Image courtesy of http://www.thehobbit.com

On this day in 2004, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King won the Oscar for Best Picture. It doesn’t seem like that much time has passed since the last installment of the epic trilogy, does it? The 2012 Oscars have come and gone, and while some choice films received awards, the world has yet to experience anything quite like Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s masterpiece since.

Fear not, movie goers! This year will bring us The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of Jackson’s two-part adaptation of the story that started it all. As if that is not amazing enough on its own, the film features Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug. This is particularly exciting for us here at the Kemwel offices, as we are huge fans of BBC’s Sherlock. Lee Pace (aka the Pie Maker) from the unfortunately cancelled Pushing Daisies will also make an appearance as the elven king, Thranduil. This phenomenal cast will be joined by the characters we know and love from the Lord of the Rings, including Sir Ian McKellen reprising his role as Gandalf, Christopher Lee as Saruman, and the beautiful Kate Blanchett as Galadriel.

Like the trilogy filmed before it, The Hobbit is being shot across the breathtaking landscape of New Zealand. The remnants of the Lord of the Rings set have been a popular attraction since the films’ wrap, but why not see magic in the making with a cheap car rental in New Zealand during the filming of the second half of the The Hobbit, There and Back Again?

Enjoy a leisurely drive through the Waikato Region on the North Island, where Matamata has once again been transformed into the Shire, or psych yourself up for a hike through the Tongariro National Park, where much of Frodo and Sam’s trek was filmed. If you are planning a trip to the South Island, you can explore Rohan, or as it is really called, Canterbury, or you can sign up for a guided tour in Queenstown or Nelson. You will feel as though you have been magically transported to Rivendell.

Book your cheap car rental in New Zealand with Kemwel today and experience Middle Earth in all its glory. And if you see Elijah Wood, get us an autograph.

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Now that Valentine’s weekend has come and gone, it is time to gear up for St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrated across the globe, you are sure to find all manners of fun and shenanigans no matter where you live, but if you truly wish to be Irish for a day, travel to Ireland!

Parade participants in colorful costumes

From March 16th until March 19th, the St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin will be in full swing. Each day offers an opportunity to act like a kid again at the funfair. The colorful Ferris wheels, musical carousels, and death defying roller coaster all light up as the sun goes down. If you are traveling with children, this is guaranteed to delight them.

You won’t even have to leave the wee ones at home when the clock strikes noon as the streets with be a-flowin’ with real Irish brew. The daily Irish Craft Beer portion of the festival offers a variety of children’s workshops, complete with face painting! On Friday the Beer event will host “Brewing in the Times of St. Patrick,” which takes a look at the history of beer throughout Ireland.

Friday also brings the Festival Ceili. Participate, or just sit back and enjoy the display of traditional Irish dance. After you have boogied all you can boogie, laugh the rest of the evening away at the kick off of Father Ted Weekend. On both Friday and Saturday evenings, the cast of the show Father Ted will be performing for your pleasure.

A local gets into the spirit

If you are still in Dublin on Sunday, you will want to attend the Big Day Out in Merrion Square. This carnival is bursting with live music, street performers, theatrical productions and much more. You can even attend a workshop where you will learn to speak Gaelic! Sunday is also when the St. Patrick’s 5km Road Race takes place. If you are a runner, consider participating. All of the proceeds raised benefit Our Lady’s Children Hospital. End the evening with a performance by the Sir James Galway National Symphony Orchestra.

The festivities wrap up on Monday. The day kicks off with the Dublin University Boat Races, followed by a city wide treasure hunt. Have another go-round at the fun fair and sample a few more local brews before the St. Patrick’s Festival comes to an end with the Russian Spectacular. Enjoy live music and folk dance and the White Russian Central Band takes the stage at the Helix.

You can stay home and experience once night of debauchery, or you can whisk away to Ireland for a four day celebration the whole family will enjoy. The choice seems clear to us!

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Ireland so call us or book your vehicle online today! Remember to keep an eye on our Specials! You never know what kind of deals are going to pop up!

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The subtropical paradise of Catemaco in Veracruz, Mexico offers up a breathtaking landscape. From the sandy beaches of Lake Catemaco to the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas mountain range, this little city will have you falling in love. More than half of the county is protected, preserving the majestic rainforests and ancient ruins that make Catemaco so enchanting.

A monument possibly left behind by the Olmec

And speaking of enchanting, the city’s reputation proceeds it. The “Catemaco Brujos” (brujo means witch, warlock, sorcerer, healer, and so on), are known world round and draw visitors interested in magic from every corner of the globe. The region’s traditions of witchcraft are believed to date all the way back to Olmec times. The Olmec were Mexico’s first major civilization more than 2000 years ago. If your interest has been piqued, consider planning a trip for the first Friday in March (that would be March 2nd this year) for the Congreso Internacional de Brujos, a witchcraft festival that has been held in the city since the 1970s.

The rainforest of Veracruz swallows ancient ruins

The festival has turned into a major tourist destination, and visitors attend for all sorts of reasons. Some wish to enhance their own practice, some are looking for healing plants from the surrounding jungle and protective talismans, while others are simply curious. You are certain to bump into all manners of traditional witch doctors, healers, and modern magic makers willing to sell you their spells and potions.

Catemaco is a gorgeous place to vacation, whether you have an interest in the occult or not. The witchcraft festival is just a little bonus. Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Mexico, so plan your magical get away today.

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You will find a plethora of tours offered all across Edinburgh, but if you only have time for one, choose the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour. Even if you have no interest in Scottish literature, this will be well worth your time. Trust us!

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Head over to the Beehive Inn on Grassmarket where you will be introduced to Clart and McBrain, a fictional duo portrayed by actors who will serve as your guides for the evening. This highly entertaining odd couple will have you peeing your pants with laughter as they take you on a journey through more than three-hundred years of history. Not just the history of the authors who would frequent the pubs you’ll visit, but the history of Edinburgh.

Over the course of two hours, you will stop by four equally charming historic pubs, all within view of the beautiful Edinburgh Castle. This allows you the perfect opportunity to sample the local brews and sip a strong Scottish malt whiskey.

edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk

You will learn all about Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. The writer was at the forefront of the Romantic Movement, and you will be shocked by how erotic some of his verse was for the time. Walk in the footsteps of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, one of the greatest writers of crime fiction ever known, responsible for the ever-popular Sherlock Holmes series. Robert Louis Stevenson, author of both Treasure Island and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, also hails from Edinburgh. McBrainn will have you in stitches with his portrayal of Dr. Jekyll’s metamorphosis into Mr. Hyde.

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The tour ends at the beautiful Café Royal on West Register Street. Charming both inside and out, this restaurant and pub is the perfect place for a nightcap. You have to order oysters at the bar, as they’re the Café Royal’s specialty. Wash them down with a refreshing white, red, sparkling, or rose wine.

You have to be eighteen years of age or older to participate in this tour, so if you are traveling with wee ones, you may want to find a sitter for the evening. The only problem with the tour is that the hilarity and fun makes two hours fly by far too quickly. You may find yourself showing up at the Beehive Inn the following night, so as to experience it all again!

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Edinburgh. Book yours today and experience the charm of Scotland’s capital.

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