Barcelona is the most populous city of the Autonomous community. It
Car hire in Italy will be essential if you are on vacation in Italy, unless you are booked into a hotel for the duration of your holiday. Distances between points and cities of interest can be large, and while flying or buses are one option, the former can be expensive and the buses can take a long time to reach your destination.
That is the major reason for car hire in Italy being so important to people on holiday with limited schedules. Unlike other countries, except perhaps for Greece where the historical, art and cultural highlights tend to be located over a fairly small area, in Italy you may want to visit the uniqueness of the city of Venice in the north, the capital and ancient city of Rome in the middle and Mount Etna down in the South close to Sicily.
Italy also has the fashion houses of Milan and the artistic genius of Florence to attract you, and without a car you would not only be very restricted in traveling times, but would also need a huge budget to cover your traveling expenses using public transport. Car hire in Italy, on the other hand, is inexpensive in comparison and the need for car hire in this country is specific to Italy, and not comparable to any other.
Hiring a car in the USA, for example, is only useful for relatively local travel because the country is so vast and car hire is not a viable option for tourists. The same is true of the UK which is significantly smaller than Italy, but whose roads tend to be busier and slower running, while British trains and air travel are fairly inexpensive for the short distances involved. In Italy, the autostrade is the fifth-largest motorway network in the world with a speed limit of 81 MPH, 11 higher than the 70 in the UK.
These are just a few of the reasons why car hire in Italy is recommended for visitors to the country that want to visit as many attractions as they possibly can in the time available to them. Rail travel in Italy is also advanced, but by driving yourself you will be able to see a lot more along the way. Here is quick route from Venice in the north to Sicily in the south.
Venice is a beautiful city and a great place to hire your car. You can collect anything from a Ford Fiesta to a Mercedes SLK at Venice Airport, then spend two or three days in the beautiful canal city. Your car hire in Italy should be booked for the time it takes you to reach your departure airport.
Many people start in Venice and end up at Naples airport where they drop it off, but if you want to visit both Milan and Venice, fly to Milan first then drive to Venice. From there drive all the way down to Sicily and leave from Palermo Airport. A total of not far off 1,000 miles, but you can do this over a 7 or 10 day vacation: 100 – 145 miles/day which is not a great deal.
Make sure that your car hire in Italy has no mileage limit – you don’t want to pay per mile here, because that could restrict your plans. For example, Venice – Milan – Florence is a total of 356 miles while Milan – Venice – Florence is 329 miles by road. So you save 27 miles if you fly to Milan airport and hire your car there.
Milan offers the best fashion in the world, and Florence some of the best art you will ever see in addition to its fabulous Chianti. You just have at least one glass here! From Florence drive down the 173 miles to Rome, and you could stop at Perugia and visit its art galleries and museums, or simply try its world-famous chocolate. MMmmm
Torquay is the undisputable surfing capital of Victoria. An ideal destination for any lover of beaches and surfing, Torquay is located only 95 Kilometres south-west of the State’s capital, Melbourne. This makes it a popular tourist destination for holiday goers every year, Australia wide.
Torquay is the official start of the Great Ocean Road and can be accessed by travelling by car along the Surf Coast Highway. This spectacular journey marks only the beginning of what is to come. Nestled in a bush setting, Torquay is also home to several world famous beaches, some of which host world-wide surfing events.
The beaches are undoubtedly the talking point of Torquay. There are several protected family beaches, ideal for a fun and safe day with the kids at the beach. They are easily accessible by car and close to local shops and cafes. However the most famous beaches in the Torquay region would have to be Jan Juc and Bells Beach. Jan Juc is a somewhat wild beach, with fantastic surfing opportunities. Bells Beach also has big swells, and is highly recommended for only the most experienced surfers. Bells Beach is also the home of the Rip Curl Pro Surf and Music Festival, which is held annually at Easter. This event draws in pro surfers from across the world, making the beach one of the most famous and talked about beaches, internationally.
You can also discover the beaches by attempting the Surf Coast Walk, a 35 kilometre stretch, beginning at Jan Juc and ending at Moggs Creek, which is past Anglesea. The coastal views of this walk are spectacular and walking amongst the thick forest with the native birds and kangaroos, is a truly unique experience. The stretch can also be driven, by following the Great Ocean Road all the way to Anglesea. The drive allows you to relax in the comfort of the car, while taking in the breathtaking views and scenic characteristics of the famous stretch.
Returning back to the centre of Torquay, you can explore the seaside potteries, galleries and craft shops while gaining an understanding of the local way of life. Torquay is also a base to several of Australia’s biggest surf brand names. This can be explored by visiting the Surfworld Museum, which is Australia’s largest surfing museum. The museum has interesting displays and exhibits and allows visitors to learn more about the popular water sport. Surfworld also offers surfing lessons, for adults, kids or anyone keen to have a go.
For a more laid back take on Torquay, visit the Southern Rose. These stunning rose gardens are positioned on 8 acres of impressive grounds, encompassing a courtyard, arbours, gazebos and a bird aviary. There is also a restaurant to grab a bite, and soak up the beautiful colour and scents.
A short drive up the road is Bellbrae Carriages, a museum of early Australian horse-drawn carriages. See how the early Australian settlers used to get around and gain an appreciation of modern travel.
For a fun day out with the kids, visit Tiger Moth World and Adventure Park. This theme park revolves around the 1930′s, with a large focus on the Tiger Moth Biplane. The park includes a museum, mini-golf, a flying fox, paddleboats and a volcano maze, among many other fun activities. For the more daring, the park offers scenic flights along the coast to the 12 Apostles, as well as sky diving adventures. For the young to the young at heart, the park is sure to offer something fun for all.
For food and wine lovers out there, Torquay is sure to please. Home to several local wineries, including Minya Winery and Mount Duneed Winery, the quality of the red, white and fortified wines, is world class. Torquay is also home to several fantastic restaurants, popular places include the Bellbrae Harvest and the Great Ocean Rose. These restaurants allow you to enjoy not only fantastic food, but also to soak up the atmosphere and fresh sea air.
When it comes to places to stay in Torquay, the best bet is the Torquay Caravan Park. The park is set on a picturesque landscape of gardens and is within walking distance to most beaches, shops and restaurants. Sit back and relax in your choice of accommodation, ranging from campervan, camping and caravan sites, to quality cabins with impeccable facilities.
Torquay marks the start of an extraordinary drive. The sights and scenes of this seaside town make it a welcoming and fresh place to visit and a great place to embark on the Great Ocean Road. The beaches truly make the visit an enjoyable one and the local history makes it an interesting and pleasurable place to be. Torquay is most definitely worth the visit and is a great escape for the entire family.
Christine Barton is a Content Writer for Discovery Car Rental Melbourne, Australia’s travel focused online car rental company. She frequently writes information about Car Rental Melbourne and travel information relating to Australia.
Widely known as the “Seafood Capital of Australia”, the charming town of Port Lincoln is positioned along the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia. Home to a relatively small population of just 14,000, Port Lincoln is a pleasant holiday destination as it allows you to escape the crowds, while still enjoying an enchanting beach atmosphere and lifestyle.
Lincoln Bay is the major commercial centre for the Eyre Peninsula and offers everything you would expect from a city, but with a small-town feel. Not only is it any shopaholic’s heaven, but it also offers a wealth of art galleries, craft outlets and fascinating souvenir shops. Its position overlooking the stunning Boston Bay also makes it one of the state’s most popular places for fishing. The fact that it is surrounded by quaint fishing villages such as North Shields, Louth Bay, Tumby Bay, Coffin Bay and Mount Dutton Bay, also contribute to this appeal, and are fantastic destinations for fishing day trips.
This beautiful town was discovered back in 1802 by the famous explorer, Matthew Flinders. He immediately recognised the beauty of the town, and this, matched with its pleasant Mediterranean climate, is essentially what put it on the map. The town has now become one of the nation’s biggest combined agricultural and fishing centres.
Now when it comes to things to do and places to see in Port Lincoln, you really are spoilt for choice. This town is a great place to visit with the family as it offers a wealth of family activities that are sure to please those both young and old. A good place to start would have to be with the Glen Forest Tourist Park. This family park is home to a wide variety of animals, with opportunities for you and the kids to interact with them practically around every corner. The park offers free BBQ facilities, and after you enjoy some snags with the family, there is the option of playing a round of miniature golf. What more could you ask for?
Just a little way up the road you will come across the Roseview Gardens and Emu Farm. These gorgeous gardens are nestled on two acres of beautifully maintained land and are home to deciduous trees evergreen tress and shady gum trees. You will also discover over 600 roses and three magnificent water features. Enjoy a Devonshire Tea in the delicate outdoor pergola and breathe in the fresh air while soaking up the beauty and serenity of your surroundings.
For a discovery of Port Lincoln’s maritime history, head up to the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum. This intriguing museum is home to older style tools, historic dinghies, a large collection of maritime artifacts and photos, and an extensive collection of newspaper clippings of local fishing and boating history.
The Koppio Smith Museum is another great local museum, situated just 40 kilometres north of Port Lincoln. The history of the town shines like a beacon through this museum as it is home to the Jericho collection in Heritage Hall, a wide collection of agricultural machinery and a women’s pioneer room. Other fantastic museums in the area include the Settler’s Cottage Museum, the Railway Museum, the National Trust “Mill Cottage” and the Mount Dutton Bay Woolshed Museum.
Once you have discovered Port Lincoln’s extensive history, it is time to head outside and experience some of the great outdoors. Take a stroll along the Investigator Walking Trail and head out to the Mikkira Station and Koala Park. Here you will be able to bird watch and count koalas, and if you visit at night, star gaze for hours on end.
The Old Mill Lookout is also worth a look as it offers stunning views of Port Lincoln and Boston Bay. Another fantastic lookout is the Winters Hill Lookout, which offers panoramic views of Boston Island, Boston Bay, Sleaford Mere, Thistle Island and of course, the beautiful township of Port Lincoln.
Finding a place to stay will also be an adventure because there are just so many options. Bed and Breakfasts are an extremely popular option, while holiday houses and cottages offer something a little more quaint and memorable. Wherever you may choose to stay, you are sure to be able to make the most of your Port Lincoln experience.
Christine Barton is a Content Writer for Discovery Car Hire Adelaide, Australia’s travel focused online car hire company. She frequently writes information about Car Hire Adelaide and travel information relating to Australia.
