Vacation Rentals Blog

October 31, 2007. Every family has a Thanksgiving tradition. Increasingly, many families are foregoing a gathering with the extended clan in exchange for some bonding with the spouse and/or children. This might be due to mobility of modern people and the their increasingly scattered relatives, which makes even-handed gatherings all the more difficult. After all, one visit with in-laws inevitably breeds jealously with the other set(s).

Perhaps as a sign of the times, CNN.com weighed in with their suggestions for holiday getaways. Interestingly enough, they interviewed one family who brought in siblings and in-laws from all over the country for a reunion in Colorado. CNN also offered some advice: start planning plenty early and be clear about who pays for what.

Another great idea: Charleston, South Carolina. Although not mentioned in the article, we recommend the Charleston area because the weather is usually perfect at the end of November. Furthermore, the many restaurants in the area often host Thanksgiving dinner for a decent price. And the small city's excellent shopping will be a perfect place to cross items off the Christmas list.

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October 30, 2007. The New York Times Travel section published a full spread on Caribbean travel this weekend. It's a worthy, inspiring package that will have you planning an island vacation moments after you fold up the paper.

The topics are diverse and appropriate for the season. Now is a great time to make travel plans, if you haven't already, for a winter escape to a warmer climate.

One article examines non-stop flights and the ease of travel they provide between your hometown and your vacation destination. There isn't always a non-stop flight, but they are increasing in numbers. Puerto Rico leads the pack, with zero-layover options being extended this year.

The Dominican Republic is the subject of an ode to authentic cultural experiences, but with a twist: the article details the pockets of Dominican restaurants and culture in New York City. It's a clever addition to the whole package.

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October 27, 2007. Golf.com recently featured an article highlighting golf choices in Palm Beach for three budgets. We'd like to make a small suggestion: next time you organize a golf trip, make sure your reserve a luxury vacation rental. As hard as you work, you deserve nice accommodations. And for the budget conscious, a luxury vacation rental split between golf buddies can be one of the least expensive options available.

The Golf.com article has recommendations that fall under $600, $900 and $1,750, with corresponding increases in green fees and nightly hotel rates. With a set weekly rate for a luxury vacation rental, travelers can mix and match.

The list of golf courses had us salivating… Although it has some of the least expensive green fees, the PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course isn't too shabby an option. One of the mid-range courses, the North Palm Beach Country Club, is one of our favorite choices in the area. Of course, you'll want to shell out some extra pesos for some of the pricey selections, like The Breakers' Ocean Course, which features outstanding views of the Atlantic.

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October 25, 2007. Have the first cool breezes of autumn made you wish for sunnier climates? Late October and early November is a popular time to hit the road and head for the Sun Belt. These are the places to go:

Scottsdale-Phoenix – This desert metropolis has become the golf destination of winter. More than 200 courses are scattered about the Sonora, basking under blue skies. When you've had enough golf, head to the mountains for some adventure. Or relax at some of the famous spas. Or hit up Scottsdale Boulevard, home to chic boutiques and gourmet cafes.

Galveston – Being on the Gulf of Mexico has advantages, but being located next to Houston really helps. When you decide you need some big city pleasures, just head off to "H-Town," as the locals call it. Most of the time, you'll prefer relaxing walks on the beach, daily games of golf, and Texas barbecue.

Savannah– This antebellum coastal town has charm and spunk. Morning walks through the historic neighborhoods are the perfect way to start the day. Head to the wharf district for great seafood. Spend the afternoons exploring the Atlantic coast of the Southeast.

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October 24, 2007. If you're headed to a luxury vacation rental in the coming weeks, you may have a chance of seeing a bald eagle. There are several reasons for this, according to travel columnist Rob Lovitt.

With winter approaching, many bald eagles are on the move, inhabiting a wider variety of places. Thanks to the falling leaves, it's also easier to see the big birds. And, thankfully, the numbers of our national symbol, once nearing extinction, have now rebounded enough to potentially take them off the Endangered Species list.

Here are just a couple of locations where the bald eagle may be spotted:

Florida – Talk about a snowbird! Lake Kissimmee State Park is a popular spot to find them, although they are scattered throughout the state. Florida is, in fact, an all-around great birdwatching location this time of the year, with many species en route to Central and South America.

Virginia – What better place to see this patriotic raptor than Virginia, a state steeped in the history of our country's founding? The Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, 18 miles south of Washington, D.C., was actually the first wildlife refuge created specifically for the bald eagle.

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October 23, 2007. Trying to decide where to book your next luxury vacation rental? Or what to do on your next vacation? Fodor's reprinted an article on lighthouses last weekend in honor of the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge, an annual tour of the beacons of New Jersey.

The article also mentions one of our favorite destinations, North Carolina's Outer Banks. These barrier islands are home to the tallest lighthouse in North America, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Cape Hatteras is the farthest southeast point of the Outer Banks, and its location at the confluence of two ocean currents gives it an amazing biological diversity. The test weather and rugged coast have also been the site of many shipwrecks in the past centuries.

As the legend goes, these shipwrecks cast horses into the sea, and some of the horses swam to shore. Today, the descendants of these escapees enjoy fame as wild horses. As many people come to see them as they come to see lighthouses.

For more information on lighthouses, visit the website of the United States Lighthouse Society. These treasures of the past are a sight to see, but they are also an inspiration to travel. And although many no longer serve as maritime guides, they still show us where to take our next vacation.

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October 21, 2007. It comes in the middle of winter, that yearning for a luxury vacation rental in the Caribbean. The short days, the cold temperatures, the cabin fever… you will need an escape to a warmer climate. It seems months away, but now is the time to start planning and make reservations.

But which Caribbean island should you choose?

If your sole intention is to lie on white, sandy beaches, then shoot for the Bahamas. Governors Harbor is home to some of the best beaches to be had. Visitors intentionally choose this destination for the absence of glitz and glamour and the preponderance of tranquility.

Those who prefer more excitement, from shopping to entertainment to sightseeing, should consider Jamaica. This friendly island is known for its laid-back attitude and good times. After touring the coffee farms of the Blue Mountains and buying some world-class beans, pull an all-nighter at the nightclubs in Montego Bay.

Nature lovers and adventure buffs will enjoy the Dominican Republic, a country that prides itself on its preservation ethic. Jaragua National Park is home to more than 100 species of birds and some ancient rock paintings. Or go whitewater rafting on the Jaque de Norte.

Head to the Virgin Islands for a classy getaway replete with world-class restaurants, top-tier golf courses and beautiful beaches. Vacationers can shop high-end boutiques in modern towns with a slightly European flavor, and then escape to palm-lined sands and bright blue waters.

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October 19, 2007. Fans of Tony Hillerman mysteries will want to check out the article "Tony Hillerman's novels inspire Four Corners tours," in the Dallas Morning News. The reporter interviews Hillerman and joins a sanctioned tour of the author's storybook settings by the Scottsdale-based group Detours of Arizona.

The award-winning mystery writer has earned a loyal following with his gripping tales set in the Four Corners states of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. The books feature crimefighters and gumshoes from the Navajo tribe and various High Desert communities, and showcase a landscape that includes ancient pueblo dwellings, parched landscapes and rugged mountains… Just the kinds of places many people enjoy for sightseeing.

Consider this excerpt:

"In the fall, wend through golden aspen groves until coming upon the ghostly shadow of Shiprock Peak, scene of the crime in The Fallen Man, as you come into the northwestern part of New Mexico. The yellow-gold trees are brilliant, set against the chilly specter of this dormant 40 million-year-old volcanic pinnacle shaped like a clipper ship. Shiprock Peak appears in four Hillerman books."

The tours don't just stop with real-life locations, however. Hillerman based many of his characters on real people, and some of those people are gracious enough to welcome visitors.

"These include James Peshlakai, a Navajo scholar, teacher and silversmith who appears as a Navajo shaman in The Wailing Wind. Mr. Peshlakai is a longtime friend of Mr. Hillerman, and stories of their friendship and of how he came to be in a couple of the writer's novels are as fascinating as he is."

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October 18, 2007. If you want to reserve a luxury vacation rental for a last-minute autumn foliage trip, it helps to know where the colors are. Fall colors are peaking in some parts of the country, past prime in other parts, and just getting underway elsewhere, according to news reports. Overall, a widespread drought and warm temperatures seem to be drawing out the changes. We sampled a few media outlets.

Vermont – "While some areas of central and northern Vermont are past peak, fall foliage continues to progress nicely across much of the state," the Burlington Free Press reports. Regions that are just getting underway include the Interstate 91-corridor along the Connecticut River in southern Vermont and the Taconic Mountains in western Bennington County.

Michigan – The Great Lake State hasn't hit its peak either, according to the Oakland Press. Like Vermont, the progression is furthest along in the north, but southern areas might still be two weeks away from their best show.

Western North Carolina – A cold front approaching the Southeast should usher in a more dramatic display this week, according to the Asheville Citizen-Times. Some of the highest elevations are already in display, but warm night temperatures have slowed things at the lower elevations.

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October 17, 2007. MSNBC.com and Dog Fancy magazine published a list that is sure to catch the attention of dog owners: Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities. It's really all about dogs – no offense to cat owners. Here are some of the places they discuss:

San Diego – Have you ever heard of a shopping center with a dog park? Well, that's the Otay Ranch Town Shopping Center for you. They even have dogsitting service for $5 per hour so that you can try on some clothes. Nearby LaJolla has the pet friendly Nine-Ten Restaurant Bar and a sea kayaking company that provides doggy life jackets!

Orlando – President Bush's brother Jeb and the other Floridians love dogs so much, they wrote a law about them. Florida's "doggy dining law" allows canines to accompany their masters in outside seating areas throughout the state. A preponderance of such opportunities, as well as pooch-welcoming shops, exists on Orlando's E. Pine Street, and in the nearby town of Celebration.

Portland, Ore. – Hipsters and their dogs can choose from a microbrewery, The Lucky Labrador Brewing Company, or a coffee chop, the Iron Mutt Coffee Company. There's plenty of room for Fido to run free in the nearby Mt. Hood National Forest.

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October 16, 2007. To start the week off in luxury vacation rental news, here are several news items about the airline industry.

The New York Times reported that "Discounters Are in for the Long Haul," examining low-cost carriers offering long-distance flights. These revolutionary offerings cut the price and the layovers, giving business and international flyers a competitive edge. One example: A British businessman cut his flight to Hong Kong from several layovers and up to $8,000 round-trip down to a direct flight at $980 one way.

As part of the continuing efforts to phase out paper tickets, the International Air Transport Association announced cell phone technology that will allow travelers to check in using a bar code sent to their cell phones. "Passengers will register their cell-phone number when buying a ticket and receive a bar code by text message," the Associated Press reported. "Check-in staff will scan the bar code directly from cell phones, doing away with the need for a boarding pass. Alternatively, passengers can also receive the code by e-mail and print it out."

And, of course, there's news on the security front, this time involving a feature seen previously in science fictions films. The Phoenix airport is testing a full-body scanner, according to USA Today. Passengers will walk through a scanner that will create an X-ray-like image, allowing officials to look for contraband hidden on the body. The controversial measure has attracted criticism from civil rights groups for its invasiveness, but supporters say it could virtually eliminate pat-downs, which some passengers find equally humiliating.

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October 11, 2007. If you're looking for a stay in a luxury vacation rental, remember that there's more to autumn than fall colors. CNN.com published an article called "Taking the Kids: Leaf Peeping from Their Perspective," that offered some suggestions for making fall vacation more interactive.

Here are some of their suggestions:

A scavenger hunt – A hiking guide in Yellowstone National Park suggested one adult place envelopes with cards inside along a trail. Each card has some fun facts about nature, perhaps about the tree or rock it is placed next to, and a clue to find the next card.

Corn mazes – The ears may be gone, but the stalks remain, and there's nothing more fun that letting the children lead the way. Davis Farm in Sterling, Massachusetts, is one place that has a farm every year.

Ride a chairlift – Many ski resorts, especially in Colorado, run a chair lift through the summer. Often, the lifts serve mountain bike parks or mountaintop restaurants. But the ride in and of itself is fun, especially if your children have never been on one before. And the views are great.

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October 10, 2007. If the summer beach crowds kept you away from coastal Mid-Atlantic destinations, now is the time to re-evaluate these fine locales. With the peak season visitors gone, an easy tranquility sets in over the small towns on the bays and capes. Life returns to a mellow pace, guided by the rhythmic crashing of the waves.

Virginia Beach – Strap on some roller blades or get on a bicycle to enjoy the boardwalk at Virginia Beach. Rent a kayak and paddle down one of the scenic waterways, enjoying the fall colors and the snowy egrets. Or bring the clubs for a round at Hell's Point Golf Club.

Chesapeake Bay – Maryland's quaint fishing villages on the Chesapeake Bay offer peaceful escapes. Rekindle the romance with a sunset sailboat ride. Have seafood with every meal. History buffs will find an adventure on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, a water-based route that includes sites of significance in this early explorer's travels.

Outer Banks – North Carolina's Outer Banks are home to shipwrecks, wild horses and scenic beaches. Maybe you'll spot a mustang on a morning walk along the shore. At the very least, you're certain to spot a lighthouse or two.

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October 6, 2007. There was a time when I felt really lucky if we were going to fly to a luxury vacation rental. I loved to fly, because I loved looking out the window. I also viewed flights as a break from work and school. There was nothing to do but nap, read or look out the window.

With all of the bad news about delays, lost luggage and security, some people might suggest the pendulum has swung in the other direction – that flying has become a dreaded chore. I happen to disagree with that, but I noticed that flying is becoming more like normal life.

On a recent flight to Texas, for example, I brought my work with me. With a laptop and cell phone, I barely found time to crack open a book for pleasure.

Two recent articles also caught my eye because they suggested the continued creep of everyday life into what was once a unique experience.

Business Week reported that some airlines are attempting to improve their dining menu. I remember a time when a free meal was standard. It was nothing fancy, but who flies for a culinary experience? Now, these airlines are offering roast beef Cobb salad sandwich, grilled shrimp salad, and black olive spaghetti salad at $7-$10 a pop.

The Associated Press also reported that airports are looking more and more like malls, with recognized brands such as Brooks Brothers and Victoria's Secret opening shop. Why start on that mystery or thriller when you can shop for a tie or a bra? At least if your plane gets delayed, your shopping experience becomes extended.

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October 3, 2007. For those who love to fish, luxury vacation rentals are the obvious choice. They provide enough room to store the gear and adequate kitchen facilities to fry up the catch. Forbes Traveler recently asked top anglers for their favorite places to fish, so we thought we'd share their picks.

Baja - Kip Adam, guide and owner of World's Best Big Game Fishing Inc. of Oakland, Calif., pulled a 120-pound sailfish and a 200-pound striped marlin out of the waters off the East Cape. Blue marlin, the most prized sport fish of all, also thrive here.

Columbia River – The fourth-largest river in North America is home to the largest fish species on the continent, the white sturgeon. Matt Straw, an editor at In-Fisherman magazine, landed an 8-foot-long white sturgeon from the Columbia, which may explain why he picked this river. Set up shop near Portland, Oregon, and Mount Hood.

Puerto Rico – Believe it or not, outdoors writer Greg Breining chose a location that was once a part of a Naval bombing range. Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, has been reclaimed and now teems with record tarpon that tip the scales at more than 200 pounds.

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October 4, 2007. Every golfer has a wish list of courses. Some of those courses may be out of reach, while others may not be. The great thing about Jack Nicklaus is that he designs courses that we can all play (as well as courses that only sheiks and CEOs can play).

Golf Magazine recently published "Top 10 Nicklaus Courses You Can Play," an inspiring list that makes us want to book a luxury vacation rental and start playing religiously.

Here are a few picks:

Mad River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff – Located in Bluffton, near Hilton Head, South Carolina, this course embodies everything about the Southeastern coast – "massive oaks drenched in Spanish moss, freshwater wetlands… and the oyster-filled May River."

Reflection Bay at Lake Las Vegas – The polar opposite of Palmetto Bluff: dry, sunny days, desert backdrop, and Sin City. Just 30 minutes from the Strip, according to the article.

The Ocean Course at Ginn Hammock – Rent a home anywhere along the Northeast Atlantic Coast of Florida, and divide your time between beach cruising and fairway driving.

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October 2, 2007. Many vacations revolve around the Great Outdoors and places that reconnect us to nature. The Washington Post Travel section just published an article noting that National Wildlife Refuge Week comes around Oct. 7-13 this year. The National Wildlife Refuge System protects nearly 97 million acres in 548 refuges, according to the article.

In honor of these pristine lands, The Post suggested a few D.C.-area refuges. The nearby Blackwater NWR is a great place to go canoeing and birdwatching. The Patuxent Research Refuge welcomes hikers, bikers and horseback riders. The grasslands of the Occoquan Bay NWR are famous for attracting butterflies.

Delaware has the Bombay Hook NWR, which is another birding hotspot and has a 12-mile scenic drive and five nature trails. Visitors can win a free annual pass to the refuge by following 10 clues to different locations and photographing themselves at each site for the Family Nature Scavenger Photograph Search Challenge, being held between Oct. 13 and Nov. 2.

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