PORTUGAL

Summer's come and took you by surprise, for  you still have no plans what so ever where to spend your vacation? We recommend you this beautiful, historically and culturally diverse country by the Atlantic sea. You've guessed it, it's Portugal.

With majority of its population located on the seaside, this country has many things to offer. Rent a car in Portugal and this time  make your vacation relaxation and exploration all in one!

Hilly on the North, low on the South, Portugal, will surely not leave you indifferent. The beauties of the Atlantic Ocean sea have been, with a good reason, attracting many tourists for decades. As another vital part of Portugal,  we must mention the slightly isolated Madeira Island and the Azores, located  further in the Atlantic ocean.

Portugal has been established in the 12th century though populated since prehistoric times. From Pre-Celtes, Visigoths, Moors and Alan settlements,  Portugal is architecturally very diverse, and colourful.  With the vast colonisation expansion,  already in the 15th century it was obviously becoming one of the worlds' most influential countries.  From the mid 20th century its colonised territory gained independance and so reducing the the surface of Portugal drastically.

You might want to begin your trip in in Porto. The near located airport where you can easily rent a car is less crowded than the one in Lisbon, for Portugal can be overwhelmed by tourist in the summer.

Rent a car, find a nice, charming hotel in the city-centre and do not waste a second of your time spent in this amazing city. See the famous Portus Cale, built in the Roman times, the main Avenida dos Aliados and Praca de Liberdade. A must see is a famous tower Torre dos Clerigos with an amazing view on the top if you ever get the time to climb on it. Santa Clara, Misericordia. Ribeira, Museo do Vinho Porto and many other  touristic spots are quite incredible. Do not forget to try the famous wine, see one of many museums, go to the riviera Ribeira, a fishermen's town.

Well rested, continue your travel more towards the center of the state, the city Guarda is the highest city in Portugal! Easily accesible by car, you can explore this ancient military base of Julius Caesar. See the amazing gothic chatredal, the town museum and enjoy the peace of this beautiful city. Most of all, this city is perfect for more adventureous of us, being an excellent starting position to explore the highlands of Portugal named Serra de Estrella.

Continue your way South and make a stop at the National Parc Tajo before you reach the city Evora. Here is where you just might find something more than you'd expect! The incredibly preserved old city centre will surely make some great impressions on you. Spend some days here, with your car you can explore the near by charming and less known towns  like Valverde or  S.Mancos.  Making your way to the South be sure to make a stop at Markadia, where you can put up a nice tent in the Markadia  Camp and enjoy in the beauties of the near-by lake.

Make your next stop Albufeira,  though highly visited by tourist, you will find there all you wish for. This amazing city has an incredible architectural sights, from aqueducts, to old city centre.

The amazing beach, the rich night life, big choice of hotels makes this city perfect for younger as well as older generation. The city will surely leave an impression on you with its african touch, for there have found home  many  North African immigrants whose culture mixed beautifully with the European. With your car rental you can see the whole beauty of the  South of Portugal.

Move up to the capital and finish your trip in one of the most beautiful capitals in the , Lisbon.

Visit the old district in Lisbon named Alfama,  the Moorish fortress Sao Jorge,  the ancient Roman walls,  the Pena palace,  the Tower Belem and many other hot-spots of Lisbona. This city is marked by Romanesque,m Gothic, Manueline and Postmodern constructions.  For art lovers a number of museums can be found in Lisbon like the Fernando Pessoa Museum.  Music lovers should visit a fado concert, a genre typical for Portugal.

Take the car and go visit Estoril, castles of Cintra,  Cabo Da Rocca to move away a bit from the crowded city, only to find it in the night when its most beautiful. Surely you will find a place just for you; bars, clubs, cafes, night walks, all this you must experience if anywhere in Lisbon!

This is our suggestion how to make a Tour de Portugal with your car rental. Portugal is without a doubt a beautiful country, so rent a car and be sure to see exacly what you will attract you most.

LA REUNION

Explore the untamed nature of the most remote part of the European Union!

There aren't many of us who haven't heard about this tropical island, but just as well there aren't many of us who have had the opportunity to learn more about it.

If you want to make this years' vacation extraordinary and unforgettable what we sugggest is visiting  La Reunion.  By renting a car there you can explore the whole island and enjoy its beauties.

The island La Reunion is located on the outermost Indian ocean, being the most remote constituant of the Eropean Union and making it without a doubt the most untypical one too. It has a surface of 2.512 square kilometres and its landscape is of volcanic nature. The administrative capital  is Saint-Denis, located on the North of the island.

There isn't much known about this French island's history. What we can vagely say is that its history has been probably influneced by Arab, Svahili and Maloy sailors. Neverthelesss,  these people never stayed long enough, the island had to wait the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century in order to obtain its first settlers. The next century was marked by the  French occupation, and from then on the Ile Bourbon became the official territory under the French administration.

From the 17th century, an important migration rise is apparent, with ethnically diverse immigrants inhabiting the beautiful island. These incomers, coming from different parts of Asia, China, Malaysia, India, were soon to be enslaved  by the local authorities.  After the abolition in 1848, the indentured work  and the case of Les enfants de la Creuse,  it seems that the island has finally found its p(e)ace.

With its increasing developement in tourism  and the export of agricultural products, like the widely appreciated Vanilla, La Reunion has a promising future.  The official language being French,  it is however not the most common. The majority of the inhabitants communicate in the Reunion Creole language, but  we can also notice a considerable number of Indian and Arabic speakers too.

The island has two airports, on whichever you may land you can rent a car there and begin your adventure!

Here are some tips on what will surely make your eyes stop while passing through the land.

As you will probably land  in the Roland Garros Airport it might be the best choice to first visit the capital. Rent a car at the airport, find a comfortable hotel in the city and be sure to rest since  probably suffering from a heavy jet-lag.

Once well rested, explore the beauties of Saint Denis. First stop:  Jardin de l'Etat! These public gardens with an incredible natural historical museum opened since 1885 will astound you with thousands of different plants and species. Be sure to make a stop at a local restaurant whent in the centre! This unique ethnical diversity makes local food an adventure itself! Try the traditional Cari and rougail, samoussas or many other.

Furthermore, in the city centre you can pay a visit to the Leon Dierx Museum or another seafront park named Le Barachois. But what is a most definite must-see is called La Roche ecrite. Located 15 km from the city, which is not a problem for you since you have rented a car, this is a hot spot ensuring you an impressive view over the city.

Without a doubt, La Reunion has much or most to offer when it comes to oudoors. Visit the breath-taking Plage de l'Hermitage, hike on the Plaine-des-Palmistes where you can visit the Piton de la Fournaise a most famous shield volcano.  You can alwas make a stop at the small village Manapany, a true paradise-like coastal resort will welcome you, and yes, there you will find the amazing natural swimming pool.

On discovering the island, make a stop at the La Cascade de Bras Rouge. This waterfall has played wonderfully with the rocks and made this the perfect location to rest or camp. Rent a car and be able to adjust your vacation exactly how you want to.

Here is another fun thing to do. Make a trip to the reunion's second airport which offers  direct flights to the near-by  Mauritius or Madagascar, rent a car there and continue your trip from a different route.

Surely you will find much more this island has to offer, but note that certain safety measurements should be taken in account.

The island is subdued to cyclons, so if you're travelling there from November to April be most attentive to possible alerts. If visiting from EU be sure to bring your EHIC card with you.

This island is unarguably one of the most beautiful, unspoiled spots on the planet.  Make a car rental there and make this the most original vacation.

The best sea-side summer getaway

 

Summer's here and you have no plans what so ever where you will soak your feet?

Here we have the perfect solution! The french riviera according to you! Why not try something new this summer? Rent a car and make your summer holidays unconventional by making it a road trip. Now that the car hire rentals are available for such a low cost it would be a shame not to transform your vacation into an original and unforgettable experience.

The french riviera is extremely popular summer destination and it is so for the obvious reason.  Idillyc nature, warm people, cosy french cafes, and of course the beautiful blue skies and the bluest sea on the world. It is not surprising that the french Cote d'Azur is loaded with tourists! This year you can make an exception and avoid the crowded places and seek for more secret  places,  jewels of the French Riviera hidden from the crowd. Rent a car and take a trip to small towns located on the Riviera where you will not be isolated but you will feel the french atmosphere more than in big cities like Nice. If you arrive by plane in Nice Airport, in that same town you can easily rent a car and spend a day in the big city. However, there is much more to see!

Take the road to from Nice to Monaco and you will be amazed by the amazing sight! The road by the sea will leed you to through most charming little towns . Wherever you choose to make a stop you will find  a rich historical background and good french food. What will probably impress you most is the beautiful nature, from incredible lavander fields to the beatiful forests, not to mention the clear blue  sea.  By renting a car you will also avoid the crowded public transportation system and profit your vacation to the fullest.

Book  a car,  be flexible, unpredictible and creative.

Feel the southern spirit

So you are one of many travelling souls in search of the famous southern spirit on the Balkans and you don't know where and how to start you journey.

It is for a very good reason that the number of people passing through the European south-east is extremely increasing in the past few years. The beautiful landscape, affordable to extremely low prices, the rich cultural happening; all this combined with extremely kind-spirited people makes the states on the Balkans more than a jewel for travelers. 

It is a known fact that the most recent war in the 90's has left quite a huge mark on the population, as well as on the landscape so some of the countries are still recovering from those events. Nevertheless,  all of these countries have kept their raw beauty, intact nature and incredible historical background. From Romans to Turcs, Habsburg dinasty to Napoleon, under the influence of many cultures the nations of the Balkan have somehow written their own original story. And it is waiting for you to read, see and live it! 

Here is a tip for you: rent a car in Slovenia and begin your travel throughout the Peninsula  by car there. Slovenia is known for its landscape tremendously marked by green woods, interesting caves, beautiful  mountains , but perhaps  its biggest advantage might be that it is not too crowded by tourists.  This small country has much to offer, so do not confuse it with Slovakia, located much more on the north,  and begin your trip here. 

Continue to Croatia, diverse country from Panonian Plains to Adriatic sea, you can stop at Plitvička Jezera,  go to one of many spa or hike on the Velebit.  Soon a member of EU, the currency will no longer pose any issues, in addition  the removal of customs will facilitate the crossing.

When going to Serbia, be sure to visit its northern, rather independant county Vojvodina,  where you will be surprised by its beautiful city Novi Sad.  Fruška gora is another national parc, where you can see lots of unique creatures.

In Bosnia, try the traditional food, and spirit drinks, see the Baščarščija Square in Sarajevo, visit the second biggest city Banja Luka or the beautiful coast of Neum.

If you decide to stop by i Macedonia, here are the absolute must-see locations. The Smolare waterfall, National Parc Pelister or Galičica, visit the beautiful capital Skopje with the Old Bazaar, beautiful new constructions on the banks of the river Vardar.

In Bolgaria, the beautiful but rather crowded Black Sea coast is one of the most beautiful places on the Balkans.  Visit the capital Sofia with its rich historical heritage, from museums to ancient buildings, this city will not leave indifferent.

In Montenegro you will be astonished how beautifull the Gulf of Kotor,  Durmitor National Park and visit the capital Podgorica. The beautiful river Morača, the ancient roman remains, the bridge Milenijum,  all this and more you can discover in this country.

If you choose to visit the capitals, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Beograd, Ljubljana, Sofia,  Podgorica will all warmly  embrace you; so rent a car and experience how the rich and sometimes tumulteus history has shaped and transformed these capitals. Move from north to south and experience the shift in nature and architecture right in front you.

If you prefer the coast, rent a car in Portorož and travel along the sea-side! This way you can choose along the way where you want to make a stop. Take in consideration, the more to the South you go the more you will be taken away by the beautiful Adriatic sea and its beaches. If we would have to point out the most beautiful coastal cities, we would certainly advise you to stop in Pula, Split, Dubrovnik, Budva etc.

We recommend to all of you to stop at national parcs you might cross alng the way: Triglavski Narodni Park, Narodni park Krka, Plitvička Jezera, Nacionalni Park Đerdap, Narodni park Kozara, The Lake of Ohrid, Skadar Lake, etc.  It will be worth it!

Spice up your  Balkan road trip by visiting one of many world-known festivals:  Exit Festival in Serbia, Sarajevo Film Festival, Terraneo Festival, Beograd Beer Fest,  International Independent  Film Festival in Sofia, Tirana Art Days and many others.

Be sure too get the most from your roadtrip, so hire a car and be able to adapt this trip exactly how you wish to. Follow your instinct, be spontaneous be free and rent a car.