As the summer sun retreats and the chilly grip of autumn tightens around the country we all need to take special precautions to ensure our safety.

First things first, you need to check that your car insurance and breakdown cover policies are up to scratch and that you aren’t paying more than you should. Avoid additional unnecessary extras unless you think you really need them, because they will without a doubt push your premium up.

• In the autumn the sun is particularly bright and you will need to ensure your windscreen is always clean (on the in and outside) and that your cleaning fluid is topped up.
• The colour changing leaves in autumn are gorgeous, but if they are in heaps or piles they can present driving hazards you will only experience in autumn, so be sure to check your tires, brakes and windscreen wipers before driving anywhere!
• During autumn you will encounter many puddles or just standing water and they could be extremely dangerous if you don’t take proper precautions. So if the roads are wet you should drive slower and take care to not hit puddles or standing water at speed.
• Even more dangerous would be leaves floating on top of a puddle or standing water causing you, the driver, to not notice the water. So be extremely wary of leaves in the road. (Strange as that may sound).

So take care this autumn, it is such a beautiful time of year. You should also get in touch with your breakdown cover provider to double check that all of your policies are in check and that you are only paying for what you need!


Get great European breakdown cover from Green Flag, as well as driving advice and route planning, and much more online at Green Flag Breakdown Cover.

As the summer winds down and the winter chill returns to our shores we all try very hard to stay upbeat and positive, but it isn’t always as easy as that. Or is it? Ever considered going to a late summer music festival in Europe? Just remember to take your breakdown cover and car insurance policies along, just in case.

The Salzburg Festival is one of the leading music and drama festivals in the world and is held each year for five weeks in the Austrian town of Salzburg. The festival runs from late July and was founded in 1877 but was discontinued in 1910 until the end of the First World War.

The festival has grown in size and popularity as the town is completely transformed every year during festival time and it has resulted in the festival being known as the premier destination for opera, drama play and classical concerts, it is of course the birthplace of legendary composer – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The music on offer mainly focuses on Mozart and Strauss, but you can also take in some Verdi and Beethoven.

If classical music isn’t quite your thing, you should pack your car (remember the car insurance details, take you travel insurance ones along as well) and head off to the Palio Horse Race in Siena. It is guaranteed to exhilarate you! The race takes place twice during each summer (July 2 and August 16) and crowds from all over the world descend on the town to witness the race.

The race is made up of 17 horses (one from each neighbourhood) and the barrel the town square, and here is the catch, there are spectators on the in and outside of the ‘track’. The race generally ends in a huge party and a good time is basically guaranteed. So next time you are stuck for option, pack your car, grab some friends (and your European breakdown cover details) and head over to one of Europe’s lesser known festivals, you might just have a really great time!


Get great European breakdown cover from Green Flag, as well as driving advice and route planning, and much more online at Green Flag Breakdown Cover.

Nothing beats an adventure holiday, and for an adrenaline rush worth remembering try one of these top adventure days out in the UK:

Dive

Devon's Jurassic Coast is known as a playground for scuba divers, and as it boasts many shore-dive areas, low lying reefs, underwater caves and even sunken wrecks for divers to explore. Diver will also be able to see conger eels and pink sea fans, which are unique to the area.

A training centre in Exmouth offers courses for divers of all levels, including beginners. Visit http://www.jcdiving.co.uk for more information.

Sail

Speed sailing is a cross between windsurfing and skateboarding and Speed Sail UK teaches the art of this sport at several locations in the UK, including Gwithien. Not difficult to master, the sport  involves harnessing the winds power and speeding across flat sandy beaches. Visit http://www.speedsailuk.com for more information.

Glide

Paraglide over the Peak district and soar like a bird with the wind in your hair - Parepante offers one-day courses which cover the techniques for take-off and canopy control. You can even learn to fly solo. Check out http://www.fly-paragliders.co.uk for details.

Raft

White-water rafting is not just for big scary African rivers, but can also be experienced right here in the UK, in Pitlochry, Scotland. . River Bugs are inflatable single-person padded craft that float along on the current, bouncing off rocks like cars in a game of dodgem. Visit http://www.naelimits.co.uk to find out more about this experience.

Abseil

If abseiling down a waterfall sounds like your cup of tea, then aquaseiling is just the sport for you. Two large waterfalls perfect for this exciting pastime can be found in the Coppermines Valley Gorge in Coniston, so prepare yourself for a day of waterfall riding adventure, http://www.summitreks.co.uk has more details.

None of these destinations are especially far off the beaten track, but anyone planning an adventurous day out should make sure they have a good breakdown cover policy – a breakdown is not a fun adventure for anyone.


Get great European breakdown cover from Green Flag, as well as driving advice and route planning, and much more online at Green Flag Breakdown Cover.