City Breaks on the cheap!

Looking to get away from it all this weekend? With this quickfire guide we present a rundown of the top city breaks that offer culture and sites in spades whilst taking it easy on the credit card.
1.Marrakech

Budget airlines are currently offering return trips to Morocco’s most interesting city for as little as £50. Once there you can enjoy warm to scorching temperatures and a treasure-trove of wonderful sights. Whether it's Marrakech's famous Square of the Dead or one of it's many century old excavations, Marrakech has plenty to do for those looking for a budget city break that is a little different from the usual.

2.Prague

Prague still offers great value for the discerning British tourist. Flights to this Eastern European gem are cheap and food and drink prices are in line with the lowest in the EU. As well as this, you get some of the most astonishing architectural marvels in the whole of Europe and an atmosphere of charm that is reminiscent of a bygone era.

3.Istanbul

Turkey's most populous city is also one of its most interesting. Istanbul was the centre of the Ottoman empire and you will find the Topkapi Palace conveys the scale of this huge military force to the extent that half a day is needed to fully appreciate it. To pick up Turkish bargains, head for the Grand Bazaar where you will be faced with shopkeepers looking to haggle for the best prices on extravagant Turkish carpets and handbags.

4.Sofia

Sofia is the ancient capital of Bulgaria – a recent inductee to the EU. As you would expect from an ancient city, there are many cultural curiosities that you can feast your eyes upon such as the ancient turrets and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. You can also peruse a number of museums and the city zoo. Sofia is warm year-round and can get extremely hot in the Summer.

Marrakech's Djemaa-El-Fna

Holiday car rental tips

Renting a car on holiday can often make the difference between whether your holiday is filled with joyous excitement or monotonous, resort driven boredom. A car allows you to see aspects of your holiday destination that you would be otherwise unaware of and gives you the freedom to do what you like, when you like.

Despite all of these evident plus points, car rental is often fraught with potential landmines just waiting to be stepped on by your size nines....

So, here at 'The Travel Source' we've pooled together all of our expertise to formulate this quick and easy guide to what you should be looking out for when renting your car.

First things first. Establish what sort of car suits your requirements best. You certainly will not need a gas-guzzling 4X4 if you're going to be doing most of your driving around the windy back roads of Barcelona with your other half. You should only be opting for anything bigger than 3-door if venturing out with the family or if you are planning on driving the length and breadth of the South of France!

If you know that you require a car before you leave for your destination, then shop around online for the best price first. Searching for the best deal online also provides you with an idea of what you should be paying for your vehicle when you get to a dealership abroad.

If you are buying abroad, be sure to check for any hidden costs that the retailer may try to implement into your deal. You may think you are getting a good price, but come the end of your tenure you may find extra costs for mileage and insurance so read all small print before signing. If you have purchased prior to arrival, make sure that the car you pick up from the airport matches the one you have agreed upon. If it isn't, the company has breached it's half of the agreement and you could recoup any extra costs.

Watch out for the method in which you are going to be charged for fuel. Most retailers provide you with a full tank and expect you to refill upon finishing your rental agreement. But there are some firms who will ask you to pay for your fuel upfront. This is an often expensive ploy as the price of the fuel can be inflated and you will find that you are paying for a full tank which you are unlikely to use.

Insurance is another potential stumbling block. The standard insurance that comes with your car is likely to have a monumental excess in the event of an accident and is unlikely to cover you for very much. The retailer is unlikely to actually tell you very much about your policy for these very reasons. They may offer you a policy that provides more but once again you will incur more costs. The best way to avoid any insurance issues is to drive safe and ALWAYS drive within your limit. The worse thing that you could possibly do is charge up a mountainous 'B' road on your first day of driving. Get used to your vehicle before attempting anything a little more risqué and you will find that all driving challenges will quickly become a breeze,

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Escape to the Balearic island of Mallorca!

Mallorca is part of the Balearic Islands, situated to the South of the Spanish mainland. Often overshadowed by its rowdier sibling, Ibiza, Mallorca is the most populous of these islands as well as the largest. At 75km long and 100km wide, the island is of perfect size for those looking for a trip filled with whimsical exploration. For those looking to avoid the livelier resorts of Magaluf and Alcudia, car rental is the best option for beach-hopping and navigating Mallorca's stunning mountainous scenery. The Northern cape of Formenter is a must for all those visiting the island. No trip is complete without a drive on one of the most dangerous looking drives in the whole of Europe and the views at the end of the mountainous drive are quite remarkable.

Mallorca also offers a host of picturesque towns with roots that go back to century old communities and the Moor wars. The capital of Palma has its huge baroque cathedral, whilst the towns of Pollenca and Alcudia contain magnificent churches and medieval ramparts respectively.

The biggest draw for visitors of the island are the magnificent white sandy beaches. The finest on the island lie to the North in the bay of Alcudia. Here you will find a a wide 250metre long beach that is blessed with azure blue water that entices sun-worshippers with crystal clear waters that promise warmth throughout the hot Summer. You will also find popular beach resorts surrounding the capital of Palma and a number of excellent beach resorts to the East such as Cala D'or and Cala Rajada.

Great deals for Mallorca are prevalent on various online holiday operators and you will find that flights are extremely cheap due to the competitiveness from major budget airlines flying to the island.

Sleep Tight! in London's finest hotels

As one of Europe's most visited cities, London is a heaving hub of activity offering a quintessential view into British living and culture. The competition to offer visitors the perfect rest-place is fierce for this very reason and you will find a broad spectrum of options ranging from dirt-cheap to ear-blisteringly expensive. In this guide we look at the most interesting options for the more discerning London tourist!

1. Portobello hotel, Notting Hill

One of London's most exclusive hotels is a gem of a hideaway that houses a variety of quirky yet opulent neoclassical rooms. Possibly in one of the hippest areas of London, this Notting Hill converted mansion situated in lovely gardens attracts all the pretty people. For a hotel that is steeped with 30 years of pedigree, prices aren't too bad at £150 a night.

2. Hotel 55, Ealing

This hotel will certainly have you grinning from ear-to-ear as you stroll through the plush automatic glass doors into what seems like an Edwardian mansion set 100 years in the future! This place has the feel of a little sanctuary with its surrounding gardens. Along with the clean lines and carefully chosen furnishings you will find it hard not to fall in love with this charming place. The 25 luxurious rooms, the 24 hour bar and the fact that the underground is right on your doorstep are also useful factors that make this a no-brainer of a choice for a luxury stay in London. Prices are around £85 per night B&B.

3. The Egerton House Hotel, Knightsbridge

Another hotel set within a very fashionable address, this upmarket hotel is popular with foreign business owners visiting London for deal wrangling. The Egerton can provide you with your own chauffeur driven Bentley or Range Rover if you feel inclined to do so and some of London's finest attractions are on your doorstep such as Harrods and the Natural History Museum. Prices come in at a princely £300 a night for a starter room.