Destinations
Get The Best Deals On Rental Cars
Let’s examine the best ways to save big on car rentals and certain times when renting a car isn’t even needed.
Rental cars can be quite pricey and vacations are already wallet suckers, so let’s try and find the best deals around. Like anything in travel, timing can be everything, especially when booking a rental car. We spoke with some industry insiders and got the lowdown on the car rental business so you won’t get overcharged for a crappy rental car.
Let’s examine the best ways to save big on car rentals and certain times when renting a car isn’t even needed.
Rental Car Yes or No?
First lets determine if you even need a rental car or if you can get around on public transportation alone. Avoiding a rental car all together will save you some scratch and make your vacation much easier. Dealing with rental cars, parking and driving in foreign countries can all be nightmares that can be avoided by not renting a car in the first place.
What kind of vacation are you going on? Are you staying in one location or traveling around to multiple destinations? How close are you staying to town and does your hotel offer free shuttles?
If you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, you won’t need a rental car. Same if your hotel offers free shuttles to attractions. Your best bet is to do some research and figure this one out first.
Sometimes renting a car is your best bet so in that case, follow these simple few hacks to get the best deals.
Smaller Sites
The actual site of a car rental site will never have the best deals; instead look at aggregator sites like Costco travel or AAA.com. These sites offer great deals because you already pay for their services so you are getting an inside deal. You are paying for the memberships already so why not take advantage of their deals. I almost exclusively book through these two sites and constantly save big on bookings.
Smaller sites and companies will offer lower prices to compete with the big dogs of the industry. Hertz will never have the same deals as a small service like Fox rental cars has. You may not get the frills with these small companies but you won’t pay a premium either.
Get the compact
Stop acting like a nice rental car will make or break your vacation. Rental car companies make their money on upselling you, so stop it and chose the cheapest car. Think about how often you will be in this car, now think about if paying upwards of $50 more a day is worth it, most likely its not.
Insurance?
Stop buying the rental car’s insurance. If you have your own car or book with a major credit card, you are already insured. This is the biggest scam in all of car rentals. Stop paying upwards of $25-50 a day in insurance when you are already covered. Just say no!
Fees to avoid
Other than insurance, there are countless other bullshit fees they try and charge you. Toll transponders can cost a few dollars a day, same as GPS devices. Stop it, your smart phone has a better map system anyway, so use that and save big. Satellite radio? Are you serious, bring an IPod or some CDs and call it a day.
Save huge by renting off airport property and avoid the stupid fees they charge. Never rent on-site again. I find the site that is at least 20 minutes form the airport and you will have zero lines and pay close to half the price of on-site rental places.
Destinations
Admiring California’s Super Bloom!
On average, California is gifted with a “Super Bloom” once every 10 years. Miraculously, this 2019 super bloom is the second within the last three years!
If you’re unaware, a super bloom is not some sort of apocalypse-type-flowering event. Rather, it’s the name of the phenomenon in which there is an outbreak of flowers that greatly exceeds the norm. The only chaos you’re bound to find during this naturally-occurring affair is the thousands of other locals, tourists, and travelers seeking out this nearly once-in-a-decade experience.
Colors Of The Rainbow
However, that nearly “once-in-a-decade” experience is changing. The last super bloom in Southern California took place in early 2017. Californians only had to wait a mere two years for the mesmerizing bloom to take place again. This year, an abundance of early spring rain and mountain snow have allowed these valleys to show their true colors. The cooler temperatures are also allowing the bloom to last longer than usual. Nonetheless, photographers and Instagrammers alike are capturing fields of desert dandelions, pink sand verbena, purple lupine, and vibrantly energetic poppies.
How Far Do I Have To Go?
Those located in California or travel near its borders don’t need to go far to enjoy the state-wide beauty. Traces and patches of the super bloom are visible from areas north of San Francisco all the way down to San Diego – over a 500-mile stretch. We recommend you do all your own research if you plan on making the trip of one the various parks and locations to enjoy the lovely flower but we wanted to include to give you a head start in research. If you’re near Southern California, we suggest you look into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Desert Lily Sanctuary, Mojave Trails National Monument, & Diamond Valley Lake.
Tips To Make Every Trip Worthwhile
Additionally, we’re providing a few tips to make each planned adventure as organized and fulfilling as possible.
- Before you bother driving or hiking to these locations, consult with the Theodore Payne Wildflower Hotline. The bloom report is released every Friday.
- If possible, visit during midweek to avoid traffic congestion on weekends.
- As parking is not a given at any of these locations, be sure to pack the essentials: water, snacks, sunscreen, hats, and hiking boots.
- Cellphone coverage may be questionable. Always bring a physical map if you plan to separate yourself from your vehicle.
- Many state parks, dogs are simply not allowed on trails & in wildflower fields. You are welcome to walk them in campgrounds and on designated roads. Leashes are a must.
Destinations
Check Out The Next Generation Of Theme Parks
From Disney’s new Star Wars Land to Universal Studios Beijing, there is something for everyone in these fantasylands.
The world of theme parks is about to get really exciting in the next few years. A whole slew of awesome new parks are slated to open soon and each one has something exciting. From Disney’s new Star Wars Land to Universal Studios Beijing, there is something for everyone in these fantasylands. Let’s check out the newest crop of theme parks and see why you should be so excited.
Pandora – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney is set to unveil their latest creation, Pandora; the World of Avatar is an expansion to their Animal Kingdom in Florida. This groundbreaking theme park puts visitors into the world of Avatar and sets them on the planet of Pandora. James Cameron, the director who brought us Avatar has been deeply involved in the planning and execution of the new park. Expect lush forests of bioluminescent creatures and out of this world technology.
Disney’s Star Wars Land
Disney is doing it again but this time in both Florida and California, wherein 2019 it will debut the Star Wars land. Disney purchased the Star Wars rights in 2009 for a record 4 billion dollars and has been steadily exploiting the franchise. From the concept drawings, you can tell it’s going to be massive in scale and should fully immerse fans in the Star Wars universe. I know people will start lining up for these parks early so be prepared to wait a little bit.
Paramount Park, London
The long-anticipated London theme park has gone through some setbacks but it seems on track for a 2022 opening. Expect rides from Paramount icons like Star Trek, Indiana Jones, and Iron Man. This 3 billion dollar theme park better live up its enormous hype or there will be some salty Brits.
Universal Studios Beijing
Disney recently opened up in Shanghai so of course, their bitter rival Universal Studios had to open a park in the region. So enter Universal Studios Beijing, the mega-park set to open in 2020. There are plenty of fun parks in China but none are expected to be as grand as Universal Studios Beijing. They are attempting to build a park with heart and soul, so expect something huge and grandiose.
Warner Bros. World, Abu Dhabi
Expected to rely heavily on the brands biggest stars, Looney Tunes, and DC Comics. The completely indoor theme park will open in 2018 and is expected to dominate the landscape of Abu Dhabi. The UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a little overloaded with theme parks as of recent but this one is expected to be massive.
Wanda Theme Parks
China’s richest man owns Wanda Theme Parks and his goal is to make his theme park company bigger than all others. There are ten mega-theme parks expected to open in the next 5 years in China and that sounds crazy. These theme parks will put all other Chinese parks to shame as they are investing in Hollywood franchises and other huge budget trademarks.
Expect huge things from these mega parks in the next few years as the technology and budgets just keep growing and getting bigger.
Destinations
Float Up To These Top US Swim Up Bars
Spend your vacation wet from the waist down and full of booze from the bar up.
What’s more Spring Break than drinking a stiff cocktail while floating in a swimming pool? I can’t think of anything, so why throw on your swim trunks and saddle up to the best swim up bars in the U.S. with help from us at Jetlaggin. We found the top swim up bars around the nation and wanted to tell you why they’re so awesome. Spend your vacation wet from the waist down and full of booze from the bar up.
REHAB BEACH – HARD ROCK VEGAS
Do I even need to continue with this list after we talk about the ultimate pool party? Forget a swim-up bar, this is a full-on swim up a nightclub in the middle of the day. The pool party at the Hard Rock casino in Las Vegas is so awesome I’ve stayed in on a Saturday Night in Vegas because I wanted to really enjoy Rehab. In the summer they throw this ultimate pool party every Thursday to Monday, so tie your suit tight and get ready for the time of your life.
SERENITY POOL – FOUR SEASONS MAUI
Quite the opposite experience from Rehab, Serenity Pool at the Four Seasons in Maui is a classy and sophisticated swim-up bar for the vacationer who wants some peace and quiet with their Pina Colada. Lucky for you, there are three different swim-up bars in three completely different pools at the Four Seasons, so if you want to party, just head over to the Adult’s Only pool.
MUD HUT SWIM-UP BAR – KALAHARI WISCONSIN DELLS
Maybe you can’t make it to the coasts, fear not my friend, and check out the Mud Hut bar in the Kalahari resorts at the wonderful Wisconsin Dells. Imagine a swim-up bar and insane water slides mixed together, yes, it is heaven. This place has it all and it’s half indoors so even when the weather is bad, you can enjoy a stiff cocktail then head down a badass waterslide. Checkmate, sorry Maui, you lose to Wisconsin again.
HOTEL BLUE – MYRTLE BEACH
Myrtle Beach is what happens when NASCAR heads to the beach so expect plenty of cutoff jeans shorts, Lynyrd Skynyrd T-Shirts, and Budweiser being slung at this hotel pool bar, but it’s a great time. These country folk knows how to get down and if the adults only pool is a rocking please do come a-knocking, you won’t regret it.
AMA BAR – THE FAIRMONT KEA LANI MAUI
This is the fancy swim up bar we all have fantasized about but never really thought was possible. This hotel is a real fancy joint so expect an upper-class type of clientele so no beer bongs dudes.
DIP AQUA BAR – NEW YORK
New York City’s only swim-up bar is obviously a hot spot, there’s only one. The Room Mate Grace in Times Square has an indoor pool that is open 24/7 but the bar is only open from 10 am to 8 pm. They host a very popular gay night on Wednesday and there is a cover charge every day of the week.
-
Destinations10 months ago
All-Inclusive Resorts Outside The Caribbean!
-
Destinations10 months ago
Touring Nashville!
-
Destinations9 months ago
Safe Travel Spots For Travel Currently
-
Destinations9 months ago
Stay With The Animals At These Awesome Hotels
-
Destinations10 months ago
The Best Cruises For Every Family Type
-
Destinations9 months ago
The Cheapest Travel Destinations in the World in 2020
-
Destinations7 months ago
Cheapest Caribbean Destination: Punta Cana VS Cancun
-
Featured10 months ago
How To Make A Healthy Gas Station Meal