Villas in Crete

Villa In Crete

villa in creteNowadays, it is possible to afford luxury villa in Crete wherein you can spend a holiday vacation that can fit your budget without compromising the quality experience.

If you are embarking on a holiday to Crete, you definitely should seriously consider renting a luxury villa in Crete so that you can have the most comfortable place to relax after an exhausting day of touring.

One such luxury villa in Crete is Sophia’s House, that is located close to the traditional village of Aspro, near Almyrida, a very pretty seaside village. The villa will treat you to the majestic view of Souda Bay, of which is the Mediterranean’s largest natural harbour. Some other comforts in your villa are a garden filled with various fruits and grape vines, private pool,3 double bedrooms, an expansive roof terrace or shaded patio, if you’d like to watch the sun set or rise.

You can also gain access to all home appliances, very well equipped kitchen, and full air-conditioning.

villas in crete private poolAt the conclusion of the day, you can convene at the lounge area in which you can enjoy watching television or DVDs, read from a selection of books, or even play games.

An important feature about the actual rental price will be that it applies to the entire villa, and doesn’t count each person that occupies it, which usually is the case with hotel accommodations.

The actual villa offers incomparable comfort from any hotel because you get to delight in your personal space and a feeling of peace for the stress-free vacation.

As with most hotels, the villa is also equipped with an English speaking team, on hand locally should you need them. Unlike many holiday reps that are included with the common holiday package tour, these people are dedicated to genuinely carrying out full customer support.

The Tavernas within the local areas present their food at affordable prices nevertheless if you want to spend some intimate time indoors, you could choose to cook making use of local food sources with the completely functional kitchen area in the villa.

To make it handy for you to get around town and easily access beaches in Almyrida as well as other interesting sites, then it is recommended you rent a car so you can easily reach any destination .

For those culturally inclined individuals, make sure you visit the Minoan ruins at Knossos and the well known island of Spinalonga. Reaching the island of Santorini could take typically two hours by Sea cat but will be an unforgettable day out.

Sophia’s House is simply one of various other luxurious villas in Crete that offer you a place of refuge after having a day of visiting and recreation.

Sights Around Vancouver

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Vancouver is more than just a city experience. There are plenty of sights around Vancouver to keep you amused for days or weeks! Get out on the water, get into the mountains, explore.

If you want to get out on the water, you could take a “sea safari”. There are tour companies that use high speed boats to take you to to see cliffs, caves, islands and wildlife in the harbor. Look for seals and bald eagles.

If you want a more sedate time on the water, take a harbor tour. See many of Vancouver’s landmarks from the water for a whole different perspective… Cruise past Stanley Park, the Lookout tower, Lions Gate Bridge, Gastown and the North shore Mountains. It’s a great way to see the city’s skyline.

See the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It’s only about 10 or 15 minutes from the city by car, but you’ll feel a world away. What’s so special about a bridge? It’s a suspension bridge…. you walk… or wobble across 450 feet of it hanging 230 feet over the river. You can spend just an hour or so to walk the bridge, explore a bit, and admire the scenery. If you have more time, you can spend the day at the Cultural Center, their Treetops Adventure, and the Living Forest exhibits.

Visit the wine country of British Columbia. Wine sites around Vancouver include the designated viticultural areas of the Vancouver Island Regions, the Gulf Islands, and the Fraser Valley region. If you choose to do this with a tour company, you won’t have to worry about tasting too much or choosing a designated driver.

Take a day trip to Harrison Hot Springs. It’s about a 90 minute drive east of Vancouver by car. Enjoy the small town and take a soak in the hot springs. There are several museums in and around Harrison Hot Springs.

Visit the Hell’s Gate Gorge and see it from a gondola dangling over the rapids. This is best visited on a tour or by rental car. It’s about two and a half hours from Vancouver along Highway 7 and the Trans-Canada Highway.

Go for a lunch cruise on an authentic paddle-wheeler on the Fraser River or take their cruise to historic Fort Langley.

Take a tour or a drive to Whistler. Whistler Blackcomb is the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics… and that only adds to the reputation of Vancouver and Whistler as winter destinations. Whistler has been a popular destination winter or summer.

You can drive along the winding road to this resort or take the scenic train from Vancouver to Whistler. By train you’ll see the rugged Pacific Coast mountains, Canadian “fjords”, and waterfalls. You’ll pass by the Capilano River, Horseshoe Bay, and Howe Sound. It’s about three hours each way.

Whether you choose public transportation, trains, buses, boats, tours or your own rental car, get out and explore the sights around Vancouver.

Successful Bargaining Tips

succesfull bargaing tips

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succesfull bargaing tips

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In most of the world you will need some bargaining tips. Whether you are planning to buy souvenirs or treasure on your vacation, in much of the world, the price tag is only the starting point for bargaining. Haggling and arguing over the price is expected and in many counties it is almost an art form.

First of all, you need to determine if bargaining is appropriate. In most big department stores in Europe and America it usually isn’t. In other counties, you might ask if the price is firm. In street markets and small shops in most of the world, you’d be silly if you took the first price you were quoted.

Next let me say that no matter what bargaining tips we give you, or anyone else gives you, you are not going to win this game. You are going to get the price down to a level you are happy with, and you are going to be pleased with it, but trust me, the merchant is going to make a profit or they won’t be selling.

If you do not want to haggle and buy… don’t ask the price just for curiosity. If you are interested in buying, see if you can determine what the locals pay. There will almost always be a double standard… with tourists paying way more even after haggling.

Think…. do you really want this piece. And if you do… what is it worth to you.

Once you’ve made the decision to bargain, be respectful and polite. We’ve heard people make disparaging remarks about the item they want to purchase. We just don’t think that’s a successful bargaining tip.

Think about the asking price, and indicate it is too much. Don’t be embarrassed about counter offering too low a price… it’s part of the game. We usually offer between a third to a half of the asking price. The merchant will laugh at you, but the game has begun.

You can have a friend or your spouse indicate that they don’t want to buy or that they’re worried about your budget. This might move negotiations faster, but believe me… these merchants have seen all of those tricks, and they know just how to play it.

Don’t hurry if you’re serious about buying. Get to know the merchant and let him tell you about the item. Think carefully before you name each price. If the merchant says OK to a price, you must buy the item. This may seem like a game, but it is serious, and your honor is at stake… once a price has been accepted, you can’t say, “Never mind, I was just fooling around.”

If you get down to your best price, and they say no…. just walk away. Often they will finally meet your price rather than lose the sale. If they don’t run after you or call out one last price, they really won’t sell for that price.

Sometimes prices will fall further at the end of the day, but the price can only drop so much… the merchants will always need to make at least a little profit… that’s only fair.

Our final bargaining tip is to bargain thoughtfully. Dickering over a price can be fun, some people even think of it as sport…. but we don’t think you should take it too far. In poor and developing counties, a few dollars will mean far more to the merchant and his family than it will to you.

That_One_Quart_Plastic_Bag_ _What_Fits

one quart plastic bag
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one quart plastic bag

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So you’re resigned to one one quart plastic bag for your carry-on liquids, creams and gels. Remember, I didn’t stutter there… you get one bag, and it can only be one liter or one quart.

Your liquids, creams and gels can be in containers that are no bigger than 3 ounces or 100ml.

So what can you fit in that little bag? Can you possibly survive for a day or two with only this? Without your giant size shampoo and lotion?

We think you can… we travel for two weeks with the liquids, creams and gels we carry in our one quart plastic bags. We always travel together, so we have two bags for the two of us, and we share space. If you’re traveling alone, you still should be able to survive.

With the volatility in the world today, we think it’s always a good idea to check the government websites to see if rules have changed.

Let’s look at how I think you could pack your plastic bag as a solo traveler, and how we do it with the two of us.

Here are our lists… it might help with your packing.

For the solo traveler …

(I put a solo female traveler first… This is what I carry):

3 oz (90 or 100 ml) shampoo

3 oz (90 or 100 ml) hair cream rinse

1 oz (28 ml) hair “detangler”

sample size toothpaste (or 90 ml when I can find it abroad)

3 oz (90 or 100 ml) facial cleanser

2 oz (59 ml) facial moisturizer/sunscreen

1 oz (28 ml) night moisturizer

2 oz (59 ml) liquid hair spray

mascara

Lipstick or chapstick and 1 oz eye drops, and 2 oz contact lens solution can usually go “outside the bag”, but I can squeeze them in if I have to. Remember that those solutions as well as liquid medications can be carried outside of your one quart plastic bag or one liter plastic bag as long as you declare them at security.

If there is a second traveler (in our case, this would be my hubby):

3 oz (90 or 100 ml) shampoo (yes, we take 2 shampoos)

sample size toothpaste

3 oz (90 or 100 ml)sunscreen

1 oz. (28 g) cortisone cream

1 oz. antibiotic cream

2 oz (50 ml) Preparation H or similar

Chapstick if they insist on it going in the bag (my hubby can’t live without it)

Hope this helps. If you are a solo male traveler, adjust the contents of your plastic bag, but this should give you a workable outline. If you are two guys traveling together or two gals, you can still share space… figure out what you need.

Remember, if you can’t fit it in that one quart plastic bag… or if you forget something…. you can always buy it there… no matter where THERE is!

And it you absolutely positively can’t live without those larger amounts… check your luggage. You can carry as much as you want as long as you check it.

travel for the best honeymoon

It cannot be denied that the wedding day s one of the most looked-forward events in a person’s life. Well, specifically for women. According to a poll conducted by women magazines, brides think that the ideal of the perfect honeymoon cruise considering the cost, romance, seclusion, atmosphere, culture and adventure, five of these cruises are really going to be both hot and cool.

Where could you sail and travel? If you wish to see the beauty of the world in a few days, here are the suggested places you could visit:

Your honeymoon will indeed be as sweet as honey if you choose the clear blue waters of US VIRGIN ISLANDS. The white sand beaches will eventually look like a promise of pure love between the two of you. As one of the Caribbean romantic travel spots, its package would let you feel the warmth of love in the four corners of your private villa. Is it not nearly perfect?

If the two of you are looking for an active yet romantic honeymoon, ARUBA will let you enjoy the sea through snorkeling, scuba diving or wind surfing. Being one with the most beautiful beaches in the world and the most adorable person in your life is paradise.

Three Rs will be meeting by the two of you. JAMAICA promises that. Rekindle, renew and revitalize. Luxury comes with the best accommodation, exotic cuisine, serene beaches, ever-romantic ambience and activities that would make the bond tighter.

Do you want to dance the night away like fools? If fun is kept between two people in love, the spark of the relationship lingers. Where does the land of fun and love exist? Try and be captivated, MEXICO. This travel is a whole lot of night life. As you lay down on the white sand, exchange your vows all over again.

A yacht, a couple very much in love, a cruise on the night of the wedding day- what’s more?

A whole lot of the world’s beauty as the swiftness of the yacht lets you travel to the places you think were just but dreams.

honeymoon destination
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honeymoon destination

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Travel Adaptors and Converters

travel adaptors
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travel adaptors

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Electrical adaptors and converters. You’re going on HOLIDAY not studying electricity… Why do you need to know about these?

Because if you don’t have the right adaptors and converters, you’re appliances just might not work!

Electrical adaptors for travel are plugs that go between your appliance with their US or European style prongs and the foreign wall socket with the receptacle for a different arrangement of prongs. It changes the plug shape to match the outlet. There are actually 16 different types of electrical outlets that you may encounter throughout the world.

We take several styles of adaptors when we travel so we are prepared to plug in… no matter what country we go to. Some countries even have two different styles of wall sockets, so you might need two kinds of adaptors. You can even encounter different shaped sockets in the same room, not just in another country!

You may have one or two types of these already, but be sure you have all the appropriate ones. If not, you can get them at any travel store or order them online.

To be a savvy traveler, tuck a pouch of adaptor plugs in a corner of your luggage to be prepared for any socket you might encounter. Be sure the adaptors you take accept polarized-blade appliance plugs and fit down into the recessed sockets you’ll find around the world. Some of of our old adaptors fit into the plugs, but because they’re recessed, it’s hard to get them out.

Now… do you need adaptors AND converters? Maybe.

Adaptors do not change the voltage. Most newer electronic devices now have smart “multi-voltage” power supplies that can be used almost anywhere in the world with the proper adaptor. Digital camcorders, battery chargers for digital cameras, and computer chargers tend to be multi-voltage or dual voltage, so they are OK with only an adaptor.

Most of the appliances we take are “dual voltage”…. my curling iron automatically senses if we are using 120 or 240, and all I need is the adaptor plug. My hubby’s razor has a switch he can turn to go from one voltage to the other.

If your appliances don’t allow for the change in voltage in one of these ways, then you will need a voltage converter or transformer that will go between your appliance and the adaptor plugs. Be sure you research which type of converter or transformer you need. Electrical razors can operate with a small converter (50 watt converter)… Heating appliances such as a hair dryer or curling iron need a larger converter (1600 watt converter). (That’s why you can’t plug them into those “shavers only” plugs in hotel bathrooms!)

If you’re an American going abroad, you’ll need a “step-down” converter to bring the voltage down to 112-120 that your appliance uses. If you’re from almost anywhere else in the world, you’ll need a “step-up” converter.

You can go to a site like Voltage Valet to help you figure out the voltage and electrical frequency of the country you’ll be visiting. Once you see which electrical adaptors and converters you need to pack, you’ll be plugged into a good trip. Simple as that.

Travel Booking Problems

You just never know if you’re going to run into booking problems when you’re traveling… it’s just one more reason that you need to be flexible when you travel. The best thing to do is stay calm.

The airline/hotel/tour operator isn’t out to get you. Listen to the alternatives that are being offered…. You just might find that things work out for the better.

Most of the booking problems you run into will be “overbooking”. You probably hear all the time about airlines overbooking. In the U.S., airlines usually ask for volunteers who can travel later in exchange for vouchers for additional future flights in compensation. Countries in the E.U. also have strict rules on how bumped passengers must be compensated.

If you run into booking problems in other countries, you really need to be prepared to be flexible so you can work things out. Our little group of four was to meet a larger group, but we got bumped on a flight from Nepal to Tibet because a Chinese government delegation took our seats. It doesn’t pay to get angry at anyone at this point… your tour operator and the airline aren’t really to blame. We were understanding and flexible… we got on the next flight… two days later! Our Tibet tour ended up being a private tour, and because of that we got into more places and saw everything anyway.

It isn’t only with airlines that you might run into overbooking problems. Hotels also overbook their rooms sometimes. They should take care of you, so if this happens, just stay calm and work with them. My sister was taking friends to Italy. In Venice, they were going to a hotel she had stayed in before. When they got there to check in, the hotel was full…. but the hotel had a sister property that was newer and nicer around the corner… and that’s where they got better rooms for no extra charge.

Here’s a twist on booking problems with accommodations. We were on safari years ago. My husband and I were traveling with a long time travel buddy. We flew in to a remote tented camp. When we arrived, there seemed to be a problem. Somewhere in the communications things had gone wrong, and they were expecting only two of us. There was not an extra tent, so the first night, they moved an extra bed into our tent… and we had a slumber party. There are great stories to tell… and the very next night, they had that extra tent available. They also treated us to some great long game drives because we were so flexible.

And here’s a booking error that worked in our favor. Again in Africa, and on that very same trip, we were booked into a tented camp that was supposed to be closed…. it had just shut down for the season. They managed to round up a substitute game guide and kitchen staff, and they took really good care of us… and we were the only ones in camp. Talk about exclusive… and all because we are willing to be flexible.

Trains can be overbooked too. In India we were supposed to take the train to a tiger preserve. At the last minute, they told us it was overbooked. They offered to send us with a car and driver instead. We actually got in before the train, and saw more and learned.

What we’re trying to tell you, is if you run into booking problems, don’t get angry or frustrated. Be willing to work through those problems… sometimes you’ll end up with a better trip than you planned.

Vancouver Harbor Cruise

Experience outdoor Vancouver. Take a Vancouver Harbor cruise, and you don’t even have to break a sweat… no hiking or biking or kayaking. Take a break from all the walking, the museums, and the galleries. Just sit and relax and enjoy the view.

You can take something as simple as a one hour scenic tour that takes you on a journey through Canada’s “Gateway to the Pacific”… the Burrard Inlet. You’ll see many of the city’s most famous landmarks… Stanley Park, the Vancouver Lookout tower, Lions Gate Bridge and Gastown, not to mention the cruise ship terminals and the mountains.

These cruises are completely narrated, so you’ll know what you’re seeing and the history behind it. You can grab a drink from the bar, sit on the open air decks or stay dry and comfortable inside the cabin if it rains.

Another option is to cruise beyond the harbor and take a cruise to English Bay. This cruise takes about two and a half hours past all of those same landmarks and beyond to enjoy spectacular open ocean views of one of Vancouver’s more picturesque bays.

There are evening sunset dinner cruises where you can watch the sun set over Vancouver, and there are starlight dinner cruises for spectacular views of the lights of the city skyline. Instead of dinner and a movie, you get dinner and sightseeing!

If you have more time, use a half of a day to take a lunch cruise and see Indian Arm. Indian Arm is an 18 km long (11 mile) long coastal mountain fjord. The Coast Mountain range was once covered with glaciers, and when they retreated, they left behind this spectacular landscape featuring lush green forests.

Don’t worry about motion sickness and eating. Even this far outside of the inner harbor, you’ll still be cruising on calm waters. (I only mention this because I always say I get seasick in the bathtub!)

Vancouver Harbor Cruises are included on the See Vancouver, Victoria and Beyond Smartvisit Card. You always have to judge for yourself if cards like this will pay for themselves, but it’s worth checking out.

For some real adventure, you can take a whale watching cruise. Tour operators will pick you up at your hotel or B&B and whisk you to your point of departure. You can choose between exhilarating zodiac adventures or traveling protected from the elements in covered, high-speed boats equipped with washroom facilities.

On whale watching cruises, you can expect to see Orcas (Killer Whales). During the April to October season, Orcas come into the waters between the mainland and Vancouver Island. The tour company says, “If you don’t see whales, your next trip is free.” You may also see sea lions, seals and lots of birds.

Be on the lookout for bald eagles. Allow a full day for these trips… whale watching trips usually last 6-8 hours including pickup and drop off. You can also opt to drive to the point of departure.

The sea and the harbor are a large part of Vancouver’s history and its charm, so take it all in… take a Vancouver Harbor Cruise.

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is, interestingly enough, not where you find the city of Vancouver. That city is on the mainland. The city most people head for on Vancouver Island is Victoria.

Did you know that Victoria is the capital of British Columbia? Victoria is a popular tourist destination, but the whole island is worth visiting. In Victoria, you’ll have fun prowling the city. The rest of the island is great for outdoor types.

Much of the island is protected, unspoiled wilderness. You can hike in parks through old growth rain forests that will make you feel like you have entered a magical land. If you are a birder, you can check hundreds of species off of your birdwatching list.

There are plenty of places where you can catch a whale watching tour. Boat operators say that you can regularly sight Orcas (killer whales), and you might get lucky and see humpback whales, migrating grey whales or the uncommon minke whale.

Anglers love Vancouver Island for either freshwater or saltwater fishing. The Cowichan River is dubbed the “Fly Fishing Capital of Canada”, and the Campbell River is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”.

You can learn about the original inhabitants of the Vancouver Island. There are museums and cultural centers about the First Nations people in several areas around the island. The city of Duncan has the Quw’utsun’ Cultural Center and is dubbed “the city of totems” because it has more than 80 of these carvings by the First Nations people located throughout the town — 40 in downtown area. Visit another cultural center in Alert Bay and a nice museum in Campbell River.

You can also do a little wine tasting here! There are more than 20 wineries and vineyards located on the island. Most are in the Cowichan Valley and the Saanich Peninsula. The Cowichan Valley has the most wineries. In addition to “cold weather” grapes, they also grow varietals like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot. Most of the wineries are small and family owned. Many welcome visitors and offer tours and tastings, but check with each winery for details.

Years ago, we went to see the World War II era Martin Mars flying boats at Port Alberni. They are still based there after all these years, and now there is a visitors center open to the public daily from 10 to 3 during July and August. There is a gift shop for memorabilia, and as of this writing, the Philippine Mars is stationed on land and available for tours. The Hawaii Mars is contracted to fight fires. Just getting to Port Alberni is a pretty drive, even if you’re not an airplane buff.

You can fly in to the Victoria airport, stop in on a cruise, or take a ferry from Vancouver. It’s about a 90 minute ferry ride from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal which is about 20 minutes south of Vancouver to the Schwartz Bay terminal on Vancouver Island. From there you can explore the island, or head straight to Victoria which is about a 20-30 minute drive.

A rental car is a great way to explore the parks and cultural heritage. Rent one there or take your own or a rental car over on a ferry from Vancouver. Car ferries from Seattle go only to Sidney BC about 16 miles to town (26 km). There is a passenger only ferry from Seattle to Victoria, but no car ferry anymore.

Whether you choose to take a tour or do it yourself, Vancouver Island is a great vacation destination.

Visiting Singapore A Cultural Exploration

Singapore is clean, modern and sleek, however, if you scratch a little deeper than the initial impression one gets when visiting Singapore, you will discover an interesting melting pot of several cultures.

As a result, Singapore, albeit small, offers a diverse selection of cultural heritages, world-renowned cuisines, shopping alternatives and entertainment options.

The population of Singapore is composed of three major groups, the Chinese comprising a majority of the population, the Malays taking up the second highest population, followed by the Indians as the third largest group. The influences of these three diverse groups are much apparent in their respective communities within the island-state of Singapore.

Chinatown

Chinatown showcases the cultural heritage of the Chinese lineage in the well preserved storehouses and temples. Some of its major attractions include the museum Chinatown Heritage Center, the city’s oldest Hindu temple of Sri Mariamman, the city’s oldest Hokkien temple of Thian Hock Keng, and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple housing a 27 foot Buddha and a Buddha’s tooth.

Geylang Serai

This section of Singapore was originally home to its Malay population. It is characterized by stunning period architecture with a few touches of the Malay culture. Now, it is known for a string of great food haunts for various cuisines such as Indian, Malaysian and Chinese.

Some of its attractions include the Malay Village giving visitors a glimpse of old Malay life in this small island. Traditional Malay instruments, crafts and tools are also on display at this themed attraction.

Kampong Glam

This is my favorite part of Singapore. It is lined with colorful Arab shops and bazaars as well as a good selection of Middle Eastern restaurants where you can have a relaxing time smoking shisha. Colorful and intricate fabrics and a cornucopia of trinkets line up the street.

It is also known for Haji Lane, a small backstreet offering independent fashion finds and quirky pieces of jewelry. The nearby Bali lane, is a musician’s hangout where Indie bands occasionally perform free music jams in front of Straits Records, Singapore’s famous underground record company. Other attractions include Sultan Mosque, Hajjah Fatimah Mosque and bazaars in the Bugis area.

Little India

This section of Singapore is home to many Indian families and businesses. Several Indian temples built in the late 1800s are found in the area such as goddess Kali’s Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, the Indian-Muslim Abdul Gaffoor Mosque and the Vishnu’s shrine the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.

A Thai Buddhist Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple (or Temple of 1,000 Lights) and the Taoist Leong San See Temple are also located in the vicinity. Little India is famous for its many food stalls and vegetarian dining. Currency changers and shopping are two other reasons for most tourist visits in this area. Indian money changers are known to give good exchange rates and are patronized for this reason.

The Mustafa Center, a 24 hour mall, is located in this area offering a wide array of merchandise round the clock. You can find almost anything in this area whether textiles, clothes, make-up, scents, or DVDs among many others.

Leave yourself plenty of time to explore. It is well worth it!

World Road Drives

World drives
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World drives

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If you’re the adventurous, do-it-yourself type, you could use the idea of world drives to plan your next trip. We love renting a car and just rambling around new countries.

Sure there are countries and cities where you probably just wouldn’t want to drive. Most cities fall into that category, in fact, unless you’re on business and need a car… or if you’re just driving in and parking. We’ve done that in Florence, for instance… and we’ve driven into and out of Rome on different trips, driven out of Paris and Madrid too… but we’ve always returned the car to the airport. That’s not too bad because you don’t have to worry about parking the car in the cities.

World drives are best when you are getting out into the countryside… driving the back roads… seeing the little villages and towns. There are great drives all over Europe, Canada and the U.S., but don’t limit yourself to those choices.

We’ve had great drives in South America and Mexico, exploring ruins and finding wildlife. We have friends that explored all of Costa Rica by car, and enjoyed doing their own touring.

Australia and New Zealand are naturals for world drives… just remember you have to drive on the “wrong side”.

We’ve also driven in South Africa. One time we picked up our car at the Botswana border and drove through Kreuger National Park and on to Johannesburg. We drove around Cape Town too. We’ve done our own driving safari a couple of times in Namibia… driving on the wrong side in all those countries. (Remember that half the world does drive on the left!)

We’ve driven in Turkey and easily found accommodations along the way. We hired a friend-of-a-friend to drive us in Jordan, but we talked to people who were driving themselves, and they had no problems.

You do have to check and make sure you can take rental cars from one country to another. You also want to check advisories and make sure it’s safe. Renting a car in Papua New Guinea, we had to chat with the local police to get safety instructions and make sure the road was passible.

In Africa, you’ll probably have to get “animal collision insurance.” Make sure what kind of insurance you’ll need if you must take the car on dirt roads… You’re apt to run into dirt roads in Africa for sure, but you may also run into dirt roads if you go to national parks or even wine tasting in the United States, South America, Australia… almost anywhere. Are you going somewhere rugged enough that you need a 4-wheel drive?

Rental cars can add a major expense… but they can also add a major element of adventure…. Share the expense with another couple if you can.

Why not think about one of these world drives… or find one of your own? We think it’s such a great way to travel that you should definitely consider it as one of your options.

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