Tag Archives: car rentals

Travel Brand Shout Outs to Sixt and Flytographer!

Over the past year I have been so fortunate to discover and work with these two travel brands and I wanted to take the time to give them the credit they are due. Both Sixt and Flytographer are consistently professional and a pleasure to work with. Here’s a quick run down of my experiences with both brands in the United States and abroad! Proof positive that consistency in business and customer satisfaction can be universal.

Lola Approved Sixtlola_blackpink

As a frequent traveler, I rent cars quite a bit. It’s usually fine but not above and beyond. With Sixt, all three instances were just that, above and beyond. Truly, hands down, the best car rental experiences of my renting career.

sixtseattle

In Seattle I tried one of Sixt’s luxury cars – a sweet BMW, perfect for a drive into the countryside for a wedding. Not only was the process painless but the staff were extremely helpful. AND upon return, it could not have been easier. Pull up and pass off the keys, that is it!

sixtice

In Iceland we rented an SUV for our Icelandic roadtrip. It was perfect for the time of year and road conditions. I particularly loved Sixt’s concern for us as they followed our progress on our journey. Again, upon return, the process couldn’t have more simple.

sixt

In Miami I had the pleasure of cruising around in one of Sixt’s fantasy cars – an ombre neon pink Mini Cooper, perfect for Lola and SoBe. The rental process was a piece of cake and the staff ensured I knew where I was going and then upon return it was just a matter of handing over keys and getting an emailed receipt. Nothing could be easier. Parting with that little baby was the hardest part!

Founded in Germany, Sixt is one of the oldest, most prestigious car rental companies in all of Europe and the world. Renowned internationally for their quality customer care and low rental rates, Sixt has recently opened branches in the United States. Now you can experience the benefits of a great car rental from Sixt both stateside and worldwide. Sixt has locations in 105 countries across the globe.

Lola Approved Flytographerlola_blackpink

My favorite travel photos in the past year have been those with Flytographer. Alyson Aliano for Flytographer captured fun moments in California for a girl’s glam weekend. Acting like a fly on the wall, she was able to get truly wonderful candids.

LAGLAM

Soon thereafter, we found ourselves in Amsterdam having a tour of the city and getting some great action snaps with Flytographer’s Traci White of the girls enjoying learning all about Amsterdam’s neighborhoods. Again, non-intrusive and professional. I love these photos showing what it is like to be on a tour and not just of the things you learn but your reaction to it all.

ams

Finally, my most recent time working with Flytographer was in my beloved Miami. They had just found a local photographer, Daniel Lateulade, and I happened to be there and loved the idea of getting photos around various highlights of South Beach. It was amazing! Some of my very favorite pictures of myself. You can see why.

miami

The highly acclaimed Flytographer captures travelers around the globe every day whether it’s special romantic trip, family vacation, girlfriend getaway or a reunion & more! Capture memories in over 100 cities worldwide with their hand-picked list of over 170 professional photographers. It’s like strolling the streets with a local friend who shares insider tips, all the while discretely chronicling unforgettable vacation memories.

Disclaimer: all of my experiences with both of these brands have been complimentary but they are still my favorite travel brands I’ve worked with over the past year. Customer satisfaction and professionalism are priceless and that’s why they are Lola Approved.

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Filed under amsterdam, car rentals, iceland, los angeles, miami, seattle, travel, travel photography

Driving in the English Countryside in the Summertime, YES Please!

Take a Driving Holiday in the UK and Save Money

I'd like to cruise the English Countryside in this baby!

I’d like to cruise the English Countryside in this baby!

As a huge fan of Jane Austen, it has always been a dream of mine to venture out into the English Countryside and tour it a bit. I can imagine myself looking over a cliff somewhere or touring an old estate and hoping Mr. Darcy will come and find me there. Maybe you have a similar dream or perhaps you’d fancy a few days in Bath, a week in the Lakes or even a complete round-trip of the UK – whatever location sounds the most alluring – all you have to do is jump in your car and drive!

Along with this sense of spontaneity, a driving vacation in the UK means you’ll be able to dramatically reduce the amount you’d otherwise spend on a trip elsewhere. By taking away some of the flight costs and expensive accommodation, you’ll be able to completely design a voyage based around your budget.

Here are my tips for keeping a road trip as low-cost as possible…

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But if you cannot find Mr. Darcy try these tips!

Look for cheap car rental

There are lots of reasonably priced car hire firms around meaning you can always get your hands on a rented vehicle for a short while. More often than not there’ll be some sort of money-saving deal available; with a company like Hertz you can even get good deals on insurance too – their ‘supercover’ plan means you’ll get great protection but pay no excess. It’s always worth looking for extra perks like this; you might be the best driver in the whole world, but that doesn’t mean that accidents won’t happen to you.

Split the cost

If you’re concerned about the rising cost of fuel – and let’s face it, this is undoubtedly going to be one of the most expensive parts of your trip – then consider asking more people to come along for the ride. If there’s a big group of you you’ll be able to share the expense (and the driving responsibility), and ultimately take some of the hassle out of those pricey petrol garage pit stops. Not only will the additional numbers be able to help out with fuel, but food and general day-to-day expenses too – just remember, the more people: the less you pay!

This is probably a better size vehicle for the narrow English roads!

This is probably a better size vehicle for the narrow English roads!

Consider alternative accommodation

Although you won’t have to shell out on hotels abroad, staying in the UK doesn’t automatically mean all types of accommodation will be cheaper. Quite the opposite in fact! So make sure you figure out the economy alternatives; search out B&B’s and guesthouses as opposed to bigger hotels, you’re likely to come across much lower rates than in larger chains. But for an even further reduction in price, go camping! If you’re looking to save money then you won’t get anything cheaper than sleeping under the stars…

Map out your journey

Despite a road trip offering up a certain amount of freedom, it’s still worthwhile mapping out a loose journey plan. From finding out the shortest route to the most cheap and cheerful roadside restaurants, having a plan will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.  Similarly, it’s highly advisable to invest in a decent navigational device. Unless your map reading skills are absolutely stellar, there’s a good chance you’ll get lost without one, which will consequently result in further fuel costs, time wasted and arguments started! You don’t have to spend a lot; shop around for low price sat navs in places like Halfords, Auto Trader and B&Q; it’ll certainly save you a whole lot of hassle!

Why not consider a trip in the UK this summer? With some of the most beautiful countryside and the most historical cities in the world, there’s no reason to book a holiday elsewhere. Hop in your car and head off!

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Filed under england, travel, united kingdom