Posts for Vacation

Tips for Finding a Great Vacation Rental

Travel Tips - Amanda - July 15, 2021

Vacation Rental

As more people opt for vacation rental properties than hotel rooms, finding a great rental has become more challenging. Rarely can you search for vacation properties and get a list of great options. Therefore, these are a few tips to help you find your next vacation.

List Your Needs

Your first step should be identifying what you want in a property. For example, do you want a condo or single-family home? Where should it be located, e.g., Waterfront Rentals Newport Beach CA. What activities do you plan to do, and how close should your rental be to these activities? Identify the most important aspects of the property: view, distance from activities, space, etc. List your preferred amenities, including a washer and dryer, central air conditioning and a pool. Will you be traveling with pets? Also, set your budget and coordinate with anyone who will be vacationing with you.

Learn Vacation Rental Terminology

Rental associations and co-ops have specific terminology they use to illustrate their properties to you. For example, they may use “beachfront” in their advertisement, but this won’t guarantee that your rental is on the ocean. “Ski access” suggests that you will need transportation to get to the slops, typically provided by a shuttle, whereas “ski-in/ski-out” suggests that you have access right from the property and can ski right out to the slopes. Ask for property photos and compare the terminology used in the advertisement.

Be Flexible

Although you may want to take your trip to Paris in early June or to Big Sky in January, vacation rentals will be very expensive and may be difficult to come by. If you go earlier or later in the season, you should get much better rates and have greater access to multiple rental options. You may search booking sites for fare charts that will tell you what you will pay during each season. Being willing to travel off-peak season will save you hundreds of dollars.

Be Prepared

Being flexible will not ensure you find a great rental if you don’t start looking early. Plan well ahead of time, up to a year or more. Although some destinations, such as Florida and Arizona, which are popular tourist spots, may not fill up quite as fast, most locations have higher demand than supply, especially during peak season. You may also have to reserve some of your activities early. For example, if you plan to attend a baseball game, you may want to purchase your tickets early.

If you are looking for a relaxing vacation that feels like home, reserve a vacation rental property.

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Top 3 Reasons To Consider North Carolina for Your Next Vacation

Best Destinations - Amanda - September 16, 2020

If you’ve been wondering where to take your next family vacation and you’re tired of visiting the same crowded, touristy places, you may have been looking for North Carolina beachfront rentals and wondering if this underrated Atlantic coastal state would be worth a visit. The Tar Heel State can sometimes fly under the radar when it comes to tourism, but it has a surprising number of attractions to offer any visitor. From beautiful beaches to majestic mountains to old-fashioned Southern charm, here are a few of the top reasons you should consider adding North Carolina to your vacation short list.

1. The Beaches Are Peaceful

If you like going to the beach but are tired of how crowded many beaches can be, you’ll be excited to learn that North Carolina beaches are generally very family-oriented and peaceful. Rarely is there overcrowding on these beaches, thanks in part to a culture of building cozy beach home rentals along the oceanfront instead of high-rises and hotels. Additionally, the beaches often come with some interesting history. The Outer Banks, for instance, are a popular destination for families today, but were previously made famous for being the location of the first flight. When you need a break from sunbathing, you can visit local museums to learn about each island’s unique past.

2. The Mountains Are Perfect for Hiking

If hiking is more your speed, you’ll be excited to know that western North Carolina hosts the tallest mountain in eastern North America, Mount Mitchell, that boasts an impressive height of 6,636 feet. No matter the season, the Blue Ridge Mountains are perfect for a family drive or hike and offer stunning scenery and countless photo opportunities. Stop at one of the state parks along the way for a picnic and soak up the view.

3. There’s Rich Culture

If your idea of the perfect vacation involves boundless food, drink and chances to kick back, there are several spots throughout North Carolina that offer relaxing opportunities in abundance. For a taste of local craft beer, visit Asheville in the west. For world-class barbecue, stop at any one of the countless specialty restaurants throughout the state.

When your family can’t decide whether your next vacation should be to the city, the country, the beach or the mountains, consider choosing North Carolina and getting the best of all worlds. The Tar Heel State is geographically diverse and has something to offer every tourist, from laid-back beach vibes to Southern country style. The next time you’re planning a vacation, consider adding this beautiful state to your list. You could be in for the time of your life!

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The Top Pet-Friendly Vacation Destinations in Europe

Best Destinations - Amanda - November 21, 2016

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Things are a bit an alternate in Europe: numerous nations are unbelievably pet-accommodating, which makes them culminate goals for pet partners from around the globe. Here are 8 pet- friendly stops in Europe.

Netherlands

The Netherlands are maybe most well known for being inconceivably cyclist-accommodating, yet Dutch urban communities like Amsterdam are additionally rather pet-accommodating. Much like different parts of Europe, numerous eateries are pet-accommodating, regularly permitting burger joints to convey their restricted pet with them to open air eating regions. Inns are regularly pet-accommodating, and shops may permit pooches inside (despite the fact that it’s best to inquire). Amsterdam specifically prescribes itself as an extraordinary pet-accommodating goal for those going with pooches, on account of copious parks. Vondelpark, the biggest and best-known in the city, is an incredible area, while Oosterpark is partitioned into 2 zones: a kids’ zone that is sans canine and the other where mutts are welcome. This stop is notable to local people and is turning out to be more well known with vacationers going with their pooches.

Italy

Italians adore their textured companions and more often than not, you’ll have the capacity to carry your pooch with you into stores, lodgings and even eatery eating zones. Northern Italy is generally thought to be more canine cordial than the south, however Rome is additionally refered to as a standout amongst the most pooch well disposed goals in Europe. Yes, even in a major visitor focus, puppies are more than welcome. Open travel likewise invites textured voyagers, frequently without a transporter, in spite of the fact that a gag might be required amid your ride. A few spots may likewise approach you to buy a passage for your four-legged travel friend—albeit regularly at a rebate of half or more. Most inns will welcome pets, albeit some charge additional expenses. Great practice is to call ahead to an eatery or lodging before you reserve your spot.

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Germany

While Germany isn’t the most pet-friendly place in Europe, the country is pretty friendly toward your four-legged friends. Much like different parts of Europe, pets are welcome on open travel, inasmuch as they are on a rope; a gag might be required, however there’s no motivation to put your pup in a bearer. Little mutts are frequently welcome in the eating zones of eateries, albeit bigger breeds may not be as welcome. Pooches are frequently welcome in shops too, and you can anticipate that most facilities will be pet-accommodating. Obviously, it’s dependably a smart thought to call ahead and guarantee that Fido will be welcome—and to suss out if there’s any extra expenses for having him follow alongside you to supper or to your hotel.

France

On the off chance that you’ve ever needed to visit Paris and lunch at a bistro, however can’t endure the prospect of letting Fido well enough alone for the experience, don’t fuss. France is reliably appraised as the most pet-accommodating nation in all of Europe—and that is stating something, considering how pet-accommodating most European nations are. Puppies are more usually allowed into eating zones than not; truth be told, it is interesting to see a proprietor leave their puppy outside while they went into a shop or eatery. Accordingly, numerous inns are pet-accommodating, as are different foundations. On the off chance that you plan to go about, open travel is likewise pet-accommodating, permitting you to bring your pet with you on the prepare, frequently on a rope instead of in a transporter. So simply ahead and make your fantasy trek to France an entire family issue!

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