Jaunted

Green Travel / Rental Cars / Cars / Road Trip / Europe Travel / → All Tags

The Smart Car Gets Some Competition from VW's New Itty-Bitty Auto

With Smart Cars dotting the street and the Nissan Leaf making appearances, it's hard to remember a time when mini-cars and eco-friendly autos were a rare sight. Hint: it was definitely less than 10 years ago.

Now it's not so difficult to rent a Prius and even Hertz has a soft spot for the Tesla, but there's plenty of space in the market for new models, and Volkswagen is accepting the challenge.

Please welcome VW's "up!" The Up! is small—under 11.6 feet long by 5.3 feet wide—and with only three cylinders and low-emissions, it manages 56 miles per gallon.

more ›

Wine Travel / Drinking Travel / Travel Gear / Road Trip / Alcohol Travel / → All Tags

The VinniBag: A Case for Overprotective Wine Lovers

Everyone is familiar with those giant Greek vases that were used for centuries to move olive oil and wine around to the ports of the Mediterranean Sea. We used to think that was a pretty good packaging solution—or at least as good as our preferred method of putting the bottle in the trunk for the duration of the car ride, but apparently we were wrong. It turns out that "traveling with wine, olive oil or just regular toiletries can be awkward at best, disastrous at worst." The reason we know that is because the makers of the VinniBag told us so.

The VinniBag is an empty bag, inside of which you place a bottle of liquids. Once the bottle has been so placed, the bag is sealed and inflated, thus creating a cushion of air around said bottle. The practical upshot of which is that the bottle is protected from the environment and the environment is protected from the bottle contents. Modern wine transportation technology for the modern age.

more ›

Ohio / Midwest / Tourist Attractions / Caves / Road Trip / → All Tags

Where is the Caviest Cave of Them All?

If you're cruising the Midwestern states on a road trip, there's more than meets the eye when it comes to attractions. Sure, it's known for flatness. And agriculture. But there's so much more going on below the surface...literally.

In Illinois, Iowa and Ohio you can find your pick of caves to explore, if you've got a thing for stalactites (mnemonic: they're 'tied' to the ceiling) or stalagmites (you 'might' trip over them) or if you just want to explore a place that is a constant refreshing 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Find the cave closest to you at any tourist pamphlet stand.

We recommend Seneca Caverns in Bellevue, Ohio because it has the best motto, ever: "The Caviest Cave in the USA."

[Photo: rutt]