Europe & Beyond

Florida Holiday Ideas

There is no better summer holiday for the family than traveling throughout the state of Florida. There is so much variety in what you can do in the Sunshine State that you would not run out of activities and attractions no matter how much time you spend.

The beaches, of course, are world-known and can be enjoyed all along the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other side. Daytona Beach is one of the most popular. The Gulf Coast with its long stretches of sandy beach encourages swimming, boating, fishing, diving, and more. Panama City beach is another favorite.

Disney World Florida

Disney World in Orlando is the most popular destination along with Epcot and Universal Studios, and there are many discount packages being offered, some even including food as well as accommodations. Disney World has a total of four theme parks, two water parks, thousands of hotel rooms, golf courses, and shopping.

St. Augustine, the oldest city, offers many historical memorials covering 500 years of Florida’s history and unusual attractions such as a preserved fort and the Spanish Quarter Living Museum where the day-to-day life of settlers from the 18th century is acted out with craftsmen from the past.

The Florida Keys are popular with fishermen, scuba divers, snorkelers, jet skiers, and tourists who can enjoy the historical offerings of this southernmost tip of Florida.

The Tampa Bay area is a busy cruise port with nearby Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and more.

In St. Petersburg the Salvador Dali Museum will permit you to see the world’s most exclusive collection of Dali’s works.

Amelia Island, the northernmost barrier island, has natural beauty and a gorgeous resort.

NASA Kennedy Space Center

The NASA Kennedy Space Center is extra popular right now as the 40th anniversary of the first man on the moon is being celebrated. You and your children can enjoy a simulated launch, see space exhibits and the launch pad (and sometimes a shuttle), visit the astronaut training center, and learn a tremendous amount about space travel.

There is Sea World, Wet n” Wild, Parrot Jungle, and other animal attractions as well as many amusement parks.

The Miami area offers a Latin vibe, art deco architecture, South Beach has been renovated and is “party central”, or you can take an airboat ride in the Everglades.

Natural attractions are abundant throughout the 8,426 miles of coastline. The summer weather is quite hot and humid, so remember your light-weight cotton clothing, sun screen, and hats.

You can get great deals on Florida holidays this summer as well as package holidays from a wide range of different online tour operators.

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.

Italy > Car Hire > Bologna > Mirabilandia
If you are planning a holiday to Bologna, in Italy, you’ll find plenty to do in the city itself, but there are also some great places that you can visit on a day-trip if you hire a car. Mirabilandia is a theme park with its own beach area and beautiful gardens, making it the perfect place to visit on a family car hire holiday.

Getting to Mirabilandia from Bologna

It will take you about an hour to drive to Mirabilandia from Bologna in your car. Head out of Bologna on the RA1/Tangenziale partial toll road and then take the ramp signposted for Ancona to get onto the A14 toll road. Follow this road for 33.8km and take the exit for Ravenna in order to get onto the A14dir partial toll road. Continue along the A14dir for 28.5km and take the exit for Ravenna Centro in order to get onto the SS16. Follow this road for 14.8km and then take the first exit at the roundabout to get onto the SP101. Turn right to get to Mirabilandia. There is a car park at Mirabilandia where you can leave your car for a small charge while you explore the park.

Mirabilandia Attractions

Mirabilandia has more than 25 rides, ranging from rides for young children to extreme thrill rides, so you should be able to find plenty to entertain you.

Extreme thrill rides in Mirabilandia include Katun, an inverted rollercoaster that reaches a speed of 110mph, and Columbia and Discovery, two tower rides. A new rollercoaster, iSpeed, is due to open in June 2009.

Younger children will enjoy taking a trip on the Santa Fe Express train, spinning around on the tea cup-style Colazione da Papere ride, or a ride on the Leprotto Express junior rollercoaster. Other rides in the park include the Niagra log flume ride, the Rio Bravo rapids ride and the Explorer runaway mine train style ride.

There are a range of shows that you can watch in the park, including a pirate-themed diving show (L’Isola del Tereso), a stunt show (Scuola di Polizia), a show featuring the music of the 70s (Juke Box Live) and a laser show in the evenings.

The Mirabilandia Beach area of the park features water chutes, water slides and golden sands, and is the perfect place to cool off in the summer. Entrance to the main Mirabilandia park doesn’t include entrance to Mirabilandia Beach, so you will need to buy separate tickets.

If you would prefer something a bit less active, you can take a stroll in the park’s Enchanted Garden, which features more than 140,000 flowers, palm trees, pine trees and water features. It’s also home to Canada Geese, herons and other types of bird.

There are restaurants and cafes throughout the park, and there are also a number of gift shops where you can buy souvenirs.

Mirabiliandia is usually open daily between early April and mid-September and at weekends only from the end of September and October, whilst Mirabilandia Beach is open daily from the middle of June and then end of August. However, opening days and opening hours vary, so check with the park travelling there in your hire car.

Hiring a Car in Italy

One of the easiest ways to book a car for your Italy car hire holiday is to use an online car rental specialist. You can book your hire car online and pick it up from Bologna airport. With car rental offices in many locations, including many other popular Italian holiday destinations, as well as in Bologna, you’ll soon be driving in Italy

Beach Holiday Cothing – Swimwear

It has come to our attention that many of the trips we discus on Europe Autos are inland.  Here we begin to explore the coast and consider beach holidays.  Essential for a beach holiday is appropriate clothing and swimwear.

How to Choose Swimwear

If you’re planning on a beach holiday this year, then you’ll probably want to buy some new swimwear.  Here is a summary of the different types of swimwear available together with some hints and tips to help you choose the right item for you.

Types of Swimwear – Swimsuits

Traditional one-piece swimsuits are still are popular option and you’ll find a wide range of different designs to choose from.

The type of swimsuit that will suit you will depend on your body shape. If you are a classic pear shape (with small shoulders and a wider waist), for example, a swimsuit with a halterneck can help to draw attention to the top half of your body and therefore look more flattering, whereas if you are an “apple” shape (with board shoulders and a smaller waist), a swimsuit with a high neck line can help to draw attention towards your waist, making your figure look more balanced. If you are slim and want to create the effect of having more curves, opt for a swimsuit with cut-out sections or a belt at the waist.

It’s also important to choose a swimsuit in a colour that suits you. If you’re already fairly tanned, a brightly coloured swimsuit will show your tan off effectively, whilst a dark coloured swimsuit will look better on people without a tan. If you are slender, swimsuits with all-over patterns can look great, but if you are looking for a swimsuit that has a slimming effect, choose a plain, darker coloured swimsuit.

Types of Swimwear – Bikinis

Bikinis have been popular ever since Bridgette Bardot wore one in the 1957 movie “And God Created Woman”, and you can now buy bikinis in many different styles. You can buy bikini sets, but you can also buy separate bikini tops and bikini briefs, so you should be able to find a bikini that suits your body shape perfectly.

Bikinis are much like lingerie with many styles and fabrics available.  If you find a style of lingerie that suits you ask swimwear specialists to find a costume of bikini that is similar.  Bikini tops are like bras and bottoms much like panties or thongs.  Even swimming costumes – basically a body stocking – have their roots in lingerie.

You can buy underwired bikini tops for additional support, for example, or padded bikini tops to help you to create more shape. If you want a less revealing and sportier bikini top, you could try a bikini crop top. Bikini briefs also come in a range of styles, including hipster briefs, which look great on women with long legs, and tie briefs, which you can adjust to fit you.

Types of Swimwear – Tankinis

The tankini is a modern addition to swimwear and consists of a short, sleeveless top and bikini bottoms. Tankinis are less revealing than bikinis, so are great for women who aren’t confident about showing off their bodies, and the two-piece design also means that they can be more practical than a swimsuit. As with swimsuits and bikinis, tankinis are available in a range of styles. You can choose from a number of different styles of tankini tops, including halterneck, underwired and sports-style tops, and the range of tankini briefs available includes high leg, low leg, and low rise briefs, together with plain briefs or briefs which feature detail such as ties or rings.

Other Types of Beachwear

Once you have chosen your new swimsuit, bikini or tankini, you might find that you want some other beachwear to go with it. Kaftans or beach dresses, for example, are perfect for covering up with after your swim, and are both practical and stylish. Beach trousers or holiday shorts are great for wearing on your journey to and from the beach.

You can buy swimwear beachwear and lingerie from a number of online retailers that sell a great range of swimsuits, bikinis, tankinis, kaftans, beach dresses, shorts and beach trousers, which you can order.

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.

Thorpe Park – Visiting UK Theme Parks by Car

Continuing in our series of visiting theme parks in the UK see Chessington – Thorpe Park is another attraction that can be driven to from London.

If you’re visiting London, England a hire car will allow you to visit some of the attractions outside of the city. There are several theme parks that you can visit if you hire a car in London. In this article, we take a look at what Thorpe Park has to offer.

London Car Hire – Hiring a Car

It’s easy to arrange a hire car in London to get to Thorpe Park. Hiring a car online allows you to find low cost car hire specialists that offer some great cheap car hire deals. You can book your online and pick it up at the car hire UK airports or from other London car rental locations.

Getting to Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park is located in Surrey, just 20 minutes’ drive from London, so it’s easy to get to if you rent a car. Simply head out of London on the M25, take either junction 11 or junction 13 and follow the signs for Thorpe Park. It’s free to park your car in Thorpe Park’s car park, so car hire is a cheap and convenient option. If you hire a car, you’ll also be able to arrive at and leave the theme park when you like, as you won’t be dependent upon public transport timetables.

Thorpe Park – Extreme Thrill Rides

Thorpe Park has more than 30 rides, eleven of which are classed as extreme thrill rides. One of the most talked about rides at Thorpe Park at the moment is Saw – The Ride, a new rollercoaster themed around the horror film, Saw, which is due to open in Spring 2009. Saw – The Ride features a 100 ft drop at 100 degrees and its three inversions will give thrill-seekers the adrenaline rush that they are looking for.

Other extreme thrill rides at Thorpe Park include:

• Stealth, which the theme park claims is Europe’s fastest rollercoaster, and which reaches a speed of 80mph.
• Nemesis Inferno, an inverted rollercoaster with loops, dives and corkscrews, which reaches 50mph and is 115 ft tall.
• Colossus, the first rollercoaster in the world to feature ten loops and the first rollercoaster in the UK to include a quadruple corkscrew.
• Tidal Wave, a fast and furious log flume ride with an 85ft drop.
• Detonator, a 115 ft high drop ride which will take you to the top and then plummet to the bottom at 45mph within 3 seconds.

Thorpe Park – Other Rides

If you fancy something less extreme, Thorpe Park has plenty of other rides that you can enjoy. You can get drenched on the Rumba Rapids water ride on Depth Charge, a 40 ft long water slide, or on the Loggers Leap water flume. You can also ride a magic carpet on Quantum, take a trip on the Flying Fish family rollercoaster, or travel through time on the 4-D Time Voyagers movie adventure ride.
Thorpe Park also has many rides which are suitable for younger children, including the Canada Creek Railway and the Chief Ranger’s Carousel.

Thorpe Park – Dining and Shopping

There are ten food outlets at Thorpe Park, so you’ll find plenty of options when you fancy a bite to eat or a refreshing drink. There are also a number of shops where you can buy gifts, souvenirs, sweets and drinks.