At Avis we have teamed up with KLM to give you the chance to WIN a dream holiday to South Africa. We are giving away a pair of flights, one weeks car hire and other exciting goodies!

The prize includes everything you need to make that trip to South Africa extra special:

• 1 pair of KLM tickets to Cape Town from any UK KLM departure airport.
• Free car rental, 7 days in Cape Town or Johannesburg – Group F (Audi A4 or similar)
• GPS Satellite Navigation
• Digital camera
• 2000 South African Rand spending money

Find out more.

So make sure you enter before midnight on 31st August 2010 to be in with a chance of winning.

Following our successful roll out of the Avis Home Delivery Service to West London, I am pleased to announce that we have extended the service across North and South London, enabling us to offer Home Delivery throughout the area of London.

We can now deliver hire cars to areas including; Chelsea, Kensington, Chiswick, Ealing, Finchley, Golders Green, Acton, Chingford, Barnet, Marylebone, Islington, Abbeywood, Bethnal Green, Greenwich, Woolwich, Crystal Palace, Stretham, Wimbledon and Penge, to name a few.

Reservations can now be taken for Delivery across London and these can be made via our website www.avis.co.uk/homedelivery, through our central reservations team on 0844 581 8181 or direct at our local Avis branch.

It would be good to hear your views on our Home Delivery Service and the roll-out of the service across London.

At Avis we like to keep car hire easy and simple. So we are excited to introduce our NEW iPhone application which will enable you to book your Avis car rental on the move.

We have based the Avis iPhone application development around speed, simplicity and ease.

Your booking can be made in just 2 minutes and all you need to do is:

• Select your location, dates and vehicle group.
• Enter personal details.
• Accept terms and conditions.
• Then confirm.

This fast and simple booking process has a few time saving functions:

• 3 way location search
• Easy to use date selector
• Google maps function for accurate directions
• Full selection of Avis fleet quick and easy to select
• Pre-saved details (personal details only needed for the first booking)
• Reservation details saved on your phone for easy access
• Dedicated Avis contact detail if you require any support
• Location details including opening times

The application has been made to help improve user experience by making the booking process simpler and faster. So download it today and try it for yourself.

Download the Avis iPhone application
View a step by step booking process

Once you have downloaded the Avis iPhone application we would love to get your feedback.

For most of us, August Bank Holiday weekend marks the end of the summer as the last Bank Holiday before Christmas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. So to help you make the most of it, we’ve put together five of the best Bank Holiday events up and down the country for you to explore with Avis Rent a Car.

Renting a car from Avis makes sense for so many reasons. For a start, you’ll keep the miles down on your own car, preserving its value. Plus you get the chance to treat yourself by hiring a luxury car from our prestige range, so you and your family can travel in style. Alternatively, why not hire a people carrier and bring everyone along to make it a real family day. With a rental car from Avis, you’ll enjoy the convenience of driving door to door, and stopping wherever you want along the way to see the sights. Whichever car you choose, we’re sure you’ll have a great weekend.

Here are our five top spots for a Bank Holiday Weekend to remember:

1. England’s Medieval Festival, Herstmonceaux Castle, East Sussex, 29-31 August
England’s Medieval Festival is Britain’s largest three day celebration of the Middle ages and includes a morning siege and afternoon battle for Herstmonceux Castle involving 1,000 knights, bowmen and men-at-arms, plus a Grand Parade of knights, lords, ladies, jousting competitions, fire-eating, falconry displays and medieval puppeteers with 12-foot stick puppets. A historic day to remember. Find Herstmonceux Castle off the A271 north east of Eastbourne in the heart of Sussex.

2. Notting Hill Carnival, Central London Monday 30th August
This spectacular event is well worth the drive from almost anywhere in the UK. Park and ride as you reach the London Underground network and you’ll be whisked into the heart of the colourful carnival atmosphere of Europe’s biggest street festival. The Notting Hill Carnival attracts over a million people every year along the 20-mile parade route packed with party music and classic Caribbean food stalls.

3. Knebworth Classic Motor Show, Hertfordshire, 30-31 August
If you think Avis have an extensive range of cars, that’s nothing compared to the Knebworth Classic Motor Show. On Bank Holiday weekend, over 2,000 gleaming classic and vintage cars come together to celebrate the best in motoring. And don’t worry there’s something for all the family with a large adventure playground, Dinosaur Trail and miniature railway for the kids and delightful formal gardens. Find Knebworth just off the A1(M) J7

4. Matthew Street Music Festival 29-30 August
Liverpool offers two days of free fun over the bank holiday weekend, with the Matthew Street Music Festival to rival Notting Hill in the capital. Offering over 80 hours of live outdoor music from over 95 cover bands, original bands and the hottest new bands, it’s a feast of free music on six huge stages across the city centre, with something for every musical taste in the home of the Beatles.

5. Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe
Most events claim to have something for everyone, but few can back that up as much as the world famous Edinburgh Festival and Fringe. From classical music to contemporary theatre, outrageous comedy to stunning circus style acts, it is a cultural event like no other and has to be experienced at least once. Wherever you’re travelling from it’s a trip worth making!

Avis think of everything
It’s not just our cars that make hiring from Avis so easy; it’s all the extra attention to detail too. We’ve thought of everything to make your trip go smoothly, from SatNav to a second driver, baby and child seats to home delivery, leaving you free to concentrate on enjoying a brilliant Bank Holiday trip.

With more of us staying at home for holidays, finding fun days out for the whole family has never been more important – and with Avis Rent a Car, it’s never been easier. Rent a spacious estate and fit in everything you need for a seaside summer day, or rent a people carrier and take the kids and their friends too.

By renting an estate or people carrier from Avis you avoid all the worry of wear and tear on your own car, and avoid all those endless fights that come from squashing all the kids together in the back. Our extensive fleet of vehicles makes a great family day out full of fun, and it’s so much simpler than struggling with public transport as you can drive right to the door of your destination. And when you add up the cost of the train or coach for everyone, you’ll find hiring a car from Avis is well worth it.

Here are five top days out that all the family will enjoy:

1. Isle of Thanet, Kent
Head east from the capital on the A28 or A299 and enjoy a traditional day out at the seaside on the Isle of Thanet in Kent. Not strictly an island, this superb stretch of coast boasts no less than nine clean, safe Blue Flag beaches full of fascinating rockpools to keep the kids amused all day. Plus there are promenades, cliff top walks and all the family fun you’d expect from great British seaside towns, including Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.

2. Alton Towers, Staffordshire
With world famous rides and attractions, Alton Towers theme park needs no introduction. Simply follow the signs from the M1 (J23a or J24) or M6 (J15 or J16) for an adrenaline filled day with something for everyone. Speed from 0-60 in 2.2 seconds on the Rita ride, or experience the world’s first vertical freefall drop rollercoaster TH13TEEN. One admission price pays for all the rides you want, and if you book online in advance you’ll save even more.

3. The GreenWood Forest Park, Snowdonia
Situated in the foothills of Snowdonia, just off the A55 between Bangor and Caernarfon, you’ll find rides of an altogether different kind at GreenWood Forest Park – because at this award-winning eco-friendly attraction, all the rides are people powered! And that’s just the start of the fun in the forest. You can try your skills as Robin Hood on the archery range, go Indiana Jones on the Jungle Boat Trail, or create your own souvenirs in the wonderful woodcraft centre, in a delightfully different day out with something for everyone.

4. Chester Zoo, Cheshire
Just a few minutes drive following the signs from the M53 (J10) and M56 (J14), Chester Zoo is a must for any family’s summer schedule. Chester is the UK’s number one zoo, with over 7000 animals and 400 different species, including some of the most endangered on the planet, all surrounded by stunning gardens. Don’t miss the boat ride around the zoo or see it all from above on the monorail.

5. Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick
25 miles east of Edinburgh on the A198, the Scottish Seabird Centre is like Springwatch all year round, with everything from seal pups to sea birds, puffins to dolphins all on view, up close and personal, on giant screens at the centre and out and about around the grounds. Book a boat trip to Bass Rock, one of Sir David Attenborough’s ‘wildlife wonders of the world’, and enjoy the rest of the day on the white sand beaches of the Firth of Forth.

Everyone can come along with Avis
You can bring the whole family along when you hire a car from Avis, because you can organise baby and child seat hire on request and add an extra driver so you can take turns at driving and looking after the kids. And with home delivery available in most parts of the UK, your big day out starts right from your doorstep.

Summertime is all about getting out and enjoying the countryside, and there’s no better way to do it than on a classic family picnic. And with Avis Rent a Car, you can make sure that no one gets left behind, with estates and people carriers that can fit in everyone and everything you need, from hampers and ice boxes to chairs and cricket sets.

Renting an estate or people carrier from Avis means that the whole family can share in the scenery, history and beauty of Britain. With an extensive fleet of vehicles and so many great picnic spots across the country, from stately homes to spectacular coasts, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here are our top five suggestions for the perfect picnic, from Edinburgh to Brighton.

1. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
For a breathtaking view, without getting too out of breath, head up to Arthur’s Seat, one of the famous seven hills that surround Edinburgh. This is a popular picnic spot, with plenty of sheltered nooks and crannies in which to make camp along the way, and the view from the peak across the city and out along the Firth of Forth is well worth the half hour climb. Find Arthur’s Seat in the heart of Edinburgh.

2. Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Pretty much anywhere in the spectacular Peak District National Park, to the South East of Manchester, is worth a visit, but Padley Gorge is a particular favourite for picnics. There’s something for everyone in this fairyland location, as the stream winds its way between grassy banks and off into the woods, creating fascinating rock pools and attracting a wealth of wildlife. Find Padley Gorge on the B6251 Grindleford road, just off the A625.

3. Hardcourt Arboretum, Oxford
Hardcourt Arboretum is the perfect place to get back to nature with a private picnic in one of the many clearings dotted among the ten acres of woodland. Let the kids go off safely squirrel spotting, running through the wildflower meadow and playing hide and seek amongst the trees, while you relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Hardcourt Arboretum lies six miles south of Oxford on the A4074.

4. Avebury Stone Circle
Unlike its better known partner at Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle enjoys open access, allowing you to pitch your picnic right in the heart of history. Despite being the largest stone circle in Europe, Avebury also has far fewer visitors, so you can picnic in peace and experience first hand the strange ethereal energy of this fascinating location. Find Avebury Stone Circle around ten miles south of Swindon and the M4 on the A4361.

5. Devil’s Dyke, East Sussex
Our final picnic destination takes us right to the south coast, with stunning views across the South Downs and out over the English Channel. Devil’s Dyke has lots of open space to enjoy, with everything from Iron Age forts to rare and exotic wildlife, and its higher ground is especially good for flying kites. Devil’s Dyke is on the A23 just outside Brighton, within easy reach of London for a day trip.

Avis makes it easy
Whether you’re hiring a car in England or hiring a car in Scotland, with Avis it couldn’t be easier, because we take care of everyone. You can hire baby and child seats to make sure the little ones stay safe, and even add an extra driver to share the miles on longer trips. We’ll even arrange delivery to your door, to take the hassle out of your big day out.

So get out and enjoy the great outdoors of Great Britain this summer. From Scotland to the South Coast, there are hundreds of different picnic places to explore. Why not let us know your favourites – we may even feature them on the Avis blog.

At Avis we are excited to announce that we are adding the NEW Jaguar XJ to our Avis Prestige fleet.

The original Jaguar XJ was a car that epitomised luxury and comfort and those credentials remain unchanged with the new 2010 model. This is Jaguar’s flagship saloon, and the first launch under new owners Tata Motors.

The previous model couldn’t help but start to look dated and the new XJ has undergone a radical change from the original body style, which was little changed for 40 years.

Whilst the new XJ resembles the XF, it’s fabulous to look at and at the forefront of technology with many functions controlled by a touch-screen allowing easy programming of the sat-nav system.

The interior exudes quality with the leather and wood finish and the impressive Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system which pipes your desired tunes through an array of speakers, including three in each door, two on the dashboard, four surround speakers on the parcel shelf, and two subwoofers!

This car is part of the Avis Prestige executive saloon range available for delivery from London, Heathrow and Manchester.

If you have rented this car or plan to we would love to get your feedback.

We’ve been listening to your feedback about offering our Avis Home Delivery service in London and I am really excited to announce we will be rolling out the service to the West London area! We will be open for reservations from 1st July and some of the areas we will be delivering to include West Brompton, Chiswick, Fulham, Hammersmith, Kensington and Notting Hill to name a few.

For full information on Home Delivery or to book this service go to www.avis.co.uk/homedelivery (where you can use the postcode search to confirm we deliver to your area) or call our reservations team on 0844 581 8181.

It would be great to hear what you think about our expansion of this service into London.

We are very excited to introduce the new Avis Rent a Car website. If you have visited the Avis website before, the first thing you’ll notice when you land on the car rental homepage, is the new, fresher look with a cleaner top menu to help you navigate your way around the sections of the website. But this is just the start!

The main improvement is without a doubt, the leaner and faster booking process. We’ve reduced the number of steps needed to rent a car to four and refreshed each of the four pages to give you more information, easier navigation and ultimately make your selection easier.

Now all you’ll have to do is:
1) Select your dates/rental station
2) Choose your car group
3) Select your preferred payment option and add any extras you may need (GPS, child seat etc)
4) Enter your details

And in less than 5 minutes your booking is done!

And you’ll now find your personal account sign-in and account summary on every page so you can sign in anytime you like without going back to the homepage .

We would love to hear what you think of the new website, and of course if you have any suggestion on how we can still improve it please let us know.

With Glastonbury and Reading festivals just around the corner, it’s time to heave aside the pinstripes and spreadsheets and to embrace your inner cool. And though we’re big fans of the big festivals, we thought we’d take a look at some of the smaller set-ups that sometimes slip under the radar.

And if you’re heading to a festival this summer, why not hire a larger car or people carrier from Avis to get you, your mates and all of your stuff there in total comfort? – As we all know there is never quite enough room for everyone and everything in a small car.

Indietracks – 23-25 July 2010
Near Ripley, Derbyshire
A hidden gem for the lucky 2,500 who get tickets. Bands play in a train shed or on moving trains: trippy. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart headline, along with plenty of off-the-grid new talent.

National Forest Folk Festival – 2-4 July 2010
Conkers, near Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
A natural outdoor amphitheatre in a forest with Adrian Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds, Eliza Carthy and Saul Rose, Lau and the Peatbog Faeries. Bring your woggle.

The Secret Garden Party – 22-25 July 2010
Near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
A Fact or Fiction theme plus the Gorillaz Sound System and Mercury Rev competing with the Suicide Sports Amphitheatre, 20ft punch fountains and the Kissing Den. And busboys to carry your bags if you really must.

International Gypsy Guitar Festival – 30 July-1 August 2010
Cam, Dursley, Gloucestershire
Paulus Schafer, Antonio Forcione and Andreas Oberg twang guitars in a small but perfectly formed festival. Bring your guitar, fiddle or double bass and jam.

Truck – 23-25 July 2010
Steventon, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire
No advertising or sponsorship, just young up-and-coming bands plus Bellowhead, Pulled Apart by Horses and Steve Mason. Village fete meets Woodstock, where the local vicar runs the tea stall.

Rame Dance Festival – 2-4 July 2010
Mount Edgcumbe, Cornwall
Small-scale event by the beach. It’s dance plus live bands, experimental cabaret, open mike and a dance tent with reggae and dance tunes. Hire a teepee and get that mike.

North Wales Bluegrass Festival – 1-4 July 2010
Conwy, Wales
The 22nd year of this humdinger, where you can catch Jeni Hankin and Billy Kemp, Brian Golbey, Chill Until Blue and Chris Moreton.

Summer Swing – 6-10 July 2010
Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey
What to do when you grow up? Get down to Kew for Jools Holland, Björn Again and a Queen symphonic spectacular suite. Dahling, did you pack the organic terrine?

The Big Chill Festival – 5-8 August 2010
Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire
Massive Attack and Lily Allen are the biggies, with a lucky dip of alternative, reggae, electronica, dance and chill-out music and comedy – from seasoned to green. Film, art, cabaret, poetry and some really, really good food stalls.

2000trees Festival – 16-17 July 2010
Withington, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
50 acts encompassing rock and indie, folk and metal, pop and experimental, with campfire sing-a-longs and famous headphone disco. Watch out for Frank Turner and Your Twenties and The Xcerts.

These are just a few of the smaller festivals we think you might like to visit, but if you think there are other great festivals that we have missed off please let us know.