Travel Blissful

A Quick Update

Erica Johansson — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:31:03 +0000

I had somewhat of a setback a couple of days ago and am currently living at my grandmother’s place (pictured below) to save money. I arrived in Halmstad on July 1st after a 4-hour bus journey and two nights in Linköping. Before that I lived in my old room at my parent’s house for various reasons.

At first I was meant to live in my grandmother’s summer cottage, but things don’t always turn out as we think they will. Her daughter and her family wanted to live there now since they have vacation, so I’ll probably live there when they’ve left instead. Anyway, feels good to be back in Halmstad and as soon as I can I’ll find my own place again.

Grandma's summer cottage

On my way to the beach

Ringenäs Beach

Frösakull Beach

Halmstad Library

Right now I’m sitting at the library, using their free wireless internet. Before I go, I just wanted to let you know about Travel Blissful’s Facebook Fan Page. Feel free to join. You can also follow me on Twitter. If you found my Twitter profile via this site, it would be great if you can @ or send me a DM so I know who you are.

By the way, Iwannagothere is running a great contest until September 15th: Iwanngothere’s Weirdest Summer’09 contest. For a chance to win a Lomo Diana F+ camera, tell them about the weirdest place you’ve been this summer. They will choose the 10 best entries and users will vote for the winner.

Have a great weekend!

How to Travel Safe and Enjoy Your Trip

Erica Johansson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:33:48 +0000

Security expert Chris Grniet, vice president with Kroll Security Group, shares his experience working with some of the major hotels, airports and train stations in the country. Chris Grniet bases his advice on more than 24 years spent advising his corporate clients on how best to protect their sites and constituents from security risks.

Here are some simple steps that travelers can take to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, from basic travel preparations to hotel and airport security measures.

Written by: Chris Grniet

The Basics

1. Research your destination of choice. The risk level associated with any given destination changes daily. Just think about Mexico following the swine flu outbreak or Mumbai following the hotel bombing in 2008, both of which drastically changed the health and safety risks associated with those locations in days alone. Eliminate the guesswork by consulting the U.S. Department of State’s Web site at http://travel.state.gov/ to keep apprised of the current conditions and warnings associated with your desired destination.

2. Consider registering with a travel assistance service, such as Kroll partner iJet Travel Intelligence, which offers a variety of features that help travelers feel at ease while on the road and ensure that assistance is only a phone call away no matter where you are traveling. Offerings include itinerary tracking, which enables the immediate location of travelers and comprehensive pre-trip briefs, which cover the safety and security levels associated with any given location.

3. Keep the emergency contact number for your local embassy handy at all times. You never know when you might need assistance. For example, if you lose any of your vital paperwork, including your visa or passport, your local embassy will be able to help you get replacements in short order.

4. Make copies of valuable documents, including passport, driver’s license and credit cards, in case your originals are lost or stolen. Store these copies in the safe at your hotel and/or consider leaving copies with someone you trust at home so that they can be easily accessed in case of emergency.

5. Store emergency cash in your hotel safe, so that you are not stranded in the event that your wallet (including credit and debit cards) is lost or stolen.

Hotel Security 101

1. When researching a hotel, be on the lookout for hotels that have:

a. Safety plans. All reputable hotels should have safety policies in place, which include the regular testing of their emergency systems.

b. Sprinklers and fire detectors. Nowadays we take these basic safety features for granted, but some smaller hotels (e.g., bed and breakfasts) or those located in remote areas may not have such measures in place.

c. Closed-circuit television cameras. Once taboo, closed-circuit cameras have recently become a common security feature at major hotels. While some might balk that they are a violation of privacy, it’s important to note that these cameras are in place for your protection and have helped to prevent and/or solve many unfortunate incidents.

d. Peep holes in your hotel room door. It’s important to be able to quickly identify an unexpected individual knocking at your door.

e. Iridescent exit markers in emergency stairwells. In case of a fire, iridescent signage like this will assist you and other hotel guests find your way to safety.

f. In-room safes. Most hotels have in-room safes where you can store your valuables for extra protection. If not, consider purchasing a money belt where you can discreetly carry valuables with you.

2. Don’t book a room on the ground floor, which has doors or windows that open to the outside. These rooms are more accessible to foot traffic and more likely to be the target of a robbery or break-in.

3. Book a room on floors 4 through 6. Staying in a room between floors 4-6 ensures that you are high enough above ground level to reduce your risk of petty crime, but low enough to ensure an easy exit in case of emergency. As with the ground floor, lower levels are subject to increased foot traffic, increasing accessibility to you and your belongings. There are also several locations where fire rescue ladders can only reach as high as the 6th floor. In an emergency, the higher your location the higher your risk.

4. Familiarize yourself with the emergency exit closest to your room. Most hotel guests recall seeing an evacuation route sign in the hallway of their hotel, but few ever make the effort to actually read them. Do yourself a favor by familiarizing yourself with the emergency evacuation route, so that you don’t have to do so in the heat of the moment. Consider walking the route to find out where the exit leads you, so you can get to safety as quickly as possible.

5. Lock your door. It seems simple enough, but you’d be surprised how often people don’t take advantage of the locking mechanisms on their hotel doors. If your hotel door has a deadbolt or additional lock mechanism, use it.

Airport Security – Did You Know?

1. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is currently piloting millimeter wave passenger imagine technology at airports around the country. This technology can detect weapons, explosives and other threat items concealed under layers of clothing without physical contact. A 3-D image of the body, with facial features blurred for privacy, is displayed on a remote monitor for analysis.

2. In the wake of the swine flu outbreak, thermal-Imaging technology is currently being employed at airports in Asia to identify individuals with increased temperatures, who may carry the disease. If someone is suspected of having a fever, they are immediately triaged by a doctor or nurse. This technology is also being used to single out individuals thinking about committing, or having committed, a deceptive act. The idea behind this use is that lying or acts of deception cause excessive blood-flow to the face that can be detected by heat sensor technology.

3. London’s Stansted Airport recently began testing facial recognition technology at their security gates. The system measures points on a person’s face and compares them with the digital passport photograph in the hopes of rooting out potential terrorists. As with any new technology, there are potential weaknesses with facial recognition. For example, there are many terrorists for whom images are not readily available. These individuals are not included in the image database and, as a result, are not detectable through this security technology.

4. Bomb-sniffing dogs are a longtime security tool used at airports and other main travel thoroughfares. These animals are specially trained to identify suspicious cargo, including bombs and drugs.

Kroll, the world’s leading risk consulting company, provides a broad range of investigative, intelligence, financial, security and technology services to help clients reduce risks, solve problems and capitalize on opportunities. Headquartered in New York with offices in more than 65 cities in over 33 countries, Kroll has a multidisciplinary team of approximately 4,000 employees and serves a global clientele of law firms, financial institutions, corporations, non-profit institutions, government agencies, and individuals. Kroll is a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE: MMC), the global professional services firm.

“Paris to Cuba” Album Giveaway!

Erica Johansson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:52:12 +0000

This is a sponsored post.

Paris to Cuba by renowned musician and film composer Mario Grigorov takes you on a journey around the globe as soon as you press play. The sound conjures up images of unwinding on an oceanfront veranda in Havana, late-afternoon mojitos, sampling a home-cooked meal with your closest friends, the gentle lapping of the waves, and a sensual dance with a new found romance as the darkness falls over the city.

Part of “Magic Circus” (track 5, and a clear favorite) transports me to Paris, where I stroll along the Seine, admire the sunset, and observe eccentric passer-bies from a sidewalk café.

Inspired by the Parisian and Cuban feel-good spirit, the album is not your typical jazz or world record. Brass sections flirt with sexy vocals, guitar solos and sweeping strings, and hints of Buena Vista Social Club and Pink Martini unite in an interesting latin jazz style. Paris to Cuba embodies the summertime better than any other recent album release. Three of the ten tracks — “I See”, “Every Little Moment”, and “Snake Eyes” — feature vocals by singer (and Mario Grigorov’s good friend) Melissa Newman who is a seasoned live performer in both New York and Chicago. Instantly inspired by Melissa’s voice, Mario described it as “a cross between Billie Holiday and Patsy Cline”.

Best known for co-creating Billboard’s classical crossover hit Aria with composer Paul Schwartz, Mario Grigorov debuted in 1994 with Rhymes with Orange (produced by Oscar Castro-Neves and Miles Goodman). Since, he has scored both Oscar winners and festival sensations; most recently, Lee Daniels’ Sundance (’09) success, Precious.

Mario explains his inspiration behind the album:

Every time I go to Paris, I get inspired. I start thinking about ways I can embrace the city and absorb its magic…

This album takes me back to my time there, and I reflect on how I have always enjoyed traditional and classical French music –- been intrigued by the use of melody and sultry textures. I started playing with some melodies on the piano; inspired by the Parisian mood and architecture, I was trying to re-create the buildings I had seen that stood like frozen compositions. The compositions I began to write would soon lend themselves to a melding with the energy and simplicity of the music I also love from Cuba, along with all of its influences.

Paris to Cuba was released in stores and online June 23rd. For more information about the album, visit www.paristocuba.com and www.warmandgenuinerecords.com

And now, the best part. Thanks to Two Sheps That Pass, a boutique entertainment marketing and branding firm based in New York, I have 4 CDs to give away!

The first four readers to comment on this post can expect to receive Paris to Cuba in the mail some time this summer. Simple as that. (If you’re one of them, you will hear from me via email… to make sure the album ends up at the right address.) I hope you’ll enjoy the album as much as I did.

Music That Makes Me Happy: La Vida Es Un Carnaval

Erica Johansson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:54:03 +0000

Issac Delgado – La Vida Es Un Carnaval

Founding member of the legendary timba band NG la Banda, Cuban singer Isaac Delgado is one of the leaders of the island’s timba music.

Photo of the Week: Footsteps on the Sand

Erica Johansson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:02:24 +0000

Footsteps on the beach in Bibione, a seaside resort located in the North East of Italy.

Footsteps on the sand © Alessandro Cattelan

Sleeping in Airports: Heaven or Hell?

Erica Johansson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:50 +0000

Modified from a post from 2007.

A few years ago I sat in the lounge area in London Heathrow Airport and waited for my flight back to Sweden. After too little sleep the previous night and a nine hour’s flight from New York I wanted to rest for a couple of minutes. Those minutes almost turned into an hour! I woke up 45 minutes later and realized I had missed my flight. Fortunately, a flight six hours later had a few free seats left.

That’s my closest experience to having slept in an airport. Although I’ve never spent a whole night in an airport I wouldn’t hesitate if it was convenient, safe and fairly comfortable.

If you’re ever considering sleeping in an airport to save living expenses, or for any other reason, check out The Budget Traveller’s Guide to Sleeping in Airports which lists the best and worst airports in the world.

Have you ever slept in an airport? If so, where? Would you do it again?

If you prefer staying in a hotel the night before your flight, visit Airport Hotels where you can choose from more than 250 hotels at 25 UK airports.

Music That Makes Me Happy: Jah Work

Erica Johansson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:53:08 +0000

Ben Harper – Jah Work

Ben Harper’s music never disappoints.

Photo of the Week: Sunshine Friends

Erica Johansson — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:51:02 +0000

Sunshine Friends © Diane Groves

Friends enjoying a sunset at Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Luxury Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Erica Johansson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:27:48 +0000

Written by: Ker Downey

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the African Continents true wonders. Sometimes dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” this fertile equatorial area is especially scenic, with two lakes connected by a channel overlooked by a high peninsula.

Formerly noted for its big game hunts, hunting exhibits such as stuffed lions, leopard skins, deer heads and elephants tusks may still be found adorning some hotels and lodges, but the emphasis is certainly more on shooting with a camera these days. Much of Uganda’s wildlife was poached to near extinction in the past, but now the area is protected and the elephants’ numbers are boosted by those entering the park from the Congo, where poaching is still a problem.

The wide bio-diversity of habitats means that Queen Elizabeth National Park contains the most astonishing number of species — almost 100 types of mammal and over 600 different birds! The Kasinga Channel alone is said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippos, but strangely enough there are very few crocodiles to balance the hippos effect on the food chain.

Notably, the QENP is Uganda’s most visited game reserve. Set in the western portion of the nation, the park is named after Queen Elizabeth II and was established in 1954. Further, the park makes for the perfect luxury safari as the Myewa Lodge is located in the center of the park. From their website: Mweya Safari Lodge is located on a peninsula within the heart of the spectacular Queen Elizabeth National Park. A Safari lodge compared to no other — with sumptuous accommodation, breathtaking views from every room, an abundance of game and some of the best birdwatching in East Africa.

If you are looking for the premier luxury safari experience, consider contacting us to design the perfect luxury vacation for you. We look forward to fielding any questions you might have and providing you with the most unique luxury travel experience on earth. Consider our Pearl of Africa itinerary if you are looking for a bespoke adventure like no other.

Ker Downey is an award winning luxury travel company which provides custom designed travel experiences specifically designed for each client’s style and budget. Find out more at http://kerdowney.com

Traveling on a Budget

Erica Johansson — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:48:22 +0000

TEXT: NWA WorldVacations

When it comes to traveling on a budget, the most important rule to remember is:
Do your homework and plan ahead.

Savvy-travelers know that with a bit of forward planning, a little budget can go a long way.

Here are our Top 10 Tips to help you save some money on your next vacation.

1. Don’t wait for a deal to find you. Subscribe to ‘hot deals’ announcements and newsletters. Also, if you know the destination you want to visit, tell your travel agent and give them your budget range — when a deal comes along they will notify you and take care of the rest!

2. Travel in the middle of the week. There is less demand on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so airfares will be lower. Leisure destinations and resort areas will be cheaper during the week. However, hotels in major cities are cheaper on weekends when business travelers are gone.

3. Be a ‘Travel Opportunist.’ Select “My Dates Are Flexible,” and try searching several date ranges. Also, search for different places you haven’t been before or that are similar to the type of destination you are seeking.

4. Book a vacation package. When you book your flight, hotel and/or car together, instead of paying each rate separately, you will see one combined, low price. This allows the airlines, hotels and car rental companies to give you their lowest rates and move inventory, without diminishing your perception of the quality of their brand and products. Also, hotels frequently offer a 4th or 5th night free (this is prevalent in Hawaii and Mexico right now!)

5. Stay at an all-inclusive. Because you’re not whipping out your wallet for every beverage, snack or meal, it will reduce total in destination costs. Often times they have plenty of perks that add to the value of your stay. (e.g. Many all-inclusives offer use of water-sports equipment, free shuttle services etc.)

6. Buy Before. Buy convenience items — sunscreen, lotions, shampoo, etc. — before your trip. Toss some snacks into your bag to stave off expensive vending machine treats or airport food.

7. Pack smart. Make sure your bags adhere to the airline’s size and weight requirements, and know that if you check extra bags, you’ll probably have to pay for them.

8. Eat in your room! Go cheap for one meal a day, and it can really cut down costs. Stop by a convenience store and purchase items to make picnic lunches, then bring them along on your daily excursions. Make sure your room has a microwave and/or fridge so you can prepare your meals and treats. Even brewing coffee in your room can save you $5.

9. Watch out for extras at your hotel. Check on the costs of services when you arrive — like telephones, mini-bars, and fitness centers. Use cell phones or pay phones instead of your hotel phone.

10. Double-check your bills and receipts. Always read the room-service bill before tipping the delivery person (the tip may already be included) and your hotel bill at the end of your stay.

What are some of your best travel tips to try and save money?

7 Delicious Thai Dishes

Erica Johansson — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:25:08 +0000

TEXT: Matthew Kepnes

Thailand is known for its great food. Thai food is tasty, spicy, delicious, and cheap. No matter where you go in the country, you’ll find food everywhere. From restaurants to street vendors selling everything imaginable, you could walk into the jungle and still find someone selling food. Next time you find yourself in Thailand, here are some delicious dishes you can’t leave the country without trying:

Spring Rolls – Whether fried or fresh, spring rolls make for a great snack. Street stalls sell these all over and they make a great quick meal. Make sure to add some chili sauce for added flavor.

Pad Thai – Probably Thailand’s most famous dish, this noodle dish is made with eggs, tofu, and green onions. You can find it everywhere but the place to eat it is from the street stalls in the Thai neighborhoods. It will be the best Pad Thai you ever eat.

Som Tam – This spicy salad is native to northeast Thailand but is one of the most commonly eaten dishes in all of the country. Every Thai loves it. It’s made from shredded papaya, tomatoes, lemon juice, peanuts, and a lot of chilies. It’s one of the spiciest dishes in the country and if you aren’t careful, it will burn your mouth off.

Pad Seeu – This is a thick noodle dish made with bok choy. The thick sticky noodles are quickly cooked with bok choy and oyster sauce. It’s really tasty and one of the most flavorful dishes in Thailand. Though the portions are usually small, the noodles are thick and heavy and you can get easily filled up by this dish.

Curry – You can get a wide variety of curries here in Thailand from red to green to clear to peanut based. No matter what you get it will always be good. My favorite is Masuman curry which is made from peanuts and potatoes and is a yellow curry.

Fried Rice – This simple dish is found everywhere and while not exotic or special, the street vendors here make some excellent rice. It’s quickly fried with a few Thai spices and is really tasty.

Fruit – Thailand has many delicious fruits. The tropical weather here makes it easy to grow great and succulent fruits. On every street corner, you’ll find someone selling the freshest fruit around — all for 30 cents.

Thailand is a great country with great food. So the next time you are there, make sure you try these dishes and make sure you eat frequently at the street vendors. They are safe to eat and have some of the best food around.

Matthew Kepnes has been blogging his way around the world for more than three years. You can read more about his adventures at his blog, Nomadic Matt as well about his recent ebook making money with your travel blog so you can have your travels pay for themselves!

Music That Makes Me Happy: Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)

Erica Johansson — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:22:14 +0000

Gotan Project – Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)

Used as the main dance sequence in Shall We Dance? with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre) is Gotan Project’s most familar song.

Photo of the Week: The Road Less Traveled

Erica Johansson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:34:01 +0000

A road somewhere in a summery Oregon.

Subconscious Travels

Erica Johansson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:23:28 +0000

So far, I’ve experienced some pretty scary things. I’ve been nearly attacked by a poisonous snake in the jungle, shot (in my leg; three times), bitten by a shark (in my back, luckily managed to kick/scare him away), and stabbed (in my stomach; almost fainted). I have jumped from a bridge into a crocodile-infested river in Australia, fought with hostile Indians, and fled from men who were hired to kill me (they didn’t succeed).

I’ve also done some really awesome things: climbed mountains, been in love, skateboarded like a pro, breakdanced, motorcycled, swum in the ocean, been pregnant, sung on stage in front of hundreds of people, admired beautiful prêt-a-porter creations at a fashion show, flown like a bird, heard someone I like sing in a foreign language, ridden a helicopter over the skyscrapers in New York, had lunch with a famous chef in his apartment in London, worked as a doctor, and recorded the heart rate on a newborn baby.

I’ve strolled along Sydney Harbour, traveled with a pick-up truck through Mongolia and Russia, walked through Bangkok, cruised a ship to Santorini, skied the slopes in Austria, toured Venice, enjoyed the heat in Sahara, relaxed in Bora Bora, stayed at a friend’s place in Agoura Hills, L.A, taken a trip to Miami, lived in Portland, and tried to find my way in Mexico City’s metro.

I’ve hung out with Scarlett Johansson, acted in a movie with Lindsay Lohan, talked to Robert de Niro, and had the pleasure to meet Al Pacino. I have seen Bob Marley, spoken to my dead grandfather, traveled in a space ship, and visited the past (and possibly the future).

In my dreams, that is. While asleep.

During difficult and challenging times, my dreams have reflected my struggle, pain and frustration. When I’ve felt balanced, at ease and at peace, my dreams have mirrored that mindset and brought me joy and bliss. I’m slowly but surely moving towards my goal to eliminate nightmares and only dream about happy things. I don’t think I can escape my bizarre dreams, though. Recently I joked about whether I would ever hear from a certain guy again if I told him about all the strange things I dream at night. I do have weird dreams pretty often, but I think we all do. And even those dreams that don’t seem to make any sense at all may be there to tell us something. But in some cases they are simply — just like any other dream — a result of information we have accumulated during the day.

Write a dream diary

From the age of five and onwards, I’ve more or less always remembered my dreams and once I started writing about them they eventually became clearer and more intense.

If you’re not already doing it, consider writing a dream diary. After you wake up in the morning, write about what you remember. In case you don’t remember anything, make something up. Pretend. If you only recall a few seconds or minutes of a dream, write that down and continue with the story as you see fit. In this way, you’ll fool your brain to believe that you did remember your dreams and eventually (this can take days, weeks, or even months) you’ll remember them for real.

When you learn to interpret your dreams they can help you realize whether something is missing from your life, what to focus more on, even where you should travel next, and what your deepest hopes and desires are. Look at your dreams as messages from yourself to yourself.

Sometimes they appear to compensate for imbalances that exist in your waking life. If you have recurring dreams, that means you didn’t properly understood or confronted the message. Nightmares can help you identify your fears. If you hear music in a dream, it often has a strong message since these dreams are quite rare. Driving a car symbolises the way in which you “drive” through life. Food dreams (I’ve had a few of those; usually involving chocolate) can represent greedy behavior or feelings of inattention in your life. Rainbows stand for hope, healing and new beginnings, bridges mean change and progression, and strong colors indicate a turning point in one’s life.

If you want to learn how to interpret your dreams, just Google ‘interpret dreams’ and you’ll receive thousands of results. And, like I wrote before, understanding all dreams is not easy. I’ve seen beings that were half-human and half-animals, humans that transformed into animals in a split-second, and in one of the dreams that made the least sense I had climbed up a tree somewhere in Uganda and sat on a twig chatting with a gorilla and his son.

Anyway, regardless of what you dream about, you do travel subconsciously. And your dreams can help you in your daily life as soon as you learn how to interpret them.

Car Rental Insurance Demystified

Erica Johansson — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:58:53 +0000

TEXT: Vroom Vroom Vroom

Please ensure you fully understand the US car rental excess requirements. Vroom Vroom Vroom car rental has helped demystify the very confusing and often misunderstood world of car rental insurance.

Car rental CDW, collission damage waiver is sometimes covered by:

Credit card providers in the US
Personal travel insurance providers (see below paragraph*)
Personal car insurance for your home vehicle

You’ll need to find out if you already have car rental insurance from one of the above sources. If you discover you don’t have car rental insurance or you’re not sure, you can purchase insurance at the rental counter.

* Please be aware.
If you purchase travel insurance before traveling in the U.S. please take your time to read the fine print. Travel insurance usually refers to the excess of a rental car and not the car insurance itself. This means you may need to purchase insurance in order to have an excess level. Otherwise your rental will not have any excess limit which would deem your travel insurance worthless.

Dictionary of Car Rental Insurances

(may differ from supplier to supplier)

CDW (collision damage waiver) and LDW (loss damage waiver).
This relieves you of financial responsibility for a rental vehicle damaged by an accident, vandalism or theft. It usually costs between $9 and $20 per day. Note: Although the sale of CDW was formerly prohibited in New York state, recent legislative changes now allow it.

SLI (supplemental liability insurance).
This provides excess liability coverage up to $1 million. It usually costs between $7 and $9 per day.

PAI (personal accident insurance).
This covers you and all passengers in your vehicle for any medical expenses. It’s not necessary for most renters already covered by personal health policies or travel policies. It usually costs between $3 and $5 per day.

PEC (personal effects coverage).
This provides coverage for theft of or damage to personal items inside the rental car. Again, it replicates coverage already provided to many renters through their own insurance policies. It usually costs between $2 and $5 per day.

Car rental companies often make these options even more confusing by combining two or more into insurance packages. You could evaluate each product separately.

Steps to take regarding car rental insurance

First determine if you have a need for the service
Verify if you are not already covered by your credit card or personal travel insurance
Finally, comparison-shop the costs of each car rental company. Note that in some travel hot-spots, the cost of taxes, fees, surcharges and optional insurance can easily exceed the daily base rate of the car rental itself.