28
Nov
Posted By: fhilliard // Category:
Travel Advice
On officially the coldest day of the year (brrrrrrrrrr!) we thought we’d bring you some tips about safer driving this winter. This advice should come in especially useful if you’ve booked ski car hire or you’re planning a snowy adventure in Europe.
1. Slow Down
Slowing down is one of the easiest ways to make your driving safer during the winter months. With the extra stress associated with Christmas, it’s tempting to reach for the accelerator. But cool your jets…speeding is seriously dangerous at any time of the year. Add rain, ice and oil from the road surface into the mix and you’ve got a disaster waiting to happen.
2. Switch on Your Lights
Next to slowing down, this is one of the simplest things you can do to stay safe on the roads over the winter months. Studies have revealed that driving with your lights on increases the chance of another driver seeing you in fog, heavy rain or snow and helps you avoid an accident.
3. Brake Slowly
Never slam on the brakes while driving in ice, rain or snow. Hitting the breaks suddenly will cause your tyres to lose traction and send your car sliding all over the road. If you’re holidaying in the mountains or where there’s been heavy snow, make sure your rental car has been equipped with snow tyres. You may also need snow chains, depending on local laws. Check with your supplier before hitting the road.
4. SUV or Smart Car Be Careful!
Some renters believe they will be safer if they drive a bigger car. It’s easy for you to think that you’ll be safe weaving through lanes recklessly because you’re driving a bigger car but you must realise that your car is also heavier and if something goes wrong it will cause a much bigger accident. The bigger the car, the more difficult it is to handle and it may cause a bigger accident, especially when driving in tricky weather conditions.
5. Check and re-check your tyres
Before you leave the pick-up depot, make sure to check your tyres. During wintertime, tyres are especially important for keeping you in control of your car. Ensure that your car has been supplied with the right tyres and ask whether snow chains are necessary. In some European countries you may be required to carry other equipment including a high visibility jacket, warning triangle or first aid kit. Please check with your supplier for conditions.
20
Nov
Posted By: fhilliard // Category:
Travel Advice
Connecting flights just got more tedious (if that’s possible!) Passengers due to transfer between Aer Lingus flights from Dublin and Cork to Heathrow and British Airways flights from the London Airport will soon have to allow more time to move between terminals 1 and 5.
As if transferring wasn’t awkward enough, British Airways has announced that the minimum connecting time has been increased from 90 to 120 minutes and passengers must collect their bags on arrival and re-check them at the departing terminal.
So what to do for two extra hours on top of your transfer time? Well, talk of connecting flights got us thinking about the best ways to kill time in an airport. As we discovered, there’s a lot more to some airports than meets the eye.
- JFK and other large airports have spa facilities available. It’s possible to get a massage or a manicure while you wait. I’ve seen the one in JFK for myself, looks like the perfect way to de-stress before you hop on the plane, pick up your rental car and hit the road ahead.
- Amsterdam, Sydney, London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Munich and Singapore have shower facilities available.
- Most airports have internet and wifi access, check if wifi is available for free. While you’re surfing, you might as well get organised and log on to google maps to plan the best route for your car hire journey.
- Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport provides sleeping modules, one person ‘pods’ that let you rest during long stopovers. Just think, a good night’s sleep will have you feeling refreshed and rearing to go when you pick-up your car hire.
- Vancouver Airport has a number of amenities including medical services and a pharmacy. Why not stock up on last minute essentials before boarding? Don’t forget, liquids over 100ml are considered contraband.
- Medical facilities are also available at London’s Heathrow.
- Most (if not all) international airports have a bookshop in some shape or form. While you’re perusing the aisles, why not pick up a guidebook about your destination and check out the local hotspots so you’ll know where you’re going when you get to the car rental desk on the other end.
These are just some of the tips Argus Car Hire came up with. If you’ve got any other suggestions that you’d like to share, drop us a line or leave a comment!
Related Blogs
18
Nov
Posted By: fhilliard // Category:
Travel Advice
Cyprus is the third largest Mediterranean island and one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, drawing 2.4 million tourists every year. Due to its eastern Mediterranean location, west of Syria, Israel and Lebanon, the island enjoys 340 days of sunshine a year.
In Cyprus, autumn’s sunshine stays around much longer than any other part of the Mediterranean. It only takes a four-hour flight to get there too! Average temperatures in Paphos in November peak at 21C, allowing visitors to enjoy seven hours of sunshine a day and very little rain. With temperatures hovering around the 22C mark, even the sea is much warmer than in May.
Renting a car in Cyprus gives tourists the chance to break free from the usual resorts and discover the true beauty of the island. Still unsure? Check out our fantastic Cyprus car hire offers today!
Related Blogs
