Car Hire Holidays in Spain

by D COLLINS

Imagine the scene; miles and miles of coastal roads from which views of endless blue ocean can be seen.

Which destinations spring to mind when you think of such images: the coast of Australia, the Greek Islands or maybe even the coastal roads along the edge of California?

Maybe so, however, holiday car hire, particularly in destinations closer to home have been popular with Brits for many years.

Car rental holidays allow you that little bit more freedom to explore your destination, particularly if you��re heading to countries like France, Spain and Portugal.

With the ongoing credit crunch forcing many holidaymakers to search for cheap car hire closer to home, the roads of the Iberian coast prove popular with both drivers and water sports enthusiasts seeking adrenaline rushes in the clear blue waters.

Car hire in Majorca, as well as other destinations in Spain, is popular with tourists, particularly at a time when petrol and diesel prices are still a bit uncertain.

However, according to a recent survey, carried out by the Post Office, Spain car hire has the lowest rates when it comes to renting abroad, as well as having the lowest rate for diesel in Europe (at time of writing anyway)

Planning for a fly-drive holiday is essential if you want to get the most from your holiday. By taking a few small steps you can ensure that you can make the most of your holiday in the sun without having to worry about keeping the tank filled.

• Identify where you want to visit before you travel �C make use of the internet and travel brochures to pinpoint water parks, beaches and other attractions.
• Once you��ve identified where you want to go, make a note of the approximate driving distance from your hotel, and upon arriving be sure to identify local petrol stations for when the time comes to refuel.
• Make a rough timeframe for the duration of your holiday �C staggering visits to places within driving distance with time spent in the resort itself.
• If you��ve booked with a travel company, enquire to your rep about excursions on offer, some agencies will provide transport as part of the deal �C thus saving you a bit on your petrol costs �C be sure to take plenty of water for the journey if you��re visiting a hot country.
• Be wary of rush hour �C ask for advice on times of day when the traffic is likely to be at its busiest.
• Also, be extremely wary of pedestrians and those on small mopeds �C particularly if you have to drive through a town centre.