If you’ve ever been bored on holiday and faced long, tedious hours in a resort that offers little in the way of fun, you’ll know that hiring a car can make a great difference to the enjoyment levels. Having access to a vehicle opens up the whole region, so there’s no longer any need to worry about what the day ahead has in store. Here are five tips to ensure you get the best from your set of wheels.
Book in advance
You should always remember that there will only ever be a limited amount of available vehicles in certain holiday resorts, and they will be booked up quickly if the weather changes for the worse. Therefore, it makes sense to arrange your hire car needs before you travel in order to avoid disappointment when you’re away. By using a comparison website to make the arrangements, you are also likely to save a substantial sum of money in the process.
Choose the right car
It’s often the case that holiday-makers choose the wrong type of car for their needs when they are on holiday, and when they do it can spoil the whole trip. It might be cheaper to rent a small vehicle, of course, but if it’s simply not large enough to accommodate every member of the party, and their various bags and accessories, you will be in for a very uncomfortable time during the vacation.
Do your homework before travelling
A great many holiday regions are home to so much more than a collection of sandy beaches and welcoming restaurants, but many tourists fail to realise it. There is history all around you when visit southern Europe, for example, so the chances are you won’t be far away from spectacular castles, iconic ruins and beautiful landmarks. If you research the area online before you travel, you can enjoy a voyage of discovery when you arrive.
Drive like the locals do
Even if you are an experienced driver who spends many hours every week behind the wheel, you may not be ready to take to the roads in a foreign country. It’s a good idea to get used to driving abroad by spending a day or two in the resort before you actually collect the rental car. As always, take your time to get into the rhythm of the streets, and don’t be afraid to pull over to the side of the road when you need to stay calm.
Be sensible, be safe
Staying safe when on holiday is usually just a matter of common sense. Make sure you remain within the local speed limits – you’re on holiday, so why would you need to be rushing? – and always avoid alcohol (as well as mobile phone use) when you plan to drive. Remember, your vacation resort is hopefully going to be hot and sunny, so it’s vitally important that you have plenty of bottled water with you. If you plan to go on a long journey, it would also be a good idea to purchase a local map at a petrol station.
Have a look at this page to learn about car insurance in Spain.