This is a trip made on 15 March 2012 from Puerto del Carmen to Ye and Volcan de la Corona in the north of Lanzarote and then on to Orzola and a ferry to La Graciosa Island. Car hire was purchased on leisurecars.com, details of the rental can be found on the earlier blog to Timanfaya National Park via Playa Blanca.

Volcan de la Corona is situated in Ye in the north of Lanzarote and the route from Puerto del Carmen starts north on the LZ-2 to Arrecife. Taking the Arrecife ring road (Circunvalacion), look out for a sign to Orzola and North Lanzarote which connects with the LZ-1. At Tahiche take the LZ-10 to Teguise and continue north. It is a very pleasant drive with spectacular scenery. At Haria, take the LZ-201 north to Ye and Volcan de la Corona. There are no signs for the Volcano or the trail up to the Volcano crater but it is clearly visible on the right as you drive through Ye. The trek starts with a light incline through cactus and after 15 minutes there is a stone wall and large palm tree which is the beginning of a steeper climb for a further 15 minutes. At the top is the large crater – there are no fences so be careful as it is a long way down into the crater! The views across northern Lanzarote from the crater and indeed on the way up are breathtaking so take a camera.

Next stop is Graciosa Island or more commonly known as La Graciosa, the smallest inhabited island in the Canary chain and a nature reserve. With only 700 inhabitants, no paved roads and restrictions on future development, Graciosa Island reflects a Canarian lifestyle of decades ago where fishing is the main industry and tourism is yet to take hold.

Travelling from Ye, continue on the LZ-201 east and then turn north on the LZ-204 to Orzola for the ferry to La Graciosa. There are two ferry companies operating from Orzola to Caleta del Sebo in La Graciosa; Lineas Maritimas Romero and Biosfera Express. Both companies charge 20 euros return and the crossing takes approximately 25 minutes. Lineas Maritimas Romero departs Orzola for La Graciosa at 1000, 1100, 1200, 1330, 1600, 1700 and 1800. The return ferry from La Graciosa leaves at 0800, 1000, 1100, 1230, 1500, 1600 and 1700. In the summer (1 July to 31 October) there is an additional ferry from Orzola at 1900 and from La Graciosa at 1800. The Biosfera Express ferry leaves Orzola at 0800, 1030, 1300, 1630 and 1830 with the return from La Graciosa departing Caleta del Sebo at 0700, 0930, 1130, 1530 and 1730.

A great place for lunch is Cafe Meson de la Tierra just off the square after disembarking from the ferry at Caleta del Sebo. Outside tables overlook the picturesque harbour and the food is excellent. Try the Fried Squid Romana for 9 euros – the best Calamari and chips you will ever eat!

The main reason for the visit to La Graciosa was to see the beautiful beach at Playa de las Conchas, 6 km from Caleta del Sebo on the northwest of the island. Travelling to Playa de las Conchas or indeed anywhere on Graciosa Island can be done by hiring a bike or a 4-wheel drive vehicle with driver. As you disembark the ferry there are a couple of bike rental places and to the right a number of old Land Rover’s and other 4WD vehicles ready to hire with a driver. Bike hire was 7 euros for the day from Bike Graciosa Island and the journey across the island on rough roads was made easier with the excellent mountain bike. Bikes are not permitted on the beach at Playa de las Conchas so there are bike racks at the end of the road. The beach itself is spectacular set against the backdrop of Isla de Montana Clara and although the water looks inviting, strong currents makes it unsafe although some were body surfing in the more sheltered areas.

After the ferry back to Orzola, take the LZ-1 around the coast and south to Arrecife connecting the with new Ring Road to join the LZ-2 to Puerto del Carmen.

This is a trip made on 14 March 2012 from Puerto del Carmen to Playa Blanca and then on to Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote. Car rental was purchased on the leisurecars.com web site for 3 days hire from Puerto del Carmen for only £42. The Hertz rental location was in the Casa Mar area of Puerto del Carmen and the Economy vehicle was a Peugeot 207 with only 16,000 km on the clock. A deposit of 550 euros was taken off the credit card in lieu of taking excess cover and the car was checked for damage which showed no significant problems and only a few superficial scratches. The statement of vehicle condition was signed which showed a quarter tank of fuel. Always check the fuel gauge before leaving the rental location as in this instance the gauge only showed an eighth of a tank left. This was brought to the attention of Hertz and amended.

Given the popularity of Timanfaya National Park, it is better to arrive in the afternoon if you are driving as most of the organised coach tours arrive in the morning, making Timanfaya very busy during this period. The morning can be spent in Playa Blanca which will complete a great day trip in Lanzarote.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen on the LZ-504, the route to Playa Blanca is straightforward and takes about 30 minutes. Turn left from the LZ-504 onto the main LZ-2 Arrecife to Playa Blanca road via Yaiza. Alternatively a shorter drive is to turn off just before Yaiza onto the LZ-702 down to Playa Blanca, a total of 24 km.

Playa Blanca is the main ferry port for crossings to Corralejo on the northern tip of Fuerteventura. There are a couple of ferry companies, Fred Olsen which operates a faster service taking 20 minutes or the Naviera Armas taking 35 minutes and slightly cheaper. Playa Blanca is a fairly small resort with a small sandy beach and a pleasant promenade of mainly restaurants with tables outside overlooking the beach and sea, a definite must for fish and seafood lovers with tapas from 3 to 4 euros per dish. Lunch can be taken in Playa Blanca or at Timanfaya National Park. The main reason for taking lunch in Timanfaya is to try the BBQ meat which is cooked over the volcano using geothermal heat and is absolutely delicious. Otherwise eat in Playa Blanca which will offer a wider choice and be much cheaper.

From Playa Blanca to Timanfaya National Park, take the LZ-2 north to Yaiza and then take the LZ-67 through Timanfaya to the entrance at Islote de Hilario, a total of 23 km. A few kilometres before the entrance are Echadero de Camellos (The Camels’ Resting Place) where camel rides on the volcano can be taken and offer a unique Lanzarote experience.

Opened in 1970, The Montanas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) or Timanfaya form an area in southwest Lanzarote where volcanic eruptions between 1730 and 1736 have created a unique, almost lunar landscape. Entrance fee is 8 euros and includes the “Route of the Volcanoes” tour, a 14 km coach tour with pre-recorded commentary in various languages. The route takes in the main centre of the eruptions in Timanfaya highlighting the unique geological and geomorphic points on interest. A good tip is to sit on the right hand side of the coach as this offers the more dramatic scenery and stops are made along the route to take photographs from inside the coach. The last tour leaves at 1700 except between 15 July – 15 September which is 1800.

El Diablo restaurant in Timanfaya National Park is open from 1200 – 1530 except between 15 July – 15 September when it is open 1200 – 1645. The restaurant is circular with glass walls providing fantastic views across Timanfaya while eating. Look out for the BBQ section on the menu where the meat is cooked on a large cast iron grill over a hole in the ground. The English section just refers to “Barbecued Meat” with no mention of being cooked by volcanic heat compared to the French “Viandes au grill du Volcan” or the Spanish “Carnes a la barbacoa del volcan”. Prices for steak range from Entrecote at 13 euros to Sirloin at 15.20 euros and T-Bone at 19.70 euros. Half a chicken (which comes thoroughly recommended!) was 8.10 euros and there is also sausages, veal, pork and mixed kebab available.

The drive from Timanfaya National Park back to Puerto del Carmen is the reverse of some of the route already travelled. Take the LZ-67 back to Yaiza and join the LZ-2 towards Arrecife, turning off onto the LZ-504 to Puerto del Carmen.

Leisurecars.com is pleased to offer a free GPS Sat Nav and free additional drivers in some European countries for bookings up to 31 March 2012 and car rentals between 24 February and 30 April 2012.

In France excluding Corsica, a free additional driver is available on rentals taken up to 31 March offering a saving of £28 per week (33 euros). This free additional driver offer also applies to Portugal car hire for rentals up to 30 April 2012.

In Switzerland, a free GPS Sat Nav is available on selected car groups for rentals up to 30 April 2012 as well as winter snow tyres as standard and additional winter driving essentials. For car hire in Italy a free GPS Sat Nav is available on selected rentals up to 31 March 2012.

For Romania car hire between 24 February and 30 April 2012, receive a free upgrade from an Economy Car to a Compact Car while rental in Slovakia provide free additional driver and free child seat again on rentals up to 30 April 2012.

For the budget conscious traveller looking at an economical way to travel around New Zealand, a Spaceships camper van may be the answer. The 2 berth camper van is based on the Toyota Previa and can be rented in Auckland in the North Island and Christchurch or Queenstown in the South Island.

The Standard 2 berth comes with a double bed, a dual battery system with 4-6 hours of life and a chiller. The Premium 2 berth again comes with a double bed, a dual battery system with 24 hours life, a 15 litre fridge/freezer, side awning for sheltered cooking, improved rear awning for better access, large lockable rear storage area, dual slide doors for easy access, Anti Lock Braking and airbags. As well as basic essentials, the camper van comes with creature comforts such as a DVD Player with 18cm screen, DC Plater and IPod connector.

Prices start from around £175 per week in low season.

Research looking at the impact of vehicle rental on the environment by the Transport Research Laboratory concluded that car rentals have an average 12% lower emission rate than private vehicles in the UK.
Rental vehicles are also in use for longer periods of time than private cars being used 70-80% of the time for a distance of 50 miles per day.
Car rental also links other modes of transport with about 20% of all journeys beine one-way.
It is also expected that car rental firms will be an early adopter of electric vehicles.

The study for the the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association feels the UK car hire sector is overlooked by policymakers as having a positive impact on sustainable transportation by providing an alternative to car ownership.
Full story is here

For the really budget conscious traveller, Super Saver vehicles can be hired throughout locations in Australia and New Zealand. The Super Saver vehicle will be an older model usually at least 6 years old and will have a high mileage around 150,000 km although all vehicles are well maintained mechanically and easy to drive. For example a Super Saver compact car hired from Auckland Airport on 19 February 2012 for 7 days costs only £121 compared to £149 for a newer model.

Following the success of a previous “Speed Kills” campaigns where road deaths have been reduced by 50 percent, the United Arab Emirate of Dubai has launched a second initiative until the end of December 2011.
Dubai car hire customers should be aware of the campaign and that radars have been installed by police across Dubai. For full details click here.

This is a trip made in October 2011 from Paphos to Nicosia via the Troodos Mountains stopping off in Omodos, Platres, Troodos and Kakopetria before staying the night in Nicosia and crossing the border into the northern Turkish side of the city.

Picked up the Honda HR-V car hire in Paphos at around 0915 and headed eastwards along the motorway A6 towards Limassol (Lemesos as it is sign-posted locally) turning off at Avdimou following signs for Pachna and Omodos. Heading north the road climbs steadily offering views over hills and valleys before arriving in Omodos at 1030. Omodos is a small village on the wine route with a picturesque cobbled square. There are many wine tasting places in the village which also has a number of local embroidery shops. The meandering narrow streets ooze traditional Cypriot character and the village is also home to the Monastery of the Holy Cross, one of the oldest and most historic monasteries in Cyprus.

Driving further north into the foothills of the Troodos Mountains was the small town of Platres. Platres seems to be a place on the move with internet access in most restaurants and cafes and messages from the local Community Council about developments in the town. On the down side these developments need to be paid for and parking in Platres was all pay and display (1 euro for 2 hours). Platres has a leafy Alpine feel to it with the temperature noticeably lower and the air fresher. Views down the valley to the coast at Limassol could only be glimpsed through houses although Platres makes a good stop off for lunch – take your IPad and also catch up on your emails!
Further north is the namesake village of the mountain range, Troodos which turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment. A man-made feel with one large hotel, a couple of restaurants, a small shopping area selling toot and an ice-cream van! The views were possibly spectacular but obscured by cloud and the air was full of odd looking flying insects. Troodos is only 4 Km from Mount Olympus which at 1952 metres is the highest point in Cyprus. At the top is a goverment installation and again there was poor visibility for viewing. The best views of the trip were on the way down from the top of Mount Olympus before joining the main road back to Troodos with spectacular views down the coastline to the sea.
Descending the northern slopes of the Troodos Mountains but still at an altitude of 667m is the charming village of Kakopetria with its main square surrounded by restaurants and shops. On the eastern side of the Karkotis river is the old village which has been beautifully maintained through a preservation order issued in the 1970′s. A walk along the narrow cobbled street reveals a historical look at life in a Cyprus village and is well worth the visit.
Taking the B9 road, the drive to Nicosia was a little slow especially after reaching the outskirts of the city. With only a small map of the old walled city and surroundings, it was a case of asking for directions which were excellent. The car was left overnight at D’Avila Car Park on the south side of the old city which was very close to the accommodation at the Centrum Hotel, located just off Ledra Street, a pedestrianised street with the border crossing across the Green Line into the Turkish Occupied Area of the city.
A walk down Ledra Street is very similar to Carnaby Street in London; trendy shops, cafes, restaurants and bars sit side by side with ubiquitous eateries like Maccy D and KFC. As you stroll north these peter out to reveal a Police Station with prefab building outside. No need to show your passport crossing from south to north as you then enter UN occupied no man’s land. This 50 metre stretch of Ledra Street is surrounded by derelict buildings and a street runs across east to west with huge 10 metre high steel barriers making viewing either over or either side impossible. Along part of this street before the barrier is a building site style screen with large images and commentary of the UN’s efforts to reconcile the situation. Continuing on Ledra Street was Turkish immigration where you can either have your passport stamped or fill out a piece of paper with Name, Nationality and Passport Number and have that stamped. Stamping the piece of paper seemed the sensible option. The north side of Ledra Street picks up where the south side left off with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops. Prices are in Turkish Lira although Euros are accepted but it is probably better to pay by credit card. The streets in the north of the city were much quieter and as dusk fell, the Call to Prayer could be heard from the impressive Arabahmet Mosque.
If you enjoy a beer then try the Efes Pilsen available on draught in a few bars – a very nice drop and far superior to the Keo on offer in the south.

The most popular rental location for car hire in Switzerland is probably Geneva Airport although with a Swiss sector and a French sector it can be confusing as to where to pick up the vehicle. Generally the French side offers cheaper car hire than the Swiss side although it is always best to check rental rates for both locations before making a choice.
If you are arriving on an international flight (except from France) into Geneva Airport you are required to enter Switzerland and must have the necessary documents. To reach the French sector follow the usual route from the plane and collect your baggage from the conveyor belt. After clearing customs go up one level to the check-in area and follow the yellow signs marked “Destination France”. Click here for a directions.
For rental collection on the Swiss side, continue out through to the Arrivals Hall after clearing customs.

Car hire in the Algarve is very competitive and as such you can find some excellent deals especially if renting a vehicle at Faro Airport. If you are staying in the western Algarve or driving further afield in Portugal the car hire will provide a much cheaper option than taking a taxi or using the airport transfer service from Faro Airport.
When you think you have a great car rental deal it is always important to check what is or is not included. A great headline price can often conceal many added extras especially if buying locally. Pre-bought car hire usually gives the best prices and also time to do those comparisons on inclusions and exclusions.
Driving is on the right in Portugal and please remember to take an up to date road map as all roads in Portugal were re-classified in 2004.