Why Rent a Car in Malta

Malta is an enchanting country that is situated in the Mediterranean Sea, being widely recognized as a real tourist attraction. Many, many people make a habit out of visiting this country, as Malta has much to offer. Unlike other counties, Malta can offer tourists the chance to have a warm, sunny holiday, as well as do a bit of sightseeing. If you have not yet had the chance to take a trip to Malta, then what will follow may interest you greatly. A lovely blend of many cultures, the architecture in this country speaks for its self. Malta can provide tourists with an impressive number of artifacts that should be on any traveler's wish list. If you really want to know this country and honestly say that you have Malta, then you might want to consider renting a car. Many tourists who have already been here, all agree that deciding to rent a car in Malta was the best choice they made.

As mentioned in the beginning, Malta lies in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, so for this reason, spend a few days enjoying the beaches in this country. One of the most famous places in this country is definitely Ramla Bay, in Gozo. The red sand that covers this beach draws tourists like a magnet, being highly visited year after year. A good idea would be to take the time and spend a few hours on the Praradise Bay beach in Mellieha. You can use public transportation, if you can't find a Malta car rental service, but keep in mind that you won't be able to get there by foot. Once you are done relaxing, you might want to visit the Tarxien Temples. These are truly impressive and it comes as no surprise that the temples are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The Tarxien Temples date from 3150 BC, attesting the existence of an ancient culture on this island. Additionally, if you arrived at these temples, then you could visit Mdina, which is Malta's old capital.

If you have arrived in Malta, you simply have to see the Mosta Dome. Of an impressive size, this dome is considered to the third largest dome in Europe and in the world, it occupies the ninth position. Tourists should not forget the nightlife, as Malta is known for being a point of attraction in this regard. Names like Tiesto, Paul Oakefold, Van Heill, Magda, all have entertained tourists with their music. There is an entire list of clubs, from which you can choose. So, if you are like getting to know the nightlife of a foreign country, you might want to consider getting a few details on this topic. According to enthusiasts, Pacevilla is a great place to be if you are into club music. Malta truly is an enchanting country, with many, many things to see. If you are planning your summer holiday, then you might want to consider this country as you won't be disappointed. Also, if you want to make the best of your time spent here, then you might want to consider transportation, as well.

Tips To Get The Best Deals On Car Rentals

Hiring a car is usually a preferred method for vacationers to see the sights. You aren't relying on tour groups or being shoved in a bus full of people you don't know. The added advantage is you can put your own itinerary in place, see what you want to see and you can do it all at your own pace.

The first step to reducing the cost of your vehicle hire is the vehicle that you choose. You will notice that the car rental companies will provide you with a good selection of vehicles to choose from at varying costs.

If you are traveling as a couple, then choosing a compact and economical car will help keep your costs down dramatically, not only on the hire, but also on fuel. When you hire one of these vehicles you pay a weekly or daily rate, but you are responsible for filling up the vehicle with fuel to get you where you want to go, the more economical the vehicle, the less you are going to pay overall.

When you're scouting the internet searching for car rental companies, ensure you only choose ones that include insurance. Buying additional insurance can be exceptionally expensive. Depending on where you are visiting will determine how much insurance is.

A good car rental company will include insurance in the price and you will have to pay an excess should you be involved in an accident. This is something you need to take into consideration, as most companies will only accept card as payment, keeping your information on file should they need to deduct an excess amount.

There are some companies that will accept cash payment, but you pay an additional deposit on collection, which is held in the event that an excess needs to be paid. So if you're paying cash, bear this in mind, as its additional cash you will need.

Your age is going to play some role in the amount you pay. Most companies won't consider hiring you a vehicle if you are under twenty five, try and ensure at least one member of your group is twenty five or older, ensuring you can hire the vehicle with ease.

Always have a look if the company you are looking at offers an extras. Many companies will include some fuel in the tank to at least get you to your hotel and around for a while before you run out. Others will include an extra driver in the deal, ideal if traveling as a couple and you both have a valid driving license. These are things to look for which you would ordinarily pay an additional amount for.

The next important factor to look at is how the vehicle is charged. Be careful here as this is where so many car rental companies catch you. Ensure that when choosing a car you are paying a flat daily rate or weekly rate without any hidden extras. Double check with the company before booking as some will charge you a flat rate and then surprise you by adding a per mile price to the amount, sometimes doubling the bill, if not more.

Always ensure you return the vehicle on time. This cannot be stressed enough. Many companies will give you a half an hour or so, taking traffic into consideration, but a late vehicle means you pay for an extra day. When you're trying to find the best deals and keep your car rental amount to a minimum, this is a very important factor to consider, so ensure you never deliver the vehicle later than agreed.

Drive Barbados is an affordable car hire company on the beautiful island of Barbados. This family owned company is focused on providing their customers with the best car hire at the most affordable prices, without any hidden and unexpected charges. Drive Barbados provide short and long term car rentals with a choice of vehicles to choose from. The company also offers a free delivery and pick up service as an added convenience. Drive Barbados provide valuable information on their site, including an easy booking process, which is convenient and easy. This trustworthy company also offers a choice of extras with each vehicle rental.

5 Tips to Book Mini Cabs in London

The London city boasts of an excellent transportation network of underground tube rail, tramway, buses, railways, cabs etc. However, mini London cabs are the most preferred ones, especially if you are travelling in a group and want to explore the city in an economical way.

As it is not possible to stop a mini cab on any street, it is essential to book it from a cab office. There are even black cabs that are used to commute from one place to another within the city, but they charge on hourly basis and may prove too costly. Hence, it makes a sense to know five essential tips to book a cabs in London.

Book online - With an easy access to internet, this does not comes as a surprise. Booking a mini cab online is far more convenient than actually visiting a cab office in person and devoting your quality time over there. You can very well use your smartphone to book such cab online in advance. By this way, you will get an instant booking confirmation via an email.

Compare cab fares - There are now many cab offices that allow comparison of fare or you can yourself go online to check the fares of different cab offices to choose the best one that suits you in accordance to your route and time of travel. Comparing fares will help you to travel to your destination in the most affordable manner.

Only licensed mini cab - It is wise to book only a licensed cab in London for the sake of your own safety. There are many firms that offer private vehicles as cabs for commuting in the city. However, these are not at all reliable and women in particular should book licensed cab only. Check before getting into your cab the Transport for London sticker on the cab window as all licensed mini cabs must have this sticker in London.

Be aware of the distance - In London mini cabs do not have meters. Charges varies for the distance covered. This varies more with day and the night. For same distance a cab can charge anything from 5.6 to 9.0 pounds. If you are thinking to travel for a longer distance, prior booking charges will be 4.0 pounds for each mile if the distance is more than one mile.

Carry enough cash - If you are going to pay your cab driver by cash and run short of it while travelling, you can be in a real mess. You might have to give an additional 90 pence. So, it is best to pay by your credit card while booking a cab in London.

Remember, if you have not booked a London cab and getting into any other un-licensed car then you are more likely to face a risk. This may include robbery, or even a sexual assault. It is very tempting to enter into the first mini cab that you spotted after walking out straight from an airport, but booking is also pretty easy nowadays with many apps facilitating quick cab booking in London.

Brno, Czech Republic - General Information

Food and Drink: The first thing that struck me was the fact that a pint had the same price as coffee. A friend of mine used to travel from Germany to the Czech Rep to buy beer, so that puts an end to the argument which beer is better. A peculiar type of pub can be found, where you and your friends can pour your own lager straight from the middle of the table. Heaven on earth, you say? Make sure you don't skip the Starobrno brewery (close to the center), where ladies can be spotted to drink beer even at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Smazeny syr: melted yellow cheese was on the top list of my snacks. The local cuisine is known for the knedl (potato dumplings) and gulas (stew). Sadly, I am not into meat, therefore I cannot give my opinion.

Transport: Two words - punctual and reliable. It consists mainly of trams and is said to be the best organised transport system in Europe. What is unrivalled, compared to most of the countries I have been to, it runs every hour during the night. In case you are planning a longer stay, you can ask at the central station for the available day tickets and zones.

Bustling night life and many expatriates are to be seen when the lights go out. The reason is many big companies in the IT industry have been established here.

Useful info: You will be prompted by the bank clerk to use the outside exchange (arab) kiosks. I assume they don't charge commission and at the end of the day we should trust the word of professionals. Oh, I almost forgot - take CZ Korunas for your cash, don't use Euros.

Not to be missed in the region:

Swimming in Lakes: You have to take the bus to the outskirts of the city (Bystrc, stop "P?ístavišt?"). A pleasant walk will take you along the banks of the river. Swimming in the lake for me was really refreshing and the truth is I am a bit of a nature boy. Call me Tarzan but I didn't wallow in mud only because of the crowd. Yes, I had a pint; I was in the Czech Republic, after all.

Macocha Abyss: Sweet memories of the boat inside the cave and the echoing corridors. A bit claustrophobic though.

Aquapark Vyškov: It was my first time. I was accompanied by my colleague - a guy two times older than me, so age is not a limitation. Besides, it is not a crime to feel the tickling water. You can imagine how we mixed with the crowd,which was mainly kids and their parents.

Castles: plenty of them in the area.-Špilberk

and many more...

First Time Cruising With Carnival Spirit

The Carnival cruise line is an amazing fleet of luxury cruise trips that caters for all types of cruisers. Families, couples and groups of friends of all ages are made welcome on board their ships and the entertainment is catered for all.

The Carnival fleet currently contains 22 ships that are found world-wide and most popular in the Caribbean. Some of the ship names include the legend, victory, glory, pride, destiny, dream and the paradise.

Carnival finally made its move into Australian waters offering short trips on the east coast of Australia but also to the beautiful South Pacific Islands.

Currently only the Carnival Spirit departs from Sydney Australia and this is the ship I was privileged enough to experience. The Carnival Legend will soon be arriving to Australia shortly as well.

There are 10 levels on the Carnival Spirit which includes a number of restaurants, day spa, a gym, 2 main pools for all ages and an adults only area which includes a pool and Jacuzzi too.

The entire ship is decked out with magnificent artworks, structures and paintings particularly in the Grand Atrium which has a multi-level painting which is around 6 levels high.

What makes this the Carnival Spirit stand out and makes the appeal for both kids and the young at heart is its 50 foot water slide known as the Green Thunder. This is located on deck 10 and counts down from 3. The waterslide is so fast I couldn't even tell you if the platform dropped or pulled back or what.

The restaurants on board are all paid for within your cruise ticket price all except the steak house restaurant called Noveau. It cost $35 per person to eat here and it is well worth the price as you get 3 courses of the best quality meats. Make sure you walk in hungry these meals are massive.

The main restaurant is also 3 courses and table service and just about all the wait staff are extroverts, fun and a little bit crazy all in the name of fun. After dinner is mostly served there may be a song and/or dance by the wait staff which helps lift the mood for the evening fun times.

There are also plenty of bars found around the ship which includes a karaoke bar, pool bars, the casino, Shanghai bar, the grand atrium and the waiters walking around the decks coming directly to you for orders.

Lastly the entertainment on board is also worth checking out most of which are performed in the Pharaoh's Palace which is found on deck 2, 3 and 4. Here you will get to see magicians, hypnotists, dancers, big band concerts and more.

Directly below the palace is the Punch-liner Comedy Club where 4 to 5 comics perform most of which includes an adult's only show.

All in all the Carnival Spirit lived up to its reputation and makes the trip as comfortable and as entertaining as possible. I would definitely book with Carnival again and would highly recommend it for any first time cruisers.

Five Strategies For Home Loans With Bad Credit Rating

If you have a bad credit rating then it becomes more difficult for you to get approval for a home loan in normal rate of interest. That means, borrowing the desired amount gets more expensive along with less repayment options.

However, these days, there is some provision that makes it possible for people with low credit score to get approval on their loan application. Here are the five strategies that may increase your chances, despite of having a bad credit rating -

Use security or collateral

You can use assets like your home, property, boat or car as collateral to secure your loan. Most of the lenders are ready to offer loan based on the equity or valuation of the collateral.

Apply for a loan from credit union

A credit union is also a favourable option for many to seek home loan without much hassles. These organisations derive money from investors or individuals and do not have contact with banks. Therefore, the documentation process is not complicated. However, they follow specific criteria to approve bad credit loans, as they do not aim to lose their money.

Find a co-signer or guarantor

If you have a guarantor or co-signer who has a good credit rating and constant source of income, it will become easy for you to get a quick approval on a home loan. However, in case you are not able to repay the loan amount as per the terms, than your co-signer will pay the loan amount on your behalf. All it takes is to convince your guarantor that you do not have any intentions to put him or her under this sort of compromising situation.

Declare your savings present in your saving account

Declaring your savings account serve as an assurance that you have sufficient fund in your account, if in case there will be any shortage of fixed or regular income. There is no need to have a huge amount, as even in small savings, you can prove to a moneylender that you are capable of repaying the loan.

Try to improve your credit score with the help of a financial advisor

Is there any irrelevant details mentioned in your credit report that is affecting your credit rating? It might be possible that a poor credit rating may be due to delays in paying bills that had already been settled. Thus, it is recommended to consult this matter with a financial advisor who help you to improve credit score with their proven tactics.

A Guide to Financing and Acquiring Distressed Property

Distressed property has garnered national attention in the real estate industry, as so many lenders have wound up with foreclosures that they must move quickly to limit losses. However, because of the sticky situation that many lenders are currently in, finding financing to acquire such properties seems nearly impossible for most buyers. Not only have we seen the banking industry take a tumble, but most lenders are now doubly cautious about lending money to purchase these properties again. So, what is one to do?

There are some investors out there that have enough liquid capital to simply snatch up these properties, restore them, and sell them for a substantial profit. But, for most of us, the necessary capital simply isn't there; and, for those of us fortunate enough to have deep pockets, the risk doesn't match the reward. Further, if you DO purchase the property outright, what does that do to your overall portfolio, much less the smart leverage that you currently have?

Fortunately, there are several avenues that an investor can take when pursuing a distressed investment property. But, before we dive into the ways in which you can finance distressed properties, let's first address what you should do before to work on the acquisition!

What To Do Before You Finance?

Distressed properties are usually in disrepair, as many owners of the now foreclosed properties didn't care too much about the state of the property while vacating. While this may seem like a significant issue, it can also help to lower the overall asking price by the mortgagee, which can help to add a level of "built-in profit" for those interested in restoring and flipping the location.

So, before you get your heart set on a particular location, get various appraisals of the necessary repairs. This will give you a better idea of how much capital you'll have to invest, in addition to the asking price, before turning the property and enjoying your profit!

Finding Financing Amidst a Recession

Publications will continue to remind us that the recession is "over". If that's the case, then why aren't lenders ponying up the money we need to acquire property? Exactly. So, with that in mind, remember that banks do not want to hang onto these properties, so most of them are priced to move. Conversely, and ultimately adding to the recession, these banks are also hesitant to put any money back into the locations. In other words, those that can find financing have the real estate industry at their fingertips!

The Original Lender

Though it may seem strange, some banks are willing to offer up some financing on a property that they already own, provided that the new buyer can actually make the payments. This can be a great way to go, provided that you have ALL of the necessary documentation (and be ready, it's a lot) and are willing to endure the incredibly strict evaluation process. If you do, and are up to the challenge, this is one of the better ways to go!

Transactional Funding Option

Transactional funding has seen a nice boom in recent years, given the large number of foreclosed properties currently sitting on the market. Investment firms provide capital for a property's purchase, with a pre-contracted profit margin/sale date already in place at the time of issuance. This lending option is great for properties that will be purchased and sold within a short period of time.

Rehabilitation (Rehab) Loans

Rehab Loans, as they are often called industry, are 203K rehabilitation loans, which allow borrowers to add addition funds to a mortgage, provided that those funds will be used to improve the home and surrounding property. An FHA appraiser is involved in the transaction, as there are several considerations that must be made during the assessment and lending process. Because many distressed properties are in dire need of improvement, the extra $35,000 allowed by law can be a great way to acquire and renovate a potential property!

Finding funding during tough economic times can be a real challenge. As banks continue to hold onto funds, investors continue to find new and inventive ways to arrange the capital necessary for distressed acquisitions. With these concepts in tow, you should be able to acquire property that piques your interest and can likely generate some nice profits along the way!