The Open Road

Valentine’s Day is this weekend, and as luck would have it, it’s a three day weekend for most. This is the perfect chance to pack your bags, treat yourself to a nice luxury car rental and take a road trip to a romantic destination with your special someone. And with every part of North America having plenty of spots for sweethearts to stay, your possibilities are endless.

Here are just eight of the many possibilities for enjoying a long weekend of love:

While it may not seem like winter and driving are a good combination, the fact is, some of the most scenic and beautiful drives are best taken during the snowy season. As long as the weather outside isn’t too frightful, you’re used to winter driving conditions and your hybrid car rental contains all the necessary emergency supplies, you shouldn’t be afraid to embark on one of America’s best winter road trips.

East Coasters, Midwesterners, and everyone else who’s tired of winter weather...your frustration is understandable. With subzero temperatures and never ending snowstorms in some parts of the country, an escape to a toastier climate sounds downright irresistible right now. But unfortunately, an exotic vacation just might not be in the post-holiday budget.

For the novice, renting a car can seem like an intimidating and complicated process. And while it’s actually quite simple, between deciding on the best vehicle for your situation and learning what’s included in the fine print, it’s easy to see how it can get confusing. Extra insurance or no insurance? Luxury car rental or exotic car rental. You get the idea.

The phrase “road trip” brings a lot of things to mind—excitement, adventure, and seeing new places in a unique way. Unfortunately, traveling long distances by car can also be stressful, especially if you have a family or group of friends with you.

According to the results of a recent survey, two thirds of adults in the U.S. resolve to travel more every year. Some get specific, with a list of destinations and a plan, while other simply want to see places they’ve never seen before. As we say goodbye to 2015 and welcome the new year, it’s a great time to take stock of your travel-related hopes and dreams and decide which ones to focus on right now.

Vacations are like snowflakes—no two are alike. Sometimes you’ll spend months or even years planning and saving, sometimes you’ll plan a quick last-minute getaway. But if you’re like most Americans, your vacations fall somewhere in between—you’ll have some spending money saved, but you’ll also want to budget as best you can.

Renting a vehicle can give you a lot of freedom and flexibility on your vacation. You won’t have to rely on public transportation, and in some parts of the world, it’s the only real option for getting around. The longer you plan to be in a new city or town, the more likely it is that a rental car is the right choice for you.

As we transition from fall to winter in the USA, the weather gets colder and sometimes the driving conditions become less than ideal. But that doesn’t mean you should limit your road trips to spring and summer when the days are warmer. There are plenty of beautiful road trips that can be enjoyed all winter long—in fact, some parts of the country are especially beautiful in December, January and February.

Just the phrase “holiday travel” can strike fear in the hearts of millions of people. With worrisome weather delays, crowded airports and roads, cranky children and overbearing relatives to deal with, it’s no wonder traveling during this time of year can be stressful. But while we can’t control the weather, there are plenty of things we can do to help the process of reaching our loved ones go smoothly.