Vacation Rentals Blog

March 31, 2008. The longer, warmer days are bringing golfers out in many parts of the nation, which means it's time to reserve a luxury vacation rental for this year's golf trip. As they do every year, Golf Magazine published a guide to planning trips that will be above par.
Our favorite tip: Dream big. That's right, go for those expensive courses that everyone dreams of playing. You can play it just once and then cross it off your life list.
Practical tip: Rent clubs, bring balls. The quality of club rentals has increased dramatically, so it's no longer worth risking the damage to your own clubs during travel or putting up with the hassle of checking them in at the airport. Balls are still expensive at pro shops, however, so bring your own.
Most important tip: Know your company. Our favorite tip above is only relevant if you're playing with people on your same (or better) skill level, who will appreciate the complexity and uniqueness of the course. If you're taking beginners or children, choose an easy course that will be fun.
So, where will you go this year? Kiawah? Pebble Beach? So many options, so little vacation days...

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 07:42 PM | Permalink

March 27, 2008. In previous blogs, we discussed how luxury vacation rentals are a great fit for couples with newborn babies, or couples on their "babymoon," the last fling before the birth of a new family member. A Tripso.com article has some good tips for expecting mothers who don't want to let pregnancy get in the way of travel.
The first tip: Ask your doctor if it's OK to fly. Once you're cleared for takeoff, here are some ways to make the flight easier:
Get up and dance - It's true that airplanes, unfortunately, aren't conducive to movement. It's also true that flight attendants would rather you stay in your seat. But getting up and getting the blood flowing is important for everyone, especially future moms.
Take a seat - Don't be afraid to ask someone to trade you for aisle seat. If they refuse, don't be afraid to move in and out. In the words of the columnist, "You warned them."
Bring snacks - Anyone who's eating for two is going to be hungry. Airlines are cutting back on snacks and meals, however, so don't depend on them to get you through the flight.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 08:40 PM | Permalink

March 25, 2008. A recent article on CNN.com lays out yet another argument for luxury vacation rentals, especially those from VacationRental.org. The travel column, "Five Travel Traps Lurking in the Fine Print," describes how large companies often have clauses in their contracts that put consumers at a disadvantage.
The examples? Airline companies that don't mind losing your luggage or changing the rules on your frequent flier miles. Car rental companies that will charge you for damage incurred by natural disasters. Cruise ships that might not be seaworthy.
At least with VacationRental.org, you know there's a certain standard of quality. Our luxury vacation rentals have to meet this strict criteria to ensure you have the best experience possible. Furthermore, that beach cabana in the Virgin Islands is probably owned by some individual who sincerely hopes you will enjoy your stay, as opposed to a large corporation that has written cleverly worded exlcusions on their contracts.
According to the article, "they're often less than up-front about their intentions, burying cleverly crafted clauses deep within their contracts of carriage, cruise contracts and rental contracts." As one expert put it, "The more the company can exclude without completely scaring the customer away, the better."

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 09:48 PM | Permalink

March 20, 2008. With all the bad economic news in the media lately, it's no wonder a recent survey found that people intend to cut back this summer. WeJustGotBack.com has a great article on "How to Beat the Recession Blues," with tips that include luxury vacation rentals and other smart ideas.
Many families plan to eat out less this year, which comes as no surprise. The article recommends finding a place to stay that has a kitchen. "Fixing just one meal a day in your vacation digs can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of your getaway," according to the article.
Other tips:
Think outside the Saturday box - Most people take a week off work, and travel from one weekend to the next. But that's when airfares are highest. Try flying on a Tuesday.
Keep an open mind - Let the good deals take you where they may. Discounted airfare, coupons for tourist attractions and other money-saving opportunities should be your guide.
Stay closer to home - Wherever you live, there's bound to be a great vacation destination. Southern Ohio, for example, has a little-known Amish culture that puts out amazing furniture; nice lakes and national forests; and peaceful countrysides with charming farmers markets and down-home cooking.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 08:30 PM | Permalink

March 18, 2008. For Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, luxury vacation rentals have replaced motels. It should be no surprise, then, that Lonely Planet Guides have also changed to reflect new preferences. An Associated Press article noted the modern revisions sprouting in many of the ubiquitous books.
In particular, the article noted additions to guides for San Francisco, Chicago and Vancouver.
"The guidebooks also offer more emphasis on shopping, entertainment and moderate to high-end restaurants and hotels than previous editions, with fewer listings for college hangouts, hostels and taco joints," according to the article.
The sea change reflects a established trend toward more luxurious and active traveling. The buying power of the Baby Boomers is unprecedented, and many Gen Xers value travel so much they will sacrifice in other spending areas to enjoy their vacations.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 09:00 PM | Permalink

March 12, 2008. The use of cell phones during flights has been a controversial topics. For travelers who want some rest and relaxation on the way to their luxury vacation rental, the idea of noisy neighbors with "cell yell" sounds awful. For business travelers and tech junkies, the idea of staying connected would be a blessing.
According to a recent article on MSNBC.com, European and Middle Eastern carriers are seriously considering proposals to allow cell phone use during international flights. The United States floated a similar idea for years, but tabled the proposal in early 2007.
The FCC has already approved in-flight broadband, which could bring high-speed Internet to the skies very soon. Jet Blue has rolled out a program that offers email and instant messing, and Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Virgin America are creating their own offerings. Users would access the web via laptop computers or smart phones.
Speaking of phones, CNET recently updates its guide to world phones, which can be used in multiple nations using different cellular protocols. These days, some travelers can use the same phone in Mexico they use in New York. Perhaps that's some consolation for having to go without on the airplane.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 08:43 PM | Permalink

March 10, 2008. Many travelers book their luxury vacation rental based on its proximity to a particular kind of cuisine. If you're headed down South, it might be for some barbecue, and the Boston Globe provided a Northerner's view of this Southern specialty.
Georgia
Coastal Georgia has some of the state's richest culinary heritage. This region also marries a love of pork barbecue with a natural endowment of shrimp and crab. So, add a course of fried shrimp or crab cake to your meal and call it surf and turf!
South Carolina
In South Carolina, be ready to add fried okra, grits or boiled peanuts to your BBQ platter. From the coast, to the Low Country, to the Up State, you'll find mom-and-pop establishments everywhere.
Alabama
In Alabama, it's all about the ribs. No need for a bun. Forget about a pile of pulled pork. You're gonna get your fingers saucy, so just grab a roll of paper towels and dig right in. The flavors of the sauce vary depending on what part of the state you're in, but ribs are king here.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 08:42 PM | Permalink

March 5, 2008. A new kind of car rental outfit has emerged, with luxury sedans and fancy sports cars that allow travelers to drive in unparalleled style. A recent article on MSNBC.com looked at a few companies.
So how can Regular Joes ever get their hands on these beauties? We'll talk about that in a minute.
First, imagine yourself cruising down Lakefront Boulevard in Chicago in a Porsche 911. The engine rumbles softly as you casually float with traffic, looking to the horizon of beautiful Lake Michigan. The coast seems clear, so you punch it -- just for a little bit, just enough to feel the power.
What if you don't have a few thousand to drop on a car rental? Many regular companies offer nice convertibles and upscale sedans. Read "Top Ways to Get a Rental Car Upgrade" on TravelersTales.com for some ideas on how to get more for less.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 08:01 PM | Permalink

March 3, 2008. We know you might be thinking of beaches already, but epic winters across the United States have made this spring an ideal time to book a luxury vacation rental at the ski slopes. The New York Times reported especially good snowpack at Lake Tahoe and Colorado.
Heavenly Ski Resort at Tahoe will be open until May 4, thanks to the deepest snow in 30 years. Heavenly and other resorts are boasting snowpack of more than 30 feet, and they still have the March storms coming. That could mean other resorts may follow suit. In some big years, Squaw Valley USA has been known to keep a few runs open until July 4th!
Colorado has seen its own record snowfalls. Vail set a record with 16 feet in February alone, while the state overall has seen an average of 24 feet this winter.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 08:10 PM | Permalink