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Travelodge now charge for parking but don't inform you. We had booked to stay near Stansted airport at Great Dunmow - no mention on the booking confirmation - and when we arrived late at night there were no signs and reception didn't mention it. Next morning we found a parking ticket for £20 slapped on the windscreen. Complaints to customer services just received the brush-off reply that the parking area is nothing to do with Travelodge and run by a separate company. This makes for an expensive stay. Beware!!
The plane in from Queenstown is spectacular, but the drive from Te Anau is easily its equal. The books say allow two hours for the 120km drive but to be honest, give yourself three and enjoy the spectacular journey. Best place to view keas (alpine parrots) is at the entrance to the Homer Tunnel.
They run the funniest little business in town! The Iconic Fiat 500 is finally available to hire.
I have always pointed them out to my husband and sighed longingly at their charm, (there is something almost 'expensive accessory must-have' about them, like the latest pair of Marc Jacobs).
This trip to Tuscany we got behind the wheel and did a convoy tour in one! Absolutely hilarious!
"Again again again!" I wanted to squeal like an over-indulged child as we said goodbye to Paola (our little red head-turner) at the end of the glorious trip.
If you're flying to New York, head to Pennsylvania, widely acknowledged as the diner capital of the US. You can do day hikes in the mountains, see some pleasant if not beautiful cities (Philly and Pittsburgh) and eat classic diner food (scrapple, cheesesteaks, mounds of pancakes). Not too far to drive, and also home of the birth of the American interstate. Also much cheaper than staying anywhere near New York.
It only takes about an hour to drive from Cagliari to another not very well known but beautiful spot of Sardinia: the peninsula of Sinis, located in the Oristano Gulf on the west coast.
I have visited one of the most fascinating archaeological and panoramic sites of Sardinia, Tharros. This was a Punic, Phoenician and then Roman city located on the very tip of the Gulf of Oristano.
Nowadays, it is basically an open air museum surrounded by the sea... spectacular! You can walk around the ancient ruins and then up to the top of the promontory to the Tower of San Giovanni that dominates this site. I recall enjoying the views of the endless sea and the peace of this place from there. Even if you are not a heritage fan, you will love this.
The ticket to the site is cheap, about four euros, and also includes entrance to the museum of Cabras (not far from Tharros), where many of the objects that were discovered in Tharros are displayed.
If you want to mix culture and sunbathing, drive north to the beautiful and famous beach of 'Is Aruttas', this is a must if you are visiting in spring or summer. It is also worth taking a panoramic drive along the coast going north to enjoy the blue views. There are many other things to see and do around here so you might want to book a hotel or a farmhouse and spend some days in this area.
A great scenic drive. I recommend heading south on the ocean side. Allow LOTS OF TIME. We took a week from San Francisco to LA and we could have taken a year. There are lots of very good and cheap motels along the way so no need to bother about booking ahead.
Just make EARLY STARTS and make the stopovers by mid afternoon for the best choices. We never spent as much as $100 per double per night including breakfast and inclusive of all taxes for often quite luxurious accommodation. Driving in USA can be a pleasure rather than a chore and on Hwy 1 very few people are in a hurry.
Check www.broadjam.com/delton and listen to "Looking For America - Land Of The Free" for the full story.
It only takes about an hour to drive from Cagliari to another very well known and beautiful spot of Sardinia: the peninsula of Sinis, located in the Oristano Gulf on the west coast.
I have visited one of the most fascinating archaeological and panoramic sites of Sardinia, Tharros. This was a Punic, Phoenician and then Roman city located on the very tip of the Gulf of Oristano. Nowadays, it is basically an open air
museum surrounded by the sea... spectacular! You can walk around the ancient ruins and then up to the top of the promontory to the Tower of San Giovanni that dominates this site. I recall enjoying the views of the endless sea and the peace of this place from there. Even if you are not a heritage fan, you will love this.
The ticket to the site is cheap, about 4 euro, and also includes entrance to
the museum of Cabras (not far from Tharros), where many of the objects that where discovered in Tharros are displayed.
If you want to mix culture and sunbathing, drive north to the beautiful and famous beach of 'Is Aruttas' - this is a must if you are visiting in spring or summer. It is also worth taking a panoramic drive along the coast going north to enjoy the sea views.
There are many other things to see and do around here so you might want to book an hotel or a farmhouse and spend some days in this area.
More tips about holidays in Sardinia and driving directions for Tharros in
www.blog-sardinia.co.uk
You can get free maps, useful illustrated leaflets and small books at the GNTO offices in Athens at 26 Amalias Street. You can also download free maps of Greece from several interesting websites.
www.gnto.gr/pages.php?pageID=805&langID=2
www.in2greece.com/english/maps/maps.htm
Sitting at the foot of the Mohawk Trail and pitched nicely between Northampton and Brattleboro (Vt.) just off I-91, Greenfield is a great, if little-known town.
It has the feel of a place past its heyday but ready to make a comeback: lovely 19th century homes, a farmers' market and a walkable downtown.
It has some excellent eateries, including the People's Pint pub and restaurant, the Hope and Olive restaurant, Blue Thai Ginger and Mirling's bakery. Koko's Cafe for coffee and sandwiches on Main Street.
The surrounding countryside is lovely and varied. Apple orchards abound and in the autumn you can 'pick your own' or sample the delights of sweet apple cider. Maple syrup is everywhere.
Situated as it is, Greenfield is a gateway to the beautiful Berkshire Hills. From here, you can wind your way along Rte. 2 to groovy North Adams; or, leave Rte. 2 at the small-but-perfectly-formed Shelburne Falls and head north on Rte. 112 up through Colrain to southern Vermont for outstanding views of quintessential New England landscapes. Oh, did I mention Fall foliage? It's happening right now. Brilliant.
Western Massachusetts, the north-west corner.
Head north into northern New Hampshire or Maine.
Get a car and drive up I93, keep going up towards Franconia Notch or deviate and head for the 'Lakes'.
Titlon and Conway have shopping outlets (NH has no sales tax) and there is the Conway Scenic Railroad which will provide you with a steam rail trip through the autumal colours.
Alternatively, head up I 95, stopping for lunch in Portsmouth NH, and up into Maine. Head north to the mountains.
Both are beautiful, inexpensive (especially with the current exchange rate) and away from the usual UK tourist spots.
www.conwayscenic.com/
www.santasvillage.com/
www.franconianotchstatepark.com/
www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/
www.visitmaine.com/package/3387/leaf_peeping_at_one_of_maines_gems_-_moosehead_lake/
www.lakesregion.org/Activities/FallHappenings/FoliageLeafPeeping/tabid/95/Default.aspx
My wife and I went on a 2CV (you know that old typical French car you see in the movies) car ride and I strongly recommend it to everyone. The driver was an authentic Parisian (except he was actually really friendly ahah) who told us random stories about the city and France in general.
They stopped in front of every main monument to let us take pictures or sometimes even took the pictures for us and the view was just breathtaking. We could stand up (even though the car is so cosy you don't feel like standing up) to take advantage of the view on the Champs Elysees etc... I mean it was such a great typical experience we actually decided to do it again.
So the next time they picked us up from the restaurant and drove us around (Moulin Rouge, the foot of the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame). There was literally no traffic, and we definitely appreciated that bottle of champagne they let us take in the car.
Finally they drove us around Montmartre in some tiny streets and places only locals know so I won't hop on any of those touristy buses ever again.
PS: The name of their website is parisauthentic.com but don't trust the website's bad quality, it doesn't reflect the quality of the service.
Early October is the height of Leaf Season in Vermont. Just two hours from Boston, four from New York City, can find you driving the byways of rural New England, surrounded by the riotous colours of Autumn. I recommend driving up Vermont Route #100 from Wilmington to just north of Mount Snow, then crossing over the spine of the Green Mountains on the West Wardsboro to East Arlington Road (dirt), stopping off for a picnic lunch at Grout Pond, (and perhaps an hour's walk around the pond), then continue on to Bourne Pond and down to Vermont Route #7 in East Arlington. Obtain a map of Vermont (available at any Vermont Information booth) and get off the main highways, onto secondary, or even dirt, roads. Don't keep to a schedule. Stop at places that pique your interest. The first two weeks of October are the best time, when the leaves are most colourful.
Come now, rent a car, get on the pike and head west. The trees are just changing colours, the apples are ready to pick, not to mention the pumpkins, and if you're in luck you might find an apple cider donut... home made almost. Don't forget to try a corn (maize) maze.
The I 90 is the main turnpike road through Mass. At this time of year the leaves are turning, the sky is blue and the rivers and lakes you will drive by on this easy road are glorious. A long straight major road, easier to find than the traditional "leaf peeper" routes up into NH or Maine.
I 90 W out of Boston.
A very interesting article about driving to Greece by car. If you plan a driving holiday to Greece read it.
www.in2greece.com/blog/2007/09/england-to-greece-by-car.html
A tip - be very careful if you choose to drive in NZ. The driving can be akin to a stock car rally!
NZ has a high death toll rate, and a very high crash rate. Seeing cars coming towards you can lose its novelty quickly, and tail gating is common place. Man it can be scary! Cyclists be especially careful, the concept of giving cyclists a little extra space doesn't exist. Don't be alarmed if you see people shaving, reading, drinking coffee, using hand phones or even having their supper with chopsticks, all at over 60kmph!
These are all real examples, and there is worse. Drink driving is common. Despite all that it's a pretty place.
If you are planning on staying a little further out of Hvar centre and renting a scooter or car to get into town or see more of the island, be aware that there only seems to be one company that rents them and it's very expensive!
We were shocked to pay £32 a day for a banged-up old scooter which could hardly make it up the hills (we paid £7 a day last year in Greece). Cars were £56 a day.
Having said that, it is worth it for at least a day, to visit some of the beaches, and to take the old road via Brusje on the way home, gorgeous view from top of Hvar looking out towards Brac as the sun sets.
Rent scooters from the bus station at Hvar
Really nice to be able to find walks and country routes when you are off the main drag.
The Map Shop is run by a very helpful man who will match a map to your requirements and it is always surprisingly cheap (think we paid about six pounds per map and they always arrive the next day, which has proved v useful!)
We found the
Mapa Provincial Granada, Direccion General del Instituto Geografico Nacional, Ministerio de Fomento useful, but also bought Parque Natural, Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama.
www.themapshop.co.uk/
It is in Upton on Severn, UK
Freephone: 0800 085 40 80
Tel: +44 (0)1684 593146
Bring an International driving licence – although most national ones are accepted by motorbike and car hire companies and anyone else who wants to hire you something, you may not be insured without an IDL! In Thailand they drive on the left - cars are right-hand-drive. However driving is really only for the experienced. Be especially careful on a motorbike - Samui has the highest accident rate in Thailand. If you are stopped by the police, it is advisable to have 200 baht handy as you may be required to pay an on the spot “fine”; it is inadvisable to get out your wallet and display a large amount of cash or the “fine” might increase.
Traffic in Manila is probably the worst in the world - it is hell. If anyone complains about traffic in New York, Los Angeles, Rome etc, he or she should visit Manila because nothing compares to Manila traffic.
The reason why is simply because of the population almost doubling in the past 20 years. As a result, there are more drivers and more vehicles fighting for space on mostly old-narrow roads and highways. The saying "if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere" applies if one were to drive in Manila.
Old and dilapidated vehicles such as jeeps, buses and tricycles add to the problems of congestion and pollution. Also, undisciplined drivers cause gridlock - U-turns on main thoroughfares make no sense. A modernization plan is needed where drivers can easily exit, cross a bridge over the freeway/highway and enter the other way. You'll know what I'm talking about once you're in Manila.
Pollution, such as smog, is a major issue in the city. Old vehicles belch fumes and smoke so avoid taking old public transport without air-conditioning and windows. Community efforts are gaining momentum to clean up so as to beautify the city. Streets are generally clean although certain sections in, around and outside Manila seem neglected, such as railroad tracks, rivers and, of course, the squatter areas in certain districts of Metro Manila.
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
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