Vacation Rentals Blog

July 29, 2007. If you're staying in a luxury vacation rental near one of these national parks this summer, here's some advice. The crowds at Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion and the Grand Canyon can swell at certain times in certain locations. The experts at Fodor's say minimizing your exposure to the masses is just a matter of adjusting your schedule and seeing things from a different angle.

In nearly all cases, Fodor's recommends arriving early, taking a break during the midday rush, and then hanging 4)around near sunset. Travelers should also master the art of patience. Whenever you find yourself gripping the steering wheel, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that you're on vacation – with no deadlines to meet or clocks to punch.

Here's a summary of some important points:

1) Grand Canyon visitors who hate heavy traffic should avoid AZ 64 and US 180 into the park; instead, use the scenic and less traveled US 89-north to AZ 64-west route.

2) If you can visit Yellowstone in June rather than mid-July to August, you'll be avoiding the peak season.

3) After scoping Yosemite's waterfalls early in the morning, head to the Hetch Hetchy reservoir – a seldom visited section of the park – for an afternoon of peace and quiet.

4) Enter Zion Park from the east entrance as early as possible to skirt the traffic coming through the south gate.

DB

Posted by VRO at 05:22 PM | Permalink

July 28, 2007. There's something special about seeing wildlife while you're on vacation. To begin with, you were trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Then, you spot it in the woods – an elk cow and its calf. They look at you, you look at them, and then they bound off. It's a simple pleasure.

USA Today highlighted some of the best places for wildlife viewing with a list of "10 great places to go on a safari – in the U.S.". Here are two of their picks:

Moose Alley – Route 3, heading from the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the Canadian border, has been officially designated a "Watchable Wildlife Corridor." Its nickname reflects the number of moose in the area, which often amble across the road or play in the ponds and wetlands along the roadside.

The Everglades – Visitors will surely see more than a few crocodiles and alligators in Everglades National Park. They might also spot manatees, deer, wild hogs, turtles, roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, hawks, eagles and a wide variety of other birds. The likelihood of seeing a rare Florida panther is slim to none, but you never know. In this particular environment, hiring a guide service will maximize the safari factor. Stay in nearby Miami or on the South Gulf Coast.

Posted by VRO at 01:40 AM | Permalink

July 26, 2007. Families who must board an airplane to reach their luxury vacation rental this summer are probably getting nervous. After all, there have been several news reports about parents and children being booted off flights.

While these seem to be isolated incidents, we understand the cause for concern. That's why we scanned two great websites with tips for flying with children.

Flying with Kids was created by a New Zealand mom with many family flight miles under her belt. She dishes out practical advice from the perspective of someone who's actually been there. Her tips cover everything from planning beforehand to changing diapers in mid-air.

One of my favorite tips: "Smile sweetly and helplessly at everyone and you may get help." If you want a smooth flight, let other people's rudeness bounce off of you. You can curse them while you're relaxing safely in your luxury vacation rental.

KeepKidsHealthy.com has a helpful article from a family who flew regularly from Southern California to Rhode Island. This family is realistic. They allowed plenty of time during connections between flights. They put potty training on hold for the day and put pull-up diapers on their toddlers. And they learned to assume they would lose stuff along the way.

Posted by VRO at 05:25 PM | Permalink

July 25, 2007. So, you've stayed in luxury vacation rentals all around the U.S., and in several other countries. You consider yourself a seasoned traveler. Well then, let's see how well you know your geography.

The Chicago Tribune recently reprinted Geography Challenge XVII, a set of different games that include multiple choice, crosswords and maps. The Geography Challenge was originally featured last fall as part of National Geography Awareness Week.

What city is the setting for the television show "ER," for example? (It's Chicago.) Which Wisconsin region is known for its waterparks? (The Wisconsin Dells.) And to what national park does Mount Desert Island belong? (Acadia.)

One of our favorite traveling games consists of opening a road atlas and picking random questions about state capitols, local landmarks and other geographic tidbits. It's a great way to pass the time.

A study last year suggests we may need to play such games more often. According to the Tribune, "a National Geographic-Roper Public Affairs geography literacy study, aimed at young American adults between the ages of 18 and 24, revealed their limited knowledge of the world."

The article cited these findings:
* Six in 10 respondents couldn't find Iraq on a map of the Middle East.
* Nine in 10 couldn't find Afghanistan on a map of Asia.

Posted by VRO at 01:57 AM | Permalink

July 22, 2007. In Arthur Frommer's latest syndicated column, "America's War on Tourists: How the U.S. Hurts Itself," the travel guru highlights a disturbing trend in international tourism.

Since 2000, fewer travelers from other countries have been visiting America. Worst of all, rather than encouraging international tourism, our government seems to be making it more difficult for visitors.

One would think, Frommer postulates, that the weak U.S. dollar would have international tourists flocking to America in droves. Unfortunately, tourism to the United States from abroad has declined by 10 percent since 2000. In the same period, tourism has increased in other developed countries: Britain is up 13 percent; France by 20 percent; and Australia by 21 percent.

"Though all nations lost tourism in the immediate wake of 9/11, virtually all other nations have made up the deficit and forged ahead," Frommer writes.

Foreign tourists say the difficulty obtaining visas is one of the major obstacles, citing a several-week wait merely to make an appointment – just an appointment! – to apply for such a visa at a U.S. consulate. Now, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to add even more layers to the process, Frommer reports.

International tourism has always been a strong force in many American travel destinations, from Yosemite National Park to New York City. While recognizing the American government must address heightened security concerns in a post-9/11 world, perhaps it is time for the government to also address promoting international tourism.

Posted by VRO at 08:50 PM | Permalink

July 19, 2007. When searching for advice, look to the pros. Joel Widzer may not be flying to luxury vacation rentals, but he has accumulated 3 million miles of air travel in the past 15 years. He travels especially often in the summer months, he said, racking up 24 flights this past June.

We'd say he knows what he's talking about when it comes to smooth flights. That's why summer travelers should read his recent column. His advice is to follow the three Ps: plan ahead, be proactive and have patience.

Plan ahead: Widzer was sitting on the tarmac in bad weather and knew he might miss a connection in Atlanta to his destination in Memphis. Rather than hope for the best and deal with the situation when he got there, he called the Memphis hotel where he had reservations and an Atlanta hotel where he might stay if he missed his connection. Both turned out to be very accommodating, relieving much stress.

Under the proactive heading, Widzer shows how it pays to work the system. And his advice for being patient is priceless: when faced with a tough situation, remember that anger and stress don't solve problems – cool-headed solutions do.

Posted by VRO at 07:06 PM | Permalink

July 18, 2007. As many people return home from their summer vacations, they are turning their thoughts to an important question: Where will we book a luxury vacation rental this winter?

Just as it is not too early to begin making plans for your winter vacation, it is not too early for you to apply for a passport. After the major backups at federal offices this past winter, U.S. officials delayed until Sept. 30 a rule that required Americans to show their passports upon reentry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and non-U.S. Caribbean countries. The leeway was meant to ease the backlog.

Still, passports are currently taking 10-12 weeks to process. The savvy traveler will make preparations before Sept. 30 so she doesn't have to scramble at the last minute.

Fodors.com posted a helpful list of frequently asked questions. The travel authority's advice reflects a general consensus that the backlog may not get much better:

"The State Department says it expects to cut the waiting period to eight weeks by September, and be back to its standard six-week turnaround by December. But travelers should factor in a potential flood of new applications from people who have waited to renew their passports until the current logjam clears. This will no doubt cause continued delays in processing time."

Posted by VRO at 07:05 PM | Permalink

July 17, 2007. Next to sleeping in late at a luxury vacation rental, one of the finest joys of summer is listening to a concert outdoors. USA Today asked Tom Clynes, author of Music Festivals From Bach to Blues, to recommend 10 outdoor venues and music festivals happening this summer. Here's a sample of what he suggested:

Newport Folk Festival – This is the place where Bob Dylan infuriated traditional folk musicians by plugging into an electric guitar and jamming out on his formerly acoustic pieces in the 1960s. Today, according to Clynes, electric guitars are as common as acoustic ones. As a bonus, when you stay in Newport, Rhode Island, you get to explore Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor.

Tanglewood – Many New Englanders travel to the Berkshires in Massachussetts solely for the storied outdoor amphitheater, which was built in 1938. Summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, this center for the arts also hosts chamber and choral music, musical theater, jazz and a Festival of Contemporary Music.

Aspen Music Festival – By winter, Aspen is a glitzy ski resort. By summer, it's a still a glitzy outdoors mecca, but with a summer concert series. Music includes classical, opera and Jazz Aspen Snowmass.

Posted by VRO at 10:36 PM | Permalink

July 14, 2007. Someone once asked my aunt, why do you always vacation at the ocean when you don't get in the water and you don't lie on the beach? Simple, my aunt replied – I like the sound of the waves.

For people who don't necessarily like beaches but love the coast, we selected several ideal vacation spots.

Nova Scotia's South Shore – This has always been the land of seafarers, as the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic will attest. Large peaceful harbors created safe refuges for boats along an otherwise rugged yet beautiful coast. So many lighthouses have been preserved that the coastal highway is often called the "Lighthouse Route."

Outer Banks – Legend has it that a Spanish galleon once wrecked off North Carolina's barrier islands, known as the Outer Banks. Nobody knows what became of the crew, but the horses swam ashore, and they roam freely. The wild horses of Corolla and Shackleford Banks are but two of many attractions that include the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Washington's South Coast – If it's seclusion you crave, look no further than the South Coast of Washington State, a sleepy stretch of sandy beaches with a backdrop of lush temperate rain forests. Bring the binoculars to search for whales and sea lions in the water. At low tide, search the tide pools for anemones and starfish.

Posted by VRO at 01:59 AM | Permalink

July 13, 2007. For those who judge the quality of a luxury vacation rental by its proximity to high-end shopping, we found an article on ForbesTraveler.com proclaiming the world's best shopping districts.

In the United States, Forbes called Los Angeles and New York some of "the classics."

According to the article, when in New York, "If you only have a few hours, you can get a taste of several designers with a stop into Fifth Avenue's Bergdorf Goodman. Afterwards, wander down the street to classics such as Tiffany & Co., and Harry Winston."

Pop culture most often associates Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills with celebrity shopping, but the stores are actually somewhat spread out, according to Forbes. "Focus your energies on Robertson Boulevard's celeb hotspots such as Lisa Kline and Madison," the article suggested.

We would like to mention another American standout that wasn't on the list.

In order to cater to the international clientele who frequent the city, some of the casinos in Las Vegas have added elite stores with designer clothes and jewelry. Via Bellagio, for example, has Tiffany & Co., Hermes, Chanel, Moschino, Prada and Giorgio Armani.

Posted by VRO at 01:26 AM | Permalink

July 12, 2007. The next time you book a luxury vacation rental, should you get travel insurance as well? Experts have debated this question throughout the media, resulting in a very unclear answer, according to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times.

Perhaps the best answer is, it depends.

It depends on whether you could face huge financial losses if something goes wrong with your trip.

"The first question to ask yourself about travel insurance is whether something trip-related could land you in financial disaster," according to the article. "Insurance has the most value when it protects you from financial ruin, not minor annoyances."

The L.A. Times did a great job laying out the components of travel insurance and plotting questions every traveler should ask before buying in. The three primary components are trip-cancellation insurance, unexpected costs and medical insurance. The questions one should ask are:

What am I afraid of?

What coverage do I already have?

How expensive is my trip?

How much of my trip is prepaid and nonrefundable?

Let's say you have a family vacation planned for Belize. You booked airfare for five, two weeks in a luxury vacation rental, and a three-day whitewater rafting and rock climbing excursion in a remote jungle. Your health insurance policy doesn't cover expenses incurred outside the United States. And your sick mother in-law just announced an operation the week before you leave.

That's quite a few opportunities for financial issues, from possible cancellations to possible medical expenses.

Posted by VRO at 01:16 AM | Permalink

July 11, 2007. Here at VacationRental.org, we watched closely as wildfires burned in recent weeks south of Lake Tahoe. This fantastic region’s luxury vacation rentals have been favorites of ours, and we hoped for the safety of its residents.
Fortunately, firefighters contained the blaze just before Independence Day, just as it began to creep into the giant basin that holds the 22-mile-long, 10-mile-wide lake.

Yesterday, USA Today reported that Lake Tahoe tourism officials encouraged visitors to return to their community. We couldn’t agree with them more.

As you may recall, we included Tahoe on our list of last-minute summer vacations just before the fires started. This world-class destination has been a favorite of ours for many reasons. First of all, its sheer size impresses us like few natural wonders can, on the order of monuments such as the Grand Canyon. Looking down upon its blue waters from one of the many scenic overlooks is a mesmerizing experience.

We also love the little towns and restaurants that ring the lake. Eating on the lakeside deck at Gar Woods Grill and Pier in Carnelian Bay is one of the best al fresco dining experiences in the country.

Posted by VRO at 01:55 AM | Permalink

July 9, 2007. Millions of people are traveling this summer, and thousands will no doubt hit America's waters – lakes, rivers, seas and all. There's nothing more fun than a week in a luxury vacation rental, days spent on the boat and evenings spent dining and relaxing.

Whether you're staying on Lake Michigan or the Gulf of Mexico, we encourage everyone to practice safe boating. It's the best way to keep the good times rolling for years to come.

Here are the latest statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard, reflecting the 2005 season:

* 697 fatalities — 3,451 injuries — nearly $39 million in property damage.

* 87 percent of drowning victims were not wearing life jackets.

* Alcohol was either a direct or indirect contributing factor in approximately one-quarter of all boating fatalities.

* About 70 percent of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.

Some things you can do to protect your family and friends are obvious: don't drink and drive, wear life jackets, and take a safe boating course. For more information, the Safe Boating Council has links to online courses and on-site boating schools.

Posted by VRO at 01:53 AM | Permalink