If you’re planning a trip to Madrid the first few things to figure out will be how to get there and where to stay. However, there are then other things to consider. At GoCar Tours, we can help with many of them. First, let’s take a look at the various ways in which you can get around Madrid. Getting around Madrid on foot If you’re going to spend several days in Madrid, then you may not need any type of transportation other than your feet. As long as the spots you want to see are in central Madrid, it’s a very walking-friendly city. If you do want to visit a different neighborhood than the one you’re staying in, then you can take public transit to your destination and then set off on foot. Getting around Madrid via public transit Great news: Madrid’s public transportation is affordable and through. You can get full schedules and lines online complete with recommendations of how to get from Point A to Point B. Public transportation options include the metro (otherwise known as a subway), bus, and commuter rail. Getting around Madrid in a taxi If you’ll only be using a taxi occasionally, it’s fairly affordable to do so in Madrid. Remember that there’s a fee to get in the taxi and then additional fees per kilometer. You’ll also see supplements added for some rides, such as to railway stations, football stations, or the bullring. If you’re going to an airport, make sure you ask for a flat-fee before setting out. It is customary to tip taxi drivers in Madrid. We suggest about 10%. Getting around Madrid by renting a car There are so many options that we recommend not renting a car while you’re in Madrid. You can rent cars at pickup points such…

If you’ve seen the cool options available when you book a GoCar Tour, but you’re wondering about the reality of using these cars, then we have good news for you. A popular Korean television show used our GoCars in a recent segment they did. You can see how the cars work, how the tours work, and how much fun these unique vehicles can be. We loved seeing our customers enjoying a trip this much. We also love when clients from around the world check out our unique tours. Since the video in question focused on our San Francisco tours, we wanted to showcase some of the options available to you. The freestyle San Francisco GoCar experience If your group wants a free day to see everything that makes San Francisco amazing, then the freestyle experience may be what you’re looking for. Just give us a name of everyone in your group and then let them know they have a car waiting for them if they want it. They can then book departure times that work for them and do whatever tour they’d like. We’ll take them through an orientation video and escort them to their vehicle and then they’ll be off to enjoy their day! The self-guided San Francisco experience If you have fewer than 18 people in your group then a self-guided option may be best. You get a guaranteed group departure time so everyone can leave at the same time. You have total control over how long you tour – which means you have total control over the cost. We can manage your event entirely We can take care of all the details when you pick one of our managed events. You and your group can go out, tour the city, and enjoy all the sights. Meanwhile, we’ll…

With so many incredible vacation destinations in Europe, how can you choose the best option? At GoCar Tours, we love traveling throughout Europe and believe there are so many incredible destinations, but when it comes to underrated spots, Lisbon simply can’t be beat. Read on to learn seven reasons you should visit Lisbon on your next vacation. 1. There are some incredible dining options The foodie scene in Lisbon is growing and gaining in popularity. In fact, in 2016 alone three new restaurants were awarded their first Michelin Star. As of 2017, there were six restaurants with one Michelin star and one restaurant with two. 2. Portugal is more affordable than other countries One of the reasons that people are flocking to Portugal in general and Lisbon in particular is because the cost of living is such a great value when compared to other countries in Europe. Lisbon itself has been ranked the fourth cheapest city to visit in Europe and the cheapest in all of Western Europe. 3. Lisbon is home to unique trams When you visit Lisbon, not only can you check out the unique GoCars with our unique storytelling tours, but you’ll be able to ride century-old wooden trams. They run up and down the narrow streets, trundling along on winding cobbled streets. It’s a bit of nostalgic character that’s virtually worth the trip on its own. 4. You can sample the world’s best sausage Many people believe that Spain has the best sausage in the world, but others have a well-kept secret: Portuguese sausage is even better. Check out Praca de Figueira, in Lisbon’s second square, to see a market that has sausage food stalls on every corner. 5. You’ll try custard tarts like you’ve never tasted before No trip to Lisbon is complete without a…

What are you most looking forward to when visiting Europe? Is it the food, the culture, the architecture of the history? If part of the draw is introducing your children to another country then you may be looking for the best family-friendly European cities. We have you covered! Read on to learn about five of our top picks and then reach out to GoCar Tours if you need additional help or to schedule your unique storytelling tour. 1. Amsterdam If the first thing you think of when you think of Amsterdam is that it has a red-light district, then you’ll be glad to know that there’s actually a lot more going on. There are many outdoor things to do, including paddle boating and biking riding along idyllic paths. This is a very walkable / boatable / bikeable city and kids love the hands-on experiments at NEMO Science Museum. 2. Dublin There are many things to love about Dublin, from the friendly locals to the perfect picnic locations. Don’t miss the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, where you can learn about the history of wildlife on two manageable floors. If your kids are super-animal lovers then check out the Dublin Zoo, or check out the supposedly haunted Kilmainham Goal. 3. Paris Is Paris the most romantic city in the world? It very well may be, but it’s also a great family-friendly city. It’s easy to navigate the affordable Metro, and you can see the most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, from all over the city. We recommend skipping the Louvre until the kids are older and instead focusing in the many beautiful parks in Paris. 4. London When a city is home to Peter Rabbit, Paddington Bear, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, and Harry Potter, who can it not be…

Taking the kids off to a whirlwind vacation to Europe is destined to be a lot of fun but it can also be extremely stressful. If you’re planning a trip to the continent with your children, check out these tips that will help you have the most successful travel experience possible. You need a plan – but too much of one Some people will tell you that successfully taking on the beauty of Lisbon requires lots of planning if you want to go with children. Others will tell you that you must simply roll with the punches and be flexible. We say the answer is somewhere in between. Is it good to have a plan? Yes. You should know where you’re staying, how you’re getting from Point A to Point B, and perhaps have a basic plan of what you want to see, do, and eat on your trip. However, remember that you may end up with a rainy indoor day when you were planning on an outdoor adventure. Think about what your kids will be most excited about It’s tempting to plan the trip based on your wants but remember that if you choose cities and activities that your kids like, then it’s more likely that everyone will have a good time. You can also look into what they’re learning at school and find things to supplement their learning. For example, if you want to teach them about the history of bullfighting, then a trip to Barcelona is a great option. Consider working with a travel agent Even if you’re a savvy traveler and can handle it on your own, you may find that a travel agent can find better deals, get bigger discounts, and provide advice you won’t find online. If you’re planning to travel through several countries…

It’s the dream of many to travel the world and often the only thing that holds them back is the fact that they weren’t born with a trust fund. The good news is that even though it may seem impossible today, there are ways that you can make it much more affordable than you may think. Check out these tips and then get ahold of GoCar Tours to find out how you can tour all the hottest attractions in cities in a fraction of the time and for much less than you think. Travel during overnight Whether you’re taking the train, bus, car, or plane, if you can travel overnight, do so. Why? Because you’ll save on hotel rooms. Instead of ponying up a fraction of your entire budget on hotels that you’ll check into, sleep in, and then leave, get the driving done at night and only use hotels or hostels when you’re staying in a city for a few days or more. Don’t spend all your time in cities When you’re in Spain, you want to spend a lot of time in Madrid, right? No! Yes, you should stop in Madrid and get a great tour that shows you all the highlights in just a day or two. Then retreat to smaller towns and villages. You’ll get a firmer understanding of what it’s actually like to live there, and your expenses will be much lower as hotel prices, food prices, etc. are based on what locals pay – not what locals are trying to get from tourists. Get your food at markets No matter where you’re traveling to, whether Portugal, France, Spain, or elsewhere, it’s likely that there are fresh markets just about every day of the year. These markets let you pick up fresh produce and foods…

At GoCar Tours, we believe wanting to take a vacation is a good enough reason, but if you’ve been looking for an excuse then you’ll love these four science-proven benefits from vacation. 1. Say goodbye to stress The American Psychological Association completed a study that showed that vacation reduces stress. Another study, this one in Canada, followed 900 lawyers and determined that regular vacations reduced their job stress. The studies both show that these effects last long after the vacation. In fact, a study from the University of Vienna showed that people had less headaches, backaches, and heart issues five weeks after taking a vacation. 2. Lower your risk of heart disease Numerous studies have shown that your heart’s health benefits from vacation. One study found that for men who were at risk for heart disease and didn’t go on vacation for five years in a row, their chance of having a heart attack increased by 30%. The results are similar for women: When a woman doesn’t take a vacation every six years, her chances of having a heart attack are about eight times that of a woman who did go on vacation. 3. Become more productive Americans are feeling more and more pressure to be as productive as possible, which often leads us to work at less-than peak performance levels. Ernst & Young did a study of their employees and discovered that for every extra ten hours of vacation an employee took, the average year-end performance ratings when up by about eight percent. They also found that people who took their vacation more regularly were more likely to stay with the firm. 4. You’ll sleep better Many people don’t get enough sleep, and this is often the result of having too much on our minds. This can lead to…

California has some of the best beaches in the world and fantastic weather just about every day of the year. If these two reasons aren’t good enough to convince you to travel to San Francisco, make a stop in San Diego, or otherwise traverse this glorious state, then read on for seven other reasons you visit California. 1. California has incredible theme parks No matter your age or the makeup of your family, there is a theme park in California just for you. From Universal Studios Hollywood to Discovery Kingdom, from Magic Mountain, to Boomerang Bay Water Park – and of course the world-famous Disneyland – there are theme parks galore in California. 2. Incredible National Parks If you’re a nature lover then there’s no better place to visit than California. Yosemite National Park alone has more than 1,200 miles of beauty, but then you add the other National Parks – Redwood, Sequoia, and Marin Headlands, and it’s easy to see why so many people visit this state. 3. There are filming locations to check out throughout the state When you think of filming locations you likely think of California – and for good reason. The fact is that California has just about any type of climate you can imagine, from desert to mountain to beach. You can take tours of several cities that show you popular filming locations you’ll remember. 4. There’s an incredible art scene Yes, there are many official galleries and California art museums, but there is also street art, street performers, and unique collaborators everywhere you look. 5. You can rub elbows with celebrities It may surprise you to learn that not all the celebrities can be found in L.A. While many of them do live there, you can run into the rich and famous doing…

If you’ve been thinking about taking a trip to San Francisco and have been considering all your options, then you may have found out some of the main facts about San Francisco. At GoCar Tours, we’re fascinated by the history of this incredible city and wanted to share eight of the lesser known facts about San Francisco. 1. San Francisco has the largest Chinatown that’s not in Asia If you want to go to a Chinatown that’s bigger and more impressive than the one you’ll find in San Francisco, you’ll have to travel all the way to Asia. San Francisco’s as a mile long and a mile and half wide, with more than 100,000 people living there. In fact, it’s the most densely populated neighborhood in the entire city.   2. There are more than 50 named hills The fact that San Francisco is a city of hills is no surprise, but most people would guess that the number of named hills is around seven or eight. The truth is that there are more than 50.   3. There’s no risk of shark bite in the San Francisco Bay It’s common for people to assume that the Bay is full of man-eating sharks but in fact there are none. There are sharks, but they are small and not dangerous. Great white sharks do live in the Pacific Ocean but don’t make it into the Bay. 4. There’s a film festival for almost every week of the year San Francisco is a city that loves their film festivals. In fact, it has more than 50 each year. Some are large, internationally known festivals while others are very niche.   5. The UN Charter was signed in San Francisco Most people would guess that the UN Charter would have been signed in…

There are a lot of things to think about as you’re planning a trip to Lisbon. You want to find things that are fun to do, you want to find the best restaurants, and you want to learn about the city you’re going to visit. At GoCar Tours we can help with truly unique group tours of Lisbon. We’re also here today to offer five fun and fast facts about Lisbon to get you excited about your trip. 1. Lisbon is both the capital of and the largest city in Portugal Lisbon has quite a few things that make it stand out. Not only is it the capital of Portugal, it’s also the largest city in the country. The Interesting facts don’t end there though – it’s also the oldest city in Western Europe and among the oldest cities in the entire world. Though it was almost entirely destroyed in November of 1755, and 40,000 lives were lost, it was rebuilt quickly. 2. The climate is incredible One of the many reasons people love to vacation is Lisbon is because of the incredible weather. In fact, it has one of the most mold climates in all of Europe. It’s sunny all year long, and has an incredible average amount of sunshine that ranges from 2,900 to 3,300 hours. 3. The rave is the Lisbon symbol Lisbon has an official symbol: The raven. Once there was a cult for ravens within the city and there was even a large cage full of ravens in the famed Sao Jorge Caste. However, the birds started to disappear from the city and today you’ll only find them on the coat of arms. 4. Lisbon has a UNESCO World Heritage Site Lisbon is home to the incredible Torre de Belem, which is a UNESCO World…