Cherie Carter, Author at Indigo Car Hire

Debit Card Car Hire In Belgium

January 27, 2020 Cherie Carter Belgium, Debit Card Car Hire News Comments Off

Debit Card Car Hire in Belgium

If you’re travelling to Belgium and need to hire a car with a debit card, you’ve come to the right place.

About Belgium

Belgium is a European country, neighboured by Germany, France and the Netherlands. Famous for its chocolate and beer it’s the perfect destination for foodies, and history buffs will love looking into the country’s past – from its beautiful castles and some of the oldest shopping arcades in Europe to major historical events like the battle of Waterloo, there’s something exciting around every corner.

Car Hire With A Debit Card In Belgium

If you need to hire a car in Belgium with just a debit card, then look no further. Our car hire experts can help you find a rental that works for you, as we are now able offer debit card car hire in several locations across Belgium – this is subject to certain requirements, so be sure to contact our team directly to ensure you’re placed with a supplier who fits your needs and to make sure you get the best deal possible.

What other services are available in Belgium?

Alongside car hire with a debit card in Belgium we have several other offers available:

Maestro Card – We can accept Maestro cards in Belgium, you must contact us directly to book.

Cross Border – Travel across the border into one of the neighbouring countries when you book cross border car hire.

Young/Senior Driver – We can offer car hire to drivers as young as 21 years old all the way up to 99 years old.

One Way Hire – Pick up and drop off the car at a different location to suit your needs best.

Low Deposit – steer clear of the usual high deposit and give yourself more money to spend when you book a low deposit with us.

If you are wanting to book debit card car hire or any of our other offers, contact us directly – You can reach us by phone on +44 (0)113 880 0748, email at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk or talk to our team via the live chat function.

2020 Is Finally Here – Where’s the best place to spend the New Year?

December 20, 2019 Cherie Carter Australia, France Offers, UK, USA Comments Off

Where is the best place to celebrate the New Year

2019 is quickly coming to an end, and with that comes the anticipation of a new year – what better way to ring in the New Year than with one of the biggest celebrations in the world? This year the celebrations are guaranteed to be bigger, as we celebrate not just a new year, but a new decade. We’ve put together a list of the best places to count down to 2020 so you can start as you mean to go on and kick off the next decade with a bang.

Sydney, Australia

Being the first major city in the world to tick over into 2020, Sydney is renowned for its New Year celebrations and stunning fireworks displays. With dozens of ticketed events from music festivals and club nights to more upscale and exclusive events such as dinner parties and banquets, you’re guaranteed to find your dream way to spend the first moments of the year. There are also several free events including a range of family-friendly activities with music, entertainment and foods, as well as a number of vantage points where you can view the famous fireworks display as the clocks hit midnight – so be sure to take a look around and see what catches your eye. If you’re looking for bright carnival lights and a fun way to start the year, Sydney’s Lunar Park Harbour Party is the perfect place to enjoy the fireworks and have a whole load of fun, with the amusement park open until 1am for the celebrations.

For something a little more peaceful and family friendly, you could always pack up a picnic and head somewhere slightly further afield – such as the display at Darling Harbour which is specifically designed to be family friendly. This is a free event, with light shows every hour and the traditional midnight fireworks display, as well as a slightly earlier one at 9pm – meaning that those with younger families don’t necessarily have to stay out all night to join in with the celebrations.

New York City, USA

Arguably one of the most famous NYE celebrations in the world, dating back well over 100 years, they really do know how to throw a party over in New York’s Time Square! Millions of people across the world tune in to see the New Year’s Eve Ball drop, so why not start your year in the best possible way and join the festivities in person?

It’s certainly a bucket list worthy celebration, but this is one of the biggest celebrations in the world, so do be prepared for quite a lot of queuing! If you’re looking to celebrate in style with something a little more subdued, bars and venues across the city are offering everything from Gatsby themed roaring 20s parties to kick off the New Year with a bang, to high class, black tie dinner parties with unbeatable views of the fireworks display at midnight.

For something a little different, head to the harbour for the range of cruises that are available to watch from the water as the clock strikes midnight, or stop by Brooklyn Bridge for their walking tour that will give you a wonderful view of the city’s skyline as the fireworks start.

Paris, France

Where better to start a new year than in the city of love? New Year’s Eve in Paris promises a stunning firework display at the Arc de Triomphe, with more than 100,000 people gathering annually along one of the world’s most famous avenues to celebrate the new year.

For something away from the big crowds, why not see a cabaret show at the famous Moulin Rouge, or take a look at the range of parties and cruises available across the city to find your perfect way to celebrate? Most of Paris’ biggest clubs and venues throw unforgettable parties with a variety of themes, and many have rooftop terraces for a perfect view of the midnight fireworks against the city’s skyline.

London, UK

Here in England, there’s no bigger New Year’s celebration than the one that takes place on the banks of the Thames, with Big Ben ringing in the start of the new year and the stunning display of fireworks broadcast across the country from the famous London Eye. Head down for the annual fireworks display, set to the biggest musical hits of the year against the beautiful backdrop of the city. Each year the party rings in the year with a renowned musical guest – this year Craig David will be performing in the run up to the countdown.

London really does have something for everyone looking for a unique way to start their new year – from immersive West End theatre experiences to your own night at the museum, all of London’s best loved attractions are pulling out all the stops to make this new year the best one yet. If you’re after something more celebratory, the city will be filled with parties all night – including the Christmas in New York New Year’s Eve ball to celebrate USA style (perfect if you can’t make the ball drop!) or for a more elegant affair, The Petersham offers an elegant Victorian evening, with classical music and champagne to ensure a high class start to the year.

Edinburgh, Scotland

New Year’s Eve is certainly a celebration in Scotland – their annual Hogmanay festival is one of the biggest events in the Scottish calendar. The word itself translates as ‘the first day of the new year’ and as their festival shows, they know how to make it count!

Their 3 day long festival kicks off on the 30th with a torchlit procession through Edinburgh and down the famous Royal Mile to Holyrood Park, where the crowds form the iconic image of two people shaking hands and are captured by an aerial camera to be shown across the globe. On the big night itself, the 31st is marked with a unforgettable street party against the backdrop of the breathtaking Edinburgh Castle, complete with fireworks and the worldwide tradition of Auld Lang Syne. Musical performances are scheduled throughout the night to keep the party going, with Mark Ronson performing as the clock strikes midnight.

On New Year’s Day, wake yourself up with the annual tradition of a cold-water dip at the Loony Dook, where participants run into the freezing river to raise money for charities.

Here at Indigo we’re able to offer rentals across the globe for customers with a range of requirements – so if you’re heading out for the New Year and want to make your travel that little bit easier, then get in touch and we can help you find your perfect rental. But better make it quick – rentals are popular over the festive period and availability may be limited!

Whether you’re heading out to a world-famous party or staying in on the sofa with those leftover Christmas chocolates, we here at Indigo hope all of our customers have a great start to 2020 – Happy New Year!

Market Magic: Find The Best Christmas Markets In Europe This Festive Season

December 4, 2019 Cherie Carter Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, News, Poland, UK Comments Off

Best Christmas Markets In Europe

With the year slowly drawing to a close and the festive season creeping up on us, cities across the world are decking their halls and trimming their trees in preparation for one of the best-loved Christmas traditions there is – the Christmas market.

With so many stunning locations across the globe offering their take on the traditional Christmas market, it can be hard to choose where to head for a festive break and a chance to grab those extra special gifts. Some of the most popular locations are in central Europe, including the site of the first ever Christmas market – this means not only are they a great way to fit in a city break before the holidays, they’re also relatively cheap and cheerful for travel, stays and shopping. We also offer our car rental services in every single one of these locations, giving us the ability to help make your travel even simpler. To make the hustle and bustle of travelling through the holidays just that little bit easier, we’ve put together a list of the top Christmas markets in Europe to help you decide where to visit next – all that’s left for you to do is work on that Christmas list!

Vienna, Austria

Home of the first ever Christmas market held all the way back in 1289, Christmas in Vienna is the product of centuries of tradition – but that doesn’t mean it’s old fashioned. During the holiday season, Vienna is home to more than 20 different stalls offering everything from traditional homemade gifts and Christmas decorations, to fresh local foods and hot mulled wine to keep you cosy while you shop.

The Viennese Dream Christmas market is definitely the main attraction of the festive season – set against the backdrop of the beautiful City Hall and offering ‘creative workshops’ for children to make their own special gifts and post their wish lists, it’s the perfect Christmas getaway for the family.

With flights from the UK starting at £80 and hotels in the area from £80 for a long weekend (based on two sharing) it is slightly on the higher end in terms of budget, but if you’re looking to lose yourself in festive tradition then Vienna is definitely the spot for you.

The Viennese Dream Christmas market is open 10am-10pm, 15-26 December
Admission cost – FREE

Prague, Czech Republic

With nativity, choirs and angels galore, Prague’s Christmas market in the Old Town district is the cornerstone of everything advent – if you’re after winter wonderland, then look no further. Surrounded by a backdrop of Prague’s beautiful gothic architecture, the rustic wooden huts of the Old Town Square market are the perfect place to pick up one of a kind gifts and experience some cosy Christmas magic at the same time. You’ll be able to find traditional wooden toys, handmade jewellery and delicate Christmas decorations to name just a few, so you’re guaranteed to find something for everyone. Mostly known for its twinkling lights and delicious food and drink, Prague’s Old Town market also has a petting zoo for younger children, and daily tree-lighting ceremonies that are held every hour from 16:30.

Return flights from the UK to Prague in December start at around £60, with hostels near to the markets starting as low as £30 for a long weekend (based on 2 guests) or a cosier, quieter hotel room setting you back just £50 for the weekend, Prague is definitely a good location if you’re looking for a classic Christmas trip with more money saved for the presents!

Prague’s Christmas markets are open every day from 30 November – 06 January, with the lights switched on in Old Town Square every hour from 16:30 – 21:30
Admission cost – 25 CZK (approx. 0.85 GBP)

Berlin, Germany

German Christmas markets, or chriskindlmarkt, are the ones that we in the UK most associate with the festive season, as these magical markets are where ours take most of their inspiration from. Although they’re not the origin of the Christmas market they are arguably the most famous, so it’s a no brainer that they’re one of the most popular locations for a festive break.

There are over 70 markets to choose from in Berlin alone, the largest of which is the WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt. Not only is it the perfect place to pick up creative gifts such as blown glass and origami; there is also an array of theatrical and dance performers to enjoy. Popular for its varied entertainment, beautiful backdrop and delicious food, this is the perfect place to visit if you want your experience to be something a little out of the ordinary.

At this time of the year Berlin is fairly middle range in terms of cost – a return flight from the UK to Berlin will set you back around £75. however the accommodation is a little on the pricier side, with hostels from around £50 and hotels from £90 for 3 nights.

The WeihnachtsZauber Christmas Market is open 11am – 10pm daily, 25 November – 31 December (closed at 6pm on Christmas Eve, and 1am on New Year’s Eve)
Admission cost – 1 EUR

Gdasnk, Poland

If you’re looking for some Christmas market magic on a tighter budget, then Gdansk’s picturesque market in Old Town is the perfect festive getaway that doesn’t break the bank.

This traditional attraction has everything you could want in a Christmas market, from cosy handmade woollen scarves and gloves to sledding competitions and a Christmas lights ceremony from Santa himself. The market also features their traditional Christmas fair, which boasts new attractions every year – this year visitors can enjoy a 2-level carousel and food court with traditional mulled wine, hot cider and delicious Polish food.

As well as visits from Santa and his elves for younger visitors, you can also expect light shows and carol performances to entertain you while you take in the sights, along with an ice skating rink within the market itself – what better way to enjoy the twinkling lights and festive spirit?

This is definitely the cheapest option for those looking to travel on a budget – flights from the UK are just £35, with hostels as cheap as £35 for 3 nights and hotels from just £50 GBP.

The Christmas Market and Fair are open 11am-7pm daily, 01 – 23rd December
Admission cost – FREE

Copenhagen, Denmark

Home of hygge and famous for its dedication to all things calming and comfy, Denmark is the perfect place to visit for a cozy Christmas break. Copenhagen certainly seems like the city with everything to offer over the holiday season – from a festive theme park at Tivoli Garden’s Christmas market, to a twinkling kayak parade, you’ll never be short of new experiences in this city that really does take Christmas to the next level.

Copenhagen was also home to storyteller Hans Christian Anderson – and of course, there is a Christmas market dedicated entirely to bringing his fairy tales to life. With a unique theme to each stall named after a classic fairytale, this old fashioned market is a magical experience that’s not to be missed.
If you’d prefer a more traditional market with a cosy Copenhagen backdrop, head over to Nyhavn’s Christmas market; situated right by the harbour it’s the perfect place to lose yourself in the city, with its cobbled streets and some of the oldest architecture in Copenhagen.

It’s no surprise that with its wealth of tradition and extensive list of must-see experiences, Copenhagen is one of the most expensive places to visit at this time of year. Flights start from around £55, however accomodation is on the pricier side, with hostels upwards of £100 and hotels from £160 for a long weekend – however if you’re looking for rich tradition and the cosiest of Christmases, Copenhagen is definitely the city for you.

Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market is open now – 05 January, from 11:00-23:00 Sun-Thurs, and 11:00-midnight Fri-Sat
Admission cost – 110 DKK (approx. 12.60 GBP)

Manchester, UK

Looking for something a little closer to home? Here in the UK we have a long list of great Christmas markets, but none quite as impressive as Manchester.

Voted the best in the UK, Manchester’s award-winning Christmas markets are spread across the city with over 300 stalls to tempt you into the festive spirit. The market is host to a range of suppliers, both local businesses and those from across Europe, so there’s certainly no shortage of stocking fillers to be found. Manchester’s Christmas markets are also famous for their food – with everything from a traditional Bratwurst to more exotic dishes like fresh paella and chorizo rolls from Little Spain and a range of vegetarian options, it’s festive street food at its best.

Albert Square is always the main attraction, with stalls in other various locations across the city. Cathedral Gardens is home to a family-friendly activities hub – this features an ice rink, and the stunning Ice Village with ice sculptures and an ice slide for children – but Santa’s grotto is guaranteed to be the main attraction. This year, Manchester’s markets will also be home to a Tiki Ice Bar serving delicious cocktails –perfect for those who aren’t too keen on the traditional mulled wine, but still fancy a festive tipple.

If you’re based in the UK, Manchester is easy to reach from almost anywhere, and transport is relatively cheap. Hotels in the centre start from £85 for 3 nights, so you can stay close to the festivities without breaking the bank.

Manchester Christmas Markets are open now – 21/22 December, 10:00 – 21:00
Admission cost – FREE

So if you’re looking a quick festive getaway this year, there’s no shortage of stunning Christmas markets across Europe to get you into the yuletide spirit – whether it’s picking up last minute gifts or losing yourself in the hustle and bustle of a sparkling city, our top holiday markets are guaranteed to be exactly what you’re looking for.

If you’re heading away and looking to make your trip that little bit easier in the hectic run up to Christmas, why not treat yourself to a hire car to make exploring a new city simpler? Here are Indigo we offer rental services in all of these locations and many more – get in touch with our team to find out more about Christmas car hire.

Exchanging Your UK Licence For An Overseas One

December 3, 2019 Cherie Carter News, UK Comments Off

Exchanging your UK licence for an overseas one – is it necessary, and can I hire a car during the process?

With Brexit constantly looming ahead there is a lot of uncertainty currently among expats when it comes to hiring a car back in the UK – do you need to swap your licence over to your country of residence, do you need to keep the UK one, and can you hire a car whilst in the process of switching it over? Hopefully we can clear this up for you below.

Can I keep my UK licence?

So, first of all, why shouldn’t you just keep your current UK licence, and why would having a UK licence affect your ability to rent a car? Well the main reason is that with a UK licence, a large majority of suppliers do something called an electronic address check upon arrival – this involves checks such as your current address matching your licence, paying council tax at that address and being on the electoral roll. Now as you can imagaine, if you are living abroad you are practically guaranteed to fail this check, and if you do fail the supplier wouldn’t release the car to you, possibly leaving you stranded at the airport. With an overseas licence though you bypass these checks, as long as you have some proof of your return flights with you, such as a boarding pass. Depending on the country you’ve moved to also there are often restrictions to keeping a UK licence there once we’ve left the EU, feel free to check the government website for a breakdown on this.

Am I able to rent a car whilst my licence is being switched over?

With wait times at all time high from the Brexit backup, it’s very possible that you may be facing weeks without a licence while it’s being switched over, and may very well need to hire a car within this period. This can be quite a tricky area as essentially at this point your licence is in limbo, it’s not as easy as a simple DVLA check that we can do with a lost licence / expired photocard. Luckily though we have managed to arrange a solution for this with one of our suppliers, you would just need to ensure you have some extra ID with you:

Photocopy of your previous UK licence
Passport for photo ID
Old licence number and National Insurance number
Proof of flights in / out of the UK (if flying in and out)

This option is available at all the major airports in the UK and Ireland, as well as most major cities also – just make sure you contact us directly for this as you cannot arrange it online, you can contact us over the phone on +44 (0)1138800748, or feel free to email us too to sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

Is there anything else I should know about switching my licence over?

There are a few other things to be aware of in relation to international permits and driving history carrying over. If you are switching to an EU licence then you have nothing to worry about – all EU licences are accepted without an IDP (international driving permit), and your driving history carries over too so you should see your original licence issue date on the back of your new licence. If it’s a non-EU licence though this can be a little trickier.

You may need an IDP depending on the country, if the licence is in English or a Latin language then you will be fine without one, for example a US / AU licence will be accepted by itself, but if you’re switching it to a country with a non-Latin language though, like Arabic or Cyrillic for example, you would need an IDP to rent back in the UK. Generally, your driving history will not carry over also if you’re switching it to a non-EU country – this means it will be treated as a new licence to the car rental suppliers, most of which require at least a year since the pass date on the licence before they can rent to you. If this does apply to you though we do have a specialist option for new drivers across the UK which you can find more info by getting in touch with our team.

If you have any further questions at all regarding this or need any clarification at all feel free to contact us via the same means mentioned before – over the phone on +44 (0)1138800748, or email on sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk, we’ll be more than happy to help!