I love beer. I know it may seem strange, but it’s true. Sure, I love other things, like my special lady friend, my family, my guitar and kittens, but I also love beer. I’m not saying I love all beer. Hefeweizens and pilsners do make the top of my rather long list. I’m generally not too thrilled if the word “light” is on the label, or if it names a fruit in its title, unless it’s for desert. I think it’s fair to say that I like my beer when it’s like the weather; clear and cool with a chance of clouds.

My favorite place to drink beer is in Germany. For centuries, people have been enjoying the delicious beer of Bavaria. Beer in Germany is part of the culture, and all beer is subjected to strict purity guidelines. These guidelines, called the Reinheitsgebot, have been in place since 1516 and are the oldest form of food quality regulation in the entire world. It basically states that the only ingredients allowed to make beer are water, barley, and hops. It was slightly reformed in 1987, but many brewers have stuck to their original recipes. There are over 1,300 breweries in Germany, which is second only to the 1,500 of America!

As you may know, there are many styles of German beer. What I like about German beer is that in most cases you won’t find “non-beer” flavors, like fruit and spice, which is very common here in America. As far as variety goes, you won’t find more of it anywhere else, and it’s nearly all delicious. Light, dark, wheat, pilsner, kolsch, top fermented, bottom fermented, whatever you can think of, Germany will have what you are looking for.

Before traveling to Germany for the first time, I used to ask Germans what they thought of our beer and beer culture. From what I gathered, it appeared that some of our microbreweries produce good beer, but our beer culture is nothing when compared to Bavaria. It only took one visit to a beer garden in Munich to understand why. Visiting a beer garden is some of the most fun you can have while on vacation in Germany. They are large, open areas, usually outdoors, sometimes tented, that serve beer. A beer hall is basically the same thing, just indoors. It’s a great place to make friends, and experience delicious beer.

You will want something in your belly before consuming large amounts of beer, and in Germany, it is widely agreed that nothing goes better with a beer than a fresh pretzel or a bratwurst. Bratwurst is seasoned sausage, which can be soaked in beer for hours before cooking. Brat’s can be pan-fried, roasted, grilled or boiled. They are eaten with sauerkraut and/or potatoes, or in a roll with spicy mustard. Pretzels are generally large, fresh, and chewy, a nice break from the hard crunchy ones we are so used to. Most beer halls/gardens will have these available, or you may bring your own food.

There are some important things to remember when drinking at a beer garden in Germany. Make sure you have time to spend there to truly enjoy it. You don’t want to feel rushed. The beers are huge there, so know your limits and pace yourself. The smallest beer you will be able to get is a half liter, although full liter beers are very popular. There can be close to 5,000 people in some of the larger gardens/halls. It’s going to be loud, so while you won’t need ear plugs, you will need to speak loudly to communicate. You will most likely be sharing the table you are at with strangers, and that makes for part of the fun. People are generally in good spirits and will let you know if the seat is taken. When in doubt just ask someone, and they usually will help you out.

By being social and acting friendly, you will be sure to have a great time at a beer garden on your next German vacation. Prost!

Hans

Have a beer garden story? Tell us about it by leaving a comment!

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!

Like it or not, winter is just around the corner. It’s also considered slow season in the travel industry, and that can mean savings for you. For those of us who are into mountain sports, this is a great time to visit Europe and ski or snowboard the world famous Alps! I thought I would put together a list of some of the most important things to remember when renting a vehicle while on your ski vacation.

1. Decide what you need to bring

Unless you are a professional, you most likely do not need to bring more than one pair of skis. I often hear from people who think it is necessary to bring multiple pairs of skis on vacation. Can you imagine trying to get through customs with 2 or 3 pairs of skis after an 8 hour flight? To me, it’s simply not worth the hassle. Another option for those inclined is to rent skis locally. The shops around the mountain normally offer discounted rental rates for long term ski rentals, and usually they are top of the line demo skis. They are almost always new that year, so you may end up getting something nicer than you are used to!

2. Tune-up

Picture this; you and your friends are at the mountain about to lay tracks on some groomers. On your first run you realize that you have no edge, no wax and can’t turn. This is not a pleasant experience. Make sure to have your skis tuned and checked out by a professional before you leave. In the event that a ski does break, many European ski mountains have pro shops that are highly qualified to work on your skis.

3. Lock ‘em up

To avoid theft bring a ski lock with a combination you won’t forget. This will deter most ski thieves. Never leave your skis unattended for too long if you can help it. In the event your skis do get stolen its best to fall into a state of panic, and run about with arms flailing. Okay, maybe don’t do that, but do try to keep your cool and report it to ski patrol immediately. A good lock is a worthy investment to avoid this experience.

4. Figure out transportation ahead of time

Many people on ski trips rent vehicles to get back and forth from the mountain. In most cases, it is less expensive to rent two compact sized vehicles instead of a full size minivan. As most companies rent ski racks, this can work out very well if you have a group of 6 passengers. You will want to be sure to check to see how many pairs of skis each rack will hold. Often times its only two pairs per rack, but you can usually get two racks per rental, which means holding a total of 4 pairs of skis. Book your car well in advance if you need a ski rack. I can not stress this enough. There is no solution when you get a last minute rental and the supplier is out of ski racks. Most locations sell out of these racks, so you absolutely must ask for them in advance. Otherwise, you will be forced to upgrade to a larger car that will hold your equipment, at a higher cost.

5. Be prepared for snow

It is important to check to local weather as there may be unfavorable conditions in the forecast. Often times there will be cloud cover that clears once the sun comes out, so check to see the mountains conditions. Unless there is precipitation, the cloud cover is unimportant! However any amount of moisture in the air will affect the driving conditions. Make sure your car rental has the proper snow equipment needed to reach your destination. I once rented a beautiful Mercedes-Benz in Vienna on a trip to Austria, however when I got to the mountain, I couldn’t make it to the parking area as the car did not have snow chains.

6. Ask around

When you pick up your car, tell the clerk at the counter what mountain you are going to. More often than not, they are familiar with the local mountains and they can offer priceless advice, like where to eat, and ways to avoid busy lift lines. Do the same at your hotel. I would avoid asking vagrants and the homeless for advice on skiing, unless you are looking to learn new curse words in a foreign language.

7. Plan your day trips

Use one of the many mapping systems on the internet to figure out how to get to the mountain from your hotel if you are not sure. It can be frustrating trying to find a location with no directions in inclement weather. Renting a hand held GPS unit from Auto Europe is a fantastic way to alleviate this problem.

8. Ski Safe

You are in Europe, and the mountains are most likely bigger than what you are used to. Familiarize yourself with the locations of ski patrol stations and make sure you have a meeting point if someone gets separated. Wear a helmet; it’s kind of like a seat belt, but for your head. Don’t show off for locals. No one is impressed when the American tourist has to get airlifted out by helicopter because they are skiing out of bounds, or comes down on the gurney after attempting something they shouldn’t. It won’t be fun in the lodge wearing a cast while your friends are out on the slopes.

9. Have fun!

That is after all, why you are there in the first place, right? Get out there and enjoy the snow this winter in Europe!

Feel like sharing a ski travel experience? Leave a comment or send me an email, I would love to hear from you!

Insurance is one of the things that we get asked about here at Auto Europe almost more than anything else. I’ve thrown together a quick guide to help you when planning your trip. This may seem confusing, but being informed about insurance can save you a lot of time, energy and money when traveling abroad.

Some terms that you should know:
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) this insurance covers lawful damage to the vehicle.
TP (Theft Protection) covers the car in the event of theft and is usually grouped and sold together with CDW.
Liability covers any damage to persons or property outside of the rental vehicle.  This is always included in Auto Europe rates.
Fire Insurance covers the car in case of fire damage. This is also always included in Auto Europe rates.
PAI (Personal Accident Insurance) covers the hospital bills of people inside the car in the event of accident while driving. This is generally not available until you are at the rental counter.

There are two options for providing the CDW/TP insurance while on vacation in Europe. The first would be to check with your major credit card company to see if they will cover your car if you use that particular card to pay for the entire cost of the rental. Be sure to mention the countries you plan on traveling to, as there are some locations where this will not apply. It’s also important to note that usually the drivers name needs to match the name on the credit card for this coverage to apply. There is generally a 14 or 30 day maximum rental limit with credit cards. Four wheel drive cars, motorcycles, trucks, camper vans or cargo vans are usually not covered and there is usually a maximum value of the car covered. If at all possible, get a copy of the policy from the credit card to bring with you to the counter.

In most cases, there is still a deductible of some sort when collision and theft are purchased. Usually there is insurance offered locally which can reduce the collision and theft deductible if it is something you want to do. It is important to know this amount as they can be as low as zero, or thousands of dollars in some cases.

In Ireland, you will most likely need to purchase the CDW/TP on your rental, as very few credit cards will cover you there. In Italy the CDW/TP is mandatory and is included in our rates.

Having a credit card is very important for several reasons when renting a car in Europe. The suppliers are going to need to block of a set amount for gas, key and insurance deposit. This amount varies by supplier. It will be important to ask at the counter how much they plan on blocking, as the funds are usually tied up for a few days after you have returned your vehicle. If you do not have a credit card, the rental company can ask you for a cash deposit, which will usually mean leaving approximately $750-$2000 (US) dollars at the rental counter, which gets sent back to you about a month after you return the car, in the form of a check.

It’s also important to keep in mind that no insurance is going to cover negligence on your part, so drive safely by obeying all traffic laws. If there is a collision a valid police report is mandatory. You document any kind of damage with photos if you have the ability to do so.

Take these factors into consideration when renting a vehicle and you will be sure to have a pleasant rental experience! If you can think of any other helpful advice, please feel free to leave a comment!

Greetings from Portland, Maine! My name is Hans Ericsson and I will be sharing ideas, travel tips and stories for your information and enjoyment. Having family all over Europe, travel is a large part of my life, and I look forward to writing more on the blog here at Auto Europe.

Don’t Fear the Locals

A couple years ago I took a solo tour of Ireland. A scary idea at first, it ended up being one of the best possible travel experiences. Basically, I landed in Dublin, picked up my rental car, practiced driving it around the airport for an hour (right side drive) and hit the road. I soon found a safe place to park my car overnight, locked my belongings in the trunk and took off on foot.

After visiting the Guinness brewery and taking a city bus tour, I stepped into the nearest pub for a two Euro ale and some local Irish craic (light hearted conversation). I enjoyed the company of locals all afternoon. I asked many people what they recommended I do, and was mostly told to visit Cork, Kerry and Galway.

It was soon eight in the evening and I mentioned I needed a place to stay. Within minutes I had several people offer me their couch. Then one gentleman came over and said he owned a motel two blocks down, and would give me a room for €20 euro if I would buy the next round. Needless to say I did, and drifted off in a cozy bed around eleven. The rest of the trip was just as fun, as I met many more friendly people, all of whom had excellent advice on where to go, places to see, and what to drink.

To me this was the perfect balance of seeing the main attractions, and experiencing the local culture. If you speak the language and feel comfortable, talk to as many people as you can, you will be glad you did. Locals can provide insightful information that no guide book will ever have. Use your better judgment when approaching people and you will be sure to see some things you otherwise never would have heard about.

Feel free to comment about your experience with locals while traveling abroad!

A question that I keep hearing from our customers concerns their frequent flyer miles, and the changing rules regarding how to redeem them, or if they even can. People want to know what the best approach is: Should they hold on to their miles and hope for the best? Or, should they use them now and make sure they are able to get something out of them?

There are a myriad of answers to these questions, and I am hoping that I will be able to shed some light on the subject for those of you wondering what to do. I think that perhaps the outlook on this situation has a tendency to be overly bleak in the eyes of the travelers.

Frontier, in the face of bankruptcy, has declared that it will be raising the amount of miles necessary in order to claim your rewards tickets (from 15,000 to 20,000), but this is still below the industry standard. US Airways and Delta have also announced that they will be instituting fees to claim reward miles. However, if you think about it, it’s still a plane ticket that costs considerably less than if you had paid full price for it. Granted, it’s not as good of a deal as it was before, but it’s still a discount.

If you are really worried about your miles, you can always cash them in and take that trip that you’ve been meaning to. This could be the perfect excuse to get away for a great vacation.

Those who travel often for business can shop themselves out to other airlines if they are worried. If you can prove that you are a frequent and loyal flyer, many airlines will immediately give you the same status that you had with your previous airline.

However, the fact of the matter is, the chances that one of the major 6 airlines will go out of business is highly unlikely. The big companies will either ride out this cost crisis by changing their fare and route structure, or they will merge, as Delta and Northwest did recently. In fact, a merger could actually prove beneficial to mile holders if either airline will accept each other’s miles.

I hope this answers some of your questions, and alleviates some of your concerns,

Safe Travels,

Ted Phelps

Customer Travel Consultant

Traveling is almost always a hectic experience: making sure that you have everything you need in your suitcase, driving to the airport through traffic, standing in line at the security checkpoint; these tasks always seem to take longer than you had planned. You throw all of your stuff on the x-ray conveyor belt, and step hastily through the metal detectors. Something somewhere beeps, and you are pulled aside for the full search, pat down and all. By now you are starting to run late for your flight, and things are getting a bit tense. You hurriedly put on your shoes and belt, grab your bag, and run off down to the gate. Fortunately, you make your flight by the skin of your teeth, and settle down into your seat with a sigh of relief.

Ten hours later you are in London unpacking everything, trying to relax before your big meeting the next day. Then you get that weird sinking feeling, like when you forgot your homework in the third grade. Something is missing. It’s your laptop. And it had your presentation on it…

Every week over 12,000 people share the same or similar fate. The worst part is, only about 35% of the laptops that are lost in airports are ever recovered. Part of the problem is that by the time you actually figure out that it’s gone, you’ve been in the foreign airport, on a bus or subway, in a taxi and who knows where else. Pinning down the location where you lost it can be almost impossible, let alone actually tracking it down.

Another issue is that even if you don’t lose the computer yourself, there are plenty of people out there who are willing to steal it from you. The most common scam is switching bags at the x-ray machine. Often working in pairs, thieves purposefully bring a bag that looks similar to many other popular types of laptop bags. One of the crooks creates a diversion at the machine that allows the other participant to switch their bag with yours. Next thing you know, you’re in your hotel room opening up your bag to find a phone book in it instead of a computer.

There are a myriad of things you can do to prevent both laptop loss and theft. Experts suggest placing an obvious label on the computer with your contact information. Websites like www.stuffbak.com sell custom labels with a phone number to call, at which point their service will contact you (which prevents you from having to put your own personal information on the label). In terms of preventing theft, just be sure to keep an eye on your personal effects at all times. If you are continuously watching it, no one can try and switch it out or take it.

Bringing our computers has become increasingly popular (if not necessary) for both business and personal travel. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of opportunities to lose these valuable pieces of technology. Be attentive and make sure someone can contact you if you lose your computer.

Safe Travels,

Ted Phelps

Customer Travel Consultant