Travelers Blog - Vacation Rentals by Rentalo.com

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.

Known by many as simply Kona, this beautiful Hawaiian town is a dream destination for hundreds of travelers every year. It is set at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano and it offers visitors excellent weather conditions, numerous outdoor and water activities and a great variety of Kailua Kona vacation rentals. In ancient times, the town was the kings’ favorite place to settle and many missionaries built churches and residences, making this tiny fishing village into a seaport. Getting to Kailua Kona is not that difficult as the city counts with its own airport, the Kona International Airport at Keahole and many major U.S airlines, Japanese and Canadian airlines have direct flights.

Things to do in Kailua Kona
Being part of the Big Island, Kona offers great entertainment alternatives. Some of the most popular include:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: This is one of the country’s most spectacular parks. It was established in 1916 and it displays the volcanism and evolution of hundreds of years. It has been recognized as both and International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site due to its outstanding natural values. When visiting the park you can drive around the crater and feel the hot steam rising from fissures all around.

Rainbow Falls: Other popular Big Island attraction, the Rainbow Falls are located in Hilo and provide visitors with the perfect  opportunity to witness an 80 foot waterfall rushing into a pool almost one hundred feet in width.  Try to visit the falls during the morning hours when the sun rises over the area’s mango trees, you will be able to take some post-card like photos if you’d like.
Hapuna Beach State Park: If you are looking for a great beach the Hapuna Beach State Park is the place to go. You will find lots of soft sand and a great view of Maui. Swimming conditions here are excellent most of the time and snorkeling is great at the south-end of the beach. There is a coral reef and fish are very varied.

Punalu’u Beach: This is a black sand beach where turtles come to nest. Visitors of this beach will be treated with beautiful scenery and excellent swimming and snorkeling conditions as well. It is located south of Hilo and it is a quiet spot perfect for those looking for total relaxation. It is recommended not to touch or distress the turtles.

Vist Rentalo.com for vacation rentals in Kailua Kona

A favorite vacation resort of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, a vacation in Puerto Vallarta will always leave you wanting for more. Whether you are looking to rest and just have a good time or taking advantage of al thel activities of the area, Puerto Vallarta is a wise choice when it comes to culture, beach and fun. Located in the beautiful Bahia Banderas, this exciting city not only has numerous Puerto Vallarta lodging alternatives from Puerto Vallarta vacation rentals to luxurious Puerto Vallarta hotels; it also offers a wide range of activities including hiking, mountain biking, jeep safaris and scuba among many others.

Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta
The place is full of opportunities especially for active souls. It is one of Mexico’s top dive destinations, attracting thousands of scuba diving lovers every year. Those who are not as daring can go for a snorkeling adventure at the popular areas of Los Arcos underwater caves and the Marieta Islands caverns. If you aren’t a fan of water activities a canopy tour may be the ideal option. The city is well known for its canopy and zip line tours, offering tourists an exciting experience that combines adrenaline and great views as you fly over the tree tops. Other favorite activity among Puerto Vallarta visitors is exploring the Sierra Madre.

If you are not the sports type of traveler then visiting the Vallarta Botanical Gardens might be the way to go. Located only twelve miles south of Puerto Vallarta, these gardens are easily accessible and feature numerous botanical collections on with a great variety of species of plants. Some of the most beautiful exhibits include the Palm Gardens, the Rose Garden, the Orchid House, a display of Mexican wildflowers and a favorite among visitors, the Carnivorous Plant Connection. Make sure to bring your swimming suit to enjoy a dip in the beautiful and crystal clear Rio Los Horcones.

Another very popular activity among Puerto Vallarta travelers is golfing. The city offers astonishing courses within incredible natural settings. If you are an avid golfer you can head to La Marina Vallarta Golf Course. This golf course offers great challenges as it has narrow fairways that are guarded by water. The Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta golf course is an 18-hole par 71 course that was designed by Jim Lipe. If you want an easy game then the Los Flamingos Golf Course is widely known for being one of the easiest ones to play.

If this is your first time traveling with pets you probably have some questions to answer and without doubt many arrangements to make. Traveling with pets can be as sour or sweet experience as you would like it to be. It all depends in how much research and preparation you put into it before traveling. Here are some of the most important issues to take into account when taking your pet with you on your vacation.

Pet Transportation
Pet transportation is perhaps one of the most important issues to consider when traveling with pets. Some airlines only allow dogs and cats, most of them require a special reservation and most of them have special requirements for international flights. The best thing to do is to check with your airline regarding their requirements, here are some of the major airline websites addressing pet traveling:

American Airlines:
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/specialAssistance/travelingWithPets.jsp

Continental:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/default.aspx

Delta:
http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/pet_travel_information/index.jsp

Southwest:
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/animals.html

Jet Blue:
http://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/webisapi.dll?New,Kb=askBlue,case=obj(2032)

Pet Passport
If you are traveling abroad, specifically to Europe you may want to check the “PETS” which stands for Pet Travel Scheme. An initiative that started in the U.K, the Pet Travel Scheme is a scheme that allows animals to travel easily between member countries without undergoing quarantine. Pets get a pet passport which is a document that officially records information related to a specific animal. More information can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_passport.

Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals
When traveling with pets staying in a vacation rental can be a major advantage over a hotel room. Pet Friendly vacation rentals offer the space, privacy and comfort that hotels don´t. To Find Pet Friendly vacation rentals in Rentalo.com simply choose your travel destination and use the Smart Search Feature to filter out pet friendly vacation homes. Here is an example of Orlando Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals.

It is about time to start planning a winter vacation, and an adventurous ski strip. And what a better destination for such a getaway than a Breckenridge vacation rental? Located in the beautiful state of Colorado, this historic town delights its visitors with its numerous winter entertainment possibilities. Ski conditions here are excellent and there is a ski and ride school for those who are just starting to enjoy this exciting and challenging sport. The town has developed following the explosive growth of ski in Colorado; therefore you will not have a problem finding Breckenridge accommodations, ski equipment rentals or a good place to have dinner.

While you are not at the slope you can try visiting the resort and town. With an area of 7 miles long and 2 miles wide, this tiny place is full of alternatives. Besides its numerous charming boutique shops which are ideal to find a unique souvenir, you will also find a variety of art galleries filled with Rocky Mountain treasures; most of them located at Main Street. Other very common attractions in Breckenridge include the Mining Ruins, the Historic Father Dyer Church; the Kingdom of Breckenridge stables, Breckenridge Outfitters for fly fishing and the Breckenridge Golf Club among many others.

If you feel like relaxing, a visit to a Breckenridge Spa is a good idea. Spas here will allow you to live an intimate and personal experience with professional therapists that offer a unique approach to customized treatments. From steam therapies and aromatherapy to Swedish and Tibetan style massages, you will certainly love this experience and you will feel ready for any adventure. Many of these spas also offer classes like Yoga, Pilates, Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Qi Gong and some of them are located within astonishing landscapes and scenery that will help rejuvenate your spirit, body and mind.

As far as accommodations Breckenridge offers all kinds of alternatives for all types of travelers. From a luxurious resort with all the amenities and delightful Breckenridge bed and breakfasts that offer delicious home-like breakfasts to spacious and comfortable Breckenridge vacation homes and Breckenridge lodges, you will not have a problem finding an accommodation alternative that will fit your budget.

Some of the options offered at Rentalo.com include:

The Modern Log Cabin: Located in a secluded setting yet close to town and the ski slopes, this three bedroom, two bathroom Breckenridge accommodations sleeps up to eight people starting at $350 USD per night during winter season. More information can be found at: http://rentalo.com/13696/modernlogcabinsecluded.html.

The Breckenridge Ski and Racket Club: One of the most popular places to stay in Breckenridge, this beautiful vacation condo has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and can sleep up to eight people comfortably. It has panoramic views from the deck and it is centrally located just a walk away from the town. The rental is available for a rate of $99 USD per night. Pictures and a full description are available at: http://rentalo.com/873/breckenridgeski.html.

People with disabilities have for long faced special challenges when it comes to traveling around the world. Nowadays, however, there are numerous organizations that work towards helping mitigate these challenges. The term “accessible tourism” refers, according to Wikipedia, to “the ongoing endeavor to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age.” Currently, the United States and Europe have the majority of existing companies dedicated to accessible tourism, however due to the growing need many companies have emerged in other countries.

If traveling to Europe, here are some useful websites:

Flying-with-disability.org:
Visitors of this website will find advice on how to negotiate airports and flights, organizations that provide special insurance coverage for travelers with disabilities, information on special wheelchair battery options and tips on how to plan your trip in advance.

Tourismforall.org.uk:
This UK charity organization provides information on hotels, flights, insurance, health needs and assistance in obtaining care overseas.

Accessibletourism.org:
This is the website of the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT). You will find several resources including access guides, articles and links regarding accessible tourism in Europe and worldwide.

If traveling to the United States, the following might be useful:

Disney World’s guidebook for guests with disabilities: disney.go.com/vacations/websites/disabilities
Access-able.com: Provides access information to mature and disabled travelers in the United States.
Disabilitytravel.com: Includes information on group tours, cruises, licensed travel companion and disability travel resources.

To find handicap accessible vacation rentals, log on to rentalo.com, type the name of your destination and on the Smart Search Special Features choose Handicap Accessibility.

One of the most diverse and dynamic places in Europe, Amsterdam is the way to go if you want excitement. The capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam is home to impressive architecture, lovely canals and great shopping alternatives. Regardless if you want some culture or if you are thinking of serious partying, you will find something for every taste in this eclectic city. It is the biggest city and cultural centre of Netherlands although not the seat of government. Due to its tourist-friendly nature the city can be visited any time of the year, but during winter days are short and the weather may be too cold to walk around comfortably. The official language is Dutch, however you will not have a problem finding English-speaking people.

Getting Around in Amsterdam

Getting around in Amsterdam is very easy. The downtown area is not that big and you can get to most places by foot or bike. The bike culture in Amsterdam is highly developed and you will find separate bike-lanes on most major streets. Also, cyclists have the right of way and there are numerous maps for cycling which include routes, repairs, rentals and public transport. Be careful and get a good lock for your bike as Amsterdam is known to have the highest bicycle theft rates in the world. Also, if you consider buying a bike then beware of prices that seem to low as they might be from stolen bikes.

Things to do in Amsterdam

The range of things to do in Amsterdam is very varied and suits almost every taste in the planet. If traveling with a loved one a good option is to rent a boat in Amsterdam. You will be astonished by the beautiful architecture and charming canals. These cruises can be found for as low as twelve Euros per person. If you are a shopping addict, the main shopping streets in Amsterdam run in a line from near Central Station to the Leidseplein: Nieuwendijk, Kalverstraat, Heiligeweg, Leidestraat. These up market shopping streets put an emphasis is on clothes although there are other shops as well. If you are looking for more boutique type of shopping then head to the side streets of the main canals; you will find interesting souvenirs in these little shops.

Also famous in Amsterdam are its street markets. Although originally they only sold food, nowadays these markets also sell clothes, households, flowers and many other items. Some of the most popular street markets in Amsterdam include the “Albert Cuyp”, the largest in Amsterdam and also the best known in Netherlands, the “Ten Cate Market,” the 3rd largest of the city and the Waterlooplein.

Visit Rentalo.com for Amsterdam Vacation Rentals.

Yes, traveling to big cities and getting to know the most famous attractions is always fun, but sometimes we are looking for another kind of vacation. That vacation in which we can smell the odor of flowers, walk around and see nice people in a calm atmosphere, hear the sound of birds first thing in the morning and simply rest and forget that there is a real world out there full of busy streets, traffic and stressed people walking all over. This kind of vacation can be achieved when visiting small towns. And although many of us may think that this means a boring vacation, America offers numerous towns that although small, have a great variety of entertainment alternatives.

One great example of such towns is Manitou Springs in Colorado. This charming town is perfect to forget about everything. Its residents come from all type of backgrounds from scientists and businesspeople to new-age hippies; making it an interesting place to meet people. If you love art you can visit the WeUsOur Artists Market which has unusual art on display and if you are feeling like enjoying a great coffee then the Mate Factor Café might be a great option. If you want some African, Caribbean or Southeast Asian food, head to the famous Adam’s Mountain Café.

Yellow Springs, Ohio is other of my favorite options. A beacon for artists and creative thinkers, this town is full of charming cafes, shops, and art galleries. Head to Xenia Avenue and you will find La Llama Place, a store stocked with crafts from South America and Common Scents store which sells more than 250 varieties of herbs and spices from across the world. If you are looking for a place to eat fresh food your best bet is to head to The Winds Café and Bakery, which serves dishes using ingredients mostly from local farms and if you are curious about Buddhism, the Yellow Springs Dharma Center might be an interesting place to visit.

Livingston, Montana is where a lot of young people come to live the “good life.” Low rents are and the access to incredible nature are both an attractive for those who decide to visit or reside in the town. Numerous artists, musicians, filmmakers and writers call this place home. If visiting with friends you can spend a great night at The Owl Lounge with life music while if feeling like having an incredible dinner then the 2nd Street Bistro offers French dishes using Montana ingredients.

If traveling has always been a stressful situation for you; it is about time to stop stressing! Thinking in our valued travelers we have decided to partner with Travel Guard, one of the nation’s leading providers of travel insurance and assistance to offer our visitors two specially designed insurance plans that will help mitigate travel concerns of booking any vacation travel; the Vacation Rental Protection Plan and the Accidental Rental Damage Insurance.

The idea of these plans is to cover all kinds of unexpected events that cause problems for vacationers that use Rentalo.com. Such things like emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, lost or delayed baggage, travel cancellations or delays caused by unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather (including hurricanes) and high security deposit fees should no longer be a concern.

The Vacation Rental Protection Plan protects all pre-paid and non-refundable travel expenses (airfare, lodging — even if not booked via Rentalo–, cruise, car rental, tours, etc) in case your travel plans don’t go as expected. You must pay for this plan at least 24 hours prior to trip departure. Visit http://rentalo.com/docs/insurance.html to learn more about this Travel Insurance Plan.

The Accidental Rental Damage Insurance Plan has been especially designed to allow property owners and/or managers to make this coverage available to travelers in lieu of requiring a security deposit. Costs vary from $45USD to $69USD which can be significantly lower than many security deposits required by owners. For more information about this Travel Insurance Plan visit: http://rentalo.com/docs/insurance.html.

Arthur Frommer, the famous travel writer and publisher, founder of the Frommer’s series of travel guides has promoted Rentalo.com and Wor’s Summer vacation rental contest in his blog and Travel Show. Readers of the Arthur Frommer Online Community can see information about the giveaway in Frommer’s blog.

The contest, which has already awarded two lucky WOR listeners with a one-week stay in a beautiful vacation home in The Hamptons and Cape Cod, will end this coming Thursday June 11th with the last giveaway of a five bedroom Martha’s Vineyard ocean view home in the John Gambling Show. The winner will enjoy the vacation rental during the week of August 30th through September 6th.

Those who still want to participate in the drawing can do so by completing the form at: http://www.wor710.com/pages/4397472.php. There is little time to do so, so hurry up!