With gas prices rising fast, taking a driving vacation can seem like financial suicide.

But now, more and more car rental companies are offering fuel efficient hybrids and even biodiesel vehicles.

If you’re going to be driving a lot, paying a little more for a fuel-efficient car could be a money-saver in the long run.

When it comes to renting cars, there are a lot of things that the rental companies do to try and ‘ding’ you on the price, car and fees.

Most people know that not returning your rental with a full tank of gas is a big no-no, but there are plenty of other money-saving tips when it comes to car rentals.

Plus, learn how you can get a better car the next time you rent without paying a whole lot more.

Here’s what you need to know to make sure your next car rental goes more smoothly.

It would be hard, if not impossible, to find a travel brochure for any country that touts its taxi industry as one of its great treasures.

But some of the nicest, kindest and most helpful people I’ve met on the road are those who make their living driving strangers.

Their gestures have ranged from the small but sweet to hilarious, generous and life-affirming.

January 26, 2008

From Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio…

FIRE AT LAS VEGAS’ MONTE CARLO

Only 17 people were injured, mostly due to smoke inhalation, in the fire at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas on Friday, and thankfully, no one died.

Las Vegas had some of the worst fire codes in the world in 1981, and now they have some of the best, as a direct result of a devastating fire at the MGM Grand.

As car-rental companies look to cut costs, customers may be exposed to stingier policies and lower-quality rentals.

Some companies are actually renting you older cars with more miles, while others are implementing stricter rules about refueling and adding on extra charges.

For example, Vanguard Car Rental says its vehicles have about 2,000 more miles on them than last year.

And because of high gasoline prices, rental companies are more stringent with their refueling policies.

Dollar/Thrifty Automotive Group requires its customers to refuel within 10 miles of their return location and they must present a receipt.

However, Hertz and Enterprise say they don’t mandate where their customers refuel but charge up to $7 a gallon for unfilled tanks.

Hertz has become less generous with its loyalty programs …

Instead of flagging down a taxi or booking a car to get from point A to B while traveling, why not hop onto a motorcycle?

Cities like London and Paris now offer motorcycle chauffeur services for those who want to beat the gridlock and have a little fun in the process.

Adventurous and time-conscious travelers alike will be interested to learn about several new motorcycle chauffer services like Virgin Limobike in London, which will transport you around Central London for $40 to $160, and to and from local airports for $105 to $175.

In Paris, Citybird Paris lets you book motorcycles on a per trip basis or for specified amounts of time, with an hour costing about $85, and …