Until 31 October, 2010, score double Qantas Frequent Flyer Points on any Budget Australia Car Rental!

Here’s how:

Rent any car with Budget in Australia for 5 consecutive days or more and receive DOUBLE Qantas Frequent Flyer points. That’s 6 points for every dollar spent on time and kilometre charges with Budget. Offer valid until 31 October 2010.

Click here to book and quote coupon number MPNZ064.

Terms & Conditions:

Double Qantas Frequent Flyer points are applied to any Budget car vehicle rental and earned on time and kilometre charges only.
Minimum length of rental is 5 consecutive days.
Quote your Qantas Frequent Flyer number when making your booking and when you pick up your vehicle.
Within Australia, points are earned on time and kilometre charges, excluding GST, insurance and miscellaneous charges.
Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, coupon or promotion including contracted, staff or industry rates.
All car rentals are subject to the terms and conditions of the car rental agreement.
Driver must meet Budget age; driver’s licence and credit requirements.
One way rentals are not permitted.

This deal is brought to you by car hire specialists, Webcarhire.com.

Many of our posts have focused on helping people save money on car hire. We see that offering this advice is all part of our service. Our team really do try to help people get the best from their car rental experience, because after all any saving you make means you have more to spend elsewhere.

To continue our last post on this topic, here are 4 More Ways to Save Money on Car Hire.

Hire a manual car

If you’re searching for a car in New Zealand, you may notice there are a lot more manual cars available than automatic. As a result, the rental of an automatic car becomes more expensive – particularly during the summer months.

If driving a manual is within your capability, cut costs by choosing NOT to rent an automatic car.

Watch out for exorbitant one way rental charges

State to state one way rentals of course are possible in many countries, but for many locations this convenience can hit you in the hip pocket.

Costs like extra mileage are covered in one way rental charges – which can sometimes become quite expensive, particularly if you’re travelling in the US. Whereas in Australia, the cost of a one way hire tends to be more affordable.

Our tip: Find a quote for one way rental then compare it to the cost of dropping your rental at the same place you picked it up, plus of course the flight costs. You might be surprised when you see the difference

Stick to the drop off time

Though you may be tempted to return your car rental after the time you specified in your reservation, be warned – a late drop off comes at a cost.

More often than not, returns more than 30 minutes late result in the charge of an extra day. Our tip: Check first if the car hire company have been generous to give you this 30 minute window,.

This means returning your car 1 hour late can cost you the equivalent of 1 day car hire.

Yikes!

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Auckland is a great start to any holiday in New Zealand, particularly if you’re planning to self drive the North Island.

Affectionately known as the ‘City of sails’, there is a host of things to do and see in Auckland – it’s just a matter of fitting it all in.

Research and pre-planning always helps you get the most out of a holiday. In this post we list 5 resources we think might help you on your Auckland car trip:

1. Blogs are a great way of tapping into insider advice. It’s just like having your own tour guide but with the freedom to visit place to place at your own pace.

Indulged Traveller offers some great pointers that no travel guide can offer. From where to grab a good coffee, to where to find the freshest tastiest fish, authentic blogger advice for your Auckland stay can be found here.

2. Similarly, sometimes it’s just as good to hear travel tips from someone who’s been in exactly your shoes. This is Weeny offers a really refreshing take on Auckland, particularly when it comes to eating out. Unlike Indulged Traveller, This is Weeny is not a local but instead, a seasoned traveller who has mastered the art of exploring. Share the gems of her Auckland adventures here.

3. Sometimes a GPS navigation isn’t enough; you need real road trip advice to help you navigate a region that’s new to you. Help is on its way – there are plenty of driving routes already mapped out for you here.

4. For pre-trip inspiration, scroll through Auckland Daily Photo’s never-ending blog of photos. It offers a really colourful view of every part of the city. You might even be inspired to make your own contribution to the photo gallery.

5. Do you find yourself asking questions about Auckland you can’t find answers to online? Try Travellr. The site is free for people to ask and respond to any questions you might have about any travel destination. From hotel recommendations to activity suggestions, you’ll find really useful answers here.

Search for all the best New Zealand car hire rates.

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We are always on the look out for cheap car hire specials. Here are the best Deals of the week:

$30 off 3 days car hire in Tasmania

Rent any Budget Australia car in Tasmania using this link for 3 consecutive days or more and get $30 OFF the time and kilometre charges.*

Include coupon number MPNZ072 in your booking.

Offer valid on rentals commencing prior to 15 December 2010. Click the link to access the Terms and Conditions.

>> Follow this link to receive $30 off 3 days car hire in Tasmania

Free day car hire in Australia plus upgrade

Book a 3 day weekend car hire with Budget Australia using this link and get the 3rd day free of time and km charges PLUS a free upgrade.

The offer is for car hire anywhere in Australia for bookings which include a Saturday.

Include coupon number TPNZ122 in your booking.

Offer valid on rentals commenced prior to 30 September 2010. Click the link to access the Terms and Conditions.

>> Follow this link to receive the 3rd day free of time and km charges PLUS a free upgrade.

Search for more great prices at Webcarhire.com

Turkey offers an interesting twist on the traditional holiday in Europe. Its food, bazaars, warm waters and archaeological sites leave travellers excited for more. Once you’ve secured your car rental in Turkey, read our list of top 10 things to do.

10.

The bazaars of Turkey are a relief from the commercial shopping centres which overtake the rest of Europe. Istanbul Grand Bazaar is warm and welcoming. Chat to locals and haggle down prices of jewellery, carpets and textiles, traditional crafts and ceramics. Whatever you do, don’t get lost!

9.

Feel the tranquillity of the Pamukkale Thermal Pools. It is said the dazzling waters have the potential to heal ailments like asthma and many skin diseases. You can swim and bathe in the hot springs, with many parts of the pools open to the public.

8.

Explore the historical site of Mount Ararat in Turkey’s far east. You might have some luck finding remnants of Noah’s ark, which is said to have washed up here.  Climbing permits must be held by anyone looking to trek the mount. Speak to local authorities to arrange a permit and Turkish guide.

7.

Laze on Patara Beach, the longest beach on the Mediterranean. With a backdrop of ancient ruins to make this beach even more spectacular, you will soon agree with the The Sunday Times that Patara Beach rates as one of the best in the world.

6.

As far as archaeological sites go, Ephesus is unmissable. Just a 25 minute drive north of Kusadisi, the expansive site offers a sense of what life was like in 1^st century BC, though it dates all the way back to the 13^th century BC. With the Temple of Artemis and ruins of a theatre, library, public baths and village houses to go off and explore, the only downside of Ephesus is the large crowds it attracts.

5.

Aphrodisias is a taste of ancient Turkey without the long queues. A shrine to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, the site is home to an impressive stadium that fills with poppies in the spring. West of Denizl, Aphrodisias can be reached via the Aydin/Denizli or Mugla/Denizli highway, depending on the direction you’re travelling from.

4.

Ankara is Turkey’s capital city and second busiest hub. You’ll find amusement from its classical concerts, operas, museums, cinemas and quality restaurants which are all easy to access. Try a “döner kebap” Ankara’s dish of the city.

3.

Diyarbakir is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its 6 km long city wall stands 10 to 15 meters in height, and is an example of the craftsmanship in the middle ages. Other attractions include its Great Mosque, built under Sultan Malik Shah’s reign.

2.

The Turkish Riviera in south-western Turkey, covers Antalya, Mu?la, the provinces of Ayd?n, ?zmir and Mersin. The Riviera comprises thousands of kilometres of shoreline along the waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean. Warm waters, consistent sun and walks through archaeological sites makes the Riviera a tourist favourite.

1.

Every year thousands of Australians and New Zealanders make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli, Turkey. The site is steeped with memories of the bloodied WWI battle, which is still remembered today. April 25, Anzac Day, commemorates the soldiers who risked their lives in the poignant battle.

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People are gearing up for a busy ski season in New Zealand and Australia, with unprecedented snow fall already hitting Victorian slopes and parts of New South Wales.

For many, this will be their first time driving to the snow. Here we offer these 4 Tips for Driving in the Snow to answer questions like “Will I need chains?” and others.

1. Always carry snow chains. In most Australian and New Zealand snow regions, carrying snow chains in your vehicle is mandatory.

But it’s not about carrying them for the ride, you have to know how to attach snow chains to your tyres.

Step by step tutorials available all over the web might help prepare you for the challenge.

Meanwhile, the only way to truly know if the chains you have are the right fit for your tyres is to try fitting them on yourself, even before you’ve reached the snow.

This practice will give you the confidence of knowing how to fit them to your ride when the conditions call for it.

2. Inspect your vehicle before you reach your snow destination. Are your brakes reliable? Are your windscreen wipers working? All these small checks make for a smoother drive in the snow. Don’t forget to check that the demister and exhaust are in good working order too.

3. Make fitting your snow chains a little easier by carrying a tarp or old blanket. You might not see a need for it on your practise run, but when the moment calls for your ski chains to be fitted, the ground might be covered in wet snow. A good idea is to use an old towel to wipe the grease off your hands afterwards to help avoid losing control of the steering wheel when you get going on the rest of your drive.

4. Be generous with the time you estimate it will take to drive through the snow. Roads become congested, particularly while the school holidays are on. Meanwhile, storm conditions, snow and ice can also delay you in your travels. Drive with caution.

If you think we’ve missed any tips for driving in the snow, leave a comment with your helpful pointer.

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Budget Australia have partnered exclusively with Webcarhire to offer you this great deal:

Book a 3 day weekend car hire and get the 3rd day free of time and km charges PLUS a free upgrade.

The offer is for car hire anywhere in Australia for bookings which include a Saturday. Read the terms and conditions carefully before you book and don’t forget to include coupon number TPNZ122 in your booking.

>>Follow this link to claim this exclusive Webcarhire offer.

Holidays have the tendency to get expensive all too quickly. Perhaps it’s not about the cost itself but the fact spending money fruitlessly stops you from doing fun stuff on your holiday.

Here are 5 ways you can save money on your next road trip:

1. Buy snacks at less convenient locations, in bulk.

Typically, food is more expensive at service stations and fast food stops. Where possible, stock up on snacks at supermarkets and discount food stores.

2. Search for free accommodation.

Campervans offer the advantage of carrying your accommodation always with you, which means you are always saving money. Couchsurfing too, is becoming a popular way for people to save on stays, offering you the chance to meet like-minded individuals while you spend a few nights on a spare couch.

3. Pre-book where possible.

Sure you want to feel a sense of freedom and spontaneity on your road trip, but quite often it pays to book ahead. Car rental, particularly in Europe, can be a real burden if you don’t book ahead. Avoid paying last minute premiums or getting knocked back at the car hire counter because of no availability by reserving your vehicle the same time you book your flights.

4. Save on petrol while you drive.

The main way to do this is by mapping out the best route before you hit the road. Talk to locals about the most direct way to get to your destination, they might have a few tips too.

Switching off the AC and holding a steady speed can also help reduce your fuel consumption.

5. Share your ride with other travellers who might be headed in your direction.

Take due precaution when making the decision to ask someone as your safety needs to come before saving money but it’s nice when the two coincide together.

What are your tips for saving money on road trips? Comment below.

Fiesta San Fermin, Pamplona, Spain

Most commonly known as the Pamplona running of the bulls, the festival officially kicks off at midday, July 6 every year. The first bull run of the festival happens at 8am on July 7 and the last at the same time on July 14.

Bull running traces back to the 14^th century though back then it was not nearly close to being the phenomenon it is now.

Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest is Germany’s prime event, with celebrations lasting from late September until mid October every year.

The scale of the event is hard to comprehend until you actually get there. An endless supply of beer; folk music, dancing and local cuisine will keep you thoroughly entertained.

Love Parade, Duisburg, Germany

Originating in Berlin, Germany, the music festival was first held in 1989 and now in 2010, will take over the streets of Duisburg. On July 24, Germany’s most impressive DJ’s will entertain a crowd of thousands.

Palio di Siena, Siena, Italy

If you missed the world-famous horse race on July 2, the second instalment happens on August 16 in Siena, Italy. Palio di Siena takes places in Piazza del Campo, where thousands congregate to admire the impressive show.

La Tomatina Valencia, Bunol, Spain

Not many festivals around the world can say they are a huge food fight! Since 1945, the Tomatina festival is held each year on the last Wednesday in August, where thousands upon thousands throw crushed tomatoes at each other just for the fun of it.

Inspired to organise car hire in Europe. We can help!

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Winter is a great time for visitors of Sydney to undertake lesser known activities that even the locals take for granted.

From looking out for whales to admiring handmade designs at Paddington markets, there is a lot to love about Sydney in winter.

Here are 5 things to get you started:

1. Whale watching season commences in May and runs right through until December, to coincide with the northern migration.

From July to September, cruises leave Sydney regularly, offering you the chance to see Southern Right whales, Humpbacks and dolphins visiting the coast.

2. Winter gives visitors an invitation to dine at some of the most celebrated restaurants in the world.

This year Two Hat awards went to Sydney restaurants: Aria, Assiette, Becasse, Bently Restaurant & Bar, Berowra Waters Inn, Bistro Ortolan, Buon Ricordo, Claudes,  Guillaume at Bennalong, Iceburgs, Lucio’s, Pilu at Freshwater, Restaurant Balzac, Rockpool, Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sean’s Panorama, and Universal.

3. Bondi comes alive with the Sydney Winter Festival. 600 square metres of ice are laid along Bondi Beach to create an outdoor ice rink.

Come July, the famous sands of Bondi become Sydney’s alpine wonderland, complete with an Alpine Ski Hut to keep you warm.

4. Art After Hours program comes alive in winter, with art, talks, jazz and films available to enjoy every Wednesday from 5pm until 9pm at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Go to their website to lock in your next evening of Sydney culture.

5. Every Saturday, rain hail or shine, the Paddington Markets is where you’ll find local arts and crafts up for sale. The markets offer delicate selections of handmade jewellery, clothing and vintage treasures.

Paddington Markets are open from 10am.

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Webcarhire gives Sydney car hire options in and around the city for your convenience.