Thursday, July 12, 2012

On Buying Car Rental Insurance

I was talking to a friend of mine who is the manager of car rental franchise in Mexico. I happen to know her for many years and I was surprised to hear that every time she travels to the US or, anywhere for that matter, and rents a car she always buys all the insurance being offered. Why do you that? I asked. And her response was: "I don't want any problems whatsoever and paying a few extra dollars is worth it in this case because it gives me peace of mind and lets me enjoy and concentrate on the reason for my trip", which in her case is shopping and as we all know that is a very involved affair that needs all your concentration and bargain-hunting abilities.

Now, my friend has been in the car rental business for many years, longer than I know her, and I don't think that she has ever worked anywhere else but the car rental industry, so she knows the business inside out, and she is savvy about spending her money, so it seems to me as solid and powerful an argument for buying car insurance from the rental company as you are going to find.

Of course, there are many ways to be protected, if not from accidents to happen, at least from the expense involved... you can use your own policy which is likely to cover, at least in part, the cost you may have to incur, and at times it does not include all, or you can buy special insurance before your trip, or you can rely on the insurance that may come with the use of a credit card, and so on. However, if you just want to the least amount of problems than buying the coverage at the rental counter is the way to go. With any insurance policy you will be required to fill out forms and possibly follow up with calls, etc. Good luck trying to make effective the coverage offered by the credit card as it may take some doing. With the coverage purchased at the counter you may have to complete an accident report and, in all likelihood, you'll never hear anything else about it. That has been what I have seen, in most cases anyway. You simply walk away.

Now if you are renting in a foreign country, then the choice becomes clearer because if you do not purchase the coverage and are involved in accident - something much more likely to happen since you are in unfamiliar territory - you will be required to pay for any damage immediately, regardless of any insurance coverage you may have. The car rental company is not likely to let you walk away with a promise of payment from your insurance, and this can lead to a most uncomfortable situation, as you can imagine.

Vacation Planning Should Include Car Rentals

Going on vacation is always a great deal of fun for everyone. Plans have to be made and suitcases have to be packed. You must then figure out what transportation will work for you as you travel to your favorite destination. Some people choose to fly there while others take a bus or train. Other vacationers drive, especially if they want to take in the scenery along the way. To make your trip more carefree, you may wish to rent a car for your journey ahead.

Choosing to rent a vehicle will not only reduce your stress levels, but you can confidently know that you are getting a vehicle that has been well maintained and is running properly, giving you peace of mind while you are traveling to your destination. Worrying about the vehicle while on a long trip should never be part of the vacationing experience for anyone. You can also purchase extra insurance offered by the rental company to ensure that you are protected in case you become involved in any accidents that most always are unplanned and unforeseen.

Car rental companies are experts in helping you with your vehicle vacationing needs. They have many makes and models as well as sizes and options available. If you gas budget is limited, no problem. You should also be aware that rental companies have very different prices for the same models and anyone is encouraged to price shop before they rent to get the best deal for their needs.

The number of people in your traveling adventure will usually determine the size and model of rental vehicle. One two or three people can comfortably travel in a compact and enjoy the benefits of saving gas during the trip. If more people are joining you, you will seriously want to step up to a larger SUV or van that can comfortably transport all your passengers and their luggage with room to spare and make sure to trip gets off to a great start.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Treat Yourself To A Luxury Ski Vacation

I think that an annual vacation is something that most of us spend a lot of time looking forward to. There may be a number of reasons why you're looking to get away from the daily routine, including taking the opportunity to escape from stresses that `re associated with working life.

In truth, many people would probably like to get away for vacations on a more regular basis. Instead, what tends to happen is that many of us plan a single, lavish trip away. This may well be due to the fact that regular commitments mean that there's something of a limit on the amount of time that we have available for leisure opportunities.

When you think about these issues and your own approach, you may well realise that it's important to ensure that you plan trips that will be truly memorable. You don't want to travel to somewhere that will ultimately prove to be disappointing. So how can you go about making travel plans that will meet your requirements and that are able to match your aspirations?

Ski vacations have held a place in the mind as offering luxury travel options for a long time. They enable you to combine sporting activities, with entertainment and opportunities for relaxation. There are numerous ski resorts, located throughout the world. As might be expected, many people tend to head for the leading European resorts.

If you're thinking along similar lines, then you may well be thinking about a trip to France, Switzerland, Italy or Austria. Each of these locations boasts a range of wonderful options, enabling you to create a vacation experience that you'll be able to remember for years to come. You'll find that there are no limits to the type of experience that you'll be able to enjoy.

Ski the Slopes In Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown, New Zealand, is the Southern Hemisphere's premier four season lake and alpine resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown's stunning scenery is inspiring and revitalising.

With such a huge range of activities in Queenstown, no two days will ever be the same. You can choose activities such as skydiving, bungy jumping, white water rafting, helicopter flights, taking a wild ride on a jetboat or relax and try some of the best wines in the world.

Take a day trip to the beautiful Milford Sound which is absolutely breathtaking,  or go by 4WD and explore the "Lord of the Rings" country. Whatever your appetite for adventure or exploration, Queenstown has something for everyone.

The winter months is when Queenstown really shines. It's a beautiful town nestled in the southern alps of New Zealand and is a mecca for international tourists all year long. Because of its popularity as a great destination, accommodation is booked up quickly, so looking for a great deal during the ski season means that you will have to book months in advance. There are always plenty of different options to choose from as far as your accommodation is concerned, so take the opportunity to compare prices and get the best deal.

One of the major winter attractions is skiing and Queenstown has some of the best skiing to be found anywhere. Tourism is quieter during winter as the main focus is on skiing and Queenstown is within easy reach of Coronet Peak ski resort (20 minutes away) and The Remarkables ski resort (40 minutes away). The skiing at Queenstown is great for all skiiers as the weather seems to be much more stable, giving skiiers every opportunity to get out on the slopes. Added to this is the fact that these two ski resorts rarely close, because the weather is so favourable. The scenery from the top of Coronet Peak will take your breath away so be sure to visit even if you don't ski.