Carrentals.co.uk has teamed up with The Brighton Centre to offer 5 pairs of tickets to see Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals on Saturday 1st May.

Strictly Come Dancing fans will not want to miss the first ever Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals Tour featuring 10 popular dancers from the hit BBC1 series bringing Latin fever, ballroom magic and the passion of the tango to theatres across the UK from April to July 2010.

The Professionals, all multi award-winning dance champions with world-class pedigree have wowed viewers of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Now, due to their incredible popularity with fans of the show, they are touring the UK in a spectacular dance extravaganza. Away from the pressure of the judges’ glare, the dancers, TV favourites Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, James and Ola Jordan, Matthew Cutler and Kristina Rihanoff, Brian Fortuna and Ian Waite along with this season’s new faces Aliona Vilani and Natalie Lowe will dazzle audiences with their stunning routines and elegant gowns.

An 11-week ultimate dance extravaganza featuring breathtaking new routines, Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals will travel the length and breadth of the UK residing for one week in each town. Fans will be taken on a rhythmic and colourful journey featuring the intensity and infatuation of the Argentine Tango, rumba rhythms, sizzling samba and mambo moves and enjoy the beauty of ballroom as The Professionals sashay across the stage night after night.

The Prize

We have Five Pairs of tickets to give away for Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals at The Brighton Centre for the show on Saturday 1st May

Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals, Tour Dates

Set in some of the UK’s most prestigious theatres and accompanied by an amazing live band, Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals is a must see for dancing fans of all ages.

• 29th April - 2nd May - The Brighton Centre - Win tickets - closing date 1st April 2010
  
• 4th - 8th May - Birmingham Hippodrome
• 14th - 16th May - Dublin, O2Arena
• 18th - 22th May - Wales Millennium Centre
• 24th - 29th May - Leicester De Montfort Hall
• 31st May - 5th June - Southampton Mayflower
• 7th - 12th June - Plymouth Pavilions
• 14th - 19th June - Edinburgh Playhouse
• 21st - 26th June - Liverpool Empire
• 28th June - 3rd July - Bristol Hippodrome
• 9th July - 11th July - Hammersmith Apollo
• 14th - 17th July  - Bournemouth BIC
  

STRICTLY COME DANCING - THE PROFESSIONALS is produced by Stage Entertainment and Phil McIntyre Entertainment in association with BBC Worldwide.

Performance Times:

Monday to Saturday: 7.30pm

Midweek and Saturday matinee: 2.30pm

Official Tour website: www.strictlycomedancingprotour.com

Brighton Centre - 0844 847 1515 - www.brightoncentre.co.uk

The Competition

To be in with a chance of winning the tickets for Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals simply answer the questions below:

Competition Rules

• The final closing date for the competition is 1st April, 2010
• This competition is open to UK residents over 18 years of age, except employees and their relatives of Carrentals.co.uk
• Only one entry per person
• The prize details are as stated and no cash alternative will be given
• The winners will be notified in writing and names may be featured on the Carrentals.co.uk website
• Carrentals.co.uk may, from time to time, send promotional material to entrants
• The judge’s decision is final

The Six Nations (RBS 6 Nations) Rugby Union Competition is held every year during February and March and features teams from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy all competing for the Grand Slam Title!

Carrentals has found you information on the closest Airports to these fixtures.  Why not book your car hire today, that way you and your friends can arrive, pick up your car and drive to the match without having to worry about busy trains or buses, you can arrive fresh and relaxed and then settle down and cheer on your team in true, Rugby style!

Saturday, 6 February

1430 Ireland v Italy - Croke Park

1700 England v Wales - Twickenham

Sunday, 7 February

1500 Scotland v France - Murrayfield

Saturday, 13 February

1400 Wales v Scotland - Millennium Stadium

1630 France v Ireland - Stade de France

Sunday, 14 February

1430 Italy v England - Stadio Flaminio

Friday, 26 February

2000 Wales v France - Millennium Stadium

Saturday, 27 February

1330 Italy v Scotland - Stadio Flaminio

1600 England v Ireland - Twickenham

Saturday, 13 March

1430 Ireland v Wales - Croke Park

1700 Scotland v England - Murrayfield

Sunday, 14 March

1430 France v Italy - Stade de France

Saturday, 20 March

1430 Wales v Italy - Millennium Stadium

1700 Ireland v Scotland - Croke Park

1945 France v England - Stade de France

Carrentals.co.uk is feeling very generous to the tune of £100!!…We know that January is a really LOOOOOOONG month, but we want to give someone an opportunity to carry on shopping well into Spring!!

The Prize

We have £50 gift vouchers to give away for both Amazon.co.uk and Debenhams…two of the UKs top retailers. We checked both sites and there are still many bargains to be had, so why not enter our competition to win them.

How to win £50 Amazon and £50 Debenhams vouchers…

To be in with a chance of winning the vouchers simply answer the questions below:

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED, PLEASE HAVE A LOOK TO SEE WHAT OTHER COMPETITIONS WE ARE RUNNING THIS MONTH!

• 1 in 3 drivers have less than 6 hours sleep a night and more than half of men and 44% of women admit to driving after sleepless nights
• 24% of motorists admit to drinking more to stop them worrying about the credit crunch
• Drivers in the South East worst affected by recession stress with one quarter experiencing health problems

12 January 2010 - British motorists are being driven to record stress levels, with a new survey revealing how drivers are suffering from a lack of sleep and a series of health complaints due to recession worries, with almost a  quarter of respondents turning to alcohol to help them cope with the economic climate.

Sparking fresh concerns for road safety, the survey, by leading car hire comparator Carrentals.co.uk, questioned over 1,000 drivers on their experiences during the recession and revealed that added stress had led to motorists experiencing a series of health complaints - such as panic attacks, headaches and breathing difficulties, with respondents in the south east reporting the highest number of health problems.

Almost a quarter of the drivers questioned also admitted that they were drinking more to help cope with the recession, with 41-50 year olds reporting the biggest increase in alcohol consumed - the same age group that reported the highest number of job losses (30%), pay cuts (34%) and higher mortgage payments (42%).

Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: “The last year has been a very difficult time for most of the UK, as people have come under added pressure both at work and in their personal lives. However, the number of drivers turning to alcohol to help them cope was much higher than we expected, with this increasing our concerns for road safety.

“Even consuming a lot of alcohol the night before can result in drivers still being over the legal limit the morning after, so anyone who has a few too many should take time to sober up properly before driving or else make other arrangements.”

Health problems were further highlighted by the survey, with women seeming to be more commonly affected than men, with 63% of women having suffered panic attacks due to recession stress; two thirds experiencing headaches; and over half (54%) having suffered breathing difficulties.

The survey also revealed that one in three have less than six hours sleep a night and more than half of men and 44% of women admit to driving after sleepless nights. London was found to be the place where drivers had the least sleep, while those in the North East of England were found to get the most sleep, with over 75% getting at least seven hours a night.

“Few people realise the dangers of driving on limited sleep” says Gareth, “but driver tiredness is actually the cause of one in five road accidents in the UK, with motorists suffering from reduced reaction speeds and some falling asleep at the wheel. We would advise any motorists suffering from sleep deprivation to avoid driving whenever possible, with anyone driving for more than two hours at a time encouraged to take regular breaks to rest.”

Carrentals.co.uk compares car hire deals from up to 50 rental companies, including Alamo, Budget, easyCar, Holiday Autos and Sixt, in over 9,000 locations worldwide.   i
/p v ncreases are based on individual examples from companies featured on Carrentals.co.uk. **Prices based on seven-day rental from 13 February 2010 and are subject to change

Tuscany’s capital has long been a hub of culture, art and architecture, and today’s visitors to the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance rarely leave disappointed by its timeless beauty. With the splendid Duomo dominating the skyline and some of the world’s finest art on show, Florence makes for not only a fascinating city break, but a romantic one, too.

History

From the 1300s to the early 1500s, Florence was one of Europe’s most important cities, inventing a successful currency and opera, backing industry across Europe, revolutionising art and architecture, driving the Age of Discovery and pushing the boundaries of scientific research. Today, reminders of this heyday are strewn across the city in the form of world renowned art galleries, architectural wonders and over six dozen museums.

Sightseeing

Your first stop should be the city’s outstanding cathedral, the Duomo, which at its time of construction featured the largest dome in the world. The nearby Museum of the Works of the Duomo gives greater insight into the cathedral and boasts a superb sculpture collection while art lovers will also want to make a beeline for the Uffizi, Pitti Palace and Bargello galleries to wonder at works by Michelangelo and the like. Finish your day with a romantic walk along one of Florence’s bridges to take in scenes of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio.

Shopping

Ponte Vecchio is home to a luxurious high-end shopping scene featuring names like Prada, Gucci and Ferragamo but for the more down to earth shopper, the side streets leading off the bridge on the left bank offer better bargains. The touristy San Lorenzo market is a good place to pick up souvenirs including Florentine paper and leather goods but if you’re looking to spoil that someone special you’ll want to shop in the boutiques of the historical centre.

Eating and drinking

Florence is covered in excellent eating spots, from delis to ice cream bars and fine dining restaurants, but it is best to avoid dining in the busy tourist areas like Mercato di San Lorenzo where pricing and authenticity are questionable. Instead, head outside of the historical centre and dine among locals on Florentine favourites like bistecca alla Fiorentina (t-bone steak). Note there are usually two restaurant prices; one for eating at the bar and one for eating at a table.

Where to stay

While the historic centre is bursting with accommodation, the best prices on hotels can be found outside this tourist hub. Apartment rentals and bed and breakfasts are popular, as are locally owned hotels. Hotels occupying historic properties are a favourite with visiting couples, with some equipped with fresco ceilings, courtyards and traditional Tuscan furniture.

Getting there

Florence Amerigo Vespucci International Airport is the main gateway to the city and just a 15 minute taxi ride from the city centre; however, nearby Pisa Airport receives low-cost flights from across Europe and is therefore the entry point of choice for most. From here you can connect to Florence by train or bus in one hour. Eurostar trains also serve Florence while road connections are good for those who want to self-drive.

17 December 2009 - Award-winning comparator Carrentals.co.uk has topped the natural search rankings for car hire search terms in September,  achieving 54% for the 1.5 million car hire-related searches performed in September through ranking at position one for 147 of the 3,800 keywords analysed, according to the car hire sector report* from leading independent search engine marketing agency, Greenlight.

The report also revealed that Carrentals.co.uk topped the rankings for both domestic and worldwide search terms in September, with 63% and 52% reached respectively, as well as being the most visible website across all car hire keywords.

Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: “Greenlight’s report highlights the strength of our position online, with our expertise in search engine optimisation positioning us at the forefront of the market. Despite the recession, 2009 has been a great year for us, with our sales outstripping targets across the board.”

Carrentals.co.uk has already reported results from its bumper summer, with a 38% year on year increase in its bookings, (1 June - 31^st August), and a corresponding 72% increase in revenue.

Gareth adds: “Our success underlies the quality of service we offer, as unlike many other price comparators, our CPA approach ensures that we are ale to offer both rental companies and customers a better deal, with suppliers benefitting from a fairer, more cost-effective service with no pay-per-click and customers able to choose from low prices from a wider selection of providers.

“We’re very proud of the results we have achieved to date, but know that there is still far more potential in the market and we will be looking to further develop our services going into 2010 to help strengthen our existing position.”

The company has achieved its success in just six years, with the site first launching in 2003 as a car hire broker. In 2007 Carrentals.co.uk re-launched to become a car hire comparison site and won Best Car Hire Website in the 2008 Travolution Awards, and Best Ski Car Rental in the 2008/09 Good Ski Guide Oscars.

Carrentals.co.uk compares car hire deals from up to 50 rental companies, including Alamo, Budget, easyCar, Holiday Autos and Sixt, in over 9,000 locations worldwide. ihds
w /p vehicles, which has restricted availability in many locations and in turn seen prices increase across the board - a trend that is set to continue into 2010.”

With the effects of the credit crunch, fewer car hire bookings were expected throughout 2009, with car rental companies hoping restricted fleet sizes would suffice, but despite the tough economic climate, bookings have remained high during peak seasons - leading to complete sell outs on numerous occasions.

Commenting on the situation Owen Coles of easyCar says: “General expectations are that the economy will improve in 2010 and as a result we are expecting an increase in the number of transactions. However, with the instability of the financial climate, it is not yet clear as to how easy it will be to obtain funding for fleet expansion.

“We are likely to see further examples of restricted vehicle availability as fleet sizes in 2010 will generally be the same as this year, so we are anticipating shortages, some of them acute, in the peak periods. Car rental companies will therefore be forced to focus on a shift from growth to margin protection and service improvement.”

Customers are being advised to book car hire early to guarantee a good deal, with Carrentals.co.uk currently offering car hire for February half term at Faro Airport from just £14** a day, from £13** a day at Athens Airport, from £14** a day in Tenerife South Airport and from £12** a day at Palma Airport.

Gareth Robinson adds: “We would advise travellers to book as far in advance as possible in order to get the best deals and vehicle choice. Using a comparator site customers can gain an overview of the different options available, making sure they are securing the best available price.”

Carrentals.co.uk compares car hire deals from up to 50 rental companies, including Alamo, Budget, easyCar, Holiday Autos and Sixt, in over 9,000 locations worldwide.

To compare the latest car hire deals visit www.carrentals.co.uk.  *Price increases are based on individual examples from companies featured on Carrentals.co.uk. **Prices based on seven-day rental from 13 February 2010 and are subject to change

14 December 2009 - Award-winning price comparator website Carrentals.co.uk is warning that the lack of car hire availability seen this year across some of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations is set to continue into 2010, with the recession restricting funds available to car rental companies for fleet expansion.

The peak seasons of 2009 saw destinations such as Malaga, Alicante and Valencia all selling out completely, forcing travellers to find alternative means of transport for their holidays. Lack of availability is not the only effect of the shortage in cars though, with Carrentals.co.uk revealing that some of the car hire companies featured on its website increased prices by up to 96% for car rental in the 12 month period between summer 2008 and summer 2009.

Destinations with the biggest price increases in 2009 include Gibraltar Airport, which saw an increase of £8.16* a day (up 65%); Alicante Airport, which saw prices rise by £11.23* a day (up 87%); and Toulouse Airport, which saw an increase of £23.07* a day (up 96%).

Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: “The recession has heavily impacted upon fleet sizes this year, with car hire companies having been unable to increase the number of vehicles due to lack of funding from banks. Without the banks’ investments, companies have been forced to cope with a limited supply of vehicles, which has restricted availability in many locations and in turn seen prices increase across the board - a trend that is set to continue into 2010.”

With the effects of the credit crunch, fewer car hire bookings were expected throughout 2009, with car rental companies hoping restricted fleet sizes would suffice, but despite the tough economic climate, bookings have remained high during peak seasons - leading to complete sell outs on numerous occasions.

Commenting on the situation Owen Coles of easyCar says: “General expectations are that the economy will improve in 2010 and as a result we are expecting an increase in the number of transactions. However, with the instability of the financial climate, it is not yet clear as to how easy it will be to obtain funding for fleet expansion.

“We are likely to see further examples of restricted vehicle availability as fleet sizes in 2010 will generally be the same as this year, so we are anticipating shortages, some of them acute, in the peak periods. Car rental companies will therefore be forced to focus on a shift from growth to margin protection and service improvement.”

Customers are being advised to book car hire early to guarantee a good deal, with Carrentals.co.uk currently offering car hire for February half term at Faro Airport from just £14** a day, from £13** a day at Athens Airport, from £14** a day in Tenerife South Airport and from £12** a day at Palma Airport.

Gareth Robinson adds: “We would advise travellers to book as far in advance as possible in order to get the best deals and vehicle choice. Using a comparator site customers can gain an overview of the different options available, making sure they are securing the best available price.”

Carrentals.co.uk compares car hire deals from up to 50 rental companies, including Alamo, Budget, easyCar, Holiday Autos and Sixt, in over 9,000 locations worldwide.

To compare the latest car hire deals visit www.carrentals.co.uk.  *Price increases are based on individual examples from companies featured on Carrentals.co.uk. **Prices based on seven-day rental from 13 February 2010 and are subject to change

Home to 87 ski resorts, with many of them boasting cheap and affordable services, Slovenia offers visitors top-notch slopes along with quality ski instructors, excellent wining and dining, and value-for-money accommodation. Slovenia’s ski resorts take up a total of 1,300 hectares, made up of 300kms of ski runs accompanied by 24kms of sledging tracks. This makes Slovenia one of the most popular and affordable places to enjoy skiing in Europe.

History

In the mid-17th century locals skied down Bloke Plateau and it is claimed that due to the extreme steepness of the slopes here, skiers either honed their skills to perfection or died trying. The largest and longest serving ski resort in Slovenia is Mariborsko Pohorje and it has been open to the public for decades. Rogla was developed into the ski paradise it is now in the 1970s when the first ski lifts were built and the local roads widened to handle the influx of visitor numbers.

Sightseeing

Many people visit Slovenia for the powdery white slopes where snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowboarding are available amid beautiful countryside. Yet Mariborsko Pohorje boasts interesting old architecture throughout its old centre and Cerkno Ski Centre is a modern resort that attracts many famillies. Here, visitors can go mountain biking on the trails, hunting or fishing in the local lakes. A handful of resorts in Kranjska Gora also provide tourists with the chance to enjoy a ride on a dog-pulled sled or a horse-drawn sleigh.

Shopping

Opportunities are available at the majority of the ski resorts across Slovenia, with many stores specialising in winter sports wear. Kranjska Gora is a small and romantic alpine village offering guests a few boutique-style shops selling local handicrafts along with ski gear. Mariborsko Pohorje is not the most popular ski resort solely for its skiing as there are countless shops and stores here selling a variety of local goods and holiday souvenirs as well as ski equipment and clothing.

Eating and drinking

Lake Bled boasts a variety of places to wine and dine, with a large selection of cafés and bars lining its pretty streets. Mariborsko Pohorje has everything anyone could want from top-class restaurants, lively discos, theatres, casinos and clubs through to small cafés that ooze charm and sophistication. Rogla plays host to a variety of eating options, from local cosy taverns to quality restaurants and fine dining.

Where to stay

With such a wide choice of accommodation options, Slovenia is truly a ski-lover’s haven. Luxury resorts mingle with cheaper hotels allowing everyone to enjoy Mariborsko Pohorje, and Lake Bled has a mixture of private ski lodges and hotel rooms at rates to suit all budgets. The majority of the country’s resorts—even the largest and most popular—are attractively priced and range in ratings from two to five stars.

Getting there

The main gateway into Slovenia is Ljubljana Airport, which welcomes more than 1.5 million people through its doors every year, mainly from European destinations. Kranjska Gora is easily reached by hire car from Ljubljana Airport in an hour’s drive via a good road system. For those visiting Mariborsko Pohorje, take a plane to Graz Airport in nearby Austria then travel by hire car or hotel transfer for 40kms to the popular resort.

Fringed by the Pennines to the north and the east and Cheshire to the south, Manchester is a lively English city with bustling streets and a skyline that boasts buildings built over many eras.

The city is famed for being the home of the UK’s largest indoor shopping centre, Arndale, and Christmas is a popular time of the year to visit to take in the lights and excellent Christmas shopping.

History

Manchester boasts a long and interesting history which dates back to Roman times when a fort was built in Castlefield. The fort later attracted a medieval town, which began life as a small hamlet belonging to the then bustling town of Salford. Manchester grew in notoriety during the Industrial Revolution due to its warehouses, cotton mills and factories. Today its cultural and historical importance aids its claim to being the UK’s second capital city.

Sightseeing

Old Trafford is one of the most popular landmarks in the city and informative tours can be enjoyed around the world-famous football ground. History buffs will likely prefer roaming Manchester’s first class museums, from the Lowry to the Imperial War Museum North. Meanwhile, Victorian and contemporary architecture can be admired, with the Gothic-style Town Hall in Albert Square and the looming CIS building that towers above the rest of the skyline being must-sees.

Shopping

by far the most rewarding time to visit Manchester is during December when visitors can Christmas shop until they drop among thousands of lights and decorations. Arndale Centre, the UK’s largest indoor shopping centre, is home to more than 240 different shops. But across the city there are plenty of opportunities to soak up the local shopping scene, with Market Street hosting stalls selling roasted chestnuts lit and festive gifts in among boutique shops and large department stores.

Eating and drinking

Manchester is home to a cosmopolitan array of cafés, pubs, bars and restaurants and some of the tastiest food can be sampled in one of the many ethnic eateries found throughout the city. Expensive fine dining can be enjoyed in one of the city’s plusher suburbs such as Cheshire while local delicacies such as Eccles cakes, Lancashire hotpot and corned beef hash can be tasted during a Christmas shopping trip to Manchester. Canal Street attracts late night partiers, as does Printworks with its many bars and clubs.

Where to stay

Accommodation in the city is as varied as its culture, with a host of different places to lodge in, from bed and breakfasts through to five-star hotels. Hotels with heritage sit among international chain brands and the centre of Manchester boasts the largest congregation. If you are visiting the city during the Christmas period a hotel in the centre or close to the main train station is the ideal way to ensure you don’t lose valuable Christmas shopping time during your stay.

Getting there

Manchester is served by a well-used international airport, which is only a 20-minute journey from the heart of the city and is readily accessible via taxi, bus or hire car. Christmas is a popular time to visit and getting to and from Manchester during the festive period can be a little chaotic therefore forward planning is advantageous if you want to reserve a car or train seat.