Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
How to Make Your Thanksgiving Travel Less Stressful
Millions of Americans travel around the country during the Thanksgiving holiday time period. It seems like a tradition to watch the news with all of the airport delays, bad weather, and traffic jams that go along with Thanksgiving travel. Most travelers think of it as an inevitable chore for their Thanksgiving travel to be long and stressful. However, there are some strategic moves you can make to allow your Thanksgiving travel to be less stressful. Here are a few tips to follow:
Travel on off-peak days
If possible, try to travel on Tuesday night, Wednesday morning, or Thursday morning. The period between 3pm and 9pm on Wednesday evening is always the worst traffic and the worst time to be in an airport. When traveling back, try to leave on Saturday or Sunday morning. Sunday night and Monday morning are typically the busiest travel times to be coming back from your Thanksgiving travels.
Avoid Flying
If you aren’t traveling very far, driving might be a better solution than flying. The nightmares that we all hear about during the Thanksgiving holidays are the snow storms or the overcrowded airports that caused massive delays. If you don’t trust your car or you don’t own a car, consider renting a discount rental car from E-Z Rent-A-Car.
Service Your Car This Weekend
The last thing you want while driving to your Thanksgiving destination is to have your car break down. Get the oil changed, get a maintenance inspection, rotate the tires, fill them to the proper pressure levels, and make sure your fluids are full.
Take a train.
The train is often overlooked as a viable means of transportation, and while it might be impractical to take Amtrak from Florida to New York, it’s not impractical to take the train out of New York City to Boston or Connecticut. There are many other commuter type trains around the country that are cheap and easy to use and they will be less crowded than the roads and airports.
Tags: cheap car rental, discount car rental, traveling on Thanksgiving
4 Great Places To Visit Outside of Los Angeles
Are you flying to Los Angeles soon and booking a discount rental car? There are so many things to do in Los Angeles, but sometimes the heavy traffic and fast-paced nature of the city can be overwhelming. If you want to experience more than just Los Angeles, check out these areas just outside of the city.
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is about an hour and a half up the northwest coast, and you’ll love the scenic drive up there! Downtown Santa Barbara has a specific charm about it, and they preserve the historical nature of it as much as possible. The beaches are great in Santa Barbara, and the Universit of California in Santa Barbara is a great area to walk around. Make sure you visit the Palace Grill for great Louisiana-style food. Every night the restaurant pauses for a few minutes to sing Louie Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful Life”. It’s a great atmosphere!
Malibu, California
credits: Canada GoodDo you want to feel like a high-roller or go celebrity spotting? Then, you need to visit Malibu, one of the wealthiest towns in the country! Malibu is about 45 minutes northwest of the city, and they have great beaches there. The beaches are as wide as the freeways. Another fun thing to do is tour the beach houses and mansions.
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a great little town with a lot of charm. It’s just 30 minutes northeast of the city, and there is plenty to do there! Their downtown strip along Colorado Blvd. is for shopping and dining out. The Rose Bowl features one of the most famous flea markets in the country every second Sunday of the month.
Orange County, California
credits: esthereggyAsk any local, and they will tell you that there’s a distinct difference between Orange County and Los Angeles County. Many people that don’t live in California associate Orange County with Los Angeles, but it’s definitely it’s own area. This is where you’ll find Disney Land in Anaheim and fun beach towns like Huntington and Laguna Beach.
E-Z Rent-a-Car has a location at the LAX airport, so book a reservation with them to start exploring outside of Los Angeles.
Tags: Los Angeles airport car rental, rose bowl travel, santa barbara tourism, visit disney land
Great Summer Photos Posted By E-Z Facebook Fans
Our “End of Summer” $100 AMEX gift card giveaway on our Facebook page has already been a great success. We’ve had hundreds of entries, and many of our fans have shared great photos of their vacations over the summer. There are dozens of great photos posted, but here are five that we really enjoyed!
Chicago, IL
Amy posted this cool photo watching the fireworks at the Navy Pier, overlooking the Chicago skyline on the Fourth of July.
Orlando, Florida
Kayla posted this photo at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World of the fireworks at Cinderella’s Castle.
Augusta, Georgia
This photo was added by Gina on Facebook. It’s a photo of the Riverwalk in Augusta, Georgia. Didn’t think Georgia could look so pretty, did you?
San Francisco, California
A funny photo from Kathryn of monkey statues in Chinatown.
King’s Canyon National Park, California
Beautiful photo from Elaine of the Sequoia trees in King’s Canyon National Park.
Thank you to everyone who have contributed to our Facebook page so far. The success of it is all because of you! We still have two more giveaways for a $100 AMEX gift card tomorrow, September 30th and October 7th. Become a fan of our Facebook page and post something fun that you did over the summer to enter our giveaway!
Tags: end of summer giveaway, Facebook fan page
How 10 Travel Websites Looked When They First Launched
Back in the days when installing Netscape was an essential part of your internet experience, 56k dial-up modems were the latest technology, and Prodigy was booming dot com company, you had ugly websites with not much to them! Here are some great examples of travel sites when they first launched. Enjoy!
- Travelocity
- Orbitz
- Avis Rental Car
- Enterprise
- Southwest Airlines
- E-Z Rent-A-Car
- Jet Blue Airlines
- Wall Street Journal
This one is my favorite! We love Travelocity and their commitment to their travel partners, but we couldn’t help but poke some fun at them for their old website!
Not bad for their first shot, of course, their first launch wasn’t until after 2001.
Wow, Avis has come a long way!
First attempt was a good one. They haven’t deviated much from the original.
Below the image is a bunch of text that wasn’t formatted very well.
We couldn’t do a post like this without including ourselves! Now THAT is ugly! But we were still offering discount car rentals even then!
This was only about 6 years ago.
And now for a few non-travel websites:
Even Google has come a long way since 1998!
This screenshot is from 2005!
Make sure you share this fun list with your friends!
Tags: travel websites, website screenshots at launch
Kid Friendly Attractions In Miami, Florida
Are you planning a trip to the beautiful beaches of Miami, Florida and taking the kids with you? Miami is known for its night life, great beach scene and cultural atmosphere, and many people refer to it as the Los Angeles of the East Coast. But, if you are traveling with children to Miami, you will be pleased to learn that there are many activities to pursue that are geared towards kids.
First, as always, it is important to properly prepare for your trip, and one of the first things to accomplish is to secure your car rental in Miami so that you are able to visit these wonderful attractions. Here are some kid-friendly attractions:
With all these great attractions to visit, grab the best deal you can on your Miami car rental through E-Z Rent-A-Car. One of the best ways to ensure you get the lowest pricing is to sign up for our rental car magic, E-Z Money Club.
Tags: cheap car rental, discount car rental, MIA car rental, Miami airport car rental, Travel, visit south beath miami florida
Take A Vacation To Denver, Colorado
photo credit: LipBomb
Denver is one of the fastest growing tourism hot spots in the United States. With great ski slopes, sunny weather, a thriving economy, and so many other activities to keep you busy, there’s no wonder why Denver, Colorado is the place to be. From anywhere in the city, you’ll have a panoramic view of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. The summer is the perfect time to visit, because the temperature is in the 70s, and there is plenty of sun to accommodate doing activities outdoors.
Once you pick up your discount car rental in Denver, head on over to Denver’s world class art, natural science, and history museums. Catch a baseball game at Coors Field or check out the beautiful Denver botanical gardens. Do you want to travel green? Denver has many green hotels with high green score ratings.
The nightlife scene is just as active as the natural wonders that make this city so unique. The local bars and clubs are rich in history and some can be recognized by a younger audience who watched MTV’s Real World Denver. The top partying spots include The Shelter, Bull and Bush Pub and Brewery, Pint’s Pub, The Church, Rise Night Club and Gabors.
If a skiing or snowboarding trip this winter is what you seek, Denver delivers in a big way. Keystone, Copper Head, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Vail, Loveland and Arapahoe Basin are all within reasonable driving distance. All of these resorts are considered among the best in the country, but we suggest that you research which slopes will be best for your skill level.
Renting a car is recommended in Denver, because going just outside the city to experience their outdoor activities is the only way to truly get the most out of your stay in Colorado. You can look for coupons for your Denver car rental right on our website. We have a location at the Denver International Airport to serve your car rental needs.
Tags: cheap car rental, denver airport rental car, discount car rental
Top 5 Hidden Gems of Central Florida
It’s no surprise that the first thing to come to your mind when you hear the word, “Orlando”, is Disney World. After all, if Walt Disney hadn’t decided to buy thousands of acres decades ago to build his magical empire, Orlando may not be what it is today. However, talk to the locals of Orlando, and you will quickly find out that there is much more to do in Central Florida than just Disney and Universal Studios. If you are flying into the Orlando airport and getting a discount rental car for the week, read on to learn about some of Central Florida’s hidden gems.
Mt. Dora, Florida
Mt. Dora is a quaint little town just 25 miles northwest of Orlando that makes you wonder if you are even in Florida anymore. Mt. Dora is widely known for its wonderful bed & breakfast inns, antique shops, and parks. Visit the Lakeside Inn to experience the 19th century feel of Mt. Dora. It is a bed & breakfast that was built in 1883, just three years after the town was established! If you are in Orlando in February, one of the best months to visit Central Florida, be sure to check out the Mt. Dora Arts Festival which attracts hundreds of artists from around the country.
Deleon Springs State Park
Deleon Springs is located just west of Deland, Florida which is just off of I-4 north of Orlando. This state park has a bubbling natural spring as its centerpiece of the park where you can swim in a cool 72 degree pool of water year round. They also have great hiking trails and picnicking areas for the family. My favorite part of this park is the Old Spanish Mill restaurant. This unique restaurant has griddles right on the table, and you cook your own customized pancakes right on the table! It’s delicious, and you must visit it if you come to this park.
Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida
Like to shop? Then, this is the place for you. Nestled between busy downtown Orlando and the suburb of Maitland is Winter Park, Florida, one of the most popular communities in Orlando. Park Avenue is a hip and trendy street lined with shopping boutiques, tasty restaurants, and charming small businesses. For a moment, you’ll think that you are in a neighborhood near Manhattan. Park Avenue also has a great park, and the entire area is dog friendly. Every saturday from 8am to 1pm, Park Avenue hosts the Winter Park Farmer’s market home to a great selection of plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. It’s also a great place for picking up a light breakfast.
NASA Kennedy Space Center
There’s nothing hidden about the Kennedy Space Center, but it is often overlooked as a tourist attraction when visitors come to Central Florida. From the airport, the KSC is only about a 45 minutes drive to the east coast. Kennedy space center offers several different tours of their grounds, and their location is picturesque in itself. You’ll love learning about the rich history of NASA, see the space shuttle up close, and maybe even meet an astronaut! Astronauts and rockets, what more could a kid ask for?
Downtown Attractions
Just north of downtown you will find a beautiful botanical garden called the Leu Gardens. Also, there is a great science museum just off of I-4, on the Princeton St. exit. These are both great places to take kids, and the price of admission is reasonable.
So, if you are in the mood for something a little more than Mickey Mouse and roller coasters, check out these attractions near Orlando, Florida.
Tags: cheap car rental, discount car rental, Kennedy Space Center, Orlando Discount Car Rental, visit Mt. Dora attractions, visiting deleon springs florida
Top Five Summer Road Trips Around The Country
Flying is fun and much quicker than driving, but you never get to experience all of the other sights along the way to your destination. My family drove the majority of the time when we went on vacation. I never understood why we had to make an 18 hour drive when we could fly and get there in less than three hours. But now when I look back on those trips, we had a lot of great memories sleeping in hotels, playing games in the car, and passing through cities that we would never visit on a normal basis. Are you itching to go on a road trip this summer with your friends or family? Here are a few road trips we think you should consider!
Pacific Coast Highway – L.A. to San Francisco
photo credit: fogonthedowns
Make the trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco driving Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) for the entire route. You can fly into LAX and pick up a cheap rental car from our convenient Los Angeles Airport location, then hit the road up the coast. Stop in and visit ritzy Santa Barbara, surfer-laden Santa Cruz, and take a look at the mansions near the Pebble Beach golf courses. Watch the surfers try to catch a wave at Steamers Lane, and grab great Mexican food from a local restaurant along the way!
A1A – West Palm Beach to Miami
Fly into the West Palm Beach Airport and pick up a discount car rental from our friendly staff, then drive down A1A (also known as Ocean Blvd), until you get to Miami, where you can fly out of Miami International Airport and drop off your rental car. Along the way, be sure to check out the Breakers Hotel on Palm Beach Island, the Las Olas outdoor shopping area in Ft. Lauderdale, and of course, the restaurants and clubs in South Beach.
I-90/94 – Fargo to Spokane
photo credit: cgaukel
My mother and her brother made this trip a few years back, and my mother never realized how beautiful North Dakota and Montana could be. This route will take you a while and it has long stretches of desolate land. Make sure you gas up whenever possible. The best part of this route is that you are only a small detour away from visiting two of the most beautiful national parks in the United States: Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. This is a great drive to make during the summer, because the weather will be great.
I-95 – Boston To New York City
My wife and I are doing this trip in December. It won’t be the most ideal time to do it, but she has a conference to go to in Boston during that time. Visiting Boston and New York speak for themselves, but along the way you’ll pass Martha’s Vineyard, Newport, Rhode Island, and New Haven, Connecticut. Do you love the Cape Cod lifestyle? Then this trip is for you.
I-15: Las Vegas to Salt Lake City
Pick up your cheap rental car from our affiliate at the Las Vegas Airport, do a little gambling, hit up a show, and head on up to Salt Lake City! Utah is a beautiful state with a lot of great mountains, and it’s famous for world class ski resorts. You can get nature and the excitement of Las Vegas all in one trip.
There are dozens of other great stretches of highway in the United States, and we want to hear your suggestions for great road trips. Make a comment below with your suggestions!
Tags: cheap car rental, discount car rental, LAX discount car rental, Los Angeles airport car rental, MIA car rental, Miami airport car rental, PBI car rental, Rental Car, Travel, West Palm Beach airport car rental