Getting Hitched The Adventurous Way

If you want to get married, the Wedding Day is considered to be one of the most important days of your life and whilst many continue to have a traditional wedding celebration, you may be looking for something a little different.  Now you can get married in some highly unusual settings and situations.So if you’re looking for something a little different, here are a few ideas for adventurous weddings – a great way to tie the knot!

Ice Weddings

If you’re a fan of the cold and don’t mind having a few drinks from glasses made entirely of ice, then London’s Absolut Ice Bar is ideal. Created entirely out of ice, this bar does away with the need for extravagant wedding clothes as you’ll have to be wearing padded jackets and gloves to cope with the freezing temperatures. However, with the venue remaining extremely popular with bar hoppers, it could be the ideal place to have your wedding before heading to a slightly warmer venue for the reception.

Zoo Venues

Animal lovers meanwhile could get married in a Zoo, and if the idea of sharing your day with the lions, tigers and bears, this could be ideal. Many zoo’s across the world offer the chance for you to get married at special venues and you could even have a tour of the zoo after you’re finished saying ‘I do’. In the UK, Bristol, Whipsnade, Chester and Paington Zoos are just a few venues to consider for a Zoo Wedding.

North Pole Weddings

If you and your partner are thrill seekers then this should get the adrenaline pumping. You could get married in a plane, or you could also get married ON a plane; actually strapped to the wings of a light aircraft ,whilst your guests watch from below. Scuba diving pro’s could choose to get married under water, and this is a very popular choice for many. Meanwhile, if adventurous treks are your thing, then you could be inspired to marry at the North Pole as one couple did in 2009, whilst marrying at the peak of Mount Everest is also another popular choice for mountaineers and experienced climbers. And if you’re a driving enthusiast, utilising car hire could see you get married on the road as your guests honk and hoot their horns in celebration!

Your wedding should be about you, and you can take your inspiration from daily life and your passions. There is no reason why you can’t tailor your Wedding Day to you and your loved ones hobbies and passions.  The world really is your oyster when it comes to deciding where and how to get married and with Sir Richard Branson’s commercial space flights said to be only a few decades away at most, you may even be able to marry in space!

Guest writer Chris Walker from carhiretoday.co.uk shares his car hire tips and advice for a happy driving  holiday in Europe and Beyond.

Holiday Car Hire

Driving on holiday is a great way to explore the local and surrounding areas of your chosen location.  The freedom and convenience gained from hiring a car on holiday are perceived to be the main benefits of car hire.  However these benefits can be overshadowed by unsurprising charges and so called hidden costs.  The UK European Consumer Centre announced earlier this year the number of complaints relating to car hire has increased.  Therefore here are a few essential tips and words of advice to help you make better informed decisions about hiring a car and avoid any unnecessary disputes.

Know the local driving laws and legislations

If you have booked a car and are expecting to drive abroad you should research the local driving laws and legislations.  Find out if there are any special requirements for children.  Are they required to use child seats, are they allowed sitting in front of the car?  Also check the national and local speed limits, don’t presume they are the same everywhere.   In Italy you will be issued with an on the spot fine up to 200 Euros if you enter their no traffic zones (zona traffico limitatos) without an official permit.

Make sure you understand the fuel policy

Fuel policies differ between suppliers and from country to country.  Some suppliers will charge you a full tank of fuel on arrival and ask you to return your vehicle with an empty tank.  This can seem unfair if you don’t use a full tank of fuel.  Therefore please check the fuel policy with the supplier before you book.

Check your damage reports

Don’t be left paying for damage that was present on the car before you hired it.  Before driving away ensure the supplier is fully aware of every single scratch, dent, chip and mark on the vehicle.  Ask for a copy of the damage report if you are not issued with one.  When you return the vehicle go through the damage report and be careful you aren’t charged for damage that was already there.

Return your car on time

Check the office opening hours to make sure you are able to return the car on time without incurring an additional day’s rental fee.  Though you might have until 10pm to return your car, the office might close at 6pm.  Some suppliers will charge you a full day’s rental if you return the car an hour later than specified.  Therefore if you have to, return your car earlier to avoid unnecessary fees.

Know your mileage policy

Most suppliers will offer unlimited mileage which will allow you to drive all day without worrying how far you are driving.  However some companies will charge you extra money if you exceed their mileage policy.  Always check if you have unlimited mileage.

Bear these few points in mind when you are next thinking about car hire.  Don’t automatically choose the cheapest deal as they might have hidden charges.  Be sure to read all the small print and when you are shopping around check like for like and check what each car hire deal includes and what extras you will be expected to pay for. Know you the local driving laws and don’t return your hire car late.  Most of all though, enjoy your holiday!

The wave of airports in the US building centralised rental car centres continues to grow.  For the past decade airlines across the United States have merged car hire zones into a single facility. Instead of individual car hire USA companies are running seperate buses to and from the airport and each hire company having its own car parking areas. Busing is shared, car rental counters and cars are side-by-side and valuable space around airports is freed up.  Still to take up the schene is the worlds biggest car hire market – Orlando.

Commenters were quick to voice their opinion

This is more efficient; but each car hire company loses its competitive advantage. No more dropping you off at the actual rental car. Why not just have one agency then – or better yet, the airport have its own hire car system?

Cleveland and San Francisco both opened consolidated rental car facilities in 1998 and since then they have opened in many other  major airports in the USA .

More are planned, such as pooled car hire Orlando, rental firms in Miami, San Jose, Memphis and deeper south in New Orleans.

Though emissions from one car are nothing compared with those from even the best airplane, they add up. So instead of renting a car to get around the city you’re visiting, try researching public-transit options. Public transit is often cheaper and faster, offers a great way to sightsee, and is almost always more earth-friendly

Cherbourg

If you’re in search of a tranquil atmosphere for a break from your hectic schedule, Cherbourg is ideal for you.

Catching the cross channel ferry from Portsmouth Port at 8am can get you there before lunchtime and you can travel back in the evening the following day. As a passenger you will pay very little for the ferry trip and you then have the option to hire a car on arrival.  Before you venture further into France you might want to spen a day without a car in Cherbourg.  When you’ve taken a day or two to enjoy what Cherbourg has to offer tourists you can easily arrange to pick up car hire. France is blessed with well maintained open roads and you can reach almost any part from Cherbourg in a day’s driving

Cherbourg ferry port is right on the edge of the town centre, meaning your break can begin as soon as you step off the ferry. Its rich historical background makes this city the perfect place to relax with a loved one, soaking in some cultural heritage.

If gorgeous scenery gets you excited, visiting Cherbourg won’t leave you disappointed. After a light lunch in one of the city’s traditional cafés you could wander hand in hand to the Ravalet Chateau in Tourlaville where the views are staggering. The magnificent landscaped grounds surround a mediaeval manor house built during the 16th century.

Emmanuel Liais Gardens

Or why not take a stroll through one of France’s most beautiful gardens such as Emmanuel Liais Gardens,  definitely worth a visit with over 500 different types of rare plants that Liais himself shipped over to Cherbourg from South America and Asia.

Cherbourg also has a strong religious heritage, making a visit to the beautiful churches a must. The bell tower of Saint-Martin of Octeville and the sculptures of the Trinity Basilica are just two examples of the eye-catching religious buildings that hold fascinating history. The Abbey of the Vow is now listed as a Historical Monument for its stunning architecture and archaeological value.

Cherbourg Museums – Thomas Henry Art Museum

If your heart lies with art, then the Thomas Henry art museum is the next stop. The museum is home to many famous sculptures and paintings ranging from the 15th to the 19th century by foreign masters as well as French classical painters.

After a day of exploring and soaking in the magnificent culture, you could take a stroll down to the marina. Enjoy a romantic French meal in a traditional French restaurant and stay in one of the lovely B&Bs the town has to offer.

The following day you could take a look at one or two of the interesting museums located in Cherbourg; the Liberation museum is fascinating. With the theme “from the darkness to the light” it takes the visitor through the stages of history in the Second World War; from the fall of France to the liberation.

With the ease of the high speed ferry from Portsmouth Port your trip away will be stress free, allowing you to relax and take in the wonders of Cherbourg.

Image – CHHeuvet

Discount Car Hire Voucher Codes

Do you find that you spend hours searching for the best car hire deals online – convinced that somewhere on the web you can get a cheaper deal only to discover that your savings amount to very little.

At Europe & Beyond we offer the latest voucher codes for car hire in Europe and elsewhere around the world.

Latest car hire voucher codes Summer / Autumn 2009

September

September Car hire with 15% off by using this easyCar voucher code SCORCHIO
Expiry Date:01/10/2009

Go to easyCar website

August

By using easyCar discount voucher code HOTTER
Expiry Date:01/09/2009

get up to 10% discount on August Car Rental

expires 01/09/ – This voucher code is designed for easyCar. Simply copy and paste it into the Redeem Promotional Code box during checkout.

Book online to get the best discounts available – and remember this summer 2009 it is

expected that there will be a shortage of hire cars throughout Europe so book early. Car hire Spain, France, Italy and Cyprus are most likely to be affected by the shortage – those leaving their booking arrangements to the last minute may be very disappointed with the lack of choice of cars – if any are available at all.

You may be looking for holiday car hire when you arrive at the airport or to arrange local car rental when you reach your final destination either way you can save money using voucher codes when you book your car online.

This summer in the build up to the busiest time of year car hire companies are offering high value voucher codes that will get you upto 15% discount off the total cost of car rental – for a weeks hire of a family saloon car that can mean a saving of up to £50

Turkey Holiday Ideas

If you are looking for a holiday that is both relaxing and exciting then a holiday in Turkey can offer all this. Turkey offers a wide array of culture, history, art, and sports in a unique combination of old and new; of relaxation and excitement. As one of the top ten tourist destinations in the world, with a wide coastline and changing landscape, Turkey has a range of outdoor activities allowing visitors unique ways to experience the country.

The areas of Kas, Bodrum, Saro and Kemer allow divers to take on underwater experiences in the warm summer months. Within the four seas Turkey offers (Black sea, Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara), divers can explore underwater caverns, archaeological ruins and sunken ships. The many rivers throughout the country offer plenty of thrilling white- water rafting and canoeing opportunities. Experiencing the Coruh, Rize Firtina and Dalaman rivers and the Koprucay- Coprulu Canyon are safe yet exciting rafting routs in Turkey.

The Turkish mountain ranges offer plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors year round. While the country is known for its warm climate and sunny Mediterranean resorts, winter sports such as skiing, and climbing are prevalent throughout the mountain regions. Mountain Climbing activities in Turkey are everywhere. Areas such as the Agri- Mount Ararat, Mt. Taurus, Mt. Argeus, Kayseri- Erciyes and the Rize Kacker mountain range offer some mythological and biblical settings for fantastically challenging and beautiful climbs and hikes.

Mountain biking is another great activity that the mountains offer plenty of. Mapped routes are safe and maintained by authorities. The Cappadocia Mountain Biking Festival is a highly recommended activity for the mountain biking enthusiasts. It will take riders through various spots and let them enjoy the picturesque scenery in the company of mountain bikers from across the globe.

Turkey has over 40,000 caves and caverns to explore, from the caverns of Antalya to the caves of Zongulduk. There is a wide range of opportunity for explorers to venture out and find magnificent geological formations, but cave exploring should only be done with certified instructors and appropriate equipment.

Air sports include parachuting and paragliding, which have really taken off in recent years. Famous paragliding spots are around Mount Baba in Fehiye, and in the Oludenuz region. Another unconventional way of exploring the country is in a hot air balloon. Travelling at heights of up to 1500 ft, this tranquil experience lets you slowly explore the landscape from a birds’ eye view. Recommended areas are the Cappadocian landscapes, where floating through the countryside will feel like a gentle dream.

Holiday Activities in Turkey

Jeep safaris are a real adventure and offer rides through the varied landscapes of forests, mountains and rivers. Discovering hidden beauties and experiencing Turkish life on the ground can also be done on horseback riding tours. Another recommended activity is a horseback riding tour through the Cappadocia region, which actually derives its’ name from the Persian word Katpatuka, meaning “The land of Beautiful Horses”.

In recent years international golf courses have opened throughout the country. Popular golf resorts to visit include the Gloria Golf Resort, Noblis Golf Otel, and Klassis Golf and Country.

Finally, after all of the exerting, exciting activity during your holiday, there are some fantastic ways to relax. Turkey has over 1000 thermal springs, and most of them are in and around the Mamara and Aegean regions. People flock to enjoy the many resorts built around the springs that are said to heal many illnesses.

Car Hire Switzerland

Driving from Geneva to Martigny

In a previous post, we suggested Lausanne as a great place for a day-trip during a Geneva car hire holiday. In this post, we’ll look at another place that you can visit if you hire a car whilst you are staying in Geneva – the town of Martigny, which is situated in Switzerland’s Valais region, and which is often referred to as ‘a gateway to the Alps’.

Getting to Martigny from Geneva

If you hire a car in Geneva, you can drive to Martigny within an hour and a quarter. Simply head out of Geneva on the A1 toll road and follow it for about 49km. Take exit 17 and follow the signs for Lausanne in order to continue on the A1. Take exit 19 and follow the signs for Montreux in order to get onto the A9 toll road. Leave the A9 at exit 21 and follow the signs into Martigny.

Switzerland Car Hire – Martigny Attractions – St. Bernard Dog Museum and Kennels

Martigny’s attractions include The St. Bernard Dog Museum and Kennels (Musée et Chiens du Saint-Bernard) on Rue de Levant. The kennels are located in an enclosure just outside of the building, and you can see a number of dogs there. The museum itself contains exhibits relating to the history of the St. Bernard breed, together with information about the Great St. Bernard Hospice and Pass.

There is also a restaurant and a gift shop at the museum and you can park your Geneva rental car in the museum’s car park.

Switzerland Car Hire – Martigny Attractions – Roman Remains

Martigny is also known for its Roman remains, which include an amphitheatre and the Mithraeum, a temple dedicated to Mithras, a sun-god.  You can also see the remains of the Temenos, a complex which would have included a temple together with accommodation for pilgrims, and the remains of a private house.
Switzerland Car Hire – Martigny Attractions – The Pierre Gianadda Foundation

Another of Martigny’s key attractions is The Pierre Gianadda Foundation (Rue de Forum 59, 1920 Martigny). The building houses Martigny’s Museum of Gallic-Roman Archaeology (Musée Gallo-Romain), where you can see some of the artefacts discovered when the Roman sites in Martigny were excavated together with the remains of a Roman temple.

The Pierre Gianadda Foundation building is also the home of Martigny’s Automobile Museum (Musée de l’Auto), which has a collection of cars dating from the early 20th century, and there are also regular temporary exhibitions of art held there. There is also a Sculpture Park outside of the building, which contains works by a number of famoussculptors, including Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin.

The Pierre Gianadda Foundation has a visitors’ car park, so you can leave your car there while you explore the museums.

Switzerland Car Hire – Other Martigny Attractions

Other attractions in Martigny include: the Manoir de la Ville, an eighteenth century house which is now used as a venue for contemporary art exhibitions; Moulin Semblanet, a 19th century watermill; and Château de la Bâtiaz, a 13th century castle. You can also take a break from your hire car by taking a tour of the town on the “La Baladeur” tourist train or walking along the Vineyard Trail, which leads from Martigny to Château de la Bâtiaz.

Car Hire Spain – Visit El Escorial from Madrid

Europe Autos has already covered various car hire holidays in Spain – including car hire in Barcelona and to the Terra Miticac theme park in Benidorm.  Here we offer a suggestion for a driving trip from the capital Madrid to El Escorial

Driving from Madrid to visit El Escorial

The Spanish capital, Madrid, is a popular tourist destination and is a great place to visit. There are plenty of attractions in the city, including monuments such as the Palacio Real (Royal Palace of Madrid), museums, art galleries, theatres and sports venues. However, if you hire a car during your holiday, you can visit some of the attractions outside of Madrid, such as the World Heritage Site of San Lorenzo del Escorial, which is also known simply as El Escorial.

Car Hire Madrid

If you want to take a driving holiday in Spain, you can arrange to rent a car online. Online car rental specialists have offices throughout Europe, including offices in Madrid and other cities and offer good deals on car hire at spanish airports.

Getting to El Escorial from Madrid

It’s easy to get from Madrid to El Escorial if you book a rental car and it will only take you about 45 minutes to drive there. Simply leave Madrid on the A-6. Leave the A-6 at exit 47 and then take the third exit at the roundabout to get onto the M-600. This will take you to El Escorial.

Visiting El Escorial Monastery

El Escorial’s main attraction is its monastery (Monasterio de El Escorial), which was constructed for King Philip II of Spain, as he wished to offer thanks to God for his victory over the French at the Battle of St. Quentin (1557). The initial architect of El Escorial monastery was Juan Bautista de Toledo but the project was later taken over by Juan de Herrera. The monastery was finally completed in 1584.

The monastery is huge but not all of it is open to the public, as it is still in use. You can, however, take a self-guided tour or a guided tour in order to see some of the highlights, which include:
•    The Library – Located on the second floor, the monastery’s library contains more than 40,000 books dating from the 5th century to the 18th century. These are, unusually, placed on the shelves with the spines towards the wall, in order to allow the pages of the books to air. There are also glass cases in the room which house some of the library’s most valuable manuscripts. The ceiling of the library is decorated with frescoes by Pellegrino Tibaldi (1527-1596).
•    The Basilica – Constructed in the shape of a Greek Cross, the basilica has 45 chapels. The 30m high altar is flanked by bronze statues of King Philip II of Spain and Emperor Charles V, together with statues of other members of the royal family. There are also paintings by artists such as Navarette, Coello and Urbina, and frescoes by Cambiasso and Giordano.
•    The Royal Pantheon – Located under the Basilica’s Royal Chapel, the Royal Pantheon has been the burial place for almost all of Spain’s monarchs since it was constructed and also contains the remains of Emperor Charles I (who was also King Charles I of Spain).
•    The Museum of Painting – The museum’s collection includes works by Titian, Tintoretto, El Greco, Veronese and Giordano.

You can also visit the monastery’s Museum of Architecture, La Casita del Infante (a villa in the grounds which was constructed between 1771 and 1773) and La Casita del Príncipe (constructed in 1772).

The Nurburgring – Car hire in Germany

The Eifel mountain region in Germany is a great place to go for a holiday, but why not hire a car and travel to one of the most famous racetracks in the world: The Nurburgring?

The Nurburgring is located 43 miles south of Cologne and 75 miles northwest of Frankfurt. Situated in the Eifel Mountains and built around the town of Nurburg and its medieval castle, the track was originally opened in 1927 as a showcase for German engineering and driving talent. Over eighty years later, the ‘Ring is still regarded as the most challenging purpose-built racetrack in the world. At roughly thirteen miles long and boasting corners of every type, the track will severely test even the most experienced racing driver.

When originally built, the Nurburgring consisted of a North loop (Nordschleife), a South loop (Sudschleife) and a start/finish area linking the two with pits and grandstands.  Although the southern loop is now derelict and the start finish area is now part of the short Grand Prix circuit currently used for F1 and Touring car races, the Nordschleife still exists and you can drive it!

Despite being a racetrack, the Nordschleife is classed as a one way toll road, allowing anyone to drive it for a fee. However beware, this track is incredibly demanding and will bite hard if you do not drive within your limits. Also ensure that you check the official website for track opening times as the ‘ring is used regularly for manufacturer test sessions and driver training.

Before you go on the trip do some preparation by learning the track on a console or PC game. There are several games which have fairly accurate reproductions of the ‘ring, including Gran Turismo 4. When you are at the circuit, you can pay to be driven around it on a ‘Ring Taxi’ to allow you to familiarise yourself with the many challenges the Nordschleife offers.

If you want a break from driving (and it is advised that you do so), there are many things to see and do at the ‘ring. The Schloss Nurburg is a 12th century castle that over looks the start/finish area of the circuit and is an ideal attraction for non-drivers. This year sees the opening of the Warsteiner event complex, Nurburgring arena, four-star hotel and shopping mall, close to the start/finish area of the Grand Prix track.

Car hire Germany – Driving the Nurburgring track

It is not advisable to take your road-going hire car onto the Nordschleife, as car rental companies have now become savvy to such use of their vehicles. Some companies will give you a hefty fine for doing so and one company in particular will ban you for life. To assist them in preserving their cars, GPS tracking is sometimes used and locals are employed to spot them in the Nurburgring car park. If you have driven a hire car from the airport, do not leave it there!

Instead of breaking their cars, you can find several local German car hire firms that provide cars specifically for driving on the ‘ring. For more information on these companies and more general information about the circuit, visit Ben Lovejoy’s website here.

Switzerland Car Rental – Geneva

The city of Geneva, in Switzerland, is a great place for a holiday, but if you want to see more of what Switzerland has to offer, you can hire a car and drive to the nearby city of Lausanne.

Car Hire  Switzerland – Hiring a Car in Geneva It’s simple to hire a car in order to drive from Geneva to Lausanne – just visit online, low cost, car rental companies that offer some great cheap car hire deals and have car rental offices in more than 60 countries, including Switzerland. You can book a wide range ofwide range of rental cars, including compact cars and luxury cars online and pick it up when you arrive at offices for car hire at Geneva airport.

Car Hire Switzerland – Driving from Geneva to Lausanne

It will only take you about 40 minutes to drive from Geneva to Lausanne in your hire car and it’s easy to get there. Just head out of Geneva on the A1a and follow the signs for Lausanne.

Lausanne is situated on the banks of Lake Geneva and is the fifth largest city in Switzerland. It’s known as a city of culture and also the country’s Olympic Capital, as the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee has been located in the city since 1915.

Once you’ve parked your rental car, you can wander around Lausanne’s Old Town area, where you will find the beautiful Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame, with its carved choir stalls and 13th century rose window. Next door to the cathedral, you’ll find the Musée Historique, which is housed in the old Bishop’s Palace. This museum features displays of items relating to the history of Lausanne and includes a gallery of silverware from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Lausanne is also home to the fascinating Collection de l’Art Brut, a gallery featuring art works by people from around the world, none of whom have had any formal art training.

You can also explore Ouchy, the lakeside area of Lausanne, where you’ll find The Olympic Museum. The museum features exhibits relating to the history of the Olympic Games, including Olympic medals, Olympic torches and sports equipment used by Olympic medal winners such as Carl Lewis and Chris Boardman. You can stroll through the Olympic Garden and buy souvenirs in the museum shop.

Other museums in Lausanne include: the Musée de l’Elysée, where you can see more than 120,000 photos dating from the 19th century to the present day; the Musée Cantonal de Zoologie (Cantonal Zoological Museum), which features exhibits of vertebrates, insects and fossils; and the Lausanne-Vidy Roman Museum, which has a range of exhibits demonstrating what life was like in the area at the time of the Roman Empire.

You can also visit the Lausanne Vivarium, where you can see more than 200 animals, spiders and reptiles, including snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, lizards and crocodiles.

You can relax in one of Lausanne’s many parks, which include the Parc de l’Eysée and the Parc du Désert, go shopping or take a boat trip on Lake Geneva.