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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Here at Kemwel, we write a lot about different events and destinations all over the globe, but we don’t normally take the time to look at what is going on right in our own back yard. All the while, the United States is home to one of the most exciting and frequently visited cities on the planet! I’m talking about New York City, of course; The City That Never Sleeps. New York offers a plethora of festivals and events all year round, but even when there are no big celebrations planned, there are endless numbers of things to see and do.

Valentines Day is just around the corner, and New York City is the perfect destination for a romantic get away. Remember, February in the northeast can be mighty cold, so bundle up and snuggle close to your honey as you enjoy a leisurely ride through Central Park in your own private horse-drawn carriage. Carriages are available until 2:00 am, so schedule your ride after dark to see the city all lit up for a special treat.

Another of the city’s popular romantic past times in ice skating in Rockefeller Center. You will feel as though you have stepped foot into your favorite rom-com as you hold your lover’s hand and twirl around on the ice. Tickets to the rink generally include a pass to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, so steal a kiss after you check out the view from seventy stories up in the air.

Can you think of a more romantic day to pop the big question? Your darling is certain to say “I do” when you pull up outside of the world famous Tiffany & Co. Even if you are already married, (or not quite ready to make the leap), a trip to Tiffany’s will certainly delight your sweetheart.

When it comes to accommodations, you won’t want to settle for less than the best. Look no further than our friends at Excellent Hotels for your luxury hotel booking in New York City. And remember, Kemwel offers cheap car rentals all over the world!

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The Year of the Rabbit is hopping toward an end as the Year of the Dragon quickly approaches. Liverpool is home to one of the oldest Chinese communities in all of Europe, making it the ideal UK location to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The celebration begins a day early on January 21st with a Tai Chi demonstration over on Nelson Street. If you are interested in attending, the demonstration begins at 12:30pm and runs until 3:30pm and will be held outside the See Yep Chinese Association.

The real fun starts on the following day, January 22. From 11:00am until 4:00pm, Chinatown comes alive as the New Year festivities come into full swing. A traditional parade featuring giant, colorful dragons, unicorns and lions makes its way down Nelson, Berry and Great George Street, as well as through Great George Square. Nelson Street is home to the largest Chinese Arch in Europe. In fact, it is the largest Chinese Arch outside of the Chinese mainland. The Arch provides an impressive backdrop for this lively celebration.

Foodies will appreciate the Taste of China Street Market. Not only will you be able to sample authentic Chinese fair, you will have the privilege of enjoying traditional Chinese New Year delicacies. After your belly is full, ring in the new year with firecrackers and noise makers!

Book your cheap car rental in Liverpool today and get ready to usher in the Year of the Dragon!

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Here at Kemwel, we are just getting back from our holiday break. The office is busy with stories of insufferable in-laws, amazing presents, and snowy travels. It’s always hard to get back into the swing of things after the holidays. And now that the New Year is just around the corner, we won’t be settling down anytime soon. This place is already buzzing with plans for parties and celebrations. What are you doing New Year’s Eve? If you’re not quite sure yet, check out some of these celebrations from around the world.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Did you know that Auld Lang Syne was written in Scotland? Well, why not spend the New Year in Edinburgh, home to the country’s largest Hogmanay celebration? The festivities begin the night before New Year’s Eve with a torchlight procession ending in an impressive fireworks display, marking the beginning of the weekend’s celebrations. The following night offers a wide variety of concerts, street parties and games, with over 8,000 people in attendance. Traditionally, first-footing was a big part of the New Year in Scotland. After the clock strikes midnight, folks would take to the streets visiting their neighbors, offering well wishes for the upcoming year and gifting coal for warm fires or tasty little treats. Kemwel offers a wide variety of cheap car rentals in Edinburgh, so plan your trip today!

New York, New York

The most famous New Year’s celebration in the world, no one does it quite like New York City. Though the city is well known for its posh bars and swanky clubs, all of whom will be hosting exciting parties, the most popular location is outside in the cold of Times Square. Bundled up in jackets and scarves, people from all over the country convene in this spot to usher in the New Year. If you are planning on attending the ball drop, make sure you arrive early, because it gets crowded fast! Don’t forget to bring someone to kiss!

Prague, Czech Republic

The gorgeous city of Prague is home to one of the most impressive fireworks displays you are likely to ever see. This city is booming on New Year’s Eve, with parties spilling out onto the streets and good cheer abounding. The fireworks over the Charles River explode high above Prague Castle and are nothing short of magical. This is something the whole family is sure to delight in. If you want to get right in the middle of the action, you can book a ticket on one of the many party boats that will be rocking the night away on the Charles. You will want to book your cheap car rental in Prague for a few days so you can fully appreciate the city after you’ve celebrated the New Year.

Sydney, Australia

My number one reason for recommending Sydney? Summertime! New Year’s in Australia is perfect for those who want a break from the ice and snow. Kick back on the famous beaches of Sydney Harbour during the day before attending one of the many parties hosted by the bars and restaurants along the strip. You will also have your choice of cruises, whether you are looking to party hard, enjoy a fancy dinner, try your hand at ballroom dancing, or you just want a great view from the water. Be sure you grab a Vantage Point Map so you can find a good seat for the fireworks that night. Millions of people attend New Year’s Even in Sydney for a reason, and with a cheap car rental in Australia, you will see why!

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If you read our Holiday Celebrations From Around the World blog, you probably remember mention of the Krampus. Well, he isn’t the only ghoulish figure lurking around come Christmas time. Witches, demons, and all kinds of mischievous fae can be found wreaking havoc all over the world this holiday season.

You all know that the Krampus is frightening, demon-like figure who accompanies St. Nicholas to punish naughty children, whipping their legs with a switch. If you have been an extra bad boy or girl, he won’t think twice about stuffing you in his sack and whisking you away, only to feast on you later.

As if this isn’t horrifying enough, you will also find Perchta roaming around Bavarian regions this time of year. Perchta, a Germanic goddess, stops by your home on the Twelfth Night, and if you have behaved all year, she rewards you with shiny silver coins. But if you’ve been bad, she will cut your belly open, remove your innards, and stuff you full of straw and rocks. Yowzah! That should keep the kids in line.

In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas makes the rounds accompanied by Zwarte Piet. Legend claims that Zwarte Piet captures naughty children in a burlap sack and brings them back to Spain, which is apparently Sinterklaas’ headquarters. He is also known to leave a bundle of birch twigs instead of presents if you’ve been bad, a warning that next time, you might get the switch!

Iceland is home to the Yule Lads, a group of pranksters who roam around causing mischief during the holidays. Today they are thought of more as Santa type figures, but as tradition tells it, they are usually up to no good. These troll-like little men are kept company by the Yuletide Cat. Children who don’t receive new clothing for Christmas will be gobbled up by the ferocious feline. So be sure to put socks on your wish list this year. Socks count, right?

You may think witches are scary and mean, but it Italy, La Befana is well loved. Perhaps that makes her an outcast on this list of big baddies, but still, a witch flying around near Christmas is not something you see everyday! La Befana makes her rounds in January, during the celebration of Epiphany. She leaves toys, sweets and fruit for all of the good children, and coal, onions and garlic for those who have misbehaved. But hey! It is Italy, so garlic isn’t such a bad haul, is it?

Even if you feel like spending the holidays at home, you can still mix things up with a cheap car rental in Italy this New Year. Sorry, we don’t rent flying brooms!

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Some would say that it’s the most wonderful time of the year; others would say it’s the most stressful. Somehow, both of these things ring true. We spend money we don’t have, get stuck with relatives we would rather not see, and undoubtedly, you will spend at least a fraction of the holiday season with the sniffles. But the lights are much brighter, the laughter more hearty, and holiday cheer is contagious. Here are some tips to keep you well (and sane) while on the go this holiday season.

1. Rent a Car

If you are traveling somewhere within a days drive, skip the airplane. Forgoing a flight will spare you the crowds, screaming children, and most importantly, the germs. If you are headed across the country or over seas and you have to fly, be sure to load up on plenty of Vitamin C before your plane takes off, and book a cheap car rental with Kemwel. Your rental car will be ready and waiting for you at the airport, so you won’t have to rely on friends or family to pick you up. Best of all, when Christmas dinner gets a little too lively, you will have means of escape. There is nothing like a leisurely drive to calm the nerves.

2. Do Your Homework

We can’t all head to Hawaii or Barbados for the holidays. That means some of us will be stuck in less than desirable driving conditions. Be prepared for heavy holiday traffic, especially around the airport. Before you leave home, look into the week’s weather report. Be cautious of snow and black ice, especially if you are not familiar with the area. Research tolls and make sure you have some extra change handy for those that are unexpected. Don’t forget your maps, or ask for a GPS with your rental car.

3. Entertain the Children

Children can be distracting on the road. Especially if you have a long drive ahead of you and they get restless. Kids will be kids, so make sure you pack some entertainment for them. Portable DVD players, laptops, and iPads are all small enough to fit into a carry on and even a pocketbook. Download or bring your kid’s favorite movies. If you have older kids, make sure they pack their mp3 players, portable video games, or a good book. If you want to make the drive really special, let them open an early Christmas present. That Nintendo DS, brand new Winnie the Pooh DVD, or hardcover copy of Twilight will put your kids in a great mood and help them pass a couple of hours so that you can focus on the road.

4. Volunteer to be DD

The eggnog is flowing freely this time of year, and more times than not, this will include a splash or two of rum. If you plan on hitting the road, make sure you have a designated driver. Keep a close eye on other drivers, because you never know if they’ve been drinking. Responsible driving ensures that the roads are safe for all.

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals all over the world, so book your car with us this holiday season.

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When you think of romantic vacations, the first place that pops into most people’s heads is Paris. And while walks along the Seine are lovely and afternoons taking in the view from the Eiffel Tower are breathtaking, you might consider trying something a little different on your next French-inspired, lover’s get-away.

Northeast of Paris you will find the quaint commune of Colmar just waiting to welcome you. Colmar remained largely untouched during the French Revolution and over the years, and has retained a certain fairytale-esque, Old World Bavarian charm unsurpassed by any other part of the country. It is precisely this that makes Colmar such a romantic destination. The combination of Gothic architecture and Tudor styles will make you feel as though you have just stepped into a Disney movie.

If the commune’s beauty is not enough, Colmar offers all the amenities of any popular vacation spot. You can spend your afternoons exploring the Unterlinden Museum, home to some of the world’s most impressive medieval, baroque and Renaissance paintings. The museum also boasts a large collection of modern art and archeological finds. If you enjoy the archaeology exhibits, you may want to head over to the Musée D’Histoire Naturelle et D’Ethnographie, where you will find ancient Egyptian artifacts among items from Africa and Polynesia.

When the sun goes down, enjoy a romantic evening floating along the canals of the river Lauch, nicknamed “Little Venice.” When you see the stars reflected on the water, the surrounding fairytale cottages all illuminated, and look into your lover’s eyes, you will be happy that you forwent the hustle and bustle of a big city like Paris for the charm and beauty of gorgeous Colmar.

However, if you crave that trip to the Louvre or the magic of the Eiffel Tower, your rental car can whisk you off to Paris in under six hours. You may opt to stop off in Versailles, since you will be passing through. Maybe even make a road trip out of it, stopping to explore all of France’s hidden gems along the way. With a cheap car rental in France from Kemwel, the choice is yours.

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If you are anything like me, you’ve been getting pumped for the holidays since school started. I am already exhibiting the kind of spirit usually reserved for cheer captains at pep rallies. Give me a C! Give me an H! Give me an R! Okay, you get the point. Maybe it’s the romance of the glistening snow, or the gluttonous amounts of sweets, but holidays are just more fun in the winter. Here are some unique traditions from around the world that are certain to delight folks of all ages and denominations.

Christmas in Austria may be more fun and beautiful than Christmas anywhere else in the world, as the month long celebration is infused with Old World tradition. St. Nicholas day falls on the 5^th of December, during which the local bishop dons his most regal vestments and plays the role of the saint. The bishop travels from door to door and rewards good children by filling their shoes with loads of sweets. He is accompanied by the Krampus, and I will be honest with you here, the Krampus is absolutely terrifying. The demon-like figure is present to reprimand the naughty children, usually by playfully attacking their legs with a switch.

On Christmas Eve, household trees are lit up for the first time and families often sing Silent Night, which is a favorite among Austrians, as it was written and performed for the very first time on December 24, 1818 in the small village of Oberndorf. Santa doesn’t deliver presents in Austria; instead children believe their gifts come from das Christkind, or the Christ Child. Families then feast on meals of carp, goose, ham, mulled wine, and lots and lots of chocolate treats. My Oma always had rum balls at Christmas time, a popular holiday sweet in Austria. Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Austria, so you can experience the Old World charm for yourself!

Hanukkah is the commemoration of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem’s rededication during the Maccabean Revolt and is a national holiday in Israel. Where better to join in on the celebration? Also known as “the Festival of Lights,” a candle on the menorah is lit for each night of the holiday, and you will see the flames flickering from every window illuminating the streets in a soft glow.

Like Christmas in Austria, Hanukkah in Israel offers up some pretty delicious traditional foods. Can’t you just hear the sizzle of a potato latke being flipped on the pan? Breathe in and smell the scent of warm sufganiyot filling the air. This delectable jelly donut is a favorite holiday treat among locals.

Perhaps the most joyful part of traveling to Israel for Hanukkah is the children. As they are free from school, you will find them singing songs, putting on plays, and making the whole holiday much merrier. It is nothing short of delightful to catch them playing with their dreidels in the street or spot them running to the bakery with their Hanukkah gelt. You will find yourself moved if you join locals and pilgrims on their visit to the Temple Mount, the very site of the reclamation we celebrate today. Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Israel, so you can experience Hanukkah at its root!

If you are seeking a truly unique and mystical holiday experience, a trip to Stonehenge for Yule will not disappoint. The Neolithic monument draws a remarkable number of Pagans from all over the world for the Winter Solstice, and they are given access to the stones to perform their ceremonies. Though people of many paths attend, the rituals are mostly of the Druid tradition. Many of the world’s modern Christmas traditions have their roots in the ancient celebrations of Yule.

It is widely believed that the Winter Solstice was one of the most important events of the year to those who constructed Stonehenge. Though there is still much debate about who built the monument and why, the stones are aligned with the sun on both the Summer and Winter Solstices.

Apart from learning about interesting practices of the old ways, Yule at Stonehenge is just plain fun. The beauty of the snow laden landscape will leave you breathless and the high spirits and positive energy of the revelers will have you feeling uplifted. Just be sure to dress warmly, as a snowball fight is almost inevitable. Join in on the merriment with a cheap car rental in England from Kemwel!

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