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.

Nice Airport has a newly opened Car Rental Centre where all vehicles are picked up and dropped off from the 5 car hire agencies located at the airport; Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt. Having a central centre for car hire in Nice Airport provides easy access with its location in Terminal 2 behind the parking lot P5. There are still car rental counters in the Arrivals Hall at Nice Airport which are open until 2200. In Terminal 1 the counters are located through the door to the right of Gates A1/A2 Information Office and in Terminal 2 use the doors between Gate A2 and A3. After 2200 car hire pick up can only be made from the Car Rental Centre. From Terminal 1 take the free shuttle to Terminal 2 and get off at Gate A3.

The main car hire pick up point is Malta Airport although vehicles can be rented across the island at St Julian’s , Sliema, Mellieha, Qawra, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and the capital, Valetta. Renting Malta Airport Car Hire is a very simple process with all car rental desks situated to the left in the arrivals hall after collecting your baggage. All major car rental companies are represented at Malta International Airport – Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Dollar/Thrifty, Budget, Europcar and First Car Rental.
Once you have picked up your documents from the car rental desk, the car rental representative will give direction to where the rental car is parked. There is a general parking area for all rental cars – a map of which is here.
Driving is on the left in Malta as it is in the UK with speed limits restricted to 50Km/h in towns and 80km/h on stretches of open road. Minimum age for car hire in Malta is 21 although a supplement will apply unless you are 25 or over. Please be aware that seat belts are compulsory.

The city of Orlando in Florida is the perfect holiday destination for families. Children will love experiencing all the theme parks Orlando has to offer, and parents will love enjoying the sunshine state’s wonderful weather. In order to experience all of Orlando’s attractions during your visit, you will need car hire. Cheap car hire in Florida will enable you to quickly and conveniently see all these attractions.

•    Walt Disney World Resort
Located in Lake Buena Vista in Florida, Walt Disney World is about a 35 minute drive from Orlando. Consisting of 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, as well as some areas for adults, you will need plenty of time and energy to take it all in! Children will love seeing their favourite Disney stars in the flesh.

•    Sea World
Located 10 minutes’ drive south of downtown Orlando, Sea World offers families the chance to experience the diversity of sea life. While there, you can see some of the world’s most dangerous sharks up close, take a trip through the arctic exhibit and see walruses and polar bears, and even visit Sea World’s most famous resident, Shamu the killer whale.

•    Universal Orlando Resort
Consisting of two theme parks, Universal Orlando Resort is the perfect theme park for adrenaline junkies! Home to some of Orlando’s scariest thrill rides, a visit here is not for the faint hearted! For those who are not fans of scares, there’s still plenty to do. The recently opened World of Harry Potter is great fun for fans of the schoolboy wizard.

If you are looking for the perfect international car hire for your holiday, you should be sure to come to us here at LeisureCars.com.