Haven't hired one for years so I took the advice of Which mag. and used Zest Car Rental to book and manage.
Absolutely excellent service all round, they actively assist you in avoiding being scammed into unnecessary extra insurance when you pick up you car, and if you have any questions you can call and an actual human who works for them immediately answers your questions faultlessly. When we got back and on their feedback form I complained that we'd ordered a Corolla and got a Hyundai Bayon, they actually picked it up and wrote back that if something like that happens again I should call them first before accepting a car. I mean this is just all how it should be, but in 2024, how often do you get this level of service? And obviously, you don't have to be a UK resident to use them.
One of the issues was that in France (and other countries, I'm told) you must have a credit card with you on pick up because they assert that they cannot use a debit card to block an amount for damage. I had to get a credit card just for this. Which mag told me it's a known problem but that as it's foreign territory they have no influence. As it happens when I picked up the car, I found to my horror that I hadn't noted the PIN of my new card in my passport app. However the nice lady at Europcar looked at my debit cards and liked the look of the HSBC Global one because it was Visa, and used that (I had paid for the basic rental and extra driver using my Mastercard debit card with a euros currency partition) So I'm generally pro Europcar but of course it can vary by country or just the person on the counter. Shows the credit card thing is a load of bull, tho"....
Just in case anyone doesn't do this, we take a quick video of the hire car so they can't claim there is any new damage that there isn't
Haven't hired one for years so I took the advice of Which mag. and used Zest Car Rental to book and manage.
Absolutely excellent service all round, they actively assist you in avoiding being scammed into unnecessary extra insurance when you pick up you car, and if you have any questions you can call and an actual human who works for them immediately answers your questions faultlessly. When we got back and on their feedback form I complained that we'd ordered a Corolla and got a Hyundai Bayon, they actually picked it up and wrote back that if something like that happens again I should call them first before accepting a car. I mean this is just all how it should be, but in 2024, how often do you get this level of service? And obviously, you don't have to be a UK resident to use them.
One of the issues was that in France (and other countries, I'm told) you must have a credit card with you on pick up because they assert that they cannot use a debit card to block an amount for damage. I had to get a credit card just for this. Which mag told me it's a known problem but that as it's foreign territory they have no influence. As it happens when I picked up the car, I found to my horror that I hadn't noted the PIN of my new card in my passport app. However the nice lady at Europcar looked at my debit cards and liked the look of the HSBC Global one because it was Visa, and used that (I had paid for the basic rental and extra driver using my Mastercard debit card with a euros currency partition) So I'm generally pro Europcar but of course it can vary by country or just the person on the counter. Shows the credit card thing is a load of bull, tho"....
I've had this problem in the past and got a credit card just to hire a car. Then the bank cancelled it because I wasn't using it as I always use a debit card.
Haven't hired one for years so I took the advice of Which mag. and used Zest Car Rental to book and manage.
Absolutely excellent service all round, they actively assist you in avoiding being scammed into unnecessary extra insurance when you pick up you car, and if you have any questions you can call and an actual human who works for them immediately answers your questions faultlessly. When we got back and on their feedback form I complained that we'd ordered a Corolla and got a Hyundai Bayon, they actually picked it up and wrote back that if something like that happens again I should call them first before accepting a car. I mean this is just all how it should be, but in 2024, how often do you get this level of service? And obviously, you don't have to be a UK resident to use them.
One of the issues was that in France (and other countries, I'm told) you must have a credit card with you on pick up because they assert that they cannot use a debit card to block an amount for damage. I had to get a credit card just for this. Which mag told me it's a known problem but that as it's foreign territory they have no influence. As it happens when I picked up the car, I found to my horror that I hadn't noted the PIN of my new card in my passport app. However the nice lady at Europcar looked at my debit cards and liked the look of the HSBC Global one because it was Visa, and used that (I had paid for the basic rental and extra driver using my Mastercard debit card with a euros currency partition) So I'm generally pro Europcar but of course it can vary by country or just the person on the counter. Shows the credit card thing is a load of bull, tho"....
I've had this problem in the past and got a credit card just to hire a car. Then the bank cancelled it because I wasn't using it as I always use a debit card.
We've got 2 weeks in a villa near Albufeira from next Saturday, can't wait. Also looking to book 4 nights AI in the Canaries in late November with a few mates.
So have I mate. Just the one week, but go out next Thursday (as mentioned above).
My annual visit to Gandia in Spain for a month in October booked. Am also thinking of nipping over to Budapest for 5 days in September (never been). Any recommendations on the most convenient place to stay…I’ve heard the Jewish quarter is central?
I stayed in District 5 last year and it was perfect for visiting a lot of places on foot, and there was a decent amount of restaurants/cafes/night food market all within a few streets too.
You can take a local bus to other side of river, takes around 10 minutes, and from there hop on the funicular railway, best panoramic view of the city is at the top.
Szechenyi (Chain) Bridge designed by an English engineer, surname Clark, and built by Scotsman also with the surname Clark opened in1849.
My annual visit to Gandia in Spain for a month in October booked. Am also thinking of nipping over to Budapest for 5 days in September (never been). Any recommendations on the most convenient place to stay…I’ve heard the Jewish quarter is central?
I stayed in District 5 last year and it was perfect for visiting a lot of places on foot, and there was a decent amount of restaurants/cafes/night food market all within a few streets too.
You can take a local bus to other side of river, takes around 10 minutes, and from there hop on the funicular railway, best panoramic view of the city is at the top.
Szechenyi (Chain) Bridge designed by an English engineer, surname Clark, and built by Scotsman also with the surname Clark opened in1849.
The roundabout had a big "red star" flower bed until 1991.
Got a 2 day stopover in Singapore, next April . Any suggestions to make the most of the short time in Singapore?
Cable car to Sentosa & Clarke Quay. I was going to say Raffles is iconic but expensive, but Singapore is all expensive - Raffles is ridiculously expensive!
Got a 2 day stopover in Singapore, next April . Any suggestions to make the most of the short time in Singapore?
Cable car to Sentosa & Clarke Quay. I was going to say Raffles is iconic but expensive, but Singapore is all expensive - Raffles is ridiculously expensive!
Gotta have one Singapore sling and some monkey nuts in Raffles
Chijmes is an old monastery near Raffles hotel that has quite a few restaurants and bars in it, some with live music.
Got a 2 day stopover in Singapore, next April . Any suggestions to make the most of the short time in Singapore?
Cable car to Sentosa & Clarke Quay. I was going to say Raffles is iconic but expensive, but Singapore is all expensive - Raffles is ridiculously expensive!
Good choices. I like Boat Quay.
And despite Raffles prices, the Long Bar is a must visit.
Got a 2 day stopover in Singapore, next April . Any suggestions to make the most of the short time in Singapore?
Cable car to Sentosa & Clarke Quay. I was going to say Raffles is iconic but expensive, but Singapore is all expensive - Raffles is ridiculously expensive!
Gotta have one Singapore sling and some monkey nuts in Raffles
Chijmes is an old monastery near Raffles hotel that has quite a few restaurants and bars in it, some with live music.
Also the night safari isn't too bad
gotta have some chillie crab
Agree chili crab is good but I ended up preferring the black pepper crab
Got a 2 day stopover in Singapore, next April . Any suggestions to make the most of the short time in Singapore?
I liked the vibe of Kampong Glam in the evening. The Supertrees were something different, the view from Marina Bay was great (see pic) and a walk round the harbour following the otters was nice. I ran out of time and didn't even see Raffles!
All a bit expensive and given I work in Canary Wharf it was a bit like a busman's holiday with more rules!
Don't eat on the underground, don't jay walk, don't take chewing gum etc etc.
Got a 2 day stopover in Singapore, next April . Any suggestions to make the most of the short time in Singapore?
Are you traveling solo or with kids? In addition to what’s been suggested, I’d recommend getting over to see the Botanic Gardens. East Coast Park quite nice too. Lots of tourists head to Gardens By The Bay and Sentosa, but a bit fake.
I’m based in SG (live by Clarke Quay) so shout if you need help with anything or fancy meeting for a beer
My annual visit to Gandia in Spain for a month in October booked. Am also thinking of nipping over to Budapest for 5 days in September (never been). Any recommendations on the most convenient place to stay…I’ve heard the Jewish quarter is central?
I stayed in District 5 last year and it was perfect for visiting a lot of places on foot, and there was a decent amount of restaurants/cafes/night food market all within a few streets too.
You can take a local bus to other side of river, takes around 10 minutes, and from there hop on the funicular railway, best panoramic view of the city is at the top.
Szechenyi (Chain) Bridge designed by an English engineer, surname Clark, and built by Scotsman also with the surname Clark opened in1849.
It's a larger version of Marlow bridge, built 1829-1832 by the same engineer.
Ah I’m so jealous of all your plans, just back from my hols and have proper post holiday blues!
We spent 2 and a bit weeks in the Southern US. Started out with 5 days in New Orleans, then took the train travelling up through the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, stopping over in Jackson, Mississippi for a couple of days before heading to Memphis, Tennessee (Memphis was amazing). Then we weren’t to Nashville for five days (inc July 4th, which is also our wedding anniversary) before stopping off in New York on the way home for 48 hours.
Was a great trip, but have nothing planned now and am feeling very sad about the matter!
Fair play to you. Jackson, New Orleans and Memphis three of the most dangerous cities in the US. Did you feel safe?
Yeah, absolutely no problems at all. We took the same precautions you should take when you visit any city, we weren’t exactly wandering around the back streets and we’ve travelled a lot so have fairly good instincts. Jackson, particularly has a bad rep (murder capital of the US or something), even people from New Orleans were trying to talk us out of it!
All I can say is the parts of Jackson we visited were incredibly friendly (especially as I don’t think they had ever seen a British person in their lives before!). New Orleans you need to be careful straying too far outside the French Quarter or Garden District. This was our third time visiting NOLA but first time was a few years ago when we had relatively less money so we stayed in a fairly dodgy neighbourhood. Nothing happened, but it wasn’t my brightest idea. It was my first time in Memphis and we didn’t see any issues nor did we experience anything negative at all (though we were strictly in the touristy areas in Memphis).
It was a great trip, I’m just gutted it’s over!
Some good first hand examples there SE9 and a reason not to believe everything you see on you tube!
We've got 2 weeks in a villa near Albufeira from next Saturday, can't wait. Also looking to book 4 nights AI in the Canaries in late November with a few mates.
Got a 2 day stopover in Singapore, next April . Any suggestions to make the most of the short time in Singapore?
Worth knowing it is free entry to walk in the grounds of Gardens by the Bay (including the twice-nightly light show), you only need to pay if going inside the conservatories.
Kampong Glam is probably the best priced area for dinner, and there's some decent bars down the smaller side streets.
We've got 2 weeks in a villa near Albufeira from next Saturday, can't wait. Also looking to book 4 nights AI in the Canaries in late November with a few mates.
Does an AI holiday mean you don’t actually go there?
I’m off to Mauritius on 1st October for 10 nights staying in the north of the island near Grand Baie, we have hired a car for four days in the middle of the holiday to look around the island, any recommendations v
So much to see, it’s a great place.
Black River National Park, Chamarel Waterfall, Pamplemousses, North West beaches, Port Louis.
And for a fun day out, go to Champ de Mars Racecourse. If you can get a seat in a box, even better, it’s very enjoyable … and I’m not even a racing fan!
Agree with the above also Ile aux Cerfs is worth a visit....we hired a car which was fine and a good way of getting about....local bus from Grand Baie to Port Louis took around 40 min....there's some kind of navel officers club in Port Louis which was a good visit and a nice place for a couple of beers. We flew with Air France via Paris...ok but looking back probably better going direct.
Ah I’m so jealous of all your plans, just back from my hols and have proper post holiday blues!
We spent 2 and a bit weeks in the Southern US. Started out with 5 days in New Orleans, then took the train travelling up through the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, stopping over in Jackson, Mississippi for a couple of days before heading to Memphis, Tennessee (Memphis was amazing). Then we weren’t to Nashville for five days (inc July 4th, which is also our wedding anniversary) before stopping off in New York on the way home for 48 hours.
Was a great trip, but have nothing planned now and am feeling very sad about the matter!
Fair play to you. Jackson, New Orleans and Memphis three of the most dangerous cities in the US. Did you feel safe?
Yeah, absolutely no problems at all. We took the same precautions you should take when you visit any city, we weren’t exactly wandering around the back streets and we’ve travelled a lot so have fairly good instincts. Jackson, particularly has a bad rep (murder capital of the US or something), even people from New Orleans were trying to talk us out of it!
All I can say is the parts of Jackson we visited were incredibly friendly (especially as I don’t think they had ever seen a British person in their lives before!). New Orleans you need to be careful straying too far outside the French Quarter or Garden District. This was our third time visiting NOLA but first time was a few years ago when we had relatively less money so we stayed in a fairly dodgy neighbourhood. Nothing happened, but it wasn’t my brightest idea. It was my first time in Memphis and we didn’t see any issues nor did we experience anything negative at all (though we were strictly in the touristy areas in Memphis).
It was a great trip, I’m just gutted it’s over!
I went to New Orleans in December 2021. Girlfriend and I thought it was pretty horrible. We went back to our hotel (French Q) one night and there were about 8 of the most dangerous looking blokes just sat around a car outside the lobby. We went for another pint and came back later.
I've never feel unsafe in US cities as a fairly large 6 foot 4 man, but NOLO is the exception.
Ah I’m so jealous of all your plans, just back from my hols and have proper post holiday blues!
We spent 2 and a bit weeks in the Southern US. Started out with 5 days in New Orleans, then took the train travelling up through the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, stopping over in Jackson, Mississippi for a couple of days before heading to Memphis, Tennessee (Memphis was amazing). Then we weren’t to Nashville for five days (inc July 4th, which is also our wedding anniversary) before stopping off in New York on the way home for 48 hours.
Was a great trip, but have nothing planned now and am feeling very sad about the matter!
Fair play to you. Jackson, New Orleans and Memphis three of the most dangerous cities in the US. Did you feel safe?
Yeah, absolutely no problems at all. We took the same precautions you should take when you visit any city, we weren’t exactly wandering around the back streets and we’ve travelled a lot so have fairly good instincts. Jackson, particularly has a bad rep (murder capital of the US or something), even people from New Orleans were trying to talk us out of it!
All I can say is the parts of Jackson we visited were incredibly friendly (especially as I don’t think they had ever seen a British person in their lives before!). New Orleans you need to be careful straying too far outside the French Quarter or Garden District. This was our third time visiting NOLA but first time was a few years ago when we had relatively less money so we stayed in a fairly dodgy neighbourhood. Nothing happened, but it wasn’t my brightest idea. It was my first time in Memphis and we didn’t see any issues nor did we experience anything negative at all (though we were strictly in the touristy areas in Memphis).
It was a great trip, I’m just gutted it’s over!
I went to New Orleans in December 2021. Girlfriend and I thought it was pretty horrible. We went back to our hotel (French Q) one night and there were about 8 of the most dangerous looking blokes just sat around a car outside the lobby. We went for another pint and came back later.
I've never feel unsafe in US cities as a fairly large 6 foot 4 man, but NOLO is the exception.
Whilst we never had any problems there, the lady that owned the guest house we stayed in did point out on a map that it would be unwise to go south of a certain main road...can't recall the name of the road.
I dont know if the airlines haven't caught on to when the schools holidays are next year but there are some good flight deals out there for Easter 2025!
Anyone been to Kuala Lumpur?. We're stopping off for 3 days in January en-route to Melbourne. Any tips of where to visit/ restaurants would be much appreciated. Thank you
I was there over 30 years ago so not up to date with restaurants etc. However, there’s some great architecture to look at, including some really lovely colonial buildings. Highlight is the Sultan Abdul Samad building. Naturally the main train station is also worth a visit. The central market is also good.
So was I mate - i was in KL in about May 1992. We watched the FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Sunderland on a big screed in the square near the big lit up temple thing,
Anyone been to Kuala Lumpur?. We're stopping off for 3 days in January en-route to Melbourne. Any tips of where to visit/ restaurants would be much appreciated. Thank you
I was there over 30 years ago so not up to date with restaurants etc. However, there’s some great architecture to look at, including some really lovely colonial buildings. Highlight is the Sultan Abdul Samad building. Naturally the main train station is also worth a visit. The central market is also good.
So was I mate - i was in KL in about May 1992. We watched the FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Sunderland on a big screed in the square near the big lit up temple thing,
Was there in May as well....but 16 years later (2008).
6 years ago me and the wife were in Memphis. We took the Bus from near out hotel down to Graceland. Was talking to a woman in the bar later that night. She had a look of horror on her face when we told her we'd taken the bus. White folk don't take the bus here , we get taxis she told us. It was on the we realised that we'd been the only white people on the bus. Didn't think nothing of it.
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Chijmes is an old monastery near Raffles hotel that has quite a few restaurants and bars in it, some with live music.
Also the night safari isn't too bad
gotta have some chillie crab
I liked the vibe of Kampong Glam in the evening. The Supertrees were something different, the view from Marina Bay was great (see pic) and a walk round the harbour following the otters was nice. I ran out of time and didn't even see Raffles!
All a bit expensive and given I work in Canary Wharf it was a bit like a busman's holiday with more rules!
Don't eat on the underground, don't jay walk, don't take chewing gum etc etc.
Really surprised at how nice/clean it was....beach, bars, restaurants, cafes and the market.
And it was Bastille Day on the Sunday which added to the occasion.
then 3 nights in Malaga in Sept with the lads for my 50th
can't wait for both for varying reasons - ha
I've never feel unsafe in US cities as a fairly large 6 foot 4 man, but NOLO is the exception.
We took the Bus from near out hotel down to Graceland.
Was talking to a woman in the bar later that night.
She had a look of horror on her face when we told her we'd taken the bus.
White folk don't take the bus here , we get taxis she told us.
It was on the we realised that we'd been the only white people on the bus.
Didn't think nothing of it.