Vacation Rentals Blog

Oct. 29, 2008. A chilly wind blew across the country this month, leaving happy skiers and snowboarders in its wake. This week, two more ski areas joined two mountains in Colorado to be among the first in the nation to open.
In Colorado, Arapaho and Loveland opened in mid-October. A blog entry on the Rocky Mountain News described the good times. Only the highest elevations of the Rockies have received serious snow, but the lower elevation ski areas have taken advantage of cold temperatures to fire up the snow guns.
In Western North Carolina, Cataloochee Ski Area has once again claimed the title of "First to Open." Long known for its superior snow-making and grooming capabilities, this hill has only opened two beginner slopes. Still, it's an auspicious beginning to what many are saying will be one of the coldest winters in the recent years - which is key to Southeastern resorts that receive little natural snow.
Up in Wisconsin, Tyrol Basin Ski and Snowboard area also opened this week.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 07:11 PM | Permalink

Oct. 23, 2008. You can tell a lot about a person by the things they do when they're on vacation. Some people love roller coasters, other want to shop, others need to lounge by the beach. Others go jogging.
A recent article in the New York Times paid homage to the runners who see the sights from their running shoes. The article also highlighted some classic routes in United States:
Charleston, S.C. - A run down Meeting Street and along the Charleston Harbor is a contrast in the thriving business district and the quaint, historic buildings of this old town.
Portsmouth, N.H. - The coast of New Hampshire often gets overlooked, but there's some great seaside scenery here. in Portsmouth, hit Pierce Island and Prescott Park, or alternate between the boardwalk and the sands at Hampton Beach.
Miami Beach - Being fit is a big deal in this town, so you won't be the only one pacing up and down Ocean Boulevard.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 09:10 PM | Permalink

Oct. 22, 2009. A weak economy in 2009 could translate into lower air fares, according to the annual travel forecast from American Express. As airlines see fewer passengers, they may be forced to decrease prices in the face of weakened demand.
More silver lining on the gray clouds!
Gloomy news of the economy and financial markets has been dominating the news lately. This might no doubt affect consumers appetite for travel. But the opportunities have never been better. As we mentioned in out last blog, low gas prices and a strong dollar have given American travelers unprecedented buying power.
So, whether you want to fly to Puerto Rico or drive to the Berkshires, this year is your chance to do it cheap, and do something good for the world's economy.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 08:38 PM | Permalink

Oct. 10, 2008. Current economic conditions may not be enough to dampen people's need for travel. In a current Travelocity poll, 78% of respondents said they still plan to travel over the holidays this year. This could be a sign of consumer resilience. It may also be a sign of consumer savvy - there will no doubt be some deals this winter, as hospitality businesses reach out to ensure their survival.
We think there will be quite a few deals, from snow resort lift tickets in Colorado to theme parks in Florida. We'll be keeping an eye out and reporting on anything we see.
Two other signs of silver lining:
Gas prices - With the cost of a barrel of oil falling fast, the numbers at the pump are following. This will make it cheaper to drive this winter than it's been for the past several months, and some forecasters are predicting a return to prices in the low threes.
A strong dollar - As the slowdown goes global, investors are rushing back to the dollar in droves, a sign that the United States is still the most respected world power. That means the dollar is back, and trade rates are once again becoming favorable to Americans.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 07:52 AM | Permalink

Oct. 7, 2008. It's no secret that we champion house and condominium rentals over hotel rooms. We've written exhaustively about their benefits. So has the New York Times.
This venerable travel authority, however, has pointed out some potential pitfalls of rentals - namely quality control. A recent article laid out the example of one traveler who arrived at a beach house that appeared much nicer online. To that end, the newspaper encouraged due diligence.
We couldn't agree more.
At VacationRental.org, each of our properties must meet strict criteria to be listed on our pages. To enforce these criteria, we include a Quality Report Form, which customers can use if they ever encounter a property that made false claims or did not fully disclose important facts.
Furthermore, each of our properties are required to post numerous photos, fill out a questionnaire and submit contact information. It's all about empowering the consumer to make the best informed decision.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 03:20 PM | Permalink

Oct. 2, 2008. The gas shortages that have plagued the Southeast for the past two weeks appear to be easing up. That's great news for everyone, especially those who have been traveling into the area to stay at luxury vacation rentals. Many tourists to the area got more than they bargained for when their vacation plans were seriously hampered by the empty gas stations.
In Asheville, North Carolina, borrowed shipments calmed fears, eliminated lines and decreased prices last weekend. Visitors to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, many of whom come to see the annual elk rut, can drive to their heart's content.
The Atlanta Constitution-Journal reported a major release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help supplies in Georgia, news that has already relaxed drivers throughout the state. Mountain getaways like Blairsville and Blue Ridge are popular escapes for residents of the metropolitan area.

Posted by Mark Vanderhoff at 07:27 AM | Permalink