Devall Travels

A few days and I have made another slight amendment.  This year the Mustang only proved to be a PITA as the boot (trunk) was only able to take a single large suitcase and the small hand luggage case, as long as you put it in by some sort of luggage contortionist way. On the way back to the airport and the day before, we had two cases and one had to go onto the back seat!  This wouldn't be a problem if we had a fixed apartment or hotel, as we have some days "on the road" maybe the Mustang isn't going to be the right vehicle. Head has to overrule the heart!   So it was back the travel sites to see that would be an alternative. Or take one case maybe? This year we had booked a Dodge Charger and then didn't need too much persuasion to trade up to the Mustang.  The Chargers we saw there looked pretty good and the Highway Patrol was using them too, although I doubt they had the box standard rental car model. So what to do? The two companies that came out ...

Had another look today to compare Alamo's rates and some of the other sites such as Travelsupermarket.com etc. and the rates seem to have changed magically overnight! Incredible I hear you cry, but no, don't titter (© Frankie Howerd).  I checked Fort Myers first to see if it was a cheaper site to Tampa and the Alamo rate for the Mustang (yes I know) came out at $631.50 for the fortnight including all the insurance stuff.... I was so surprised that I emailed them!  I asked them if there were any nasty surprises on collection! So that ought to be the car sorted!  The offer says "Ford Mustang or similar", The similar might be the Chrysler 200.  That looks to be pretty much a good alternative, but the Mustang is, well, a Mustang. Chrysler 200  

Looking for a car for the trip. Doesn't need to be the Mustang we had last time but something that can take two cases and be kinda comfortable. And American? This year we went with Alamo. The 16 days of the rental was about $850. So when I logged into my account with Alamo for the same weeks except on 15 days rental I naively thought something around that ball park. I hadn't expected the Mustang to come out at nearer $1100! They can swivel on that.  Why did I look for the Mustang considering paragraph one above? Only because a mundane Impala or similar was showing at over $800. My winter project will be to watch around for a better deal. Maybe one where they give a f*ck if their car breaks down.  AAA cover is extra. For the daily rate x 15 I can join the RAC in UK for a year at the highest level! Logging out, clearing cookies and then trying as a new customer is maybe a single solitary dollar more! Looks lik...

Twelve days to go. Jobs today. 1) Email Alamo to hassle then to reserve me the Dodge Charger or similar American car. I do not want a Nissan! 2) Email the resort at Punta Gorda to check out parking for guests and whether the apartments have hair dryers. Most European resorts do. 3) Download Florida Mapping for my TomTom.  Then install on the Rider. I've managed all three, or rather two and a half. The mapping is paid for. I just need to find the download key to get it on the computer so that TomTom Home can install it. What other jobs need doing?