From its inception, Virgin Galactic has been inspiring people the world over to think about what a look at the Earth would look and feel like from the capsule of a space ship. It would appear, that we are inching closer to that reality. For those unaware, the idea behind these flights is to have a large ship, ascend to the height of 50,000 feet and then drop a smaller ship, which will then take space tourists about 65 miles above the earths surface at a speeds of over 2500 mph.

So far what’s been announced has been pretty amazing. A space station known as Spaceport America is already being built in New Mexico, and the larger ship, the VMS Eve has taken several test flights, including one with Sir Richard Branson himself. It was the 16th flight and so far seems to be working smoothly. Virgin expects the ship to make an active drop by the end of 2009.

Another unique aspect of Virgin Galactic is how green it is. Great measures have been taken to make the ships as environmentally sound as possible. The engineers have basically taken what we know about space travel and started over, and so far it has paid off in a big way.

Speaking of paid in a big way, the price tag to get on to one of these flights is $200,000. So in the meantime, I’ll be sticking to regular flights to Europe for my next vacation!

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If you have ever thought that the electric car wouldn’t catch on, because the engines were not powerful enough, or charging was not convenient, think again. Students at MIT recently have developed an electric car using the body of a Mercury Milan, that can go from 0-60 in 9 seconds, has a top speed of 100 mph, can travel 200 miles on a single charge that only takes 10 minutes!

It sounds too good to be true, and in a way, it kind of is. There are a couple of problems with this design, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed were this model to actually catch on.  The fast charge is due to the fact that the car has nearly 8,000 lithium iron-phosphate batteries that are charged. The major problem is that in order to charge these batteries at max speed, you need a 350 kW outlet to plug into. To give you an idea of how much electricity that is, 350 kW is enough to trip the fuses in 8 houses. However, the car can take a charge overnight with a standard house hold plug, so it has that going for it.

There are currently 40 charging stations in America, none of which have the capacity to provide that kind of power. That being said, it’s exciting that the young minds of today are way ahead of the curve when it comes to forward thinking. Lets hope these green minds can continue to innovate and inspire some of the major corporations that produce cars to take a closer look.

Do you think that this has the potential to catch on? Would you consider driving an electric car? how do you think electric cars would affect the rental industry? Would you rent an electric car on your vacation?

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New York’s Grand Central Station is one of the world’s busiest travel hubs. Recently, the decision was made to replace approximately 4000 incandescent light bulbs that fill the famous hanging globes with more efficient fluorescent bulbs, also known as CFL’s. As you may or may not know, CFL’s are proven to not only last longer but also use less energy. This is good for saving money with today’s economy. The change will mean a savings of around $200,000 a year for the Grand Central Station.

The savings in your home may also be substantial. A 2008 study found that replacing approximately 30 bulbs in your home could potentially save $1500 over the course of five years, depending on your electric costs. The only noticeable downside to these lights is that they do not light up as fast as incandescent bulbs, and react even slower in cold temperatures. This means that in places like your fridge, you may be better off not changing bulbs. For flood lighting, look to solid-state lights. You may recognize solid state lights, they are more commonly known as LED lights. Examples of LED lights can be found in flashlights, stop lights, and in the headlights of many new cars.

While changing your light bulbs over may not seem like the answer to global warming, it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

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Today’s Earth Day celebrations seem more relative than ever. Here are five simple steps to making your car more fuel efficient.

1. Inflate Your Tires
I can’t stress this enough. Remember as a kid when you used to ride your bike to the beach/park/store? When those tires were flat, you knew it, because it took twice as much work to move yourself! In a 2007 study by the US Department of Energy, it was found that the cost of under inflated tires in the US was substantial- more than 1.25 billion gallons of gas (yes, billions). Check them every time you fill your tank, and save money by getting better gas mileage. You should be able to find the proper inflation numbers in your owners manual, inside the drivers side door when it’s open, or inside the gas cap.

2. Use Proper Oil
Many people are under the impression that you should use different kinds of oil for different seasons. While this may be true for some vehicles under certain conditions, studies suggest that you might just be able to improve your gas mileage by 1-2% simply by using the recommended grade.

3. Stay Tuned
Keeping your car in tune can help in a big way. By simply changing the spark plugs and spark plug wires, you will be able to see a noticeable difference in gas mileage.
You can do it yourself, or bring your car to your local mechanic. If you do bring it in, have them run a diagnostic on your car, to see what else you may be able to fix. Something like a broken oxygen sensor can seriously impair your ability to get good gas mileage.

4. Get Rid of Excess Baggage
What’s in your trunk or back seat? I really need to take my own advice on this one. Mine is filled with clothes for good will, lots of tools, a snowboard, snowboard boots, a winter coat, a blanket, two jacks, and a spare tire. Sans the blanket and maybe jacket, it can all go. My spare tire doesn’t have any air in it anyway.

5. American Idle
Most of us don’t take the time to turn off the car when idling. Turning off your car if you’re going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds will help save gas in a well tuned car. Think about this next time you take someone to the store for a couple things, and you’re relaxing in the car with the A/C on. If you can put your windows down instead of cranking the A/C, that’s going to help too.

Have a helpful Earth Day hint? Leave a comment and let us know!

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In an order to promote the electric car, many of the world’s top car manufactures have agreed on a standard plug that will be used for charging the batteries of electric vehicles. Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, BMW, Fiat, Toyota, and Mitsubishi are just some of the companies who have already signed on, and it is expected to become the industry standard. The final design of the plug was released today in Hanover, Germany, and uses a 400 volt supply. The plug will give all electric cars the ability to be recharged in a matter of minutes at stations all over the world.

This is good news for anyone thinking about buying an electric car. Not only will it be more cost effective for the car companies to outfit gas stations with electric power supplies, but you know you will be able to travel with your car into other countries as well. The idea is that charging your car will be no more time consuming or tedious than with a gas powered car, which is a concept that many EV (electric vehicle) owners will like.

The image of the electric car has not always been positive, however many people in the auto industry are excited about facing a new design challenge that is more eco-friendly. Cars produce much of the world’s carbon emissions, so for many, this is a step that is long overdue. With the spike in last years gas prices, many people were already seeking alternate forms of transportation, and the EV took the spotlight again. It seems this time, it may be permanent.

One would guess that if companies of this size have made this commitment, that affordable, reliable EV’s may be in your driveway sooner than imagined!

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In 2007  Iceland won the United Nations “Best Country to Live” award. It will only take one visit to understand why.  Iceland is well on it’s way to becoming more of a popular tourist destination. Visitors will be quick to discover that Iceland is a beautiful, safe country with a small friendly population.

The Capital of Iceland is Reykjavik. Nearly all of Iceland’s residents live in the Greater Reykjavik area. The city is filled with many high quality restaurants, which will be a bargain due to the exchange rate. There is a very active nightlife and no shortage of fantastic boutiques and stores selling everything from traditional Icelandic keepsakes, to designer clothes.

Outside of the city you can really experience Iceland’s stunning beauty. Volcanoes pepper the landscape. One of the most popular destinations is The Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal heated spa about 25 miles outside of Reykjavik. It is warm year round and attracts visitors from all over the world with its surreal blue water. There are even shuttles that will take you there directly from the airport if you just can’t wait.

(above)Strokkur Geyser

A car rental in Iceland is a great way to get out and experience more of the country’s natural beauty. You won’t want to miss out on Vatnajökull National Park. Opened on June 7th, 2008 this park combines the former Skaftafell and Jokulsargljufur National Parks. It is the largest national park in all of Europe, and covers roughly 12% of the surface of Iceland.

Here are five facts you may not know about Iceland:

-Over 99% of the electricity used in Iceland comes from hydropower and geothermal energy.

-One US dollar is equivalent to 120 Icelandic kronas.

-Iceland is about the Size of Cuba, and has a population of around 320,000.

-During the summer, you will experience nearly 24 hours of daylight.

-Iceland has a total of 15 active volcanoes.

Do you have an Icelandic story to share? If so leave a comment!

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A lesser known fact about Germany is that it dedicates much of its land to conservation. There are currently 15 national parks, 14 biosphere reserves and more than 90 nature parks. Germany’s nature parks are large protected areas of land, where you will find access to trails you can use for hiking, great sites for camping, and other various forms of outdoor recreation. The parks range in size, can be easily accessed from major roads are always a hit and a great stop while cruising in a motor home rental across Europe. Many people choose to make this a focal point of a trip, and choose to rent motor homes in Europe.

The Bavarian Forest National Park was the country’s first national park in 1970. It covers 243 square kilometers. It is the largest area of protected forest in central Europe. Majestic mountain peaks offer views that will inspire and leave you breathless, while the crystal-clear waters of Lake Rachelsee, the park’s only glacial lake, will cool you off after a long day of hiking. Keep your eyes peeled for all kinds of wildlife when walking on the 300 km of trails. There are also 200 km dedicated to biking, and 80 km for cross country skiing. A network of over 300 km of clearly marked footpaths, almost 200 km of cycle routes and around 80 km of cross-country ski runs offers visitors plenty of opportunity to enjoy the beauties of the national park in summer and in winter. Many tours are available free of charge as well, and there is even a forest play area for children. The Bavarian Forest National Park is without a doubt one of the most beautiful forests in the world, and well worth seeing if you are a fan of the outdoors.

Situated in the north of the Eifel region, Eifel National Park provides a protected habitat where trees were once commercially cut. New wild natural forests are developed and are currently providing a safe habitat for more than 230 endangered plant and animal species. Wild cats, kingfishers and several species of bat are just some of the animals you will see. Visitors can explore the national park at their own leisure, or take a guided tour from park rangers. The visitor center offers many interesting activities and exhibitions for people of all ages.

The Jasmund National Park has very diverse landscape, in a rather small area. You can find an interesting mix of marshes, wetlands and dry grassland, as well as the chalk cliffs at the Königsstuhl. You may have seen these famous cliffs in some of the works by the painter Caspar David Friedrich. The national park also includes ancient beech tree forests that have existed since the 13th century. This park is great for all kinds of exploration on the hiking and biking trails that are scattered throughout, and will leave you satisfied after a long day of exploration.

These parks lend themselves to day trips, or even staying a little longer if you are touring around in a motor home rental in Germany. Wherever you go in Germany, keep an open mind about visiting these beautiful national parks and you will be sure to see some breathtaking landscapes.

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With global temperatures rising, our environment is something that everyone should be concerned about. All over the world, massive efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse gasses, limit pollution and repair the planets delicate ecosystem. Many of us here in the United States and Canada have taken measures at home to reduce our own carbon footprint by walking, biking and driving more fuel efficient cars, eating organic foods that weren’t grown using harmful pesticides, using energy efficient lights in our homes and work places, and supporting companies who do the same. Many of us are finding that “going green” reduces costs and saves money on everyday expenses. This is good news for our planet, as well as your bottom line.

When on vacation there is no reason not to continue these practices. Here are some helpful hints designed to help you have the green vacation you’ve always wanted, without having to sacrifice the amenities you are used to.

Try to find an eco friendly hotel. There are many of them all over the world, and they generally won’t cost you more than anywhere else.  Conserve resources as much as possible by turning off the lights when you’re not in the room and by limiting the use of the heat and air conditioning.  Also, do you really need a fresh towel every day? Put a do not disturb sign on your door and stay with the same linens, for at least two days.

Take your digital camera along. Digital cameras are far better for the environment than a disposable camera. You can also take more photos, see them immediately, and print only the ones you want.

Eat the local food, as it does not have to travel as far to get to your plate. By eating locally, not only are you supporting the local economy, you are supporting the families of the region directly. Avoid all fast food and chain restaurants. After all, you wouldn’t go to Florida for a fresh Maine lobster would you?

When renting a car on vacation, there are little things that you can do in order to cut down on your gas consumption.

Rent the smallest car possible. If you are willing to be slightly cramped in the back seat of a compact versus renting a midsize, not only will you save money on the rental, but you will get better gas mileage.  Accelerate gradually in your rental car. Acceleration uses more gas than anything else. Once the car is moving, it will use less gas to stay moving, so set the cruise control at a reasonable speed while on highways.  When stopping, don’t wait till the last minute to use those breaks. Use the clutch and allow the car to stop gradually.  Ease off the air conditioning if you don’t need it. Roll those windows down instead and breathe in the fresh air!  Check the tire pressure, every time you fill up, even with your rental car.  You can sometimes do this before you even drive it off the lot, and attendants will show you where to fill up those tires.  Carry as little around with you while driving. The less weight in your car, the better it will perform.  Pack light in general to save fuel while on the plane. The less baggage the plane has to carry, the better it will run.

Do you have some eco-friendly travel tips?  Leave a me a comment with anything you can think of!

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