11 Things To Know When Renting A Car In England

Although you can tour England extensively by rail, sometimes renting a car in the United Kingdom’s largest country is the best way to explore to out-of-way villages, historic sites, and verdant countryside. Here are some useful things to know about car rental or “car hire” as it is called in England.

Buildings and street in Beaulieu, England — Donna Janke

1. Age Restrictions

Minimum rental ages vary by company and range from 17 to 25. Surcharges for drivers under 25 years of age can be hefty.

Rules regarding older drivers also vary from company to company. The rules are usually driven by what insurance provider they use. Maximum age limits, when they are present, vary from 70 to 80. Even when no maximum age limit exists, extra charges may apply or insurance clearance may be required prior to renting. In some cases, that may involve providing a doctor’s certificate.

If you are a younger or older driver, find out the requirements before you make rental arrangements, and be prepared to shop around.

2. Left Of Center

In the United Kingdom, vehicles drive on the left side of the road. This can be disorienting if you are used to driving on the right.

The first difference is in the car itself. The driver’s seat is on the right-hand side, which means you shift with your left hand instead of your right. However, the clutch, gas, and brake pedals are in the same positions you’re used to. As you should do for all rental cars, familiarize yourself with the position of all buttons and controls before driving.

Once you’re on the road, take it slow while you adjust. You may instinctively look the wrong way for oncoming traffic. Beware of that bias and make a point of looking both ways. Also, be careful of overcompensating and veering too far to the left.

Driving on the “opposite” side of the road can be as disorienting for passengers as for drivers. I initially thought my husband was drifting over to the left, but when I checked lane lines on the road I realized he was within his lane and where he should be.

3. Transmission Type

The default for most car rentals in the United Kingdom is standard transmission. Automatic transmissions are available, but be prepared to pay significantly more for an automatic vehicle. If you are not used to driving a standard transmission, the cost may be worth it to avoid additional stress.

4. Filling Up

Rental cars may be fueled by petrol (what North Americans call “gasoline”) or diesel. Find out which one your rental car uses so you select the correct pump when you refuel. Putting the wrong type of fuel in the tank can cause damage that you may be liable for. Almost every UK petrol station is self-serve, so make sure to pay attention. Note that petrol and diesel in the UK are sold by the liter rather than the gallon.

Beare Green roundabout sign — Rob Enslin / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

5. Roundabouts

Roundabouts, circular intersections in which traffic flows around a central island, are commonplace and provide an excellent means of keeping traffic moving, but they can be challenging to drivers not used to them. There are a few basic guidelines for navigating roundabouts.

Signs as you approach the roundabout show the position of exits/roads fanning out from the intersection so you can plan where you want to exit before you enter. As you approach, yield to traffic already in the roundabout. It has the right-of-way. Enter the roundabout when it is clear to do so, turning to the left. Roundabouts in busy areas may have traffic lights controlling entry. Traffic moves in a clockwise direction through the roundabout.

If you are taking the first roundabout exit to the left, stay in the left lane and signal left. If you are taking an exit to the right or going full circle, signal right and enter the roundabout in the right-hand lane. Keep to the right until you need to change lanes to exit and signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want to take.

When there are several lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach. Sometimes markings on the road identify lanes based which on road you’re taking.

Your satisfaction and relief after successfully navigating your first roundabout may quickly dissolve to frustration when confronted with a second roundabout almost immediately. However, it doesn’t take long to become accustomed to these intersections. Although there have been a few times we’ve circled through roundabouts until we were certain of our exit, we generally found the directions to be quite clear. As you become used to them, you appreciate the role they play in keeping traffic moving.

Read the UK Highway Code for complete rules on navigating roundabouts.

6. Variable Motorway Speeds

Variable speed limits apply to some motorways, expressways designed for fast travel and long distances. Speed limits and distances in England are shown in miles. (The speed limit for cars on motorways is generally 70 miles per hour.) At certain times of the day, lower speed limits may be in effect to prevent start-stop congestion.

Studies have shown that slowing everyone down in high traffic situations results in traffic flowing more smoothly and quickly. Overhead digital signs notify you when the variable speed limit is in effect and what that speed is. Please observe the revised limit. There are speed cameras capturing images of speeders’ license plates.

7. Narrow Roads

Apart from the motorways and major arteries, some roads will seem narrow by North American standards. Still, two-way traffic only becomes an issue when you’re on one of the single-track or one-land roads in rural areas. There are a few things you should know before driving on such extremely narrow roads.

First, take it slow. Second, pay attention when you pass a widening in the road or a pullout/turnout. Be prepared to back up to those spots when a car approaches from the other direction.

Similarly, if a car behind you seems to be in a hurry, pull into the first widening you come across and allow it to go on ahead.

Third, approach every curve in the road, especially ones where trees block your vision of what’s around the bend, as if another car is definitely approaching.

Fourth, enjoy the scenery! You can plan your trip to avoid narrow roads, but they are often picturesque, and will lead you to quaint villages with welcoming pubs and inns.

Road in the English countryside — Donna Janke

8. Why Is That Other Car Flashing Its Headlights At Me?

Officially, the UKHighway Code states: “Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.” However, you may encounter unofficial headlight flashing as a way of saying “go ahead” or “thank you.”

At unmarked crossroads or t-junctions, another driver may flash their headlights to indicate that you should proceed first. Make sure that is the true intent of the flashing and that it is safe to proceed before doing so. In situations where you’ve allowed another car to go first, that driver may flash headlights as a “thank you.”

9. Insurance

As is the case in many other countries, car rental insurance in England can cost more than the basic cost of the car itself. The insurance terminology used may be unfamiliar to you.

Third party Cover (TPC), also known as Third Party Liability Insurance, is a legal requirement and is generally included in the baseline car rental. This covers accident-related damage to anyone or anything outside the car. Other insurance coverages relate to damages to the rental car itself.

Vehicle Damage Cover covers the cost of damages to the rental vehicle. Sometimes this is included in the car rental package. Note, however, that there may be exclusions, such as tires and windshields. Note also that there remains a fixed amount the renter must pay toward the repairs. This amount, more commonly referred to as a deductible in North America, is known as the Excess or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and can range from £1,000 to £2,000. Additional insurance coverages, such as Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) or Excess Cover, can be purchased to reduce the excess amount.

Vehicle Theft Cover, or Theft Protection, is another available optional insurance to cover the cost of replacing the car or parts of it in the event of theft.

No matter which coverages you purchase, you will usually not be covered for damage caused by breaching the rental agreement, negligence, or using the wrong fuel.

If your credit card offers car rental insurance, check with your card issuer to confirm they provide coverage in the UK, what they cover and under what conditions. Typically, you need to decline the rental company CDW in order to use credit card coverage and that may be difficult if the CDW is bundled into the rental price. If you find navigating the insurance options overwhelming, enlist the help of a travel agent.

10. No Left Turn On Red, No Cell Phones

Left turns on red lights are prohibited. Some intersections have separate left-turn lights.

Not only do traffic lights turn amber when they switch from green to red, they turn amber before switching from red to green. That is a signal to be ready to move, but you mustn’t start moving until the light is green.

Seat belts are mandatory.

It is also illegal to use a handheld phone or similar device while driving, including when stopped at lights or queuing in traffic. For a complete list of driving rules, read the UK Highway Code.

11. Driving In London

Don’t drive in London if you can avoid it. London traffic can be busy and chaotic, plus it costs £11.50 to drive weekdays in the Congestion Zone Area in central London. Public transportation via subway, buses, and above-ground trains is excellent. Taxis are plentiful. Save your car rental money for when you explore the scenic back roads, rolling hills, and picturesque villages of the countryside.

Travels With Siegfried: Breakfast At The Edge Of The World

I bought an apple-green Wet Westie when I learned the divorce was unavoidable.

A Wet Westie is a water-cooled VW camper. I would be driving it to the edge of the world and possibly beyond.

Lucy, named after the first of all known roamers, had thirty thousand miles on a replacement engine that burbled happily at one twist of the key. Anyone who ever owned one of these ‘Hippie Vans’ will forever start at that sound. Like a coffee percolator idling, promising to do your life a good turn.

I was desperate for a cup of coffee that particular morning. When I say ‘morning’, I mean daybreak; a blue-color working man’s morning, diners opening at 5:30, pickups idling to keep the cabs warm, blue curlicues of exhaust vanishing into thin air, fog still crouching low in the dells.

And when I say ‘desperate’, I am not hyperbolizing either. I’d been on the road since dinnertime the day before going north, north, north until the roads gave out. Somewhere in northern Québec, I guessed. And now I needed some coffee before I fell asleep slouched over Lucy’s oversized horizontal steering wheel.

Crossing the border into Québec had provided a bit of distraction. It must have been around midnight, and both the Vermont guards and their Canadian buddies were bored. So we talked vans.

A stout Canadian Officer squeezed himself behind the wheel and became ecstatic about the offset extension on my stick shift.

“On my van, the stick shift it is too far over – for my arms,” he held them aloft, “especially getting into fourth gear. You make tis?”

“No, no – I found it on a website.”

“I can make tis,” he said, “I can make tis.” He turned his mouth downward, visualizing, and nodded slowly. Then he jumped down and held the door for me. His eyes twinkled. “I have the five kids.” He spread the fingers of his right hand apart and – leaning in confidentiality – added: “All of them they were made in a van just like tis.” He patted Lucy’s rump the way you pat a sweet horse, and waved me on. Wistfully.

Everyone I ever talked to about Lucy grows wistful. The guys, anyway.

From there on out, all I remember is woods. Pine barrens; straight, dark one-lane dirt-roads branching off to towns with the hyphenated names of obscure saints; the occasional rotten-fish smell of a pulp-mill; and more woods. Hours and hours of them.

The brights were none too bright on Lucy, and they barely picked out the dark splotches of potholes. Miles of diagonal washboard made my teeth chatter.

Lucy’s prehistoric radio never worked. The six-foot CB antenna, which once connected me to truckers with suggestive handles, lay mangled among the blue nylon brushes of a Connecticut car wash.

I wedged the triangular side vent open to douse myself with cold air. There was nowhere to pull over to grab some sleep back in my nest of quilts and pillows. One speeding eighteen-wheeler loaded to precarious heights with fresh-cut lumber, and the slip stream alone would tip me into the murky ditch to my right.

Sweet Lucy did not have an aerodynamic figure.

The forest looked less foreboding. Morning light seeped through the wet fingers of silent dark pines. It had to have been around 6 or 6:30.

“St. Côme-Linière,” announced a blue-and-white sign, or what was left of it. Most signs I saw had been shot up.

An archetypal Québécois church dozed in its splendid coat of Rust-Oleum silver. A telephone pole served as the town’s bulletin board.

A hand-written white cardboard sign offered “Petit Déjeuner” – breakfast – in bleached red letters. A magic marker, diligently applied. Underneath, an arrow drooped downwards and to the left. It had recently been outlined in blue: bleu, blanc, rouge – no red maple leaves here in Québec profond.

I made a u-turn on the empty Main Street and followed the sign. To the right stood the object of this morning’s desire: what looked like a prefab one-storey house with a three-season porch, tidy front yard, gravel driveway, and another cardboard sign wired to the screen door.

The town was sleeping in. The house was quiet.

I raked my fingers through my hair and noticed that I had not shaved in two days. Couldn’t be helped. Sliding off the driver’s seat, I made sure the gear was in first – didn’t want Lucy rolling away, as she was wont to do – and clanked the door shut.

By the time I crossed the gravel patch, a woman was standing in the screen door. Dark hair pinned up; a blue calico housecoat over jeans; leaning slightly forward as if the door somehow kept her from falling out.

“Non, non, non!” She stepped aside and held the door open for me. It was as if I’d been expected. A family friend, not a customer. A small step away from une bisse, the left-right-left kiss that comes as natural to a French as a handshake to a German.

The front room housed three card tables, each with four metal folding chairs. Church basement material. Madame pulled one chair out and bade me sit. My back was to the window and I could see movement behind the milk-glass door that led to the rest of the house.

She took a white tablecloth out of a dark, ornate dresser, and, with a practiced shake-and-flap, spread it over the table. Et voilà!

Next came a little cut-crystal vase with a plastic flower arrangement, followed by real china, two plates, cup, saucer, and a setting of silver utensils. Just so.

Ah, and yes, the linen napkin.

I forgot my scruffiness. I’d become a frog, kissed, a princely guest. Was this Montréal? Paris, maybe? I was no longer unwashed, I was debonair with a distinct flair bohème.

I studied the typewritten menu. I hadn’t felt so special in a long time. I’d definitely have eggs and a creton. Maybe a pouding chômeur?

Madame had disappeared. Other than some surreptitious commotion behind closed doors, there was nothing for a long, long time. Half an hour easy. A memorably long time, anyway, for a weary traveler.

Finally the kitchen door opened and I saw something I will never forget.

A girl, maybe 15 or 16, in a complete 50s waitress outfit made an appearance at my table. “Monsieur? Votre coffee?” It was the timid voice of a brave person. She wore a black dress, a white pinafore, and a white, starched kerchief, worn like a tiara, held in place by a plethora of hairpins. And then her sneakers.

Without spilling once, she poured from a china coffee pot that easily could have served eight. Then she straightened up and smiled with relief, with professional pride.

From behind the half-open kitchen door, maman supervised. Unbelievable fragrances followed the girl to my table. I closed my eyes and inhaled. They had been cooking me breakfast without waiting for my order.

“Mireille!” Maman gestured and passed the girl a heavy, round tray laden with food.

I could tell you that the bacon was thick, the jam and bread homemade, the beans fried in duck-fat, the coffee more than plentiful – but that’s not what I remember.

What I remember is that Mireille – bending close to arrange an orange-slice with parsley sprinkles over my eggs – smelled of soap. Old-fashioned soap.

It was the most endearing thing.

5 Little-Known Attractions In South Korea

South Korea has great food, fascinating culture, and stunning nature. But the more unusual attractions may be the ones you should make time for.

1. Explore An Abandoned Theme Park

Yongma Land opened in 1983 and enjoyed almost three decades as a small, moderately successful family theme park before being shut down in 2011. With other, bigger amusement parks becoming available to Koreans, profits dwindled and the small neighborhood park became a relic of the 80s and 90s. Nowadays, the rides are still there, but the park is run down and dilapidated, giving the place an eerie, nostalgic feel.

Abandoned theme parks have gained some popularity in recent years due to the opportunities they present for photography and exploration. However, unlike several others, Yongma Land does not require you to jump over a fence or creep through a hedge to gain access: the owner will let you visit and roam the park at your leisure for 5,000 won (under $5), and he will even light up the old carousel for you for 30,000 won. The park has become a bit of a hotspot for photoshoots, but it remains a relatively quiet attraction and a great option for a one-of-a-kind visit in Seoul. Just don’t forget your camera.

2. Have A Cup Of Coffee Inside A Giant Camera

Speaking of cameras, why not grab a drink inside one? Another great visit for photography enthusiasts, the Dreamy Camera Cafe is located in a village on the outskirts of Seoul. It is a slightly surreal sight, constructed to look exactly like a vintage Rolleiflex camera, with its iconic two lenses functioning as two large bay windows on each floor. These windows open out onto a beautiful view of the Korean countryside and mountains.

The theme continues inside, with a decor fully dedicated to photography, including a collection of vintage cameras and small touches like film reel paper towel dispensers. The owners, a local couple whose house sits next to the giant camera, built the Dreamy Camera Cafe as a place where people could “visualize” and share their dreams. They invite every guest to take a photo and write down their dreams next to it; the cafe’s walls are lined with these dreamy images.

3. Go See The Full Buddhist Scriptures

The Tripitaka Koreana is the largest and oldest version of the complete Buddhist canon, carved into over 80,000 wood blocks. It is notable for its size and cultural significance, but also for having absolutely zero mistakes. A first version of the Tripitaka Koreana was carved in 1011 AD but was destroyed; the version we have now dates back to 1237. It took 12 years and a huge workforce of scholars and carvers to complete.

This exceptional collection is housed in Haeinsa, a famous Buddhist temple located in Gayasan National Park. The halls housing the blocks make up one of the largest wooden storage facilities in the world, and everything inside was perfectly engineered to survive the ravages of time and the elements.

Amazingly, the Tripitaka Koreana has survived multiple fires and invasions and was saved from a bombing in the Korean War by a pilot who disobeyed direct orders to save the contents of the temple.

4. Visit A Cavernous Gold Mine

Hwaam Cave in Jeongseon is a former gold mine and the largest limestone cave in Asia. As well as being a fascinating natural site where you can witness huge stalactites and stalagmites, it is a one-of-a-kind museum exploring the intricacies of gold mining and the history of the cave. At some points, the visit becomes slightly garish and jarring: expect bright colorful lights and statues of cartoon goblins. However, it remains a great attraction for those interested in natural formations and mining.

Jeongseon is quite an isolated area, a three-hour bus ride away from Seoul. The entrance to the cave is accessed by a monorail, which for a small extra fee will save you a 700m uphill walk.

5. Make Your Way Along A North Korean Tunnel

The visit to the Korean DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is relatively popular. It can easily be done in a day, since the border is terrifyingly close to Seoul. These visits will most often take you to locations such as the “truce village” of Panmunjom, where the treaty that instigated the Korean War ceasefire was signed, and the Joint Security Area, which is still used for negotiations between the two Koreas.

Lesser-known features of the DMZ that you can also visit are the North Korean “Tunnels of Aggression,” a name given by South Koreans when they were discovered during the 70s. It is believed that they were designed to sneak armies into the South and attack Seoul, although North Korea has long denied this. In fact, when the Third Tunnel was discovered, North Korea claimed it had been a coal mine; however, there is no evidence of coal in the region.

The visit to the Third Tunnel is the most popular. It takes you from a gift shop, deep underground, and through the long tunnel, ending at a concrete barrier representing the border. It is a must-see for history and war buffs, but is probably best avoided by claustrophobics.

5 Adventures That Await You In Chile

Spend the night in an Ewok village, bathe in the world’s largest swimming pool, and ride the elevator cars in the city once known as “The Jewel of The Pacific.” Welcome to Chile!

1. The Big Swim

San Alfonso del Mar is home to the largest swimming pool in the world. The pool was opened to the public in 2006 after taking over five years to build. It was engineered by Chilean biochemist Fernando Fischmann and his company Crystal Lagoons Corporations. This impressive artificial paradise is estimated to have cost between $1.5 and $2 billion to build and eats up close to $2 million is annual maintenance. The filtration system alone is rumored to have cost $3.5 million.

San Alfonso del Mar is located in Algarrobo, Chile just off the beach of the Pacific Ocean. The pool is 1,013 ft long and covers roughly 20 acres. Salt water from the sea is filtered and treated before being pumped into the pool. The pool contains 66 million gallons of seawater at a maximum depth of 11.5 ft. The water is cleaned and filtered once again before being returned to the Pacific Ocean. If you aren’t in the mood for a dip, San Alfonso del Mar rents small sailboats and paddleboats to visitors.

2. Elevators Of Valparaiso

If you’re visiting the coastal city of Valparaiso, it’s hard to miss the old elevator cars the line the city’s hillsides. The elevators of Valparaiso are curious artifacts of the city’s more prosperous past. The first elevator car was installed in 1911. At the time, the cars were the only way for residents to commute promptly to the city below. The cars look like a mix between a San Francisco trolley and the elevators of an old mining town.

The city of Valparaiso was once referred to by sailors as “Little San Francisco” and “The Jewel of the Pacific.” It was a prestigious port town and home to some of the country’s wealthiest families. The city’s economy experienced a sharp decline when the Panama Canal opened in 1914, diverting the bulk of the shipping traffic to the north.

In the last 15 years, Valparaiso has been making a comeback as a cultural center.

Its residents live perched on the many rolling hills that huddle against the coastline. The elevators began to fall into disrepair following the opening of the Panama Canal. Today, only 15 cars remain in operation, but they’re still the cheapest way to make it up the city’s hills. Be sure to bring cash, coins especially. A trip up the hill will cost you roughly 50 cents American.

3. Dancing In Santiago

It’s hard to visit Chile without passing through Santiago. The city offers plenty of opportunities to get your dance on. Try your hand (and feet) at some salsa or tango. Tango’s birthplace is in Argentina, but that hasn’t stopped its migration into the heart of Chile.

Dancing can be a great way to shake your body loose after a long plane or car ride. Check out Havana Salsa for classes and socials or Ile Havana for live music and dancing. You can find traditional tango music at Buenos Aires Tango Club. Take the Bellas Artes, Patronato, or Los Leones Metro to Havana Salsa or the Cementerios, Irarrázaval, Santa Isabel Metro to visit the Buenos Aires Tango Club.

If you’re in the mood for a taste of home, Santiago has a popular Jazz scene too. Club de Jazz is one of the city’s most well-known jazz clubs. Other venues around town include Thelonious, Bar Grez, and the Jazz Corner.

4. The Hotel Nothofagus

The Hotel Nothofagus rises out of the rainforest in the town of Panguipulli in southern Chile. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live like a Lord of the Rings character, the Hotel Nothofagus can give you a glimpse. Nothofagus is seven stories tall and made entirely of wood. The hotel’s 55 suites wrap around a central atrium, with a single tree stretching all seven stories to the glass-dome ceiling above. Climb the stairs or take the elevator to the roof where you can enjoy a stunning view of the nearby Choshuenco, one of Chile’s 500+ active volcanoes. The Hotel Nothofagus is located next door to the Montana Magica Lodge in southern Chile, not far from the Argentinian border. It’s 1.7 miles northwest of Puerto Fue by car.

5. The Ba’Hai Temple Of South America

The Ba’Hai Faith celebrates universal harmony and religious tolerance. Its teachings began in the middle east but have since spread across the globe. Worship and educational centers are located in Uganda, Australia, the United States, Panama, Australia, Samoa, India, Cambodia, and now Santiago, Chile.

In 2002, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Ba’Hais of Chile announced a competition to design the new temple. Construction began in November of 2010, and it was completed in 2016. The structure’s futuristic design is composed of nine translucent panels of marble and glass. The panels drape over the dome-shaped structure like soft leaves. The temple can hold up to 600 visitors at a time, and the leaders of the Ba’Hai faith invite you to be one of them.

Chile stretches 2,670 miles, making it the longest country in the world from north to south. Whether you feel like sleeping amongst the trees of Panguipulli, or want to taste the ocean’s salty breeze, we can guarantee you’ll you won’t be bored!

Ba'Hai Temple, Chile — Ba’Hai Temple, Chile. Wikimedia Commons

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Chile

Chile is alive with geological activity, biological diversity, and alleged supernatural phenomena. This narrow sliver of land along South America’s Pacific coast has plenty of interesting secrets.

1. The Population of Santiago

Santiago serves as both the country’s capital and cultural center. Chile’s geography has created a unique distribution of its population. The country is only 350 km wide but over 4,300 km long from north to south. The landscape transitions quickly from the seaside to the foothills of the Andes. Chile’s geographical oddities have left much of countryside isolated and underdeveloped. Citizens seeking opportunity and prosperity have relocated to the nation’s one true cosmopolitan center: Santiago.

Nearly a third of the nation’s 17 million citizens live in the capital. The population density of Chile is approximately 12 people per square km. The population density of Santiago alone is 454 people per square km.

The city’s population is expected to grow to almost 7 million by the year 2020. You’d think that such a densely populated city would be prone to higher crime rates, but Santiago has one of the lowest crime rates in all of South America.

2. The National Drink That’s Allergen-Free

Pisco is Chile’s national drink. It’s a type of high-proof alcohol similar to brandy. Pisco can be clear, yellow, or amber depending on how it’s produced. Pisco is made from distilling grapes grown in the winemaking regions of Peru and the Elqui Valley of Chile. Spanish settlers of the 16th century began producing the spirit using copper stills. Today, Peruvian pisco continues to be made almost exclusively in copper stills. In Chile, regulations for Pisco production are strict, but allow for more boutique manufacturing practices.

The end product is free of wheat, rye, potato, barley, and all other ingredients known to be a source of food intolerances. Pisco is commonly mixed with ginger ale, vermouth, or Coca-Cola. One of the most well-known drinks is the Pisco Sour, which is a blend of egg whites, sugar, ice, and lemon juice. If an egg doesn’t sound appealing, take a swig of Pisco à la carte and enjoy a taste Chilean heritage.

Pisco sour — A pisco sour. Erik Anestad/Flickr.

3. Chile’s Copper And Mineral Reserves

There’s a reason why copper stills have historically been the container of choice for fermenting Pisco. Chile is home to the world’s largest copper reserves. Nearly one-quarter of the world’s copper is to be found in Chile. Escondida, one of the nation’s many copper mines, is the largest on earth. On its own, Escondida supplies 5% of the world’s copper. Chile also has substantial reserves of salt, gold, coal, manganese, zinc, iodine, iron, and silver, along with the second largest reserve of lithium, a critical ingredient in the production of batteries. So… bring a shovel!

4. Land Of Fire

Chile is the longest country in the world from north to south, and it’s situated entirely within the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is an area encompassing the entire Pacific rim, where tectonic activity produces destructive volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The Andes mountains were formed 66 million years ago when the Nazca and Antarctic tectonic plates collided, forcing the land upwards. The Nevado Ojos del Salado, on the border of Chile and Argentina, is the highest volcano in the world at 6,891 meters tall.

Chile has over 500 active volcanoes, 60 of which have had recorded eruptions within the last 450 years. Earthquakes are also common. The world’s highest ever recorded earthquake happened in southern Chile in 1960. The United States Geological Survey recorded it as a 9.5 on the Richter Scale.

An archipelago off the southern tip of Chile was appropriately named Tierra del Fuego, or “Land of Fire,” in 1520 by Ferdinand Magellan. Ironically, Magellan named the island for the smoke he saw rising from the campfires of natives rather than a steaming volcano. Tierra del Fuego’s largest island, Isla Grande de Tierra de Fuego, is split between Chile and Argentina. 70% of the island belongs to Chile, with the remaining 30% belonging to Argentina.

5. Stargazing And More

The Norte Grande is the northernmost geographical region of Chile. It contains the Atacama Desert, one of the most arid places on earth. The Atacama is a broad plateau that descends gradually from the Andes to the ocean. Astronomers love the area because its high elevation and clear air make it ideal for stargazing. The skies of Norte Grande are clear 300 of 365 nights a year on average. Several observatories are located here, including La Silla, Cerro Grande, La Serena, Tololo, and Las Campanas.

If you keep stargazing long enough, you might just glimpse a UFO. Chile is notes for its frequent UFO sightings. The town of San Clemente in Chile’s Central District has been the site of so many such occurences that in 2008 they opened a 19-mile long UFO trail, winding through the Andes mountains. The range’s many open plateaus are thought to be ideal landing spots for visiting spacecraft.

Maybe, maybe not. Either way: good for a hike!

Whether you have a thirst for Pisco Sours or a taste for the extraterrestrial, Chile has you covered. The world’s longest country is a hotbed of geological activity and good times.

5 Common Travel Scams And How To Avoid Them

1. Broken Meter In The Taxi

The Uber app is becoming increasingly popular for tourists in other countries, and for good reason! Travelers often report negative experiences with cab drivers. Sometimes it’s just poor service, but something it’s criminal: one of the most common cheats is the broken taxi meter scam.

How it works:

Upon getting into a taxi, usually outside of an airport or train station, the driver will start pulling away while informing you that his meter recently broke. He’ll then go on to charge you a ridiculously high fare that can’t be argued due to the meter being broken. This is especially common in Central America, in places such as Costa Rica.

How to protect yourself:

There are a few different ways to get around this scam. First, try to negotiate the fare before getting in any taxis, or double check that the meter is actually working and turned on. You don’t need to mistrust all taxi drivers, but Uber is another good option in many countries, as the app handles all of the payment automatically, so drivers don’t have the chance to rip you off like this.

2. Phony Police Officers

Police departments are generally supposed to be trusted institutions that tourists can feel comfortable turning to for help. But a recent scam has made it so you even have to scrutinize your dealings with people claiming to be officers of the law. After all: they may not be who they say they are.

How it works:

This scam involves a few people playing different parts. First, someone will approach you and offer you something illegal, such as drugs. When you tell the person “no,” one or two people dressed as police officers will approach to investigate. They might quickly flash some kind of identification or badge, and then they’ll insist that you give them your wallet and passport. The catch, of course, is that they’re not police officers, and you’ve just handed over your most valuable possessions to random conmen.

How to protect yourself:

Evaluate these “police officers” carefully. A big tell is the requests they make i.e. wallet and passport. Always ask for identification and thoroughly inspect it when it has been provided. If you’re still unsure, inform them that you’ll call their police headquarters to confirm their identity as you’ve been made aware of a recent scam. If all that fails, you can tell them that you don’t have your passport as it’s locked up in your hotel safe. Offer to have them accompany you to the hotel. This will likely cause the con artists to give up and choose a victim who doesn’t put up such a fight.

3. Free Gifts

A popular scam in many cities, including such gems such as Lisbon, Paris, and Rome, is to use the allure of a friendly stranger and a free gift. Sadly, it’s caused us to mistrust anyone offering anything free, as it almost always comes with strings attached.

How it works:

While lingering outside a popular tourist destination, you’ll be approached by a friendly stranger. They might casually chat with you for a few moments before trying to force a “free” gift into your hand, onto your wrist, etc. Once you accept the gift, they immediately change their tactic and start demanding money in return. They’ll use guilt, aggression, and a number of other tactics to get you to give them money, sometimes even making a public scene if you refuse.

How to protect yourself:

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, so never let anyone force anything into your hands or onto your body. Ignore these fraudsters and make as little contact as possible when walking past them.

4. The Attraction Is Closed

Naturally, you’ll likely be planning to visit many popular attractions during your travels. Scammers are preying on tourists in these areas and using subtle techniques to con them.

How it works:

When you near your destination, a friendly local might approach you, strike up a conversation, and casually let you know that the attraction you were hoping to visit is closed today for some unspecified reason. They’ll offer you a “helpful” suggestion and mention another shop or attraction to visit instead. Once you get to this destination, you’ll be strong-armed into paying a hefty sum to enter.

How to protect yourself:

If someone tells you the attraction you’re planning to check out is closed, verify it for yourself. Call them, go to the ticket counter, or ask someone else to confirm if it’s true.

5. Guest WiFi Hubs

There’s plenty of free WiFi access throughout the world, which is great. But travelers should be wary when they join a new network. It could be a dangerous source.

How it works:

A savvy scammer will set up an unsecured hotspot in a public area to lure tourists eagerly in search of free WiFi. When you connect, without knowing it, you’ll be handing over access to your computer or phone, account information, passwords etc. Spyware could even be planted to monitor your usage going forward.

How to protect yourself:

If you’re at a cafe, airport, or hotel, ask the staff which connection is the official one so that you avoid copycat hotspots. If you need WiFi, always try to get it from a verified source, and consider installing a virtual private network on your device to encrypt all of your online activity and prevent hackers from taking advantage of it.

You don’t have to avoid the locals or mistrust everyone you meet. But watch out for these common scams, and protect yourself as best you can. Nobody deserves to be taken advantage of.