INTERNeX Canada: Casual Friday – Tips for renting a car

Hey there,

Friday, the last day of the week so almost weekend!
Today I want to talk about renting a car in Canada. There are several option you might wanna know about! I discovered that there are a view things you should know before you rent one.

First of all you there are a lot of company’s around the Vancouver Airport area. Examples of these are Alamo, Budget, AVIS or Hertz.. It’s really easy to rent a car online from one of these companies. But, because of most of us are under the 25 you have to be aware of the age surcharge. This is a charge $25-30 each day you rent a car if you are under the 25 years old. Another thing is the damage collision waiver. If you do not select this extra insurance you are unprotected for accidents etc. This is also between the $25 dollars.

In other words, you have to expect a lot of extra costs on top of the price you see online. But to make it more easy Alamo has a special under age package. All the things I discussed above are included so you are fully protected. When you pick up the car you have to pay a full gastank and that’s it! If you do not have a lot of money this is the solution.

 
The other option for car rental is with one of the sharing car companies. The first one is Zipcar. This is a car sharing company that gives you temporary access to a car if you are +21. You can rent cars for $8 per hour (excl. yearly membership fee). All you need for this is a membership, your driver’s license and your driving record.

The second sharing car company called Car2Go. This is an easy option if you want to travel from point A to B. There is no return time or location. You look on the map, pick up the car, and when you’re done you can just park it within the home area of that car. Everything you need is included in one price, really easy!

This Sunday I have rented a small car via Alamo just for 1 day. It’s easy and close to Vancouver to make a daytrip to Whistler and the waterfalls!

Hope you have a great weekend as well,

Jelle

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200 – 211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

INTERNeX Canada: Zipcar – Summer Party Silver Sponsor

INTERNeX is glad to introduce our partner and Summer Party silver sponsor Zipcar today! They are helping INTERNeX with the biggest event of the summer 2012! See the INTERNeX Summer Party event page for more information.

Did you ever wish to do a short one-day trip outside of the city where no bus is going? Need to do big shopping? Want a North American road trip? That’s what Zipcar will help you with! Zipcar is a car sharing company that gives you temporary access to a car if you are 21+ – choose time and type of car you need and enjoy the freedom!

All you need is to be a Zipcar member, your driver’s license and a driving record. It only takes a minute to join, just apply online! For INTERNeX candidates it’s $30 annual fee for your membership and cars start from $8 per hour! This price includes $30 in driving credit, all the gas you might need, insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance and 200 free kilometers/day! All you need is the Promo Code: INTERNeX2012! Once you’re approved, you’ll get a personal Zipcard, which is your ticket to any Zipcar in Canada, the US, and Europe! Zipcar launched in Barcelona and the UK this year and will be launching in Vienna soon! Yes, worldwide and you can even cross the US/Canada border on your Zipcar road trip!

That’s what the INTERNeX girls did when we decided to go to Seattle for the Fourth of July! We tested Zipcar earlier on a trip around Vancouver and to IKEA for some shopping. Both times the booking was so easy and we had an awesome time. Having a car for a day gave us flexibility to visit a Fourth of July parade near Seattle, do a small city tour to the gum wall and the first Starbucks and at the end see the incredible fireworks of the 4th of July in the US! We had so much fun that we were late to return the car. But Zipcar makes it easy: we just called and extended the reservation without any charges.

To reserve your Zipcar or change your reservation is as simple as that: use their reservation system anytime and anywhere; online, by phone or via apps for iPhone and Android. Find a Zipcar parking spot in your area, there are a lot of Zipcars parked throughout the city – a Zipcar lives near you! Your Zipcard is programmed according to your reservation, use it to open the car and you are good to go!

Cruise around in a MINI, take care of big stuff in a pickup, impress your friends in a BMW or be eco-friendly in a Prius hybrid. You’ll find all kinds of cars for whatever occasion you need!

If you guys are interested in doing a road trip, go to an outlet store for some nice deals, or just want to do some groceries, Zipcar is the perfect solution for you! Rent a car for a couple of hours, for a day or even longer and have the freedom to go ANYTIME ANYWHERE! See the Zipcar website for more information!

Cheers,

Xenia

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200 – 211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

Fun Facts about Canada

Today I would like to share some facts about Canada specifically things you SHOULD NOT do here in Canada. Many things are different to Europe or Asia. So inform yourself before you do something even though you are sure about the laws. Better safe than sorry. Here are a few things you have to take care of!

• Do not drink and drive: The legal alcohol limit is indeed 0,8‰ BUT in case of an accident the insurance will pay nothing at all and also the police men know no mercy in case of drink and drive and the penalties are brutal! It´s also not allowed to drink on streets out of bottles.
• Never forget to have a health insurance for your stay in Canada. A day in a   Canadian hospital can easily cost you around 1000$ or even more so get  informed about the insurance!
• If you go to one of the many national parks, never feed an animal or break an branch! A bouquet of flowers from a national park can cost you up to 500$, so you better buy one at a florist!
• For the smokers among us: Smoking is kind of a taboo in Canada and much more expansive than in Europe. In all public buildings (Bars, Clubs, Airports etc.) it´s not allowed to smoke. There is even a law that you are not allowed to smoke within 6 meters from entrances of public buildings.

Cheers, Lydia

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200-211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: www.internexcanada.com

Rip Roarin’ Rockies Adventure!

If you haven’t been to the Rockies – you haven’t been to Canada! Get the most out of your summer and experience one of the most spectacular places on earth!

Join other travelers on a 4-day (3 night) tour to the heart of the Canadian Rockies and travel through some of the most awe inspiring scenery to be found anywhere in the world! Embark on a journey from Vancouver to Alberta to see towering peaks, frigid glaciers, and stunning lakes. Four days of breath taking scenery will give you memories to last a lifetime. Don’t have a friend? No problem – you’ll meet tons of people on this trip! For only $340.00 (taxes in!), you won’t find a trip like this anywhere else! This trip begins July 30 and ends August 2, 2010.

Whether you’re just out for an incredible sightseeing journey or you want to try your hand at a variety of fun activities, this tour has something to suit every taste.

This Classic Canadian  Rockies Adventure by West Trek includes:

• The PERFECT MIX of amazing adventures and stunning sightseeing!
• Three nights hotel – 1 night right in the centre of Banff! ( Price is based on 4 people sharing one room with 2 Queen beds. Upgrades available. )
• The hotel in Banff is The Mount Royal.  It’s right in the centre of this beautiful mountain village.  Step out the front doors of the hotel and you’re in the heart of the party – only seconds from the ragin’ nightclubs and pubs!
• Two of the three hotels have indoor pools with water slides and hot tubs.  The fun is just starting when we arrive at our hotels!
• Free entrance to Banff’s best nightclubs!
• Learn to Line Dance.
• All tips and taxes included
• All park fees
• Daily guided sightseeing through some of the most incredible scenery in the world!
• End of tour PARTY at our Partner Camp! Marshmallow roast, songs, a roaring campfire and dozens of new friends. It just doesn’t get any better!
• Have a great time with your cool Canadian guide.
• Getting there is half the fun on the deluxe highway coach with games and movies while you make new friends.
• Hockey tournament in Valemount – Let the games begin as teams face off for a game of ball hockey!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• 3 nights of accommodation in Valemount, Banff  and Golden.
• LAKE LOUISE.  Visit the most famous lake in Canada and marvel at the unreal colour of the water framed by a stunning mountain backdrop!
• BANFF.   The most famous, and popular, town in the Canadian Rockies.  Take a boat cruise, soar to mountain peaks on a gondola, or just explore – Banff has so much to offer!
• MORAINE LAKE.  One of the most stunning lakes you will ever see.  (Seasonal.)
• The ICEFIELDS PARKWAY.  This highway has often been described as the most beautiful highway in the world and it is a very fitting description!  Glaciers, mountains, and pristine lakes are found all along this amazing stretch of unbelievable road!
• BOW LAKE.  A beautiful mountain lake not to be missed.
• PEYTO LAKE.  A stunning jewel hidden out of sight of the highway.  (Seasonal.)
• THE COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS.  No trip to the Rockies is complete without taking a Snowcoach Ice Explorer tour out on to the glacier.  Definitely a once in a lifetime thrill!
• ATHABASCA FALLS.  Witness the thundering roar as the Athabasca River drops 23 m through layers of limestone!
• JASPER.  Visit Banff’s little sister.  Quieter and not as busy as Banff, Jasper is a gem waiting to be discovered.
• THOMPSON RIVER VIEWPOINT – Great views of the North Thompson River.
• LAC LE JEUNE PROVINCIAL PARK – We stop for a quick dip in this beautiful mountain lake or you have time to explore the beaches.  A great place for a picnic lunch!
• MT. ROBSON.  This is the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies and offers stunning views on clear days.
• SPAHATS FALLS.  One of the most dramatic falls in Western Canada!
• 5 NATIONAL PARKS, 1 PROVINCIAL PARK, 3 UNESCO World Heritage sights.  These include Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park, Mt. Revelstoke National Park, and Mt. Robson Provincial Park.
• HOCKEY NIGHT IN VALEMOUNT – Can you get a more Canadian activity than having a game of pick up hockey surrounded by stunning mountains?!
• Super Discount at The Paddock  –  This trip includes an awesome menu with The Paddock Bar & Grill in the heart of Banff.  Now THAT’S Canadian!
• MALIGNE CANYON TREK – Explore this amazing canyon as you cross narrow bridges suspended above the roaring chasm.
• MOUNT ROYAL HOTEL – A hotel is not a highlight you may say.  Wrong!  This awesome beauty is right in the centre of Banff with our favourite nightclubs and party spots just a few short steps away.  You won’t believe that you are on a budget tour when you check in!
• AWESOME ACTIVITY PASS – What can we say?  It’s awesome!  This is the BEST deal going and can say that this deal isn’t offered by anyone else!

What you should bring:

• Swimming suit and towel (hot tub or swimming pool in the hotels + you have 2 chances to go for a swim in a refreshing mountain lake – seasonal)
• Government photo ID (passport) & Student ID (if applicable)
• Proof of Medical Insurance
• Good walking shoes/boots
• Warm jacket, hat, gloves (you’ll need these on the Ice Explorer Snowcoach tour.

To sign-up for this amazing trip, drop by the INTERNeX Office with your payment of $320.00 (cash only, Canadian dollars).

Last day for registration is Friday, July 23, so sign-up quick before all seats are taken!

TOUR OPTIONS

Make the most of your time in the Rockies by participating in some incredible optional activities.   Some activities are seasonal and not available on all dates.

• AWESOME ACTIVITY PASS – Book the Ice Explorer Snowcoach Tour + the Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise and West Trekl will give you back $3 PLUS throw in the Banff Gondola for FREE! That’s a savings of $32!
• The Cruise and Snowcoach normally cost $93. BUT, with the West Trek AWESOME ACTIVITY PASS you get The Big Three (The Ice Explorer Snowcoach Tour + the Banff Gondola + the Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise) all for $90!  (That’s like getting PAID $3 to do the Gondola!) – BEST VALUE – STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
• Banff Gondola – Soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain for incredible 360-degree views.  The gondola climbs 698m (2,292 ft) to the 2,281m (7,486 ft) summit of Sulphur Mountain. Fantastic views of the town of Banff, Mt. Rundle, the Bow Valley, you can even see all the way to Lake Minnewanka on a clear day.  ONLY $29
• Lake Minnewanka Cruise – Relax on board one of the lake cruisers for a stunning tour on the biggest lake in Banff National Park.  The cruise offers some of the most interesting and spectacular scenery found anywhere in the Canadian Rockies.  ONLY  $44
• Ice Explorer Snowcoach ride – A customer favourite for the past 10 years, this tour takes you right on to the Athabasca Glacier aboard massive, specially designed Ice Explorers.  You have time to make a snowman, have a snowball fight, fill a water bottle with “glacier fresh” water or just revel in the amazing scenery.  Not to be missed!  ONLY $49
• Canoeing on the Bow River in Banff or at Lake Louise
• Relax in the Banff hot springs – a beautiful outdoor pool heated naturally with the hot springs.  $7.50

To sign- up for this ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME trip, please drop by the INTERNeX office with your payment in cash. Please bring your passport and contact information with you. For any further information, please contact Laura at pr@internexcanada.com.

Terms and Conditions:

• We recommend paying at least 10 days before departure to avoid disappointment
• The tour is NON-REFUNDABLE within 10 days of departure
• NO REFUND if you fail to show up at the meeting spot on time.
• A small bus may be used for smaller groups

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200 – 211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com