Whether you’re looking to go cheap and park up at a campsite or live a little and get a nice hotel, you’ll always have your car with you in order to travel the local areas, or even go for a day trip to a location that’s perhaps a few miles away. Of course a trip such as this requires a specific budget for petrol or diesel, so getting hold of a Chooseafuelcard.com Fuel Cards might help out with fuel management.

The only problem that ever really occurs is choosing where to go. Here are a few ideas.

Grenoble, France by Jörg Sancho Pernas

South of France

Traveling through the heart of the French countryside, first of all you’ll have a very pleasant journey, but also the chance to stop off at the numerous towns and cities along the way, including Dijon, Lyon and Grenoble.

Once arrived in the southern coast, there is a plethora of locations you can choose from, the next more glamorous than the last. The likes of Nice and Cannes allow great shopping destinations, whilst also taking in the wondrous views of the coastline and the Mediterranean. Monaco is just a completely different experience altogether and seeing the likes of the Casino Square can really open your eyes to a lifestyle only few in this world can enjoy frequently.

Monaco by Georges DICK

Northern Italy

There are a varied amount of destinations in the north of Italy which can offer unique experiences all in one holiday. The main point of call would be the fashion and style hub of Milan for a couple of days in the city, splashing a bit of cash and eating great food. From there, you can make the trip south-west to San Remo and enjoy the great coastline of another stylish location that is similar in some ways to Monaco, not least because of the fancy casino the town has.

If that wasn’t your bag, you could always go further north from Milan and visit the glam of Lake Como and Lake Maggiore on the Swiss border. Going east would see you eventually come across the likes of Verona and even the amazing city of Venice.

Lake Como, Italy by Joyborg

East coast of Spain

This is a trip probably reserved for those die-hard families that love to be together in a car for a very long time, but the east coast of Spain harbours some of the great summer locations Europe has to offer.

First stop would be Barcelona for a great city experience and a number of cliché tourist visits to the likes of the Cathedral, Las Rambles and Camp Nou football stadium. Next up is a drive south to the beautiful coastal city of Valencia for some sunbathing and relaxing.

Further down the coast includes destinations such as Benidorm for a good night out and Alicante for a more of an all-rounder.

Alicante, Spain by Claire (Europe Explored)

About the author: Sam writes for Chooseafuel.com who offer various fuel cards for pretty much everyone on the European continent, whether you need it for a petrol car of a diesel LPG. For more information click here.

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Moving abroad is a massive dream for some and with France, you have the chance to explore one the most cultural countries on the continent. Having a lovely villa on the coast or a trendy apartment in the city enables you to live a completely different lifestyle and take advantage of all around you, from French furniture to French fashion.

Menton, Cote d’Azur, France by Berthold Werner

It is advised that you pick a region where people go to visit on their holidays or at least where the local economy has a healthy bounce to it. It also helps if the location has great communication and access to the countries roadways, unless, of course, you want to feel detached in a serene environment.

Putting money into property abroad can be quite a risk and therefore it is the better bet to locate yourself in an area that has a history of having a healthy financial climate. If you do have money to burn, however, you may feel obliged to test out untapped areas and gamble on a slightly more obscure part of the country.

For the purposes of this post though, we’ll just stick to the well-established towns and cities.

Going for glamour

It’s fair to say that the most obvious places in France to relocate to are the likes of Paris and the south coast (Cote d’Azur). The French capital of Paris harbours expensive tastes, but great opportunity for profitable investments on property, with house prices always on the rise and the city never going out of fashion. Grabbing yourself a city apartment and decking it out with some trendy French furniture and artwork could really spruce up your life.

The Cote d’Azur offers a completely different angle to French living thanks to both the climate and the jet set lifestyle. The big problem, however, is that you will need a pretty big budget and small investors will struggle to get on the property ladder. If you do have the money, it can be a very sound investment and you will be able to enjoy every sunny day of your time down there.

The Alps

For those of an active disposition will likely see the Alps as a fantastic prospect when deciding where to move to in France. The location is possibly the most popular skiing destination on the planet and because of that, house prices can be quite high, but going just a couple of miles out of the hotspots could see you pick up a bargain.

The slopes are the real attraction, of course, and you could enjoy a life of shopping in some of the most stylish shopping areas and then moving onto a bit of skiing, as well as taking in the breath-taking views.

French Alps by Jim Trodel

Living it up in the city

French cities are finding more and more investment being thrown at them and so are making for a very prosperous place to move to.

Places like Marseille and Bordeaux are beginning to thrive, the latter being the capital of one of France’s finest wine regions. With the countries brilliant TGV train service, most places are very accessible and going from somewhere like Marseille to Paris can be done in just under two hours.

Other locations worth a mention for a great taste of French city life include Reims and Strasbourg.

About the author: Sam writes for The Furniture Market where you can get a great selection of furniture made from solid oak and in such styles as French style furniture.

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Rennes Cathedral, France by chelmsfordblue

Gayeulles Park is one of the largest in Brittany and a popular destination during the warmer months. It consists of three manmade lakes, pedalos, a swimming pool, an ice rink, a campsite, a miniature golf course, a farm for children and facilities for sports including tennis, squash and several other activities. With so much going on, it’s easy to spend a full day at Gayeulles Park, and it’s guaranteed to keep the whole family happy.

Rennes Cathedral

A trip to the Cathedral is an essential part of any trip to Rennes for architecture lovers. The work of architect Mathurin Crucy, 57 years of work went into its construction. Though the outer façade is quite simplistic and unassuming, the inside of the Cathedral is lavishly adorned with exquisite paintings and gold designs.

Breton Parliament

Breton Parliament represents the link between Brittany and France. The building itself is a sight to behold, made from granite and freestone with gilded characters embedded into the walls as a representation of justice. After a destructive fire in 1994, the Parliament underwent a massive restoration programme and is just as impressive today as it was in the 17th century.

Rennes houses, France by Mitch Altman

The Short Film Festival

The annual Short Film Festival is entirely dedicated to short films in the fantasy genre. It draws fanatics from all over the world to the city of Rennes. Though fantasy was previously a very specific niche, the event is attracting more and more visitors every year and the city has a unique buzz over the duration of the event. It usually runs for four days in October. As is the case for all planned functions, it’s worth booking a hotel well in advance if you plan to stay in Rennes whilst the Short Film Festival is taking place.

Rennes Eco-museum

Rennes Eco-museum, situated in the south of the city, tells the story of thirteen centuries of farming. It’s housed in a beautifully restored farm building and also serves as an observatory of ancient breeds of animals that have been preserved. The region’s history is explored through displays of costumes, tools and farming equipment, as well as reconstructed kitchens and larders. Of course, there are several other museums scattered throughout the city, but the Eco-museum is a fascinating location that provides a real insight into times gone by.

Rennes, France by Mitch Altman

Conclusion

Rennes is a city steeped in history with a diverse mix of attractions for visitors. It may not be one of France’s most obvious holiday destinations, but it can provide an interesting break for tourists.

Rennes is a great place to visit and has a number of great campsites for holiday makers. Especially noteworthy are “Camping des Gayeulles” and “Chateau des Ormes”. So take your camping equipment and pitch up your tent, if you need to buy any new camping items visit the Outdoor World Direct store which stocks all things camping.

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La Coruna airport serves the A Coruna province of North West Spain which forms part of the Galicia region. The capital city, also named A Coruna, is located approximately 8km from the airport, so a hire car can transport you swiftly between the two. Galicia is not as tourist-driven as some other areas of Spain, making prices comparatively low and this also extends to car rental costs. Having your own vehicle whilst visiting the area will allow you to fully explore the beautiful countryside and historical towns and cities, whilst also saving you money on public transport costs. Collecting your hire car direct from the airport is very convenient, particularly for families or other large groups and for those visiting on business. Most of the major car rental companies have facilities at the airport, including Avis, Alamo, Budget and Europcar.

La Coruna airport, Spain by Marcus

Booking Online

There are a number of ways to find companies offering car hire for La Coruna airport online and a simple search on Google (such as “car hire Spain“) will return many pages of results. If this seems a little overwhelming then price comparison websites will do a lot of the hard work for you, providing easy options to narrow down the search to your requirements and directly compare particular companies and deals. When you find something you are happy with, simply click through to the relevant page and make your booking. Alternatively, if you have been recommended or prefer to use a specific company, you can go directly to their homepage to book your car.

Benefits

Online booking is very fast and simple and you will usually be e-mailed all the details relating to your purchase for easy reference. There may also be the option of amending any details of your booking prior to departure, but be sure to check for any additional charges. Booking in this way gives you as much time as you need to select the right vehicle for your needs and budget, without feeling unduly pressurised. Most companies also have a wider choice of vehicles available online, compared to booking on arrival at the airport. In this way, you can be sure of all the usual benefits associated with car rental, such as freedom and independence, with the additional reassurance of knowing that the car you want will be ready and waiting for you on arrival.

Online booking of rental cars is by far the most convenient way to arrange your transport from La Coruna airport, providing the best prices and widest range of options to truly make the most of your stay in this beautiful part of Spain.

AUTHOR BIO
Shirley Jones writes regularly for a range of travel websites and blogs, covering many aspects associated with this field. Particular areas of interest include finding the best holiday deals on tickets, accommodation and related travel requirements in Europe (e.g. cheap car hire Spain, car hire for La Coruna Airport) to help UK-based consumers make the most of their money in this top holiday destination.

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Portsmouth fishing fleet, UK by Roger H. Goun

How to keep occupied when on a low budget

There are many attractions in Portsmouth which don’t cost a single penny in order to enjoy them. Portsmouth has a very long seafront (approximately 4 kilometres) and two piers (Clarence and South Parade) are situated there as well. When walking, cycling or driving along the seafront, there are many events which are organised throughout the year, such as the bandstand which overlooks the seafront. During the summer months, a host of bands and artists perform at the bandstand and several styles of music can be enjoyed at no cost whatsoever.

Portsmouth is a city of culture

Unlike other towns and cities in the United Kingdom, Portsmouth’s cultural attractions have not suffered greatly because its many libraries are still open. Portsmouth has numerous museums which are still free to enter (although giving a donation is recommended). They are also open extensively throughout the year as well.

Enjoying the great outdoors

Despite being hugely developed over the past few hundred years, especially since the end of the Second World War, Portsmouth has many areas which have copious amounts of nature. Hilsea Lines is found in the north of the city and were originally built in the 19^th century in order to protect Portsmouth and its affluent residents from French and Spanish forces if an invasion took place. As the likelihood of this happening soon diminished, Hilsea Lines returned to civilian use and now houses a sanctuary which is host to much nature. Running through Hilsea Lines is a canal and this attracts an abundance of birdlife.

Just a few hundred yards away from Hilsea Lines is Farlington Marshes. With a path running through the top of it, many walkways are in Farlington Marshes which offers those who visit this picturesque area the opportunity to see many birds and animals. Free to enter, Farlington Marshes is a very popular destination, especially as there are many car parks throughout.

Home to the last remains of Henry VIII’s warship the Mary Rose and also both HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, Portsmouth continues to attract thousands of visitors every year. As the upmarket shopping complex Gunwharf Quays opened in 2001 and the hideous Tricorn Centre demolished in 2004, Portsmouth is a far more pleasant place to live and visit, especially as it regularly hosts events which attract people from around the world.

About the author: Russell Hill is a journalist and freelance writer. He loves green tourism and enjoys exploring cities rich in culture and heritage. He gives preference to staying in fully furnished corporate apartments rather than hotels. One company that inspired Russell was Executive Apartments, a fully furnished corporate apartment rentals provider in Washington, D.C.

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Media Release picture by london2012.com

Arriving into Heathrow

This is the busiest airport in the UK and to those who are coming from small towns and cities, it can be overwhelming.  Once you step off the plane, you will need to walk about 15 – 20 minutes until you reach immigration. Once through you go downstairs to collect your bags.  There are places where you can buy tickets to get into London. These are valid ticket sales people and if you want to get the Heathrow express train, buy a ticket.  However, you can get the Piccadilly line from Heathrow into town.  A single will probably set you back around £6.00 but it is cheaper than taking the Heathrow express, plus the tube gets you right into the centre of London.

Arriving into Gatwick

Gatwick is situated just outside the M25, but is accessible to London via the Gatwick express train service or regular train service.  The Gatwick trains both run into London Victoria and most via Croydon. The Gatwick express stops at fewer stations and is also more expensive.

You can also take a cab from either Gatwick or Heathrow into London but then you will need to fight your way through the traffic.

Tackling the Tube

If you are staying for London for more than a weekend, it will be worth investing in an Oyster card.  When they were first introduced, the Oyster card itself was free, but now it costs £5 and you will need to add credit or “top up” as they call it in London.  A single journey with an Oyster card within zone 1 is £1.90, without Oyster it is £4.00 so you can see the advantages.  The tube system is one of the oldest in the world and with that comes small tunnels and overcrowding.  Try and avoid the tourist hotspots such as Piccadilly, Oxford Circus and Camden at peak times.

Once you have arrived at your destination, whether that is a hostel, hotel or one of the many London apartments, you are all set to start exploring this wonderful city. If you have arrived from far, you may want to put on your walking shoes and start seeing the city on foot.  Your accommodation would have left out some of the maps of London, so plan where you want to go and don’t get lost.

Robin is a travel blogger who writes about destinations and tourist attractions throughout Europe.  Robin also recommends short term accommodation, such as renting Rome apartments, staying in hotels in Paris and London.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by JoeInQueens

Bournemouth

We’ll start with Bournemouth as it’s such a popular hotspot for stag parties, and because it has such a great student population. Bournemouth is said to have its own microclimate which makes it slightly warmer than the rest of the country, and if you mix this with the nearby university and the sandy beaches you have all the ingredients for a great party town.

There are lots of great bars and pubs to try here then, and a number of cool hangouts. When you start your evening if you’d like to have some quiet drinks somewhere hip and happening then try out ‘Flirt Café’ which is in the area called the Triangle. This is a great little bar by night and café during the day which features chairs from airplanes, nicely made beds and the strangest décor you’re likely to see. You might also want to consider visiting Inferno which is up the other end by the train station which is the student union and a great place to get some cheap drinks.

Other cool bars include Sherbet and Aruba (the latter of which is on the pier and great on a summers’ evening), but from there you then have your pick of clubs including Chilli Whites, Lava Ignite and Camel Bar which is open until 6am.

Leeds

Leeds is full of great places to drink, and it would be difficult to name them all here. However two great spots to seek out are Fab Café and Baby Jupiter. The former is a bar that is decorated like a science fiction palace with large figurines and models from films strewn around the place as well as a retro feel with old fashioned sweets sold at the bar and pinball machines to play, while the latter is a hidden gem – to walk down the road you’d think you were in a residential area and it’s only by going down some hidden steps that you can find this chilled out and very artistic bar. For your choice of clubs there’s lots on offer such as the Cockpit, Oceana and Mint. Look at for the pub that looks like a boat in Headingley too.

London

London is simply too large to find everything that there is to offer, and this can make it a little intimidating for someone trying to find their way around. The solution is to plan ahead and to know where you want to go – in which case there are various great areas to hit. Leicester square for instance is a good place to go if you want to be right in the heart of London and see some of the weirdness it has to offer and there are some good clubs here if you are into urban music in particular.

Alternatively why not visit Shepherds Bush for a smaller and easier to manage night out. Here you will be near the impressive Westfield shopping center, and this has some very trendy bars to visit which is filled with successful city-types. Following that you can then move into the main part of Shepherds Bush where you can find a Walkabout and various other clubs.

Jeet is a web master working for 1001BeerSteins.com. He has been providing all the information on their different product launches including Glass Beer Mugs with the help of his blog.

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