An Advertorial Feature

Many people’s idea of a holiday in the Costa Blanca is to arrive at their hotel and stay there for two weeks solid, venturing out only as far as the nearest beach and plonking down as soon as their feet hit the sand.

The Costa Blanca of course offers far more but you’ll certainly need a car if you want to explore it comfortably and at your own pace.

There are many car rental firms operating out of Alicante Airport, such as Beneluxcar, Javea Cars, Hertz and Europa. However, for cheap car hire it’s always advisable to book in advance.

The booking process is normally simple and straightforward. Just make sure you get adequate insurance (including collision damage waiver) and, if you want to save money and opt for a car without aircon, be prepared to get poached every time you drive somewhere.

When you arrive in Spain, don’t just load the car up and drive off. It’s vital that you do a few checks beforehand. First, check the car for any signs of damage. You should make a note of, or better still photograph, any dents or dings you come across and tell the car rental guys about them.

Next, make sure the car contains the necessary amount of paraphernalia that private cars in Spain are legally obliged to carry. The list includes TWO reflective triangles, a complete set of spare bulbs and the tools required to install them, and a high-visibility jacket. This must be kept within easy reach when you’re driving on any roads where the speed limit is 50kph or above. In other words, not in the boot. And if you wear glasses to drive you must carry a spare pair with you.

If this all seems a bit much, you’re probably right. But if the police do pull you over you don’t want to provide them with the slightest excuse to issue an on the spot fine or, worse, arrest you. So best play it safe.

Speaking of which, it’s worth remembering that the amount of alcohol that can be in your system when driving in Spain is about half that tolerated in the UK. Road casualties caused by drunk drivers are very high in Spain, and the police are fervent in their determination to reduce the statistics.

So, assuming you’re sober and your rental car is all loaded, let’s go! First stop: the petrol station. ‘Fraid that trip to the fabulous Jalon Valley will have to wait. This is because your rental car will probably need replenishing with fuel and will almost certainly need a quick check of the tyres. In a survey, around 60% of rental cars’ tyre pressures were found to be low – sometimes dangerously so. By the way, take care when you stop at petrol stations, especially those near airports and wherever car rental offices are situated. These are favourite hangouts of thieves on the lookout for unattended cars crammed with goodies.

 OK, now you really can go. Enjoy your trip!