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With over 20 locations in Finland, Green Motion is well established in this beautiful and enchanting country. At the northernmost point of Finland you will find the magical region of Lapland. Famous for the northern lights and being the home of Santa Claus, Lapland has so much to offer particularly in the winter months. 

For inspiration for your trip Click here to read this handy guide of the Top 10 things to see and do in Lapland. The list includes snowmobile tours, ice swimming, meeting reindeer, watching for the northern lights, and dining at an ice restaurant to name but a few!  

Bear in mind that temperatures during the winter months can drop as low as -40°C (often around -15°C) so make sure you pack lots of layers, warm gloves, hats and plenty of handwarmers! When driving in Finland during the winter make sure your car has winter tyres on and snowchains if appropriate. If in doubt speak to one of Green Motion Finland's helpful car rental agents. 

For more information on renting a car with Green Motion to see the amazing sights of Lapland and the rest of Finland, visit www.greenmotion.com

Whilst one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, Eindhoven is known as a hub for technology and industrial design and therefore the city is a charming mixture of old and new. While Eindhoven is not the most well known tourist city in the Netherlands, its unique character and charm makes it a must-visit during any trip to the Netherlands.

Eindhoven is the fifth largest city in the Netherlands and lies in the south of the country near the Dommel and Gender streams. The history of Eindhoven spans as far back as the 13th century when the town was originally a small settlement with a wooden castle. During WW2 large parts of the city were destroyed, however after this devastation Eindhoven became the Dutch capital of industrial design and is now a thriving city with a great variety of tourist attractions and museums.

Once you have booked your trip to Eindhoven you can look forward to visiting attractions such as the Van Abbemuseum of modern and contemporary art. The museum houses more than 2,700 works of art and the collection includes a mixture of paper, sculptures, video, paintings and installations.

If you are wanting to escape from Eindhoven’s modern city centre, then Genneperpark is the perfect place to unwind and relax within the peace of nature. The nature reserve also welcomes visitors to hike, cycle, go horseback riding, visit the Eindhoven museum and much more.

If you are planning a trip to Eindhoven in November then visiting the GLOW Light Art festival should definitely be on your ‘to do’ list. The annual festival transforms the city after dark with explosions of light and art. The theme for the festival changes yearly, giving you a new delight each visit - check their website for more information.

For more inspiration when planning your trip to Eindhoven in the Netherlands, check out the 15 Best Things to do in Eindhoven and for a wealth of information about travelling around the Netherlands visit yourdutchguide.com.

For more information on renting your next hire car with Green Motion in the Netherlands, in Eindhoven or at any of our other worldwide locations, visit www.greenmotion.com.

One of the more recent additions to the Green Motion family, Green Motion Turkey already has 13 locations across the country. The capital Istanbul is the jewel in the crown of this amazing and beautiful country.

If you only have a few days in Istanbul, the majority of your time will probably be spent in the area of Sultanahmet.

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is one of the most stunning buildings in the world. There is a fountain directly between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque which is an ideal spot on which to stand and admire both buildings.

As incredible as the exterior of the Blue Mosque is, it is also worth going inside to understand the scale of the building, and to pay your respects to the fact that it’s still an important functioning mosque in the city to this day.

Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia (pronounced aya sofya), is an ancient orthodox church turned mosque turned museum. The building exemplifies Byzantine architecture as well as modern day Istanbul. Perhaps no other building epitomizes the history of this city and its transition from ancient Christianity to modern Islamic than the Hagia Sophia.

The Bosphorus Strait

Bosphorus cruises are offered throughout the area of Sultanahmet, and they’re typically fairly decent and reasonably priced. Take a cruise to get out on the strait and see what’s known as the Golden Horn (where many of Istanbul’s major sights are) from the water.

Kadıköy

From Karaköy, you can hop on a ferry that will take you over to the Asian side of the city to an area known as Kadıköy. The ferry ride itself offers fantastic views of the city, and Kadıköy is one of the most dynamic areas in the city with its thriving café and infamous “bar street”.

For more information on hiring a car with Green Motion Turkey to start off your exploration of amazing Istanbul, visit www.greenmotion.com

In honour of the recent grand opening of Green Motion in the vibrant city of Toronto, here are our tips for your visit!

During your stay in Toronto make sure you include the following destinations into your travel itinerary:

1. Explore the CN Tower, the world's #1 elevator / lift ride! There are three observation levels including the famous glass floor with a view 324 m / 1,122 ft down, a great way to test your fear of heights! You can stand or even jump on the glass – don't worry, the floor is 256 square feet of solid glass which is actually 5 times stronger than the standard required weight for commercial floors.
2. If heights are your thing, then you will also love visiting the Fantasy Fair located in the Woodbine Shopping Centre. Ontario's largest indoor amusement park offers the classic favourites – roller-coasters, a train, arcade, carousel and more! 
3. The Toronto Zoo is home to around 5,000 animals – with that much selection you are guaranteed to find an animal you love or maybe 5 or 10 or 5,000! The zoo is split into 7 regions with the animals enjoying tropical pavilions and naturalistic environments.
4. Check out a sports game! You can attend ice hockey games at the Air Canada Centre and watch the Toronto Maple Leafs between October and April. When the hockey season finishes, there’s always baseball - watch the Toronto Blue Jays play at the iconic Rogers Centre from April to October.
5. Go to the beach! Toronto’s Beaches community is a summer hotspot amongst those who like to stick around the city rather than venture to cottage country. Both family friendly and complete with great cafes and restaurants, The Beaches is a favourite amongst tourists and locals alike. Take a ferry over from the waterfront to Toronto Islands to enjoy excellent views back over the city.
6. Don’t forget to try some poutine (hot chips, cheese curds and gravy) while you’re in Canada.
7. Also be sure to check out St. Lawrence Market every Saturday – it was hailed as the world’s best food market by National Geographic in April 2012.
8. Visit the Falls! No trip to Toronto would be complete without a jaunt over to Niagara Falls. Only an hour and a half away, it’s very easy to take a day trip in a rented car to one of Southern Ontario’s most beautiful sights. Along the way there are numerous vineyards where you can try some of the Niagara region’s delicious wines.

For more information on renting a car for your trip to Toronto, Niagara Falls and the surrounding area visit www.greenmotion.com

Check out this Trip Advisor post for some inspiration for your European holiday this summer - 10 Pictures of breathtaking European towns you've probably never heard of - why not hire a car with Green Motion, get off the beaten track and away from the crowds in these lesser known but stunningly beautiful European towns.

From the medieval castle city of Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic to the sleepy fishing village of Polperro in Cornwall, Europe is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. For more information on hiring your summer road trip vehicle from Green Motion visit www.greenmotion.com. 

Have you ever thought of making Albania your next road trip destination? Head into the capital Tirana to explore Skanderbeg Square or learn about Albania's rich past at the National Historic Museum. From Tirana, drive along the Saranda coastal road with its spectacular beaches and breathtaking views. Head into the Ceraunian Mountains to explore the castles and woodlands or go inland to visit the city of Fier and the ruins of the town of Apollonia.

Or - if you really want to get away from the mainstream tourist hotspots, how about Serbia - Belgrade, the capital and largest city of Serbia, is steeped in history. The mild climate can be rainy during spring and moderately warm during the summer, so if you aren't a sun worshipper Belgrade may just be the place for you – a historically rich city with warm (not hot) weather.

Planning a road trip this summer? You can keep in touch with us during your travels on Facebook and Twitter! #GreenMotion 

Costa Rica is known for its wonderful combination of sunshine, beaches, rainforests and biodiversity.

A land of cloudforests, smouldering volcanoes and rugged beaches, Costa Rica’s natural environment provides a perfect setting for wildlife experiences and adrenaline-fueled activities alike.

Covering an area of only 51,000 square kilometres (19,700 square miles) it’s a small country, yet one of the most biodiverse on earth. Thick forest canopies protect all manner of flora and fauna, from red eyed tree frogs to three-toed sloths, while on the coast turtles come to nest along Costa Rica’s Caribbean and Pacific facing beaches.

Costa Rica has five percent of the world’s biodiversity, across four mountain ranges, 800 miles of coastline, 200 volcanic formations and hundreds of national parks that are easy to get to from the capital, San Jose.

So why not rent a car from Green Motion Costa Rica, and see for yourself!

Discover San Jose

Costa Rica’s capital and largest city, San José is a cultural hub and home to many trendy restaurants, cafes and museums.

Most visitors flock to San José’s downtown which is a great starting point. From here you can watch the street performers in the Culture Plaza (Plaza de la Cultura) or head south to the National Theatre (Teatro Ncional) which is a prominent centre of tico culture.

Rainforest – Osa Peninsular

Get close to nature and spend some time in one of the country’s eco-lodges found throughout Costa Rica, many in lush jungle in the famous Osa Peninsula. Much of the Osa Peninsular is protected by the Corcovado National Park, sheltering rare mammals such as tapirs, anteaters and ocelots, as well as the rare scarlet macaw.

You can also do your part to protect Costa Rica’s beautiful rainforests no matter where you are in the world with Green Motion’s Green Heart campaign in conjunction with FONAFIFO in Costa Rica.

Beach – Caribbean or Pacific coasts

The Pacific Coast has some beautiful beaches with conditions that offer some of the best surfing in this part of the world. Towns such as Nosara are packed with bright driftwood signs pointing to surf shacks and sunset bars.

Costa Rica also has a Caribbean coastline with a cultural mix of Afro Caribbean, Tico (the name Costa Ricans give themselves) and old hippy vibe. Puerto Viejo has recently become a hit with tourists and has stunning white-sand beaches, tropical vegetation and is close to parks including a Sloth sanctuary.

Volcano

Until recently, the Arenal Volcano was the most active volcano in Central America. Although it no longer delivers sporadic eruptions and night-time lava flows, it remains an impressive, almost perfectly conical peak, and is the heart of Arenal National Park.

One of the most thrilling ways to view it is from above the green canopy of the park as you whizz down a zip-line. Other options for exploring Arenal National Park include kayaking, hiking and horse riding.

For more information about car rental in Costa Rica and Green Motion’s Green Heart campaign, visit www.greenmotion.com

With so many motorists on the move over a single weekend, traffic can be atrocious between Good Friday and Easter Monday. If you do plan to hit the road over the bank holiday weekend, there are things you can do to enjoy a relatively stress-free journey. From avoiding traffic hotspots to keeping the kids entertained, here are some simple tips for a hassle-free Easter holiday.

Roads to avoid

According to the AA, the busiest stretches to avoid over the Easter weekend include:

If your journey includes one of these – perhaps think about consulting Google maps and find an alternative route!

Watch the weather

As shown from the UK’s recent double visit from the ‘Beast from the East’ – that fact that it is March is no reason to assume that there won’t be bad weather. Bad weather makes for challenging driving conditions, which can lead to worsened traffic at best and potential accidents at worst. Check the forecast before you leave.

Break up your journey

Take a break! Long car journeys can be arduous for both driver and passengers – as well as the potential danger that driving when tired can present. The UK motorway network has many excellent service stations – why not check them out! Sharing the driving also helps – if you are hiring a car be sure to enquire about adding an extra driver.

Pack entertainment and snacks

Particularly if your passengers include small children but this tip isn’t just for the kids – everyone gets bored on long car journeys, especially in heavy traffic. An Easter road trip can be fun if you come prepared though – pack toys and car games for the kids to keep them occupied in the car - magnetic mini board games or a trusty tablet are always good for killing an hour or two.

Make sure you have sat nav

Almost everyone has a smartphone these days, and apps such as Google maps are invaluable for finding an alternative route around traffic hotspots. Alternatively, if you are hiring a car speak to your provider about adding sat nav to your hire package – whether its phone or sat nav, make sure you remember to bring the device’s charger!

Whatever your travel plans this bank holiday weekend, if you plan to rent a car and brave the traffic visit www.greenmotion.com to make sure your Easter road trip gets off to a great start.

Green Motion recently announced their expansion on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta with the opening of a new in-terminal location. Now you can step off the plane and into your Green Motion rental car, ready to explore this stunning island steeped in history.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year and its crystal clear waters popular with swimmers, snorkelers and divers, Malta is a popular European summer destination. Visitors all year round will also be impressed by its rich 7000 year history with a plethora of historic sites to visit.

Malta is an island with huge historic relevance; most notably it was the home of the Knights of St John. Its medieval capital Valletta was built in the 16^th century - a gorgeous amalgamation of sun kissed historical architecture. Considered a UNESCO heritage site, the city has the highest concentration of historical sites in the world. There is a multitude of imposing buildings including St Johns and St Pauls Cathedrals. St Johns is supposedly built on the ruins of a Roman Governors Villa which dates back to 60AD; history is inescapable here.

Attractions such as the Blue Lagoon in the western portion of the island provide some of the bluest waters and best swimming in the world. The history below the waves almost matches the treasures on the island; Malta is world class for diving, everything from sunken ships to crashed WW2 bombers can be found around the island.

Take a hike to visit the Dingli cliffs or grab a rich cup of coffee in St Julian's whilst looking out over the coast. You might spot boats taking holiday makers to the island of Gozo – why not take one yourself and discover its Neolithic Ggantija Temple ruins, rural hiking paths, beaches and scuba-diving sites – ferries leave from Cirkewwa every 45 minutes, all year round. 

In celebration of the recent signing of the Green Motion Master Country Franchise for Portugal, why not look at a road trip this summer to really see the best of what this beautiful country has to offer.

Lazing around on a beach in the Algarve is tempting – but Portugal has so much more for you to see; with over 500km of coastline to explore a road trip is the perfect way to fully experience Portugal’s amazing culture, history and stunning scenery.

In the capital Lisbon you can soak up the atmosphere walking around downtown, making sure you check out the typically Portuguese neighbourhoods of Alfama and Graça, as well as the quaint narrow streets leading up to the Moorish castle, Castelo de São Jorge.

From Lisbon you can either travel north to Porto stopping at the lovely beach towns of Peniche and Nazare, known for their world class surfing, or you can head south via the Costa Alentejana and Vicentina. The southwestern coast of the country is where you’ll find hidden gems overlooked by most tourists. Characterised by dramatic cliffs, unspoilt beaches dotted with quaint villages and huge national parks such as the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, this is where you will be blown away by the true beauty of this magnificent landscape.

For more information about hiring a car with Green Motion Portugal to take the road trip of a lifetime, visit www.greenmotion.com.  

Whether you’re looking for a beautiful beach to share a cocktail on, you want to get lost with each other amongst the hustle and bustle of a city or even just want to enjoy the stillness of nature, these are some of the best places for a spot of romancing.

Scottish Highlands, UK

The Scottish Highlands are sparsely populated with many mountain ranges dominating the region, making it an oh-so romantic and refreshing backdrop to any retreat, with rugged glens, secluded beaches and dramatic scenery.

Venice, Italy

Venice, located in the northeast of Italy, is a romantic and enchanting city of ancient palaces, turquoise canals and serenading gondoliers. Whether you are falling deeper in love on a moonlit gondola ride or calming your soul at an orchestral symphony, Venice will amaze you with its artistic and romantic flair.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is unlike any other Greek island. It was created from a volcanic explosion which left the island with volcanic cliffs overlooking a red and black coast. It is stunning against the turquoise Mediterranean.

Iceland

Iceland offers the perfect romantic getaway. The country is ethereal, shrouded in folklore as well as bursting with volcanic activity. Watch the sky blaze with the spectacular Northern Lights or bathe in the mineral hot springs, focusing on nature and wellness with your significant other.