Travel during the spring season is something that everyone should try. Throughout Europe, there are many locations that offer warm sunny climates this time of year. On top of that, spring is also considered an “off” season by many people. I never really understood that. In my opinion, there are some locations that are actually better in the spring. For those of you who like spring time travel, here’s a list of the top five European spring travel destinations.

1. Crete, Greece – This Greek island is surrounded by the Mediterranean waters, and is one location that will keep you hot all year round with its vibrant nightlife and culture.
2. Ibiza, Spain – This well known Spanish island is much more than crazy youngsters looking for a party. The island is actually quite beautiful, and will keep you entertained with things like scuba diving, fishing, and other outdoor adventures.
3. Naples, Italy – The entire Italian coast line could be a great spring destination. The cool ocean breezes are waiting to chill you out after a day exploring in the national parks located south of the city.
4. Palermo, Italy – Explore more of Sicily with a rental car in Palermo. The entire island is filled with small coastal villages that will keep you full on olives and local cheese. Sounds like fun!
5. Faro, Portugal – This Portuguese city located near the Spanish border is a very popular destination for many Europeans. You should check it out to see what you are missing before it’s too busy. The good news is, April and May are full of all kinds of great deals for travelers, and the weather is perfect!

Where would you like to travel this Spring?

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You don’t have to eat boxed macaroni and cheese to save big on eats by preparing your own meals. Paris is known for being a foodie city, and the local markets reflect that. France has a very localized economy, so the bread and cheese you get in the markets are most likely going to be local. There are also specialty stores all over the city. Why not spend all morning shopping for your lunch? While it may not sound like a fun thing to do at your local grocery store, it will be much different in Paris. Imagine stopping into world class bakeries and cheese houses, then visiting some of the friendly street vendors selling fresh fruit. Of course you won’t want to miss out on any of the absolutely stunning chocolate eateries in Paris. Grab a bottle of wine and head to one of the many green parks in the city for a late lunch.

Another way to save is to check out some artwork. Paris actually runs 14 free museums for the public! Since each museum can be an event if you want it to be, taking advantage of them is something that everyone should do while on vacation in Paris. If you are going to be in the area for a while, or your timing is just right, the Louvre has free admission every second Sunday of each month.

Make sure to ask around and do your research online before you leave and you can have a most memorable experience in Paris, without breaking the bank! Of course the most obvious way to save big when you travel to Paris is to use Auto Europe for your travel needs!

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Another interesting element that has been done before are the stage performances. Watch as ancient gods are brought to life with the help of some of the finest Roman thespians. One story you might see reenacted is that of the founding of Rome. There are many legends as to how it all went down, but the most famous one is that of the story of Romulus and Remus. Legend has it that these two twin brothers were sons of Mars, the god of war, and were abandoned at birth. They were then taken in by a she-wolf, who raised them until they were found by a shepherd. As adults the brothers wanted to establish a city, so they allowed the decision to be made by omens. Allegedly, Remus saw six vultures flying above the hill where he thought the city should be, however soon after, his brother Romulus saw 12. Soon the outline of the city was established, and a defensive wall was erected. Remus was not pleased by this and attempted to cross the wall and was killed.

You will learn all about that and so much more if you are in Rome for April 21st. In many skits volunteers are asked for from the audience. Don’t be afraid to step up, because like the old saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do! If you’re interested in travel to Rome during April, remember that Auto Europe can handle all your travel needs. From flights & hotels to car rentals & chauffeur services, we can make it all happen for you.

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Perhaps the one event that Canadians will treasure more than any other was won on the final day of sports. Of course, I’m talking about ice hockey. The Canadian mens hockey team pulled off a thrilling win against the US, who managed to tie the game with just 30 seconds left, putting it into sudden death overtime. When Canada managed to score 10 minutes into the period, the stadium erupted! That kind of Olympic drama is what the games really are all about.

Perhaps the most impressive country wasn’t the powerhouse US, German or Canadian teams, but the team from Norway, who managed to win 23 medals, nine of which were gold. What really is miraculous about this accomplishment is that Norway has a population of just under 5 million. Not impressed? Take into consideration that the US, with a population of over 300 million also won nine gold medals while sending 216 athletes. Norway only sent just 99 athletes. Not that I would want to take anything away from the US team, they did fantastic, winning more overall medals (37) than any other country in Winter Olympic history. Congratulations to all the athletes! We are looking forward to the London 2012 games!

If you watched any Olympic coverage, you probably are familiar with some of the sponsors of the games. One commercial that stood out to me was for an electric car from Nissan called the Leaf. The Leaf uses a lithium-ion battery and is said to have a range of 100 miles on a single charge. The car is also said to have a top speed of nearly 90 miles per hour. Nissan claims that at a charging station with a 440 volt output, the Leaf can get almost a full charge in around 30 minutes. Another interesting feature of the Leaf is the ability for owners to control some of the cars features with a smartphone.

With solar, wind, and tidal generators basically able to provide unlimited energy once implemented, it’s hard to imagine this kind of technology not sticking around. What do you think? Is this a passing fad, or something that has the potential to catch on? Would you consider driving one of these cars, or renting one on your next vacation? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Barcelona, Spain- Summer 1992
After hosting the Summer Games in 1992, Barcelona showed the world why it’s been considered one of the top travel destinations for Europeans for years. Viewers were impressed by the beauty of Spain’s Mediterranean coastline, and have been flocking to beach side cities like Valencia and Tarragona ever since. Spanish tourism was the big winner, as more and more people travel to Spain each year.

Albertville, France- Winter 1992
The story of Albertvile is interesting. After winning the Olympic bid against Sofia, Bulgaria, Albertville met the challenge of hosting the Games. It was the last Olympic Games where speed skating events were held outdoors. While many of the areas that were dedicated to sports remain active, several locations have transformed back into more industrial zones. Would you like to travel to France, do you think this would be on your list of places to visit?

Lillehammer, Norway- Winter 1994
With skis being practically issued to each citizen at birth, Norway embraced the Olympic spirit like no other had done before, prompting the current IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch to say that he felt that it had been the best winter games ever. The host nation won more medals than any other country that year. Nowadays, the areas where these events took place are major attractions, like the ski jump at Lysgårdsbakkene.

Of all the cities that have hosted the games, where would you want to travel to? Athens? Sydney? Los Angeles? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

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