There is something about being on the open road that just makes you feel alive. And with the warm French sun beating through the sunroof, music playing through the speakers and nothing but beautiful views rolling before me it’s clear to see why. I’m currently driving from Montpellier to a beautiful village called Avignon where I’m intending on spending the day soaking up the culture and indulging in some classic food from the region. It’s one of the first times I’ve rented a car when on holiday, yet it’s leaving me wondering just why I haven’t done so before. I’ve often had a destination in mind and once I’ve reached it, parked myself here relying on foot or local transport should I wish to explore anywhere else. Yet having my own car means I have the freedom to go further afield, don’t need to rely on coach excursions and am blessed with endless flexibility.
When you tend to think of travelling, you probably consider backpacking multiple regions, yet this doesn’t always need to be the case. By renting a car you can have your base – or choose to travel around – all while exploring multiple destinations in comfort and at your own pace. Here is a look into my recent trip with a car from SIXT and just why it’s such a fantastic thing to do.
The booking
The experience of renting a car is a simple one. Prior to your trip, simply sign up on SIXT online, choose your car and everything will be emailed straight to you. You can choose where and when you wish to pick up your car and can either pick up and drop off to the same place, or have different start and end destinations. There are a myriad of cars to choose between, depending on the size and specification you’re after.
For my trip I chose a Citroen c5 Aircross with a Sat Nav because my sense of direction, particularly in a new country is next to none. I wanted to be able to enjoy the experience, take in the views and not worry about getting lost down a random country lane. You can book your car as far in advance as you like and I recommend at least a couple of months to make sure you can reserve the car you want. Leave it too late and this might not be available and the prices might also be that bit more costly.
The pick-up process
Having never rented a car before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when picking up my vehicle in Montpellier. I’d selected to retrieve my rental from Montpellier Saint-Roch train station as I had already spent a couple of days exploring the beautiful city. With the hot sun above and the air hazy with the heat, I was looking forward to driving into the countryside for a more rural experience.
The pick-up process was effortless and I just needed to show my documents, driving licence and confirmation of booking. I chose to upgrade the vehicle insurance so I was covered for any exterior damage and this gave real peace of mind for the trip. I was then led to the car park where I was shown my vehicle, given a brief explanation of the controls and told who to contact should I need it. Less than fifteen minutes after arriving, I was on the road.
The experience and appeal of hiring a car on your next trip
One of the best things about travel and particularly a road trip is that we’re forced to be more present. Other means of travel such as taxis and trains mean we don’t need to focus. We tend to sit back, faces buried deep in our devices only half in our destination, the other half in the digital realm, not noticing what’s going on around us.
There’s something beautiful about being forced to be in the moment when driving, to take in the views past the window, the rural shades of green flashing by, sunlight slicing through gaps in branches, the wavy lines of the heat distorting the horizon. There’s a simple, retro-style pleasure about playing music, chatting with friends and living in the moment without a device in hand. The Citroen c5 Aircross is well-equipped and comfortable, padded seats provide ample cushion for longer drives, the air con is deliciously chilly and the sound system much better than my car back in the UK.
My partner and I have the chance to reconnect and chat, treading new ground together and exploring different destinations that would have been a nightmare on public transport. We take joy in searching the map and finding small pockets to visit, not having to worry about navigating buses and trains to get home again. We bundle into the car and let the open road take care of us, stopping at quaint towns that we drive through.
We brush past knitted-wares and purchase home-made trinkets in local boutique shops. We fill crinkly, brown paper bags with fresh fruit and vegetables in the Sunday market, tomatoes fat and ripened by the sun, lemons vibrant and waxy, local bottles of wine dusty from cellars. We make pit stops for gelato and fresh croissants and take photos of the scenes as we drive. We’re spoilt by the flexibility and freedom, branching out of our nearby vicinity and immersing ourselves in what the other destinations have to give.
We explore the Arc de Triomphe and sip local wine (or soft drinks in the case of the designated driver!) in a brasserie in Montpellier city centre, revel in the colourful lights of Luna Park amusement park while eating hot dogs smothered in cheap ketchup and get lost in the beautiful, historical town of Avignon. We drive to the historic city of Marseilles where we wander the harbour and take in the colourful houses perched atop of the hilly landscape before stopping at Aix-En-Provence on the way back. Another day we drive to Saint Guilhem le Desert, an old commune with winding, cobbled streets, small shops and eateries, the air fragrant with the smell of hot crepes. A short drive from here is Le Pont du Diable, a beautiful swim spot where we kayak down the river and return home, skin tingling with the salt water, hair frizzy from the heat and many memories made.
Having a car when on your holiday opens a plethora of doors for you to explore. You’re not restricted to any one area and while you might want to have a certain spot as your base, you can branch out with ease. Not only this, but you can take as much with you as you need, filling the boot with towels, sun umbrellas, a pram if you have a family and backpacks of supplies for the day ahead. You’re free from wrestling everything through a bus door and having to rush back for restrictive timetables. You’re free to deviate from the plan, sticking to no real schedule and just letting yourself be guided by whatever you feel like doing. You can immerse yourself in the culture of where you are visiting and get as much from your trip as possible.
The entire experience of renting a car from SIXT is an effortless one and something I wouldn’t hesitate to do every time I head abroad. As someone who is known to overpack, likes to explore yet doesn’t like the hassle of navigating unreliable public transport every time, it’s perfect. You could rent a car and use it to take you from destination to destination as a road trip, or for different day trips and explorations. You’re free to take whatever path you wish, picking your car up from a convenient location to you and then the world is your oyster! Whether heading abroad or looking to discover more of the UK you are spoilt for choice.
How to hire a vehicle when travelling
We recommend heading to the SIXT website where you can book your vehicle directly.
Did you know, when heading to Heathrow Terminal 2, SIXT is the only car rental provider to operate in the terminal. This means you can collect your vehicle in the terminal without having to use a shuttle bus to reach the off-site car rental depots.
Tips for hiring a rental car on your next trip
Check out the local driving laws and customs for your destination
Ensure you have the correct insurance and protection
Decide on some places you want to visit ahead of time
Always check the correct fuel for your vehicle
Make sure you drop the vehicle back on time to avoid any late fees
Return the car in the condition you’ve agreed and with a full tank of petrol
Find a car that’s right for your needs
