Sixt rent a car blog » spain

Great savings on car hire in Spain

David Jackson — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:58:23 +0000

Early bird customers can take advantage of great savings on car hire in Spain this weekend. For a limited time only prices across our corporate Spanish locations, for example at their nice Majorca Properties, will be reduced by 20%.

Sixt have car hire locations at all of the top Spanish holiday destinations including Malaga Airport, Majorca Airport, Alicante Airport, Barcelona Airport, Madrid Airport and Seville Airport.

The lack of availability in the car hire market across Spain was a constant source of attention in the travel press last summer and whilst car rental firms are better prepared for the increased demand this year it’s worth reserving your car early to avoid disappointment.

Whatever your requirements you will find the perfect hire car in Spain with Sixt. Our fleet ranges from the small Smart Car right the way to luxury BMW and Mercedes convertibles, and with prices from just £20 per day you can be sure there’s a car for your budget.

The super savings will begin at 18:00 on Friday 29th and run through until midnight on Sunday 31st – so don’t delay, book your hire car with Sixt in Spain this weekend!

Visit our Sixt car hire website to book.

Spanish MP blasts FBI over Bin Laden image

David Jackson — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:07:59 +0000

Bin Laden (98) with the new digitial image

A Spanish politician has blasted the FBI after it was revealed that they had used a photo of his face to produce a digital image of what Osama Bin Laden may now look like.

Gaspar Llamazares, a former leader of the United Left coalition of Spain, described the incident as “shameless” claiming he would no longer feel safe travelling to the US.

The image appears to use a cut and paste version of Llamazares’ hair and jaw line despite having been produced by “cutting edge” technology by one of the FBI’s forensic artists.

Speaking at a news conference Llamazares said “I was surprised and angered because it’s the most shameless use of a real person to make up the image of a terrorist”.

The image was based on a 1998 photo of Bin Laden, however the FBI did admit that certain features had been based on an image “from a photograph found on the internet “, but denied any wrong doing stating that “the forensic artist was not aware of the identity of the individual depicted in the photograph. The similarities between the photos were unintentional and inadvertent.”

Source: BBC News

Spain turns to Hollywood to boost tourism

David Jackson — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:59:39 +0000

Spain has been one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits ever since air travel began available to the masses. However the recent economic downturn and the unfavourable exchange rate for British travellers heading into Europe has had an inevitable knock-on effect.

However tourism in Spain could be given a much needed boost after the Government announced plans to encourage film production in some of the countries holiday resorts.

One of the first productions to benefit from the accommodating plans is Knight and Day a action comedy film starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. The movie will be filmed in the Spanish cities of Cadiz and Seville and it’s hoped that scenes such as the one’s filmed in Cadiz showing bulls running through the centre of the city will draw visitors in to the charming destinations in the south of Spain.

Although the Spanish inbound holiday market is dominated by visitors from other European countries the Spanish Government are keen to increase the number of visitors from further infield in particular the lucrative US outbound market.

The latest push won’t be the first time Spain has benefitted from the silver screen, the 2008 film Vicky Cristina Barcelona was, unsurprisingly, filmed in Barcelona. The Canary Islands are also taking advantage of the potential benefit from featuring on the big screen having recently agreed to partially finance the remake of the 1973 classic Papillon which will be produced by the famous Hollywood producer Branko Lustig, in the hope of boosting tourism.

Book car hire in Spain with Sixt.

Tarifa – A unique experience at the bottom of Europe

Sixt rent a car News — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:06:03 +0000

The road leading to the beach and car park at Tarifa

As you pass through the wrought Iron gate called ‘Valdevaqueros’ the road twists and turns its way into another world; the world of the Surfer. Tarifa is a hot spot for kite surfers in particular, with some enthusiasts considering it to be the best destination in Europe for the sport.

At the end of the twists and turns of the meandering road you’ll see sand dunes and a small parking area. In a secluded area, sheltered away from the wind, is the main car park where the vehicles are well protected from all the sand blowing in the air.

The conditions for surfing and kiting are perfect almost throughout the year and from the waters edge you can watch surfers and kite surfers riding the waves and taking to the air with the tricks and jumps.

For surfers, there is an enormous choice of different beaches, whether you’re a beginner or advanced pro, summer through to winter, there is something for everyone.

Tarifa became the European ’surfer capital’ due to two winds which meet here, the levante and the poniente, keeping conditions ideal almost throughout the year. With the wind blowing through the straits of Gibraltar works like a gigantic funnel, accelerating the wind around the coastline improving the surf and kiting conditions.

Kitesurfers enjoying the conditions at Tarifa

Tarifa and the surrounding beaches are regarded to be at the top of the list for surfing locations within Europe and hardly a day goes past without winds of a strength of force 4.

Although Tarifa is considered to be the ‘capital’, there are other places in Spain which come up in conversation between surfers in the surfing community such as Almeria, in the southeast.

For those interested in kite surfing, the British Kite Surfing Assocation has an extensive list of clubs, events and training schools for you to attend and give the sport a try.

Sixt have a strong presence throughout the south of Spain including branches in Estepona, Marbella and Malaga.

Granada – Andalucia’s not so hidden secret

Sixt rent a car News — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:41:22 +0000

Visiting Granada: A view of the Alhambra Palace

Are there any visitors who have gone to Andalucia and not visited the city of Granada? Granada is possibly one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

Situated high up, near to the Sierra Nevada national park, the town is spread over two hills that dominate the skyline. The first hill is the location of an old Arabic palace, the Alhambra Palace. The second hill being the setting of the town’s historical centre ‘Albaicín’.

Granada is the best place to see the influence of the Arabic reign over the region, with much of the local architecture being built and influenced during the 700 years of occupation. The Arabs took control of the town in the year 711, and it wasn’t until 1492, when the Catholics came that the town and palace were surrendered. When the Catholics took control, the Arabic Sultan (Muhammed XII or Boabdil) left without a fight, to ensure that the Alhambra Palace would not come under attack and get destroyed.

This gesture from Muhammed XII ensured the safety of the palace, which remains untouched to this day, apart from the numerous visitors that go there on a yearly basis. Today the Alhambra Palace is seen as the symbol of Granada, and more tourists visit the palace more than any other attraction in Spain. Another absolute must to visit are the Cuevas in front of the Alhambra, at the top of the Sacromon, these are white caves which even today are lived in, very unique for Europe.

Granada has a very special Moorish flair and because of its outstanding beauty, the organisation UNESCO, has declared it a World Heritage Site. This is a place which has to be seen and explored by visitors and residents alike.

Not only is Granada alive with tourists, but the grand university there makes it very popular to both Spanish and international students, who are keen to try the vast array of bars and pubs. Around the city are a great selection of tapas bars also waiting to be tried.

All of these sights mean that Granada a must see for anyone visiting Andalucia.

Exploring Javea – the Costa Blanca’s hidden treasure

David Jackson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:46:40 +0000

Javea Old Town

Javea is a popular holiday town on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain located between the cities of Alicante and Valenica. Situated behind a wide bay and sheltered by nearby mountains Javea benefits from a pleasant year around climate. Easily reachable from both Alicante and Valencia Airports, Javea has become increasingly popular with both British holidaymakers and expats – who make up approximately one third of the town’s 30,000 permanent population.

The island of Ibiza is situated 90km east of the resort and a ferry service is available from the neighbouring port of Dénia. On a clear day the island can be seen from Javea.

Javea has a pleasant climate with the highest temperatures being reached in August at an average of 32°C, falling to an average of 16°C during January.

Local Attractions

A 110km journey north of Javea will take you to Valencia, Spain’s third largest city. With a population in excess of 800,000 Valencia is a vibrant city that is rich in both history and modern culture.

Valencia’s ancient winding streets are packed with buildings dating back to Roman and Arabic times. Some of the historic buildings worth visiting include the city’s Cathedral built between the 13th and 15th century, the Gothic Basilica of the Virgin - located next to the Cathedral, and the main railway station known as the Estación Del Norte.

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències

Valencia is also home to some fantastic modern architecture, the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències is an entertainment complex located southeast of the city centre. The complex, which would aesthetically rival the world’s most modern developments, is used to host various events including exhibitions and musical concerts.

The city has a lively bohemian nightlife centred around the Carmen region. In the summertime revellers can enjoy open-air parties on the beach and by the port.

Valencia also has a range of top class restaurants and is believed to have been the place where the famous Spanish dish Paella was first made.

Alicante Bullring

Travelling 105km south of Javea you will find thethe historical Mediterranean port of Alicante. The port was originally used as a trade centre for Spanish exports of rice, wine, olive oil, oranges and wool. During the 1960’s, after some troubled years under the dictatorship of Franco, Alicante began to boom as tourists arrived from across Europe.

Today the city is home to one of the regions largest airports and a port that attracts over 80,000 cruise passengers a year.

Alicante has a good variety of shops and restaurants and is a great place to spend some time before flying home from the local international Airport.

The popular holiday town of Benidorm is located 60km south of Javea. Benidorm has exploded in size since the 1960’s thanks to an influx of tourism and during the summer months is the one of the busiest holiday resorts in Europe.

Benidorm is a typical British holiday resort full of restaurants, bars and nightlcubs, if you’re staying in Javea it’s well worth spending a day in Benidrom.

Nightlife

Javea has a vibrant laid back nightlife with a variety of bars catering for a wide range of music tastes. Some of the resorts most popular bars include Champagne which offers a diverse menu of cocktails alongside draught beers, La Esquina one of the livelier bars in the Javea Port area and Mandragora a music bar with a beach terrace.

Javea also has one nightclub called Achill, a trendy venue with an open-air bar. Resident DJ’s play throughout the summer along with a selection of guest appearances from some of Europe’s top DJ’s.

Restaurants

Javea is certainly not short of good restaurants with plenty of choice on the main Arenal strip and a selection in the Javea Port area.

For great value food you’ll struggle to beat Scallops, their set menu offers plenty of choice and comes with a free bottle of wine for each diner. La Boheme is a lovely little tapas restaurant open all year around. Whilst those looking for a good curry can head to India Palace or Shish-Mahal, both of which are located on the seafront.

A Sixt Car at Javea Port

Booking

There are plenty of offers available for holidays in Javea, the peak season is from June-August, and prices begin to drop off during September.

Find hotels in Javea from HRS.com, Flights to Alicante from skyscanner.net and book car hire at Alicante Airport from Sixt.

Real Madrid theme park coming for car hire users?

Sixt rent a car News — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:25:31 +0000

Officials at Real Madrid Football Club are reported to be considering building a £135 million Disney-style theme park, users of car hire in Madrid may be interested to learn.

Users of car hire could soon have an extra reason to make the trip to Madrid.

Officials at Spanish football giants Real Madrid are considering building a theme park in the north of the city.

This £135 million Disney-style complex will be sure to be packed full of exciting treats and adventures for users of Madrid car hire, should it get the go ahead.

Andreas Veilstrup Andersen, executive director at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Europe, commented that this could attract more people to the city.

He said: “Theme and amusement parks are very strong drivers of tourism – this could also very well be the case with the Real Madrid Park.”

Mr Veilstrup added that European theme complexes have continued to perform well during the economic downturn, suggesting that they are still managing to attract users of car hire.

Those looking to visit an amusement park in the UK could take out car hire and drive to Alton Towers, Thorpe Park or Drayton Manor.

Holidaymakers in Spain ‘keen to explore’

David Jackson — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:19:44 +0000

A tourism expert has claimed that travelling is a key part of a holiday in mainland Spain, which could mean that there will be high demand for services such as car hire in Malaga.

Holidaymakers heading to mainland locations tend to want to move around the region, an expert has stated.

In news which could suggest that there will be high demand for car hire in Malaga, Frances Tuke, spokesperson for ABTA – The Travel Association, said that these locations have plenty to offer when it comes to exploring.

She commented: “On the mainland, it is not so much about sticking where you are. People are a lot more keen to move around and have their freedom.”

Ms Tuke added that exploring is considered a major part of a holiday in Spain by many tourists, which could result in high demand for car hire in Malaga.

Recently, sources in the car hire industry told the BBC that a spike in last-minute bookings was leading to high demand for vehicles.

They stated that Spain was the worst-hit area by this problem, those looking for car hire in Malaga may be interested to hear.

Book car hire in Spain with Sixt.
Find holiday homes in Andalucia such as Casa Rural El Reguelo

Still Looking for Car Hire in Spain?

David Jackson — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:26:05 +0000

If you’re heading to Spain to make the most of some late summer sun then it’s still not too late to book great value hire car with Sixt. Despite all the recent news of low availability and high prices for car hire in Spain, here at Sixt we still have some great cars available at competitive prices.

Whether you’re heading to the Costa del Sol, the Costa Brava or the Costa Blanca Sixt have the perfect choice.

Here are a few of our current offers…
> Renault Clio from Malaga Airport from £30 per day
> BMW 1 Series from Barcelona Airport from £28 / day
> VW Polo from Alicante Airport from £25 / day

Visit Sixt to book car hire in Spain today.

Clarkson ‘top holiday read’

Sixt rent a car News — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:15:33 +0000

A new study has shown that Jeremy Clarkson’s For Crying Out Loud is the favourite book for holidaymakers to read while on a getaway, users of car hire in Malaga may be interested to hear.

Brits reading a book while on a relaxing break on the beach are most likely to unwind with Jeremy Clarkson’s latest offering, a new study has shown.

The Top Gear presenter’s For Crying Out Loud came out on top in a poll by Teletext Holidays and Penguin, car hire in Malaga users may be interested to hear.

Holidaymakers also enjoyed the work of Marian Keyes and Alex Garland, with This Charming Man and The Beach taking second and third places respectively.

Further down the list were the likes of The Beach House by Jane Green and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Victoria Sanders, managing director for Teletext Holidays, said: “The list has thrown up a few surprises – we never thought Jeremy Clarkson would come out on top. But his book had an overwhelming response and definitely got the male vote.”

Those booking car hire in Malaga may find the perfect beaches on which to settle down for a read in the Costa del Sol.