Avoid the summer holiday squeeze

In spite of our best intentions to travel light, most of us pack much more for our holiday than we really need. And when you add children to the equation, the luggage/space situation can spiral out of control, posing a major challenge to the capacity of the family car. Happily, Avis is offering a way round the problem. Customers renting in the UK can upgrade to a large car, such as a Vauxhall Vectra or Ford Mondeo, from as little as £2 extra a day – and with prices from just £22 a day, it can be very cost-effective to ‘get more in’ this Summer*.

And don’t forget, you can go even larger – with an estate or people carrier – but remember to book ahead as these are very popular during the summer holidays. The Avis website avis.co.uk gives a clear guide to passenger and luggage capacity for each car size, helping you to find the right size car for your requirements.

“We’re all familiar with the problem of just not having enough space for everyone and their luggage when we set off on holiday,” said Daniel McCarthy, Commercial Director, Avis UK. “And if you’re facing a lengthy drive to your holiday destination, excitement can turn sour when the children aren’t just asking ‘are we there yet’ but are also fighting for space with cases, toys and snacks.”

“People often hire a car for their holidays, even if they’re staying in the UK, and by offering them the chance to upgrade that rental vehicle from as little as £2 extra a day it means that they can enjoy the luxury of space as they travel across the country. Hopefully that will help keep tempers cool and passengers happy.”

In addition to offering the low-cost upgrade option, Avis has some tips to help keep the in-car family holiday atmosphere jolly:

Plan your journey carefully, allowing plenty of time for food and ‘comfort’ stops. And when you make those stops, give the children some time to play rather than just stretch their legs.

If you have a very long journey ahead of you, consider making it slightly longer by allowing for a stop to visit an attraction en route. It will give you all a break and may even send the children off to sleep for the rest of the journey.

Make a contingency plan for traffic delays – have an alternative route prepared and make sure you carry up to date maps, particularly if you don’t have SatNav. Listen out for radio reports of traffic incidents – they could help you avoid a lengthy jam.

Keep a box of emergency supplies safely out of the reach of small hands. If you do get stuck on a closed motorway or in a giant jam, bottles of water, some fresh or dried fruit, carrot sticks, plain biscuits and other munchies will help starve off hunger pangs, while wipes and tissues could prove invaluable. It’s probably best to avoid chocolate…

Keep a change of clothes for younger children to hand – you don’t want to have to rummage through suitcases if you suddenly need a clean top or pair of shorts.

Remember, excited children can also be queasy children, particularly on a long journey, so don’t fill them up with heavy, greasy food or fizzy drinks, or let them read, play electronic games or colour when you’re driving along, as it could make them carsick.
These activities can be saved for breaks in the journey or for traffic-jam entertainment. And when they do break out the electronic games, ask them to save your nerves by turning the sound off.

Even if the sun is shining as you head off, with the British weather it’s always sensible to have raincoats, umbrellas and wellies for all the family in a bag that’s easily accessible.

Do encourage your children to play games such as I-Spy and to make up their own games for the journey.

If tempers do fray, keep your own in check. If the fur is really flying, pull over when it’s safe to do so and calm everyone down. Remember – you’re on holiday, and it’s supposed to be fun!

* ‘£2 extra a day’ price is based on upgrading from a Compact size car to a Large Standard size car in the UK until 18.08.07. Prices based on a 7 day rental and vary by date, location and car size, subject to availability – visit avis.co.uk for a quote or futrther details.