As the FIFA World Cup 2006 descends upon the 12 host cities of Germany, some of the most prominent cities such as Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt will barely bat an eyelid seasoned as they are to staging events on a world stage. For other cities, this is the culmination of arduous preparation and planning and for one or two the month in the spotlight might just be enough to propel them into the league of internationally renowned cities.

Cologne is Germany’s longest established cities. It is a city of deep historical ties and cultural depth. The spires of the cathedral are the symbol of Cologne and one of the most recognised landmarks in Germany. As Germany’s fourth largest city, Cologne is ready to promote itself on an international stage and attract some of the long weekend tourism that the aforementioned cities receive. Tourism is alive and kicking in Cologne and peaks in the winter as bus loads from the UK, France and Scandanavia visit the city’s Christmas markets. There is a feeling in Cologne that it is just perhaps not at the same level as its counterparts and that a spectacle such as the World Cup might just prove to be a tipping point in the fortunes of Cologne.

Cologne will play host to 5 World Cup matches and will derive its share of the anticipated 3-4 million fans set to descend on Germany this summer. Cologne is a pleasant, attractive city with much to offer even the most casual or distracted of visitor and is well geared for tourism. With over 250 hotels in the city and additional accommodation added in preparation for the tournament the infrastructure for tourism in Cologne is on a par with any major city in Europe. Accommodation will be stretched in and around the time of the World Cup and late bookers and prospective visitors would be well advised to check out major hotel websites and the Cologne city authority site (http://www.koeln.de ) for up to the minute information and advice.

Cologne is well served by a large international airport offering domestic flights to other host cities as well as extensive destinations throughout Europe and beyond. The city is also well served by regional train and autobahn networks and its situation in central western Germany make it a good base to follow your team by car. Most of the major car hire firms have a presence in the city and this may be a good option for those traversing the nation to follow their teams’ fortunes.

About Michael
Michael is a keen writer, and internet marketer living in Scotland:

Contact details:

E-mail: samqam@googlemail.com

Phone: 0131 561 2251

Michael’s Website: Taxi Belfast Airport

Share This

The world has really gone cyber one can fly, find a date, buy a house, make arrangements to move and rent car online, great conveniences at the click of a button. As a consumer you must find out all the pros and cons of renting a car and carry out “comparison” shopping.

1. Visit company websites to determine what is on offer. Look for competitive rates and great facilities.

2. Try and locate a rental company close to where you intend to use the car it will save you money.

3. Before you proceed list your needs: what kind of car, how many people will travel, how many days you need the car and so on.

4. Use a reputed agency and call on their toll free number. Be sure to read all the terms and conditions carefully. Make sure you use a safe payment gateway and that you receive a confirmation e-mail. Some well known companies are Hertz (https://www.hertz.com), Dollar, Alamo, and Avis (http://www.avis.com). Or, try travel sites many have great offers for clients who book hotels, air tickets, as well as cars.

5. Ask for packages and find out when rates are cheaper.

6. Be sure to ask for an agreement.

7. Ask about the age of the car, its condition, and how many miles it has been driven. If you expect to drive in bad weather be sure to check about tires, snow chains, and other equipment.

8. To rent a car online keep handy your driver’s license, passport, photo-ID, and proof of address. Ask about travel insurance and whether the car has a current insurance.

9. Check the charges carefully and whether any additional payment will be charged for drop off and pick up.

10. Check whether your driver’s licence is valid for the state/ country you wish to drive in or whether you need to obtain a new license.

It is a competitive world and online there are company’s like Fox Rent a Car http://www.foxrentacar.com that offer discounts, reward points, coupons, hotel discounts and more. Check as many sites as you can to get a great deal. Popular companies are: Yahoo travels, priceline.com, and Travelocity. Be a discerning consumer and hire a great car at a great price. Many car rental companies offer special rates if you are a member of one of their affiliate clubs or professional organizations.

Before you drive away in the rental car find out as much as possible about traffic rules, laws where you intend to drive, and safety norms. If your family is with you then choose a safe and comfortable car that will accommodate luggage, boisterous kids, and pets. If you intend to drive alone then you could opt for a compact car. Gauge your needs before you make a choice and carry your driver’s license and insurance papers with you at all times. As a precaution inform a friend, family member, or the office of your travel plans. Cary a mobile phone for emergencies or arrange to call in at specific times. Enjoy your rent-a-car experience.

Andrew Bermam is a freelance writer for http://www.1866Cars.com, the premier website to find help on Cars including topics on car rental, national car rental, thrifty car rental, online car rental, pickup trucks rental, cargo van rental and more. He also freelances for the premier Car Insurance Quotes site http://www.1888Carinsurance.com

Share This

Flying into Paphos Airport, you may be surprised to find that the Airport is 15-20 minutes away from Paphos town centre. You may elect to take a taxi into town coerced by the many taxi drivers in the Paphos Airport hall soliciting you to use them for the drive in. Depending on what you want to do on your holiday, this may be a big mistake.

If you are staying near the Paphos City Center and are looking to soak up some rays at the beach or do some sightseeing at some point during your holiday, a better alternative may be to pick up a rental car at Paphos Airport. To get a hire car at Paphos Airport, you can do a Google search for “cheap car hire deals Paphos” or visit car hire websites, like Vroom Vroom Vroom, that pool together the prices of all the most popular car rental companies to get a great car rental Paphos deal.

Once you have your Paphos Airport hire car, the South Coast of Cyprus is at your beck and call. If going to the beach keep in mind that most of the beaches on the South Coast of Cyprus near Paphos are quite rocky. Most people when going swimming on these beaches put on a pair of old tennis shoes, some reef shoes or some scuba shoes. If you would rather be near a beach that is sandy, you will need to drive up to Coral Bay which is West of Paphos City Centre. The road to Coral Bay is clearly marked with signs down near the Port and Seaside in the City Centre. Expect a 15-20 minute drive on a single lane highway along the coast. You will know that you are close because there are several large hotels that have their own private beaches. Don’t let this intimidate you as there are several places where the public has access to the main beach. Parking is free but make sure you lock up your car. Even if your car is a Paphos Airport hire car, you still need to lock up and not leave any personal items in plain view.

If you have small children, a very nice secluded beach is down from a Caf

Share This