Zváňa

Oct 24, 2024

Camping VAN

We purchased full insurance, so there was no need for any additional paperwork at the office, which wouldn’t have been possible anyway due to the office hours and our midnight arrival. Transportation was provided from the airport, and within five minutes we were at the car rental office, where the vehicle was already prepared. The key was stored in a key box, for which I was supposed to receive a code. Unfortunately, the code never arrived, so the box had to be opened by the driver who brought us from the airport. The vehicle was in good condition, but after a few days, it was necessary to replace the headlight bulb and brake light. Initially, the rental company’s operator told us we were not allowed to perform repairs ourselves, which was quite inconvenient since the light wasn’t working at night. However, the next morning we were told we could make the repairs ourselves. I’m not sure if this was a misunderstanding... When returning the car, I again couldn’t deposit the key in the key box, as I still hadn’t received the code. So, I had to go to the office and hand the key over in person, which wasn’t an issue for me. At the agreed time, a taxi arrived and took us to the airport. I’m not sure how the paperwork or car pickup and return process would have worked if we hadn’t purchased full insurance. I really appreciated the wealth of useful information provided by the car rental company, both before and during the rental. This included tips for trips and activities on the island, as well as weather warnings. However, I would definitely improve communication with the rental company, as it was conducted only via email, and replies took several days to arrive. An online chat, where an operator could respond to customer queries immediately, would be very helpful. The vehicle itself was very reliable and took us all over the island without any problems. The only issue I have to mention is that the campervan we rented did not have independent heating, which we were aware of, but I would not recommend such a vehicle for cold periods like October was for us. The sleeping area of the van was literally covered in ice in the morning, and icicles formed from the ceiling, making it completely unsuitable for sleeping during this time of year. Another issue was the sleeping bags provided in the vehicle, which were suitable only for warm summer weather and not for freezing temperatures when the night temperatures dropped below zero. Luckily, we had our own warm sleeping bags, so we managed to get through the nights, but we still had to stay in paid accommodation on some occasions.