Latest news with #EdSharp
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
This is the best time to book your car hire - and the dates to AVOID
Travel experts have revealed the ideal time to book a car rental and there are a couple of dates you'll definitely want to avoid. Holidaymakers could save nearly 50 per cent on their car hire if they time their booking correctly, according to research by TravelSupermarket. The experts found that booking around two weeks before a holiday offered the best prices on car hire, with average prices of £46.75 a day. Despite that, tourists should avoid booking exactly 14 days ahead of departure. The research found there was often a spike in price exactly two weeks before a holiday due to a surge in demand on that date. But the worst mistake is booking a full year ahead of travel when prices average £93.12 a day, nearly double the best price. Last-minute bookings are another expensive error, with holidaymakers who secure a car the day before their trip paying around 15 per cent more than the average rate. The Christmas period is the priciest time of year to hire a car, with bookings between December 20 and January 5 around 60 per cent more expensive than the average. On the flipside, October half-term is the cheapest time to hire a car, with prices 16 per cent below the average, making an autumnal break an attractive option. TravelSupermarket recommends booking a hire car around two weeks before the pickup date, while avoiding one year ahead and exactly 14 days before. Ed Sharp, head of car hire at Travel Supermarket, says: 'Whether you're planning a city break or a beach holiday, these timing principles apply universally. 'The key is understanding that car hire pricing follows predictable patterns, and smart travellers can use this knowledge to their advantage. 'Car hire prices aren't swinging as wildly as they did post-pandemic, so there's less pressure to jump early. 'I'd recommend using a deal with free cancellation - book something you're happy with, then check back for drops as your trip approaches.'
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Greece's best-kept secret revealed with hidden beaches and mountain villages
A travel expert has revealed where Greece 's best underrated hidden gem is and it's a destination that many people miss. Many people are looking to get off-the-beaten-track this summer and escape the crowds flooding popular spots like Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos. But where's Greece's best-kept secret? According to Ed Sharp, head of Car Hire at TravelSupermarket, its the 'scenic' Peloponnese peninsula. He says: 'One of Greece's best-kept secrets is the Peloponnese peninsula. Connected to the mainland via the Corinth Canal and the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, this scenic region is packed with ancient ruins, hidden beaches and mountain villages. 'Public transport in the area is sparse and the best sites are spread out and best explored at your own leisure.' Ed recommends flying to Athens Airport then taking a one and a half hour drive to Nafplio which he describes as the 'ideal base'. Located on the southern tip of the mainland, the Peloponnese is the perfect destination to experience 'authentic Greek culture' says Lonely Planet. And the region is the ideal hotspot to dive into Greek mythology. In the west of the Peloponnese is ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. It's also home to Mycenae, the base of King Agamennon and Messini, a 4th century city. The peninsula also has some spectacular mountain villages where tourists can taste local delicacies and explore ravines. When it comes to beaches, visitors are spoilt for choice. While the region's best beaches are located on Elafonisos, an islet that's a short ferry ride from the mainland, the area's coastline is vast and varied. Voidokilia Beach in Messinia is a 'perfect sandy crescent', says Lonely Planet, with clear waters. If you're a fan of olives, make sure to fit in a visit to Kalamata, the birthplace of one of Greece's most famous varieties. The region is also famous for honey and tourists can join a food tour to understand more about the production process. Nafplio was once Greece's capital and it's one of the country's prettiest spots with coastal views and whitewashed homes. In the west of the Peloponnese is ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games Due to its coastal location, visitors can expect to see menus centred around seafood dishes, including grilled octopus and fried calamari. Daniel Carrizalez, who moved to Nafplio from London in 2010, previously told MailOnline Travel that the city 'feels very safe'. The expat described the city as the 'perfect blend of culture, scenery and close-knit community'. He revealed that his favourite taverna in the coastal city is which has views of the sea.
