Wild but beautiful, Galway is one of those cities that is guaranteed to seduce all who visit. Renowned for its cultural charms and easy-going pace, visitors to Galway will never be bored. What's more, hiring a car in Galway makes it possible to see both the traditional and the modern aspects of the City of the Tribes. From the traditional thatched cottages of Connemara to the bright lights and buzz of the city centre, touring possibilities abound in Galway.
Galway City Mini Guide:
The city of Galway is located on Ireland's west coast and is known nationwide as The City of the Tribes. The city is one of Ireland's most exciting centres of cultural and creative activity, with many artists and musicians making their home in the city and in the nearby Gaelic-speaking Connemara countryside.
Things To See/Do in Galway:
Galway is famous for its festivals, which are held throughout the calendar year including Galway Oyster Festival, Galway Arts Festival, Galway Races and Galway Film Fleadh.
The rivers, hills and lakes of the surrounding countryside are just waiting to be explored by hire car. Local natural attractions include: Salthill seaside resort, which is popular for swimming, diving, sailing and jet skiing. The Salmon Weir Bridge is a popular spot with local anglers and fishermen vying to catch an elusive Atlantic salmon. The village of Claddagh is another top fishing draw. Nearby historic places worth visiting include Athenry Castle, Kylemore Abbey, Clonfert Cathedral and Clarinbridge. Another option is to make a journey by ferry to the beautiful and tranquil Aran Islands, located just off the Galway coast.
Eating Out/Nightlife/Accommodation in Galway:
Due to its coastal location, fish is definitely the dish of the day in restaurants and eateries throughout the city. Those on a tight budget will enjoy the choice offered by the city's cheap and cheerful takeaways and low cost restaurants, which include: McDonaghs, Fat Freddy's, Trattoria, Pasta Mista and Pierre Victoire.
If money is no object however, try Kirwan's Lane or Nimmos, located at the city's famous Spanish Archway. Here, local Galway seafood is to be enjoyed in exclusive surroundings overlooking the River Corrib.
Galway has a lively nightlife, ranging from cosy traditional Irish pub culture to trendy nightclubs. Tigh Neachtain's on Quay Street offers traditional music and warm welcomes, while Rois'n Dubhs provides a venue for international and homegrown musical talents. However, the main after dark action takes place in and around Eyre Square, Ellington Street and Dominic Street. Trendy nightspots here include: The Alley, Cuba and The Kings Head.
Galway offers a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and requirements, whether you're a lowly backpacker looking for a low cost budget hostel or treating yourself to a pampering weekend, this city has it covered. The five-star G Hotel and Spa, which was designed by world famous Irish milliner Philip Treacy is located in the heart of the city, just a few minutes drive from Galway Airport and is definitely one for the high rollers. Meanwhile, the centrally located Galway City Hostel offers thrifty backpackers a low cost sleep, with rates starting from an incredibly cheap ?12 per night.
The hire of a car can forms one of the fundamental parts of any holiday or road trip. While there are many cheap car hire companies out there it is not always the case that they are a great deal. With additional charges and penalties your cheap hire car can turn out to be ultimately expensive. This is rarely good for your trip as having to keep funds back to deal with any penalties you may have incurred can be an added stress. Here are some of the best tips to prevent the extra charges and penalties, ensuring you can relax while on your trip, without the worry of the hire car hanging over you at all times.
First and foremost it is vital that you should check over the car before you leave; there are some hire companies that will charge you for scratches and dents that were there when you took the car so this is extremely important. Make a full and detailed check while the company representative is present so there are instantly made aware of the issues. In addition, it is often wise to use a digital camera, something you will probably have with you for your holiday and take some photos of any damage. By having this you have physical record of any issues that you will be able to present to the company should they try and charge you for any damage that you have not caused.
While the internet it an ultimately useful resource, when booking your hire car it is often advisable to use company websites as a guide. Instead of booking online it often pays to ring the outlet directly. By doing this you not only build a rapport with the operative, but the chances of gaining a discount are increased. By comparing a variety of deals on the internet you will gather valuable ammunition when trying to barter a deal, if you can say "so and so offered me this" then the chances are you will be able to extract the same price from the company you are speaking to.
That said you should not just pursue an offline approach, it is through a combined effort of internet research and hard bartering that you will be able to gain the best deal. It is surprising how many people do not even attempt to barter prices taking the cost always at face value. With a little determination it is possible to gain a great deal without any loss in the service you will receive. Remember however that a cheap price does not always mean a great deal, make sure to get the details sorted while you are brokering the deal to avoid a nasty surprise when you reach then car hire desk.
In addition to the last point, it is vital that you should check the details of your hire contract extensively. Of prime importance is to nail down the mileage agreement, the best advice is to pursue an unlimited mileage as a price per mile can work out very expensive. Also, you should check the fuel agreement, knowing whether the car needs to be full before you return it will save you money in the long run; it is often the case that hire companies will charge you exorbitant amounts for fuelling the car, so making sure it is fully fuelled on its return is a great money-saver.
By following this advice you should be able to save yourself the heartache of having an extremely expensive car hire experience. Ultimately you want to cover yourself from any additional charges that the company may try to impose upon you. While this is not usually a problem with larger companies, smaller operators have been known to use these tactics. By protecting yourself you can negate these tactics and save yourself money.
Both Fiona Hiliard & Thomas Pretty are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Fiona Hiliard has sinced written about articles on various topics from Car Rental, Travel and Leisure and Portugal Holiday. Fiona writes for Argus Car Hire and Fiona writes for Argus Rentals and . Fiona Hiliard's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Thomas Pretty has sinced written about articles on various topics from Formula One, Debts Loans and Interior Design. Travel expert Thomas Pretty gives tips on how to gain a great deal and avoid any penalty charges.. Thomas Pretty's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.