How to Visit Malta on a Budget

For centuries, the Maltese archipelago passed between North African Moors and European Crusaders in an epic struggle for control of this important hub. This constant back-and-forth created a unique culture that blended architectural, culinary, and cultural styles (in fact, the Maltese language is a mix of Arabic and Italian) found nowhere but maybe Southern Spain.

Now, the country draws people less with the whole conquering-empires thing and more with its warm summer temperatures, pristine beaches, clear Mediterranean water, ample hiking, friendly locals, and cheap prices.

Though I didn’t spend as much time as I wanted in Malta, I spent enough (literally and figuratively) to get a sense of how to travel the country on a budget. Luckily, the country is already very budget friendly (it’s one of the cheapest Eurozone countries out there) so you don’t need a lot to begin with. Even though I was on a holiday and not being as budget friendly as I wanted, I still never spent a lot of money. My most expensive day cost me 70 EUR ($74), and that’s because I rented a car! Even when I was watching my wallet, at no point did I ever feel as if I was missing out.

Though Malta will never break your budget, I always am one to look for a deal, as I’m a firm believer that every destination has a way to be cheaper.

So here is your in-depth guide to visiting Malta on a budget:

Getting There

While most European carriers operate seasonal flights, there aren’t many airlines that fly to Malta year-round. Ryanair, Air Malta, easyJet, and Lufthansa are the biggest carriers that service the island year-round. One-way flights from the mainland cost 50-100 EUR ($53-106 USD), especially if you book in advance. You can also take the ferry to/from Sicily; it’s 2.5 hours and costs 61-127 EUR ($65-135 USD) each way (depending on the season).

Typical Costs

Malta is cheap. While I went in the middle of winter — without the seasonal increase in prices for accommodation, car rentals, and flights — many friends told me that most prices for food, activities, and public transportation stay the same throughout the year. Here is a list of typical costs in the country:

• Ferry to Valletta from Sliema: Single: 1.50 EUR ($1.60 USD), Return: 2.80 EUR ($2.95 USD)
• Ferry from Malta to Gozo: Pedestrian: 4.65 EUR ($5 USD), Car and Driver: 15 EUR ($16 USD)
• Pastizzi (cheap snack): 1-2 EUR ($1-2.10 USD)
• Breakfast sandwich: 3-4 EUR ($3.15-4.25 USD)
• Full breakfast: 8-9 EUR ($8.50-9.50 USD)
• Lunch at a café: 8-10 EUR ($8.50-10.50 USD)
• McDonald’s value meal: 5-6 EUR ($5.25-6.50 USD)
• Sandwich: 6 EUR ($6.50 USD)
• Nice dinner at a sit-down restaurant with wine: 25 EUR ($27 USD)
• Main meals: 10-14 EUR ($11-15 USD)
• Pizza: 6-9 EUR ($6.50-9.50 USD)
• Bottle of water: 1 EUR ($1 USD)
• Bottle of wine: 8-10 EUR ($8.50-10.50 USD)
• Beer: 3 EUR ($3.15 USD)
• Museum entrance: 6 EUR ($6.50 USD)
• Car rental: 38-48 EUR ($40-50 USD)
• Taxi prices: 10-20 EUR ($10.50-21 USD)
• Public bus ticket: 2 EUR ($2.10 USD)

On average, you’ll be able to visit Malta for 30-45 EUR ($32-48 USD) per day, though in the summer I would say you need to budget closer to 50 EUR ($53 USD). At that price, you’re looking at staying in a hostel dorm or splitting an Airbnb with a friend, taking public transportation, mostly sticking to the free activities, cooking your breakfast, and eating at the cheap(er) cafés.

How to Save Money in Malta

Accommodation

There are a couple of hostels on the islands, with dorm prices beginning at 9 EUR ($9.50 USD) per night (though prices double in the peak summer time). Airbnb is ridiculously cheap — I found a whole house for 35 EUR ($37 USD) a night. Most budget hotels cost 40 EUR ($42.50 USD) so I would stick to Airbnb or hostels for accommodation. However, like hostels, the prices for places more than double to around 80 EUR ($84 USD) per night in the summer; budget hotels cost around 40-60 EUR ($42-63 USD) in the summer.

To save money on accommodation, travel off-season and stay in dorms or split Airbnb units with friends. You can use the website eurocheapo.com to find good B&Bs, as they have a robust listing.

Food and Drink

Food prices are relatively inexpensive, though you’ll find higher prices in tourist areas such as Valletta, St. Julian’s, Sliema’s boardwalk, and Marsaxlokk.

To save money on food, stick to the pastizzi (savory filled pastries) for about 1-2 EUR ($1-2.10 USD), eat at the plethora of vegan and vegetarian restaurants throughout the country (see the list below), avoid snacking, and cook as many meals as possible (breakfast will see the biggest wins).

Transportation

There are three ways to get around the island: buses, taxis, and car rentals. Buses cost 1.50-2 EUR ($1.60-2.10 USD) for a two-hour ticket or 21 EUR ($22 USD) for a weekly pass, while car rentals cost 39 EUR ($41 USD) per day (in the summer they start closer to 50 EUR or $53 USD per day). There are a number of local rental companies, but I used Hertz since it was close to my Airbnb. Many of the local car companies don’t take credit cards and want deposits in cash. Going with bigger companies adds another layer of security.

Taxis cost 10-20 EUR ($11-21 USD); while not ideal, they can be ordered ahead of time via Whatsapp and are a good last-minute option if you get stuck because the bus doesn’t turn up.

One thing to note about the buses is that they are infrequent so they fill up fast. We got on one bus, only to have him pull over, kick everyone off, and put us all in another bus, that then waited for 20 minutes to move. It’s a crazy system and, during the summer months when the crowds peak, expect long waits. Don’t be in a rush if you’re using the bus!

Activities

When the weather is nice, there are a bunch of free activities to do, such as enjoying the beach, hiking, swimming, and just walking around. Additionally, all the churches are free. You’ll find a lot of companies that will take you around the island in a boat for 25 EUR ($27 USD). Most museums and attractions cost 5 EUR ($5.25 USD) but you can get a Malta tourism card (there’s one for Mdina and a separate one for Valletta) that will save you about 10-20 EUR ($10.50-21 USD) depending on how many attractions you squeeze in.

On a side note, I found the main tourism center in Valletta unhelpful. The staff couldn’t answer a lot of my questions. The smaller, unofficial locations that littered Sliema’s boardwalk had more information on car rentals, things to do, and prices.

Recommended Bars and Restaurants

Restaurants: Rising Sun (Mdina), Loli (vegetarian), The Grassy Hopper (vegan/vegetarian), the Marsaxlokk fish market, Suruchi, Ta Doni, Cuba, Rocksalt, Ta’ Rikardu (Gozo), Electro Lobster Project.

Bars: Hole in the Wall (Sliema), Native (and any bar on that street as it’s the main hub for nightlife), Dubliner, Legligin, The Thirsty Barber

****It’s easy to visit Malta on a budget. I was shocked at how cheap this place. Even with summertime increases in accommodation and tour prices, Malta remains an affordable country. I’ve been to all the

It’s easy to visit Malta on a budget. I was shocked at how cheap this place. Even with summertime increases in accommodation and tour prices, Malta remains an affordable country. I’ve been to all the Eurozone countries now and I have to say Malta is one of the best — if not the best — value. When you combine it with warm weather, amazing landscape, historic cities, and incredible beaches, Malta because one of the best destinations to visit in Europe if you’re looking to save money.

Looks like all those British retirees were on to something after all!

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

My detailed, 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money while backpacking around Europe. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and get started!
 

Book Your Trip to Malta: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Want More Information on Malta?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Malta for even more planning tips!

Photo Credits: 2, 4, 5, 6

The Car Dashcam with More Than 7,000 Reviews Is Currently 55% Off Right Now on Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Whether you consider yourself a great driver or not, a car dash cam is a handy gadget to have installed in your vehicle — especially if you have any upcoming road trips planned this summer. Not only will these high-tech devices come in handy if you get into an accident, but they can also be useful if your car is broken into. 

Luckily, if you’ve been wanting to give one a try, you can score a best-selling option on Amazon, the Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam, for a whopping 55 percent off today, thanks to Prime Day. The compact camera weighs less than one pound and can be discreetly mounted to your windshield, but don’t let its small size fool you. This high-tech device packs a serious punch. 

Along with full HD recording capabilities, the camera boasts a 170-degree ultra-wide lens and a loop recording feature so you’ll never miss a minute of action. The camera is built to support micro SD memory cards that can hold up to 256 GB in memory size, and it even has an accident auto-detection feature that ensures important video footage is protected after a collision. 

Because the dash cam features a 24-hour parking monitor, it will automatically start recording if it picks up any strong vibrations, and it boasts GPS software so that you can keep track of your speed, location, and more. With details like this, it comes as no surprise that it’s so popular on Amazon — over 7,000 customers giving it an impressive 4.3-star rating. 

Like most high-tech devices, the top-rated product falls on the pricier side, retailing for $130 a piece, but for today only you can snag it for a mere $59. That’s right, you can score the beloved car dash cam for more than $70 off right now! But you’ll have to act fast — the deal is only good for six more hours, at time of writing. 

Courtesy of Amazon

To buy: amazon.com, $59 (originally $130)

Andy Cohen’s Tips for Taking a Road Trip With an Infant

Getty Images

Bravo host Andy Cohen recently went on his first car trip with his infant son, Benjamin. And even though it was only a short drive (from New York City to Westchester), things did not go smoothly.

“The second I put him in the car, he starts crying and crying and I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ ” Cohen told People. “I have this rearview mirror thing over his car seat, so I could just see him in terror.”

Luckily, Cohen discovered a trick to lull his four-month-old son to sleep: put on some good tunes and get in motion.

“Once we started rolling and I got the Grateful Dead playing, which always calms both of us down, he was great,” Cohen told People. “He was a champ. I actually think it’s the way to get him to fall asleep — put him in the car.”

Cohen has also been sharing a series of images on Instagram of traveling with his son. Benjamin seems to enjoy grabbing his father’s nose for entertainment during a flight.

Cohen learned the hard way to always come prepared for travel, because things can (and probably will) go wrong. Last year, his flight turned around due to a broken toilet on board and he shared the whole ordeal on Instagram.

But Cohen is no stranger to traveling with fickle companions. He spoke to Travel + Leisure about traveling with his dog Wacha. Cohen advised travelers to “figure out where the pet friendly places are” and “bring a toy and bring a treat and bring water, and all that stuff.”

How to Road Trip Around Israel on a Budget (Updated 2019)

Posted: 7/22/2019 | July 22nd, 2019

This guest post from Anastasia Schmalz and Tomer Arwas of Generation Nomads. They have spent an extensive amount of time traveling Israel and today are going to share their knowledge to help you road trip around Israel on a budget!

Having visited Israel regularly and completed three road trips across the country, we can confidently say that there is no better way to explore it than in your own car.

The road infrastructure is well maintained throughout the country, and distances between destinations are short. You can start your day floating in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, and watch the sunset a couple of hours later from the porch of your wooden cabin in the Golan Heights or on a Mediterranean beach.

Additionally, having your own vehicle means that you can visit places off the beaten path that buses and trains don’t reach. For example, on our route from Masada to Tel Aviv, we took a spontaneous detour to visit a traditional Bedouin desert village, which wouldn’t have been possible if we didn’t have a rental car.

Over the years, we have built up know-how and resources that help us to make our road trips a smooth and wallet-friendly experience.

Budgeting: What will your daily costs be like?

Israel has become one of the most expensive tourist destinations in the world in recent years and, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the cost of a visit can exceed expensive cities such as Zurich, Paris, London, and Moscow. Here are some average costs:

Accommodations (per night):

• Hostel: 85 NIS ($24 USD) per bed in a 4-bed dorm room
• Hotel: 300 NIS ($83 USD) per room
• Airbnb: Prices starting at 175 NIS ($50 USD) per room or for the entire place

Food:

• Main course on the menu of a restaurant: 60 NIS ($17 USD)
• Street food meal (e.g., falafel or shawarma sandwich, with a drink): 25 NIS ($7 USD)

Car rental:

• Rental: 80-140 NIS ($22-39 USD) per day
• Gas: Although prices vary, expect to spend 6–7 NIS ($1.67–1.95 USD) per liter of gasoline

How to Rent a Car in Israel

As you’re planning to explore the country in your own wheels, renting a car at the airport might seem like the most logical step to take. However, if you plan to spend a couple of days in Tel Aviv first, we advise renting the car later, in the city center. The reason is that by picking up and returning the car at the airport, the rental price will be subject to an additional tax. Furthermore, you will avoid the headache of parking in Tel Aviv, where finding a parking spot feels like being Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible.

There are many car rental agencies in Tel Aviv that can help arrange your rental, or you can select the pickup location online if you decide to reserve a car before your trip. We recommend comparing prices on sunnycars.com, or calling or walking up to brokers directly. Rental fees are dependent on the seasons and typically start around 80 NIS ($22 USD) per day.

There are plenty of options for renting your car in the city center. Most rental companies are located on HaYarkon Street near the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel, where you can walk from one to another to do some price comparison before choosing the one that suits you best.

There are several smaller car rental agencies that have more attractive prices than the large players. We have frequently rented cars from those companies without any issues.

These are some of our recommended rental agencies:

• Auto Shay, HaYarkon St 130, Tel Aviv-Yafo
• TIR, HaYarkon St 132, Tel Aviv-Yafo
• Eldan, Kaufmann St 10, Tel Aviv-Yafo
• Hertz, HaYarkon St 144, Tel Aviv-Yafo
• Shlomo Sixt, HaYarkon St 122, Tel Aviv-Yafo
• Europcar, HaYarkon St 80, Tel Aviv-Yafo

When comparing deals, be sure to take into account the type of insurance policy as well as the number of kilometers included; for the itinerary suggested below, you can expect to log a total of 850 to 1,000 kilometers. Also, check ahead if your driver’s license is valid in Israel by calling a rental agency and verifying the requirements directly with them.

Driving Safety Tips for Israel

Driving in Israel is generally safe and comfortable. The road infrastructure is in good condition, with good signage. Nonetheless, Israeli drivers tend to be impatient and pushy, which should be taken into account if you are not used to driving under these conditions.

One important factor to consider in the planning of your trip is driving (or not driving) in the Palestinian territories, consisting of the West Bank and Gaza. There are set regulations to adhere to when entering the area. You will have to pass through army checkpoints on your way in and out and elaborate on the reasons why you wish to drive through. Moreover, do not rely on your GPS as may not work properly. Although the West Bank is now considered to be relatively safe, you should check with local authorities and your own country’s travel warnings for the latest travel advice.

Our Suggested Driving Route

Start: Tel Aviv-Yafo —> Jerusalem —> Bethlehem —> Jericho —> Ein Gedi Nature Reserve —> Masada —>Dead Sea —> Tel Aviv —> Caesarea —> Zichron Ya’akov —> Haifa —> Acre —> Rosh Hanikra —> Galilee —> Golan Heights —> Beit She’an —> Tel Aviv-Yafo

How to Navigate Around Israel

Car rentals usually charge an extra fee for renting a GPS system. To save money, get an Israeli SIM card instead. For 50 NIS ($14 USD), you can get a two-week unlimited data package from local provider Partner. This also allows you to stay connected with family and friends, check out restaurant reviews, and keep your Insta story going.

With internet on your smartphone, there are several helpful apps you can use to navigate Israel during your road trip. iPhone’s built-in Maps app and Google Maps work quite well, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do: Waze is Israel’s most popular navigation app, as well as a social platform that monitors traffic and connects drivers on the road. The advantage of Waze is that it’s based on the most accurate traffic monitoring system in Israel and will always find you a best alternative route to skip traffic jams or inform you about speed cameras.

How to Park Your Car in Israel

In major cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Haifa, parking can be problematic. Finding a parking spot might require cruising around for 20 or even 30 minutes. When booking an accommodation in one of those cities, try to inquire whether they offer on-site parking. This will save you time and frustration.

If you do find street parking, make sure to comply with the rules. The curb of the streets is marked with the following color codes:

• Blue + white = Paid parking
• Red + white = No parking allowed
• Solid gray = Free parking
• Gray + yellow = Kiss and drive (you may not leave the car)

Another option in major cities is parking lots. They are more expensive and may charge a fixed price for the full day or by the hour.

Good news: On Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) parking is free of charge everywhere.

Here are some apps you can use to navigate your way around cities:

• Moovit – This is the locals’ app for checking real-time bus arrival information and planning trips.
• Google Maps – It is getting more accurate in recent years and can also be used to check real-time bus arrivals.
• GetTaxi – The Israeli version of Uber, it’s a taxi-booking app that allows you to pay with a credit card.

2 Final Tips on Driving Around Israel

First, the best time of year for a road trip around Israel is during spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October), when weather is most pleasant. Unfortunately, the good weather also means that these the busiest months. Additionally, these are also the months with the most Jewish holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive times to visit (see below for more info). Winter months are rather unpredictable, and you won’t be guaranteed beach time, unless you had down south to Eilat. July and August are the hottest months of the year — even locals don’t spend much time outdoors, instead going from one air-conditioned space to another. Although rental cars are equipped with A/C, the heat and humidity can become unbearable during those months, and sightseeing can seem like a chore.

Second, Shabbat is the Jewish holy day of the week, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, and, besides weekly Shabbat, there are also many Jewish, Christian, and Muslim holidays throughout the year.

So how will these affect your trip?

First, Jewish holidays (many of which fall in the spring and autumn) are usually busy periods in Israel, and prices of accommodations and car rentals rise. Second, Israel is a Jewish state, meaning that during Shabbat and other holidays, many businesses (besides non-kosher restaurants) are closed. This may include some car rental companies, as well as shops, grocery stores, and museums. This is especially true in more religious cities and towns, such as Jerusalem. On Yom Kippur, Judaism’s most somber holiday, it is forbidden to drive. Moreover, there are observant Jewish neighborhoods where driving on Shabbat is unwelcome and even dangerous, such as Jewish Ultra Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem: Mea She’arim.

Lastly, Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter attract many tourists and pilgrims to holy sites such as Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem. Muslim holidays are not officially part of the national holiday calendar, but are still celebrated by the large Muslim population residing in Israel. Muslims observe Friday as the holy day of the week, meaning that Muslims sites and businesses are closed.

***

Having done three cross-country road trips over the last two years, our experience is that there is hardly any better way to explore Israel than in your own car! A well-maintained road infrastructure and short distances between (most) destinations make Israel a road trip–friendly country.

Planning your trip outside of the main Jewish holidays, renting your car from less expensive agencies, and using useful apps for navigating and parking in cities will give you the smoothest experience possible while helping you to save money.

Anastasia Schmalz and Tomer Arwas are travel coaches with the mission of helping millennials realize the life-transforming benefits of travel by designing a trip to be the journey towards a fulfilling lifestyle. In their blog generationnomads.com they write about topics related to the nomadic lifestyle, share pre-reads of their upcoming book, and offer guidance to travellers on how to make the most out of their travel. In their Friday newsletter and Instagram (@generationnomads) they offer free giveaways of their coaching tools & techniques.
 
 
P.S. – I just released a new book! It’s called “Ten Years a Nomad” and it’s about my ten years backpacking the world and the lessons I learned from it. It features tons of stories I’ve never told on this blog and is a book that delves into the why of travel! Click here to learn more, grab your copy today, and meet me on my book tour!

Book Your Trip to Israel: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Google Assistant Will Now Let You Hail a Car Just by Asking

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Even if you aren’t a top-level executive, you can still have a personal assistant. It may be in your pocket and it may not be human, but it’s getting a bit smarter every day.

Google Assistant — which is available for iPhone, Android, and the Google Home — can now call you a car.

If you say “Hey Google, get me a taxi to Los Angeles International Airport,” the assistant will show a list of ride services — including Uber, Lyft, Ola and several others — along with estimated prices and wait times. (You can also override this step by saying “Hey Google, book an Uber to the airport.”) Select the ride service and the app will open to confirm the ride.

The feature will be especially useful when you’re running late, with no free time to spare to compare rides. Being able to see all wait times and prices in one place without having to switch back and forth between apps could be the difference between you making it on time to the meeting or walking in sheepishly late.

Google Assistant is becoming a nifty hands-free way to plan your vacation. The assistant can teach you a foreign language, find you flight options, and help you pack with information about the weather. Earlier this year, Google introduced a feature that allows Assistant to book restaurant reservations and salon appointments.

Uber is Making It Easier to Know Exactly What Drivers Think of You

Getty Images

Originally published on April 25th, 2017.

Starting Wednesday, Uber riders will be able to see their passenger scores directly under their name in the app’s menu.

Some users may have already noticed this feature in testing over the past few weeks.

After tapping on their score, riders will be able to see information about how they are rated and how they can improve. Riders with higher scores have an easier time reserving Ubers. For example, New York City riders have an average of 4.6 stars. Those with above average scores are more likely to be picked up faster by drivers.

Courtesy of Uber

Uber hopes that having scores in plain view will make riders more conscientious and avoid common faux pas, like eating or drinking in the car, slamming the door, or stuffing in more passengers than there are seats.

And although ratings remain anonymous, users can watch their score change (or remain the same) after each ride.

For those dissatisfied with their ratings, Uber has a few tips to become a five-star rider — most of which can just be boiled down to “be respectful.”

To raise their scores, riders should aim to meet their driver on the street on time, give other riders space when riding UberPOOL and follow local laws like buckling up in the back seat and avoiding bringing open containers of alcohol into the car.

How to Defrost Your Car Windshield in Less Than a Minute (Video)

If you live in a place where it snows for three or more months out of the year, you know that defrosting car windows is not just a slight inconvenience; it can become a time-consuming part of your morning routine.

Loop Images / Contributor

But Ken Weathers, a meteorologist for the WATE 6 news station in Tennessee, wants to make your winter mornings just a little bit more bearable.

Growing up in the Midwest, I know all of the tricks: turn your car on ten minutes before you plan on leaving, expensive defrost spray, buy one of those strange pairs of gloves that has an ice scraper built in. No one method is foolproof nor anywhere near seamless. But Weathers has a homemade solution that will only take you a minute to make—you probably already have the necessary ingredients—and will make defrosting your windows as easy as taking a lap around your car.

Mix two-third parts of rubbing alcohol with one-third part of water. Put it in a spray bottle, and you're set for the worst of winter months.

Once this solution hits the window, the ice melts right away in seconds. Check out Weathers' walk-through video and see just how fast it works:

Everything You Need to Know About Driving in Cuba

You’ve booked your airfare. You’ve gotten your paperwork approved. Now check off one last box: securing a rental car in Cuba.

As much as bookings to the stuck-in-time island have exploded, tourist infrastructure struggles to keep pace—here, it’s nearly impossible to train-hop between cities, buses don’t run on schedule, and even domestic flights are unpredictable. Driving allows for unparalleled freedom to explore, but it’s a complicated process just to get your car booked.

Luckily, Travel + Leisure has you covered, both when it comes to renting a car in Cuba and navigating the constantly-changing rules associated with visiting in the first place. Before finalizing your plans, make sure you know the latest on traveling to Cuba without a group (and still qualifying for a people-to-people trip), that you’re up to date on the latest hotel developments on the island (which will soon offer you the choice between authentic-feeling homestays and more comfortable luxury digs), and that you’ve got the 101 on commercial flights to the island nation.

We’ve also come up with the perfect day in Havana—a short video that’s part of T+L’s new Overnighter series, highlighting the must-see spots in major cities around the world. Consider it Part One of an epic journey to Cuba, which might get capped off with a road trip like the one I recently wrote about in T+L’s May 2016 issue. It hits colonial cities like Trinidad and Cienfuegos before making a pit stop for underwater adventures in the Bay of Pigs. (For travelers that would rather have a bespoke experience planned for them, there’s also this eight-night trip of a lifetime from Black Tomato, planned in collaboration with T+L editors.)

Regardless of the format or length of trip you choose, make sure that you budget some amount of time to drive beyond Havana and get a taste of Cuba’s verdant landscapes. Vintage car or not, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. Here, a few tips for navigating the road.