Traveler's Blog

Located on the west coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are a Spanish territory unique in the world. Surrounded by blue waters this magical archipelago is a popular vacation destination among tourists that love great weather and diversity. It is composed by seven different islands; Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera and offers visitors a great variety of vacation rentals and accommodation alternatives. If you are visiting the Canary Islands expect an entertaining vacation that can be as active or as relaxing as you would like it to be.

Tenerife: One of the most diverse islands of this archipelago, Tenerife offers visitors everything from beautiful coasts to giant cliffs and volcanic landscapes. It is the largest of the Canaries and among its numerous attractions visitors of a Canary Islands vacation rental will find great weather, climbing, paragliding, fishing, skin diving, surfing, windsurfing and many more.

El Hierro: Perfect for nature lovers, staying at a Canary Islands vacation rental in El Hierro offers a peaceful vacation full of natural beauty and a contrast of very different landscapes. This is the smallest of all the islands and features breathtaking underwater scenery, mountain bike pathways for active souls, charming rural accommodations and natural swimming pools among many other attractions.

La Palma: Colorful villages and colonial cities make up this enchanting island known by locals as “Isla Bonita” which means Pretty Island. Those staying at a vacation rental in La Palma will be treated with spectacular natural landscapes, volcanic cones and charming bays. Famous attractions include the woodland of “El Canal y los Tiles,” and the “Caldera de Taburiente” sight.

Gran Canaria: Golden beaches and endless dunes of white sand make Gran Canaria a favorite among tourists. Staying at a Gran Canaria vacation rental will provide you with a vacation full of historical quarters, extensive commercial areas, delicious restaurants and a unique nightlife. The island is perfect for those in search of real adventures!

La Gomera: Those who love tradition will love staying at a La Gomera vacation home. This island of the Canaries has conserved its ancient traditions and offers nature in its purest form. The Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must visit to this astonishing place.

Lanzarote: Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993, Lanzarote is an exotic island located in the easternmost side of the Canaries.  When visiting Lanzarote expect crystal-clear waters, dark volcanic sand and powerful waves ideal for such sports as surfing and windsurfing.

Traveling during winter can represent some challenges that other seasons of the year don’t. It is a good idea to get to know what these challenges may be and how to deal with them in order to have a safe and fun vacation. There are useful tips that will help you get to your vacation rental without any problem whether you are driving or flying.

If You are Driving
If you are driving to your vacation rental during winter, your main concern should always be safety. Winter driving conditions can be rough and not friendly so it is necessary that you know how to get ready for your trip and how to handle a winter storm in case you are stuck in one.

Cold Survival Kit: Make sure to pack some extra clothing and emergency items inside your car. A basic kit can include a pair of gloves, weather-resistant pants, an old pair of boots, a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight with good batteries, and a windshield scraper. You will surely appreciate having packed these items if your car breaks down in very cold weather.

Check Your Car: Checking your car for winter conditions is always a must.  Check your tires, and keep your headlights and taillights clean. Make sure defrosters work well and if possible put a bag of kitty litter in the trunk; this will add ballast and offer better traction. It will also be helpful to put under the wheels in case you need to get out of a slippery spot.

If you are Flying
When flying to your vacation rental the most common challenges you will face are airport delays, cancellations, passenger strandings and airport woes among many others. Here are some ideas on how to cope with these flying issues.

Non-stop is the way to go: Usually the biggest problems for travelers include missing a connection because the first outbound flight was delayed or cancel. Therefore if you know that you might travel during difficult weather conditions try to book a non-stop flight. It will save you several headaches.

Early Bird: If you can’t book a non-stop flight then do your best to book an early flight. You will be less likely to have your flight affected by problems in other airports and you will have more options in case your flight is cancelled or delayed.

A coastal city located in the Canadian province of British Columbia, Vancouver is the ideal vacation destination for ski lovers. It is the third largest city of the country and offers visitors majestic natural beauty. Finding Vancouver accommodations and Vancouver vacation rentals will not be a hard task as the city is tourist oriented and counts with a variety of alternatives. It is nestled between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean offering visitors innumerable outdoor opportunities. The city is divided by locals into three, the Westside, Eastside and Downtown. Although this division is simply geographic, each of these areas offers unique attractions.

Vancouver Downtown: Those staying in a downtown Vancouver vacation rental will find that this part of the city is home to many attractions and restaurants. Shopping addicts will have a blast as shopping here is simply world-class and those who like architecture will be delighted with the city’s downtown structures. Fine dining is also found at every corner while those looking for beaches can enjoy at the Sunset Beach, and the English Bay, Second and Third Beaches. Nightlife here is also amazing including nightclubs, comedy clubs, pubs, sport bars and much more.

Vancouver Westside: Covering the neighborhoods of Kitsilano (often referred as simply Kits), South Granville, UBC and South Vancouver, this part of Vancouver offers Vancouver vacation rental guests a relaxed break with beautiful beaches, charming markets a thriving arts scene, numerous museums and delightful gardens among many other things. If visiting Kits, make sure to visit the Spanish Banks, a set of three beaches popular among skimboarders and kite boarders. If staying at South Granville a good entertainment alternative is the Vancouver Arts Club Theatre Company while those visiting UBC and South Vancouver should not miss the VanDusen Botanical Gardens.

East Vancouver: Although this part of Vancouver is largely residential those visiting this area can have fun at the Playland a the PNE, a medium sized amusement park with activities like a wooden rollercoaster, games, shows for kids and many other rides. The park is open daily from late June to August and weekends only on May and September. Other area’s popular attractions include the Parade of Lost Souls which takes place around Halloween and features fire dancers, live music and many other fun things. If you like sports and horse racing the Hastings Racecourse and a Vancouver Giants Hockey game may be the option for you.

Destin is one of those places that you visit when you want to forget about everything and rest, really rest. Located in the state of Florida, this beautiful town allows visitors to enjoy the beauty of Florida’s Emerald coast. It boasts incredible beaches where the sand couldn’t be whiter and waters are simply astonishing. Visitors to Destin will not have a problem finding a place to stay. This upscale resort town is full of Destin vacation rentals, Destin hotels and other Destin accommodation alternatives that will fit any budget. You will surely foster great memories at this place, which only has good things to offer.

Things to do in Destin

When staying at a Destin vacation home you can choose among a great variety of activities; but remember, doing absolutely nothing is also an option.  Destin’s beaches are considered amongst the world’s most beautiful beaches and are the perfect setting for numerous recreational options. Snorkeling and fishing off of the beach are preferred activities among visitors and sunbathing and swimming are also very popular.

Watersports fanatics will never feel short of alternatives at Destin; pontoon boats, jet skis, parasailing and waverunners are all available in the area. And those who prefer fishing will be delighted with Destin’s outstanding fishing possibilities. Many species of sport fish at the Emerald Coast can be caught without the need of a boat, by simply going off the beach pier and jetty. The best sport fishing is between April and October.

Golf enthusiasts will also find great options when booking a Destin vacation rental. The area abounds with golf courses that differ in difficulty and degrees of challenge. Golfers will be treated with breathtaking sceneries and outstanding facilities that will make the golfing experience as unique and enjoyable as possible. Some of the most popular golf courses include the Bluewater Bay Golf Resort a semi private course, the Club at Hidden Creek, a semi private championship 18 hole course, the Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club, a public championship course and the Golf Garden of Destin, a public lighted golf course and ten-acre practice area with ten multi-pin target greens among others.

If you are traveling with the kids and the whole family a great alternative is to take a dolphin cruise. The Destin area is a natural habitat of dolphins and these fairly inexpensive cruises allow travelers to enjoy the pristine waters of the Emerald Coast, while watching dolphins, seabirds and a variety of marine life. You can also feed the birds, enjoy the music and narration of the tour, and some snacks and souvenirs.