Road & rail wrap: DriveAway acquires rival, Railbookers flash sale + more

Road & rail wrap: DriveAway acquires rival, Railbookers flash sale + more

Here’s all the latest news from the road and rail sector, compiled into one handy little wrap.

DriveAway acquires rival globalCARS.com.au

DriveAway has announced the asset purchase of longtime competitor globalCARS.com.au.

Founded in 1999, globalCARS provides car and motorhome hire, European car leasing and accommodation options to independent travellers heading overseas.

The acquisition closed overnight with the globalCARS operations and team being transferred to DriveAway’s headquarters in North Sydney.

DriveAway managing director Chris Hamill said the acquisition provides a niche opportunity to further improve the company’s position as the leading self-drive operator in Australia and New Zealand.

“We continue to look for competitive advantages and opportunities, and I am delighted with the purchase and the opportunity for our business,” he said.

 

Railbookers announces flash sale

page 14_1 - Via Rail

For a limited time, Railbookers is offering travellers up to $600 off per couple when they journey across Canada onboard VIA Rail.

Until 14 June, travellers can save $400 off per couple when they upgrade to an upper/lower berth, $500 off when they upgrade to a cabin for two per couple ($250 for a solo traveller), or $600 off per couple when upgrading to Prestige class.

All bookings must be made over the phone and are only valid on new bookings for travel in anytime.

 

UTracks climbs Col du Tourmalet

Col du Tourmalet (UTracks)

Cycling tragics will be in heaven next month, as the world’s premier road cycling event, the Tour de France, commences its three week journey on 9 July.

For those polka dot jersey followers, Stage 14 will feature the most climbed mountain in the tour’s 106-year history, the legendary Col du Tourmalet – climbed 82 times.

Ideally for Tour de France enthusiasts, UTracks has introduced a new cycling tour which includes the Tourmalet climb.

The challenging, 11-day guided coast-to-coast Pyrenees Cycle traverses the Pyrenees with three Hors Category (hardest-rated) climbs, including another Tour mountain, Col d’Aubisque. E-bikes are an option enabling cyclists to conquer the cols without the burn.

This year, the tour will be the celebrating the centenary of the famous yellow jersey and 50th anniversary of Belgian Eddy Merckx’s (winner of the most stages) first win. It will also see the tour start in Brussels for the 10th time.

Brussels is the starting point of UTracks’ new eight-day self-guided Belgium Cycle – Brussels to Bruges tour.

This trip is perfect for cyclists preferring flatter terrain along quiet country roads, stopping in the renowned cities of Antwerp and Ghent before arriving in quaint Bruges.

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