Ottawa Tires

Posts Tagged ‘Travel’

A few days ago, I came across an online discussion about whether you should prepay your car rental before you travel or wait until you get to your destination. I found a comment that I just had to respond to, but since the conversation ended back in 2006, I decided to reply via this blog instead.So what exactly was said to make me feel this way, I hear you ask? Brace yourselves!”Under no circumstances should you prepay (if you make a change or cancel it will be a real hassle and will probably cost you quite a bit of money)”I gasped. Oh the misconceptions and myths out there!So I’m setting the record straight. Here’s why you should prepay your car rental before you go.No Cancellation or Amendment FeesFirstly, if you cancel it will not cost you hassle or money! At DriveAway Holidays, we do not charge amendment or cancellation fees. Very occasionally, suppliers will charge fees (and we will pass it on to the consumer) but generally this only happens if you cancel within a 72 hour period and applies to selected suppliers in selected destinations only.Purchasing PowerWith 20 years experience in the car rental industry, DriveAway Holidays’ relationship with reputable suppliers means we can offer you lower prices on car rental overseas than if you were to walk in off the street. Plus, we have a Price Beat Guarantee, so if you happen to find a cheaper rate, we’ll beat it!^No Foreign Exchange WorriesPrepaying your car rental in Australian dollars before you go means that you don’t have to worry about exchange rate fluctuations. If you book your car hire when you arrive at a destination, changes in the exchange rate may mean you pay more than you would have at home in Australia.AvailabilityBy booking your car rental in advance, you can get the vehicle size you want. Whilst car rental suppliers do not guarantee a specific model, you will get the car class you reserved. If you wait until you are at the airport in a foreign country, especially in peak season, availability may be limited and so prices will be driven up. Avoid disappointment and save money by booking early! 

Peace of MindBooking your car rental in Australia before you travel means there are no language barriers to consider and it is easy and convenient. You have time to consider your options and read the small print as opposed to being “up sold” to on the spot at a car rental counter in a foreign country. Plus, DriveAway Holidays has a 24/7 Toll Free Customer Service line, accessible from around the world, so if you do run into problems, there is someone here to help. 

Added ValueWe can offer added value to your trip on top of your car rental. We offer GPS rental, for instance, which is an invaluable travel accessory, as well as sightseeing packages and accommodation. Also, at certain times of the year there will be various special offers in different areas so you can pick up a bargain! Earlybird season (which is fast approaching in November) is a great time to book your car rental for next year, with lots of special offers and free upgrades when you book early. Watch this space for more information!^Conditions apply. Visit www.driveaway.com.au for details.

After the stressful preparations for the dream wedding, any newly wed couple deserves a relaxing honeymoon break that will release them from all the worries collected from making their wedding as perfect as possible. Now, left on their own, they are free to relax and throw off the formalities that might have stressed them during the wedding. Honeymoons should allow couples to let their hair down before actually venturing into the realities of married life. If you and your better half is not a big fan of the tropics and would rather opt for some place where the climate is cool and will sort of force the two of you to keep each other cozy, then Canada is a great place to spend your honeymoon. Canada is reach with vacation spots where newlyweds can enjoy their honeymoon without suffering from the usual sunburns that one might experience during a trip to the tropics. Canada, that other country in Northern America, is very much like the United States except that it has a lower population density, the environment is calmer, and it has more natural parks and scenic landscapes. Although the country is also considered as multicultural, French and English influences are still very much felt even today. This northern American country attracts tourists who love outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. Canada is rich in wildlife, too. So, animal lover couples will be delighted of the arctic wildlife in this country’s national parks. Moreover, even though this country is dotted with cities as well, the calm urbanity of the cities is what attracts tourists from other parts of the globe. In the northern central part of Canada is where the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon lie. The main tourist attraction in these places is the rich wildlife and a number of out-of-doors activities that will excite any active newlyweds who have a taste for nature adventures. Activities depend upon the season, winter sports during the winter and hiking during summers. An additional treat is the beautiful landscape. The central part of the country is where the province of Ontario is located. Ontario is famous for the city of Toronto and Ottawa, which is the country’s capital. Ottawa is famous for its Winterlude Festival which will be very interesting to newlyweds. Moreover, who could leave out the Niagara Falls? Romantic movies were made in the name of this enchanting waterfall. Going to the west side of Canada, couples can visit the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. These two provinces are well known for the cities of Victoria and Vancouver, the Jasper and Banff national parks, and the Rocky Mountains. Couples can also enjoy the activity of whale watching on these parts together with the gentle urban life of Vancouver. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and New Foundland provinces are located in the Far East side of the country. This is the part of Canada which is dotted with charming small villages and pleasant hiking roads rich with wildlife and rough but exciting coastal areas. On the French east side lays the province of Quebec. Here palatable cuisine can be experienced which will definitely gratify any couple’s appetite. God cuisine plus an excellent scenery all around, and let’s not forget the French speaking locals, you would think that you’re already in Paris. Paris in the Northern American continent, that is. Just remember to forget all the post wedding worries and have a relaxing good time and do your honeymoon in the Canadian way.

With winter fast approaching, the threat of snow begins to grow. While snow can be incredibly beautiful – who isn’t awestruck by a fresh snowfall? – it can also be dangerous to drive on. Snow itself is wet and capable of causing hydroplaning, while a fresh snowfall can cover a layer of black ice, which could send your car careening into a ditch, or worse, another car. There are ways to reduce your risk of getting into an accident or, if you find yourself in one, ways to handle it safely.

Before hitting the road, you should make sure you car is properly stocked with emergency items. These include, but are by no means limited to: blankets, ice scraper, space heater, jumper cables, warm clothes, a toolkit and bags of sand (to weigh down the car for better traction). Inside the car proper you should have a means of contact, be it a cell phone or a pager, your insurance information in the event of an accident, and if possible a GPS. By having all or most of these items, your holiday road trips will be much safer and you’ll be prepared for any emergency.

If bags of sand for traction are not an item you would like to keep in your car, investing in a good pair of tires designed to handle the wet and icy roads that are commonplace during the winter months is a great way to add some extra protection and keep you safer. These special tires “grip” the road, preventing your car from slip sliding out of control when you hit a patch of ice or your attention is diverted and you have to slam on the breaks. When the winter months have passed, however, be sure to replace them with normal tires, as excessive use on dry roads can cause serious damage.

In the end, proper preparation can make driving in the harshest conditions a far safer and less daunting experience. If you can possibly avoid driving in the snow or other inclement weather you should do so, as abstaining from even putting yourself in a situation where you could get into an accident is the best way to go. Whatever path you take, be careful, and have a happy holiday season.

Canada is a very beautiful country that offers a lot of majestic views of its natural beauty. It is a country full of lakes and mountains and famous historical sites. Because of this, Canada is fast becoming a popular tourist spot not only by Americans but by the Europeans as well, so when in Canada, make sure that you visit these ten wonderful places.
1.) Gros Morne National Park
When you are in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, make sure that you visit this national park. It is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an area that will give you a grand view of its natural beauty. You can take boat tours here as well as see majestic waterfalls.
2.) L’Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site
In this area, you can see three Norse buildings that were reconstructed and preserved. This is an archeological site and, as such, is also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you will see exhibits of what Viking life used to be like and some of their artifacts as well.
3.) Saint John River Valley
This is located in New Brunswick, Canada, and this valley is home to old wooden-covered bridges. You can also take ferry rides here along its river to visit some of its falls. You should also visit the King’s Landing Historical Settlement where you will see a museum that features what the village looked like during the 19th century.
4.) Kejimkujik National Park
This is an inland national park and is the only one of its kind in Canada. You will see a lot of rivers here that is perfect for a canoe trip. Because it is a national park, it is also abundant in wildlife where you will definitely enjoy bird watching.
5.) Casinos of Quebec
Quebec has three casinos that it is very much proud of. If you get tired of the usual hiking and canoeing as well as historic site visiting, then you can always play a good round of poker and blackjack in one of these casinos. The casinos are Casino de Montreal and Casino de Charlevoix as well as Lac-Leamy Casino.
6.) Gardens of Quebec
Walking along the gardens of Quebec is very refreshing. Enjoy the flowers in Montreal Botanical Garden and Redford Gardens. Visit also the Insectarium where a large variety of insects are housed, or you can go to Gaspesie and watch the International Garden Festival.
7.) Museums of Quebec
Quebec boasts of more than 400 museums. By visiting some of them, you will get to know more about the culture of Canada and its people. You will also get to see beautiful modern arts as well as artifacts of ancient times.
8.) Parliament Hill of Ottawa
In Ottawa, any visitor should visit the Parliament Hill. This is the main attraction here in Ottawa where you can get a tour inside the building itself. You can also explore its grounds and get to see a nice view of the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
9.) Niagara Falls
Of course, when one thinks of Canada, one automatically thinks of Niagara Falls. This is a must-see here in Canada that anybody who visits the country should always go and see this wonderful view. This is also called Honeymoon Capital of the World because its grandness adds romance to the newlyweds’ honeymoon vacation.
10.) Thunder Bay
There are lots of places to visit here. Among them is the Raven Ecoventures where you can take a canoe trip as you travel along its body of water and see its natural floras and faunas. You can also find here the Fort William Historical Park as well as the Kakbeka Falls.

Searching for car rental online has never been easier with the help of the internet. You can easily search and compare prices from various car rental suppliers, often on the same website.

Car rental rates often vary considerably depending on what is included in the rate. Look out for those too-good-to-be-true prices – they probably are. You may think you have found a bargain, but it will be a different story when you go to pick up the rental car, only to be told you have to pay for lots of additional charges.

So when you are comparing car rental costs online, ensure you are comparing like with like. There are various extra charges which can push up the price of your rental car, so make sure you look out for them. Often if you add these on to that oh-so-low rate, it doesn’t look so appealing anymore.

What is Included

Most car rental websites will list the inclusions with the rental. These will vary depending on suppliers but generally standard rates include basic insurance and tax.

What is Extra

Again this will vary but look out for the following:

Airport Fees

Also known as a Premium Location Fee, you will be charged extra to pick up a rental car at an airport location. This charge varies depending on supplier and location, but in the UK for example could cost as much as 13% of the rental value.

Vehicle Licensing Fee

This is a Government imposed levy for rental cars to partially recover the registration costs. Approximate cost in the UK: GBP1.22 per day, which over a long period can add up.

Additional Driver Fees

If you want to have more than one driver for your rental car, this is often an extra charge. Daily charges range from GBP4-20 in the UK, EUR4-8 in Italy and from USD3-10 in the States.

Young Driver Surcharge

This is often charged if the driver of the rental car is under the age of 25. In Australia, this ranges from AUD13-22 per day. In France, the Young Driver Surcharge varies from EUR20-35 per day, GBP10-25 in the UK and USD5-45 in the USA.

Excess Reduction

Each rental car often comes with an Insurance Excess which is the amount you would be responsible for if the rental vehicle is damaged. This can often be a few thousand dollars but can be reduced with an optional excess reduction charge which can be paid daily to reduce your excess to a few hundred dollars or even to zero.

Additional Equipment

Things like child seats, ski racks and snow chains are often available at an extra charge.

One Way Rentals

If you want to drop off your rental car in a different city from where you picked it up, there may be a one way fee. Again, this varies depending on the supplier and destination. Ensure you ask before you pay!

All these extras can add up. Sometimes a standard rate may be right for you but if you are picking up at the airport and want an extra driver, for example, it may make sense for you to go with an inclusive rate.

Read the Small Print

Be sure to read inclusions carefully to see what the rental rate covers and which one is right for you. Look for possible restrictions and additional costs and find out what exactly they are before you pay. If you find a low car rental rate, make sure that the additional costs do not outweigh the savings.

At DriveAway Holidays, each car choice will show clearly if it is a Standard or Inclusive rate and will give you a list of what is and what is not included.

People often talk about the “hidden costs” of car rental, but the reality is, they are not hidden at all – you just need to know what to look for.

Being the second largest country in the world, Canada has something for everyone!
Not surprisingly, there are many different types of holidays on offer in this amazing, vast country, too.
Whether it’s an activity holiday, a city break, a wildlife expedition or a family vacation, you will find it all here in Canada!
What’s more, it’s perfect for a holiday property rental, as there is an excellent range of self catering accommodation in this country.
Canada is brimming with interesting and exciting destinations to discover and boasts a huge range of diverse natural landscapes, such as mountains, prairies, lakes and rainforests.
Canada has 10 provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec and Saskatchewan. It also has 3 territories, including Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
There are also many cities and destinations which are popular with tourists, such as Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Halifax, many of which you will no doubt want to visit during your travels.
The capital of Canada is Ottawa and it is a great city to explore. This beautiful city has a wealth of attractions, museums, sports facilities, shops, restaurants and more! Some of the museums include the National Gallery of Canada, Canada Agriculture Museum, Canada Aviation Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Royal Canadian Mint, Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian War Museum and there’s more!
There are also plenty of places in Ottawa to take the kids and keep them happy during your holiday. For example, there’s Pirate Adventures, Midway Family Fun Park, Laser Quest, Saunders Farm and Valleyview Little Animal Farm.
Another city you should visit during your trip to Canada is Vancouver. During your visit, try to see Stanley Park (an amazing 1,000 acre park), Capilano Suspension Bridge (dare you climb across it!), Grouse Mountain, Vancouver Aquarium (which is located in Stanley Park), Robson Street (the famous shopping street) and Chinatown, just to name a few.
Toronto, meanwhile, has lots to offer its visitors, with many tourist attractions and activities to suit all ages and tastes. Toronto Zoo, the CN Tower and Ontario Science Centre are just three of the must-sees here.
Montréal, the largest city in Québec and the second largest city in Canada, is also worth a visit during your travels in this beautiful country. Some of the popular visitor attractions include Parc La Fontaine (a lovely park in the city), The Pointe-à-Callière Museum, Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (The Museum of Contemporary Art, Jardin Botanique (Botanical Gardens), Musée des Beaux Arts de Montréal and more!
If you’re looking for adventure and want to get out in the great outdoors during your holiday in Canada, head to the Rocky Mountains. Here you will discover some amazing scenery, fantastic wildlife and a wealth of activities on offer, such as backpacking, mountain biking, fishing, golf and, of course, skiing.
If you get the chance, you should also visit Niagara Falls during your Canadian vacation. You will then get the opportunity to see the famous waterfalls and also enjoy the city itself. There are various exciting ways that you are able to view the Falls. You can admire them from a boat (Maid of the Mist), go below and behind the spectacular Falls (Journey Behind the Falls), stroll alongside the amazing waters (White Water Walk), take a ride in an aerial cable car above the fantastic Niagara Whirlpool (Whirlpool Aero Car) or you can take an exciting helicopter ride and see the Niagara Falls from the air!
There are so many more places to discover in Canada. It is a great destination for everyone and has so much to offer its visitors. Whether you want go on a sightseeing trip, a relaxing break or an adventure holiday, Canada is a great location for an enjoyable self catering vacation.

If you’re planning a trip to Canada, you should visit the country’s great capital city, Ottawa.
It is a city rich in history and has a wealth of attractions, activities and entertainments to suit everyone.
Whether you want to take a short break or a longer vacation, you will enjoy Ottawa and all that it has to offer!
There are numerous museums to visit, such as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canadian War Museum, National Gallery of Canada, Canada Agriculture Museum, Canada Aviation Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Billings Estate Museum, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada, Royal Canadian Mint, Canadian Museum of Nature and Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. So there’s something to interest all tastes.
If you want to make the most of your visit to Ottawa, there are various tours available. You can go on walking tours, cruises and bus tours. What’s more, you can even take an Amphibus sightseeing tour of the city, and see Ottawa from both the land and the water!
Ottawa has many parks and open spaces where you can unwind and take a break from all the sightseeing, maybe enjoy a picnic or take the kids to play.
There are lots of opportunities in the area if you want to get out in the great outdoors during your holiday. There are plenty of sporting facilities and activities that you can do, including rafting trips on the Ottawa River, cycling, golf and swimming. And if you happen to be in Ottawa during the winter, you’ll be able to go ice skating on The Rideau Canal, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site!
Ottawa also has many child-friendly attractions, so it’s an ideal destination to take all the family on holiday. The kids will love Saunders Farm, Laser Quest (one which the adults will also appreciate!), Midway Family Fun Park, Pirate Adventures and Valleyview Little Animal Farm. So there’s plenty to keep the youngsters entertained in Ottawa!
The city also has a great selection of restaurants to suit all tastes. There’s somewhere for just about everyone to dine here, whether you’re looking for a high-class restaurant or a take-away.
Ottawa is also a shopper’s paradise! It has a wealth of shopping centres as well as other stores. While you’re in the city, try to visit the historic ByWard Market Square, where you will find a wide variety of items on sale. Here you will be able to buy bread, delicious chocolate, Indian food and spices, jewellery and a whole lot more!
And if you’re looking for a good night out, you need look no further than Ottawa. Having enjoyed what the city has to offer by day, why not also take the opportunity to sample some of the nightlife here? There are various nightclubs and bars etc where you can have a fun evening out.
Ottawa is an ideal Canadian holiday destination for everyone. Whether you’re planning a fun-filled family vacation, a sightseeing holiday or just a relaxing break, Ottawa has it all!

So, it’s time to start looking for a new set of tires for your car? What will it be? A set of high performance tires? Or perhaps you are looking for a set of high mileage, smooth riding tires? There are a lot of things to consider before buying a new set of tires. Here are some helpful tips to help you with buying new tires.

1. Driving habits – What are you looking for out of your tires? Is it a tire that corners well or one that rides smooth?

2. Weather – Do you live in an area that receives a lot of rainfall? If so, you may want to consider a good all weather tires such as a Michelin.

On the other end of the scale, if you live in an area with severe winter conditions you will naturally want a winter tire that cuts through snow.

3. Go online – The internet can help you in so many ways when it comes to auto tires. You can research different tire makers and compare prices as well.

You can also find tire dealers in your area and any special offers they may be having. They can even tell you online whether the tires you are looking for are in stock or not. It makes things so convenient.

4. Extras – Will you want an extended tire warranty or flat repair protection with your purchase? While this is a personal choice, a flat repair package can come in handy at times.

Once you have an idea of the type of tire you want, finding your best deal is not that difficult with just a little time on your part. And you’ll be happy with your new tires for years to come.