Dublin

With a theme like “Celebrate Now,” the organisers of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin leave no room for doubt about the purpose of the festival.  Local favourite Brendan O’Carroll (a comedian best known for his creation Mrs. Brown’s Boys) is this year’s Grand Marshal, leading bands from Ireland, Germany, the United States and Mexico, as well as colourful floats and exciting performers through the heart of Dublin City.

Hire a car in Dublin and enjoy other events planned for the four-day festival, including treasure hunts, ceilis, concerts, street theatre and art installations. The festival is in the second year of a three-year cycle based on past, present and future. Entertaining and all as the parade is, the real action on St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin is in the pub. Firm favourites include Gogarty’s and the Palace Bar, but for the best Guinness in town, you need to visit Mulligans of Poolbeg Street.

Montreal

The first official St. Patrick’s Day parade in Canada took place in Montreal in 1824, but (unusually for a French-speaking city) the day has been celebrated here as far back as 1759, when Irish soldiers defeated the Montreal Garrison.  Montreal explodes into colour and shows just what multiculturalism looks like when it’s done properly, with French-Canadians and Irish-Canadians revelling with everyone else at the biggest parade of its kind in the country.

The parade is scheduled for 12 noon on Sunday, March 22, this year, with the action kicking off at the corner of Fort and St. Catherine and proceeding east to Phillips Square. Ever responsible, the Quebecers have issued a 2015 update of last year’s St. Patrick’s Day Survival Guide, where tips include the revelation that green beer has no magical qualities and is just as intoxicating as ordinary beer.

New York

Even if the constant references to “Patty’s Day” make you grit your teeth, New York is hard to beat as the king of Irish kitsch on March 17. The annual parade winds its way along Fifth Avenue past such celebrated New York attractions as St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street and Central Park. It kicks off at 11am on 44th Street and ends at the American Irish Historical Society between 4.30PM and 5PM at East 80th Street.

It may be 3,000 miles from Dingle to the east coast of the United States, but an Irish pub in New York City is the perfect place to get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Nobody celebrates their Irishness quite like the Irish-Americans (and the Irish-for-a-day Americans), so head to somewhere like Riverdale’s An Béal Bocht, an arty spot scattered with posters of Irish writers and serving comfort food such as the meat-laden full Irish breakfast. Donovan’s Pub in Woodside is a doggedly unhip bar lined with dark wood and offering the malty red ale Smithwick’s alongside shepherd’s pie and roast beef sandwiches.

Buenos Aires

Whatever about the United States and Canada, Argentina is certainly not among those nations one traditionally associates with shamrocks and shillelaghs. You might be surprised to learn, however, that this South-American country is home to the fifth-largest Irish community outside of Ireland itself, so for a St. Patrick’s Day like you’ve never experienced before, head to Buenos Aires. And, once you stay off the cerveza for long enough, you can rent a car in Buenos Aires and visit the estancias (ranches) of the Pampas.

Appropriately enough for a celebration associated with drunken antics, the day has become known as Dia de la Cerveza (Beer Day). Indeed, many of the locals make no attempt to don emerald garments or pin wads of greenery to their lapels in an effort to claim Irish heritage, but they do join in the spirit of the day. The parade does not kick off until about 6PM, with all-night parties taking over the streets afterward. A dinner dance takes place in the Hurling Club of Buenos Aires.

Birmingham, England

As Ireland’s nearest neighbour, the U.K. has no shortage of Irish residents and one of the biggest concentrations of those immigrants is in Birmingham. In fact, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Birmingham is believed to be the third-biggest in the world (after Dublin and New York), with some 100,000 merrymakers joining in the festivities.

The parade takes place on Sunday March 15th, but events kick off a full nine days before, with a launch party on March 6th. During that time, events celebrating Irish heritage and culture take place across the city, with everything from an Irish literary evening, an Irish ale festival, a race night, and traditional Irish music and storytelling. When you’re not doing jigs or learning about Yeats, you could hire a car in Birmingham and immerse yourself in the scenic pleasures of the Malvern Hills.

The post 5 Best Cities for St. Patrick’s Day 2015 appeared first on Nova Blog.

Be Prepared

As with virtually every situation in life, ensuring you are equipped to deal with possible delays and detours will give you the upper hand in the battle to survive heavy traffic with your sanity intact. Check out traffic reports before you head out, so you can plan your route to avoid any disruptions due to road repairs, traffic accidents etc.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Leaving late introduces stress into the situation before you’ve even hit the traffic, so make a conscious effort to allow sufficient time to get to your destination in good time. You are also a greater risk on the road if you are struggling to make up for lost time, as you are more likely to break the speed limit, speed through an amber light, or take risks entering roundabouts or leaving junctions.

Let It Go

No, we’re not referring to a certain Frozen smash hit; we’re advising you not to take it personally when another driver cuts you off in traffic or does something designed to set your stress levels to warning-light heights. You will never know what kind of mental place that person was in when they pulled out in front of you or whether they just made a mistake. We hesitate to remind you, but you may not be a perfect driver yourself, so don’t expect others to be. Take your palm away from the car horn, forget about it, and move on.

Approach the Situation Differently

Instead of steaming away in your own fury as the traffic shudders along at single-digit speeds, use the time to relax. Listen to the radio or put on your favourite music. Take deep breathes and and let the tension leave your muscles. There is absolutely nothing you can do, so calm down and you’ll get there in a far more positive frame of mind.

The post How to Drive Stress-Free in Traffic appeared first on Nova Blog.

Canary Islands

A relatively short flight from much of mainland Europe, the Canary Islands offer some balmy relief for the sun-starved among us. March and April are great months to visit too, with temperatures in the low- to mid-20s on Lanzarote and Tenerife and a glorious 7 hours of daily sunshine.

Tenerife is probably the most versatile of the islands, offering something for all ages. Enjoy  deluxe Thai-themed cabanas and exclusive nightclubs or relax on empty beaches and explore the historic cities, including the 16th-century World Heritage Site at San Cristobal de La Laguna. Lanzarote will appeal to the watersports enthusiast and adrenaline junkie, with everything from surfing and hand gliding available for you to appreciate the warm seas, volcanic landscape, and Atlantic breezes.

Madeira

Madeira has shed its image as the preserve of the blue-rinse brigade to become an outstandingly beautiful outpost for the heat-seeking hip.  With its year-round subtropical warmth, Madeira is ideal for outdoor pursuits, and a network of more than a 1,000 miles of small canals called “levadas” doubles as walkways to explore Madeira’s dramatic volcanic landscapes, tiny villages, and lush vineyards.

The levadas, a remarkable system of stone- and concrete-lined watercourses built between 1461 and 1966, irrigates the entire island with water from the rainy north and ensure that Madeira is a lush oasis of crops and flowers all year (hence the nickname Garden in the Atlantic).  The paths used to maintain these canals act as great trails for hikers, crisscrossing the magnificent landscape and offering routes up to 1,861 metres high into the mountains.

Jordan

Rent a car in Amman and explore the antiquities of Jordan, particularly the rose-coloured city of Petra, a jaw-dropping ancient wonder carved from the sandstone cliffs by the 3rd-century Nabataeans and approached via a legendary gap in the rocks called the Siq .

Trekkers and climbers will want to explore Wadi Rum (Valley of the Moon), and temperatures will be far more bearable than the scorching days of high season, in July and August. Accommodation is especially good value compared with the rest of the Middle East, particularly for standards up to and including three-star.

Morocco

Immerse yourself in the exotic with a flight to Morocco. A sprawling expanse of Saharan dunes, lofty peaks, and rugged coastline, Morocco is sure to captivate you with its unique landscapes, ancient souqs, and fascinating Berbers and nomadic “blue men” in turbans. Fly into Marrakech-Menara Airport and pick up your rental car there or drive the 479km south of Meknes and you’re right in the heart of the Morocco at its most intense.

Marrakech is an intriguing city that may overwhelm you at first with the sheer scale of its medina, the wealth of its history, and the intensity of its souks and bazaars, but it is worth it for the sheer excitement and energy.

Fez is home to a breathtakingly enormous medina (old Arab quarter of a North African towns) a UNESCO World Heritage Site measuring an incredible 6.2 square kilometres and one of the Arab-Muslim world’s best-preserved old cities. Be prepared to get lost in the vast network of tempting alleys and streets, where friendly locals are always ready to guide you back to where you were headed.

Aruba

With endless sandy beaches, abundant package resorts, and a picturesque little capital, Aruba is the most popular of the ABCs (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao).  Admire the pastel-hued colonial buildings of Orangestad and snap up designer “bargains” in this duty-free shopping haven, where day-tripping cruise-ship passengers stroll and spend lots of money.

Just 20 miles long, Aruba is easy to explore by bike or moped, but once you see the incredible beaches, you may never want to move.  Away from the turquoise waters and white sands of the resorts, however, you’ll find wild, windswept beaches to north and east and an arid desert-like interior.  Arikok National Wildlife Park is a lunar landscape of cacti, caves, twisted divi-divi trees, disused gold mines, and old plantations.

The post 5 Spring Sunshine Escapes appeared first on Nova Blog.

Lisbon, Portugal

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Europe’s westernmost capital, where the gentle climate means the ancient, winding alleyways are warm and inviting. Lisbon is in the middle of an exciting revival, with a palpable energy in the bars and cafes. Visit the arty neighbourhood of Baiiro Alto, with its fascinating murals, traditional bars, and vibrant Capoeira schools. Outside the city, the fortified towns of Sintra and Cascais are well worth a half hour drive.

Riga, Latvia

The European Capital of Culture for 2014, Riga has a wonderful heritage. The traditions of the Latvian capital are deeply intertwined with classical music, historic architecture, and an absorbing history. Park your rental car and wander the maze of side streets and alleyways in the city centre, where a medieval heart is scattered with some of the finest Art Deco buildings anywhere. If you like your food and like to try the local specialties, try the Central Market for such treats as hemp butter and pig snout. The best views of the city can be enjoyed with a sunset tipple at the Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija‘s 26th-floor Skyline Bar.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Justifiably dubbed the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is a coastal beauty framed by sapphire seas and dramatic mountains. The Dubrovnik Carnival Fest in March brings a playful atmosphere to the city, with masked revellers in the city and musicians accompanying street dances. Take in Dubrovnik Old Town (a UNESCO Heritage Site) historic monasteries, regal palaces, and baroque churches from the city wall, which forms a 2km ring around the city.

Vienna, Austria

Synonymous with waltzes and home to the music of Strauss, Mozart, and Beethoven, Vienna is  a powerhouse of culture brimming with extravagant architecture, magnificent churches, and flamboyant statuary. This romantic gem seduces with elegant coffee houses serving luscious pastries, graceful avenues, and an exceptional arts scene. Spring is even more appealing in Vienna, with the launch of its ball season.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Known for the quality of its architecture and design, the Danish capital is a handsome city made even more attractive by the early spring light. Wander the celebrated Kongens Nytorv square and admire the newly renovated, 18th-century Hotel D’Angleterre on the banks of the Nyhavn Canal. Shop to your heart’s content on Stroget street and visit Northern Europe’s biggest aquarium, The Blue Planet, Northern Europe’s largest aquarium.

The post 5 European Cities for a Spring Break appeared first on Nova Blog.

Use a comparison site

The best way to ensure that you are getting exactly what you need is to use a comparison website to search for a rental car for your specific location and dates. You will be presented with a range of options, which you can compare based on what you need.

Nova Car Hire uses a network of hundreds of different suppliers in 26,000 locations worldwide, so you have access to a wide selection of providers. Don’t just compare the basic rate: Look for additional charges for child seats, extra drivers, mileage, insurance, fuel etc. The best-value package is not always the one with the lowest base rate.

Sign up for company newsletters

Nobody wants their inbox filling up with junk, but car hire companies and brokers like Nova Car Hire send out regular newsletters offering savings in different locations. Bonuses include sweeteners such as a free additional driver, a reduced deposit, or a discount on the car hire rate.

Book early

You can save literally hundreds of euros if you book your car rental in advance. Savings are not as substantial during peak season, but if you are renting a car off peak, you could end up paying just a few euro per day if you reserve weeks beforehand. Start looking as soon as you know your travel dates.

Choose your car class carefully

Rental rates largely depend on the size and engine capacity of the car, so go for the smallest car that fits your needs. The smallest car is not always the cheapest, however, as demand may dictate that an estate car may be cheaper than a standard hatchback, for example, in an urban driving situation.

Be aware of fuel policies

When you receive a quote from Nova Car Hire, you will be presented with a series of choices. Before you pick your vehicle, look in the Fuel section of What’s Included? Many companies operate a Full to Full policy, which means that the car is supplied with a full tank of fuel and you will pay a refuelling charge plus the cost of the missing fuel if you return the car without a full tank. Others operate a Full to Empty policy, and you may not receive a refund for unused fuel. The most economical option for you is Same to Same, so you only pay for the fuel you use.

Check mileage policy

Many, but not all, car hire companies offer unlimited mileage. If you plan on covering a lot of distance on your trip, make sure your rental covers unrestricted mileage, or you could pay dearly.

With limited mileage car rental, companies charge a basic rate for each rental day and add a fee for each additional mile/km that you drive over the set allowance.

Decide if you need an additional driver

Prices vary hugely for additional drivers, with rates being charged per day. For certain locations, some car hire companies will actually offer a free extra driver, so compare before you choose. If you are not going to cover huge distances, you may only need one driver anyway.

Compare rates for child seats

Child/infant/booster seats are compulsory in Europe, and car hire companies charge wildly different rates to supply them, so compare before you book (cheapcarhire2 image). Some airports have outlets where you can rent car seats for less. These include Malaga’s Tots Store. You also have the option of bringing your own.

Free sat-nav

A reasonable car hire quote can quickly become very unreasonable indeed if you have to add on €10 per day for sat-nav. Instead of hiring a GPS device with your rental car, consider downloading a free app like NavFree. Or you could just bring your own sat-nav, particularly if you’ve already visited the country and downloaded the maps.

Take out annual car hire excess insurance

As a rough rule of thumb, if you book car hire more than once a year, you’re better off getting an annual excess insurance policy with a company such as insurance4carhire.com.

Typically, if you’re going away for more than two weeks, an annual policy will also be cheaper in this instance, though sometimes this will depend on the company.

Note: One thing you must bear in mind if you don’t take out the car rental company’s excess insurance is that they will almost always freeze a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit against any possible damage. The amount varies according to the company and the class of car you rent, but it can range from €100 to several thousand euro, so make sure your credit card limit will cover the amount.

Avoid unnecessary charges

Car hire companies will charge you for any mistakes you make, so the logical step is to avoid any problems before they occur. Don’t put diesel into a petrol car, for example. Make sure you abide by local laws so that you don’t invalidate your insurance. Take photos of the car before you drive off, and note even the most minor damage in the form provided by the car rental company, so that you have back-up should there be any dispute later.

If the car is returned in an excessively dirty state, the company will charge for cleaning. This is particularly worth noting if you have small children in the car. Think twice before doling out chocolate or ice cream as drive-time treats…

Return the car on time

Most car hire companies offer no more than 30 minutes’ grace before charging an entire extra day’s rental if the car is returned late. Make sure all paperwork is completed there and then to safeguard against later hassle, and keep the documentation in a safe place.

Check your account when you return home

Make sure no unexpected additional charges have been added to your bill and that any deposit has been returned. This is where the photos and paperwork you’ve stored come in handy should there be any discrepancies.

The post 13 Insider Tips for Car Rental Savings appeared first on Nova Blog.

Make your bag easier to roll through endless airport corridors by putting heavier items such as shoes at the short end of the suitcase (where the wheels are).

Lose the shoes! Bring a pair of runners for walking and flip-flops for the beach or your hotel room. A pretty pair of comfortable flats should bring you from day to evening. Wear your bulkiest shoes, particularly in winter.

A large scarf or pashmina is ideal as a wrap on cooler evenings, and you can also use it is a blanket or roll it up as a pillow for the plane.

Pack a small extension lead/outlet extender with a USB charge port, so that you don’t have to bring extra plugs and chargers. You’ll just need the USB cords.

Bring less makeup. Consider what you will actually wear, and leave the rest at home. Pack makeup wipes instead of liquid cleansers. They will also double up for cleaning up small stains and spills.

Cut down on devices. If you’re travelling for leisure, you probably just need your phone. You’ll be able to stay in touch, use social media, and take great pictures.

Be a glass half-full person and pack items for the best-case scenario. If the worst happens, you can buy your way out of it.

The post 7 Tips to Pack Light for Your Next Trip appeared first on Nova Blog.

Venice

The Queen of the Adriatic is inextricably linked with art, culture, great food, and romance. You could hire a gondola propelled by a traditionally-dressed gondolier, or save your money and enjoy the same lovely views on a vaporetto (water bus). Savour the glamor and elegance of a city with the world’s most artistic masterpieces per square kilometre, marvelling at the magnificent palaces and churches that line the Grand Canal and its tributaries.  Few things could be more romantic than Musica a Palazzo , an intimate evening of opera staged by candlelight in a historic palazzo of faded grandeur down an alley near the Grand Canal.

Cape Town, South Africa

The most cosmopolitan and stunning city in South Africa, Cape Town is home to some of the country’s best beaches and makes the ideal sunshine escape for Valentine’s Day. Early December to mid January is the height of the holiday season in South Africa, so you should find things somewhat calmer in February. The most popular beaches are Camps Bay and Clifton, where the beautiful people hang out in beautiful surroundings.  Muizenberg and St. James have the advantage of being warmer and more sheltered than some of the other beaches. With the Waterfront now heavily populated by tourists, try the emerging uptown suburbs of Oranjezicht, Gardens, and Tamberskloof, at the foot of Table Mountain, for your accommodation.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is probably more famous for its ghostly residents than for its romantic appeal, but there is no better place to hold onto that special somebody for reassurance! Wander through squares overflowing with blossoms, stay in a cosy B&B on a peaceful tree-lined street, and stroll around the historic districts. Find romance in a horse-drawn tour of the historic district, with its beautiful Federal, Georgian, Italianate, Greek Revival and Victorian architecture. Watch the boats glide gently down the river or take a cruise on paddle-wheel riverboat for great views from the harbour.

Sydney, Australia

Apart from the fact that the weather in Sydney in February would make anybody fall in love, what makes Sydney a romantic location is the abundance of activities for couples to choose from. Loll on white-sand beaches, dance the night away at world-class nightclubs, enjoy exceptional food and drink, or hire a car in Sydney and escape to secluded hideaways in Hunter Valley or the Blue Mountains.  Rent kayaks and paddle around Rose Bay, one of the most beautiful areas of Sydney harbour.

Paris

Okay, so Valentine’s Day in Paris may sound like a bit of a cliché, but if you’re fortunate enough to be heading to the world capital of romance with somebody significant, you won’t be disappointed.  Romance lies around every corner in the city of lights, so you should not have too much trouble making your weekend in Paris feel special, but, given that many other couples in the world have the same idea, it makes sense to plan in advance before landing in Paris for Valentine’s Day. Tip: If you are planning to pop the question, or even if you just want to feel on top of the world looking out at the dazzling Paris cityscape, avoid the Eiffel Tower and head to the Grand Carousel in the atmospheric Place de la Concorde instead.

The post 5 Best Cities for Car Rental: Romance appeared first on Nova Blog.

Here are some of our favourite Alpine ski resorts that combine quality skiing with affordable prices:

Les Deux-Alpes

You normally associate high prices with high-altitude French skiing, which is what makes Les Deux-Alpes so remarkable. You’ll spend your days skiing on generally excellent snow at heights of between 2,300m and 3,400m without paying the rates you would expect for such quality. The town of Les Deux-Alpes sprawls across the base of the slopes, offering a vibrant atmosphere in the evenings and affordable accommodation in hotels, apartments, and catered chalets. The abundance of accommodation does mean that lift queues and congested pistes can be an issue in high season. Rent a car at Grenoble Airport, 104km away.

Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier in southern France is only a short distance from Les Deux-Alpes, via the lofty Col du Lautaret. A series of traditional, Provencal-style villages (accompanied by some ill-planned modern development), Serre Chevalier incorporates the town of Briancon, with its beautiful fortified old quarter. The slopes are distinctive, extending across a long mountain range above the villages and consisting of a high tree line and an excellent array of elevated, open bowls (reaching 2,735m) and sheltered woodland runs. The antiquated lift system is undergoing improvements. Rent a car at either Turin Caselle (133km) or Grenoble (156km) airports.

Les Menuires

France’s famous Three Valleys region has a reputation for being expensive, but you can ski there on a moderate budget. What you need to do is rent one of the many affordable self-catering apartments in Les Menuires, about 143km from Geneva Airport. It’s in the same valley as Val Thorens but in a completely different price bracket. You’ll have a vast choice of places to stay within easy reach of 600km of slopes, and most are convenient to the long blue and red runs that spread out above Val Thorens. Les Menuires is suitable for everybody from novices to experts, with nursery slopes in the village, as well as an abundance of advanced and off-piste terrain.

Avoriaz

As you’ve probably gathered by now, skiing in France can be a relatively reasonable option if you keep away from the top-flight resorts. Austria is generally cheaper, but if you simply must ski in France, there are economical options. Consider Avoriaz, for example. Close to the Swiss border, it is central to the sprawling Portes du Soleil  with its 650km of pistes. You can pick up a rental car at Geneva Airport and drive just over 100km to Avoriaz, a small, traffic-free resort poised on a cluster of jagged cliffs.

The post 5 Best Escapes for Car Hire: Ski France appeared first on Nova Blog.

Equip Yourself

Before you protest that getting through the airport quickly is surely about bringing less stuff—not more—the equipment we’re talking about is designed to make your travel life much easier. Some items are useful enough to justify buying purely for getting on and off that plane as smoothly as possible. We’re talking about things like slip-on shoes, clear bags with zips for cosmetics and toiletries, and bags designed to accommodate airline’s specific carry-on rules.

Check Flight Status

It may sound glaringly obvious, but it’s surprising how often even seasoned travellers overlook this simple step. Avoid turning up at the airport to find your flight delayed or cancelled by checking the flight status not just before you leave your home or hotel but before you leave your car in the airport carpark or car rental depot. Flight status updates can change by the minute.

Save Useful Info

Before you leave the house/hotel, ensure you have your airline’s free-phone numbers and download useful apps such as Tripit. That way, you will receive immediate notifications of flight delays and cancellations and have easy access to alternative flight details and other information.

Check In Online

This is particularly convenient if you are not checking in any bags. It may not be quite as useful if you are checking in luggage, however, as staff will often reissue a second boarding pass.

Prepare Documentation

Take out all the documents you will need to check in (passport, boarding pass, credit card) and put them in an easily accessible pocket or compartment of your bag. Pack all other documents (Nova Car Hire booking confirmation, for example) separately to avoid losing them or getting them mixed up.

Weigh Your bags

Many airports are now placing scales in front of the check-in areas, so if you are concerned that your carry-on luggage might be too heavy, weigh it before you get in the queue. That means you can do any necessary redistribution prior to reaching the counter—thus saving time and avoiding the glares of the passengers behind you…

The post Airport Car Hire: 6 Steps to Faster Boarding appeared first on Nova Blog.

Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon

Hire a car in George Town this December and run the local marathon. First run in 2003, the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon makes those blisters a little easier to bear with its tropical Caribbean setting, friendly atmosphere, and super-flat course. Add to that some of the world’s best beaches for your recovery, and you have what may be the most relaxing marathon you will ever run.

Athens Marathon

The closest you’ll get to the original marathon, the Athens Marathon follows in the footsteps of Pheidippides, who is said to have run from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. to report that Athens had won the Battle of Marathon. Taking place in November, this marathon traces his (ultimately fatal) path over tortuous hills to the triumphant setting of the white marble Panathenaic Stadium.

International Marathon of Marrakech

If you’d like a running adventure with an exotic edge, rent a car in Morocco and run the International Marathon of Marrakech next January. This is a no-frills marathon(i.e. no toilets), but the flat course and balmy conditions make it as pleasant as a marathon can be. Enjoy a setting of olive groves and orangeries as curious camels look on and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains tower in the background.

Niagara Falls International Marathon

Prepare to cross the border in October with the Niagara Falls International Marathon, which starts in Buffalo, New York, and finishes in Ontario, Canada. You can still register a PB (personal best), as customs clearance is taken care of when you pick up your race number.

Join 1,500 runners as you make your way over the International Peace Bridge (the only hill on the course) before entering Ontario for 18 miles on Niagara Parkway. There’s a stunning photo finish at the brink of the breathtaking Niagara Falls.

Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon

Make sure to rent your car in Bangkok well in advance for the Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon in November. You’ll start your 26.2 mile run at 2A.M. to beat the heat of the sultry Thai capital, setting off on a loop lined with cultural treasures that starts and ends at the glittering Grand Palace, the city’s most celebrated landmark and site of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. You won’t mind the heat though, as aid stations loaded with watermelon and staffed by exceptionally cheery volunteers will keep you going.

The post 5 Best Car Hire Escapes: Marathons appeared first on Nova Blog.