Consumer Driving Tips

Consumer Driving Tips

10 Ways to Reduce Your Fuel Costs, NOW!

Here are ways to reduce your fuel costs in your vehicle.

Purchase Fuel Wisely - Save up to 20%

1.  Use the Right Grade of Gasoline / Don't Top Off: Most cars run fine on regular. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out what's right for your car. (See regular vs. premium.) Don't "top off" at the pump and make sure your fuel fill cap is on tight and working right. Regular grade fuel cost about 20-cents per gallon less than premium grade.

2.  Look for the Best Price / Limit Purchases When Prices are High: Today's gasolines provide very similar engine performance (although some brands have different gasoline blends that provide other benefits), so choose stations in your area with the lowest prices. Fuel prices can vary 10% within a few blocks. Avoid filling the tank during high-price periods.

Alter Travel Practices - Save up to 30%

3.  Use Carpooling / Public Transit / Non-Motorized Options: Ride the bus, carpool, bicycle or walk instead of driving alone. Sharing a ride to work with a friend or two effectively doubles your fuel economy for the trip and may allow you to use the diamond lane.

4.  Take Advantage of Telecommuting / Telecommunications Technology: Many employers offer telecommuting as an option. Use the computer and telephone to replace vehicle trips for business, shopping and services when possible.

Drive More Efficiently - Save up to 20%

5.  Don't Drive Aggressively / Drive at the Speed Limit: Avoid aggressive driving and aggressive starts. All vehicles lose fuel economy at speeds above 55 mph. Driving 65 instead of 75 mph reduces fuel cost 13%. Driving 55 would save 25%.

6.  Reduce Air Conditioner Use / Close Windows: Using the air conditioner increases fuel cost from 13% up to 21%. If it's cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation instead of rolling down the windows or using the AC.

7.  Eliminate Extra Wind Resistance and Weight: Using a loaded roof rack increases fuel consumption. Carry the load inside your vehicle if you can. Removing unnecessary weight is better still.

8.  Minimize Vehicle Idling: Today's vehicles are designed to warm up fast. Avoid idling when you can; idling is 0 miles per gallon.

Improve the Efficiency of the Vehicle You Drive - save up to 50%

9.  Maintain Vehicle Efficiency: Regular maintenance as prescribed by the vehicle owner's manual will help your vehicle achieve its best fuel economy. Some overlooked maintenance items, such as a dirty air filter and under-inflated tires, can increase your fuel cost up to 13%. When replacing your tires, replace them with the same make and model as the tires that were on your vehicle when it was new. It's been estimated that if all Californians properly inflated and aligned their tires, we'd save 300 million gallons of gasoline a year!

10.  Drive or Purchase a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle: Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle whenever possible. When purchasing, consider the most fuel efficient vehicle and save up to 50%. Consider a hybrid-electric, a diesel vehicle, or even a motorcycle. The next best option is to purchase the most fuel efficient vehicle within the class of vehicles you are considering.
Final Word on Gasoline-Saving Devices

Car hire OFFERS

Happy Easter Offers!

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See for yourself

Around...  Crete  in 80 days!

...you drive from one end too the other within 4 hours and still you think you have just been around the word

www.carhire-crete.eu your car hire company on crete 

Stone Age in Greece

By the term Stone Age we refer to the very early dawn of human civilization in prehistoric times which has been traced mainly in the Northern part of Greece and this relatively long and vague timeline stretches starting 40.000 years ago till 2200 BC and precedes the Bronze Age and the creation of some of the earliest form of civilizations in the Aegean Sea, Crete and Peloponnese, the Cycladic, Minoan and the Mycenaean civilization respectively.



There are very few remnants and findings of the Stone Age in Greece. The Palaeolithic population of Greece appears to have been tiny and only few of these settlements have been found. Some of the 
most important Paleolithic sites that you can visit are the Cave of Petralona in Chalkidiki and the Theopetra Cave in Thessaly.




The Petralona Cave is formed about 300 m above sea level, bejeweled with stalagmites and stalactites created in Jurassic era (~150 million years). The Cave became known internationally when the famous fossilized skull of Petralona man or Archanthropus was found. The research proved that Petralona Archanthropus has an age of about 700.000 years ago, that is the oldest known Europeoid man. Thousands of fossils and other findings of the cave but also from open sites such as Chalkidiki, Amyntaio, Ikaria, Crete, Ptolemais and Chios are deposited in the Anthropological Museum, situated next to the cave.

Theopetra Cave is a famous archaeological site and quite unique in its kind as its deposits start at the Middle Paleolithic (50.000 BC) and last until the end of the Neolithic period (4.000 BC) without gaps, containing records of the replacement of Neanderthals by modern humans and then the subsequent transition from hunter-gathering to farming. A wall which was built 23.000 years ago was discovered in 2010, making it the oldest known human-built structure so far.

The Neolithic Age begins in the 7th millennium BC and some of the most important settlements of this era were found mainly in Thessaly and Northern Greece. Sesklo and Dimini are the two best known Neolithic sites located in Thessaly and Dispilio is located in the region of Kastoria on the lakeside of Orestiada Lake.


Sesklo is located on a terrace terminating in the small coastal plain of Volos and was probably inhabited until 1500 BC, while the most beautiful finding has been excavated from Dimini, dated between 5300 and 4800 BC. It is a vase superb for its shape and its well arranged decoration and it is currently being exhibited in the vast Neolithic Collection of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Some of the most impressive findings and real pieces of artwork were found in the islands of Cyclades and especially in the uninhabited islet of Saliagos near Antiparos Island. The Aegean or Cycladic civilization is the most evolved one of the Neolithic Era preceding the Bronze Age and the birth of the major civilizations of Crete and Mycenae.

The Neolithic Collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the most complete exhibition of pieces of Neolithic art and artifacts found in Greece, seeming strikingly modern putting together elegance and simplicity, more or less with the same way contemporaneous artists create art by mixing the abstract and the real.



 http://www.touristorama.com/en/stone-age-in-greece-02150




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Welcome to Crete!

The cradle of European Civilization - the Island of Crete and its genuinely friendly people, welcome you and wish you a wonderful stay!! Some will be visiting for the first time, whilst others have now become regulars, but either way, we promise you a truly memorable Mediterranean travelling experience.

Whether your visit is for relaxation or to explore and discover the many well known and countless hidden treasures of Crete, you will not be disappointed by the diversity of the landscape – the rugged mountains, the endless beaches and the turquoise seas, the many cities, towns and villages, and stunning countryside. Live the essence and the heartbeat of the Island from dawn till dusk and discover…… Your Crete!!

                                         www.carhire-crete.eu

Greek tzatziki! kali oreksi!

This is a classic Greek side dish, which can be served with meat and vegetable dishes, as well as accompanying souvlaki or gyros.

Ingredients

1 cucumber
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon medium wine vinegar
300g full-fat strained Greek yoghurt
100ml extra virgin olive oil
½ tablespoon finally chopped dill leaves

Preparation

Remove the skin of the cucumber and grate it. (not finely)
 Finely grate the garlic.
 Salt the cucumber and leave it in a colander for half-an-hour and then drain well.
 Put it in a bowl with the garlic and the rest of the ingredients.
 Mix them all well with the help of a fork.
 Put the dip in a bowl, add salt and decorate it with few dill leaves.

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Getting Ready for Vacation? Here our best packing tips!

How to Pack a Bag or Suitcase Efficiently

Packing for a trip is easy when you plan ahead by following the tips given below. Remember to pack according to the weather, location and activities planned. Be sure to include toiletries, medications and valuables such as jewelry in a separate traveling case which you can stow away in an overhead cabin.

1

Check out the weather at your destination(s) before you go. Is it going to rain? Pack a rain suit or something that can get wet and dry quickly. If it is going to be hot, pack shorts. Don't forget: Do you need a bathing suit or swim clothes?

2
Plan each day in advance. This will help you decide how many pieces of clothing to take. Too much and you will regret carrying everything. Remember you can always buy a cheap t-shirt or a pair of shorts at your destination. You will regret it if you pack too much, but if you pack too little you can always compensate for it. Remember probably every town you have ever been in has had a laundromat.

• Over-packing will also leave less room in your suitcase for purchasing gifts and souvenirs.

3 Put large or heavy clothing at the bottom. Always put heavier or larger items at the bottom of the suitcase. This will make it easier to find items in your suitcase.

1. Pack several lightweight layers. This will work well for both hot and cold weather, as you can add more if you're too cold, and take some off if you're too hot.
2. 4 Choose between rolling and folding your clothing. If you need more space in your suitcase and aren't worried about the weight, roll your clothes (as this will take significantly less space than folding). If you do not need as much space and want to keep the weight down, fold your clothes.

• Roll items as tightly as possible in order to achieve the space saving effect.
• Rolling does not necessarily make your clothes more wrinkled, you simply need to be careful that when you roll clothes, you do not roll in any wrinkles. Roll the item as flat as possible. Folding the item along its natural seams first will help.
• Elastic items will be easier to roll without introducing wrinkles.
• If you aren't very good at rolling, avoid rolling items which wrinkle easily.
• Rolled items will need to be packed tightly, which is why this method should only be used if space is at a premium. Rolled items not tightly packed will cause them to unroll and wrinkle.

5 Use the inside of your shoes as storage space. Stuff your socks inside your shoes if there is no other room for them (it will also keep the shoes shape). If you have any other small trinkets, you can put that in your shoes, too.

6 Use folded tee shirts to separate and organize sections of your suitcase. This will help distribute the contents.

 7 Pack fragile items in the center of your case. This way, they are less likely to be broken. If possible, don't bring anything fragile

8 Place dress shirts and other formal items on top. Put dress shirts on top so that you can remove them easily for hanging and ironing. This should also allow them to lie flatter.

9 Put shoes in a plastic bag. This is so that after you wear them, you can put them away without damaging any other items or making them dirty. You can use a grocery bag or a shower cap.

10

Use creases and gaps to place underwear. Fit the underwear and socks down the sides once the case is full. This will make sure that you don't fill up valuable space in the middle.

Packing Checklist for Beach Trip

Clothes

□   Underwear

□   Light jacket or thin sweater

□   Five tanks or shirts

□   Four pairs shorts or skirts

□   Three swimsuits

□   Two swim cover-ups

□   Sandals

□   Sun hat

Personal Items

□   OTC medications

□   Prescription medications

□   Toiletries

□   Sunscreen

□   Lotion or aloe vera

□   Sunglasses

Snacks

□       Fruit

□   Refillable water bottle

Electronics

□   Phone charger

□   Camera and charger

□   Music player

□   Book or magazines

Miscellaneous

□   Beach bag/blanket/towel

□   Frisbee or beach toy

http://www.wikihow.com/Pack-a-Bag-or-Suitcase-Efficiently

5 Fun Facts about Crete, Greece

5 Fun Facts about Crete, Greece

By Allan Dumayas

The largest island of Greece, Crete is the ideal getaway if you are looking for a secluded and peaceful place to meet hospitable people, unwind, and experience something new.

Aside from the tragic myth of Icarus’ escape, the ancient Minoan ruins at Knossos, stunning thousand-kilometer beaches, and top-quality olive oil, here are more interesting stuff which Crete has to offer!

1. Cretans Love their Guns (or Rifles)

Statistically speaking, Crete has the highest ratio of guns per person in the whole European Union. Although this is the case, Crete is still considered as one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. Don’t be startled to see Swiss cheese-like road signs on Crete because some Cretans believe they make pretty good targets. Fun fact: Firearms and big celebrations go together like bread and butter in Crete. This tradition is called balothies and it is customary for Cretans to fire their guns during weddings, baptisms, New Year, and even when their favorite soccer team wins!

2. Raki All You Can

If you’re the kind of person who needs booze to have fun, you won’t be disappointed if you are planning to visit Crete. Locals here are very fond of drinking Raki, the island’s traditional wine made from distilled grape skin. Cretans love Raki so much, each family have their own unique recipe. Fun fact: Cretans drink Raki after eating huge meals because they believe it could help with digesting the food.

3. Around Crete in 50 Days

If walking is your passion, maybe you can do exactly what Ivan Van Driesche did. A Belgian hiker who fell in love with the beauty of Crete, Ivan walked around Crete in exactly 50 days for a fund raiser to save stray animals in the island. Fun fact: Ivan carefully listed down details of his journey such as the number of steps he made, the calories he burned, the places he have seen and the people he met along the way.

4. Cretans Like to Keep it Simple

Cretans are well known in the Mediterranean to use their body and facial gestures as a means of communication so it helps to be observant when talking with locals. If you’re a tourist and you want to ask for help, don’t worry. Cretans are known to be the most helpful people and most of the population speaks Englishand German.

5. Dutch Treat is Not an Option

In terms of being hospitable, don’t be surprised if you are treated like royalty in Crete. If you have been invited by a Cretan or any Greek for that matter to a “Kafeneio” or cafe for a meal or drink and they offered to pay for it, let them. Refusing to this tradition will greatly embarrass and humiliate your host.

Did you know?

The painter and sculptor  El Greco died 400 years ago  today, on April 7, 1614.

Born in 1541 in the village of Fodele on the island of Crete. He was a painter, sculptor and architect of the Spanish Renaissance.
"El Greco" (The Greek) was a nickname, a reference to his national Greek origin, and the artist normally signed his paintings with his full birth name in Greek letters, Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος(Doménikos Theotokópoulos), often adding the word Κρής (Krēs, "Cretan").

 He trained and became a master within that tradition before travelling at age 26 to Venice, as other Greek artists had done.

 In 1570 he moved to Rome, where he opened a workshop and executed a series of works. During his stay in Italy, El Greco enriched his style with elements of Mannerism and of the Venetian Renaissance.

 In 1577, he moved to Toledo, Spain, where he lived and worked until his death. In Toledo, El Greco received several major commissions and produced his best-known paintings.

   The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception 1608-13

El Greco  (Doménikos Theotokópoulos)

El Greco's dramatic and expressionistic style was met with puzzlement by his contemporaries but found appreciation in the 20th century. El Greco is regarded as a precursor of both Expressionism and Cubism, while his personality and works were a source of inspiration for poets and writers such as Rainer Maria Rilke and Nikos Kazantzakis. 

El Greco has been characterized by modern scholars as an artist so individual that he belongs to no conventional school.

He is best known for tortuously elongated figures and often fantastic or phantasmagorical pigmentation, marrying Byzantine traditions with those of Western painting.

New toyota Yaris automatic at auto travel, your car hire company on crete

Auto travel : New toyota Yaris automatic! www.carhire-crete.eu

See less of the petrol station  

All Yaris grades are powered by fuel-efficient engines with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)  . As its name suggests, this clever technology automatically controls the valve timing of the engine so it works at its most efficient in all driving situations - slowing down, speeding up, ticking over, cruising on the highway or stop-starting around town. The result of this is better power generation, better fuel efficiency and fewer emissions. In fact all Yaris grades perform well above their weight, go a long, long way on a single tank.

Audio Visual Unit With Satellite Navigation

Find an easier route home with the guidance of the Toyota Genuine Satellite Navigation Audio System. Equipped with SUNA™[G7] GPS traffic updates the navigation system receives traffic updates 24/7, so it can navigate alternative routes around traffic congestion and landmarks can be displayed in 3D for easier recognition.

The audio system allows you to play from some iPod and iPhone, USB or CD, and the full-colour touch-screen display features a simplified audio track search and album jacket display (for some iPod  and iPhone as well as voice control function that allows you to select audio by the artist name (for some iPod® and iPhone ) or make phone calls.

USB/Αux 

No musik stays behind with Yaris!
Connect and control your iPod and iPhone,using the standard USB port 12, plus there’s an auxiliary audio jack to plug in other music players.


Bluetooth® hands-free phone capabilities & music streaming

With bluetouth wireless technology standard in every Yaris, your phone can stay in your pocket and you can still access it from your car.

A sound idea  

Yaris ZR steering wheel controls The Yaris hatches, now come with a D-shaped steering wheel. The wheel is specially moulded to give a better sensation of grip and this makes the operation of the steering wheel controls for audio, feel more natural. The steering wheel controls enable the driver to flick through tracks, pump the volume up or down and switch to and from CD player, radio and other audio devices. And all without taking your hands off the wheel.

Just tell it what to do 

Yaris hatches all have Voice Control Technology  , so when you want to change tracks or make a hands-free call, the car will respond to a range of vocal commands. Simply press the Voice Control button and Yaris will do what you tell it to.

Reversing Camera

Engineered specifically for Yaris, Toyota Genuine Reversing Camera gives you eyes in the back of your car so you can better see obstacles while reversing. Requires AVN screen or Display Audio Unit.


Cruise Control for less tiring driving

Cruise Control  is available as an option on the YR hatch and is standard on the ZR models
Cruise Control technology is designed to help make driving on long journeys less tiring and less
stressful.

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Special Offers!

Book your Stay with Pandora Villas and get your car free of charge!!

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International Contact Numbers

                                                                   From Germany: 02084523119
                                                                        From UK: 02032874795