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5 Ways to Make Your Soul Happy This Weekend

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Weekend Travel

Weekends are for “living the life.” There’s no work and you can get away from those people that you think you spend too much time with, which is not something that you necessarily enjoy. Sadly, you probably devote your weekends to sleeping in until noon or having an early start for the pile-up of chores you failed to take care of during the workweek.

If you have been neglecting self-care over the weekends, it’s time to put a halt to all that. If you wish to keep your soul happy, you need to treat yourself to something good. The best time to do that is over the weekend.

Happiness Should Be a Priority

But why should your soul’s happiness matter? First of all, it’s one of the best strategies against professional burnout. A deviation from the same old same old is a fantastic way to rejuvenate yourself.

Secondly, a happy soul creates a healthy body. Negative feelings and weariness trigger the body’s release of the stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. Studies show that excessive amounts of stress hormones weaken the immune system and make the body prone to various illnesses.

There’s still a bunch of other reasons why you should exert the effort to create a happy soul. But the bottom line here is, it is important. So, to help you create happy weekends to benefit you, here are five of the best ways to do so.

  1. Meet up with your best friends

Work and other life responsibilities often leave very little time to hang out with your favorite people such as your long-time best friends. Call them up and set a date for some R&R.

Or, invite them over to your home. If you are not keen on slaving in the kitchen for your meetup, see if your pals would agree to a potluck. Another option you have is to simply order food in. If you are from Abu Dhabi, there are countless restaurants to choose from to create an eclectic spread for you and your friends.

  1. Do Something you Love

Think about the hobbies you enjoyed before life became too busy. Did you love to go dancing or singing? Were you into sports? How about enrolling in classes for them? Not only will you grow your knowledge and skills, but you can even make new friends by indulging in some old or new hobbies.

  1. Have a Staycation

Look for accommodations in your area where you can have an “instant” vacation. A beach club in Abu Dhabi where you can spend the whole day pampering yourself or simply hanging out with friends is a good idea. You can rent a cabana by the pool, and when you get hungry, there’s a selection of restaurants to choose from. It truly will feel like you are on a short holiday.

  1. Go to Brunch

There truly is no better time of the week for a brunch than the weekend. This meal is an absolute treat because you do not have to wake up early, plus, there’s a bigger selection of food items available to you.

For example, the Friday brunch offering of Saadiyat’s Safina holds abundant possibilities, and some items come with spirits. You can have a gastronomic feast with your family or friends, and you all can just take your time with the meal. You can pace yourselves and fully delight in a multiple course brunch.

  1. Do something that you have never tried before

A growth in experiences is always good for the soul so secure that by doing something exciting and new such as riding your first roller coaster, asking somebody out on a date, or trying bungee jumping to conquer your fear of heights. Doing something you have never tried before is one way to prove that you can overcome anything that’s been stopping you from living your best life.

Most of the time, after trying something new, your eyes open to even greater possibilities and many of them can increase your joy.

Let Your Soul Flourish

A happy soul attracts positivity in this life. It is an open door to healing and boundless opportunities for a more fulfilling existence. So, make it your commitment to treat yourself with experiences that are fun and reinvigorating when you can; your soul needs them.

Most Majestic Animals You Can See on Safari

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African Lion

Certainly one of Africa’s biggest drawcards is by far the exceptional wildlife, best viewed on a traditional safari holiday. You’ll have the opportunity to get up close with some of the rarest animals on the planet. Here are a few of these exceptional species that you’re likely to encounter on safari:

  1. Lion

The lion is called the king of the savannah for a reason. This apex predator is often found lazing in the shade of trees during the hottest part of the day. The males of the species feature the iconic mane, and are usually the leader of the pride. The female lions, however, will do the bulk of the hunting of their main prey, which includes gazelles, water buffalo, or zebras. It is the female lions that also handle the rearing of the cubs.

  1. Elephant

These placid pachyderms are famous for their large flapping ears, magnificently curved tusks, and of course, their long trunks. There are two main species of elephants, namely the African and Asian elephants. The African elephant is larger in size and has bigger ears than its Asian counterpart. African elephants also have comparatively longer tusks. A herd of elephants is exclusively made up of adult females and their offspring, with the males choosing to lead a more solitary existence.

  1. Rhinoceros

These large animals can grow up to eleven feet in length and have a height of at least five to six feet. An adult rhino can easily weigh as much as two tonnes. All of that bulk is further enhanced with a horn, or a pair in some species, protruding from the snout of the animal. It is this horn that has made this majestic beast one of the most endangered species on the planet as a result of the misguided belief that these horns possess healing properties. The ivory of these horns is also highly prized, which leads to the poaching of all rhino species.

  1. Giraffe

A giraffe can stand at seventeen to eighteen feet, and most of that is due to their long necks, which can be six feet in height. Their long necks allow them to graze for leaves at the very tops of tall trees where few other grazers can reach. Giraffes also have extremely long legs too with a leg easily reaching six feet in height as well. These incredibly long legs allow giraffes to run at over thirty miles per hour.

  1. Hippopotamus

The hippopotamus is a semi-aquatic animal that you should be wary of. You may not think that a pudgy hippo is no danger, but you would be wrong. Hippos are actually one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Statistically speaking, these animals kill more people than crocodiles in a single year.

These animals are just some of the amazing species that you can see up close when you go on an African Safari Tour. You really should try out a tour at least once in your life to behold these rare and beautiful creatures.

4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Visit to Saudi Arabia

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Visit Saudi Arabia

As more and more travelers recognize the beauty of Saudi Arabia, the interest in visiting the country is growing. Here, culture and religion are the most important things, which means that it is essential to understand them prior to arriving so that you can thoroughly enjoy your trip.

If you are heading over to that part of the world soon, here are four ways to make the most of your visit to Saudi Arabia.

  1. Read these books to get a sense of the history and culture.

One of the best ways to prepare for a trip to Saudi Arabia is to spend some time reading the authors who have captured elements of the country through their words.

First on your reading list should be “Cities of Salt” by Abdul Rahman Munif which describes the radical transformation that the discovery of oil has created on the lives of the locals.

For a contemporary issue, read “Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman’s Awakening” by Manal al-Sharif which is an autobiographical account detailing the battles that the women of Saudi Arabia have tackled in order to be able to drive. It has only been a few months since the ban on women driving was lifted, so this book is as timely as it gets.

  1. Take the time to learn about local customs thoroughly.

Presumably, one of the reasons you have opted to travel to Saudi Arabia is because you are interested in learning about another culture and experiencing a different way of life. For this reason, before you arrive in Saudi Arabia, you should take the time to learn about local customs thoroughly. This will help to ensure that you remain safe and respectful while traveling.

Keep in mind that women are not allowed to travel alone, and women aren’t allowed to enter particular establishments. Furthermore, there may be locations with separate entrances for men and women. If you opt to stay in a hotel in Makkah near the Haram, you are have the opportunity to witness the special beauty and abundant culture of the place.

As a woman, when in public, you should wear an abaya which is a full-length garment that covers your outfit. You aren’t required to wear a headscarf,  but it is a sign of respect.

As a man, when in public, you should wear full-length trousers and shirts with sleeves (short sleeves are okay).

Other local customs include shaking hands when both greeting and saying goodbye to someone. Unlike Europeans, citizens of Saudi Arabia do not kiss while greeting each other. However, Saudis do tend to stand very close when talking, so be aware of this and don’t move away — that will be taken as an insult!

  1. Recognize that your camera can get you in trouble.

Generally, the traveling types are also the photograph-taking types, but in Saudi Arabia, this may prove slightly challenging. While the country is opening up more and more to tourists and visitors, they still aren’t comfortable with things inside their border being photographed.

You are not allowed to take photographs of government buildings or high-traffic locations (such as mosques and markets). Additionally, if you are caught snapping pictures of locals, this can also get you in a significant amount of trouble.

  1. Make a list of food you want to taste.

Saudi Arabia has a long history of excellent cuisine and trying as much of it as possible should be a priority during your time in the country. No matter where in the country you are going, you will be able to find incredible food as Saudis pride themselves on their cultural dishes.

So that you can hit the ground running (or tasting) as soon as you arrive, you should do some research before your trip to discern what dishes you don’t want to miss.

Whether you are looking for places to eat in Makkah, Madinah or Jeddah, you are going to be in for a treat. Opt to order dishes such as Fatir (flatbread), Kapsa (chicken and rice) and a Laban Drink (yogurt drink). Usually, all Saudis drink a lot of coffee and refusing a cup of it is presumed to insult.

Additionally, tipping is practiced in Saudi Arabia. Locals tend to recommend tipping around 10 percent for waiters, drivers, and other service professionals.

Are you considering a trip to Saudi Arabia? What intrigues you about the country? Let us start a conversation thread in the comments below!

10 Reasons Why You Should Go Backpacking

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Backpacking Africa

If this is your first adventure into the unknown world of backpacking, be excited. You are about to embark on one of the greatest experiences of your life. Great authors like Thoreau and Emerson advocated the simple an natural existence that backpacking offers, but why? What is it about this experience that influenced them so strongly? Let’s explore a few of the reasons people love backpacking so much.

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Can I Bring a Pet in a Rental Car?

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Car Travel with Pets

Have you ever asked yourself if pets are allowed in car rentals? Do you have any that you would like to travel with but you are not sure if it is accepted? Well, everyone in one way has that one pet that he or she treasures a lot and loves traveling with nearly in all places they get to. If your plan is to spend a holiday in Africa and you are wondering your pets will be allowed then it is high time you wondered no more. Here in Africa we do not treasure pets the same way like in America or Europe where they are part of the family. However it is not a crime to get along with them while on road trip to that dream destination.

However, what may or may not favor you are pet policies as they vary from one African car Hire Company to another or country to country. But most of them do accept pets in their car rentals and if you are lucky enough even at no additional cost. In cases where they are allowed then you have to adhere to set terms and conditions of a particular car rental agency. Such policies may include among others keeping the vehicle clean and how you have to look after your pet.

If you are responsible enough then this may not seem a great challenge but most importantly, it is always advisable that you understand the stipulated terms and conditions for persons who wish to travel with pets. In most cases, car rental companies are concerned with the cleanliness of their vehicle and this means that you may incur extra charge for failure to observe the policy and you return the car not clean or free of odors. The charge for this may differ from one Car Rental Company to another but in most cases, you may part away with a cleaning fee of about $125.

As well, in case your pet for instance a dog or any pet caused unreasonable damage to car hire, higher chance are you will incur  additional charge of repairing the vehicle. In most cases, some car rental companies recommend that pets be in an approved carrier while in the vehicle while others the policies may differ depending on area of your visit. To be on a safer side, it is better that you make a call and inquire more about pet policies in a car rental company you intend to deal with while on your holiday and also the likely charges.

Tips to guide you look after a car rental while traveling with your pet in Africa or any destination

  • Always be keen when getting the dog or any pet in or out of a car just to avoid the damaging pain work
  • Make the best use of seat protector/blanket to help stop excess dog hair getting over the seats
  • Make sure that you thoroughly vacuum the vehicle after use and make it fresh for the next user. The car should be cleaned thoroughly and get it of any lingering pet hair.
  • Ensure that your pets or dog is carefully strapped in a safe position in the boot/a crate. Smaller pets must be put in suitably good transportation box
  • The car rental must smell fresh for the next user
  • Do not leave your dog/pet in a parked vehicle. This is because the car can easily heat up in the course of the day and may make your pet heatstroke.
  • Make sure that you have breaks after a given period of time for you and the pet to walk and stretch as well as to allow your pet defecate outside. Ensure that you have kept water and snacks and the dog/pet shouldn’t over eat.
  • Your pet should also have a passport or proof of anti-parasite treatment

Conclusively, a trip with your lovely pets can be fascinating but before you think of renting a car for your road trip inquire you will be allowed to get along with them. Besides, are policies favorable to you and if so then don’t hesitate hitting the road with your lovely pet. To help you get the best of your trip with your pet in Uganda, the above tips should be put into consideration.

Travel Refreshes Your Mind and Stimulates Creativity

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Travel Refreshes Mind

Every once in a while, everything around you will seem so overwhelming, a little too much on both sides that you will feel like you are drowning in a whirlpool. Whenever this happens, most people feel like getting away; taking a breather and forgetting about what is stressing them to the brim but some people do not just feel like getting away, they do get way.
Taking time away from everything, including taking a leave of absence from your workplace to travel, is a proven way which you can use to relax your brain; in turn acting as a therapeutic dose to your exhausted mind.

Refresh Button
Just like how all your gadgets start acting up after a certain period of use and then you hit the reset button, your body needs that too. The strain you put on your brain because of work and your other personal issues sometimes takes a toll and unless you give yourself some time to relax, it might affect your health as well. Take some time off to refresh yourself away from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine.

Rediscovery
Once we get older, we lose our sense of wander and adventure that even the things that used to give us utter joy become mundane and ignored, but travelling gives us that feeling of rediscovery. You learn so much by going to places you have never been to, see things that leave you breathless and make you feel like a whole different person. You will find out your love for so many new different things just because you are experiencing new things.

New perspective on life
It might seem like a cheesy statement many people say after something huge occurs in their life but it happens. In most cases it is referred to as a “Hallelujah” moment when you suddenly start seeing your life in a different light. Travelling does that to you; when you experience new things, you either start appreciating your own life and situations or you decide to pick yourself up and make a certain change. We at times neglect to see how important everything we have is untill we see how others are living or the beauty that the rest of the world has to offer.

Learning
Every time you travel, your mind opens to new things and this helps learn a lot more than you did before. You grow in life by how much you manage to learn from your surroundings; there is always something new to see and discover. But because we are locked up in our day-to-day routines, we end up not noticing some of the most important life lessons. Give yourself time to learn, you will never regret it.

Character building
Studies show that people who travel tend to be more patient and empathetic to others in tense situations. The moment you leave your own home for a place you’ve never been to that does not operate the way your home does, you learn what patience is. You learn to be tolerant towards situations that might usually send you into a fit of anger towards those around you. It is important that we cherish the interactions with new people on all journeys because it helps build our character.

Breeds space for creativity
When you rediscover yourself and give your brain a breath of fresh air after seeing many new things and experiencing cultures you never knew you would, your creativity is easily stimulated as compared to before. At times our creativity dies out due to our stifling situations. We reach a point when racking our brain for ideas means taking hours and days of coming up with nothing; yet when we give ourselves a chance to experience new things, everything else falls into place. Nature helps us to release the negative energy we store within.

People tend to think that traveling involves leaving the country, flying out and vacationing in distant lands. However, traveling simply involves you discovering new things away from your own home. You can leave Kampala for Mbarara, travel through the hills of Soroti and experience the beauty of Kisoro without breaking the bank. Rediscover your country and create for yourself a beauty within as you traverse through the lands that you call home.

Best Resorts for Day Outing in Bangalore

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Bangalore Resorts

Two wellness indicators are health and happiness. Your happiness very much depends on how fit you are. The irony about these two things is that easy to achieve, but hard to maintain. For a continuous happiness you need to invest in it and your simple but meaningful act will certainly add to your wellness.  Focusing on the small things first, picking a holiday is a must. The importance of vacations cannot be ignored as it gives you an opportunity to spend some quality time with your near and dear ones.

With multiple options available at day outing resort in Bangalore you have an opportunity of grabbing those precious moments that has been lost in the hectic work schedule. Weekend packages, few hours and overnight package are just few to name.  All packages irrespective of hour and time guarantees total entertaining getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

There is Mother Nature to welcome you with its serenity and pristine environment. Get connected with it and experience once in lifetime feel that is rare and hard to find. The marvelous landscape proffers positivity in your thoughts and fills your lungs with fresh air.

If adventure runs in your blood, then resorts in Masinagudi is just an apt place for you. For your special treat, there are adventurous activities such as Rappelling, Parasailing, trekking, cave exploration, etc, is the favorite pick of the visitors. All these activities are performed under expert supervision so that you could experience entertaining hours. Physical activity is emphasized at the place and gives you exposure to specially crafted games that are nowhere to be found.

Your visit is completely made to satisfy through comfortable accommodation in Nandi Hills, where you can relax and decide your next plan of action. With multiple gaming options you are spoilt for choice. Ensure timely visit to enjoy more games and make best use of your limited leisure hours. For a wonderful and out of the box experience, stay is made available in tents and cottages where you get a complete forest feel.

Travel down to the nearby temples that are located on the hills and seek blessings of Lord Shiva and Parvati. All necessary arrangements are made available by the helpful staff, keen to look after your all needs. Mouthwatering food is another feather in its cap that lures you to the place. The food served is grown organically that invigorate your taste buds. Explore the place with small footsteps and soak in the peace of the place. You must be missing something precious in your life if you forget to visit the sunset and sunrise point. Be an early riser and see the marvelous painting done by the nature. Capture in your camera these mesmerizing views for reviving in the future.

10 Reasons Why Backpacking is Awesome

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Backpacking Peru

If this is your first adventure into the unknown world of backpacking, be excited. You are about to embark on one of the greatest experiences of your life. Great authors like Thoreau and Emerson advocated the simple an natural existence that backpacking offers, but why? What is it about this experience that influenced them so strongly? Let’s explore a few of the reasons people love backpacking so much.

  • It offers a unique view of nature. Ultimately when you are backpacking, it shows you how indifferent nature is to your presence. Whatever you do you can’t change the weather, the sunset. You realize just how small you are in relation to the world. This perspective helps you clear your mind and recognize the value of life.
  • You get to see something special. Packing everything up in your hiking backpack allows you to get deeper into a park or recreation area, it allows you to get away from the crowds and go beyond the tourist level. You can see wilderness undisturbed and appreciate the beauty and value of nature in its purest form.
  • You can appreciate the quiet. In the wilderness you can get away from the constant noise and bustle of city life. Away from the stresses and speed of motorized transport and technology, you can appreciate the true essence and nature of life. It offers a chance to realize that life isn’t really about e-mails and twitter, but the serene and beautiful experiences of sight, smell, and sound.
  • You can escape the stress. Getting away is one of the goals of every vacation right? But how often do you go somewhere where you literally can’t check your e-mail. It might not seem like it at first, but sometimes getting outside the G3 network is a great idea.
  • Gain a sense of accomplishment. Remember when your mom told you that if it wasn’t hard it wasn’t worth doing? Well, she was right, when you go out in the wilderness and living on nothing is a certain accomplishment, it proves that you can do something hard, and builds independence. When I look in my gear closet, at my North Face jacket, or my Marmot tent , my heart swells with pride thinking of all the places I have gone, and all the challenges I have completed.
  • Find yourself in the woods. In the stillness of nature you have the clarity of mind and freedom of time to re-examine your life. By eliminating distractions you are given the time and ability for introspection. When we truly understand ourselves we are most able to affect the world around us. The author Tich Nat Hahn wrote we cannot make peace with the world around us until we make peace with ourselves.Backpacking offers this opportunity.
  • Learn to appreciate the undeveloped world. Sometimes in our development focused world we view natural areas as unused areas. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Backpacking helps us view the world the way indigenous people do, as our mother, and our partner. It can help us realize we should live in harmony with it, and that it affects us in every aspect of our lives. It teaches us that we should respect it, protect it, and appreciate it.
  • Recharge for the daily grind. Sometimes a change of scenery is just what we need, getting away from the office can help us realize the value we get out of our lives. This way when we return to our desks, we can feel refreshed, and with our newly recharged batteries, we can go on to conquer the world.

Everyone goes backpacking for different reasons, but everyone get something out of it. The experiences on trail are like no other experiences you can have. They teach you about yourself and your environment in a way that few things can. These lessons and benefits are absolutely invaluable. Everyone should be lucky enough to experience the joys of backpacking.

Finding a Cheap Car Rental in Africa

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Rental Car Africa

For those who think that renting a car in another country will be impossible or cumbersome, it’s time to think again.  Last week, i got a chance to try out my first car rental in Africa. I badly needed a small 4X4 WD car to travel into the remote side of Northern Uganda. I managed to rent a car from Uganda Self Drive, a some what reliable car rental agency based in Kampala. From my experience i found out that it is not only easy to rent a car in European countries and the U.S., but it’s actually easy to find discount car rentals even in Africa.

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, there are many reasons to rent a car when you reach your destination. While public transportation will usually take you to major tourist attractions or to the centers of large cities, relying only on trains and buses can be time-consuming. In Africa, it is even not easy to secure a bus linking you to your preferred destination given that the transport system is totally different within developing countries and developed countries. After all, you are forced to travel according to the carriers’ schedules, rather than having the freedom to come and go as you please.

Taxis, of course, are always an option at most airports – providing you don’t want to travel too far off the beaten path ie linking you up only to nearby cities and locations. If you’re on holiday in Africa, for example, and decide to venture over to the national parks or countryside, a taxi is out of the question and public transportation won’t take you where you want to go. Indeed, a car hire is the only way to ensure that you have the flexibility to see the sights on your own timetable and on your own terms.

The ground rules for a car hire are basically the same across all car rental companies. For example, you typically have to be 23 years old, have a valid international driver’s license, and have a passport . When you reserve a car, you normally get to choose what type of vehicle you’d like, such as compact, mid-size, full-size, or a van. However, you don’t usually have the opportunity to specify make and model given that there are limited models in Africa. Nonetheless, most car rental agencies will accommodate your wishes if they have your preferred make and model available when you pick up the vehicle.

The choice of whether or not to purchase extra insurance can be made when you collect the rental car in Africa. Please note that most travel agencies in Africa do not extend insurance to people but only to the cars. Therefore before you leave for your destination, it’s important to check with your own car insurance agency and see if your coverage extends to rental cars in the country you’ll be visiting. If not, it’s a good idea to sign up for the extra coverage.

If you’ll be traveling to several different countries, it’s important to understand the regulations of the car rental agency as they pertain to crossing borders. If you’re in Africa, for example, most car rental agencies will allow you to drive to different countries – providing you inform them that you’re going to do so and that you do pay extra fees, border crossing fees and travel insurance for the vehicle. It is advisable to inform your car rental agency before crossing over the borders with the car to another country.

With all of the advantages to using a car hire while you’re traveling, the one sticking point is whether or not you’ll be able to find a cheap car rental. The best approach is to search online for a company that works with many different car rental agencies; they will have up-to-date information on availability, and can search for the best price available for the dates you desire. Because these online sources book so many reservations, they are able to negotiate bargain basement prices so that a traveler can find the cheap car rental that will make their holiday or business trip convenient and worry-free.

Common Mistakes Made by Customers on Car Rentals

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Car Rental Mistakes

Many people turn to car rentals as their best ground transportation while on a vacation, business and political engagements. But sometimes they end up having some misunderstandings between them and the car rental agency and also they may have to pay more money for the car hire services since they have violated the agreement. This results to customers cursing car rentals services. Some people make these mistakes ignorantly while others are just careless or reluctant.

These are the commonest mistakes made by travelers on their car rental services.

They forget to check the condition of the car yet this is a must thing to do on car rental services. The traveler has to check the car before taking for his/her vacation. One is supposed to check if there are some damages and dents on the car and also should check the mechanical condition of the car. It is recommendable to take pictures of the car. This helps one to know which damage she/she is liable for incase one happens. But sometimes, travelers make a mistake of not checking the car thoroughly and end up arguing with the car provider about the damages that may happen to the car i.e. everyone denying the liability of the damages.

Some travelers do not read the terms and conditions carefully. This is the commonest mistake people made on car rental services. Some people do not take a keen eye on some clauses of the car hire agreement and of which these can make them pay more for the car hire services like limited mileage clause, early return and return fuel refilling clause. You have to read the agreement so carefully and do not miss out a single clause because if you go against it, you are likely to pay a big premium for compensation.

Do not search on the internet for the best car rental services. Some people just use the car hire services that they come across other than making some research on the internet to get better deals. There are so many car rental companies offering good services at affordable rates on the web. When one does not use the internet is more likely to get cheated on the prices since he/she might not know the standard price of certain car rental services and end up paying much more money on low priced car hire services.

Furthermore some people only use the internet to find car rental services leaving out checking offline. Although internet has the best deals, endeavor to check offline too. It is best to check both online and offline, you never know the car provider might have forgotten to update his/her website yet when you go the offices physically you might land on a better deal.

If the above mistakes are put in the mind and amended, the traveler can have the best car rental deals which are comfortable, reliable and safe and pocket friendly.

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