Driving a rental car in the USA for the first time can be pretty daunting and even downright scary as you leave the airport on the wrong side of the road with each and every road looking like the M25 on a busy day. Here I can give you a few pointers from aspects that we struggled with the first time we arrived over 20 years ago. Continue reading
For a family with large teenagers, or party of 5 adults, the Full size category of cars is probably the smallest category that you would want to consider. Luggage room is reasonable, but not necessarily generous so if everyone is planning on taking a suitcase then Premium or even Luxury will be more appropriate! In April 2013 we visited Orlando International Airport to have a look at the Alamo fleet in the B-side garage. The fleet is the same for both the A and B terminal of course, but makes and models vary through the day as cars are returned, cleaned and hired again. As before, we noted the makes and models available whilst we were there, and took a photo to illustrate the available boot space. Continue reading
Compact cars are one size up from the smallest category – the economy car. The compact category can seat 5, although it would be a bit of a squeeze if you were intending to do much touring around. Whilst in Florida in April 2013 we went to see the Alamo fleet at Orlando International Airport to see what makes and models are included within this category and to take a snapshot or two of the boot space, which we hope will help you visualise the room available for your luggage.
Driving a rental car from Miami to Orlando or vice versa, can be an essential part of your vacation if flights dictate it. If you are not in a rush, then you may want to seek an alternative, and more pleasurable break point to one of the various service plazas along the Turnpike. We landed at Miami International Airport, and collected our hire car from the airport the following morning, spending another day in Miami before heading up to Orlando for the rest of our vacation. Continue reading
Just twenty minutes from the Kissimmee area in Central Florida lies the West Orange Bike Trail, ideal for a half-day excursion into beautiful Florida, away from the theme parks and tourist bustle.
The West Orange Trail is currently over 20 miles long, but a much shorter ride can be had with the reward of lunch in the picturesque, historic town of Winter Garden. Continue reading
The manatee, or sea cow, was chosen as the state marine mammal of Florida by the 1975 legislature. Although the Flamingo, and its tacky plastic impersonators may be more commonly associated with the state, it is the large, slow, gentle manatee that steals most hearts and fascinates both residents and tourists alike. Continue reading
Mardi Gras is known as the greatest free show on earth and this year the parades and fun start on January 19 th, culminating in Mardi Gras on February 12 th. Mardi Gras means ‘Fat Tuesday’ in French and falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, or Shrove Tuesday as we know it. Whilst here in the UK we have our annual indulgence of pancakes and lemons/oranges or whatever your preferred topping is, in New Orleans they are enjoying Marching bands, parades and floats! Far from the boozy, lewd scenes in Bourbon Street often seen on news reports and on the internet of events after the parades, Mardi Gras is a family-friendly celebration that takes place all over New Orleans, outside of the French Quarter. Continue reading
San Francisco is the most popular Californian destination for our US car hire clients and its location in roughly the centre point of California could well be the reason. With its wealth of iconic views like the Golden Gate Bridge and attractions like Alcatraz, San Francisco is the logical place to start or end a US road trip in California and in this post I am going to look specifically at just one of these: the stunning California Academy of Sciences. Continue reading
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Rates for next summers car hire in Canada are now live on our system, with cars from National, Avis and Dollar covering all main tourist locations of Canada, such as Nova Scotia, Alberta and Quebec. The range of cars available to hire in Canada is not as extensive as the USA, with only one – Standard – SUV and no Premium category of car, or 8 seater people carriers available. Some National car hire locations also have additional charges not included within the packages:
Rentals Commencing in:
US car hire customers heading to California in winter often plan a trip into beautiful Yosemite Park. November to March is the stormy season and the park rules are particularly strict about preparedness.
The rules are slightly conflicting when driving a rental car. Such that you must have snow chains present in the vehicle to access parts of the park. But, you are not allowed to put snow chains on a rental vehicle! Chain requirements in the park – and the Sierra Nevada mountains – are very strict. Notices posted on the roads give an indication of the conditions ahead.