Going on vacation should always be fun but unfortunately, that is not always the case. When you find yourself more stressed out and overwhelmed on vacation than you were at home, then it’s time to take a deep breath and consider some ways you can relax on vacation. 1. Don’t schedule too much Resist the urge to schedule every second of your trip. Yes, you want to plan some aspects of your trip to Madrid or wherever else you are traveling, but if you have plans every single day then you will not have time to relax. Plan some down days and leave some things open ended. 2. Find non-stressful transportation options Not only is it expensive to rent a car in many cities, but it can be a hassle. You may not be familiar with the driving laws in a certain country or you may not be aware of the customs. Then you have to consider the hassle of parking, the cost of gas, parking, etc. and it is easy to see that it may not be the best option. Consider public transportation or cool options like the storytelling GoCar. 3. Be flexible Know that everything is not going to go your way. You may have a day set aside for exploring a rain forest only to find that the road to it is closed. You may have your heart set on visiting a particular restaurant but find that it is not open. Be flexible and don’t let one thing ruin your trip. 4. Know what your must-dos are Do not get confused and decide that some of your wants are needs. Yes, you may want to check out the childhood home of one of your movie star favorites, what is the worst that will happen if you don’t…

In some ways traveling has gotten more affordable than ever before but in other ways it has gotten quite expensive – especially when a person wants to travel to incredible international destinations like Barcelona. While the cost of airline tickets is much lower than in previous decades, the cost of accommodations can be quite high. That’s where global housesitting comes in. Could it be the solution budget travelers are looking for? Free housesitting services The most commonly used option is free housesitting services. This is a program in which the homeowner who is going on vacation lists their home in need of housesitting. In most cases, they will have dogs, cats, or other animals that need to be looked after. A person who wants to visit the homeowner’s location will then apply to take over the housesit. They do not get paid to housesit but instead get access to free accommodations. In some cases, this can be well worth it but not always. For example, if you are planning to visit an in-demand, expensive city like San Francisco then it will likely be well worth it. You may have to take a dog on a walk three times a day and get it food in the morning, but when you consider how much it would cost to pay for a hotel, this is well worth it. On the other hand, there are some cities in which accommodations are very cheap and it may not make sense to limit your ability to sightsee at certain hours. In other instances, the city may indeed be expensive but the homeowner may be looking for services that they should be paying for. As an example, a person running a hobby farm with more than 20 animals should be paying someone to take care of…

We know that if you have been considering booking a GoCar Tour then it is likely that you have some questions. You can always contact us to get answers directly but in the meantime you can also read on to get answers to some of the questions we get asked most frequently. What exactly is a GoCar? It is the first GPSA guided storytelling car. It talks while navigating you through the city you are visiting. It points out the sites around you and tells you the stories that can help make any destination turn from a city to a magical, unique place. How long are the tours? How long do you want to be on a tour? One of the great things about our tours is that they last as long as you’d like. You can travel at your own pace, stop when you’d like to, and speed by the attractions you are less interested in. If you want, you can take a tour that lasts just an hour. You can also spend the entire day on a GoCar Tour – it is up to you. Can I stop whenever I want? Yes. You set your own pace. You stop at any restaurant you want. You can stop at any museum and see whatever you’d like. These cars are very easy to park and can be put into spots marked for cars or motorcycles. This makes it simple to get a quick parking spot to see what you’d like to see. Are the tours only in English? No. We offer a number of languages for each tour. The specific language available for specific tours will vary based on the location. Give us a call if you need more information. Who can rent a GoCar? You must be at least…

Is there a bad time to visit Madrid? We certainly don’t think so! That said, there are unique things about each season that make for a great reason to visit. Today we are thinking about upcoming fall trips and sharing some of the reasons that visiting Madrid in fall is a great idea. If you do decide to check out this world-class city, make sure to look into our one-of-a-kind storytelling car tour guides. 1. The weather is incredible Madrid can be very hot in the summer but fall is a great time to visit if you like cooler temperatures. The average October temperature is around 70 degrees F, which many consider to be just about perfect. When you couple that temp with the blue sky and sunshine you can almost always expect in Madrid, it is easy to see why this is such a popular time to visit. 2. The fall food is incredible If you are visiting Madrid because you love their food then fall may be the best time to visit. Braised beef cheek, Madrid’s signature stew Cocido Madrielno, stewed bull tail, churros, chocolate – all of it is better in fall. There are also cuisine tours throughout the fall that take you around the city to check out some of the best fall eats Madrid has to offer. There is also tons of fresh fall produce available including apples, pears, grapes, quince, spinach, pomegranates, chestnuts, persimmon, and much more! 3. The parks are beautiful You will be surprised at just how beautiful Madrid’s parks are in fall. Bring a picnic lunch, check out the fall leaves, and enjoy one of the many free parks throughout the city. You can expect to see a wide range of leaf colors from deep reds to bright browns. 4. There…

What’s not to love about traveling overseas? Who wouldn’t want to tour Barcelona or make new friends in Madrid? While this type of travel is exciting, it can also be frustrating if you lose touch with loved ones back home. The good news is that technology has made this relatively easy. Still, read on to learn our best tips for staying in touch when traveling overseas. Set a schedule to talk to your loved ones If you have a consistent schedule in place, it makes it easier to ensure you talk to those you love. It may be bed time where you are while your loved one is just getting up in the morning, but if you have a time set then you won’t have to think about it. Just make sure that you take time zones into consideration when choosing the time to speak. Use apps that work throughout the world As we mentioned above, one of the biggest things that makes it easy to stay in touch is the fact that there are apps that allow you to keep in touch throughout the world. The key is making sure you have reliable WiFi. Even if you have an international data plan, using any type of video chatting or over-data phone calling can use a ton data. Wait until you get to the hotel with WiFi or use a texting option.   Take advantage of social media Not everyone wants to be on social media but you can’t beat it for easily keeping in touch with people. If you are going from not using social media to using it, we don’t recommend trying to add all the available platforms. Instead, pick one of the main ones, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and then post regularly to stay in touch. Start…

If your proposal is sincere and your partner wants to marry you, then there is no such thing as a bad proposal. That said, there is something to be said for building the perfect dramatic gesture! At GoCar Tours we have seen proposals everywhere from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Prado Museum in Madrid. No matter where you are proposing, follow these simple steps to plan it perfectly. 1. Find the right place First and foremost, find a location that has the “wow” faction you want. 2. Know what you are going to say Do not assume that you can simply play this by ear. You may be surprised by how nervous you are and how tongue-tied you get. 3. Plan for everything Don’t stop at just planning the moment you will propose. You want to create a lovely date leading up to it to set the mood, and then have a champagne toast or other fun activity planned to celebrate. 4. Choose the right time of day If you intend to have a photographer there to capture the moment then you will find the light best in afternoon or early evening. Otherwise, choose the time you feel is right. 5. Book transportation ahead of time If champagne and alcohol are involved in your night then make sure you have transportation booked ahead of time. 6. Get your friends and family involved If you and / or your partner are close with your family then you may choose to have one of them involved in the proposal. They can act as a decoy, create documents to mislead your partner, or otherwise help keep the proposal a secret. 7. The box may not be best The ring comes in a box but that doesn’t mean it is the best way…

Lisbon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal – and for good reason. It is truly a city like no other. When you take advantage of our unique group tours in Lisbon, you’ll see places you’ve never dreamed of. In the meantime, check out of five of the things this city is most famous for to ensure you get the most of your upcoming trip to Lisbon. 1. St. George’s Castle Known as Castelo de Sao Jorge to locals, St. George’s Castle tops everyone’s list of things to do in Lisbon for a reason – it is truly incredible. The medieval architecture, the view you get from the top, and the Tower of Ulysses at the top are all incredible reasons to check out St. George’s Castle. 2. Pasteis de Belem Lisbon is foodie heaven and there are a lot of treats to try. That said, Pasteis de Belem are the most famous food from Lisbon. These Portuguese egg tarts have a wonderful texture and a delicious flavor. There are tons of other pastries to be had too, and the great news is that these restaurants are often open past midnight in Lisbon. 3. Alfama If you want to check out the hippest neighborhood in Lisbon then you must stop by Alfama. This vibrant district includes mysterious alleys, good music, tons of restaurants, historical landmarks, coffee shops, and incredible views of the city. In fact, this is a neighborhood so packed with things to do that you could easily spend the entire day going from place to place, shopping, watching movies, and eating. 4. Ginjihna This Portuguese liqueur is made with Ginja berries and in recent years has been discussed internationally thanks to it sweetness and tastiness. You can find it all over Lisbon in just about…

Barcelona is a lovely city to visit but one other thing is true about it: It is extremely hot. When you visit Barcelona in the summer you’re in for a great time – especially if you follow these tips to beat the heat of one of Europe’s most dazzling cities. Enjoy the morning hours One of the best things you can do is to head out as early as possible. Set your Barcelona tours for between eight and ten in the morning. At these hours, the temperatures are not yet as high as they will get, there is some breeze, and the sun will not be beating down as much. As an added bonus, there are likely to be fewer people in tourist attractions the earlier you get there. Block out the sun Not only is the temperature high in Barcelona, but the humidity is very high as well. The best way to avoid this in your accommodations is to prevent the heat from coming in. Close your blinds before you leave your room. This can actually knock down the amount of heat that gets into your room by as much as 45%. In the evenings, you can open up the windows and ventilate, or do so first thing in the morning before it’s too hot. Wear the right clothes Wear clothing that is light in color that is loose fitting. This ensures that air can move near the skin, which helps with evaporation. If possible, wear sports fabrics that are specifically designed to move sweat away from your body. You can also wear sunglasses, hats, and something to cover your shoulders. You do not want to get a sunburn not only because it can be bad for your health, but because it will make you feel hotter. Go out…

You would be hard pressed to find someone who would say that visiting San Francisco is not on their bucket list. At GoCar Tours, we love everything about this beloved city but we also want to ensure that you don’t make some of the most common mistakes that can reduce your enjoyment of your time in San Francisco. Not taking advantage of mass transit When you want a full day of sightseeing with the least amount of stress possible we, of course, recommend our unique storytelling cars. On the other hand, when you have a single destination you want to spend the day or evening at, we suggest taking advantage of the excellent mass transit in San Francisco. From the cable cars to the buses, you can get just about anywhere you need to be. It’s $15 for unlimited rides for a day, $23 for a three-day pass, and just $29 for a five-day pass. Overpaying for less-than-fantastic meals When you go down to the popular Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll find plenty of dining options. The vast majority of them are there for the tourists and are overpriced with food that is not as good as you will get elsewhere. We recommend eating in one of the family-owned restaurants without neighborhoods instead of in the tourist districts. Waiting in line Visiting Alcatraz is free but there is a fee for the boat and during peak times, the line can be hours long. Certain cable car stops are much busier than others and you will wait longer than necessary to get on. These are just a few examples of how you can waste time waiting in line. This doesn’t mean you want to skip these spots – they are popular for a reason, after all, but do some research to find the…

Whether you’re vacationing in San Diego or heading out to Barcelona, you want a unique way to document your trip. Other than simply taking pictures and uploading them on social media like everyone else does, what are your options? Today GoCar Tours is here to answer that question for you with five unique ways you can document your trip. 1. Start a blog It may seem like everyone has a blog but it is a great way to have a day-by-day outline of your day. It’s a great way to not only share pictures but to talk about what you saw, what you ate, and where you stayed. You can keep it general or focus it on one aspect of traveling your particularly interested in, such as adventures, food, or the destinations themselves. 2. Create wallpaper from your photos No, we do not mean wallpaper for your phone’s background: We are talking about physical wallpaper you put on the walls of your home. Today’s products are peel-on options that let you put them up for as long as you want and then easily take them off without a mess. 3. Keep a journal If you want to document your vacation just for yourself, then a journal is a great way to do that. You can go into as much or as little detail as you like. Scientists have even found that memories are more likely to be richer when a person physically writes them down. 4. Make your own postcards You can make your own with a little bit of craftiness but there are also apps that will do it for you. Just choose the picture you want to be a postcard, write a message to a loved one, pay a fee, and the postcard will be created and sent….