Tag Archives: holiday

Top Tips for Getting the Best Holiday Deals

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We all love a good long, relaxing holiday every now and then. It is even better when you vacation to a different country because you can leave all your worries behind along with bills, taxes, work and social media, which so often governs our daily lives nowadays. However it can be hard to get a good deal on a holiday, particularly at the time when you most need it.

Arranging holidays during the school holidays can be a hassle and can often be more expensive as that is the time when all the families with school age kids are away too! However there are a few top tips from veteran holiday goers that might make booking and flying a little less stressful and a little less painful on your wallet!

Book WELL in advance

In general the further you book a holiday in advance the more likely you are to get a better deal. By booking 9 months or more in advance you can save more money than trying to wing it on a last minute deal. Plus by using a price comparison site or by signing up for coupons you can also add further savings to your booking price. Perfect!

Try holidaying out of season

4260985963_769ea2ecc3Depending on where you are going there will be always sun somewhere throughout the year. If you want to follow the sun, perhaps try booking a holiday out of season. Many places are hot throughout the year and only actually get cooler or wetter in the summer months. By booking out of season, hotels are in lower demand and you can save around 40%, also using mix and match airlines can help. Another bonus of booking out of season is that, if you’re not much of a people person, there will be less families filling up the dining hall!

Book on odd days

Strangely enough if you book your holiday in the middle of the week and aim to fly out on a Wednesday you could save up to 50% on the flight costs, which ends up being a massive saving on your holiday. Many members of the public prefer to go on a Monday to Monday basis, however if you’re self employed or are entitled to a certain number of days holiday per year, there should really be no problem in switching this to a Wednesday as you will get a far better deal on prices this way.

Set up Price alerts

482448873_34df906f47There is a huge list of comparison websites and individual travel company websites, so cast your net wide! By subscribing to holiday websites and setting up price alerts on specific holidays, you’ll receive emails of the latest deals and updates available. This is incredibly helpful if you are flexible about where and when you plan on holidaying and will also help you to find some great deals for family members as well.

Subscribing to price comparison sites as well as individual sites can be just as important as, in some cases an individual subscription may give you access to certain deals not available to the general public, however receiving emails on a price comparison site will normally give you a fair idea of what you would normally pay for a certain type of holiday.

Do the Research

As with anything that takes a little planning and a bit of cash, it is important to do a lot of research about where you want to go, what you want to do when you get there, travel arrangements such as flights, travel from the airport, hired cars while you are out there and more. There may be some instances where booking the flights and the hotel in one deal is beneficial whereas in other situations it may be cheaper – although slightly more complicated – to book and pay for everything separately.

2144933705_20517bedab_zMake sure you browse the market thoroughly before making your decision; a holiday should be a trip to a place that you care about or would like to learn more about. If you are holidaying with the family, try to take into account the individual needs of each family member and weigh up the pros and cons of particular countries if you are having trouble deciding where to go.

In the end if you plan far enough ahead and do significant research while being subscribed to price comparison websites, specific deals, offers and price alerts it will be a lot easier to find ways to book your favourite holiday destinations without having to break the bank. So why not try it today? Be it a week away in the Caribbean sun, an adventurers Egyptian paradise holiday getaway or a hitchhiking trip through Hong Kong, take the plunge and get searching for your next big holiday!

Tips for Travellers to Australia

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With wide open spaces, iconic scenery and a beautiful array of wildlife, Australia is one of the most popular tourist hot spots worldwide. Often very popular with young travellers and those looking to take a gap year out of education to go travelling, part of Australia’s appeal is that it is a completely unknown continent that just happens to speak the same language as we do.

spiderThis may sound like a strange thing but one reason less people travel to see the world is the fear that they will be stuck in an unfamiliar place and they won’t be able to properly communicate their distress. Australia gets rid of part of that fear, as most people speak English. You get the strange new world, without the fear of being stuck up the language river without a paddle.

However, there are a whole host of other dangers just waiting to pull you under the water and while we may be vaguely aware of them we’ve piled together a few top tips for those of you who are planning on hiking it across Australia in the near future.

Stay Clean to stay safe!

Always wash your hands before eating. It may sound like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised at how often people forget about hand sanitation. You can always take a portable hand sanitizer with you if there is nowhere near to clean your hands. When going outside always put your shoes on to prevent scrapes or possible bites and scratches. Make sure to shake your shoes before putting them on just in case little critters have tried to crawl in them overnight!

Know the Climate

SONY DSCAustralia is a hot country! Make sure to take plenty of water for hydration wherever you go and always apply a lot of sunscreen. If you happen to swim at all, make sure to apply sunscreen both before and after swimming as the sun can quickly burn skin if left unprotected. Try to wear a hat to prevent heatstroke, or at least drink water regularly.

There are a lot of insects in Australia, and while some are just a little bothersome, a lot of them like the taste of human flesh! Apply insect repellent along with your sunscreen to avoid nasty bites and scratches and if you need to sleep at night with the window open, make sure you have flyscreens or netted screens to prevent the nasties from coming inside at night!

Safe Swimming

crocorileAlways swim between the designated red and yellow flags as Australian beaches are home to strong underwater currents commonly known as rips. To avoid these make sure to swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim alone or at night. Lifeguards will patrol the beaches but it is better not to take any chances!

When travelling through or near established crocodile habitats there will often be safety and warning signs. Take heed of these and never swim in rivers, tidal rivers, mangrove shores, estuaries or deep pools nearby. If you plan to go fishing or boating, make sure to take expert advice when fishing or boating near crocodile habitats.

Between November and April, the tropical beaches of Australia may be home to marine stingers which can cause discomfort and certain species can even be lethal. Swim within the designated areas and if you are swimming, diving or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef make sure to wear protective clothing and to pay close attention to the warning signs. Be aware!

Travel Insurance

As with any holiday, having the proper travel insurance is essential. Australia is a little different in that there are a huge number of small critters which can deal a lot of damage in a small period of time. Having good medical insurance is essential, as with backpacking or hitch-hiking you can never be 100% certain that your holiday will be injury free. Depending on your visa type you may be entitled to certain benefits through the public healthcare system of Australia, but a lot of medical expenses will be taken out of your own pocket, so it is essential to have good medical insurance.

Take good care of yourself and make sure you are well prepared before you head out to Australia. You can never be sure of what will happen once you get there but it is better to plan for the worst and hope for the best instead of getting stuck in a foreign country with little or no back-up plan! Just remember to still have fun!

Studio Ghibli Museum – Tokyo

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Whether you have seen only one of the films or you’re an avid lover of Hayao Miyazaki’s works among others, the Studio Ghibli Museum located in Tokyo, Japan, is not to be missed. A museum like no other, it encapsulates a real child-like feeling of wonderment with huge scenes depicting castles and cities from films such as ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ and ‘Howls’ Moving Castle’. Step into   the world of Ghibli and straight away you see a gentle moss covered building with large glass windows, portholes and hatches that you’ll see as you wander through the museum.

With your ticket you will receive a free cinema ticket to one of the six short films that play on a random rotation throughout the year in the museum’s own mini-cinema. Not available on DVD or to watch outside of the museum, the films last around 15 minutes and are only in Japanese with no subtitles but are still a joy to see.

stai8ned glassUpon first entering the museum what you will immediately notice is that it is not laid out like normal museums. Normal museums are full of long hallways with exhibitions on clear display with a few ‘interactive’ pieces here and there. Miyazaki states that he wanted the Ghibli Museum to feel like a magical place and in fact the tagline of the museum is ‘Let’s get lost together’.

The museum is set out over three floors with a huge hallway in the centre of the museum connecting the floors. Spiral staircases lead to the first and sometimes the second floor and in archways you’ll see more staircases leading to different levels. An elevator passes between two of the floors and you’ll see a walkway connecting two balconies together on the first floor. Artwork adorns the walls and windows and you’ll see children and adults alike running around, ducking under archways and pointing in awe at the various works on display.

As you walk through the museum you can see the various works that inspired Miyazaki to make some of the great Ghibli films as well as early artwork and storyboards in the art room. On the second floor, if you have young children, you can supervise them while they play in the giant plush Catbus corner among piles of dust bunnies. Unfortunately this is only for younger kids!

The animation room is full of different animation styles and techniques including stop motion, puppets, hand drawn cells and the use of clay figures to give depth to an animation.

giantTake a step outside into the quiet garden world of Arrietty, and if you decide to have a look on the roof you can shake hands with and even take photos of yourself with a giant, full scale robot statue from Laputa; Castle in the Sky.

If you’re tuckered out from running around the various rooms and hallways, the Ghibli Museum has its own tea house with sandwiches and hot and cold drinks available.

Sit on one of the terrace benches or find a place inside for a little break! After having lunch make sure to check out the souvenir shop where you can buy the Studio Ghibli DVD’s as well as artbooks, stationary, plush creatures, glass sculptures, sweets and more. Careful though, it can get quite expensive!

busThe Studio Ghibli museum can be found by hired car or by taking the Ghibli Bus which can be caught at the JR Mitaka Station which can be easily reached from Shinjuku Station and is completely unmissable!

Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos inside the main museum part, perhaps to maintain the mystery behind the museum, But you can buy books within the museum that contain photos of the museum as well as visual designs for the museum too!

Daredevil Holidays

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A far step away from the lazy holidays which see you relaxing on the beach, some of us just love going on holiday where we can feel a burst of adrenaline. Although holidays are normally for relaxing, fun and exciting holidays where you get a sense of danger can be just as rewarding as they are a reminder of the challenges you faced and overcame. Extreme holidays are not for the faint-hearted and often end up testing your endurance as well as your strength and your ability to do well under pressure. Let us have a look at a few popular daredevil holidays!

 ice climbingIce Climbing
What is better than hiking up huge mountains where you could easily slip and fall to your death? Doing it again in snow and ice! Ice climbing can be used to describe ascending any number of ice formations including icefalls, frozen waterfalls and cliffs. Depending on the type of ice and the gradient, there are different techniques you need to use to successfully ice climb.

Crampons, ice axes and ice screws are a must for any ice climber but depending on where you go you may need extra climbing supplies. The Chamonix Valley is a well known ice climbing venture and is famous for its beautiful ice falls. You can choose from over 200 routes and there are routes for ice climbers of all skill levels.

The Swing on the End of the World
Located in Ecuador this very oddly named swing does exactly as described. Built underneath a small wooden treehouse originally used to observe the active volcano Mr, Tunguruhua, this crude wooden plank of swing provides thrills aplenty. The swing has no harness, no safety net or any other discerning feature apart from a small strap across the front and literally sends riders swinging out into the abyss.

The swing hangs over a deep ravine covered with trees and foliage and if you can get over the initial motion sickness or vertigo – didn’t realise until now you were afraid of heights? Shame – it makes for a stunning view and a great photo spot.

5250487136_04241b5283_mFree Climbing
Free climbing represents true exhilaration. The concept of climbing up massive rock faces and mountains, even dangling upside down at certain points in the climb, without any safety harnesses can be a frightening thing. However if you’re used to hiking and braving the elements and want just that little extra bit of danger, perhaps free climbing is for you.

Only for seasoned professionals, Free Climbing is an excellent way of getting a thrill without having to pay extortionate prices as you would with, say, a skydiving experience. Yosemite National Park is a hotspot for free climbing and has a number of beautiful mountains for both beginners and experts to choose from.

 

 

 

 

 

The top ten holiday destinations to propose

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If you’re planning to propose (or create the right opportunity for that certain someone to think about proposing) then a trip to somewhere significant is the way to do it. Make your proposal memorable with somewhere romantic and scenic. Here are our top ten destinations for proposal opportunities.

paris1)      Paris – a perennial favourite with lovers the world over, France’s capital city has a long history of romance with plenty of spots to do the deed. If you don’t fancy scaling the Eiffel Tower, then maybe you can use the Pont des Arts over the River Seine, or aboard one of the river’s many cruise boats.

2)      Dubai – Hot, exotic, and containing some stunning modern architecture, Dubai is a shopper’s paradise. Dubai is a great choice if you want to combine a proposal with engagement ring shopping. A trip to Gold & Diamond Park and other shopping malls and souks could be on the itinerary! There are a plethora of potential proposal spots in one of Dubai’s many skyscrapers, aquarium restaurants, or fountains.

new york3)      New York – With trans-Atlantic flights faster than they used to be, a short break in New York is more than feasible. A trip to New York feels like visiting a living film set, and where better to propose than atop the Empire State Building, on a helicopter over the Statue of Liberty, or in the world famous Times Square? Shops galore with the peaceful haven of Central Park, New York offers it all.

4)      Venice – Venice is possibly Italy’s most famously romantic city, and attracts around 50,000 tourists a day. It is famous for its waterways and canals, and you can’t go to Venice without taking a gondola ride along the Grand Canal.

norway5)      Norway – if your loved one is not a fan of exotic weather, then a trip to see the Northern Lights could be a winner. There are lots of places to stay where you have a good chance of seeing the lights, and you can also take a dog-sledding tour, or a cruise around the fjords. Please see the website of Visit Norway for the best places.

6)      Dublin – for a proposal filled with fun, Dublin is a lovely place for a bit of sightseeing and bonding over beer. If you need a bit of Dutch courage and feel the ‘luck of the Irish’ would be most welcome, then making your proposal in Dublin could result in success!

7)      London – The UK’s capital and one of the world’s biggest cities provides a whole host of proposal opportunities. The London Eye is a popular choice, or maybe the scenic Trafalgar Square. If you want to add height to your proposal, then a trip up London’s tallest building The Shard is the place to do it.

propose8)      Sydney – for the trip of a lifetime, and one you will never forget, take a trip to Sydney, Australia. Often thought of as Australia’s capital (it isn’t), it’s probably the most recognisable of Oz’s cities. The harbour area with the Opera House is simply stunning, and if you want to introduce an element of peril into your proposal then you can join a climbing tour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

9)      Barcelona – the beautiful Spanish city of Barcelona in the region of Catalonia is a mix of green space, coast, and interesting architecture created by Gaudi. Proposal sites could include the wonderful Park Guell, or the mountainside park of Montjuic. Ride a cable car to the hillside villages, and if you’re a sports fan, the Olympic stadium and The Camp Nou are worth a tour.

10)  Las Vegas – Not keen on long engagements? Propose in Las Vegas and you can be engaged, married, and on your way home before the hangover has even kicked in. Feeling extra lucky? Try one or two of the many casinos and maybe you can stretch to an even better ring.

Wherever you propose, make it a good one. Good luck!

Secluded Beaches of the World

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Part Two of our guide to the world’s most secluded beaches is here with more options for you and your significant other, for a romantic getaway or just to spend some peace and quiet with the family without having to yell at your children in order to be heard above the masses. Many of these locations require a little bit of boating or walking, but they are well worth the effort for even just an hour or a few hours of luxury and complete peace in the most secluded and relaxing beaches in the world.

1280px-Costa_Alegre_JaliscoPlaya Soledad Costalegre Mexico

As this beach is the private property of the Las Alamandas resort, you are sure to be soaking up some rays in peace and quiet should you be willing to make the dirt trek to the beach itself. However you can also reserve a Jeep in advance if you don’t fancy making the trip.

You can also reserve horses for the ride back which will make an interesting end to your evening, although this is not recommended if you’ve never ridden before!

 1280px-The_beach_at_Tortuguero,_Costa_RicaThe Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

Like most other beaches mentioned in this list it takes a little bit of time and a bit more effort to reach the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, but with a beautiful range of wild birds, deserted sands and a popular spot to see the nesting turtles of Tortuguero.

It takes around five hours to get to Tortuguero from San Jose, but if you visit in April/May you can see the turtles that come to nest along the sands, which in itself is a sight to behold.

Bonus Beach:
Playa de Benalnatura

This is not actually a secluded beach, in fact it’s quite popular! The strange thing about it is that it is a naturist beach! Not for the faint hearted and definitely for the adventurous, the Playa de Benalnatura, located in Benalmadena is great for naturists and nudists who want to spend a day basking in the sun.

With a beautiful little beach restaurant, toilets, showers and a barbecue area, what more could you want! The small downside is that clothing is generally not optional and you won’t even get served at the bar if not completely nude. This is a 100% nudist beach, so it is best to hire out a car and keep your clothes in the boot before you head down.

Hopefully this has helped inspire some of you holiday goers to visit some of the world’s most secluded beaches in your travels, or even try a naturist beach or two! You might even enjoy it!

 

Secluded Beaches

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We are nearly half way into 2014 and although the sun has only just started to poke its head through the miserable British clouds, many people are already wistfully dreaming of the upcoming summer holidays in the next few months. There has been a recent increase in ‘staycations’ where people opt for holidaying at home instead of going abroad to visit sunnier tides, however sun, sand and sea destinations are still incredibly popular with those who like to hop on board a plane and fly into the sunset for a week or two.

However nobody likes overcrowding. It’s annoying having to get up at 5am just to save you and your family a set of sun beds, but it is essential otherwise you’ll be stuck sitting on the floor. Beaches are far more crowded during the summer time and on occasion it may be hard to simply enjoy the holiday because of the amount of heads you see bobbing up and down in that perfect ocean view.

So where are some better, less trodden, less crowded beaches to visit? In this two part blog series we’ll have a look at some of the ‘beaches less travelled’ to bring you the most relaxing, isolated holidays that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else unless you somehow managed to hire yourself a private island.

Owen Island, Cayman Islands

owenLocated just off the south-western coast of Little Cayman is a tiny islet known as Owen Island. It is only reachable by sail boat or by kayaking, but these waters can get a little windy so it is best to be prepared. You’ll need to travel across the Bloody Bay (sounds a little ominous) but if you’re a seasoned traveller with a little kayaking experience it should be no problem.

The islet contains very few buildings or homes, in fact very little human habitation at all, so it is a great way to feel as if you have your very own deserted island to yourself. Plus the tranquillity of the warm sun and the iconic beach imagery is great for relaxation. Owen Island can be enjoyed by those of all ages and makes a perfect choice for a honeymoon island away from it all for an hour or two.

To get to Owen Island, simply grab a hired car from the and then drive 2 minutes to the south-west coast of Little Cayman. Simple!

 

World’s Wackiest Rollercoasters – Voyage

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Everybody loves a different style of holiday. Some people like to tan it out through two weeks of sun, sand and sangria, whereas others will relax in warm shade and read a book or two. Some people like to see the world, snapping photos of ancient ruins and crumbling mountains and some love to ski down the sides of beautiful snowy mountains. Then there are the pleasure seekers. The ones who can easily be happy enough with a day ticket pass to Thorpe Park, where they would ride every roller coaster twice if they had the time.

Whether you belong to one of the former categories or the latter, or you are just looking for a few ways to get some thrills into your life, why not have a look at some of the world’s biggest, highest, longest and wackiest roller coasters with us at Penguin car hire?

Todays Coaster: Voyage
voytageVoyage is a traditional wooden roller coaster and is on both top ten lists for the longest and the fastest wooden rollercoaster in the world. Located at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, the coaster is a staggering 6442 feet in length and the whole ride takes around 2 minutes and 50 seconds. The carts can reach up to 67.4mph which can be pretty intimidating for a wooden roller coaster, and climbs to a height of 163 feet at various points along the course.

Voyage also holds a world record for the amount of airtime – time in which passengers are lifted from their seats either gradually or violently – which is a gut-wrenching 24.2 seconds. Half a minute may not seem like a long time now but while you’re spiralling down at 60 miles an hour with only a padded metal bar across your lap preventing you from falling, it can get pretty exhilarating. The course ricochets through the woods of Holiday World, dipping underground at two points during the ride and starts off with a stomach-churning 154 foot drop.

As the coaster descends underground, passengers are treated to complete darkness and a rush of cool air and then suddenly plunged downwards into two more drops before emerging back out into the sunlight. For a warm Indiana day the sudden temperature change can be as thrilling as the ride itself.

With Penguin we have thousands of car hire destinations to choose from. For a hire car to Holiday World, Indiana you can drive from Terre Haute, Indianapolis or even Nashville, Tennessee. What are you waiting for? Get out there!

Celebrating May Day, Worldwide

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Next Monday the 5th May is the annual holiday May Day, and a bank holiday. Surprisingly enough, May Day is not just a tradition celebrated in the UK, but it has a different level of significance in a number of countries across the modern world. Whether you are planning a road trip across the USA, or you are looking for help hiring a taxi in Romania, Penguin can help you with a huge directory of hired cars available, all at your fingertips!

[penguin] may pole blogEngland

Associated with towns and villages celebrating springtime and fertility, May Day in England is often accompanied by Morris Dancers and with the traditional cross cultural maypole, where dancers will circle it with ribbons attached to the maypole.

May Day was once abolished by puritan parliaments but was reinstated by Charles II in 1660. In 2011 the UK Parliament attempted to replace May Day with a bank holiday in October known as ‘United Kingdom Day’ but this decision was overruled.

Ireland

Ireland has celebrated May Day since pagan times, when it was known as Bealtaine. Originally the Irish would light giant bonfires in order to welcome the coming of summer and to scare away the darkness and cold, long nights of the winter months. Although to this day larger cities do not partake in May Day Bonfires, smaller rural areas will still light a bonfire for good luck. 

Romania

May Day in Romania is commonly associated with the celebration of the beginning of summer. People would have parties where they would roast lamb and drink red wine to refresh the blood and symbolise protection from a bad harvest and diseases. People may wash their faces with morning dew for good health and you might also see birch saplings or green branches tied around house fates for good luck.

In the evenings it was traditional for both men and women to not do any work in the house or out on the farms, as well as the animals, so as to avoid bad luck. It was thought that if anyone worked during May Day eve, they could die or the animals could fall ill.

[penguin] heart blogGermany

May Day is similar to a miniature Valentine ’s Day, as traditionally a maypole was delivered to the house of a girl the night before may day, covered in coloured streamers.

The maypole is normally from a love interest, although if the pole was covered in white streamers it was considered a sign of dislike for the girl. Girls would place roses or rice in the shape of a heart at the doorstep of their loved one. On leap years, females would place the maypole on May Day.

 

Easter Celebrated By Different Cultures

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Whether you are planning on staying home for Easter Weekend, or you have decided to take a few extra days off during the Easter holiday to spend time with the kids, different countries and different cultures have individual ways of celebrating Easter Weekend. Although commonly associated with Christianity, Catholicism and the death and rebirth of Jesus Christ, cultures from around the world celebrate the death and rebirth as well as a number of other, related events in their own way.

Verges in Spain

[penguin] easter blogThe Thursday before Easter weekend is known as the night of the ‘dansa de la mort’ in the town of Verges, Spain. The residents dress up in skeletal outfits and re-enact scenes from The Passion while parading through the streets of town, complete with eerie fire torches. The parade starts at Midnight and lasts for three hours until the early morning.

The end of the ‘dansa de la mort’ is signified by terrifyingly designed skeletons carrying boxes of ashes, signifying the death of Christ.

Rome, Italy

Easter celebrations in Rome start on Good Friday, where the Pope will commemorates the ‘Via Crucis’ or ‘Way of the Cross’. At the coliseum a huge cross made of burning torches is burnt, lighting up the sky, while the 14 Stations of the Cross are described in multiple languages for all to hear.

On both Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday mass is held in the evening, and on the Sunday, visitors congregate in St Peter’s Square to be able to receive the Pope’s blessing seen from the church’s balcony. This is known as ‘Urbi et Orbi’ or ‘To the City and to the World’.

Sweden and Finland

[penguin] sweden easter blogEaster time is like a mini Halloween for most of Sweden and various areas of Finland. It was thought that on the Thursday before Easter weekend, witches used to fly to the mountains to congress with Satan. Children would wear rags and old clothes and would go from door to door holding out a copper kettle for treats.

To scare away the ‘witches’ the Swedes would light up large bonfires that would keep evil spirits from entering their homes. Nowadays children still go out ‘trick or treating’ and bonfires and fireworks are set up and let off throughout the town in  keeping with the old traditions.

Whether you need transport in the bustling streets of London, or are looking for a hire car to help you make your way through the roads of Paris, Brussels or even Marrakech, with thousands of companies to choose from, Penguin Car Hire can get hold of a first class hired car to take you where you want to go within minutes.