Help!! Am going to rent a car in Spain while on the Costa del Sol and will be driving to Seville and Pralia da Rocha before turning it in at Lisbon. Car must carry 4 adults and bags. Anyone out there who can suggest an appropriate vehicle? Have never driven in Europe - am rather new at European travel. Will my USA license be sufficient? What about insurance? Any suggestions? Thanks

I have rented through a company out of Maine who find the "best " deal for you. they select from all the major companies.they are helpful on size etc. I think if I mention names it may be regarded as advertising. Look in any tour book and they are there. You can look at the rental companies' websites for car descriptions. Call your credit card company and ask them if they cover you for CDW which is the extra you will need. An international drivers license is always a good idea - obtainable from AAA.

Elaine, The company is Auto Europe at <BR>800-223-5555 and they are mentioned often on this forum---I have used them <BR>about 10 times. You do not need an intl. <BR>drivers license. Go to their web site at <BR>www.autoeurope.com to see the cars you can rent in Spain. Expect a drop off <BR>charge in Portugal--don't miss Cape St. <BR>Vincent at Sagres on your way to Lisbon. <BR>I have done this drive and it is not <BR>difficult---you will be fine. You can rent with or without CDW---your call. <BR>Your other option is www.kemwel.com. <BR>Good luck. I hope you are staying at <BR>the Bellavista at Praia de Rocha,and a great place to stay south of Lisbon your <BR>last nite is the Pousada at Palmera.

Yes, Auto Europe is the greatest. And, (I hope), that testimonials do not count as advertising? <BR> <BR>One other thought, is you should order a car larger than you think you will need, as European cars are smaller than American cars.

Hi, Elaine, <BR>Auto Europe is fine, but shop the web for occasional good deals even from the major US companies. A car big enough to carry 4 adults with bags probably will seem fairly expensive by US standards; if you need an automatic transmission (uncommon in Europe) it will be more. How long is your trip? If you will need a car for more than 17 or 18 days you might investigate the Renault or Citroen car lease programs, see for example, http://www.eurodrive.renault.com/ - they also don’t charge drop fees. <BR> <BR>A couple of other suggestions: first, driving in Seville, even for veteran European drivers, can be a little scary and confusing because of the volume of traffic, the speed, the narrow medieval streets, and IMHO a general disregard in Spain for signs telling you where you are or how to get anywhere. Try to find your hotel on a city map before you get there, and still allocate some extra time. Parking is really tough unless your hotel offers it (worth paying extra). Once parked safely, leave it alone. Second, consider seriously dropping the car at the Lisbon airport on your arrival in the city (easy access from either of the Tagus bridges) then rely on taxis, trams, or busses after that. Driving in Lisbon (or urban Portugal in general) gives many visitors the fits. I would probably say yes to CDW insurance mainly for the peace of mind. See if any credit cards you use may cover CDW (check on European coverage with the card issuer). <BR> <BR>I hope this doesn’t sound scary, it shouldn’t be, but for your first time driving in Europe you should be prepared for different, maybe more aggressive, driving styles than one encounters in most of the US. Except Boston. (He ducks.) <BR>