos

Check out the passport photos leaflet, which you can pick up with your passport application form, to ensure your pictures are the right size and the background colour is correct. It is worth visiting a photographer instead of a photo booth so you don´t waste money getting it right. Save money the whole way round by arranging cheap car hire at Alicante Airport before you leave the UK.

41. Foreign school holidays

Before booking your trip, check when the school holidays are in the country you are travelling to. Some foreign school holidays finish before the UK ones do, which means you could get a cheaper holiday deal towards the end of the holiday period. As long as you don´t mind sending the kids to school as soon as you return, this could save you a packet. Super saver car rentals deals are also available at every European airport.

42. Fly-drive and beating the system

You can beat the fly-drive holiday system in Florida by accepting the compact car you have booked and refusing any upgrade, unless it is free of course. Car hire companies in Florida never keep many compact cars in the garage, as Americans usually hire bigger vehicles. If you have hired a compact car, and there isn´t one available, ask for a free upgrade. Cheap car hire in Florida is easy to pre-book online in the UK.

43. Do Disney for less

Check out the mousesavers website for special deals and offers at Disney Land. Cheapest airport car hire deals for Florida can be found online in the UK.

44. Local restaurants are best

If you are looking to save some money and eat wonderful local dishes into the bargain, stroll away from the usual tourist areas. Remember not everyone is a tourist and every city has its local favourites in the back streets which cost a fraction of the price of restaurants in the tourist hot spots. If walking is not for you, take advantage of cheap car hire deals to discover the best restaurants in your region.

45. Check out the library

Don´t waste money on guide books. Check out the local library before you go, and ask for an extended borrowing period if you want to take the book with you. Tip: Don´t drop it in the hotel swimming pool.

46. It´s cool to make friends in hot places

Encourage friendships with people who live in places you want to visit. You can find out more about the region, where to go, what to see, and may even end up with a free place to stay. Check out international friendship websites for more information. The cheapest way to travel around any holiday destination is by pre-booking cheap car rentals at the airport.

47. Don´t splash the cash

Young children are happy anywhere if there is a beach, water and, preferably some sunshine. You don´t need to take them on a world cruise, or a week in the Bahamas for them to have fun. Skeggy beach might be pushing it a bit, but there are some fantastic resorts in the UK which are very child-friendly. Hire a car in the UK and visit some of the places you have always wanted to go.

48. Go self-catering

Book a self catering holiday instead of a hotel package tour, and you will be left alone to explore the area, and can save money on food by shopping at the local markets. Many self catering complexes have swimming pools onsite and bars and restaurants close by if you choose to eat out. Self catering and cheap car hire from the airport provide you with the perfect holiday package.

49. Choose a hotel by the sea

Hotels and apartments overlooking the sea may be slightly more expensive at the outset, but if you have young children, being near the coast is worth its weight in gold. Also make sure the holiday complex or hotel has a swimming pool to keep the little ones entertained. If you are planning to do some travelling, book the cheapest airport car hire you can find.

50. Beware the taxi rip-offs

If you intend to take a taxi from the airport when you arrive, ask the driver the price to your destination before you set off. Some taxi drivers adopt a ´make it up as I go along´ policy for cab fares, particularly in the summer when resorts are at their busiest. Avoid taxi rip offs altogether by booking cheap car hire at the airport in Malaga, Alicante, Murcia or any other European destination.

The 10 best holiday islands in Europe

2009-08-14T02:48:00.000-07:00

1. Majorca

Majorca is the largest island in Spain, and certainly one of the most picturesque. Visitors from all over the world flock to Majorca for its scenery, nightlife and beaches. Visit BCM nightclub in Magaluf if you want to party till dawn. Palma de Mallorca is the capital city and the city of Arenal also attracts thousands of fun lovers during the summer months. Palma´s Puro Beach is probably the best on the island, and the Cathedra La Seu and the Palacio Real de la Aludaina are also well worth a visit. If you want to discover inland Majorca, hire a car and travel to the city of Manacor with its quirky local markets and old villages.

2. Gran Canaria

Situated 125 miles from the coast of West Africa, Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands. This sparsely populated island is a hot spot for tourists who want to relax on one of its many dune beaches at Maspalomas. If culture is more your thing visit Castillo de la Luz, which is a former fortress, originally built to protect the town from pirates. If you want more adventure, climb up the Pozo de las Nieves mountain which is 2,000 metres high.

3. Rhodes

This is a beautiful Greek island, which is home to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The old town of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site, and the coast offers visitors some superb beaches and scuba diving opportunities. cheap airport car hire

4. Tenerife

The largest Canary Island is Tenerife, which attracts tourists to the beaches and mountains. From the peak of the Pico del Teide Mountain, visitors can see the volcanic landscape and diverse scenery. For family fun, visit the water parks in Tenerife and the Sea life Centre.

5. Ibiza

Famous for its wild nightlife and club scene, including Pacha, Amnesia, Space and Privilege, Ibiza also offers visitors a wide range of other things to see and do. Ibiza boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the Balearics, and the Es Vedrá Nature Reserve is well worth a visit. Also known for its fabulous sea food restaurants, Ibiza is one of the most popular islands in Europe.

6. Fuerteventura

One of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura attracts thousands of water sports fans to its shores each year. The island is known for its strong winds and is perfect for kite surfing, wind surfing and sailing. Situated just 70 miles from the Moroccan coast, Fuerteventura has some of the best white beaches and black volcanic beaches in the region.

7. Corfu

Corfu is a Greek island which is deeply connected to Greek mythology. The God of the Sea, Poseidon, was said to have bought his wife to Korkyra to Corfu (I wonder if they called her Korky for short?). Corfu is famous for its greenery where olive trees grow up to 20 metres tall in the south. Take your time to visit Moni Paleokastritsa, the monastery which is situated high up on top of a rock and offers stunning views over the island.

8. Lanzarote

The fourth largest of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The landscape in Lanzarote was shaped by volcanic eruptions. Visit the Timanfaya National Park where you can learn about the volcanic origins of the island and enjoy a meal in a local restaurant, where meat is grilled over a volcanic vent. Tours are also available through caverns and tunnels formed by underground lava flows in the Cueva de los Verdes in the north of the island.

9. Menorca

Situated close to Majorca in the Balearic Islands, Menorca attracts visitors from far and wide. Attractions include various beaches, caves and ancient ruins which can be easily reached by hire car. La Mola Fortress is well worth a visit and overlooks Mao Harbour. Take time to explore the Museu de Minorca, where a 15th Century monastery where you can learn about the island´s rich history.

10. Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and it forms a large part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece. Heraklion is worth exploring with its narrow streets and shops selling typical handicrafts and leather goods. For some real Crete culture, visit Knossos and Phaistos, and the port of Chania. The Samaria Gorge is also well worth seeing, but take plenty of water if you intend to go in summer. You will find a large number of restaurants in Crete serving traditional Greek food such as dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) souvlaki (lamb kebab) and calamari (squid), plus a range of international dishes to choose from.

Passenger Information

Booking a chaep hotel near your departure airports can be done online ,cheep hotels with easy access to your arrival airport flights to airports near where your accomodation look for
airport transfers organise before you fly , parking at all airports can be costly try and find cheap airport parking off the airport , kelkoo , kellkoo and kelcoo travel car hire section

Transportation and transfers from terminals is free in most airports , aircraft and aviation information is available passenger facilities for luggage storage is available ta all airports , taxis at all intl arrival and arrivals departure points departure , passengers , internation air port , shuttle bus information

10 tips to follow after a car accident

2009-08-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

Most road-users are involved in accidents at some time or another, and it is worth noting what to do if it happens to you. Whether you are driving in the UK or in a hire car on holiday, it is worth remembering the following:

1. Accident pack

Always keep an accident pack in the car. Make sure you always have a pen and paper handy for any notes and insurance details you may need to take, and keep a disposable camera in the car for photos of the accident scene, which can help with any future insurance claim.

2. Always stop

Always stop at the scene of an accident. It is law that you stop if you hit a domestic animal or a person.
3. Make the accident scene safe
Make the accident scene safe by turning off your engine, turning on your hazard lights and alerting oncoming traffic to the accident.

4. Emergency Services

If anyone is injured, or the road is blocked, call 999 in the UK and call out the emergency services. If you happen to be travelling by hire car in a different country, get the number of their emergency services before starting out on any journey.

5. Stay calm

Whoever is at fault, try to stay as calm as possible. Shouting and screaming will only make matters worse.

6. Witness information

Note down the names and full details of any witnesses to the accident, including passengers where possible. Car registration numbers, location, and photos can all come in useful, particularly if you will be making an insurance claim.

7. Driver details

Exchange details with the other driver involved, including, name, address, vehicle registration and his insurance company.

8. Draw the scene

Make sketches, take notes and even videos of the scene where possible. Include street names and direction of travel in your notes as the person dealing with your claim may not be local and may not know the area.

9. Additional notes

Make a note of additional information which may be useful, including factors which may have helped cause the accident. These can include weather, the amount of traffic, the speed of traffic, what the other driver was doing at the time of the accident, etc., If the other driver was using his mobile phone, this can prove particularly relevant if you are pursuing an insurance claim so note it down.

10. Contact your insurance company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to let them know about the accident, even if you do not intend to make a claim. Check your insurance policy to see if you are entitled to a hire car if your car is damaged. You may be entitled to more help and assistance than you are aware of from your insurance company, so check the small print.

10 best nightclubs in Spain

2009-08-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

Whatever floats your boat in club land, Spain offers revellers some of the world´s best night clubs. All night raves, dance music, house, techno and trance attract visitors from all over the world to the party islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Spain´s capital, Madrid on the mainland. If you want to raise the roof on holiday, visit the mega clubs around Ibiza town, Magaluf or Madrid which include:

1. BCM Magaluf Mallorca

Recently voted one of the best clubs in the world, BCM in Magaluf, Mallorca is situated right in the centre of this holiday hotspot. A night at BCM includes an all inclusive bar, the best popcorn and foam parties on the island and three separate areas. The ground floor is where BCM Millenium is situated, and the top floor is where the hard core clubbing begins. An amazing sound system pumps out 10,000 watts of noise to keep clubbers dancing till dawn and beyond.

2. Space Club Ibiza

The world´s top DJs regularly vote Space Ibiza as being the best club in the world. Known to attract up to 20,000 clubbers at a time, Space has one of the top sound systems to keep clubbers on their feet. Sunday nights are the busiest nights in summer at Space, which attracts thousands of clubbers from around the world.

3. Club Pacha Ibiza

Club Pacha is one of Ibiza´s best known clubs. Situated on the island since 1973, the Pacha name is now a global franchise, with clubs in New York, London and Buenos Aires to name but a few. Open all year round, Pacha is an institution in Ibiza and no trip to the island is complete without a night out at the club.

4. Privilege Nightclub Ibiza

The biggest club in the world, Privilege plays host to hundreds of celebrities every year. This massive club boasts a 25 metre high ceiling and is situated between San Antonio and Ibiza Town. With tall windows, amazing island views of Ibiza and some of the best club nights in town, Privilege offers visitors a wild night of music and dance. The club also houses a swimming pool.

5. Moma Madrid

Offering a mixture of house sounds and pop, Moma attracts Madrid´s in-crowd. Stylish and elegant decor combines with some of the best sounds in Madrid. As with most of the capital´s nightclubs, Moma only really gets going around 3am.

6. Macumba Madrid

Macumba is one of Madrid´s biggest clubs, and offers the best lighting and sound system in the capital. Macumba is one of the most popular clubs in Madrid.

7. Maxime Club Madrid

Maxime offers visitors quirky design features such as old pillars and urns, and attracts Madrid´s more bohemian crowd. The best nights to visit Maxime Madrid are Thursday and Sunday for the best house and techno music.

8. Arena Madrid

Arena is a group of event organisers who arrange numerous dance nights throughout the week in the city. Friday and Saturday nights attract younger crowds than the rest of the week, but whatever type of music turns you on, Arena will provide it.

9. Cool Club Madrid

Cool is the perfect name for this club with its loud colours, mirrors and prints. House music is played mostly, although other nights are hosted. Gay and lesbian nights are also popular among Madrid´s clubgoers.

10. Amnesia Ibiza

First opened in 1976, Amnesia Ibiza is famous for its amazing interior and incredible sound system. With several bars, VIP areas and hundreds of palm trees, Amnesia is a must-visit club for party goers in Ibiza.

Linekers Bar Puerto Banus Marbella hold massive reunion party

2009-08-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

Linekers Bar in Puerto Banus, Marbella, Spain are planning a massive reunion party in November, 2009.

Revellers from around the world are invited to join Linekers for the hottest, sexiest party of the year in Puerto Banus. The world famous Linekers Bar is hosting a wild weekend of fun and frolics to celebrate their 7-year reunion. This promises to be the mother of all parties with special events, including celebrity guest appearances, covering the whole weekend of 6th-9th November, 2009. DJ´s old and new will whip the crowd into a frenzy with some scorching sounds to keep guests dancing till dawn.

Don´t miss out on the biggest party to hit the Costa del Sol´s shores in years. If you´ve partied at Linekers before, or you´re a first-timer visitor, you can enjoy a riotous weekend at Marbella´s top venue. Everyone is welcome, so don´t miss out. We can even arrange discounted accommodation from €30 per person. Book your cheap November flights now and prepare for a weekend of mayhem and madness in the party capital of Europe.

Top ten tips for Gatwick Airport car hire

2009-08-03T04:30:00.001-07:00

Gatwick is one of the UK´s busiest airports. The best way to hire a car from Gatwick Airport is to pre-book it before you arrive. Choose a company who will search over 450 car hire websites to find you cheap discount car hire at Gatwick Airport. If you are planning to rent a car at Gatwick airport consider the following:

1. Pre-book the right discount car hire deal for you at Gatwick Airport. Choose the car rental vehicle which will best suit your requirements and don´t just book the first rental car you see on a car hire website. You may also have to pre-book child seats, ski racks or roof racks depending on your circumstances.

2. Always tell the car hire company at Gatwick your true age, if asked on the booking form, and inform them of any endorsements you may have. If you don´t tell the truth, and you have an accident, your insurance could be invalid.

3. Check the small print with all Gatwick car hire companies, and make sure you read the terms and conditions thoroughly driving away in your rental car. Check information about congestion charges, parking and traffic fines and cancellation charges. Make sure you are aware of any mileage charges before picking up your car at Gatwick Airport.

4. When pre-booking car hire at Gatwick Airport, make sure the car hire company is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for vehicle pick-ups and drop-offs. Also ensure the car hire company or website you book with offers secure payment guarantees.

5. Check the hire car for damage at Gatwick before driving off. Make sure any damage is noted by the Gatwick car hire company and get a signature to confirm this. The last thing you want is to be expected to pay for excess damage when you return the car which was not your responsibility.

6. Make sure you know which type of fuel your Gatwick hire car takes. This may sound obvious but hundreds of people put the wrong fuel in hire cars every year from Gatwick Airport, resulting in breakdown.

7. Before leaving Gatwick Airport with your hire car, mark down the amount of fuel in the car and the mileage. Mileage conditions will be detailed on the paperwork, but most Gatwick Airport car hire firms will require you to return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel it had in when you picked up the rental car.

8. Car hire companies at Gatwick Airport are situated in the Car Rental Buildings on the Lower Forecourt Road at both Gatwick North and Gatwick South Terminals. You can pick up a free map for any onward journeys, which should be supplied by all car hire companies at Gatwick Airport.

9. If you pre-book car hire at Gatwick Airport, you may qualify for early booking discounts. For cheap car hire deals and discount car rentals at Gatwick Airport, always book as early as you can, when you have booked your flights.

10. Use a comparison site to search you hundreds of car rental companies serving Gatwick Airport in a few minutes. This will save you time, money and effort. You no longer have to trawl through several car hire companies online to find the best car hire deals for you at Gatwick Airport.

Carhire4airports will search every major car hire company and local car rentals firms to find you cheap car hire at Gatwick Airport and we work with Hertz, Helle Hollis, Avis, 121 Car Hire, Opodo, Budget Cars, Sixt Car Hire, Expedia, Easycar, Thrifty and Argus Car Hire. If you are looking for more information about Gatwick Airport, including terminal facilities, airport transport, public transport at Gatwick, Gatwick parking, car hire, car rentals at Gatwick Airport and airport security, you can find it all on our website, and carhire4airports books cheap car hire at Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport, East Midlands Airport, Liverpool Airport, Newcastle Airport, Luton Airport, Glasgow Airport, Bristol Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Leeds/Bradford Airport and every other airport in the UK.

Top 12 car hire tips at Heathrow Airport

2009-08-03T04:25:00.000-07:00

Millions of people book cheap airport car hire every year in the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and every airport in Europe, and it pays to consider the following before you pre-book your car rentals at Heathrow Airport:

1. Always read the small-print. It is important you read the terms and conditions carefully before driving away in your car hire from Heathrow Airport.

2. You may not always get the exact hire car you booked, and if you want a particular model, then make it very clear to the hire car company at Heathrow. On the other hand, if the Heathrow Airport car hire company cannot provide the exact rental car you booked, they may upgrade you to a better vehicle model free of charge.

3. Always check the petrol gauge before driving your hire car away from Heathrow Airport. If you have paid for a full tank, make sure there is a full tank of petrol in the hire car at the airport. Check how much fuel needs to be left in the rental car when you return it to Heathrown Airport.

4. Make sure you understand the insurance excess situation. If you pay to reduce the excess to zero, you could still be liable to pay for damage to tyres, windscreen etc., when you return your hire car to Heathrow Airport. Understand the insurance situation before you drive away your discount car hire from Heathrow Airport, and if you are unsure about anything, ask!

5. Car hire insurance is very important. Make sure the insurance on Heathrow Airport car rental covers you for every aspect of the trip, particularly if you want to take your hire car off-road. Remember, car hire insurance companies don´t like paying out, so don´t give them any excuse not to if the hire car is damaged.

6. Ensure, when you pick up your cheap airport car hire or car rental from Heathrow, that you get a receipt for everything you have paid, including insurance, taxes, charges for extra drivers, car seats etc.,

7. Make sure you book the right discount car hire deal for you and your family. Add correct details to the booking including age and notify the Heathrow Airport car hire company if you need any baby seats, bolster seats etc., or any extra equipment such as a roof rack or snow chains for winter resort car hire.

8. Ensure any damage already on your hire car at the airport is noted down before you drive away, so you don´t get the blame for it when you return.

9. Always keep the airport car hire emergency number in case of break down or accident.

10. Check exactly where at Heathrow Airport the hire car or rental car needs to be returned to. If it is near to the airport, but not very close to the terminal at Heathrow, allow plenty of time for your journey.

11. Don´t return your car late to Heathrow Airport, or you may incur another 24 hours charge.

12. Check your credit card statements after you hire a car from Heathrow Airport to make sure you have not been charged any unfair excess payments. If you feel you have been overcharged for car hire at Heathrow Airport, or any other airport car rentals, then contact the car rental company immediately.

Carhire4airports will find you cheap discount car hire at the click of a button at any airport or major city in the UK, Spain, France, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Andorra, Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Italy, Ibiza, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Poland or Holland and we work with Hertz, Helle Hollis, Avis, Opodo, 121 Car Hire, Budget Car Hire, Thrifty Car Hire and a host of other car hire companies around the world. Carhire4airports specializes in cheap car hire in Europe, and we will search 450 car hire companies to find you the cheapest car hire deals available.

Top ten driving tours in Spain

2009-07-31T04:25:00.000-07:00

Spain is a diverse country which offers visitors a wealth of things to see and do. From the snow-capped peaks in the north of the country to the Mediterranean temperatures and golden sandy beaches in the south, Spain is one of the world´s top tourist destinations. There is no better way to explore Spain than to hire a car from the airport in Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Alicante, Girona, Oviedo or Valencia and take your time to explore this rich and varied land.

1. Hire a car and explore Catalonia Spain

After the hustle and bustle of downtown Barcelona, take your time to relax and explore the spectacular Costa Brava. Hire a cabriolet or luxury car from Barcelona Airport if you want to travel in style to S´Agaró, and spend some time on the beach before heading to Figueres on the A7 and the E15. Hire car and car rentals in Barcelona, Girona, Figueres and Lloret de Mar is cheap when you pre-book it from the airport. The birthplace of Salvador Dali, you can see the fascinating museum in Figueres which celebrates his life and his art. After Figueres, take the A7 road to Girona, then the Autopista signposted Barcelona-Montmelo, AP7 which will take you to Girona. Enjoy the Roman ruins in Girona and explore the beaches close by. If you are looking for more amazing landscapes, travel from Girona to Cardona via the C16 and the C60. If you want to discover Andorra by hire car, take the C14 route out of town.

2. Ibiza Spain driving tour by rental car

There is no better place to explore by airport hire car than Ibiza. This small island has windy roads, surrounded by olive groves and mountain views that are to die for. Airport car rentals in Ibiza are cheap when pre-booked, and one of the best drives is from San Carlos, with its amazing coastline, to Cala San Vicente. The scenery in Ibiza is stunning, and you can drive through the middle of the island, taking in Es Broll, Santa Gertrudis and Santa Agnes. At Es Broll you will find an amazing freshwater spring, surrounded by incredible scenery. Car hire and car rentals at Ibiza is easy to book before you travel.

3. Driving tour of inland Andalusia Spain

Andalusia in southern Spain is a beautiful region which you can explore at your own leisure when you hire a car from the airport at Malaga, Granada or Seville. Car hire and car rentals at the airports of Andalusia, including Seville, Granada, Malaga and Granada is reasonable and provides the most economic way to discover this diverse area. Set out from Malaga and take the A357 road and A367 to Ronda, which is famous for its 130 metre deep El Tajo Gorge. From Ronda drive your hire car west to Jerez de la Frontera, which is the sherry capital of the world, then north to Seville. When you have explored the delights of Seville, of which there are many, take the Cordoba road via Carmona. Then follow the Olive Oil Route through Jaen to Granada along the E902. Explore the amazing Alhambra Palace in Granada. Take the A92 and the A45 from Granada back to Malaga.

4. Car hire and driving tour Sierra de Guadarrama to Madrid

Drive from the Sierra Guadarrama mountain range to Madrid via Rascafria, along the Rio Lozoya and through the beautiful mountain villages of Ateruelo, Alameda and Pinilla to Lozoya. Pick up your hire car from Madrid and enjoy the journey on to Lozoyuela via the C604. You can then take the NI back to Madrid. Another interesting route is through Segovia and El Escorial, which is home to the stunning Monastery of San Lorenzo Del Escorial. The beauty of cheap car hire and car rental from Madrid Airport is that you can take your time and go where you want when you want.

5. Costa del Sol to Madrid by hire car Spain

The Costa del Sol to Madrid driving tour is among the most popular in Spain. This route takes you and your hire car from Granada to Toledo on the road to Madrid. You will enjoy some majestic scenery along the way, including the amazing Alhambra Palace in Granada. Leaving the Costa del Sol, where you can pick up cheap car hire in Malaga, Marbella, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Puerto Banus, Estepona or Sotogrande, you will pass the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. You can hire luxury car hire, convertible car rentals or sports car hire to travel on to Toledo, which is about 70km south of Madrid. Overlooking the River Tagus, Toledo is a medieval city which was once the capital of the Spanish empire. Take advantage of low cost car hire in Madrid, Malaga, Granada, Seville, Huelva and Almeria to make the most of your driving holiday in Spain.

6. Top driving tour of coastal Andalusia Spain

Andalusia is situated in the south of Spain and includes the provinces of Seville, Malaga, Almeria, Cadiz, Granada, Jaen, Cordoba and Huelva, where you can hire cheap car rentals from the airport. Start your tour in Nerja, situated in the east of Andalusia, and enjoy the beaches, the dramatic cliffs and the caves of this vibrant town. Nerja is situated just 50km from Malaga and is situated beside the Mediterranean with winding cobbled streets in the old town to modern bars, restaurants and pavement cafés closer to the coast. From Nerja travel to Malaga where you can enjoy the history, art and culture of this great city. Take the A7 coast road west, and follow signs inland from Fuengirola to visit Mijas Pueblo by hire car. This beautiful white village is perched on a hillside above the Costa del Sol and attracts visitors from all over Europe. If you are looking for a bit more life, drive your hire car or rental car along the A7 to Mijas-Costa, Calahonda, Marbella, Cabopino, Puerto Banus and Estepona, where you will find some of the Costa del Sol´s best sandy beaches, fabulous fish restaurants and a wide range of great things to do for the family.

7. Costa Dorada driving tour Spain

The Costa Dorada is still relatively unspoilt by mass tourism and offers great beaches and seaside towns to explore by hire car. You can book cheap car hire from Barcelona Airport or Tarragona Airport from just €100.00 per week. Take your time to explore and visit the pretty villages of L´Ametilla de Mar, Priorat, Conca de Barbera and Pendes. If hiking and rambling is more your thing, park your hire car up at the Ebro Valley, Costa Dorada. The southern part of the Costa Dorada is often overlooked by tourists, but it is well worth driving round if you have booked your hire car for a few extra days.

8. Driving Tour Costa Blanca Spain

There is much more to the Costa Blanca, Spain than all night partying and fish and chips in Benidorm. The highest concentration of Brits living in Spain choose to live in Alicante where the weather is mild all year round. Book cheap airport car hire from Alicante or Valencia and explore this diverse region for yourself. If you want hustle and bustle, visit Torrevieja, just south of Alicante, which is full of Brit bars, pavement cafés and seafront restaurants. If you are looking for more of the ´real Spain´ take your hire car north of Alicante to Valencia, where you will find culture, history and museums close to some of the best beaches in Spain.

9. Drive Costa Calida Murcia Spain

If you hire car rentals from the airport in Valencia or Alicante, take the time to drive south of the Costa Blanca where you will find Murcia and the Costa Calida. You can visit the incredible cathedral in Murcia and then take advantage of cheap car hire and drive 50km to the coast. Cheap car hire in Los Alcazares, San Javier Airport Murcia, La Manga and Cartagena can all be pre-booked before you travel. Around the coastal regions of Murcia you will find golf developments, European supermarkets and attractive market towns such as Lorca, Caravaca and Mula. Murcia is not over commercialised and still has a very Spanish feel to it and lower property prices than those on the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol.

10. Drive Costa Almeria Andalusia Spain

Driving south along the coast road to Almeria from the coastal towns of Murcia, you will pass the hilly and barren landscapes before you reach Almeria. Airport car hire in Almeria and Murcia is cheap and can be pre-booked before you fly. Plenty of sunshine and vast beaches make Almeria a big pull for ex-pats wanting to relocate in Spain. If you are touring Almeria by cheap hire car from the airport, take your time to explore Huercal-Overa, Mojacar, Carboneras and the Cabo de Gata National Park.

Cheap airport car hire is the best way to rent a car in Spain. Carhire4airports will find you the cheapest available car hire deals and car rentals discounts in Spain and we work with major car hire companies and local car rentals firms including Hertz, Avis, Budget Cars, Niza Cars, Auriga Crown Car Hire, Autos Valls, Crown Car, Duque de Wellington, Car Lease Tenerife, Carambacar, Buga Rent, Benja Rent A Car, Europcar La Coruña, Economy Car Rental, Gold Car Rentals, Menor Car Rent, National Atesa, Opodo, 121 Car Hire, Sol Car, Spain Car Hire, Nova Car Hire and Hispania, and we cover all towns and cities for cheap car hire in Spain including Caceres, Cadiz, Calpe, Caleta de Fuste, Cala D´Or, Cala Blanca, Cala Ratjada, Mataro, Menorca, Majorca, Ibiza Airport, Merida, Mijas, Mojacar, Manresa, Isla Canela, Jandia, Jaen, La Vagueda, Lanzarote, Los Gorriones, Zaragoza, Magalluf, Lugo, Rubi, Puertollano, Vitoria and Vilamoura.

Top 10 parks in Spain

2009-07-30T23:20:00.000-07:00

If you are planning a road trip around Spain, there is no easier or cheaper way to see the top ten parks in Spain than to hire a car at the airport. Cheap car hire in Spain is readily available when you pre-book online.

1. Doñana National Park Huelva Andalusia Spain

With over 50,000 acres of diverse and rugged terrain, the Doñana National Park at Huelva offers visitors a wide range of things to see and do. See the migrating birds on their way to Africa and enjoy the amazing scenery around Doñana National Park Huelva Spain. Make the most of your trip to Doñana National Park Huelva and hire a car at the airport. You can hire a Peugeot 207 from Huelva Airport for just €100.00 per week.

2. Tablas de Daimiel National Park

Situated in the province of Ciudad Real in the south east of Spain the wetland of Tablas de Daimiel National Park covers 15,000 km2 in La Mancha. The park is a special protected area for birds and attracts twitchers from all over Europe. If you are itching to twitch at the Tablas de Daimiel National Park La Mancha Spain, hire a car from the airport and you can enjoy cheap car hire and a range of things to do in Ciudad Real.

3. Visit Ordesa National Park Aragón Huesca Spain

The natural enclave of Orsesa National Park, Aragón, Huesca, Spain is situated in the Pyrenees, and is home to the last herd of Pyrenean mountain goats on the planet. Take your time to explore Aragón and the Ordesa National Park and hire a cheap car rental from the airport. Cheap car hire in Aragón and Huesca can be pre-booked before you fly to avoid delay and save money.

4. Timanfaya National Park Lanzarote Canary Islands

Cheap airport car rentals can be picked up at Lanzarote Airport from just €90.00 per week. You can explore the island of Lanzarote by hire car, including the spectacular Timanfaya National Park. The rugged scenery is made up of 200-year old rock formations, and the landscape is like something out of Jurassic Park. Well worth a visit if you are travelling around Lanzarote by hire car.

5. Montaña de Covadonga National Park Spain

Situated just to the west and the north of the Picos de Europa, Covadonga is one of the most beautiful walking and hiking routes in Asturias, Spain. You will spot golden eagles and a series of caves and caverns beneath the mountains. Covadonga is a must-see area if you are driving round Spain by hire car, and if your rent a car from Oviedo Airport Asturias, you can travel around this stunning area at your own leisure.

6. Archipélago de Cabrera National Park

Consisting of 19 islands south of Majorca, the Archpélago de Cabrera National Park can only be reached by boat from Colonia de San Jordi. You will find many species of animals and birds on the island that have not evolved elsewhere, and the park is well worth a visit if you are already touring Majorca by hire car.

7. Sierra Nevada National Park Granada Andalusia Spain

Whether you are a fan of snow skiing or not, the Sierra Nevada National Park near Granada, Andalusia, Spain is well worth a visit. These peaks are the second highest in Europe and hosted the World Ski Championships in 1998. Also boasting torrential rivers, natural landscapes and rugged countryside, you can hire a 4x4 at Malaga or Granada Airport from just €120.00 per week to explore the region – with snow chains if required.

8. Aiguestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park Catalonia Spain

Visitors to Aiguestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park Catalonia Spain will find alpine vegetation surrounding over 200 lakes. This is Spain´s equivalent of the Lake District in the UK, is situated at Lleida, and there is no better place to explore by cheap hire car than this beautiful part of Catalonia. Airport car hire can be pre-booked from Barcelona, Girona or Tarragona and you can explore the Costa Dorada along with the beautiful scenery surrounding the National Park.

9. Visit the Islas Atlánticas de Galicia National Park Galicia Spain

The Atlánticas de Galicia National Park, Galicia, Spain is a group of islands situated between the estuaries of Vigo, Pontevedra and Arousa. Home to Spain´s biggest seagull colony, probably attracted by the vast amount of fishing boats off Galicia, the area also boasts the largest lauren forest in Europe. Hire a car from Galicia or Vigo Airport and enjoy this little piece of paradise where you can see turtles, dolphins, seals and whales.

10. Caldera de Taburiente National Park La Palma Canary Islands Spain

The Caldera de Taburiente National Park is situated on the island of La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. Once believed to be a huge crater, the Caldera de Taburiente is a mountain arch with a crater shape dominating the northern part of La Palma. Designated as a national park in 1954, the Caldera de Taburiente is a must-see attraction in La Palma, Canary Islands , Spain. If you are travelling around La Palma and want to hire a car from the airport, you can find cheap car hire and cheap car rentals when you pre-book before you travel.

Car hire in Spain and cheap car rentals in Spain can be pre-booked with carhire4airports. We specialise in discount car rentals and cheap car hire in Spain and the Canary Islands, and we are powered by two of the UK´s largest car hire comparison sites. Carhire4airports works with major car hire companies and local car rentals firms including Hertz, Helle Hollis, Budget Cars, Opodo, Autos Brea, Sol Car Hire, Tenerife Car Hire, Good Car Hire, Gold Car Rentals, Auriga Crown Car Hire, Anecar Rent A Car, Crown Car, Euro Car, Holiday Autos and National Atesa in all towns and we offer cheap car hire every town and city in Spain, including Arganda del Ray, Badalona, Alcudia, Alcobendas, Cala Millor, Caleta de Fuste, Calan Bosch, Cadiz, El Ferrol, Es Cana, Fuengirola, Fuenlabrada, Almuñecar, Asturias, Arenal Den Castell, Albacete, Aguilas, Aguadulce, Granollers, Ibiza Airport, Granada Airport, Pamplona, Paguera, Orense and Pineda de Mar.

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20 things to do in Spain

2009-07-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

Spain attracts more tourists to its shores than any other country in Europe and the best way to explore this diverse landscape is to hire a car from the airport. You can travel around the open countryside in the north of Spain or hire a convertible car and explore the beaches in summer along The Costa del Sol, The Costa Dorada or The Costa Blanca.

1. The Alhambra in Granada Spain

No trip to Granada is complete without a trip to the Alhambra Palace. This Moorish complex is vast and occupies a large part of the city, so make sure you hire a car from Granada or Malaga Airport and take a few days to explore this fascinating fortress. The Alhambra de Granada is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Europe and if you plan to hire a car in summer and visit the complex, buy tickets in advance. Granada is hotter than the Costa del Sol in summer, so the best way to travel is by air-conditioned hire car from Malaga or Granada Airport.

2. Frank Gehry in Bilbao Spain

You can see Frank Gehry´s futuristic architecture in Barcelona, Bilbao and Malaga. See the amazing Guggenheim Museum near Bilbao, or the huge copper fish on Barcelona Beach or the new conference and convention centre in Malaga. If you check out cheap airport car rentals in Spain, you can visit Bilbao, Malaga and Barcelona during your trip to Spain.

3. Ski the Sierra Nevada Granada Spain

Andalusia is blessed with the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Granada. The Sierra Nevadas are easy to reach by hire car from Malaga Airport, Granada Airport, Seville, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Marbella and Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol. Ski season normally runs between November and March. If you intend to travel by cheap airport car hire from Malaga or Granada, combine the Sierra Nevada with the Costa del Sol and you can ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon. Make the most of your Andalusia tour and hire a luxury car from Malaga Airport from just €150.00 per week.

4. Local village fiesta Malaga Seville and Granada

Malaga, Seville and Granada host some of the most flamboyant and colourful fairs and festivals in Spain. You can check with the tourist office when the annual fairs are held, book cheap car rentals from the airport and visit all three on your travels in Spain. Party through the night and enjoy the carnival atmosphere in Andalusia Spain.

5. Parc Guell Barcelona Spain

Of all the amazing buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi, Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain is one of the most spectacular. The park is home to several buildings and sculptures which feature Gaudi´s well known broken-tile style. Parc Guell Barcelona is a great place to visit by car hire. If you have booked airport car hire, luxury car hire or airport car rentals, take your time to explore the Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain. You won´t be disappointed.

6. Tapas Tour Barcelona

There is no better way to enjoy Barcelona then to wander around the vibrant streets and stop off at tapas bars on the way. You can pre-book cheap car hire from Barcelona Airport and drive to your hotel or apartment before taking a stroll around the city. Specialities include fresh fish, omelettes, seafood and rice varieties, washed down with sangria and fine Spanish wines. You can hire a small car from Barcelona Airport from just €90.00 per week.

7. Café life Spain

Every Spanish village, town and city has numerous cafés, bars and restaurants where you can relax, enjoy a coffee or a glass of Rioja and watch the world go by. Along with over 320 average days of sunshine a year in the south of Spain, it is little wonder Northern Europeans flock to Spain every year. Enjoy the area and the villages around Spain and book cheap car rentals at the airport. You can still hire a car in Spain from just €90.00 per week.

8. Dali in Figueres Spain

Visit the Salvadore Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain. Take a trip by hire car or rental car from the airport in Girona, Barcelona or Tarragona and explore the beautiful Costa Dorada, close to the Museum. The Salvadore Dali Museum/Mausoleum is one of the highlights of visiting northern Spain. If you are visiting Figueres or the Costa Dorada in Summer, hire a sports car or a convertible car to make the most of the hot days and nights.

9. Flamenco Spain

You can´t visit Spain without feeling the passion and colour of Flamenco. Granada and Seville in Andalusia are the best places to experience flamenco music and dance at its best, and if you pre-book cheap car hire from the airport, you can visit both provinces to see music and dance at its best. Flamenco bars and restaurants can be found in Seville and Granada city centres, but take your time to find out where the locals go for an authentic flamenco experience.

10. Art in Spain

Art-lovers from all over the world flock to Spain to enjoy such wonderful exhibitions as those at the Miró Foundation, Barcelona, Goya in Madrid and Picasso´s Guernica at the Reina Sofia in Madrid. Visit the Picasso foundation in the Malaga, the home place of Picasso. Cheap car hire will enable you to travel around Spain and enjoy the exhibitions of art in different cities. Luxury car hire and sports car hire is also available from Madrid Airport and Barcelona Airport if you want to explore the region in style.

11. Ronda Gorge and Ronda Views Spain

Perched high above the Mediterranean is the intriguing old town of Ronda. With a magnificent bridge spanning a gorge which separates the old and new towns, Ronda offers spectacular views over the mountains and open countryside. Also with the oldest bullring in Spain and some of the best tapas bars in the region, Ronda is a must-see town. If you are visiting Ronda from the Costa del Sol, it will take you approximately 1 hour by hire car from Marbella, Puerto Banus and Estepona. Also visit the Roman Baths at Ronda.

12. The Grand Mosque Cordoba

The Grand Mosque at Cordoba is a stunning sight. The first part of the mosque was built in 796AD, and the last parts added in 1000AD. Take your time to explore Cordoba by luxury hire car or economy hire car which you can pre-book at the airport. If you are planning to get married in Cordoba, you can even hire a wedding car in Cordoba.

13. Do the Pueblos Blancos

Do the white village tour and visit Andalusia´s oldest regions. Whitewashed houses sit on cobbled streets overlooking squares with fountains and ancient churches. One of Andalusia´s most famous white villages is Mijas, which by hire car from Malaga Airport is just 30 minutes drive. Every village has different attractions and by visiting the pueblos blancos by hire car, you can fully explore the areas around the region.

14. Football in Spain

Home to Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Nou Camp Stadium and the Bernabeu Stadium are well worth visiting if you are a footie fan. If you want to book tickets to see FC Barcelona or Real Madrid, book well in advance, or you might settle for a stadium tour which can also be pre-booked. Arrange cheap airport car rentals in Barcelona or Madrid, and you can make the most of your time in these amazing cities. If you are travelling around on a football tour, it is also worth hiring a car at the airport and visiting Valencia, Seville and Valladolid.

15. Running with the Bulls Pamplona Spain

The Fiesta de San Fermin is held annually in Pamplona, and you don´t have to run with the bulls to enjoy the fun. A week-long festival is held in the town and you can party till dawn. Bulls are released into the narrow streets of Pamplona and the brave (or stupid) participants run alongside or in front of these massive animals. Many runners are injured every year, and this festival is not for the faint-hearted. If you fancy a week in Pamplona, take advantage of cheap car hire from the airport and book early if you are visiting during the festival in July.

16. Rambling along Las Ramblas Barcelona Spain

There is no better way to enjoy Barcelona than to take your time and stroll along the main street, Las Ramblas. Pick up cheap car rental at Barcelona Airport and you can be in the city within half an hour. Las Ramblas is a pedestrianised street with entertainers, pavement cafés and hundreds of restaurant and bars to keep you refreshed. Also boasting a pier and an excellent indoor shopping centre, you can enjoy Las Ramblas, Barcelona at any time of the year.

17. Adventure in Tenerife

The Mount Teide Park in Tenerife is one of the most rugged areas on the island. View the exquisite rock formations and if you are feeling fit, walk or hike around the area with its beautiful landscape and spectacular scenery. If you are touring around Tenerife, book cheap car rentals from the Tenerife Airport and take your time to explore the island. Tenerife is diverse and offers visitors a wealth of things to see and do.

18. El Rastro Madrid Spain

El Rastro is the most popular open-air flea market in Spain, and opens every Sunday and bank holiday. Visitors to El Rastro can pick up bargain clothes, shoes, leather goods, handicrafts, ceramics, electrical goods and a range of souvenirs to take home. Cheap car hire in Madrid can be pre-booked from Madrid Barajas Airport, so that you can make the most of this vibrant area. Bag a bargain and take it home on the plane – most of the stallholders are happy to wrap up your purchases.

19. Golf Valderrama Spain

Valderrama Golf Course is undoubtedly the most glamorous golf course on Spain´s Costa del Sol. Valderrama hosts the Volvo Masters Tournament every year, and also hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997. If you are not quite up to a round at Valderrama, the Costa del Sol has over 60 more golf courses to suit all standards and budgets. Hire a car in Marbella, Estepona or Sotogrande and you can play the different courses along the coast.

20. Selwo Park Estepona Spain

Situated close to the town of Estepona on the Costa del Sol, Selwo Parque Aventura offers visitors the chance to see hippos, rhinos, lions, tigers, bears and smaller animals living in a semi-free environment. You can walk around half of the park and then safari-style open air buses will transport you around the larger animal enclosures. A great family day out and Selwo is within easy reach by economy hire car or sports car hire of all resorts on the Costa del Sol including Estepona, San Pedro, Marbella, Puerto Banus, Fuengirola and Mijas-Costa.

Car hire in Spain is easy to book and easy to pay for with carhire4airports. We offer cheap car hire in every airport, town and city in Spain, including Pineda de Mar, Playa de Palma, Novo Sancti Petri, Chiclana, Murcia, Muelle de Ribera, Sotogrande, Valladolid, Lloret de Mar, Torrevieja, Alicante, Pamplona Airport, Palma de Mallorca Airport, Sabadell, Salamanca, Salou, Reus, Puerto Pollensa, Santa Ponsa, Santander Airport, San Baudillo, Ibiza Airport, Granada Airport, Menorca, L´illa Diagonal, Logrono, Lorca, Lucena, Cordoba, Lanzarote, Majadahonda, Martorell and Mojacar and we work with major car hire companies and local car hire companies including Avis, Cart Son Castello, Budget Cars, Crown Car, Europcar La Coruña, Hertz, Esalfe, Economy Car Rental, Galaxi, Kart Care Motor Sport, Record Rent A Car, 121 Car Hire, Opodo, Auriga, Nova Car Hire, Prestige Car Hire, Tenerife Car Hire, Autos Nilo and Anecar Rent A Car.

10 great things to do on holiday in Huelva Spain

2009-07-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

Not affected by mass tourism, as many other parts of Andalusia are, Huelva offers visitors a wealth of things to do and see. Take advantage of cheap car hire at Huelva Airport, Seville Airport or Malaga Airport and enjoy the sights and sounds of this fascinating city.

1. La Merced Cathedral Huelva Spain

Whether you are religious or not, you won´t fail to be impressed by the magnificent cathedral in Huelva. Car rentals in Huelva are cheaper than in other parts of Andalusia and you can pre-book cheap car hire before you fly. La Merced Cathedral, Huelva, Spain is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Huelva, and boasts a stunning facade.

2. The Great Theatre Huelva Spain

Airport car rentals at Huelva Airport Spain can be booked from just €90.00 per week. Visit the Gran Teatro by hire car, which was founded in 1923 and is the main venue for the city´s cultural events. The ornate interior links back to the days when Huelva saw an influx of foreign workers to work in the nearby Rio Tinto Mines. Films, plays and concerts are still shown regularly at the Gran Teatro Huelva.

3. Provincial Museum Huelva Spain

The Provincial Museum, Huelva Spain houses the city´s art collection. Take your time and hire a car from Huelva Airport to discover the many attractions in the city and around the region. Rooms in the museum are dedicated to archaeology and arts with permanent and temporary exhibitions. Also showing an interesting exhibit on copper mining at the Rio Tinto Mines, if you are planning to take advantage of cheap car hire in Huelva, this is an attraction not to miss.

4. El Carmen Market Huelva Spain

If you enjoy your food, drive your rental car in Huelva to the El Carmen Market. Here you will find fresh fish, prawns, squid and lobster plus a wide range of fruits and vegetables and fresh baked country bread. You can also buy the delicious locally-cured jamón Serrano from El Carmen Market. Perfect if you want to hire a car in Huelva and enjoy a picnic in the countryside.

5. Monastery visit Huelva Spain

In 1485, Columbus stayed at the 15th Century Franciscan monastery in Huelva where the abbott, Antonio de la Marchena, helped him persuade the Spanish monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, to finance his voyage. You can visit the monastery and its tranquil botanical gardens, along with an exhibition of paintings depicting Columbus´s life.

6. Harbour of the Caravels Huelva

Hire car and car rentals in Huelva can be booked from just €90.00 per week and provides the perfect way to experience the sights and sounds of this historic part of Spain. The Caravels Harbour is a waterfront exhibition with full size replicas of the ships Columbus used to voyage to America. There is an adjoining museum and artefacts and documents from the voyages of Columbus.

7. Visit Ayamonte from Huelva Spain

Ayamonte is just a short drive from Huelva by hire car, and is situated 15 km away from the city, and close to the Portuguese border. Well worth a visit, Ayamonte is home to attractive plazas, fountains, cobbled streets and pavement cafés. You can climb up the steep streets to the Costa de la Luz Parador and view the river down below, the suspension bridge and Portugal beyond.

8. Doñana National Park Huelva Spain

If you are thinking of booking airport car hire to explore Doñana National Park in Huelva, you should pre-book before you travel for the best discount car rentals deals available online. The Doñana National Park, Huelva is one of Europe´s major nature reserves and includes marshland, sand dunes and rugged terrain. The park is also home to the Iberian Lynx and a vast number of birds. Declared a national heritage site, the Doñana National Park is well worth a visit.

9. Birdwatching in El Rocio Huelva

If you want to take advantage of cheap car hire and discount car rentals at Huelva Airport, make sure you visit El Rocio. Sitauted on the edge of the Doñana National Park, and overlooking a vast marshland area, El Rocio is home to flamingos, herons, storks and raptors. El Rocio is a small village that is dominated by a large church, where pilgrims flock every May. Make the most of your cheap car rental in Huelva by visiting this wild and rugged part of Andalusia.

10. Flamenco show Huelva Spain

Nothing represents Spain quite like Flamenco. This passionate and moving music and dance can be found in many forms in Huelva, which is the birthplace of the fandango dance. Tour round the city of Huelva in your discount rental car, and enjoy some of the best flamenco clubs in Spain. Try the Peña Flamenca de Huelva in Plaza Paco Toronjo.

Cheap car hire and discount car hire in Huelva, Sevilla, Malaga and Jaen is a speciality of carhire4airports. You can explore Huelva and the whole of Andalusia by taking advantage of our discount car hire deals and our cheap airport car hire in Jaen, Jerez, Huelva, Seville, Cadiz, Almeria, Cordoba and Malaga. We work with major car hire companies and local companies in Huelva and the rest of Spain including Avis, Hertz, Helle-Hollis, Autos Brea, Auriga Crown Car Hire, Holiday Car Hire, Automoviles Ancora, Atesa, Opodo, 121 Car Hire, Beja Rent a Car, One Way Car Hire, Spain Car Hire, Swing Rent A Car, Sol Car Hire, Bahia Rent A Car, Gold Car Rental and Euro Car, and we arrange cheap car hire in every Spanish town including Palma de Majorca, Arganda del Ray, Arrecife, Algeciras, Aguadulce, Andorra, Cala Blanca, Gandia, Gijon, Asturias, Elche, El Hierro Airport, Fuerteventura Airport, Ibiza Airport, La Coruña, La Manga, Linares, Lerida, Las Palmas, Logrono, Merida, Mijas, Murcia, Nerja, Oviedo, Playa del Ingles, Playa Blanca, Burgos, Pozuelo, Zaragoza, Toledo, Tarragona, Torrevieja, Sitges and Valladolid.

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10 best things to do in Majorca

2009-07-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

Majorca is one of Spain´s most popular tourist destinations and there are plenty of things to see and do. If you are planning to drive around this intriguing isle, book cheap car hire from Majorca Airport. You can hire a car in Majorca from just €100.00 per week.

1. Palma de Majorca Cathedral

Built between 1230 and 1601 (yes it took that long), the Cathedral in Palma Mallorca can be easily reached by discount hire car from the airport. Jaime I, the King of Aragon sailed into a storm on his way to recapture Mallorca in 1230 and vowed to the Virgin Mary to build a church in her honour if he was saved. Needless to say he did, even though, with a little help from his friends, it wasn´t finished until 1601. You can take a bus or taxi from Majorca Airport to Palma de Majorca, but the cheapest way to travel is to hire cheap car hire from the airport.

2. Dragon´s Caves Majorca Spain

South of Porto Cristo on the east coast of Mallorca, are the Dragon´s Caves, which can be easily reached by rental car from the airport. These amazing caves are home to stalactites and stalagmites and weird but wonderful limestone formations. Also see the incredible underground Lake Martel.

3. Enjoy the Mallorca beaches

The beauty of Mallorca is it can be navigated easily when you make the most of cheap car hire from the airport. Airport transport is available from Majorca Airport to your holiday destination but you can enjoy the comfort and independence discount car hire brings to your trip. The beaches are situated all around the coastline of Majorca and you should take your time to visit different areas of the island every day to top up the perfect suntan.

4. Shop at markets Majorca

Local markets in Majorca can be found in most of the towns, including Palma. Handicrafts are sold, along with leather goods, fruit, vegetables and a range of Mallorcan jewellery. Make the most of your cheap car rental and visit the craft markets and the main produce market in Palma city centre.

5. Spanish village Majorca

The Spanish village in Majorca shows the historic legacy of the island and the multi-culturism which makes Spain so different to other countries. Reproductions of famous buildings sit beside modern pavement cafés and bars, and this is a great attraction for all the family. If you want to hire an economy car in Majorca, you can pre-book a car rental for less than €110.00 per week.

6. Arabic Baths Palma Majorca Spain

If you are enjoying a driving holiday in Majorca, when you hire a discount car from the airport, make sure you visit the Arabic Baths, which were built in the 10th Century. You can book luxury car hire or even wedding car hire in Majorca at much cheaper prices than you would imagine. The Arabic Baths are one of the few remaining remnants of Moorish rule in Majorca and well worth a visit.

7. Walking mountains in Mallorca

If you make the most of low cost car hire from Mallorca Airport, travel to the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range in the north of the Island. This area is great for walking, hiking and cycling. Drive your hire car to Soller, and you will have a choice of trails to take. If you are fit enough, you could stay in one of the monasteries situated high up on the hillside and pick up your discount rental car the next day in Majorca.

8. Valldemossa Monastery Palma Mallorca

For country-lovers, visit the Valldemossa Monastery in Palma de Mallorca, the church next door and the museum. Surrounded by serene and tranquil countryside, this is the perfect place to relax. Chopin was said to have stayed here and you can visit the room he stayed in. Majorca can only be explored properly if you hire a car. You can go where you want when you want with discount car hire in Majorca, and avoid the tourist trails and the crowds if you want some peace and quiet.

9. Restaurants Majorca

Many of the island of Majorca´s top restaurants are situated in the Marina area, including Tristan Restaurant with a clutch of Michelin Stars. If you are looking for something more traditional, you can visit some of the great seafood restaurants around the island. The more touristy resorts have Brit bars, German restaurants and a wide range of cafés and international menus. Make the most of your time away, and explore the best places to eat and drink and hire a car from Majorca Airport.

10. Parc de la Mer Palma de Mallorca

Take your time to look around Palma and the outlying areas of Majorca to make the most of your visit. Drive to the Parc de la Mer with its cafés, murals, an art gallery and the magnificent Palma Cathedral close by. Pack a picnic in your hire car and enjoy a day at the park around the lake. Musical events and concerts also take place here during the warmer months of the year.

If you are visiting Majorca and are looking for cheap car hire, look no further than carhire4airports. We search over 450 car hire companies to find you the cheapest car hire in Majorca at the touch of a button. We work with car hire companies in Spain which specialise in cheap car hire and include Avis, Hertz, Autorent Alquiler de Vehiculos, Autos Romero Pravia, ,Bahia Rent A Ca, Economy Car Rental, Holiday Autos, Mauto Rent A Car, Holiday Car Hire, Gold Car Rentals, Opodo, 121 Car Hire, Auriga Crown Car Hire, Rhino Car Hire and Tenerife Car Hire, and we cover all major towns and cities for cheap car hire in Spain including Albacete, Seville, Benidorm, Benalmadena, Malaga, Almeria, Costa de la Luz, Figueres, Formentera, Derio, Gibraltar, Gran Canaria, Granada, Guadalajara, Jaen, Javea, L´Estartit, Lloret de Mar, Magalluf and Mahon. We specialise in cheap car hire in Spain and will not be beaten on price.

10 top things to do in Cadiz

2009-07-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

Cadiz is the most southern province in Andalusia, and is one of Europe´s oldest cities. Visitors to cadiz can enjoy travelling round the region when they book cheap car hire from Cadiz Airport. Cadiz was also Spain´s main shipping port for hundreds of years.

1. History in Cadiz Spain

If you want to explore the city´s rich history and culture, cheap car hire at Cadiz Airport is available when you pre-book your vehicle before travelling. You can fly into Jerez or Cadiz and airport car hire can be picked up close to the arrivals hall. Visit Cadiz Museum, which offers a rare collection of Roman artefacts and historic paintings by Spanish artists.

2. Beaches and car hire in Cadiz Spain

If you are planning to book airport car hire from Cadiz or Jerez, take your time to look around the area´s superb beaches. Playa de Victoria is the most popular, and stretches out over 2,500 metres. Cheap airport car hire is the best way to travel around Cadiz, and you will discover a wealth of restaurants and bars close to the many sandy beaches.

3. Holy Art in Cadiz Spain

You can take public transport from Cadiz or Jerez Airport, including buses or taxis, but the cheapest way to explore the churches and historical sites around the city is to book cheap car hire. Visit the Cadiz monuments by hire car, at your own pace, and enjoy the Oratorio de Santa Cruz Cadiz, which contains some of Goya´s most famous paintings.

4. Cadiz to Morocco by hire car

Travel from Cadiz to Algeciras and on to Morocco by discount hire car from the airport. You can take a ferry to Tangiers from Tarifa in one hour, or you can take the trip from Algeciras. Wherever you decide to travel from, take a trip to Gibraltar, which is only 30 minutes from Algeciras, and you can cross three different borders by hire car in a day. Tangiers is an exciting city with plenty of bars, restaurants and entertainment to keep you on your toes until late into the night.

5. Sierra de Grazalema Spain

If you are planning to drive around Cadiz, visit the stunning Sierra de Grazalema, situated north east of the city. The Sierra de Grazalema landscape can be easily navigated by hire car, and if you hire a car from Cadiz, Malaga or Seville Airport you will be able to take your time and travel around this beautiful area of Spain. Marvel at the deep gorges, the limestone cliffs and caves, and get away from the hustle and bustle of Cadiz city for a day or two. Cheap rental cars are available from every airport in Spain, including Seville, Madrid, Malaga and Barcelona if you pre-book them before you travel.

6. Information Vejer de la Frontera Cadiz Spain

No driving trip around Cadiz is complete without a visit to Vejer, Cadiz Spain. You can pre-book discount car rental from Cadiz Airport, and wind your way up to Vejer. Vejer de la Frontera is a typical Andalusian white village, and is hidden in the hills above the gorge of the River Barbate. Enjoy the squares and fountains situated in the village centre, and take your time to make the most of your discount car hire in Cadiz.

7. Tourist things to do Cadiz Spain

Once you arrive in Cadiz Spain by cheap hire car from the airport, you can make the most of the tourist trail which runs around the city centre. A pink line is painted on pavements which you can follow and leads you to places of interest in Cadiz such as the 19th century town hall, the cathedral, the decorated balconies and the Plaza de España. Hire a car in Cadiz city or from the airport and make the most of this fascinating region.

8. The Tavira Tower Cadiz Spain

The best way to travel from Cadiz Airport to your hotel or apartment is by car rental. Hire car in Cadiz and enjoy cheap travel in comfort. One of Cadiz´s major landmarks is the ancient tower of Tavira. The tower was originally part of the Palace of the Marquis of Recano and is 45 metres above sea level. The views from the Tavira Tower, Cadiz, Spain are stunning and the monument is easily reached by rental car from the airport.

9. Cadiz Cathedral Spain

Take a trip to Cadiz Cathedral which originally had a gold dome, and resembles a mosque. The building took over 100 years to construct and exhibits artefacts of gold and silver from the 16th century. Enjoy your stay in Cadiz and take your time to drive around and make the most of the area. Cheap car hire is available from Cadiz city and Cadiz Airport.

10. Cadiz Restaurants and Bars Spain

Cadiz is famous for its tapas bars and fine dining restaurants, and you can even join in the Ruta del Tapeo. Drive to Cadiz by hire car and enjoy the annual event which sees restaurants and bars compete for the most original tapa. If you are visiting at any other time of the year, take your time to sample dishes in different Cadiz restaurants.
If you are looking for cheap airport car rental in Cadiz or any other city in Spain, contact carhire4airports before you book anywhere else. We guarantee the cheapest car hire available in every city airport and town in Spain including Agaete, Aguadulce, Almeria, Almunecar, Bilbao, Seville, Burgos, Barcelona, Badajoz Airport, Cala Blanca, the Costa del Sol, Cala D´Or, Caceres, Calan Bosch, Calpe, Es Cana, Estepona, Gerona, Gijon, Gran Canaria, Ibiza Town, ,Ibiza Airport Jerez Airport, Los Gigantes, Marbella, Menorca, Majorca and Tenerife, plus Costa Dorada and Costa Tropical. We work with some of the major car hire companies including Hertz, Helle Hollis and Avis in Spain plus Auriga Crown Hire, Galaxi, Hispania, Holiday Car Hire, Opodo, 121 Car Hire, Gold Car Rental and Economy Car Rental. Check us out today – you won´t find cheaper car rentals or car hire anywhere.

10 great things to do in Tarragona Spain

2009-07-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

10 great things to do in Tarragona Spain

Now recognised as a world heritage site, Tarragona, Costa Dorada, Spain offers visitors to Spain some great things to see and do. Whether you want to explore historical monuments or relax on the beaches, Tarragona has it all. Here are just ten places to visit by hire car if you are travelling around Tarragona.

1. Tarragona Cathedral

Once you fly into Tarragona Reus Airport or Barcelona International Airport, pick up your cheap car hire, and take a trip to the city. The cathedral was built in the 12th century, and you can view an extensive collection of tapestries, gothic paintings and medieval sculptures inside. Pre-book cheap car hire before you fly to Tarragona and enjoy travelling round Spain in comfort.

2. Visit the Archaeological Museum Tarragona Spain

If you want to book cheap luxury car hire or discount economy car hire in Tarragona, look no further than carhire4airports. Visit the archaeological museum Tarragona for an insight into the city´s Roman history.

3. Walk with the Devil Tarragona Spain

If you are travelling around Spain by hire car or you are looking for cheap car rentals before you travel, pre-book your hire car at Tarragona Airport before you travel. Easily accessible by car is the Devil´s Bridge, situated just north of Tarragona and known locally as El Puente del Diablo. This is Roman construction at its best and the best way to explore the area is to hire a car from Tarragona or Barcelona Airport.

4. The Roman Amphitheatre Tarragona Spain

If you want to visit the Roman Amphitheatre at Tarragona Spain, take your time to tour around the area by cheap car rentals from the airport in Tarragona, Girona or Barcelona. Tarragona is a city not to be rushed. The impressive Roman Amphitheatre was once home to gladiators and lions and held 13,000 spectators. Well worth a visit.

5. Port Aventura Salou Costa Dorada Spain

With the luxury of a hire car at a cheap price, make the most of it and visit Port Aventura at Salou, Costa Dorada, Spain. Just a short drive from Tarragona, Park Aventura offers some fantastic rides, amusements and entertainment for all the family. You will also find shops, bars and restaurants inside the park and one of Europe´s fastest roller-coasters. Discount car hire and cheap rental cars are available through carhire4airports to make the most of your Tarragona trip.

6. Tarragona shopping Spain

Drive around the beautiful city centre of Tarragona by hire car, and you will find a wide range of shops, selling everything imaginable. Look out for the tiny boutiques in the Rambla Nova area where you will find designer clothes at a fraction of the normal price. Parc Central is a large shopping mall with good parking for your hire car or cheap car rental in Tarragona Spain.

7. Experience the seafood restaurants Tarragona

Tarragona is full of fabulous seafood restaurants, particularly around the fisherman´s area of El Serrallo. If you take advantage of cheap car hire from Tarragona, Barcelona or Girona Airport you can enjoy exploring the city´s many fine restaurants at your own leisure. Tarragona has a wealth of fantastic tapas bars and fish restaurants to suit every budget.

8. Nightlife Tarragona Spain

The nightlife in Tarragona Spain, is among the best on the Costa Dorada. Take your time to explore Tarragona Port where all the action is. This area comes to life after dark and you will find a wide range of clubs, music bars and discos open until dawn.

9. Relax on the Tarragona beaches Spain

Don´t be content with just the one beach, hire a car from Tarragona or Barcelona Airport and take advantage of your cheap car hire by visiting the fabulous beaches along Tarragona´s shores. Holiday hotspots include Arabassada Beach, or the much quieter, Llenguadets Beach.

10. Ebro Delta Tarragona Spain

If you prefer to seek out the countryside, instead of heading for the beach, visit the Ebro Delta in Tarragona Spain. Spanning 32,000 hectares, the delta has sand dunes, salt marshes and paddy fields, and is home to flocks of flamingos. Explore the area and hire a cheap car from Tarragona Reus Airport.

Carhire4airports offers you the cheapest discount car hire in and around Tarragona.

Carhire4airports works with Hertz, Avis, Helle Hollis, 121 Car Hire, Euro Car, Europcar, Rhino Car Hire, Niza Cars, Benja Rent A Car and Prestige Car Hire in Cordoba, Malaga, Granada, Huelva,Malaga , Tenerife , Albacete , Badajoz , Cartagena , Elche , Guadalajara , Javea , Tarragona , Vinaroz , Murcia , Toledo , Alcala De Henares , Badalona , Castellon , EsteponaHuelva Palma de Mallorca , L 'Estartit , Las Rozas , Lorca Majadahonda , Menorca , Mijas , Orense Barcelona, Alicante, Costa Dorada, Girona, Tarragona, Conil, Cartagena, and every town and city in Spain. For unbeatable cheap car hire in Spain contact us today.

10 things to do around Granada

2009-07-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

If you are planning a driving holiday around Spain and are yet to book your car hire, look no further than carhire4airports for the cheapest car hire deals in Granada. Steeped in history, the city of Granada offers visitors some of the most incredible places to visit by hire car.

1. Albayzin and Sacromontes Granada

Albayzin and Sacromontes Granada are made up of narrow streets, which offer an amazing view of the Alhambra and surrounding landscape. Best viewpoints for the Alhambra Palace are Placeta Carvajales and Vereda del Medio at Sacromonte. You can reach most areas of Granada when you hire a car from the airport. Car rentals and discount car hire is available from Granada and Malaga Airport.

2. Archeological Museum Granada

No visit to Granada is complete without a trip round the Archeological Museum, Granada. This superb museum contains a collection of high quality artwork and artefacts, collected over many centuries. If you are thinking of getting married in Granada, you can even arrange wedding car hire before you visit.

3. Fabulous flamenco Granada

Take your time to explore the city in your hire car or discount rental car, and find the best flamenco bars in Granada. Go where the locals go, and you won´t be disappointed. Many of Spain´s top flamenco singers and dancers originate from Granada.

4. Nightlife Granada

If you are touring around Granada, take your time to find the best places to go at night. You will be spoilt for choice with music bars, discos and nightclubs around the Sacromonte area, and many of the clubs stay open until the early hours of the next day. Cheap car rentals and discount car hire makes Granada and region accessible to day trippers and weekenders from the Costa del Sol and beyond.

5. Eat Granada and cheap car hire

The tapas you will be served in Granada are among the best in Spain. Particularly good is the seafood, the Spanish omelettes, the potato croquettes and the locally-made gazpacho. For a true tapas tour of the region, jump in your hire car and discover some of the best tapas joints in town.
6. Coffee al Rio Darro Granada

Enjoy a coffee by the banks of the Darro River. Once you have picked up your discount car rental from Granada Airport or Malaga Airport, you can enjoy your holiday without having to worry about taxis or public transport.

7. Visit the home of the famous author Federico Garcia Lorca in Granada

Go to the nearest tourist information office to find information about places to visit in and around Granada, including the home of Federico Garcia Lorca. Save money on excursions by driving yourself by hire car in Granada.

8. A day trip to Las Alpujarras Granada

If you want to experience true Andalusian countryside, there is no better place to visit than Las Alpujarras. You can drive around the beautiful landscapes, or hike across open countryside and explore the hidden villages en route. You can hire a car at Granada Airport and be in Las Alpujarras within 30 minutes.

9. Walk to the Alhambra Palace Granada

If you intend walking to the Alhambra Palace, and leaving your hire car at your hotel or apartment in Granada, walk along the Cuesta de los Chinos, and cross the bridge at the end of the Paseo de los Tristes. Walk this walk and avoid the tourists en route to the Alhambra.

10. Cave visits at Sacromonte

You can visit the caves at Sacromonte by day or by night. Enjoy the amazing set up at La Canastera and Los Faroles, and relax to the live jazz and classical music. This is Granada at its best, and if you are touring around, remember to check out carhire4airports for the cheapest car hire deals available in Granada.

Spain has many fantastic scenic routes you can drive to we have depots and pick locations at all the places below Las Palmas , Santiago , Agaete , Arenal Den Castell ,Cala Ratjada , El Ferrol , Gran Canaria , Ibiz , Islantilla , Sotogrande , Viladecans , Madrid , Aguadulce , Arrecife , Calan Bosch , El Saler , Jaen , Spain , Vilamoura , Mahón , Menorca , Mahón Menorca , Aguilas , Aviles , Caleta De Fust , Elche , Granollers , best priced deals , special offers can be booked from the uk online

For a driving holiday around Spain or simply cheap car hire in Granada, carhire4airports works with car hire companies including Hertz, Europcar, Auriga Crown Car Hire, Niza Cars, Economy Car, Crown Car Hire, Gold Car Rental, Holiday Autos and Avis. You can pre-book discount car hire at Granada, Almunecar, Capilera, Carchuna, Calahonda, Guadix, Huescar,La Gomera , San Sebastian , Zaragoza , Almunecar , Cala D Or , Costa Calma Playa Pajara , Gibraltar , Cala LenaTalamanca , Isla Canela , Son Park , La Palma , Santander , Adeje , AndorraCala Galdana , Costa Teguise , Gran Canaria , IbizaLanjaron, Montefrio, Santa Fe or Sierra Nevada with carhire4airports.

Top 10 Attractions in Spain

2009-07-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

Great familey days out in Spain

Spain is a diverse and beautiful country with green landscapes in the north and stunning beaches in the south. Offering many attractions for visitors, particularly those who are travelling round by hire car, here are ten of the top places to see in Spain:

1. Museums by hire car Madrid

If you hire a car from Madrid Barajas Airport you can travel to The Prado Museum in the city centre. The Prado is one of the world´s finest art museums, and boasts over 4,000 masterpieces. You will find exhibits by Goya, Caravaggio, Fra Angelico, Botticelli and Hieronymus Bosch. Airport car rentals at Madrid can be easily picked up close to the arrivals hall.

2. Take a hire car to La Alhambra Granada

Car hire and car rentals can be pre-booked and easily picked up at Malaga Airport or Granada Airport for visitors who want to see La Alhambra in Granada. The palace is a fortified palace, built during the days of the Moors, and if you want to drive around the area, hire a car from the airport and explore the nearby Alpujarras, made famous by Chris Stewart´s book, “Driving over Lemons”.

3. Sagrada Familia Barcelona

Car rentals in Barcelona can be booked before you travel, and you can still find cheap airport car hire. Car hire deals and offers are advertised at Barcelona International Airport all year round. The Sagrada Familia is Gaudi´s unfinished cathedral in Barcelona. Gaudi worked on the cathedral until his death in 1926, and the building was never completed by him. Work began again in 1979 to complete it in the style of Gaudi. Cheap car rentals at Barcelona Airport are available now if you pre-book before flying.

4. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

If you want to travel around the north of Spain and the Basque Country, the most economical way to do it is to check out the car hire deals at carhire4airports. We will find you the cheapest car hire available at Bilbao Airport. You can pick up your airport car hire when you arrive and go check out the amazing sights around Bilbao. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a must-see attraction.

5. Cordoba and the Mezquita

The city of Cordoba, in Andalusia, was founded by the Romans and features a variety of monuments including the Cathedral and the Jewish Synagogue. Check out the medieval quarter of La Juderia and explore the area by booking cheap car hire at Cordoba Airport.

6. Running of the Bulls at Pamplona

If you are fit and fearsome, stop your hire car at Pamplona during July. The running of the bulls is an annual event which leaves scores of runners injured, or even dead. But worry not, if watching is more your thing, enjoy a week of none-stop fun and frolics at Pamplona´s annual San Juan Festival. Include Pamplona , Valladolid , Alcudia , Burgos , Conil , Fuenlabrada , San Miguel , Inca , Sitges , Valladolid on your tour of Spain, and book luxury car hire or cheap car rentals from the airport.

7. Las Ramblas Barcelona

The world famous Las Ramblas, Barcelona is the city´s main street which brings a certain amount of kudos to people-watching. This pedestrianised area of the city is home to pavement cafés, bars, restaurants and several street entertainers. If you are touring around Barcelona, discount car hire is available if you pre-book it from the airport.

8. Salvador Dali at Figueres

If you are exploring the Costa Brava, Girona or Barcelona by hire car, take a trip to Figueres to see the amazing art of Salvador Dali. Figueres is just 40km from Girona, so if you are touring around Catalonia, the Salvador Dali Museum and Mausoleum is well worth a visit.

9. Ronda

A trip up to this typically-Andalusian town by hire car from the Costa del Sol will take you a little over an hour. Ronda was built overlooking a deep gorge, which offers amazing views over the countryside. You will also find the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain in Ronda and the Roman Baths. Cheap car hire and car rentals can be pre-booked and picked up from Malaga Airport, Marbella, Fuengirola, Alcobendas, Benavente , Ciudad Real , Formentera , Playaes Figueral , San Antonio , Seville , Valencia , Jerez , Reina Sofia , La Coruna , Reus , Vitoria , Algeciras , CalaBlanca , Cornell , CalaLena , Sant , Benalmadena or any town on the Costa del Sol and you will be within easy reach of Ronda.

10. Spanish cuisine at its best

Wherever you travel in Spain, from north to south, east to west, you will find some wonderful places to stop and eat. Try the national dish of paella, with meat or seafood, the wonderful choice of delicious tapas, or the fresh fried fish and seafood in the south. You won´t be disappointed.

You can pre-book and arrange car hire in Spain through carhire4airports, and we work with over 450 car hire companies including Hertz, Helle Hollis, Avis, Gold Cars, Auriga Crown Car Hire, Europcar, Holiday Autos, National Car Hire, Holiday Car Hire, Niza Cars and Tenerife Car Hire. Arrange your cheap car hire and discount car rentals to be picked up at Cordoba Airport, Madrid Airport, Barcelona Airport, Marbella , Menorca , Majorca , Estepona, Girona or anywhere you will be travelling to in Spain.

Car Hire Struggles at Malaga

2009-07-27T00:52:00.000-07:00

Car hire companies in Malaga are struggling to keep their heads above water. Prices have been increased up to 30% as banks refuse to offer more finance for new vehicles ...

Cheap Car hire struggle at Malaga

The Sur in English newspaper, reported this week:The hire car market is currently facing up to a difficult paradox. Demand for hired vehicles is at present much higher than supply, yet companies cannot increase their fleets due to a lack of credit offered by banks during the economic crisis. Companies are turning to loans direct from car manufacturers and outside the banking sector, yet new car purchases have still dropped by 90%. Car hire prices have soared at Malaga Airport, trebling to €90-€100 per day.

This trend looks set to continue into September. Customers are urged to book now if they want a car for August. Certain companies are booked up throughout summer already, especially where smaller, cheaper cars are concerned, and have even resorted to hiring out employees´ own vehicles, in order not to lose trade.The greatest shortfalls lie with large tour operators. Holidaymakers are advised to try small and medium-sized firms instead.Cheap car hire at Malaga Airport and elsewhere in Spain is still available through carhire4airports. Let us check out 450 car hire companies, including cheaper local firms to find you unbeatable car hire prices and discounts.

Flybe Gatwick Airport News

2009-07-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

Gatwick airport London flybe flight

50 passengers escape plane in smoke scare

PASSENGERS were evacuated from an aircraft en route to Glasgow yesterday after the cabin started filling with smoke and it was diverted to make a "priority landing" at Gatwick Airport.
All 46 passengers and four crew on the Flybe flight from Paris to Cardiff, which had been due to continue to Scotland, disembarked safely.

Shayne Krige, who was among those on board, said smoke gathered near the roof of the cabin for 20 minutes before the Dash 8 aircraft landed.

The incident at about 12:30pm closed the runway of gatwicks london Britain's second-busiest airport for half an hour, forcing many other flights to be diverted or delayed.

Rover and out - Pet travel insurance

2009-07-24T05:35:00.000-07:00

If you have previously missed your furry companion on holiday, worry not! Dogs and cats no longer have to miss out on the family holiday. Pet friendly hotels and guest houses are on the increase, and your cat or dog will be welcome at the breakfast table ......

Take your pet on holiday

Pets no longer have to be left at kennels or with family friends when you go on holiday. If you have previously missed your furry companion, then worry no more.

From pet-friendly hotels to doggie hiking trails, families now have more pet holiday choices than ever before. Choose your pet-friendly hotel carefully, and always book before arriving to make sure they have the suitable rooms you require. No longer will you have to look at the doleful expression of your beloved fluffy pet when you drop him off at the kennels.

Pet-friendly hotels have designated outdoor areas where dogs are allowed to exercise and do their business, providing supplies for owners to clean up after their pooch.

Some hotels and resorts even offer extensive facilities and information for your pets (although you may have to read the information yourself if your pet can´t read). You may be given a guide to the local parks, vets, pet shops and even the best places to dog-walk. Some hotels provide special water and food bowls in the rooms, and welcome gifts for the pets when they arrive. Car hire for pets is something which could be considered if they could learn to drive, but failing that, if you are looking for cheap airport car hire in Europe, carhire4airports can pre-book your car to be picked up at the airport of your choice.

If you want to give your pet some real VIP treatment when he arrives at his holiday hotel with you, some pet-friendly hotels even offer a pet room service menu (although I´m not sure if the pets are allowed to use the telephone themselves because of the slobber factor).
Before travelling, pets should be healthy, wealthy and wise. Ok well, healthy, micro-chipped and have up-to-date vaccinations, and a pet passport. Check with your local vet before you book your travel dates to make sure your pet will be able to go with you, and what the regulations are in your part of the world.

If you are thinking of travelling abroad with your pet, speak to the vet 6 months in advance to make sure you have enough time to obtain the necessary paperwork and that your pet has time to receive the proper injections.

Pet Insurance is highly recommended if you are travelling on holiday with your pets. Unexpected illnesses and accidents can happen, or they may suffer from sunburn (honestly – this happened to my friend´s dog).

Before you depart, check any restrictions on particular breeds in the country you are visiting. Also check your airline has approved pet kennels. Only dogs and cats can travel by air, but don´t be tempted to stuff your hamster in your hand luggage. Rabies is a real world threat and should be taken seriously. Some airlines will allow smaller breeds of dog to travel in the passenger cabin but check first.

Pets must be pre-registered before you travel by air to ensure there is space in the aircraft compartments. It is advisable to clean the dog´s ears after the aircraft lands, as pressure changes in the aircraft can cause ear problems.

No longer does will your furry friends look daggers at you every time you bring the suitcase out of the loft (like mine does). Your annual holiday can now be a real family occasion and include your cats dogs, guinea pigs and mice (not sure about iguanas but that´s another story).

Stunning Granada and the Alhambra Palace

2009-07-24T05:20:00.000-07:00

One of the most stunning architectural sites in Europe is the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. One of the provinces of Andalusia, Granada combines modern, efficient services and amenities with typically old Andalusian architecture and monuments. The Alhambra Palace is a fortress complex, built by the Moorish rulers of Granada in the mid 14th Century. Once the residence of Muslim rulers, the Alhambra is one of Spain´s major tourist attractions and exhibits some of the country´s most famous Islamic architecture. If you are looking to travel around Andalusia or just spend a few days in Granada, you can pre-book and hire car from Granada Airport, Seville Airport or Malaga Airport through carhire4airports. You can hire a Volkswagen Golf from Granada Airport, when pre-booked with us, from just €130.00 per week.

Granada weather and things to do

Granada is known for its hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures can reach over 40 degrees centigrade in the summer and below freezing in the winter. It is common to see snow on the mountains in Granada during winter, and the nearby Sierra Blanca Mountain Range attracts thousands of winter sports fanatics from November to March. Granada is also known as the home of the original Spanish tapas, and you still receive a free tapa with a drink in most Granada bars. Access from the city of Granada to the Alhambra Park is available by the Puerta de las Granadas, which is a stunning archway, built in the 15th century. You can explore more of Granada if you hire a car from Granada Airport. Smart Car hire from Granada Airport is available from just €95.00 per week, and you can book with Hertz, Helle Hollis, 121 Car Hire, E bookers or Opodo, through carhire4airports. Wherever the cheapest car hire deals are – we will find them for you within minutes.

Granada towns and cheap car hire

If you are looking for cheap discount car hire at Granada Airport or in any districts of Granada such as Guadix, Alquife, Benalua, Benalua de las Villas, Colomera, Gor, Guadalhortuna, Iznalloz, Jerez del Marquesado, Lanteira, Montillana or Montejicar, look no further than carhire4airports. You can hire a Ford Fiesta at Granada Airport from just €95.00 per week and a Peugeot 207 or Renault Clio from just €100.00 per week. If you want to explore Granada and Andalusia, there is no better way to do it than to pre-book and arrange your car rentals before you travel. We will save you time and money and guarantee a cheap car hire deal that you will not find elsewhere in Spain.

Almeria Andalusia and car hire

2009-07-24T05:15:00.000-07:00

Almeria is a province of Andalusia and lies on a barren, dry landscape, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Almeria Port forms part of the city, and the cathedral in the centre of town attracts tourists from all over Spain. Steeped in history, Almeria is situated in the east of Andalucia, and boasts some of the region´s most stunning architecture. The city of Almeria gets its name from the word ´Al-Mariyat´ which is Arabic for ´the mirror´. The Moorish castle named Alcazaba is the second largest Muslim fortress in Andalusia, after the Alhambra Palace in Granada, and the Moors ruled Almeria until 1489. You can arrange cheap reliable car hire at Almeria Airport through carhire4airports. We will search over 450 car hire companies to find you the cheapest car hire deals available at Almeria Airport. You can hire a Peugeot 206 at Almeria Airport from just €90.00 per week and a Ford Focus from just €110.00 per week.

History of Almeria

At least four earthquakes shook Almeria in the 16th Century. The largest earthquake destroyed the city in 1522, and the Muslims who remained in the region were expelled from Almeria to other parts of Spain. During the 18th century, enormous iron mines were discovered and hundreds of British and French people settled in the area. During the Spanish Civil War, Almeria and Malaga were the last cities to surrender to Franco´s forces, and only after Franco´s death was the area granted the status of an autonomous region. Almeria has since evolved into a cosmopolitan city, attracting tourists from all over Europe. Many have settled in Almeria from the UK, Germany and Scandinavia, and cheap car hire at Almeria Airport enables visitors to explore the area at their own pace. Carhire4airports can pre-book cheap car hire at Almeria Airport as we are able to get cheaper deals than all other car hire websites. We are powered by two of the biggest car hire comparison sites on the internet, and we use major car hire companies at Almeria Airport including Hertz, 121 Car Hire, Avis, Argus, Opodo and Helle-Hollis.

Almeria information and car rentals

Towards the later part of the 20th century, Almeria saw massive economic growth with tourism, and also the advent of intensive farming and the growing of fruit and vegetables to sell all over Europe. Agriculture is still the biggest source of income for Almeria, and most of the fruit and vegetable crops are situate in the west of the region. Visitors will see field after field of plastic greenhouses which produce tons of fruit and vegetables each year. Over 70% of the food grown is exported, and the UK is one of the biggest importers of fruit and vegetables from Spain. Almeria also became famous in the 1960s for providing locations for several ´spaghetti westerns´. The area´s dry and dusty landscapes proved ideal for filming, and such hits at ´A fistful of dollars and The good, the bad and the ugly´ owe a lot of their success to Almeria. ´Lawrence of Arabia´ was also shot in Almeria in 1962. The best way to get around Almeria is by hire car. You can hire a car at Almeria Airport from just €90.00 per week Carhire4airports will get you the cheapest car hire deals available at Almeria Airport.

Ryanair passengers willing to stand up ?

2009-07-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Ryanair have today announced that the majority of passengers would be willing to stand on short flights, according to a poll. Most passengers said they would be prepared to stand in return for free travel, and nearly half would do so for half price travel !

Ryanair Holdings have just announced that two thirds of the 120,000 passengers polled on its website would be willing to stand up during flights if they could fly for free. At half price, 42% would be willing to stand.

A choice of standing on Ryanair flights

Also, 60% of passengers thought there should be a choice of standing on short flights, as there is on trains, buses and on the underground.Speaking for Ryanair, Stephen McNamara, said the airline is looking to replace traditional seats with vertical ones, which on a typical flight would allow between 50 and 60 additional passengers.

Ryanair would first need approval from its aircraft supplier, Boeing, as well as U.S and European Union authorities.Standing could improve Ryanair safety

Mcnamara said the airline envisages having passengers supported and restrained, and not just holding on to a rail, so they could handle turbulence or an emergency landing safely. He also commented that it could even improve the safety of the passengers. He says: “We feel any escape would be quickened, there wouldn´t be clambering over large seats.”

No imminent action by Ryanair

Ryanair is not expecting imminent action, and Mcnamara estimated it could take as long as three years before they could pilot the programme, and another 6 months from then to actually launch it.

Ryanair charging for toilet use

No stranger to controversy, Ryanair has decided to float its idea about charging for toilet use and Mcnamara said the plan is still under consideration. The idea to charge for toilet use would be linked with the removal of two toilets on shorter flights to allow for another two rows of seats. A third toilet would be kept and the airline would charge €1 per use. CEO Michael O´Leary estimates the move could save Ryanair as much as 4% in costs, but other Ryanair management members were yet to be convinced on the plan.

If you are thinking of flying to Europe this summer with Ryanair, Easyjet, Flybe, British Airways, BMIbaby, or any other European airline, pre-book car hire at the airport to save time and money. Carhire4airports is the number one car hire website for cheap discount airport car hire in Europe. We will search over 450 car hire websites at the touch of a button to find you the cheapest car hire deals available anywhere. Carhire4airports is car hire made easy!

Great places to drive on the Costa del Sol

2009-07-15T03:46:00.000-07:00

There are some great places to drive on the Costa del Sol, and you can hire cheap car rentals from Malaga Airport or Granada Airport. Petrol prices are far cheaper than those in the UK, and you can actually save money by using a hire car, instead of public transport.

Malaga cheap car rental only €60.per week.... click here

You can hire a car from Malaga Airport and drive round some of the most beautiful parts of the Costa del Sol, Spain, including inland areas such as Alameda, Alcaucin, Alfarnate, Fuente de Piedra, Gaucin and Genalguacil. Malaga offers a diverse range of facilities and amenities to visitors. In addition to its beautiful cathedral, stunning architecture and a buzzing city vibe that is unique to the south of Spain, Malaga attracts thousands of visitors every year. Enjoy the vibrant pavement cafés around Calle Larios, and the magnificent beaches that stretch for miles. You can explore Malaga and its´ inland areas by hiring a cheap car rental and exploring at your own pace. You could even take a trip round the white villages of Andalusia which are perched high above Malaga, and within easy reach by car.

Alhaurin el Grande driving holiday

Alhaurin el Grande is a great place to visit if you are planning a driving holiday in the south of Spain. Perched high above Malaga, this typically Andalusian town is just 30km from the capital, and offers visitors a wealth of things to do and see. You can drive easily from Malaga Airport to Alhaurin El Grande, and even start your white town tour from here. You will find plenty of cheap places to eat, drink and shop in Alhaurin el Grande, plus car rentals at very reasonable prices. You can take a train from Malaga to most of the area´s outlying villages, but the most economical way to look around is to hire a car from Alhaurin el Grande or from Malaga Airport. If you want to discover the real beauty of Andalusia, visit Alfarnatejo, Algarrobo, Algatocin, Alhaurin de la Torre or Sayalonga on your travels. The rugged countryside of inland Andalusia is in stark contrast with the coastal resorts such as Marbella, Fuengirola and Benalmadena, which can also be reached easily by hire car from Alhaurin el Grande.

Explore Andalusia by car from Estepona

Estepona is a town situated on the western end of the Costa del Sol, with a population of approximately 60.000. There is no better place to start exploring the Costa del Sol than Estepona, and car hire in the town is cheap and reliable. You can hire a car in Estepona, Malaga, Casares, Manilva, Almácher, Almargen, Cómpeta, Benalauria, or Frigiliana to explore the whole of the Costa del Sol in comfort. Estepona retains much of its Andalusian charm, while offering visitors superb sandy beaches, fabulous restaurants and bars situated in Estepona Port, and some of the hottest nightlife on the coast. If you hire a car in Estepona, or from Malaga Airport, you can drive to Gibraltar in under 30 minutes.

Discover Antequera by hire car

Situated just under an hour inland from Malaga Airport, the best and cheapest way to explore the city of Antequera is by hire car. One of the most authentic of Andalusian cities, Antequera offers stunning architecture, and is perched on the top of a valley between Cordoba, Malaga, Seville and Granada. Visitor attractions include the incredible limestone rock formations at El Torcal and the amazing Fuente de La Piedra, which is one of the last nesting places in Europe for the greater flamingo. The bullring at Antequera dates back to 1848, and was rebuilt at the beginning in 1984. You can avoid airport parking and airport hotels by hiring a car from Malaga Airport or Antequera and take your time to marvel at this beautiful city. If you plan to drive around inland Andalusia, take a trip in your hire car to Álora, Alozaina, Almogia, Colmenar, Carratraca, Jubrique and Cuevas de San Marcos. You will not be disappointed with inland Andalusia and although an airport service is available, rent a car from the airport to enjoy your driving holiday in Spain to the full.

Driving to Benahavis and exploring the Costa del Sol

If you intend to explore Benahavis and the Costa del Sol by car, the best way is to hire a car from the airport. Car hire in Malaga is more than reasonable, and cheap car hire is available from the airport or directly from Benahavis. The quaint Andalusian village of Benahavis is situated between Marbella, Estepona and Ronda, and boasts 9 golf courses. Located just 7km from the coast, Benahavis is also famous for its fabulous restaurants, offering everything from international and Spanish cuisine to sushi and Thai dishes. If you are travelling to Benahavis by cheap hire car, you will be within easy driving distance of Árchez, Benadalid, Igualeja, Istán and Iznate. Malaga Airport and Gibraltar Airport offer cheap car hire options or you can hire a car directly in Benahavis. Enjoying countryside, natural streams and some of the Costa del Sol´s finest restaurants, Benahavis continues to attract tourists from all over Spain.

Drive holiday Costa del Sol Benalmadena

Whether you pick up your hire car from Malaga or Benalmadena, you will not have far to go to enjoy the Costa del Sol´s holiday hotspots. Explore the magic of Spain´s Costa del Sol and rent a car to save you time and money. Benalmadena is situated just 12km from the city of Malaga, and offers visitors a wide choice of beaches, bars, restaurants and cafés, and some amazing nightlife at Benalmadena Marina. Don´t bother to book an airport taxi from Malaga, but pre-book car hire to make the most of your visit to Spain´s famous ´Sun Coast´. If you are planning to drive around Malaga and the Costa del Sol, many of Andalusia´s quaint local villages are within easy reach, including Casabermeja, Cártama, Guaro, Humilladero, Cútar and Cuevas del Becerro, where you can also pick up cheap car hire deals. Perched on the hillside about Benalmadena-Costa, Benalmadena Pueblo can also be easily reached from the coast road, and you can hire car rentals from the village itself. The town is typically Andalusian, with whitewashed houses, courtyards and church squares.

Family fun and car hire in Fuengirola

Fuengirola is one of the Costa del Sol´s most famous resort towns. Once a fishing village, this vibrant town is situated just 16km from Malaga, and boasts some 8km of sandy beaches. With one of the largest promenades in Europe, Fuengirola can easily be reached by hire car. If you want to explore the villages and towns around Fuengirola, hire a car from the town itself or from Malaga Airport. Nearby places to visit by cheap hire car include Faraján, Alpandeire, Jimera de Libar, Júzcar, Macharaviaya and Moclinejo. From the Sohail Castle just west of Fuengirola, to the all night music bars and night clubs in the centre of town, this is a seaside resort with everything to offer. With so many villages and towns closeby, Fuengirola car hire is the best way to explore the region. The average year-round temperature in Fuengirola is 18°C and the Costa del Sol enjoys 320 days of sunshine a year.

Driving holidays Marbella and Andalusia

Marbella is the party capital of the Costa del Sol. Situated next to the famous Puerto Banus, this glitzy resort offers visitors some of the best nightlife and day life on the Costa del Sol. If you are driving a hire car round Marbella and the Costa del Sol, inland areas can be easily reached from this swish seaside resort, including Moclinejo, Archidona, Ardales, famous for its lakes, Arenas, Pizarra, Mollina, Monda, Arriate and Atajate. Take a tour round the beautiful inland villages situated just an hour or less from Marbella, and hire a car rental in the town to make the most of your stay. You can take airport taxis or airport buses or trains from Malaga, but the best way to explore Andalusia is to hire a car in Marbella. Once known as the home of the rich and famous, Puerto Banus is just 3km from Marbella, and offers visitors a wealth of great things to do. If you don´t want to miss out, hire a car and take your time to explore the beautiful area of Marbella and Puerto Banus.

Car hire and the Mijas mountains

If you are not in a hurry, and you are planning a driving holiday around the Costa del Sol, you must visit Mijas-Pueblo. This intriguing village, perched on the hillside above Fuengirola, is one of the jewels in the crown of the Costa del Sol. Cheap car hire in Mijas is available, and you can explore the nearby villages of Benamargosa, El Borge, Campillos, Casarabonela, Coin, Comares and Teba in comfort. The whitewashed village of Mijas is situated 450m above sea level, and offers sports fans 7 golf courses nearby, plus a host of shops, bars and restaurants. Famous for its donkeys, Mijas is typically Andalusian, and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside on the Costa del Sol, plus the impressive Mijas Mountains. If you want to stay in Mijas and hire a car from the village, car rentals are very reasonably-priced, and the coast is just 6km away. Offering the best of both worlds, Mijas is a great starting point for a driving tour of inland Andalusia and the Costa del Sol.

Car rentals in Rincón de la Victoria

A province in Malaga, Rincón de la Victoria lies on the coast, just 10km to the east of Malaga. Situated in the southwest of the Axarquia region, the town has a population of 18,000 which increases to over 40,000 in the height of summer. Formerly a fishing village and with beaches stretching 9km, Rincón de la Victoria has seen a big increase in tourism because of its proximity to Malaga city and the airport. Cheap car hire in Rincón de la Victoria can be pre-booked and picked up at your destination of choice. You can rent a car to explore the region around Rincón de la Victoria, including the beautiful villages and towns of Montejaque, Benamocarra, Benaoján, Nerja, Parauta, Periana, Pujerra, Riogordo, Villanueva del Trabuco and Salares.

Hire a car and discover the beauty of Ronda

The best way to discover the beauty of Ronda is to hire a car in Ronda or at the airport. Ronda is a must-see town if you are planning to visit Andalusia´s white villages or simply to see one of the most stunning towns in Spain. History, culture and fine restaurants are a trademark of Ronda, and you can pick up cheap car hire in the town if you are planning a touring holiday around Andalusia. The El Tajo Gorge splits Ronda in two, and the bullring is said to be the oldest in Spain. The Ronda region was once home to bandits who would rob the carriages and coaches making the long journey up from the coast, and remnants from the past can still be seen in Ronda´s Museo de Bandaleros, and within the walls of the bullring. Car rental and car hire in Ronda is cheap and reliable, and this would be the perfect starting point if you want to travel on to villages including Ojen, El Burgo, Benarrabá, Zahara, Sedella, Sierra de Yeguas, Torrox, Yunquera or Vinuela.

Driving Costa del Sol and Torremolinos

If you are planning a driving holiday on the Costa del Sol this year, don´t miss out Torremolinos. Whether it´s gay nightlife you are after, some fabulous beaches or simply a damn good time, you can´t go far wrong in Torremolinos. Situated just 5km from Malaga Airport, cheap Torremolinos car hire options are wide and varied. You can pick up a car rental on most street corners in Torremolinos, and a host of local amenities include: The Crocodile Park, The Magic Centre, The Andalusian Horse Show, Aquapark and some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol. Explore the area with car rental from Torremolinos. Cheap car hire is also available from the inland villages of Tolox, Totalán, Valle de Abdalajis, Villanueva de Algaidas, Canillas de Aceituno, Canillas de Albaida, Cañete la Real, and Cortes de la Frontera. Visit Torremolinos on your driving tour of the coast, and you won´t be disappointed.

Velez-Malaga car rentals and car hire

Driving around Spain´s famous Costa del Sol has never been so easy or so cheap. You can hire a car from Velez-Malaga and explore the inland villages of Andalusia. Car rentals and car hire is also available from Cartajima, Cuevas Bajas, Villanueva de Tapia, Villanueva del Rosario and Campillos. Known locally as Velez, the town is 1km inland from Torre del Mar, and 26km east of Malaga Airport. You can hire a car at Malaga Airport or in Velez-Malaga and explore the beautiful scenic areas of the Axarquia. With a population of approximately 55,000, Velez-Malaga is not overdeveloped and is one of the best places in Malaga to explore by hire car.
Driving holidays in Andalusia are fun, and offer visitors a wide range of cheap car hire options. Take your time to look around at what´s on offer, pre-book your car hire and pick it up from any destination in Andalusia. Enjoy your driving holiday on the Costa del Sol, safe in the knowledge that your cheap car hire has been arranged prior to travel.

Cheap car hire only €60 per week from many destinations in Spain ...click here

Welcome to the car hire blog

2009-07-12T04:43:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the car hire blog