Adventure Traveling Guide

Channel your inner Scorsese by attending a weeklong filmmaking workshop at Maine Media Workshops in Rockport. Students can take classes in directing, editing and documentary filmmaking, all of which are taught by experienced filmmakers. Meals are offered in a group setting, providing plenty or opportunity for informal discussions with peers and faculty. The workshop’s wrap [...]

If the idea of spending a week in Italy learning to paint sounds like paradise, the Abruzzi Mountain Workshop just might be heaven on earth. The weeklong workshops take place in a quaint hillside village in the Abruzzi region. Artists of any skill level are welcome and will benefit from classes in drawing, painting and [...]

Ladies, when you board a motorboat, are you often pointed to the seat farthest from the engine? Complete the She’s at Sea workshop run by the Bay and Reef Company in the Florida Keys, and you’ll feel comfortable grabbing the throttle of any boat that may cross your path again. Over the course of two [...]

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Although it’s not required in all countries to rent a car, getting an international driving permit isn’t a bad idea. It provides a familiar and recognizable form of identification if you’re stopped by the police. Permits are available for $15 from the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Check insurance coverage and age restrictions before reserving a car abroad. Some credit card companies do not offer insurance for rentals in some countries, such as Jamaica and Italy. While international rental car companies may impose restrictions on older drivers. Also, some options common in the United States, such as unlimited mileage, are not always [...]

If you’re renting in another country, find out if you can choose between prepaying in U.S. dollars or paying in the local currency, then compare the two rates. Remember that if you opt for the local currency, then pay with a U.S. credit card, you may be charged a conversion fee.

Be aware of more strictly enforced fuel policies. Some companies will hit you with a top-off fee unless you show them a receipt form a service station near the rental office. Pass on the option of returning the car with less than a full tank unless you want to pay a steep premium over gas-station [...]

Consider booking through a foreign car rental company when travelling abroad. Not only can you find better deals, but you can help support the local economy. Try DanDooley (which specializes in Ireland) or TigerCarRental (37 countries, including many in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East). You may even get a broader selection to choose from.

Airport locations are often required by law to add local and state surcharges. One industry consultant estimates that airport fees can hike the cost of renting a car by 25-45%. To make sure you don’t pay more than you have to, try reserving in a city center or suburban location.