Car rental industry is a powerful sector within business universe. This power is mainly generated by only some big worldwide companies such as Thrifty, Budget, Hertz, Avis, Dollar or Vanguard, among others.

About six years ago, most car rental companies had to handle a slow growth and small profit margin. Nowadays, most companies have tried to enlarge their car fleet, in order to increase their benefits. In addition, they have reinforced their international presence.

Car hire companies show their profile according to the kinds of cars they offer. The basic car categories are: economy, compact, intermediate, premium and luxury cars.

Although car rental kzn companies have obtained better profit from their cars during the last years, some new competitors have appeared on the market. Video conferences have changed the need to organize a business trip. Despite that, it is still more convenient to use car rental system instead of public transportation that can be an unattractive alternative when time is very important.

It is said that car rental or bakkie rental business is in a state of revival. These things have provoked a terrible competition among car rental companies. It is said that better days for car rental business are coming.

Car rental sytem can provide customers with the possibility of feeling free. For this reason, car rental companies have all the opportunities to grow and to make their sector more powerful and to design a more profitable business.

If you have ever rented a car, you have experienced the feeling of power when you decide where to go. So, customer opinions and feelings may be the base for this important industry. Have you ever dreamt about it? If not, think in this statement when you rent your next vehicle for a new travel.

South Africa is a magnificent country that is worth a visit because it offers you two oceans (Atlantic and Indian), an incredible wildlife, and it is a multicultural place with a touristic system that provides visitors with exceptional service given by amazing people. Can you wish anything else?

If your answer is “yes, I need a good car hire / bakkie rental in South Africa”, we can explain some features on this topic to you.

First, you should not feel worry about car hire in South Africa because this country is ready to provide you with different types of car hire services. There are lots of companies that prepare their service according to clients’ personal needs and characteristics. On the other hand, you will be required to have only an international driving license with a photo to drive in South Africa.

Car hire South Africa is easy and has many advantages for all type of users, from those who come to the country to do business to others that want to have the best vacations of their lives. Car rental kzn is always recommended when you really want to know a place in detail and South Africa is not the exception.

You can book your vehicle from the most important car hire companies, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Kenings, etc. Most companies have created their own websites where users can book online.

Through car hire South Africa websites, you can get the best recommendations about travel routes. A self-drive trip may be the most advisable way to meet the spectacular scenery and different landscapes that this country presents. If you have time, you will not regret meeting South Africa through car hire system.

Car hire South Africa is plenty of advantages because of good service at fair rates and because of the country itself. Nothing can be more marvelous than enjoying South Africa through a self-drive trip.

Italy is a very popular travel destination for many visitors. Here are some quick Italy vacation tips

Italy Travel Tips

• Avoid going to Italy in the height of the summer season: instead go during spring or fall and the weather will still be settled and you won’t have to fight the crowds to see the tourist attractions.
• Packing light is key to easy trip. One small bag that you can easy carry yourself on and off planes, trains and up and down stairs will give you a lot more freedom. Don’t expect every hotel to have an elevator – they don’t.
• Most long-haul flights arrive in Rome or Milan and these gateways will give you the best selection of discount flights. You may get a better over-all cost looking for a cheap flight into London or Amsterdam and then connecting on to Italy using a local European budget airline such as EasyJet or Ryan Air.
• If you do use a low cost airline check how far out of town the airport they are using is and how much it will cost you to get back into town. Few of the cheaper airports will be as convenient as Rome’s Fumcino airport where you can catch the Leonardo Express train to Rome’s Termini Station for Euro11
• Don’t worry about not speaking Italian – if you speak French or Spanish you won’t have a lot of problem. Even if you don’t patience, acting, sign language and a sense of humor will get you a long way.
• Train Travel. If you are going to use the Eurail pass for discounted train travel within Europe you need to purchase your pass before leaving home. Do you figures carefully though, many of the passes are not good value unless you are traveling from one end of Europe to the other. Also if you are over 26 you will have to travel first class on an Eurail pass while second class is comfortable and available for tickets bought in Italy.
• Italy has a fairly low rate of crime. Be careful of pickpockets in major cities but there is probably less violent crime than in your home town. Be aware of your surroundings in large train stations and popular tourist sites. The Romans never carry a bag slung over a shoulder but hung diagonally across the body – and you should too.

Enjoy your Italian vacation: hopefully these Italy vacation hints have helped

If you have ever had to deal with your kids moaning about the travel destination you picked out, then one idea that might go over really well, especially if your kids are fans of the characters from the Lion King, is a family safari to Africa. Even though not all of the African safari travel and tour operations are “family friendly,” you will discover that there are plenty of companies that not only accommodate members of all ages, but actually cater especially to the children in the group.

Some of the family-friendly services that are offered by African safari tour companies are baby-sitting, special menus to appeal to the kids, and specially trained guides for the family. Some family safaris will even make arrangements to have special children’s activities, such as a bush treasure hunt, African-inspired crafts like bead-making, or bedtime stories told by authentic African storytellers.

Parents who might be concerned about exposing their children to malaria can choose to take a family safari to one of the malaria-free game reserves that are located in South Africa. Another splendid option is to embark on a self-drive African safari through the countries of Namibia or South Africa. In those areas, the roads are in excellent condition and the family can travel at a stress-free pace.

One of the challenges that parents might encounter during a safari is convincing a youngster, who loves to cuddle up with his favorite stuffed lion at home, that the mother lion preening her cubs cannot be petted or even approached. This can be one of the more difficult things to get across, especially for children who have never been on wildlife safaris.

Even with the challenges that are bound to come up, a safari for families is not only possible, but also great fun. As long as family wildlife safaris are undertaken safely and are conducted under the watchful supervision of an experienced safari guide, who knows how to handle and cater to the children in the group, they can be an experience that will provide lifelong memories.

Many parents who have never considered taking African safari holidays with their children in tow might be surprised to learn that family safaris are one of the most popular types of vacations for children, from the ages of four to eighteen. There are many African safari tour operators, African tourist bureaus, and adventuresome parents who have successfully undertaken various Africa safaris with their children and claim that is was the experience of a lifetime for the entire family.

If parents take their time in selecting the destination for a family safari carefully, and also take care in selecting a safari guide or African safari tour operator, then the chances are great that you and your children will have a wonderful holiday. One of the best ways to make sure you have the right safari travel company is to ask other parents who have gone on similar trips for their recommendations, so you can plan your trip with confidence.

Now more than ever, travelers have to watch the dollars when they fly, perhaps this is the reason the number one subject that they talk about is airfare deals. Many airline companies have gone bankrupt in recent times but that does not mean that low cost air travel is dead even though it may depend on were you are in the world. The assistance of a good agent and some determined checking usually pays off.

Of course much of your success will require a certain flexibility on your part if you really want the best prices. Getting a cheap seat is always possible if you are that flexible and eager enough to adjust your schedule to the best day and time of the year to travel. If you’re willing to modify your dates to suit one of the airlines’ programs to help save money by slotting people into empty seats, then you are good to go as you have benefited from their decision. Still, if the time and date don’t work out, you can always change them but be prepared for an additional, often hefty, administration charge. You can only avoid this situation if you have decided to pay the full price for the ticket and travel on a scheduled flight.

If you have been travelling regularly, then you are more likely to have advanced experiences about the ins and outs of the competitive world of airlines and airfare deals. One thing that is pleasant about some airlines is the way they acknowledge and appreciate their good customers’ loyalty by designing a program called the frequent flyer program. It works in a way that passengers can have certain benefits to choose from and having a ticket for a partner is an example for which they can avail by collecting points or benefits each time they fly with a particular carrier. Some airlines have now joined forces in this to help retain customers, and formed partnerships with hotels that can be used as part of the arrangement.

Of course, these days it is the Internet where most of these tickets are sold and where the best airfare deals are to be found. While it is safer to book your flight with typical discount agents, it is also advisable to consider checking online sites that focuses in selling discounted airline tickets as many of them are also legitimate business ventures. The difficulty arises checking the validity of these discount sites and often it is not until after the customer has paid that they realise the deal was not genuine. A popular one to check out is Teletext Flights as everyone has heard of them and they can either check them out on the internet or via the text button on the tv. If you are able to, visit in person to the discount agents place of business and don’t rely on email communication but if you can’t get to see them, at least give them a call first. Ask as many questions as possible and find out any likely snags about their ticket deals, such as a stopover to an unattractive part of the world.

The importance of knowing exactly which airline you are flying with cannot be stressed enough so make sure you have this information. Even now, new airfare deals and opportunities are being made available on a regular basis so you have to keep up to date with what’s happening in the industry if you fly regularly. By looking into the options carefully, you should succeed in finding the deal you want and to the right destination – just remember to be flexible.

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The historic city of York can be found where the rivers Ouse and Foss join each other and has been an important city for nearly 2,000 years now.  The Romans founded the city in 71 AD and the town has grown and was at one time going to be the capital of England.  However, King Richard II who wished for this to happen was deposed before it could be done.

Certainly there is so much history to be discovered about this wonderful city and you should set aside several days to take in all the sights when you stay in York. Here are some of the city’s attractions for your shortlist.

1.     York Minister – This is England’s largest surviving medieval building and is the largest cathedral in northern Europe. It has dominated the skyline of York for over 800 years and has some magnificent gothic features.

Although you do not have to pay for entry into the main part of the Minister there is a small admission fee to climb the central tower and witness the spectacular city views it offers. The climb up (and back!) is long but the views make it well worthwhile.

2.    Jorvik Viking Centre – Celebrating York’s Viking days, which were previously discovered in a an archaeological dig in the Coppergate area of the city. The artefacts they found, including tools and clothing, date back over a thousand years. The time capsule ride attempts to recreate Viking life and travel back in time and visit a reconstructed Viking settlement. As you travel you have the chance to view some of the well preserved 10th Century buildings that were discovered during the time of the archaeological dig.

3.     York Castle Museum – This is a very popular museum with visitors to the city and offers them a chance to view what life has been like throughout the centuries in Britain. Originally founded in 1938 one has the chance to wander through historical periods of British life through detailed sets of the time that have been lovingly recreated using many original articles.

4.    National Railway Museum – Probably the largest and most comprehensive railway museum in the world. Through wandering around this wonderful museum one can learn about the history of railways and the way they have been used as transport. The museum is the home of Stephenson’s Rocket and the Mallard being the fastest steam locomotive in the world still today.

For something a little more unusual make sure you book on the York Ghost Trail. And go back to the city’s darker days.

Book your York hotel or guesthouse here.

For many teens, the idea of spending the summer cooped up with the family for a vacation is less than appealing. And that means that you could end up with a surly, snarly member of the family on your trip.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. It is possible to travel with a teenager and have a good time. With a few simple steps, you’ll be able to meet your teen’s needs and have a peaceful vacation.

1. When you are planning your vacation, do your best to remember what it was like to be a teenager. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how embarrassing it is to be stuck with your parents on a road trip. Teenagers crave freedom and independence, which isn’t always possible on a family vacation. Once you understand a bit about what your teen needs, you can take steps to meet those needs within reason.

2. As much as possible, let your teen help with the planning. You can really let your teenagers experience independence by allowing them to get more involved with the planning. Ask them to do some research on travel coupons and discounts. Ask them to take a look at online travel sites, such as Travelocity and Orbitz, to find ideas on must-see places to visit.

Get their input on where you’ll go and what kind of travel arrangements you’ll make. Make sure your teenagers understand that this is a collaborative process and not an opportunity for them to get everything that they want. Let them choose something small, such as a rest stop along the way or a specific tourist destination. They’ll feel more involved and like a part of the family this way and they’ll appreciate being treated in a mature fashion.

3. Continue the group decision-making process when you hit the road. Consult with them on restaurant choices, or get input on vacation souvenirs. Include your teen in major decisions and they’ll stay happy throughout the course of the trip.

4. Allow your teen a bit of freedom and space on the trip, especially when you are walking around in public. Allow him or her to walk a bit behind you and physically separate from the family. Nothing will embarrass a teen more than being joined at the hip to parents. You don’t need to completely let your teen loose to allow them to feel freedom.

5. Try not to embarrass your teenager while you are out and about. What may have been seen as funny behavior a few years ago is now probably mortifying to your teen. Be careful of trying to pull them out of their shell if all they want to do is go into a corner and listen to their iPod. Teenagers need time away from their family, particularly because you’re all in such close quarters.

6. Give your teen something to be in charge of during the trip, such as the photography or video equipment. Most teenagers like electronics and giving them these responsibilities will keep their minds on getting a task done and away from sulking. No matter what duties you give to your teen, make sure it’s not babysitting. This is their vacation too and they don’t want to spend the whole time taking care of younger siblings.

You can’t ensure that your teen won’t sulk and detach the entire time (he or she is a teenager after all! But with these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your family vacation a little more this year.

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Time your visit right to Australia and check out Australia’s holiday calendar. Most families will take their main vacation from Christmas for 3 or 4 weeks. Much of the southren coast is booked solid and you won’t find a camping spot never mind a room. Some of Australia’s public holidays calendar vary by state

Ironically the most settled weather in southern Australian states Victoria and Tasmania is actually later in February. In contrast the peak holiday period for far northern Australia is the dry season which starts in May and runs through to October. Its worth checking out the 2009 Australia holiday calendar so that you are aware of local events which can make it hard to find a bed. Every state has slightly different school terms: with some states running three and others four terms. Unless if you have kids in school travelling outside the school holidays is always a good idea.

Australia boasts not only summer in the northern hemisphere’s winter but a whole lot of variety in their seasons. Although most northern hemisphere residents see Australia as the land of hot long summers. The reality is more complex. Contrary to image of endless beaches Australia has several good ski areas in the winter. In contrast in the far north there is no summer: just a wet and dry season. Travelling in the north is restricted to sealed roads once the rains come and turn the majority of the country to impassible mud.

Buy yourself a pocket Australia 2009 holiday calendar as soon as you arrive. That way you will be on top of the confusing holidays including Queen’s Birthday and Labour Day which vary right across the year depending on the state. Australia-wide there is consistently in a few national holidays including ANZAC Day and Australia Day but apart from these exceptions Australia is a mess of different holidays – and don’t even get me started on the timezones!

Medan Indonesia

How much to tip in Medan

Before we get into tipping, you may want to know the value of your money in Medan Indonesia, no not just the exchange rates.

Minimum Wage in Medan
This is just a reference to the value of money and tips in Medan. The standard minimum wage in Medan is roughly Rp980.000 a month which is around Rp38.000 (USD 4.00 ) a day. Some smaller businesses and service industry even pays lower than minimum salary like Rp500.000 / month.So you can measure how much your tips are worth.

There are many times, tourists are the victims of extortion in Indonesia, hence, takes extra precaution. The amount of Rp 50.000 is a big sum as tips in Indonesia, hence do not fall into the trap.

Tipping at Restaurants & Hotels
Many restaurants and Hotels inn Medan have the standard 10% service charge plus tax directly charged to your bill. So technically, you are not required to give any extra.
Nevertheless, if you are feeling well served and generous, you may want to give extra tips to the waiters or waitresses.
There are no hard and fast rules on how much to tip in Medan compared to USA where 25% of your bill is expected.

For restaurants, the standard tipping is around Rp 5.000 to Rp 10.000. You may give more if you bring more guests. Rp20.000 should be a big tip.
Hotel porters and bellboys, probably the same aroung Rp5.000 to Rp10.000 depending on the amount of luggages you have for them to help you with.

Tour & Tour Guide
If you took a budget vacations package to Medan, you may be faced with Tour Guides: I would suggests Rp 50.000 each, for the driver and the guide ( for private tours ). This is based on the standard 3D2N tours. If you feel that you would like to show your appreciation, then really it’s up to each individual. If you are traveling on a group tour, then this should be optional.

Taxi Driver:
This is not expected. But sometimes due to the limited amount of change Indonesia such as the Rp100, Rp500 coins. You may just let them keep the change.

Airport:
Although it is clearly stated that the porter charges Rp 2.000 for each bag, many expect more of about Rp5.000 for each bag now (yes they will ask for more).
So be prepared. There was once, I was feeling generous and gave Rp20.000 for 3 bags and they still ask for more!
You will need the help of the porter if you have many luggages.

Remember, tipping in Medan should be based on your own appreciation of service you received and your own financial ability. The amount stated here is just a general guide.

For the latest news and buzz on Medan City in Indonesia, please visit www.MedanTalk.com where you can find out more about Medan from the locals

You can also download special city guide and budget travel guide at MedanKu.com – The Pride of Medan Indonesia

Vacation packing can be scary. Packing for your vacation is such a drag :you just want to be whisked away direct to your destination: no packing involved! Unfortunately this happy state of affairs hasn’t happened to me yet so here are my top 5 vacation packing tips.

Vacation Packing Tip#1; If you “might” need it don’t take it.
If you are taking something “just in case” or because you “might need it” – leave the item at home. I have travelled for far too many years, and never recal actually using any of those “just in case” packed items.

Vacation Packing Tip#2 Put all your Must Have Items on the Bed
Take a real hard look. Then select the half that is most important to pack :put the rest back in the cupboard: you may have the right amount of stuff. If you have problems with this approach put all your “essentials” in a bag and go for a 30 minute walk: see the point now?

Vacation Packing Tip#3 Don’t take specialist clothing
Don’t take any item of clothing that won’t do duel use. If you need a sleep shirt take something that you can sleep in and either use as a beach cover up or as a silky evening top. I have had tankini’s with tops that doubled as a an evening top (bra included too nice!).

Vacation Packing Tip#4 Don’t take Denim
Denim is never the answer. Its bulky, its hard to clean, it takes forever to dry and it has a certain reputation which will still get you turned away from clubs if you are wearing denim. Leave it at home

Vacation Packing Tip#5 Don’t take the Medicine Cabinet
Take a bare minimum of drugs with you. You can buy almost anything you need at almost any location: there is no point being kitted out with 6 months supply of cold remedies if you are off for 10 days at the beach: and don’t have a cold Take any prescribed medicines you need but also take their name and their generic equivalent; you may well find what requires a prescription at home you can get over the counter for a fraction of the cost in many countries.

Mary has a passion for traveling well and loves to share her Vacation Packing Tips with anyone who will listen. Mary is a passionate believer in that “less is more” in travel as well as life and hopes that you will find some useful tricks at http://vacationpackingtips.info