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January 21, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Vacation rentals: The lowdown on the hottest new thing in travel

To say that the vacation rentals industry has exploded over recent years would be an understatement. At one point it looked like it would be hotels and only hotels that would form the basis of travel, yet from nowhere vacation rentals have made a return and taken back some of the market share.

The reasons for this are aplenty; there are now platforms to quickly filter through these properties, while in some ways they have caught up and started to match the benefits that hotels have always been able to offer.

For a lot of people, they are still something of an unknown quantity though. While brands like Elan Vacations might be gaining sterling reputations in the market, for the Average Joe who hasn’t yet tried a vacation rental it’s still an area which poses questions. Bearing this in mind, let’s look at the industry in full and highlight what you can expect if you opt for this method of accommodation.

What sort of accommodation can you get?

There’s a lot of misconceptions around regarding the types of information available. Previously, it was just large houses suited to large groups, but now the market has expanded immensely. It means that pretty much anything goes and whether it’s a small apartment, a beach house or even a tree house in some cases, almost anything you can think of is available.

What are the benefits?

There’s a reason why vacation rentals have experienced such a surge in growth over the last few years; they offer a lot of benefits in comparison to the other options.

As we’ve just said, there’s lots of types of accommodation available, but whatever you get your hands on is likely to be more spacious than the hotel alternative. Most of the time, you’ll be gifted a whole host of extras as well, with the likes of a kitchen and washing machine just two to think of.

We should also erase another myth here; you don’t have to be out in the middle of nowhere. In other words, you might still be placed in a resort, in the middle of golf, spas and all of the other facilities that you might enjoy if you were part of a hotel. On the subject of the ‘hotel factor’ again, most properties will provide all the standard items like towels and soap, meaning that the service has become very similar.

How long can you stay for?

Once upon a time this may have been something of a grey area, or something that some guests considered a downside with the vacation rentals market. Now, things are changing.

While some resorts might have minimum stay requirements, on the whole there’s a great degree of flexibility (notice how we’ve used that word before?). Ultimately, you’ll be able to pick dates subject to availability and you aren’t restricted to say a 7-night or 4-night stay, which may have once been the norm with the initial vacation rental properties.

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January 20, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Europe Beyond The Usual: Three Destinations You Don’t Hear Enough About

It’s not hard to list the cities in Europe you know you’re supposed to go to. Leaving aside London for a moment – because everyone knows that – there are plenty that are pre-loaded onto most bucket lists. We know Paris is a classic, and that Barcelona is always in the conversation. Amsterdam is hard to beat for an easy-going weekend break whether it’s your mind or your fun-loving side that prevails.

The truth is, on a continent as vast and diverse as Europe, there are going to be countries and cities that don’t make the colour supplements as often. That’s a shame, in one way. They deserve all the same hype as their more vaunted counterparts. In another, it’s no bad thing – because if they ever do get that hype, they won’t be the “get away from it all” breaks they are now.

Aware as I am that by mentioning them now I’m perhaps playing a part in hyping them up, here are some of Europe’s jewels that deserve a bit more love. If you travel smart, you can see them while they’re still – relatively – undiscovered.

Belgrade

The 1990s were a decade filled with tension in what used to be known as Yugoslavia. Wars between Serbia and its near neighbours in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo raged, and led to NATO intervention. It is impressive today to see how each has bounced back, and moved on. Since the leader responsible for much of this strife, Slobodan Milosevic, was deposed, Serbia has changed.

One thing that has remained though is the austere beauty of its capital, Belgrade. As Serbia turns towards a new future, tourists are beginning to return. It’s to a city where they can see sights as diverse as the Nikola Tesla Museum and the Church of Saint Sava. Religion and science may make for odd bedfellows, but they provide wonderful day trips for Belgrade tourists.

Antalya

It’s not exactly true to say that Turkey has gone unnoticed by tourists. There are plenty who pour into Istanbul every year and see the imposing architecture to be found there. Antalya, however, flies under the radar and for the moment maybe that’s a good thing. It means that when you step off Antalya airport transfers, you can enjoy the sights in relative peace.

Those sights include the magnificent Duden waterfalls and Hadrian’s Gate. The latter, three imposing triumphal arches, was built to mark the visit of Roman emperor Hadrian. Meanwhile, if you just want to kick back on the beach, there’s a great one at Konyaalti.

Oslo

Scandinavia is getting hipper and hipper, and at the moment the attention is focused mostly on Stockholm and Copenhagen. Popular, dark TV dramas have a lot to do with that. As yet, we haven’t been introduced to one set in Oslo.

This means, on the positive side, that you can explore and experience sights like the Oslo Opera House without too much jostling. If you like your art in the open air, then two local parks – Frogner and Vigeland – will be to your taste. Speaking of taste, try the Kafe Asylet for a sit-down meal. A mix of traditional Norwegian food and European ambience, it’s well worth the stop.

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January 20, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Get European In 2017! Four Beautiful Places You Must Visit

At the beginning of a new year, we’re all determined to change our lives and to become someone completely new – and probably a whole lot more interesting! As the year drags on, it’s hard to force yourself to do that and to pull yourself out of your new routines. What you can do is take yourself off to see the world. This will give you more opportunities than you’ve ever had before and it’ll also turn you into a better and more cultured person. And what better place to do that than in Europe? Here are four holiday destinations in that part of the world that are a little different from the norm…

Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is where the Scottish parliament is in session for part of the year. It’s also arguably the cultural centre of Scotland and one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. With double layered streets, Edinburgh is full of surprising secrets and nooks and crannies that you’ll love exploring. During August it’s home to the biggest arts festival in the world and full of actors, artists, musicians and comedians, but arguably you’ll only find the ‘real’ Edinburgh if you visit at other times of the year. Whether you want to visit the Fringe or tour the castle or walk up to Arthur’s Seat, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Edinburgh.

Helsinki

Unless you absolutely love winter weather, you might not want to take a trip to Helsinki just yet, but never fear – it warms up in spring time to become a fantastic destination. There are very few places in Europe that are cooler than Helsinki, and it retains the friendly and warm yet chilled out vibe of other Scandinavian cities while combining it with its very own edge and style alongside the gorgeous art nouveau buildings. The galleries and boutiques in the Design District are definitely worth a visit, while the gastronomy throughout the city is an absolute treat for any foodie.

Tuscany

If you want the perfect cultural expedition then there’s nowhere better to go than Tuscany in central Italy. It’s known for its beautiful landscapes with its vineyards, olive groves, rolling hills and patchwork fields. It’s the home of Florence, known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, and da Vinci and Michelangelo are both closely associated with the region. If you want to see art, there’s nowhere better than Tuscany, with countless churches and cathedrals filled with glorious frescoes, and a number of world class galleries and museums. Combining that sort of rich culture with traditionally gorgeous Italian food, Tuscany is a treat for everyone.

Iceland

If you want a real winter wonderland then Iceland is the place to visit. You’ll have to wrap up warm but you’ll find that the temperatures are more bearable than you might imagine. Reykjavik is a youthful city full of great food, clubs and galleries, and if you want some nature then there’s nowhere better than the Icelandic glaciers, where you can see natural ice caves and the famous geothermal spa the Blue Lagoon, where you can bathe outdoors in winter. To top it all off, you might just catch the famous Aurora at night.

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December 8, 2016 by Chase Vandros

5 Ways to Shop for Vacation Packages

Are you ready for a vacation?

If so, do know how best to go about shopping for the right trip packages? If not, you could be costing yourself a fair amount of money.

While most people have different priorities when it comes to what they want (and expect) out of a vacation, it is important to put some research time in. By doing so, you will most likely save yourself some money, money that can be put towards a future vacation etc.

As for the research time, much of that can be done through two avenues, travel companies and the Internet.

So, are you ready to put some time and effort into properly for shopping for vacation packages?

Putting Your Plan in Motion

In order to find the best available vacation packages to suit your needs, remember these five tips:

Research – First and foremost, putting the necessary research into your vacation plans is where you begin. That research is typically done through either a travel company and/or the Internet. When working with a travel company, research them to see how long they’ve been in business and what kind of track record they offer in terms of giving customers what they want etc. Even though using a newer travel company is fine, start with those that have been around for decades. The older ones tend to be around for the simple reason that they have met or exceeded the needs of most customers.

Websites – Even if you decided to go ahead with a travel company, you should still use the Internet to your advantage. Whether in search of Chile vacation packages, excursions to Europe, perhaps even doing a group tour of parts of Asia, the worldwide web is a great resource tool. Use the Internet to track down not only travel company websites, but also travel blogs. There are countless travel blogs out there, blogs that give you lots of useful information on when to travel, where to travel to, how to go about saving money on your trips, what to avoid etc. Yes, it can be a lot of information to gather, but it certainly can pay off when all is said and done. Best of all, you will be better prepared before you even put your first dollar down towards a trip.

Get Social in Your Travel Needs

Social media – With millions of people globally active on social media, you stand a good chance of talking to someone with great travel tips. As a result, you are able to gather some information, information that can help you shop for the best vacation package you need. Many travel companies are also active on social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.), so you can gather lots of good details just by being socially active. Various publications also use their social networks to cover how best to save money on trips, so use these opportunities to learn more when not reading written copies. Lastly, don’t forget social video sites (see more below), sites that can make you feel with a simple video or two like you’re already at your desired location.

Videos – When it comes to online videos, YouTube is a great place to start. Just do a simple Google search for vacation videos on YouTube and other such online channels. In doing so, you can watch the experiences of travelers on their vacations; experiences you hope to soon have yourself. Travel companies are also known to post videos, so do your best to check them out and see what you can learn from them as far as hotel stays, saving money on airfare, where to go for food and entertainment etc.

Word-of-mouth – Finally, turn to friends and outside family members to see how they’ve gone about getting the best vacation packages. In many cases, they likely saved money by doing their own planning on and offline. Who knows, they may even want to tag along on your next venture?

Getting away from it all is something most people yearn for, so take the time to properly plan your next getaway.

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June 16, 2016 by DontFlyGo

Here’s how to enjoy the ultimate UK holiday!

Planning the perfect holiday to the UK this year is a great choice. We all need to get away and have a break for a while. And it’s important to pick somewhere nice to visit. This is why it’s so important to travel the UK because of how much variety there is. These are some tips to help you fully enjoy the perfect UK holiday experience this year. Often traveling to the UK or around the UK can be expensive; depending on where you are traveling from. We’d advise looking for deals to make it cheaper for you, UK companies like First Choice often have There are alternatives such as getting coaches to places using companies such as mega bus or national express. Prices can be very low from £4 one way making your trip a lot more afffordable.

Image Via Flickr.com

Stay a While

In order to have the perfect UK holiday, you will need to stay a while. And this means you need somewhere to live while you’re there. A lot of people might choose hotels, but these are cramped and expensive. So, you need to consider renting a holiday home. And, in fact, you might even enjoy your time so much you decide you want to move to the UK. Visit EntwistleGreen.co.uk/forsaleoffice/lytham/493/ and you will find lots of listings. You’ll be able to look at homes for sale and to rent in the UK. It’s important to check out what all the options are before you decide to commit to anything.

Check Out Tourist Hotspots

When you visit anywhere for a holiday, there will always be touristy things you can do. And these are an important part of getting the full experience of an area. Bear in mind, there are a lot of tourist hotspots in the UK. And some of these you might never get the opportunity to see again so it’s important to make the most of it now. Make a list of all the things you’d like to see and do on your UK holiday. And make sure you set aside time to work towards doing all of them. This is essential for making sure have a full experience of the amazing wonders the UK possesses.

Try to Spend Time in Each Country

You have to remember that the UK is not made up purely of England. You have Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well. And the best way of having the perfect UK holiday experience is to spend a bit of time in each of these countries. There are so many differences between them, and they all have wonderful things to offer you. It’s important to get the full UK experience by making sure you visit every country. Even some UK residents have never visited every country in the UK. So you can really have a great experience by checking out all these great nations and enjoying all they have to offer.

London

When you think of the UK, you probably think immediately about London. Sure, this is the capital of England, but it’s also the cultural and corporate epicentre of the United Kingdom. And no holiday to the UK would be complete without a trip to London. There is so much to see and do here for the whole family. You will be able to enjoy the tourist aspects of London such as Tower Bridge and the London Dungeons. But, there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied on your holiday too. You will find a vibrant and exciting nightlife in England’s capital. There are lots of wonderful restaurants, award-winning shows and state-of-the-art museums and galleries. London should be top of your list of places to check out if you are serious about a holiday in the UK.

Go to a Game

Sport plays a big role all across the world, and it might play a role in your life as well. If you consider yourself to be a sports fan, then you’re spoilt for choice in the UK. There are so many sports that are professionally played and popularly followed. The main ones include association football (soccer), rugby, tennis and cricket. There are also other sports such as snooker, darts and golf that are frequently played. So, if you would like to go to a game, there is plenty of choice. This would be the ideal way of enjoying the very best of UK sport and observing a very important UK cultural pastime.

Take the Kids to Legoland

It’s important to think about the children whenever you book a holiday anywhere. You need to come up with plenty for them to see and do. Kids need constant stimulation and interest in order to keep them occupied. A holiday away can be a lot for them to come to terms with because they are out of their comfort zone. That’s why you need to make them excited about being on holiday. And in the UK, there is plenty on offer that will keep the kids amused. One of the best things to do would be to take them to Legoland. This is the perfect day out for the children and will keep them interested and out of trouble. It’s a popular theme park in the UK and perfect for children of all ages.

Camping

Though you might not think it, the UK is a great place to enjoy camping trips. There are so many locations like the New Forest, the Lake District and the Brecon Beacons. These are all amazing places to enjoy a weekend of camping in the wilderness. The outdoor landscape of the UK is so varied that this is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. You may not want to spend your entire holiday camping, but you may wish to take a weekend out and really get back to basics. This is one of the more popular holiday choices for a lot of people in the UK and one that can really give you a fresh perspective on the place.

There are so many wonderful places you can visit when you choose to go on holiday. And the UK is certainly one of the best and most cosmopolitan. There is so much to see and do, and there is plenty on offer for the entire family. Planning the perfect holiday to the UK is all about taking the time to enjoy all that it has to offer. Whether you’re travelling on your own or as a family, there is so much to see and do in the UK. So, have a think about where you would like to go, and start planning your trip right now.