Hurricane Safety Tips

The next time you rent a vehicle, you will probably be encouraged to "pre-pay" your gas. Described as a great benefit, it’s a huge moneymaker for car rental companies because you will probably buy gas you never use. Rental car companies are pushing the pre-paid gas option harder than ever. Thrifty, for instance, now requires that if instead fill up a car on your own, you must show a receipt proving that the gas station was within ten miles of the rental car lot. Otherwise, the company will slap you with a charge. Confusing matters, major chains present pre-paid gas as a "good deal." By purchasing ahead of time, they say you will be spared having to pay the high markup on gas near the airport—because local stations try to profiteer off of travelers returning cars to airports. It's tempting in such situations to think, "Wow, $2.90 a gallon is actually pretty cheap compared to $3.20 at the Shell station, so I should buy this full tank of gas ahead of time." Problem #1: The car rental companies are usually fibbing. More than half the prepay prices were higher than the average price at local gas stations in a survey of 156 prices this spring by USA Today. Much of the time, there was no real price difference. Problem #2: Taxes are tricky. In many states, the prepaid gas will be subject to a high rental car tax rate of up to 20 percent. Worse, if you rent the car from an airport, the gas will be additionally taxed at the airport access fee (or similar airport-related tax) of up to 14 percent. While the car companies aren't pocketing this money, it isn't fair for them to quote prepaid prices at a pre-tax rate against prices at your local gas station, which are quoted post-tax. It's not an "apples-to-apples" comparison. Problem #3: Even if the prepaid gas is surprisingly cheaper than prices at local stations, the deal only benefits you if you use the full tank. If you bring the car back with half a tank you may effectively pay as much as $6 a gallon. Rental companies can make an average $15 or so profit on consumers willing to opt for the pre-paid fuel option. The lesson: Fill it up yourself, allowing time to do so before you have to return the car. To cover your bases, keep the gas receipt from the local station for months after your trip. The receipt will come in handy in case the company may wait a month or two and then send you a notice in the mail calling you a liar and saying you didn't fill the tank full the way you claimed, slapping you with a fee of between $4 and $9 a gallon. In such a case, send in a photocopy of the receipt and dispute their charge via your credit card company. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 5 Ways to Cut Down on Rental Car Gas Prices This Year France to Require Breathalyzers in All Cars, Including Rentals (9 comments) Why You Don't Want to Have an Accident When Driving a Rental Car in Mexico

Even when on vacation, it’s hard for a travel editor to stop working. In May of 2012, my family embarked on an 11–day Italian adventure, including stops in Venice, Lake Como, the Cinque Terre area, Pisa, Florence, and finally, Rome. Needless to say, I kept jotting down notes and little tidbits of advice to bring home with me—and share with all of you. From free sites to deflecting insistent street salesmen, here are seven things to keep in mind when visiting Rome. SEE THE PHOTOS: 14 Travel-Inspiring Scenes From Rome. (Free) art is everywhere In a place as historic as Rome, you don’t have to look too far to find amazing art and architecture, especially in places of worship. Most churches around Rome house magnificent works of art that you can see free of charge—we viewed Caravaggio paintings at Santa Maria del Popolo, and saw Bernini’s statue of St. Teresa in Ecstasy at Santa Maria della Vittoria. The Vatican Museums are normally closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of each month when they offer free admission from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We were able to save about $25 each by braving the crowds (the line to get in wrapped around the block, but only lasted 25 minutes). Well worth it to get free access to Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. Plan ahead for popular sites Try to reserve tickets to popular places like the Borghese Gallery and Vatican Museums ahead of time online to avoid long lines. Or invest in a Roma Pass, which gets you a three–day metro pass and entrance to sites like the Colosseum and Roman Forum (though not the Vatican) using a much shorter line. Carry a water bottle and umbrella The sun can be brutal in Rome. While water bottles only cost a couple bucks each, it can add up fast. Bring a refillable container and stop at any of the public drinking fountains around the city (but watch for signs saying “acqua non-potabile,” or non-potable water). I also recommend carrying an umbrella around at all times, for both shade from the sun and in case of a sudden shower. Just say “no” to insistent street salesmen The biggest pet peeve of our trip to Rome was the seemingly omnipresent salesmen on the street, offering umbrellas, scarves, knock–off purses, parasols, and—the biggest scam—“free roses.” They can be quite insistent—one man even put a rose in my jacket and then tried to charge me for it. Just avoid direct eye contact, say no, and keep walking. If you can’t find a good hotel deal in the city center, expand your geography We scored a great price at Villa Paganini B&B;, an 18th century villa four stops from the Colosseum on the northeast side of town near Villa Paganini Park. The Rome metro is easy to navigate—its just two main subway lines that intersect at the Termini train station—and rides cost a mere 1.50 euro each. Or opt to stay at one of our favorite secret hotels of Rome to be closer to the city center and stay within your budget. Budget for airport transfers You basically have two choices here: cab or metro. Rome's airport is 25 miles outside the city center, and a cab ride costs 50 euro (about $62) each way. It's the more economical choice for four people, but if there are just two of you, take the Metro. The 45—minute ride on the Leonardo Express train costs 15 euro (about $19) per person and puts you right at Termini station. And, most importantly, eat your weight in gelato Ah, gelato, the most delicious part of our trip. We stumbled upon Gelateria della Palma right near the Pantheon and paid about 3 euro each for two gigantic scoops. There were 150 flavors to choose from; my favorites were melon (it tastes exactly like cantaloupe!), strawberry, mango, and anything involving chocolate. Yes, we went more than once. They also had a large display of Pope Benedict lollipops for sale—the perfect souvenir for everyone stuck back at the office.

You may associate the Italian peninsula with a certain amount of historical upheaval—Hannibal leading his conquering army, including war elephants, over the Alps to march on Rome; the Borgias turning the Vatican into their personal playground; Benito Mussolini… well, you get the idea. But we sometimes forget that the region is also prime territory for a more literal kind of upheaval: earthquakes. The 6.3 quake that struck 22 miles north of Bologna in the early morning hours of May 20 killed at least seven people, injured about 50, and was felt as far away as Milan and Venice. More than 3,000 people were evacuated from the region so that building safety could be assessed, and the damage to dozens of churches and other historical sites is still being assessed. Yes, seismic activity is a downside to one of the world’s favorite travel destinations, but a little background info and some preparedness tips should go a long way toward easing your mind. Italy is earthquake-prone because the African tectonic plate is moving northward at the rate of about 2 centimeters per year, pressing against the Eurasian plate. At the same time, there appears to be considerable seismic activity between Italy and Sardinia; along the Apennine Mountains that run down the center of the country; and in the Adriatic Sea, to Italy’s west, where the earth’s crust may be slowly moving under the peninsula. Translation: The stones of Florence—and of Rome, Naples, and Palermo for that matter—may very well shake under your feet. Of course, your chances of being caught in an earthquake are slim, but it never hurts to be prepared. The U.S. Geological Survey offers some easy-to-remember tips for people who live in seismically active areas, such as California, and some of the USGS’s advice can be readily adapted to travel: Duck, cover, and hold. When an earthquake strikes, get under a desk or table and hold on; stay away from windows. If you are outside, get into an open area away from anything that could rain debris on you (buildings, power lines, chimneys). If you are driving, carefully pull over and stop your car (but get clear of bridges, overpasses, trees, or light posts first). Pack smart. Before you leave home, pack a first-aid kit (along with a handbook), bottled water, and several day’s worth of packaged foods (if you bring canned food, don’t forget a mechanical can opener), a portable radio, flashlights, and batteries. Pack at least one pair of sturdy shoes and a set of tough “play” clothes. Make a plan. Agree with your traveling companion(s) in advance on an emergency meeting place in the event that you lose phone reception or your hotel is evacuated. It should be simple and easy to remember—like the public fountain nearest your hotel. When you check in, assess your hotel room for earthquake safety: Remember, an earthquake can make light fixtures fall, furniture move, and shelves fall over. —Robert Firpo-Cappiello SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: 12 Most Beautiful Paths 11 Surprisingly Lovable Airlines 12 Great Memorial Day Getaways

After a mild winter, and with memories of 2011's erratic hurricane season still fresh, we were already bracing ourselves for a summer of storms. But a report released today offers hope. The Atlantic hurricane season stretches from June 1 to November 30th, and it's been a rule of thumb that you are tempting fate by booking a trip to the Caribbean, Mexico's Riviera Maya, or Florida's coast during those months. Well, really anywhere on the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, or the Gulf of Mexico. And those are just the places you would like to be when the weather turns warm and your thoughts turn to the beach. The good news is that, according to the experts over at weather.com, the projection for the 2012 hurricane season is "below average," with 11 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes in the forecast. (That may sound like a lot, but the average from 1995 to 2011 has been 15 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes.) Which means planning a trip to beach may not be such a gamble. Of course, just like with every weather forecast, the usual caveats apply. And it's always good to be prepared. But does this news make you want to instantly book a Caribbean vacation? Or are you still cautious? MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: Prepping for Hurricane Season 41 Mother-Daughter Trips of a Lifetime Is It Time to Start Using a Travel Agent Again?