We all know that the sun may one day power many of our electronic devices. Ever wonder how that works? I have many times, but that’s not what I’m hear to discuss.

I know it’s a somewhat late announcement, but I wanted to remind everyone to not forget the sunscreen on your next trip to the beach! Even if you’re not going anywhere far, I can tell you from experience, that just a little exposure to the sun on areas of your body that don’t have a base tan can mean burn city. And it’s painful too! Just ask any of the people that sit near me at work.

You see I thought I could just get a base tan by only using a non-waterproof SPF 4 spray. I was very, very wrong, and now my stomach would be done if I were in a lobster cook off. I’m covered in burns, and have been wincing and whining all about it all day. Hopefully the pain ends soon. If I come across something that makes it go away, I will let you know ASAP! Until then, use at least SPF 30 if you really want to avoid those terrible burns. I know I wish I had!

Stay Safe,
Hans Ericsson

Bookmark to

We get a lot of questions about car sizes, so here is some information that may be helpful to you when planning your next vacation in Europe. The cars you see on our website may not be as large as you are used to here in America. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first reason is that the streets in Europe are very small compared to our roads. In many European cities the roads were designed with horses and pedestrians in mind. These tiny streets and roads are barely large enough for two lanes, so having the smallest car possible is always advisable. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not impossible to drive a minivan if you need to. But in cases where there are only two passengers, having an economy or compact car will usually work out great.

The second reason a smaller car might not be a bad idea is due to the cost of fuel. While steps have been taken to already be more fuel efficient, Europe has some rather high gas prices. Use internet resources to find out average prices. This will at least give you an idea of what to expect on your next vacation in Europe.

Bookmark to

Planning on biking in Europe this summer? Here are some things you should think about before crossing overseas.

The first thing you should ask yourself is how badly you need to use your own bike? There are business all over Europe that will rent you whatever kind of bicycle you want!  This means you won’t have to travel with your bike. Personally, I can’t imagine taking my bike overseas. Assuming your bike makes it to Europe in one piece, you are going to have a hard time finding a rental car company that will rent you a car with a bike rack. Because the car rental suppliers usually won’t have a rack, you will be forced to rent a larger vehicle, which is going to cost you.  The difference you would pay for a van is usually more than the cost of a couple bicycle rentals, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Another thing to think about is where you want to go. If you are interested in biking in England, but you don’t know where, do research! There are a plethora of cycle clubs all over the Europe, and they are always looking for people to join them!

Lastly, make sure you know the rules of the road. This may seem like common sense, but the rules can change quite drastically depending on what country you are in.  There are no exceptions for not knowing proper safety protocol.

Whether you’re trail riding in the Black Forrest, or racing through the French wine country, cycling can be a wonderful way to see the country side on your next European vacation.

Bookmark to

One of the most common questions we get at Auto Europe is in regards to sound systems. When you’re heading overseas and planning on doing some serious driving, the radio doesn’t always cut it, especially if you don’t speak the native language. Travelers are always curious if they should bring CD’s, tapes, or MP3 players. The answer is not quite as simple as you may think. In nearly all locations, all cars come with CD players. It’s highly unlikely that you will get a vehicle that has a tape player. As for the MP3 players, while many cars have built in 1/8″ inputs, it’s not guaranteed. Your best bet is to bring an FM transmitter, as all cars, everywhere, will have FM radios.

Remember if you have questions about any aspect of your rental, this blog is a great place to bring them up!

Bookmark to

For travelers, online mapping is one of the most important tools you can use while gearing up for your next vacation.  While seeing a map of an area is great, many electronic mapping systems are now using satellite images to help you find your way.  If you have ever used Google for this purpose you may notice they have a Street View feature.

The Street View allows the user to actually see the street and surrounding buildings with 360° horizontal and 290° vertical panoramic views.  Cars with cameras actually have to drive down each street to create the images. If the streets are too narrow, bikes are sometimes used.  If you haven’t experienced it, you should check it out. If you live in any major city in the US you will most likely be able to access the feature.  As of right now this feature is available in the following European countries: France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and most recently, the United Kingdom.

The Eiffel Tower as seen with Google Street View

While it’s good to know what a location may look like before you get there, you know you will always find your way with a portable GPS rental from Auto Europe while on your next vacation.

Bookmark to

Communication is the one of the most important aspects of travel, and learning a second language is a valuable asset when overseas. Studies show that the earlier you learn a language, the more it will stick, and the easier it is to learn more languages once you get older. This is why many people in the US are trying to get language programs introduced into more elementary schools.  For many of us, it’s hard to master a language without being immersed in it, but it can be done, even as we grow older.

It’s never too late to learn a second language, and technology makes it significantly easier than ever before. Computer programs are now specifically designed to teach language, complete with voice recognition technology. Thanks to the internet, you can access pretty much any website in a variety of languages, to help find reading material. There are also many free online translation sites which can help if you out if you get stuck.

Once overseas, there are books and electronic pocket translators you can use that will make communication fast and easy. Brushing up on language may not seem like an important part of travel, but it’s something you will be glad you did once you are there. While English is spoken throughout most of Europe, it’s important to at least try to speak the native language. It shows respect and can often lead to new friendships and conversations.  Many times travelers will find that when practicing a new language overseas, they often are told, “Don’t worry, I speak English,” before the conversation even begins.

In short, learning at least some of a foreign language will help you on your next vacation in Europe.

Bookmark to

Here at Auto Europe, we get many questions from travelers who want to know what size vehicle they should rent. Here is a short guide that can help you figure out what kind of car rental in Europe is best for you.

Class: Mini
Fuel Efficiency: Excellent
Comparable Models: Mini Cooper
Back Seat Leg Room: Generally None
Luggage Space: Very Limited
Going solo with a carry on bag? Reserved for the smallest cars, this class would work for you. Unfortunately, there is not much on the road in the US that would fit into this category other than the Mini Cooper.

Class: Economy
Fuel Efficiency: Excellent
Comparable Models: Toyota Yaris
Back Seat Leg Room: Very Limited
Luggage Space: Very Limited
This category is popular in Europe, for travelers with little to no luggage. Cars in this category are very fuel efficient. Generally, three people don’t fit comfortably in one of these cars, however it can be done. The appeal is fuel efficiency.

Class: Compact
Fuel Efficiency: Very Good
Comparable Models: Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, VW Golf
Back Seat Leg Room: Limited
Luggage Space: Moderate
Young families of three typically enjoy cars in this class. Compact cars in Europe, are usually what we would consider Economy in the US. This category is generally good for groups that can pack light. Most adults however, will find the back seat a little cramped.

Class: Midsize
Fuel Efficiency: Good
Comparable Models: VW Passat, Audi A4, Toyota Camry,
Back Seat Leg Room: Moderate-Good
Luggage Space: Moderate-Good
This category is popular for light packing groups of four, or heavy packing groups of two or three. Cars are a little larger, and offer speed and power you won’t get in smaller models. This is a very popular category for people who will be doing a decent amount of driving while on vacation in Europe.

Class: Midsize Vans
Vans and Wagons in this category are popular for groups of 4 adults who pack normal. These Vans, known as MPV’s (multi purpose vehicles), may have emergency seats in the back, however since the make or model can’t be guaranteed, it’s best not to book this category if you have more than 5 people.

Class: Full Size
Fuel Efficiency: Moderate
Comparable Models: Mercedes Benz C-Class, BMW 5 Series
Back Seat Leg Room: Excellent
Luggage Space: Good
Cars rented in this category generally offer slightly more leg room for both passengers and the driver. Typically, luggage room is increased in this category, while the over all driving experience is more positive as the cars are better suited for driving on highways like the Autobahn.

Class: Full Size Vans
There are two categories of vans in this category. The smaller of the two is capable of seating 7 without luggage, or generally 5 with luggage, and is good for families or close groups.
These larger of the two groups can seat 9 without luggage, or 6-7 with luggage. True people carriers, these cars are not very fuel efficient, however will get your group where it needs to be together. Groups of adults may opt for two smaller cars in order to save money on their car rental in Europe.

Remember, when in doubt, ask questions! Auto Europe never closes, and has phone agents here to answer your questions 7 days a week, 24 hours a day!

Bookmark to

Most would agree that planning your vacation itinerary is a good idea, but that it’s important to leave room for spontaneity. Here are a couple of tips to make sure that you get the most out of your next vacation. Some are obvious, while others are not so much.

Where Do You Want To Go?
This seems simple, but when given the choice, many travelers will opt for a cheaper flight rather than picking the ideal location. How often do you get to travel internationally? Once a year? Once every three years? In most cases, it’s not worth saving an extra $100 if the destination is not ideal. Think about where you would most want to be, what interests you historically, and what kind of food and activities you enjoy. Think about your decision for a night. If you still want to go there in the morning, chances are it’s for you.

Research, Research, Research!
Once you’ve made a choice on where you want to travel, take advantages of all the resources around you. There’s no doubt that the internet has changed the face of travel in this respect. You can learn all about what to see, where to stay, when to go, etc. Sites like Trip Advisor have given travelers the chance to hear about what others think before taking that trip, booking a car rental, or staying in a hotel. The internet is a great resource for this kind of information, but is not the only one. Ask your friends and family who have been there. Remember the library? You probably still have one in your town. They are under used and provide a wealth of information you won’t find on the internet, all at your fingertips.

Rank Your Sights
Once you have a list of everything you want to do, figure out what is the most important by ranking everything. If you are traveling with a loved one, or with a group, make sure you get input from everyone. Make sub categories if you can, by breaking up kinds of attractions. For example, in Paris, figure out what’s more important, museums, restaurants, nightlife, or public parks/ cemeteries. Let’s say museums are the most important to you. Figure out which ones are you most want to see. Do this with all your categories, and plan accordingly. Make sure you see all your number ones and two’s first, just in case you end up running out of time. If you have extra time, be spontaneous! See something that looks interesting? Better yet, ask a friendly local for advice on where to go. They will always have great ideas you won’t find online.

Pack Lightly, Pack Soon
With airlines charging more and more for baggage, packing light can really make your vacation go a lot more smoothly. If something can be compacted, it’s best to do it. Instead of a raincoat, bring a travel poncho. Don’t bother with an umbrella, in most major cities you can get them for under $5. Once you’re leaving, pay it forward to the hotel, or a taxi driver, they will always find someone who needs one. Pack Early. Many of us wait until the day before to pack. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to run to the store at 10:00 p.m. the night before your flight because you forgot your travel toothbrush.

By following these simple steps, you can almost guarantee a good time will be had by all.

Think I’ve got it all wrong? Is there something I left out? Let me know by leaving a comment!

Bookmark to

For those of you who ski or snowboard, the mountains in and around Innsbruck, Austria offer some of the finest winter slopes in the world. The region attracts millions each year with it’s powder fields, massive snowfalls, and active night life. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to take a ski trip to this area. My friends and I picked up a rental car in  Munich, Germany and were soon on our way to Innsbruck, Austria.

I was asleep for about an hour and a half when my traveling companions woke me up with some news I didn’t want to hear: We were lost. I was baffled. I had printed out directions that I thought were clear, but somehow we were in the town of Fugen. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, and could understand why we were lost. We had after all just been on an intercontinental flight.  Apparently when my companions stopped for a bathroom break in their haste they got on the wrong highway.  We were only an hour behind schedule once we made it to our hotel in Innsbruck, and ended up having a terrific time, so all was forgiven.

There are many places in Europe that are great to get lost in while on vacation. Scenic parks, museums filled with beautiful art and ancient ruins are a few places that come to mind. However, getting lost while driving to these locations isn’t something that most of us would consider a good time. That’s why there are many options for finding your way back on track, including a GPS rental from Auto Europe.

Bookmark to

A car rental in Ireland is a great way to see the countryside, but there are some drastic differences that any North American traveler should be aware of before getting behind the wheel. Here are some tips for driving in Ireland that you may find helpful on your next Irish vacation.

Drivers should plan on taking some time to get used to the new driving environment. Remember that most likely, you have never driven on the left hand side, and it may take a little while to get used to it. Practice, even just around the block if you need to, it will be worth it. This goes double for people who are renting manual transmission cars. You are going to want to be familiar with the road signs, so a great idea is to bring a driving guide to read on the flight over.

Most people choose to rent a vehicle with the CDW and theft included. This is because most credit cards do not offer insurance in Ireland, due to the high rate of accidents. If you purchase the CDW, ask about the deductible amounts. It may be worth buying extra insurance to cover that amount if it is too high. In the event that you have one of the cards that will cover you, there are a couple things you should do. Call your credit card company, tell them exactly what you intend on doing. Tell them who will be driving, where you are going, how many passengers, the type of car you are renting, etc. Print out a copy of the credit card’s offered coverage where it clearly states that the coverage is offered in Ireland. You will need to have this with you when you pick up the car.

If you are picking up a car rental in Dublin, or any major airport, be sure to check if there are any additional fees for the pick up location.

Make sure to have a valid driver’s license and the vehicle rental contract with you when driving.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all persons in the vehicle.

Do not drink and drive. It is dangerous to yourself and others. Ireland has strict drinking and driving laws that will not be bent for anyone. If you are caught driving over the legal limit (.08) your car will be towed and you will be booked and charged a hefty fine. If you are involved in an accident while drinking, all your insurance becomes null and void, and you are financially responsible for all damage caused. This is a no brainer. Ireland has plenty of taxis and public transportation if you need to get home, so take advantage of them.

Cell phones are not permitted while driving anywhere in Ireland. If a phone is in your pocket and turned on, it’s illegal to drive with it. This rule also applies to any other radio devices, such as a CB, or two-way radio system. Passengers are allowed to use these devices while the car is in motion, just not the driver.

Driving with a car rental in Ireland is a great way to see the country at your own pace. You can find some of the countries hidden gems just by striking up a conversation with locals, and asking around. Remember, a responsible driver is the best driver!

Bookmark to