We all get stuck for holiday ideas, scouring the internet for something different rather the same old holiday you have every year. So why not try something different, why not explore more than one city at a time? Why not live the life on the road, touring a new city every day? Impossible! I hear you cry, well, more like very possible. Ever heard of fly-drive? You fly into one destination, pick up your car and drive to another destination, making stops to different cities along the way. This type of holiday can be fun, adventurous and inspirational. With our busy lives, it’s nice to be able to set yourself free on the road and explore many places at the same time. Have I convinced you yet? Well take a look at our inspiring holiday suggestion, The Italian Riviera. And don’t forget enough money for all the pizza your heart desires!

Day 1: Start your road trip by landing at Galileo Galilei International Airport and pick up your car hire in Pisa. Now as much as this is your starting destination, doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to see here. Leaning Tower of Pisa? The most famous landmark here, the bell tower of the city’s cathedral should be one of the first things you see. Also visit the many Palaces scattered around this city such as the Palazzo della Carovana, the Palace in Knights Square, The Palazzo Reale (The Royal Palace) and the Palazzo Agostini. You can spend a whole day exploring Pisa (and eating pizza!) before you set off to your next destination.

Day 2 – La Spezia (97.4 kms/ 60.5 miles): The first stop in the Italian Riviera, La Spezia dates back to pre-historic times and is a great city to explore. Visit St. Georges Castle on the small rise of Poggio. This castle has gone through construction works through most of it’s life, but is still largely in tact. Be sure to enjoy the Transportation Museum (you are, after all, driving!) and then head on down to the Civic Museum in the Castle of San Giorgio, which is said to have originated from a watchtower with the castle being built in 1262.

Day 3 – Rapallo (56.5 kms/ 35.1 miles): Here you will find the oldest golf course in Italy, opened in 1930 would be great way to spend the day. A must see here is The Castle on the Sea, the name says it all, a beautiful little castle built in 1551 to stop the frequent pirate attacks, also has a small chapel which was built in 1688. There are also ruins of a Monastery of the Valle Christi which was abandoned in 1568 after the pirates ravaged it.

Day 4 – Genoa (33.4 kms/ 20.8 miles): Our next stop would be Genoa, you can enter through the Medieval gates which are a rare survival of the Golden Age and enjoy some sights this city has to offer. See the ancient lighthouse of Genoa at 249 feet (76 meters) tall, or go to the heart of the city and admire the Piazza de Ferrari, the square that is renowned for it’s fountain. Why not spend a few hours hours at the Aquarium of Genoa, the largest in Italy and second largest in Europe.

Day 5 – Varazze (38.2 kms/ 23.8 miles): The small town has plenty to see, especially the remains of an old medieval wall and the Church of Santa Maria in Latronorio. Here you can also take a naturalistic stroll through the rocky landscape and over look a series of small sea harbours with picturesque views.

Day 6 – Andora (68.1 kms/ 42.3 miles): Has a beautiful long sandy beach where you can spend your day relaxing and taking in some of the sunshine. You can take part in water sports such as surfing, sailing, canoeing and windsurfing plus many more within the Marina. Why not try something different like hiking or mountain biking for the day. If you go in summer you can even enjoy the open air cinema which opens during season.

Day 7 – San Remo (47.8 kms/ 29.7 miles): If you drive at the right time of year to San Remo, you can enjoy Sanremo Music Festival which takes place every year in February since 1951. It was the inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest now held every year in May on live TV. It’s a great fun day for all and a chance to hear music from a different culture. You can also admire the peaceful flower gardens here as the city is famous for their flowers all over the world. A very peaceful way to end your holidays before you fly home.

For the final leg of your journey, drive over to Nice, France (55.5 kms/ 34.5 miles) where you can drop off your car hire and fly home from Côte d’Azur Airport, but if you have time before you fly why not stop off for a coffee on the Promenade de Anglais, near the airport and look through all those photos you took of your holiday, you’ll be surprised at how much you have seen and done!

That’s our seven day drive through the Italian Riviera. Have you been to any cities along this coast with your car hire Italy? Let us know what you would do differently, or any cities you think you would visit along the way!

Please Note: You may be charged a one way fee for your rental and also a fee to cross the border. This will be charged by the car hire supplier so make sure you read your terms and conditions.

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This week on Friday Drivetime we are going back to the 80′s. Some say it was the best decade of all time, after all, it has bought artists such as Michael Jackson with his 1982 Thriller album being the best selling album of all time. Synthesizers were introduced in the 80′s as well as the launch of MTV which is best known for the launch of the Music Video. Also in the 80′s, the sad death of Sir John Lennon from one of the most famous bands in the world, The Beatles occurred as well as the death of Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye. However, 80′s music was unbelievably awesome! Choosing my top ten will be difficult this week!

Back to the Decades: 80′s

1. Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a Prayer
2. Guns n Roses – Paradise City
3. Van Halen – Jump!
4. New Kids on the Block – You Got it (The Right Stuff)
5. The Bangles – Manic Monday
6. Madonna – Holiday
7. Michael Jackson – Thriller
8. Salt n Peppa – Push it
9. Beastie Boys – (You Gotta) Fight for your Right (to Party!)
10. Run DMC – It’s Like That

There were many other great artists such as U2 and R.E.M, the 80′s were a great decade for music, and even greater because I was born in the 80′s! What are your favourite driving songs from the 80′s? Have a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend!

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For our last UK City Breaks road trip, we are going to head on over to the Irish Coast! Northern Ireland offers any traveller beautiful scenic routes and peaceful waves crashing along the shore with a mix of history and legends. Who wouldn’t want to travel there? Fly into Belfast where you can pick up your car and sat nav to begin your 3 day weekend in this beautiful part of the country.

Carrickfergus Castle: One of Northern Ireland’s most striking monuments and our first stop, Carrickfergus Castle was built in 1177 and ¾ of the perimeter is covered by water. It is one of the best kept medieval castles in N. Ireland. £3 per adult, £1.50 per child.

Carnfunnock Country Park: This Park would be a great day out for everyone. With 18 hole mini golf, a maze the shape of N. Ireland to get lost in, laser clay pigeon shooting, remote control lorries and boats be sure to stop off here and a have a laugh! Prices vary depending on what activities you want to do.

Glenarm Castle: Famous for having one of Ireland’s oldest walled gardens, filled with exiciting flowers and individual plants. Every year in July are the grounds of world class Highland Games. £4 per adult, £2 per child.

Torr Head: Here you will get spectacular views of the rugged coastline of N. Ireland and enjoy the sounds of crashing waves along the shore. It’s also the place where volcanic activity used to takes place. Free!

Giants Causeway: The only World Heritage site in N. Ireland, the Giants Causeway is a definite stop off on your travels. Beautiful layers of basalt from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. £3.50 per adult, £2.25 per child. Also there is a small charge for parking your car, £6.00 for cars all day.

Old Bushmills Distillery: In 2008 this distillery celebrated 400 years of history. This is a unique unbroken blend of whiskey that has run for 4 centuries. Here you can view the making of great Irish Whisky on a guided tour and have a complimentary glass too, just make sure you have a designated driver, preferably one who doesn’t like whisky! £6 per adult, £3 per child. Please note that children under 8 will not be allowed on the guided tours.

Dunluce Castle: Dramatically close to the headland, this castle is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The castle stands where a medieval Irish fort once stood. A village even stood around the castle but was destroyed by a fire in 1641, however, evidence of this village remains. £2 per adult, £1 per child.

Mussenden Temple: The temple was built in 1785 as a summer library and was inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli near Rome. It is one of the most photographed sceneries in N. Ireland and when you get there, you will see why. With a beach under the 120ft cliff you can spend the day by the sea too. £2.30 per adult, £1.60 per child.

Roe Valley Country Park: Our last stop, set in a gorgeous tranquil location, where you can do some salmon and trout fishing by the River Roe or take a walk around and admire the landscapes. It’s also a great place to sit and think about everything you have seen on your journey. Free!

Finally, we reach Derry where you can drop off your hire car at the City of Derry Airport and head on home back to your lives after a magical 3 days.

Have you been along the coast of Northern Ireland? What did you see? What were your favourite parts? Is there another destination you’d recommend to stop at? Let us know!

Please Note: Prices were correct at time of writing and subject to change.

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On September 1st, the cost of fuel duty will go up by 2p, making our fuel even more expensive than it already is. We have the highest fuel duty in the world, but fear not! There are a few ways in which you can cut the cost of your fuel, thanks to the Times Online.

1. Find your cheapest Petrol Station: If you sign up and log on to www.petrolprices.com like I have then you can jot in more than one postcode (I have my work and home) to see where your nearest cheapest petrol station is. (I’ve seen 10p differences in my area!)
2. Check your Tyres: If your tyres are under-inflated then it can increase the resistance to the ground and use more fuel. Your local petrol station should have an air pump.
3. Lose Extra Weight: For every 50kg of extra weight you have, your fuel consumption can go up by 2%. So keep all those golf clubs, shoes, and anything else littering your boot at home.
4. Streamline: If you are not using those roof racks and bicycle carries take them off, they create extra wind resistance which will increase your fuel consumption.
5. Air Conditioning: Do you really need it? It can increase your fuel consumption by up to 10%! If it is only mildly warm then wind down your windows. Having said that, if you are driving over 60mph then winding down your windows can use more fuel than air conditioning. So be smart.
6. Stick to Speed Limits: The faster you go, the more fuel you will use. If you drive at up to 70mph it will use 9% more fuel than if you drove at 60mph, and 15% more than if you drove at 50mph.
7. Check and Change your Oil: Cleaner oil reduces wear caused by friction of the moving engine parts, which can increase fuel consumption. Change the oil in a petrol car every year or 7,500 miles and for diesel every 6 months or 3,000miles.
8. Driving Smoothly Does it: Try not to put your foot down to accelerate or brake at the last second as this can increase your fuel consumption. Slow down gradually at traffic lights and approaching junctions.
9. Avoid the Rough: Driving on gravel and heavy dirt surfaces can increase that fuel consumption by up to 30%! Plus it can damage your paintwork, try and find routes that have smooth tarmac.
10. Use the Car Less: Pretty obvious why! Try and use the car for short trips at once rather than on separate occasions. If you can walk down to the local shop to pick up some milk, then do so! The fresh air will do you some good.

So be smart when using your car and hopefully you can save some of those pennies for a rainy day!

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Research carried out by travel insurer LV= has revealed that one in ten Britons has been the victim of a scam whilst holidaying abroad.

Typical cons involve shopkeepers hiking prices when they see tourists coming, timeshare fraudsters and taxi drivers taking the ‘scenic route’. People interviewed for the study claimed the average cost of falling victim is £250.

The problem is rife across European resorts, with a fifth of British tourists having been targeted over the last five years. Some of the most popular destinations tend to be the worst offenders, including Spain, Tenerife, Paris and Turkey.

The findings also show that couples are twice as likely to be scammed as other holiday makers, but one in five target backpackers. LV= has published a very useful list of tips to help travellers avoid cons. Here’s my selection of the best:

• Ask your hotel reception to negotiate the price of a taxi journey before you set off.
• If you feel like you are being pressured in a market, walk away and do not be tempted just to pay up.
• If you are paying with a credit or debit card, do not let the store or restaurant owner take it out of your sight.
• If you are hiring a car, go to a reputable company that you recognise the name of or ask in your hotel for a good local company.
• Don’t drop your guard just because you’re on holiday – protect your safety and personal information in the same way you would at home.
• Ensure you have travel insurance in place, so if the worst happens and you are a victim of crime, you do not end up out of pocket.

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If your passport needs renewing, do it now! From the 3rd Sept 2009 new fees will apply, increasing the cost of an adult UK passport from £72.50 to £77.50. The price of a child’s passport will rise by £3 to £49 and a fast-track adult application is set to go up 15 per cent to £112.50.

Remember, many countries require you to have a minimum of six months left to run on your passport from the date you leave the country (not the date you enter) so it’s always a good idea to check before travelling. You can apply early for a renewal, and the time remaining on your current passport will be added to the duration of the new one. For more info, go to the direct.gov website.

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It looks like we all need to brush up on our knowledge of Scottish monuments! There were no correct answers to last week’s quiz. The world famous landmark described and depicted was in fact the National Wallace monument.

Here’s your last chance of the month to prove you know all about the UK, so read on and submit your guess in the comments box below…

According to the Office of National Statistics, Wales defied the gloom which has hung over the travel industry and saw the number of visitors rise last year. It received 1.1 million foreign visitors, compared to 987,000 in 2007.

Apparently Wales was the only part of Britain to report an increase, and its popularity was underlined by detailed figures which saw Cardiff oust Brighton and Hove from Britain’s top 10 cities for foreign tourists.

Popular holiday destinations in Wales include Cardiff, the capital and cultural centre as well as the three Welsh national parks: can you name them?

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According to The Telegraph two friends are preparing to drive 4,000 miles across Europe in their 20 year old Volvo for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, which provides research and support for those who live with brain tumours and their families and friends.

Tom Sharrad, 23, and Chris Wilkinson, 24, from Sevenoaks in Kent have spent many months covering their Volvo with Scandinavian pine so it resembles an authentic sauna. They aim to cross 12 countries over 14 days in the car which has clocked 187,000 miles while wearing nothing but Turkish Bath Towels! They are going to attempt to raise £5,000 for the charity as Mr Wilkinson’s mother made a full recovery after several hours of surgery, while Tom Sharrad suffered a brain tumour at 18 months old but also made a recovery.

Tom said “The idea of going to Sweden came about because we wanted to take the car back to its spiritual home. We’ve also wanted for a long time to give something back to a brain tumour charity and thought this was the best way. I bought the car for £100 about two and a half years ago but we have had a guy from a Volvo garage look at it and give us a load of spare parts.”

Chris said “It all came about when Tom phoned me one day and told me, rather than asking me, that he had booked us on a rally to Prague. Somewhere along the line, it got extended to Sweden, which is where the Volvo came from, and then we decided that we’d do it for charity. Although there’s not a proper sauna inside the car, when it’s going along it does get pretty hot in there.”

The duo leave for the first leg of their journey on August 27^th as part of the Czech Wrecks Banger Rally from Calais to Prague, then head on to Sweden.

To make a donation please click here and show your support.

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Since we are going back to the decades, this week we are looking at the 90′s. Running from 1990 – 1999 (Prince anyone?) this decade saw the continuation of teen pop from the 80′s and the birth of grunge music and alternative rock which replaced glam metal and in 1992 the beginning of hip hop. The great thing about the 90′s is that the music reflected how people felt at that time. Brilliant decade in my opinion, I grew up in the 90′s, with my teen years and I loved it music wise. It will be tough picking my top ten as I loved most of it! But here goes!

Back to the Decades: 90′s

1. Madonna – Ray of Light
2. Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Possibly one of my most favourite music videos!)
3. George Michael – Fastlove
4. Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Give it Away
5. Nirvana – Come as you Are
6. Blink 182 – All The Small Things
7. MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
8. Will Smith – Getting’ Jiggy Wit it
9. Jamiroquai – Cosmic Girl
10. Enrique Iglesias – Bailamos

This week has been especially hard as there are so many songs I like. I had to take out Prince, R.E.M, Blur, No Doubt, Suede and one of my favourite bands, Goo Goo Dolls. It’s a fierce list but a top ten is just that. I think a top 20 would have been easier. What music would you drive to if you have to choose something from this decade? Who are your favourite artists from the nineties? Have a lovely weekend!

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Continuing the serialisation of The Auto Europe Car Rental Roadmap, our online guide to every aspect of hiring a car, this week we are summarising the key steps involved in collecting your hire car.

First and foremost, You will need the following to collect your car:

Full (both parts) and Valid Drivers’ License
Credit Card in the Primary Driver’s Name
Your Auto Europe Voucher

Here’s a summary of what to expect and what you need to do:

• Locate the Collection Desk: Remember, if you hired your car from a brokerage, such as Auto Europe, then you need to identify which company is supplying your vehicle with and make your way to their desk. All details will be on your reservation voucher.
• Sales at the Desk: Do expect the staff on the collection desk to try and sell you some extras when you collect your hire car. Usually you will be offered one or all of the following: refundable excess insurance, personal injury insurance and breakdown insurance. Please be aware that any extra insurance purchased at the car hire collection desk is likely to be more expensive than policies arranged prior to your trip. You are under no obligation to buy. They may also try to sell you a tank of fuel – again be aware that this is often slightly more expensive than using a petrol station although is obviously much more convenient.
• Rental Agreement: You will be asked to sign a rental agreement. It is worth taking time to check the agreement, including any small print! You will be bound by the terms & conditions of this agreement even if you purchased the actual rental via a brokerage.
• Credit Card Deposit: A credit card, in the name of the primary driver, is required to hold a deposit for the period of the rental. The credit card must have enough credit to block a security deposit which is usually a minimum of an insurance excess payment + VAT + fuel. Cash or debit cards are rarely, if ever, accepted.
• Fuel: Is your car on an empty-to-empty contract or do you need to return it with half or a full tank of fuel? Do you know if your car is petrol or diesel?
• Vehicle Damage Checklist: We know that everyone wants to just hop into their hire car and go – please don’t! Instead, take the time to quickly inspect your vehicle for any scratch or dent. Any damage, no matter how seemingly insignificant, should be marked on your rental agreement.

Log on next week, same time and same place, for part five of this informative serialisation which suggests what needs to be done at the end of your trip when you return your hire car. If you can’t wait seven days, or would like to read more, then simply click here now.

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