Making life a holiday with interesting vacation and adventure ideas.

Also in my mailbox last week was a note from Ed Thompson. Ed and a couple of friends have entered this summer's Mongol Rally under the team name Don't Panic; I sense from their team name that the enormity of the adventure is beginning to dawn on them. Imagine driving (perhaps pushing) an old (1 litre) Fiat from London to Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia. They are desperately looking for sponsors of any type - equipment, car parts, finance or even good advice, so if you can offer any of the above, helping them to raise shed loads of money for charity, contact them through the link above.

The organizers don't believe in telling teams what to do or where to go, figuring that this is supposed to be an adventure not a cosy guided driving tour. However, last year the rally attracted 251 entrants, of which an incredible 198 made it to the finish line. Some teams starting from Madrid and Milan. This year's London start is from Hyde Park on 18th July 2009.

Labels: 2009, car, Dont Panic, Mongol Rally, rally

The Italian Job is an annual fundraising for childrens charities. This year's run will begin in Imola on October 24 and finish on November 1, 2008 in Brighton.

Launched in 1990, more than 100 Minis will drive over 3,000 miles from Italy to Britain, through some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. The rally was inspired by the classic 1969 film, The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine. To date, over £2 million has been raised for various childrens charities.

Labels: 2008, car, Italian Job, Italy, rally

The 2008 Australasian Safari, billed as the Paris to Dakar of the Southern Hemisphere, heads off from Kalgoorlie on August 23. This off-road event is one of the toughest and most challenging, in the world of motor sport but will attract over 100 competitors, riding motorbikes and quad bikes and 4x4s.

This year's Australasian Safari runs until August 30 and will be broadcast on the Australian Nine Network, it has named the Royal Flying Doctor Service as its official charity for 2008.

Labels: 2008, Australia, car, rally

I have recently been chatting to author and ex-race car driver Peter Schindler, who received a great deal of international press attention last year when he undertook a 21,000 km driving journey in China.
Peter now organizes driving holidays and road journeys in China and he maintains that a journey through China by private car is by far the best way to meet the people and explore the most beautiful regions of China, adding that their holidays include many more activities than just sitting in a car. The trips offer the opportunity to really enjoy the culture and cuisine of the country. Take a look at his website, which is quite an inspiration in itself.

Labels: car, China, Peter Schindler, tours, travel

The 2008 Goodwood Speed Festival was held last weekend and the team behind the Parajet Skycar were there, publicising the car and its official launch in March 2009, the Skycar Expedition 2009, an extraordinary 3,000 mile journey from London to Tombouctou, Mali.

Parajet Skycar claims to be the world's first carbon-neutral flying car. Read about this extra-ordinary vehicle and the expeditition, on the project's website.

Labels: 2009, car, expedition, transport

This is a holiday weekend in the UK and a two-day show is taking place at the Heritage Motor Centre, in Gaydon, Warwickshire, to celebrate 60 years of the Land Rover.
Sunday, features the Classic Run, when over 100 classic Land Rovers from the Association of Land Rover Clubs will travel from the Solihull Land Rover factory to the Heritage Motor Centre. Thanks to Karl from dnadublin.com for the pic.

4x4 enthusiasts might also be interested in Jeremy Clarkson Collection DVD from the BBC.

Labels: 2008, anniversary, car, Land Rover, Shows, UK

A United Arab Emirates car licence plate goes up for auction on in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The plate is simply '1' and is expected to sell for $20m, which would be a new world record. I once used to see a Rolls Royce with the memorable number plate, '14 ME' and then one day it was parked next to a Rolls Royce with an even more memorable number plate, '14 U2'

If, as expected, the licence plate does set a new record, then the UAE will be home to the seven most expensive car licence plates in the world. More

Labels: Abu Dhabi, car, licence plate, United Arab Emirates, World record

Brits travelling across the channel for their annual summer holidays will benefit from most of continental Europe being in the European Union (EU). Sadly, the UK chose to opt out of the Euro and hang on to the Pound, which means that somewhere along the line currency exchange will cost the British tourist money, but that aside, European Citizenship brings a raft of benefits.

UK residents are generally entitled to medical treatment, equivalent to that provided under the state scheme, at reduced cost or sometimes free, when visiting another EU country. However, to obtain treatment under the scheme, they must produce a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). To get a card, free of charge, UK applicants can either apply online, telephone 0845 606 2030, or ask at the Post Office for an application form.

It is only necessary to apply once and remember that an EHIC will last for up to 5 years, so do not leave it until the last minute to apply. Seasoned travellers should also note that the old E111 certificates are now invalid and holders should apply for an EHIC. Presumably, similar arrangements are in place for the citizens of other member states.

Government advice is that EHIC and holiday insurance are complementary. Travellers are recommended to have both because there are some costs, such as repatriation, which are not covered by the EHIC. Some insurance companies actually require that people they insure have an EHIC, while some will waive any excess charge if an EHIC has been used.

Another benefit is the authorisation to drive throughout the EU. However, motorists must again look carefully at the small print of their insurance policy if they take motor vehicles abroad.

The problem is that under current EU law, insurance companies only have to offer cover for damage an insured driver causes to another vehicle or driver, so called third-party insurance. Auto insurance companies are under no obligation to provide cover against theft, accidental damage to the insured car or personal injury; even if these circumstances are covered in the UK by a comprehensive insurance policy.

British motorists taking their cars to Europe must usually notify their insurer and it is sometimes possible to upgrade the level of cover but the upgrade is unlikely to be free. Presently, it seems as if there are only a couple of insurance companies who provide motorists with the same level of insurance cover wherever they use their cars in the EU; if a UK motorist is fortunate enough to have comprehensive insurance with one of these companies, then their comprehensive insurance cover continues when they take the Eurostar or ferry across the channel.

Labels: car, EHIC, Europe, European Health Insurance Card, holiday, insurance, travel