2011 May | The Zephyr Express Travel Guide

Los Angeles Car Rentals – Need To Rent A Car In Los Angeles?

Posted on May 31, 2011 by admin

Driving is a way of life in LA. Thanks to fewer cabs in this city, people are actually more relaxed when driving. The only obvious problem would be the amount of traffic on the roads throughout the city. Compare the amount of traffic to other cities in the US, and you will find that LA has it good. Los Angeles car rentals are a great option for you if you are thinking of taking a vacation in this city. If you want an overview of rental cars, then here are the basics:

Basics

Los Angeles is pretty much like any other city in America, except that taxis are rare. The road rules that California has are considered “standard”. But you are not here to read about that, are you? You are here to learn how to get rental cars. Well, the first thing is your record. If you have bad marks in your driving record, then you can expect rejections from car rental companies – lots of them. If you are clean, then it will be easier. Also, LA rental companies will never rent out a car to a person who’s below 21 years of age. Some even require you to be at least 25 years old to drive their Los Angeles car rentals. Also, make sure that you always bring your credit card with you, too.

Rental Rates

Most Los Angeles car rental companies charge a daily rate. Other rate options are also available for your own choosing such as unlimited mileage, charge-per-mile or per-mile over certain limits, etc. Some companies offer lower rates for weekend renting, while some offer week-long rentals. The standard that most rental companies love to offer, though, is the three-day rental period. However, with this rate option, if you exceed for more than 3 days, they charge you with additional fees. If you happen to be a member of an automobile organization (such as the AAA), then you’ll usually get a discount.

Fees or Charges

Before you sign that rental agreement, it’s important that you are notified by the company of their policies and penalty charges. Los Angeles car rentals may offer the best prices, but they certainly don’t come cheap with additional fees. Some of the most common fees that you’ll most likely encounter are the ones for renting at the airport. Most airports (or local governments) add additional taxes and surcharges to the rates of the rental cars. Some additional fees are also tacked on if you let another person drive the car. There are also child safety-seat fees. You’re supposed to rent a safety-seat for your kid if you forgot to bring one. Extra charges are also added to the bill if you don’t return the car to the specific branch of the company you rented it from (these are called drop-off fees). You’re also required to refuel the gas tank every time you return the car.

As a final tip for Los Angeles car rentals; if you have your own car insurance, use it. You could also use your employer’s insurance or your automobile club membership cards to cover these (though some companies may tell you that they don’t accept them; it’s rare though). Lastly, always drive safely so you can assure yourself of a relaxing vacation.

Stretch Your Travel Budget When You Eat Out

Posted on May 30, 2011 by admin

Eating and drinking in grand style can stretch your travel budget in the wrong way. You want to make your money go further. There are lots of little ways you can save on food when you’re traveling.

If your hotel doesn’t include breakfast in the price of the room, check to see what your options are in the hotel. You will probably save money venturing out to a corner cafe rather than paying the price for the hotel breakfast buffet. In Paris, join the local crowd and have coffee, juice and a croissant.

Have churros con chocolate in Madrid. There are lots of small breakfast places in the U.S. where you can get a great bacon, eggs and coffee breakfast for only a few bucks.

A great way to stretch your travel budget is to enjoy a picnic for lunch or dinner. You can pick up cheeses and meats and breads at local grocery stores and specialty shops. Grab a bottle of local wine. Eat in your room or in a local park with a great view.

Avoid touristy restaurants. If you see a restaurant on the main street that has menus in several languages, it’s going to cost you more. Find a mom and pop place down a side street or go with a recommendation from a local…. like your friendly B-and-B host. Look for “prix fixe” menus or daily specials for great meals at good prices.

One of our most memorable meals was a little restaurant our host sent us to in Assisi. We had trouble finding it… there was no sign. There were only three or four tables. The owner was the cook, his wife was the waitress. Neither spoke English, and she had to get a dictionary to help us order… but the food was terrific, and the bill was surprisingly small.

Find the open air markets in town and eat there. Cafeterias in department stores can also be a good place to find food cheap.

Eat foods that are in season. That’s what the locals do. Today’s fresh specials will cost you less and be healthier. Another way to save like the locals do is to eat and drink what is special in that country. Drink beer in Brussels and Prague, save the wine for Paris.

Remember that in many countries in the world, the tip is included. In those counties, if you leave anything, you should only leave small change. If you’re tipping 15-20% like Americans do at home, you’re tipping way too much and adding that to the price of your trip.

Don’t feel pressed to order too much for dinner. For example, just having a “primi” (pasta dish), but no “secondi” (main dish) in Italy, may be plenty for you to eat… just add a salad, and you’ll save money over a three course meal. Ask for tap water instead of bottled water in counties where the water is safe.

If you just try a few of our tips, you can eat well and still stretch your travel budget to go farther.

London Luton Airport Shuttle- Hassle Free Transportation

Posted on May 30, 2011 by admin

London, one of the biggest cities of the world is prominent for international airports. London Luton airport is also one of them. It is an international airport located on the perimeter of the town Luton, Bedfordshire just about 45 kilometers in north of the London and is considered as the fourth largest airport serving the London area after other airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. Luton airport is 3km from junction 10a of the M1 motorway. If you are planning for airline travel, you may be considering using an airport shuttle to get you to and from the airport to your home in case of when you don’t want to take your own car to airport. At Luton airport, you will find airport shuttle. London Luton airport shuttles are famous for their services. These shuttles are great and fairly inexpensive option for you.

London Luton airport shuttle is suitable for you because by using it you can get rid of hassles like the difficulties you face in vehicles, and you don’t have vehicle. London Luton airport shuttle gets you hassle free transportation, only you are to book shuttle in advance according to the number of people or according to the kind of shuttle you can come up with the money for. Finding shuttle is not a hard nut to crack. Browse the London Luton airport shuttle in address bar of the search engine over the internet and numerous websites will be appear, select any one and fill in an online form with few details like payment procedure, timings when you need shuttle, from where you are to come to place your booking.

At your departing time when and where you call the driver with shuttle, the driver comes and when you return he waits for you with a sign holding in his hand so that you can easily find him. London Luton Airport Shuttle is helpful to save your time. In other words, it can take you to your destination within less time. In London Luton airport shuttle you will feel as you are going in your personal car. The main advantage of these shuttles is that you don’t need to take care of your luggage. But it is also advisable for you that you must read the terms and policies of the provider carefully. So why you are waiting, book your shuttle right now and enjoy the beautiful places of London.