April 23rd, 2010
As spring chugs along, we find ourselves getting closer and closer to…drum roll…summer vacation! Whether or not you’ve got kids going on break soon, there’s a decent chance you’ve got a trip or two planned. Or almost planned. Or you’re at least planning to plan a trip. Let’s speed things up a bit, huh?
Vacation Rentals.com is here to help. The site features a host of summer rentals that range from beachfront suites in Miami to apartments with views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Whatever type of vacation, and whatever budget you’re working with, we are confident we’ve got a vacation rental for you.
If you feel a little lost, try these tips -
- In the summertime, many destinations are worthwhile to visit. That’s because the weather’s warmer (at least in most popular tourist destinations) and beaches and lakes are more welcoming. So, how can you steer clear of “tourist inflation” on a summer vacation? After all, summer’s not often considered an “off season.” But that just depends on where you’re looking. While certain cities grow in population during the summer – especially northeastern beach towns, like Ocean City NJ – others don’t. Vegas is a good example. While it’s too bold to say Vegas has a crowd-free time of year that you can visit, a visitor will enjoy a bit more space to themselves since the city has such oppressive summer heat. You don’t have to be physically uncomfortable to save money, though. Research your options and avoid tourist traps.
- Instead of booking an expensive hotel room, book a much cheaper, much bigger house. Vacation rentals are widely available throughout the year, but this is especially true for holiday seasons and of course, summer. Pick a destination or pick your travel dates, and then peruse the summer rentals that fit the bill.
- Consider booking a last-minute deal on a summer rental. While you’ll typically save a lot of money by planning ahead, Vacation Rentals.com does feature some jaw-dropping last-minute deals that are worth considering if you don’t mind being flexible.
Do you feel ready to save money this summer? Then, get to it! Find a rental today.
Tags: summer deals, summer rentals, summer specials
Posted in Summer Vacations | 1 Comment »
February 23rd, 2010
One of the reasons we love New Orleans so much is because the city really knows how to throw a party. From Mardi Gras to St Patrick’s Day (right around the corner, hint hint), New Orleans locals and tourists alike love having something to celebrate. The problem with that, however, is there’s rarely an “off season” in the Big Easy. Summer vacations are popular, but so are winter vacations. What’s a cheapskate who hates crowds to do?
If you’re planning a New Orleans vacation, you can either expect lots of crowds and little discounts, or you can brave the heat. July and August – the city’s hottest and most humid months – are probably the cheapest time to visit. However, if you plan to do lots of outdoor sightseeing, it may not be all that comfortable….or worth it.
For a year-round vacation spot like New Orleans, it’s best to plan in advance, or on the other hand take advantage of an extremely last-minute deal. Snagging discounts on attractions and relying on reliably affordable accommodations like vacation rentals are the best way to go!
What other destinations lack an off season and make it difficult to visit on the cheap? Do you have any insider tips for saving money?
Tags: new orleans, off season destinations, when to go to new orleans, when to visit new orleans
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
February 16th, 2010
Like many, you’re probably starting to plan your Spring Break vacation. Maybe you’re staying home or maybe you’re headed to a Spring Break hot spot like Cancun. Regardless, this is an expensive time to travel – unless you know how to score great Spring Break deals.
For starters, look up the weeks that college and high school students have reserved for Spring Break. Then see if you can plan your trip in between these weeks or at least for one of the weeks that sees fewer Spring Breakers. Otherwise, you’ll have to battle high airfare and possibly even vacation rental rates.
If you’re open-minded about your Spring Break destination, see what last-minute deals are available. If you can’t help but vacation during a peak Spring Break week, you can still save money by cashing in on a random last-minute deal.
If you’re unable to vacation in the off season, and you’re unable to snag up a last-minute deal, there are still plenty of ways to save this Spring Break. Vacation rentals offer a ton of value over hotels and there are lots available in Spring Break destinations on Vacation Rentals.com.
As well, there are plenty of destinations that aren’t known for Spring Break travel, but are still awesome this time of year. Avoid popular spots like Cancun, Panama City Beach, and South Padre Island and instead check out other great – but not quite as “in” – destinations, like Austin Texas, Bradenton Florida, or Silverthorne Colorado.
Tags: spring break deals, spring break savings, spring break vacation
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February 4th, 2010
When it comes to saving money, when you travel is important. As well, the plane tickets and lodging you choose will make up most the cost of your travels. Or will they? All of this depends on your destination. Even if you’re an amazingly skilled bargain hunter, you’re still not going to be able to visit Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics on a shoestring (unless you’ve got some relatives who live there, and in that case, we’re very jealous of you).
So, here are some handy tips for choosing a destination:
- Destinations that have temperate year-round weather or great year-round attractions still have off seasons. Think Disney World when the kids are in school. DC during the holidays, when all the local politicians are getting away. Or Panama City Beach not on Spring Break.
- Find a deal, rather than a destination. If you’re open minded about where you travel, why set your heart on one specific city? Instead, search through all the airfare and lodging deals and see what destinations are cheaper.
- Think up alternatives to uber-popular destinations. Really want to go to NYC? Consider other shopping and attraction filled metros like Dallas or Seattle instead.
Tags: cheap destinations, choosing a destination, destination options, how to pick a destination
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February 3rd, 2010
Spring Break has a pretty immature reputation; one envisions new 21-year-olds drinking like there’s no tomorrow. However, it’s not just college students who are off for a week in March/February. The little ones are, too! That means it’s a great time for a family vacation. But does a Spring Break family vacation really exist? Definitely.
With the help of Vacation Rentals.com, you can not only discover many great Spring Break destinations, but deals as well. In fact, because vacation rentals are so roomy and private, you and your family can enjoy even the biggest party spots – after all, you won’t have to immerse yourself in it but can instead stick to your rental.
Many beach spots in Florida make great Spring Break family vacation spots, particularly Amelia Island, St Augustine Beach, Destin, and even Fort Lauderdale. But the world is brimming with slopes for skiing, beaches for tanning, oceans for swimming, and a host of other wonderful attractions and activities.
Tags: spring break family, spring break family vacation, spring break family vacation ideas
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January 28th, 2010
On Vacation Rentals.com, we try to make it as easy as possible to find the perfect vacation rental deal. However, with the vast selection of properties we have all over the world, it can be come quite cumbersome to sort through it all. That’s why we’re sharing tips for finding deals on our site, specifically.
First off, remember that we have rentals all over the world – really. That means you get your pick of both in and off-season destinations. The more open-minded you are about your destination, the more money you will probably save.
Nearly all of our deals are time sensitive, meaning they expire after a certain amount of time, and they are usually only valid for certain travel dates. Always keep this in mind as you’re comparing properties. If you’re looking for a deal for June, you may have to wait until just a month or so before if you want lots of options, as opposed to just a few. Availability calendars should be handy on all listings, though some owners do not use them.
Even though something is advertised as a “deal” on the site, doesn’t mean it’s cheaper than other similar properties on the site that don’t have deals. So, make sure to thoroughly compare all your options – not just the ones with deals!
When you finally choose a city, you can view all the listings for it at once. Then you can sort by rates or number of bedrooms and even filter out non-relevant listings. Use our compare tool to make this process even easier.
Tags: deal finding tips, how to find a deal, how to find a vacation deal
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January 12th, 2010
Eating is a requirement for living, but it can come at quite a price when you’re traveling. After all, on vacation you’re more inclined to pay an arm and a leg for the finer things – i.e. food – in life. In addition to that, you’re practically forced to spend a lot of money on dining. Typically tourists don’t have the option to cook and prepare their own meals. Not to mention, it’s hard to know what restaurants are affordable and expensive in a new town.
First off, by booking a vacation rental, you’ll most likely enjoy a full kitchen for your entire stay. That means you can cook your own meals – that’s tasty and cheap. Some luxurious vacation rentals even feature a staff, including a chef, who can take care of cooking for you.
Regardless of whether or not you stay in a vacation rental, you’ll want to try the local cuisine. Vacation Rentals.com has a wealth of content about specific destinations and top restaurants around the world, but you can supplement this info with your own line research. Find out restaurant menus and prices on the Internet before even arriving at your destination.
Here are some other tips for cheap dining:
- Save your biggest meal for lunch – lunch menus are often much cheaper than dinner menus, even for comparable proportions and quality
- Visit your destination during its Restaurant Week, where three-course meals around town are essentially on sale; most big cities have at least one in the summer or winter
- Save your leftovers – you have a kitchen to store them in, unlike at a hotel room, so don’t waste!
Do you have any tips for eating on the cheap? Share in the comments!
Tags: cheap dining, eating cheap on vacation, eating on the cheap, how to eat cheap
Posted in vacation tips | No Comments »
November 19th, 2009
The holidays are here. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and soon enough, it’ll be time for Christmas. Where are you going? What are you doing?
When planning a Christmas vacation, you have lots to consider. Are you going to escape a snowy hometown for sun-kissed beaches? Or go on the ultimate ski trip?
If you live in a city with cold weather, we don’t blame you for seeking some sun during winter. That’s why “winter sun holidays” (as they’re often called) are so popular. That’s when folks from cold climates flock to the beach when winter hits. But maybe, on the other hand, you crave a White Christmas. Maybe you live in Arizona or Texas, where snow’s a rare occurrence.
Whatever your vacation style – from relaxing in a cabin on a snow-capped mountain, to taking the family to a Colorado ski resort, to hitting the beach all winter-long…Vacation Rentals.com has an accommodation for you.
And remember, whether you seek snow or sun, you’re sure to have a good time!
Tags: beach, ski, snow or sun, winter rentals, winter sun holiday, winter vacation
Posted in winter vacations | 3 Comments »
November 17th, 2009
It’s that time of year again, if you can believe it. The months have flown by pretty quickly, but whether you’re ready or not, Thanksgiving is practically here. Instead of jumping head first into holiday-inspired hassle, why not take it easy for once? In a vacation rental?
When it comes to Thanksgiving vacation rentals, you’ve got lots of options. Book a B&B right outside town and cozy up to your honey all holiday long. Or go with a more impressive estate and host a family reunion. You can even book a vacation rental that comes with a private chef and cleaning crew, so you don’t have to do any of those tedious Thanksgiving tasks (preparing the Turkey, cleaning up the post-eating mess, etc).
Whether you need accommodations for your annual Thanksgiving trip to New York to visit your grandma, or you’re just looking to spend the holiday in a more unique way, Vacation Rentals.com has lots of affordable and spacious Thanksgiving vacation rentals for you to choose from.
Tags: thanksgiving, thanksgiving vacation rentals
Posted in Fall Vacations | 3 Comments »
November 13th, 2009
One of the things that’s so lovable about vacation rentals is their unique amenities. Even in the most luxurious hotel suite, chances that you’ll have access to a gourmet kitchen are pretty slim. Same goes for a private pool.
But many vacation rentals feature full kitchens and private pools. What makes such amenities so great for traveling? Well, it’s nice to have the option to dine in. This is especially true if you’re traveling in a big group – eating out is expensive and difficult in this case.
As well, many vacation rentals have private pools! There is nothing fun about sharing a pool with a bunch of strangers (in other words, other hotel guests who aren’t you). With a pool home rental, you can swim and sunbathe in total and complete privacy.
While a gourmet kitchen or private pool may seem like a luxurious amenity, these things are available at many affordable Vacation Rentals.com properties. Imagine paying up to $500 a week for a 5-bedroom home with a pool and kitchen – it’s not a crazy idea.
Tags: kitchen, private pool, vacation rental amenities
Posted in family vacations | No Comments »
