Discover Inns of Britain, Ireland, is a selection of approx 480 traditional inns located throughout Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. A warm welcome is guaranteed, and comfort, good food and a friendly local bar are considered paramount. These quality inns offer individual character, history, snug bars, roaring fires and a welcoming host.

Discover Mansions and Manors properties are private family homes and are furnished in gracious and luxurious style, often adorned with antique furniture and old family portraits. Bedrooms are spacious with en suite or private bathrooms and some even boast four poster beds. The public rooms are superbly furnished in tasteful decor and style and in some establishments blazing log fires complement the central heating.

Discover Hotelpass is a flexible, Go As You Please voucher programme offering a amazing selection of independently owned and group hotels. With over 1370 properties throughout France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, of typically 3 star standard or better , this exclusive programme offers quality hotel accommodation in every town, city and countryside location.

CONNOISSEUR - FRANCE - EUROPE
2008 Special Offer ! - recieve 10% Discount
valid for booking made by 31st January 2008
Connoisseur Canal Boar Rental - Europe

REMEMBER TO PACK...

• Calculator - don't get ripped off with foreign exchange conversions.
  
• Duct tape - great as fluff remover; to seal a box if you want to send excess
  baggage home; wrap around a travel bag if the zip breaks or as extra security
  
• Lip balm - lips can dry out especially if you are not used to being outdoors quite so much
  
• Muesli bars - will keep you going until the next meal
  
• Notebook and pen... handy especially for language barriers - draw a picture - a bit like foreign pictionary! When you don't know foreign numbers... at least you can understand written prices & to make notes of when and where you took that photo and to write down details of new friends.
  
• Pedometer - see how many km's you cover in a day
  
• Pocket knife - handy for cutting up an impromptu picnic lunch
  
• Plastic plate or frisbee - useful for your lunch, cutting your cheese, salami, tomato etc and for playing with afterwards...fun on the beach
  
• Pre printed address labels - instead of taking your address book - just peel and stick labels on your postcards
  
• Plastic poncho with hood - looks dorky but at least your hands will be free for taking photos etc whereas an umbrella can be a hindrance - especially in crowded places.
  
• Spare spectacles - easy to replace sunglasses but would you be lost without a spare pair of prescription lenses?
  
• Safety pins - a hundred uses
  
• Travel clock - in case you need to get up early to catch a train, plane or make an early start to avoid the crowds
  
• Torch with fresh batteries - lots of uses
  
• Travel scrabble / cards - impromptu entertainment - great for breaking the ice in a youth hostel!
  
• Tissues ... if not for you, for the kid next to you with the runny nose or sticky fingers
  
• umbrella can be a hindrance - especially in crowded places.
  
• Various sized Glad bags for fruit (squashed banana in your backpack is NOT fun), for leftovers, damp clothes, messy things.
  
• Wet wipes - instant hygiene and ideal for after lunch clean up.

Got any more travel tips? Let us know and we'll pass them on to your fellow
travellers. A windcheater, cap and calculator for the best tip received.

WHY YOU SHOULD BOOK WITH US

We save you the time and effort of calling several different companies to find the best rate and vehicle to suit your needs. We have the largest selection of any company worldwide. We are expert niche specialists.

Did you know???
That the price you see is not always the price you end up paying?
You have to consider Taxes - are they included or not?

One way fees - they can vary by hundreds of dollars between companies. When you need a one way rental, we automatically check every company we represent to find the best one way fee. Why call nine companies when one call to us does it for you...

Petrol or diesel? - We know which is best! The cost of fuel? - We know that too...

CDW & PAI & SLI...you get offered these -Do you know which you need and which you don't? We do.

Some companies have a minimum/maximum age - some charge extra if you fall into this category. We know which do and which don't.

Some cars & motorhomes can go into Eastern European countries - some can't.
Only cars from certain countries can enter Eastern Europe. We know the answer to both.

A second driver fee can be $10 per day... some allow it free - same with airport / city / station fee. Guess who know this too !!

Do I need an International Drivers Permit... If you have a drivers licence in English eg. Australian, New Zealand, USA etc you do not need an International Drivers permit.
If your licence is in a foreign language, we do recommend that you get an International Drivers Permit

TIPS for DRIVING IN EUROPE

1. If your rental is under 21 days - car rental is generally more cost effective than leasing.

2. Car rental prices vary from country to country - so a slight adjustment of your starting point can save you heaps eg. a 1.4 L Megane picked up in Spain would cost you Australian $60 per day but just go across the border to France and you will pay Australian $45 per day for that same car !

3. If you are under 25 - avoid paying the young driver surcharge which can be an Australian $25 per day by doing a car lease.

4. If you want a minibus, an automatic vehicle or need a vehicle for more than 28 days - look at car leasing which is the tax free program which is sanctioned by the French government to encourage tourism. Leasing includes absolutely everything with no additional driver fees, airport fees and even the comprehensive insurance does not have an excess. Cars can be leased for up to 175 days with prices starting from Australian $24 a day per car. Have a look at
Car Leasing in Europe. We are the only operator that offers leasing with all three companies that offers leasing.

5. Do all that is possible to get a diesel vehicle as diesel can cost up to a third less than petrol in some countries. Note that with a rental car - you most often will receive a petrol driven car. With leasing you can order a diesel car.

6. If you are taking a rental car - the insurance which is included, does come with an excess of approximately Australian $1,000 and whilst you could take out excess reduction waivers at the car counter - do check your travel insurance policy as quite a few of them offer "Rental vehicle insurance excess cover" - which means you don't have to take out those waivers as your travel
insurance will cover this. Travel Insurance Quote for a quick quote.

7. If on a budget, consider taking a Motorhome instead of a car. This would be your accommodation and transport in one and you can save so much by cooking your own food and making your own sandwich lunches. See Motorhome Hire in Europe for comprehensive info. Motorhomes are offered in 19 countries.

8. Car hire & Motorhomes are often priced on a seasonal basis whereby the pick up date determines the rate for the entire rental so if you want a car on 30 September - it may be worthwhile to wait one day and start on 01October when the rates drop.

9. If you do a fly/drive package - you often get the car or airfare at a reduced rate. Have a look at www.europeshoppe.com.au

10. Lastly - most companies in Europe charge an airport fee - in some places like Italy, this can as high as 14% of your TOTAL hire cost, so consider taking a taxi to a downtown location and avoiding the fee. Incidentally, airport drop off's do not incur the airport fee.

11. Want to travel to Eastern Europe eg. Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and your car hire company won't allow it? Start in Germany or Austria and you can or alternatively, lease a car. They allow it with full insurance and no excess.

Free Reservation Numbers

• - Australia: 1800 338 817
• - USA + Canada: 011 800 8781 1120
• - New Zealand: 00 800 8781 1120
• - United Kingdom: 00 800 8781 1120
• - Germany: 00 800 8781 1120
• - France 00 800 8781 1120