Vacation Rentals Blog

June 27, 2007. AAA projects a record 41.1 million people will travel next week for the Fourth of July, and increase from 40.8 million people last year. These optimistic projections come despite the holiday falling on a Wednesday, and amidst leveling gas prices. In fact, AAA's survey found that many people might be taking extra days off work because the holiday falls in the middle of the workweek.

Other highlights from the latest AAA Leisure Travel Index:

* Gas prices are down 23 cents from one month ago, but averaging about 14 cents higher than the same time last year.

* Hotel rates for properties rated AAA Three Diamond and higher are up about 5% this year

* Airfares are down 12%.

* Car rental rates will be up 3%.

Celebrations are planned throughout the country. Current drought conditions in some parts of the country, such as Georgia have shelved fireworks plans .

Posted by VRO at 01:45 AM | Permalink

June 27, 2007. Here's one to post in every luxury vacation rental. If there were rules to travel, these would be them. San Francisco Chronicle travel editor John Flinn wrote a hilarious column of 24 travel rules. We're grateful to the Chicago Tribune for reprinting them, because we missed them the first time around.

Flinn is an experienced travel writer who seems to have the dream job we all want. He has also created one of the most enjoyable newspaper travel sections in the country. It's certainly not the biggest or the newsiest, but it always has some interesting tales. It's also a great resource for California travel.

Here are a few of his "rules":

3. At scenic overlooks, ancient ruins and other points of high traffic, tourists attempting to frame and focus a photograph must not keep others waiting more than five seconds.
4. Every American citizen has the constitutionally protected right to walk into any McDonald's, anywhere in the world, and use the restroom -- even without buying something.
5. Bed-and-breakfast inns are hereby prohibited from posting more than five house rules ( i.e., "Do not feed your happy-hour cheddar cubes to the tropical fish," etc.).
6. Theme park rides must offer the parents of exuberantly acquisitive children an alternative exit that doesn't pass through the gift shop.

Posted by VRO at 01:09 AM | Permalink

June 26, 2007. Luxury vacation rentals often pride themselves on their proximity to amenities. So which amenity do travelers prefer the most? A 2006 Travel Industry Association survey that found that people prefer dining the most, followed by shopping and finally sightseeing. A Forbes article on the survety focused on shopping abroad, so we thought we would suggest some exotic markets.

Margarita Island, Venezuela – This popular vacation destination off Venezuela's Caribbean coast was included in Frommer's list of Top 10 Up and Coming Destinations for 2006. You'll find upscale shopping worthy of Rodeo Drive in the main resort cities on the Eastern coast, and a more authentic local experience at the El Mercado de los Conjeros.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico – This laid-back cousin to nearby Cozumel has a strip called Fifth Avenue, where expatriate artists from all over the world set up shop. Mixed with the local Mayan crafts, the offerings can be rather unique.

Bahamas – Can you say "duty free?" The savings will almost be worth the airfare. Savvy shoppers load up on everything from perfumes and jewelry, to fine linens and china, to cameras and binoculars.

Posted by VRO at 01:06 AM | Permalink

June 23, 2007. We realize some folks like to procrastinate. Others have a hard time making a decision. For those who haven't booked their luxury vacation rentals yet, and don't even know where to go this summer, we offer these suggestions:

Lake Tahoe – Escape the heat by going high into the mountains and visiting the cool, clear waters of Lake Tahoe. Charming mountain resort towns ring the lake, and the scenic loop (which can't really be done in just one day) takes you past beaches, state parks, kayak rentals and photo-friendly vistas. Fly into Sacramento or Reno.

The Adirondacks - The north woods of New York State lie within easy driving distance of most of the population in the Northeast, making it a favorite getaway. Arts and crafts festivals abound, with one in Warrensburg and one in Bolton Landing on July 7-8, one in Lake Luzerne and one in Inlet on July 21, and many more.

Galveston– Families in Houston don't have to drive far to get relief from the heat. If the breeze and cool waters of the ocean don't help, they'll find solace in one of the water parks at Schlitterbahn or Moody Gardens.

Posted by VRO at 05:53 PM | Permalink

June 22, 2007. Two reports out this week bode well for the luxury vacation rental industry. The first, a USA Today analysis , found the average round-trip domestic airline ticket this summer cost 2 percent less this year than last year. The second found the index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3 percent. While bits of news may seem insignificant, they both counter reports earlier this year that airfares were going to rise significantly and that the U.S. economy could have faced a slight recession.

USA Today hired Sabre, the USA's largest computer reservation system, to examine more than one million tickets bought by May 31 for travel in June, July and August. That analysis found summer airfares for trips within the USA have dropped for the first time since 2004, despite soaring oil prices and airlines' repeated attempts to raise fares. The average round-trip domestic airline ticket this summer costs $340.

Various wire reports compiled in USA Today also touted overall good news about the American economy. The Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3%, higher than the 0.2% analysts were expecting. That index forecasts economic activity over the next three to six months. Experts also predict that numbers will show the economy grew by at least three percent in the last quarter, which ran from April through June.

Posted by VRO at 01:30 AM | Permalink

June 20, 2007. Sure, the children loved the trip to Disney World. But were they as impressed with the luxury vacation rental in the Bahamas? And did they have as much fun as you did, visiting the museums of Washington, D.C.?

The Washington Post set out to get kids' thoughts on travel. Considering the number of children who travel has reached an all-time high, at 1.9 million, this seems like a good idea. After all, although they are often brought along, how often are they really consulted? And would they otherwise give their parents such frank advice as telling "good jokes, and not duds?"

To begin with, children report they can appreciate attractions beyond Disney World. Especially when they recognize historical monuments from the movies, such as the Colosseum in Rome. But in somewhat conflicting reports, they complained about being marched around too much and having to sit around for too long.

Although many parents want a gustatory adventure while they're on vacation, children have not yet become so adventurous with their food. They cited grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese as their favorites, and complained in particular about being asked to eat seafood.

"I've never really been into shrimp," one kid said. "It tastes like you're eating something raw. But since they like it, they always forget and think I do."

That may be the gist of the story: just because we adults think something is the coolest thing in the world, doesn't mean our children do.

Posted by VRO at 06:26 AM | Permalink

June 19, 2007. You've just pulled into San Francisco, ready for a week in a luxury vacation rental, when you realize you're low on gas. But where's the nearest filling station? Just whip out your web-enabled cell phone, select "cheap gas" from the menu, and you've got a list of filling stations, with info on the price at the pump.

That's how a new breed of mobile Internet services can help customers, according to an article in the New York Times. The very situation above was mentioned as one of the possible scenarios. Services such as Mobio, Earthcomber and Where have been created especially for cell phones, Blackberries and other mobile devices. They can also help you find an ATM, cab, movie, restaurants and entertainment. Most users will punch in a zip code, but Earthcomber and Where can communicate with GPS-enabled phones to omit that step, giving users information on the fly.

The new services reflect the growing movement to put more user-friendly Internet features on mobile devices, according to the article. Anyone who has ever browsed the web on a cell phone knows the experience has yet to be fine-tuned.

The technology could have an impact on luxury vacation rentals, too. Imagine two spontaneous travelers are on a road trip and decide they want to stay in the Georgia mountains for a few days. Rather than settling for a motel room on the side of the interstate, they might be able to track down an otherwise hidden hotspot in the mountains.

Posted by VRO at 01:14 AM | Permalink

June 16, 2007. In honor of Father's Day, we picked three great locations where Dad and the family can hang out and do some bonding. Book a luxury vacation rental at one of these destinations in honor of the guy.

The Land of 10,000 Lakes

If father is a fishing man, he will love the waters of Western Minnesota, which are teeming with fish. Choose from hotspots such as Otter Lake, Sauk Lake, Lake Osakis and more. Although these places feel extremely remote, they are easily accessible from Minneapolis-St.Paul, an airport that offers inexpensive fares.

Golf on the Ocean

The many golf courses of Hilton Head Island feature spectacular ocean views that have been known to distract players. The family can join Dad for a round, or let him enjoy himself while they hang out on the beach. The courses range from affordable public to exclusive.

History in Paradise

History buffs recognize that Pearl Harbor is the setting of one of the most pivotal moments in America's history – the bombing of the naval base there brought the United States into World War II. Today, the harbor on the Hawaiian island of Oahu is still the Pacific headquarters of the naval fleet and a monument to military history that is open to the public. Oh yeah, and Oahu has palm trees, beaches, and all that other stuff, too.

Posted by VRO at 08:08 AM | Permalink

June 15, 2007. When we first reported on Enterprise Rent-A-Car's plans to add a few hybrid cars to some California locations, the company was optimistically cautious about demand for the rentals. Now, it seems, the idea has caught on.

USA Today reported the company now has 3,000 gas-electric hybrids, and Hertz and Avis have announced plans to add thousands of the vehicles to their fleets this month.

Hertz will begin offering 1,000 Toyota Prius gas-electric hybrids at 50 airport locations and in Manhattan. The company wants almost 2,000 hybrids by the end of this year and 4,300 by the middle of next year. Avis will introduce 1,000 Priuses this month, primarily in California, Washington, D.C., Seattle and Portland, Ore.

Although the hybrids cost $5 to $10 more to rent than equivalent-sized cars, the rental companies say they will save customer money on gasoline. Hybrids average about 55 miles per gallon of gas, so if a renter drives 500 miles, savings can range from $20 to $45.

Rising gas prices have also prompted Enterprise Rent-A-Car to tout the overall fuel efficiency of its selections, claiming that "28 percent of its 199,000 vehicles worldwide average at least 32 miles per gallon of gas," according to the article.

Posted by VRO at 01:13 AM | Permalink

June 14, 2007. These days, a client in a luxury vacation rental could be on a business trip or on vacation, or both. Two separate stories in the news this week discussed people who did work on their vacations and people who brought their children on business trips.

An Associated Press-Ipsos poll released last week found that one in five of those surveyed did some work while vacationing. The respondents cited various reasons: they worried about missing important information, they were expected to be available or they just enjoyed staying connected.

The survey found:

* 80 percent of respondents brought their cell phone with them.

* 50 percent checked their office voicemail

* About 20 percent brought laptop computers.

* 40 percent checked their email.

The younger people were, the more likely they were to stay connected, according to the poll.

Another story focused on a trend toward bringing children on business trips, citing data from the National Business Travel Association. According to that group, "62 percent of U.S. business travelers said they add a leisure component to at least one business trip per year. Among those travelers, two-thirds say they bring a family member or friend with them."

Several factors are driving that trend:

* The growing number of single parents.

* Women in executive ranks.

* Two-income families.

* People having children later in life.

* Employees searching for ways to stretch their dollars.

Posted by VRO at 01:31 AM | Permalink

June 13, 2007. Napa Valley is great, but . Maryland and Virginia are far more practical choices for Washingtonians who want to spend a weekend away in a luxury vacation rental. And for the family who wants to tour the Mid-Atlantic region, finding a place to stay near these vineyards is as easy as plucking a grape.

The Washington Post ran two features on the vineyards of Maryland and Virginia this weekend, highlighting the special qualities that make these places worth visiting.

Virginia has 122 wineries, many of which sit near Shenandoah National Park. They are also located in close proximity to high-end restaurants, a meadery, a buffalo farm and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

Maryland has a much more low-key scene, with only 25 wineries scattered throughout the state. All of them are within driving distance of the Chesapeake Bay. The state's two tourist routes, the Frederick Wine Trail and the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail, swing by antique hotspots and the historic town of Frederick.

Posted by VRO at 01:56 AM | Permalink

June 12, 2006. Some travelers headed to luxury vacation rentals in other countries may breathe a sigh of relief at some news this weekend. The State Department and Department of Homeland Security announced together on Thursday they would temporarily lift the requirement for American citizens to have passports upon reentry from some countries.

Last January, the government announced a new security measure tightening the passport requirements. Upon reentering the country, Americans traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America and Central America would have to show their passport. The move caused an overload at passport offices, causing delays of more than two months in some instances.

The new rule allows U.S. citizens through September to simply have government-issued photo identification and online receipts of their passport application if returning from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

The State Department expected the number of passports it issued this year to jump from 12 million to 17.5 million, according to the New York Times.

In related news, MSN published an article showing how to fill out a passport application with minimal hassle.

Posted by VRO at 01:08 AM | Permalink

June 10, 2007. Many luxury vacation rentals are located near national parks, so MSNBC's article about new developments this year in the park system caught our eye. As you can guess from the headline, "The Good, the Bad and the Pricey," the news is mixed.

Last month, we discussed the controversy over a new price increase for a nationwide pass to all of the national parks. According to the MSNBS article, that isn't the only price hike hitting the system. "This year, 11 park sites will see higher entrance fees, part of a multi-year plan to raise such fees at approximately one-third of the system's 391 units," the article reads.

Those price increases aren't just evaporating into thin air, however. Several new facilities are being unveiled this summer and many ongoing construction projects are addressing long-standing maintenance backlogs.

The newly renovated Yavapai Observation Station on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has "new artworks, photographs and high-tech geological exhibits." Sequoia National Park finally has a free shuttle service to alleviate traffic congestion and make it easier for everyone to enjoy the ride – now the family driver doesn't have to keep his or her eyes on the road.

Some repairs and construction projects might cause a little disappointment this summer. In Yellowstone National Park, South Rim Drive will close on July 9 for repairs that are expected to last through next year, for example.

Posted by VRO at 07:30 AM | Permalink

June 8, 2007. Luxury vacation rentals near wine producing regions have long hosted oenophiles from near and far. Now, with the microbrewery resurgence going strong, beer enthusiasts are also traveling for their drink of choice. The Associated Press reported on people whose vacation plans include touring microbreweries, tasting local ales, and attending microbrewery festivals.

The article didn't cite any hard facts other than mentioning the attendance at the Great American Beer Festival in Colorado. Last year, 41,000 people spent an October weekend sampling 1,600 different beers from 380 breweries. In support of the movement's popularity, tourists reported planning entire vacations around microbrewery tours and brewhouse managers gave credit to out-of-towners for a significant part of their business.

Luxury vacation rental owners can capitalize on this trend by familiarizing themselves with their local breweries and providing information to clients via their websites and in the rentals.

In addition to reading the article, those who appreciate fine beer will find several helpful websites. BrewPubZone.com and RateBeer.com are among two of the best. Both offer lists of breweries from Maine to Oregon.

Posted by VRO at 05:56 PM | Permalink

June 7, 2007. Whether you are renting a luxury vacation rental for the summer or the week, chances are you will have some stories to tell and some photos to share. Thanks to some user-friendly Internet tools, anyone now can publish the high-tech equivalent of a photo album or scrapbook online. Friends and family all over the world can see what you're up to in the Bahamas with travel blogs and web-based photo galleries.

Vacationers can write about their adventures and post photos as often as they like with blogs, which also allow viewers back home to post comments. WordPress and Blogger are two websites that host free blogs, with standard templates and features that are easy enough for anyone to use. TravelBlog also offers a free, user-friendly service and a compilation of travel blogs being written from every corner of the Earth.

If you don't want to blog while you're on vacation, try a web-based photo gallery. These galleries simply display photos that you upload from your computer with the click of a button or two. Gallery templates, slideshows and captions add a little flair. Picasa and Ringo are two of the most popular choices. Both allow you to send email announcements after you've filled their pages.

Posted by VRO at 06:17 AM | Permalink

June 6, 2007. The St. Petersburg Times of Florida examined an interesting trend in weddings in its travel publication, Latitudes. The article, "Wedding Expedition: Couples Find Advantages in Taking Their Nuptials on the Road," looked at couples who take their weddings – not just their honeymoons – to vacation destinations.

The article doesn't cite any statistics, but provides some anecdotal evidence, such as this quote from JoAnn Gregoli, a New York wedding planner and co-author of The Knot Guide to Destination Weddings.

"I've been doing weddings for 20 years and from what I've seen over the past decade the whole industry has shifted from hometown, homespun weddings to destination weddings," Gregoli said.

Celebrities have been holding their ceremonies in exotic locations such as the Caribbean Islands, and everyday people seem to be following their lead. Other popular destinations mentioned in the article include Rhode Island, Colorado, and California's Napa Valley.

Luxury vacation rentals are an ideal choice for destination weddings, providing privacy and comfort for the bride, groom and wedding party. VacationRental.org requires all of its clients to meet a standard of quality, ensuring that guests will remember the special event, not the poor accommodations.

Posted by VRO at 06:12 AM | Permalink

June 5, 2007. Hiking is a popular activity for many people who stay at luxury vacation rentals. But what is the best way to find local hiking trails? If there's a ranger station nearby, you're in luck. Local bookstores and gift shops may sell hiking guides and maps, but you might never use them again when the trip is over. We recommend an Internet search before you leave for your trip.

USA Today published a story reviewing several good websites. Among them were three long trails and a website to find hiking companions. As many dog owners know, some trails prohibit canine companions, so it also pays to check out Hikewithyourdog.com.

Performing your own Internet search will yield plenty of results. The most simple search term simply combines a destination, such as Asheville, with the search term "hiking," such as "Asheville hiking."

If that fails, try looking for a local hiking group by searching for "Asheville hiking club," for example. You'll be surprised how many hiking groups have popped up across the nation as Baby Boomers finally find themselves with the time to explore the outdoors. A quick email to the webmaster or group leader might yield a secret waterfall or vista you might not have otherwise found.

Posted by VRO at 01:02 AM | Permalink

June 2, 2007. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal (subscription only) Nancy Keates reports on how seasoned travelers decode the ratings on the nation’s most influential hotel review site. She cautions against blindly accepting the reviews with carefully checking them against other sources. We checked out the site and found it can also be quite helpful in finding the right vacation rental.

Ms Keates reports that “for many, TripAdvisor has become a first stop for travel planning. Thanks in part to its prominence in Google searches, some 24 million visitors a month check out what other users have to say about where to stay, eat and play around the world.� It is more useful than other sites because it reviews 250,000 hotels and has more reviews—nearly 10 million reviews and opinions. It doesn’t cover nearly as many vacation rentals as hotels, although we found quite a few that were helpful.

For vacationers, we recommend checking out TripAdvisor. The place you are considering renting may be listed. It can also be helpful in avoiding booking an especially bad place. If the vacation rental you are considering is not listed, another good resource is our own site, VacationRental.org, where all listings must meet certain standards of quality.

Posted by VRO at 09:34 PM | Permalink

June 1, 2007. For those who will fly to their next business meeting, wedding or luxury vacation rental, the New York Times offered a fascinating and frustrating look into the “art� of bumping passengers.

Passengers are bumped when flights are overbooked and the gate agents need some people to voluntarily or involuntarily stay behind. The compensation for such an inconvenience usually involves free airline tickets that can be used later, a hotel stay and money for meals. For someone with a flexible schedule, being bumped can become a small windfall; some passengers report they frequently volunteer. For others, it can be a nightmare, as the increasing amount of overbooked flights can delay them for days, in some extreme cases.

Depending on the airline, only 9.5 to 16 people per 10,000 passengers were voluntarily or involuntarily bumped in 2006, according to the New York Times article. That was a minor increase from last year, however. The article probes in depth the way airlines purposely overbook flights to prevent them from losing money on empty seats. Compensating a bumped passenger costs less than leaving a seat empty, the airlines say.

The airlines employ statisticians who constantly analyze data and decide by how much to overbook a flight. Their data tells them, for example, that people from the Midwest will make their flight, while people leaving Las Vegas might be a no-show.

Unfortunately, the number-crunchers sometimes overestimate the no-shows, and too many people show up for an overbooked flight. And that is why overbooked flights are on the rise.

Posted by VRO at 08:27 PM | Permalink