Discover Top Destinations in Heraklion with a Car Rental Service

Heraklion has something to offer toevery kind of traveler. Ancient monuments, magnificent mountains a breathtaking coastline, pristine beaches, quaint little towns and villages, museums – Crete has it all. Discover the top ten destinations in and around Heraklion at your pace with a rental car:

• Palace of Knossos: The ruins and the re-creations of this ancient capital city of Minoan Crete is a major tourist draw, and for good reason. The ancient palace has been destroyed and rebuilt more than once. The original structure is over four thousand years old. Knossos is also the place where the myth of the Minotaur, the half bull-half human mythical beast originated.

• Samaria Gorge: A 16km (10 miles) stony trail is a busy and popular hiking spot. The gorge is nearly 500m (over 1600 ft) deep, but the walls are only 3m (10 ft) apart at the narrowest point. All manner of hikers come here, and the trail ends in the coastal village.

• Mt Gingilos: The path upwards starts at the start of the Samaria Gorge, and it is a fairly easy climb for a mountain. It has a near vertical face on one side, making it look spectacular. The views along the path are breathtaking

• Heraklion Archaeological Museum: The perfect place to get a sense of the rich culture and history of Crete. The museum was recently renovated and there are several options for guided or even private tours

• The Arkadi Monastery: The Moni Arkadiou is about a 2 hour drive from Heraklion, on Crete’s southern coast. This is the site of a relatively recent event in 1866, when hundreds of locals sacrificed their lives to end the tyranny of the Ottoman onslaught. Other important buildings nearby include the Venetian Church

• Vai Beach: While the beach itself is wonderful area with beautiful palms and turquoise waters, the 2 hour drive from Heraklion is almost entirely with the sea on one side and sheer mountains on the other. A great trip for the driver and the passengers

• Dikteon Cave: A beautiful subterranean cave with ancient inscribed stone tablets and magnificent views, this is a must see. Legend has it that Zeus himself was born here

• Bembo Fountain: This delightful fountain was built in the 16th century, and is oddly devoid of tourists. Built from bits and pieces of different structures, this was Heraklion’s first fountain

• Church of Agios Titos: Built by the Byzantines in 961 AD, it was a Catholic Church in the Venetian era, a mosque under the Ottomans and is now an Orthodox Church

• Iraklio Wine Country: Tour the fantastic vineyards and wineries that dot the slopes and valleys and discover the wonders of Cretan wine

Mandatory Things to be Taken Care of before Renting a Car in Chania

Chania is a regional unit and also the name of the second largest city in the island of Crete. Administrative boundaries and titles aside, recent excavations have unearthed relics that prove that it was inhabited since at least the Neolithic age. With such a long and checkered history and its vibrant natural landscape, it has a lot to offer to tourists and travelers.

Chania has a number of towns and villages situated throughout the region including ancient harbor towns, fishing villages and several monuments and buildings from the Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman era. In addition, the agro-tourism and eco-tourism are becoming very popular. The best way to experience these treasures is with your own vehicle. And with a rental car, you can do just that. All you need to do is be mindful of a few things and you should be set to enjoy a lovely vacation in Chania.

·        · Acquire a Valid License: Find out how to obtain an international driving permit, or if your country’s license is acceptable

·         Driver Restrictions: Car rental services in Chania tend to be quite laid back about a driver’s age, but the legal minimum driving age is 21 years. However, some agencies may refuse to allow drivers under 25 and over 70 years of age (or they may charge more). They also allow additional drivers at no extra cost

·      Insurance Options: This is often overlooked, but a very important aspect of renting a car abroad. Find out about insurance options for damage, accidents and theft of the car. Also, ensure that you have international personal accident coverage. Traveling insurance may or may not cover medical costs and bills if you need hospital care

·        Car Specs: It is best to rent a car you are comfortable driving. Roads and even highways in Crete are narrower than what you may be used to, owing to the landscape. Most rental cars have manual transmission, so find out options for automatic if you need it

·       Extras: You may not need a GPS in the age of smart phones (though most cars would have them), but other accessories like child seats are best requested beforehand. Most car rental services give them for free or charge a nominal amount

Pick up and Drop: Find out about free pick up and drop options. Ask about options to drop off the car in a different city than the one where you picked it up. This way, you can pick up a car in Chania and drop it off in Heraklion if your itinerary calls for it.

How to Choose the Best Car Rental Services in Chania?

When you are all set for your Greek holiday, you must also add hiring a car rental service at Chania in your tour checklist. A pre-booked rental car can add to a relaxing journey for you. While it is entirely possible to pick up a rental car after you get to Crete, booking early can give you a lot of options. Airports in Crete are often crowded and waiting in a queue for a long flight is not the most appealing idea. You may also forget any special requirements like a GPS or a child seat.

Bookings made ahead of time allow you to browse and compare multiple options and decide at your leisure. On the other hand, you may get some great walk-in deals if you rent a car at the kiosk. If you pick an online booking with no cancellation charges, you have the freedom to choose once you get to Crete, so pre-booking is always a good idea.

Whether you are renting a car in Chania online or right at the spot, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

·         The Reputation of the Company: Make sure that the company is reputed as one of the best companies in Crete, if not all of Greece. You can get a fair estimation by checking the quality of their website, the ratings at top travel websites, etc. The quality of their online ads and social media pages also gives an idea about the standard of their service. Moreover, other information like fleet size and the availability of super luxury cars is a good indication of reputation and quality. They also have an array of packages for business travelers a well as for those who are in Chania in large groups.

·         Reviews and Testimonials: Read the reviews of previous customers on travel websites and online forums. Good reviews are a good sign, but also read the bad ones. Replies from the company addressing negative feedback is a sign of good customer service, but companies with too many bad ratings are obviously best avoided.

Look for the Best Rates: Don’t be quick to judge when it comes to the cost of a rental. You can compare the rates of the same type of car online along with any free services and accessories provided by the company. Don’t miss out the special deals offered on online booking for certain car rental packages. Almost every online booking comes with no cancellation charges, so if you find a better deal once you are in Crete, go for it.

Important Facts You Need to Consider While Hiring a Car at Heraklion Airport on Rent

If you are planning a vacation in Crete, then along with important details such as flight tickets, hotels, and sightseeing trips, you must also consider renting a car so you can get around without any worries. Picking up a rental car at Heraklion airport is a practical choice, as you will have access to a vehicle as soon as you land in Crete.

Heraklion is an international airport and the second busiest in Greece after Athens airport. The airport can get extremely crowded, especially during the summer. Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of car rental services at Heraklion for the convenience of tourists. While one can be spoilt for choice, renting a car after landing is a matter of patience and waiting as the booths can be quite busy. However, with some preparation beforehand, you can quickly get what you need.

·         Enjoy the advantages of pre-booking:

Rental car agencies have their kiosks in a queue at the airport. They service vacationers as well as the business tourists with amazing offers and deals on their cars. However, for your convenience, it is better to book a car before you land in Crete.

Booking early can help you select the service, car, accessories and other options from the comfort of your home. You can take ample time before selecting the services as per your preference and compare various services available before making your choice. Booking a car at a kiosk after a long and tiring trip can often lead to settling for a less than perfect deal as you would want to get to your hotel as soon as possible.

·         Know the car rental rules of the country:

The laws, rules and regulations for car rental are mostly uniform in European countries, particularly EU members. It would still be a good idea to visit the official website maintained by the government for tourists. Most car rental companies will also mention the important rules and regulations. It is important to remember that you are a guest in the country and to respect the laws of the land. A traffic ticket in your country can be handled easily, but when abroad, reflects poorly on your country and on other tourists. Greece has very steep fines for traffic violations, so always remember to wear seatbelts, use turn signals, and so on.

As with any other car rental, always double check the rates, fuel, and the insurance facilities the company is offering before you sign your name.

How Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) before Hiring a Car can be Useful

It is strongly recommended for you to be properly insured before you hire a car. In some European countries, the car rental companies take the liability of insuring both you and the car. If you take a car on rent and you do not get this service, investing on a Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) policy is the right thing to do. Moreover, if you are driving in a foreign land and new to the traffic rules and driving conditions – the chances of an accident increase dramatically. A PAI that covers all costs associated with any mishap while driving is your safety net.

PAI policies are unpopular due to their association with injury and death. While some consider it bad luck, most people are falsely confident that what they see in the news would never happen to them. Uncomfortable as it is, preparing for a potential personal accident that could lead to death or dismemberment is a sign of maturity. At this stage, it is also important to understand that PAI is not the same as medical insurance. There is a good chance that your medical or travel insurance covers your medical bills in the event of an accident. Also, note that some PAIs do cover medical expenses, but that is not their primary goal. PAIs give you a lump sum in case of injury or to a beneficiary in case of death. If you find yourself in a hospital, PAIs offer income support in the form of a lump sum or a daily payout. Some policies will also cover household and other bills during the time in hospital.

It is also important to remember what and when a personal accident policy will not cover you. They will not cover losses arising out of attempted suicide, self-injury, breach of law, accidents while under the influence of narcotics or alcohol, or in case of wars, etc.

Before you buy such a policy, check with your other insurance providers if they provide the same benefits. Some credit card insurance or travel insurance policies will include the option for personal accident insurance as well. Finally, as with all purchases, read the terms and conditions and ask and clarify any questions you have before you sign the documents.

Top 10 Tips for Car Rental Company for Hiring a Professional Driver

Certain occasions and clients often require and demand chauffer driven cars. If you have limos or find out of town or foreign clients who cannot drive in your city or country, they will require the services of a driver. The option of renting cars with professional drivers allows you to serve a wider client base. Hence, car rental companies often look for talented and trustworthy drivers. There are a number of considerations for hiring a professional driver. Here are top 10 tips for the car rental companies that are looking forward to recruit professional drivers.

• Driving Skills: The first thing that you must check before hiring a professional is their expertise. Conduct a test drive and look for any hints of bad driving skills like tailgating, inability to stick to speed limits, lane straddling, etc.

• Licensed: While this goes without saying, do check the licenses for other status marks. Many countries and states allow non-residents or even illegal residents to obtain driver’s licenses under special conditions. You may need to conform to other laws and regulations if you hire such individuals. International driving licenses are beneficial if you operate in towns where your clients may wish to travel across international borders.

• Dedicated: This can be difficult to judge at first, but feedback and a driver’s performance after assigning them one or two trips can help you evaluate the dedication of the driver towards their job.

• Passionate to Drive: Make sure that the driver has a passion for their job. Professional drivers often have to spend hours doing nothing while the clients are busy. The boredom of waiting around can be offset by their passion for driving.

• Trustworthy: Ask for and verify references to ascertain the trustworthiness of your potential hires. You can also use the services of a reputed employment agency or firm.

• Professional Attitude: Professional drivers are punctual and smart. They will know when and when not to engage in casual conversation with the passengers, avoid using the radio without permission, dress appropriately, etc.

• Courteous and Polite: Aside from just opening their doors, polite drivers also offer to help with a client’s luggage, ensure their safety, and be courteous in conversations.

• Law Abiding and Dutiful: Ensure that the driver is aware of and follow laws and regulations.

• Knows the Lay of the Land: While knowing every street and lane is unimportant in the age of GPS and smartphones, knowledge of important routes, traffic patterns and travel times can help a driver carry out their duties effectively.

• Comfortable with Technology: Good drivers can use modern GPS systems, map guidance on phones, etc. If a customer wants to make payment with their mobile wallet, they should be able to handle it. The same goes for newer technologies in cars.

Most of the skills and qualifications listed above are innate, but always keep in mind that as an employer, you can train your staff as well.

What are Advantages of Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) in Car Renting?

You are responsible for any damages caused when you rent a car. Fortunately, there exists an optional feature called Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to help people avoid any problem in case of a collision. This is one of the most recommended insurance waivers and is frequently used by people who rent vehicles. The feature is available for most rental agreements across different countries though the premium varies as per the rules and regulations of each nation.

It is recommended that travellers who are going to a different country check the CDW rates when they are looking at various car rental options. People should also read up on the rules and regulations as well as the policies of rental car service businesses.

Moreover, travellers must be careful while choosing the insurance. There are many companies that plan for CDW insurance and include it in the charge of the rented car. But mostly, companies ask the customer to cover the insurance separately. In such cases, it is better to make sure the policy includes the CDW rider.

Car rental agreements in European countries mostly include the mandated coverage as well as the basics. This includes accident related damage for any victim outside the car. You can purchase the waiver or the CDW supplement from any of the companies from whom you are about to rent the car. Technically, however, the waiver is not counted within the domain of insurance in many countries. People who do not opt for the rider may face action by the rental company as it will demand money for any damages to its vehicle.

You must know that the waiver only reduces the deductible but doesn’t remove it. Car rental companies demand the waiver if the vehicle gets damaged. CDW covers mostly when the vehicle collides. But the coverage doesn’t include various parts such as the roof, boot space, mirrors, interiors, windshield, and windows. You may also include other riders such as theft and loss insurance along with CDW. But make sure that you discuss the payment with the rental company and get the best option for yourself.