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How to Rent Your Holiday Home

If you are fortunate enough to have a holiday home in Europe, but do not use it often, you may want to think about renting it out which would also generate some additional income. Here are some tips on how to start renting your holiday accommodation.

1) Choose your target market

Decide who you want to rent your apartment/home to. For example in some parts of London, your accommodation may be near a foreign exchange school, therefore you might think about renting out your place to students coming to the UK to learn English. Alternatively, you may want to rent your place to young professionals who are coming to the country for short term work. If you want to attract families with children, you must ensure your home caters for them.

2) Ensure your holiday home is in top shape

If there are some areas of your house that you have been meaning to fix, ensure you do this before you rent out. Put yourself in the tourist’s eyes. Would you want to rent an apartment in Rome where the shower wasn’t working or the cooker that is on the brink? Ensure your home is clean and well maintained and in theory people will take better care of it when they visit than if it was in a dilapidated condition.

3) Decide on the time of year to rent your place

Tourism happens all year round. You may think people may not want to come to the country in winter, but there is always demand. In London, it is very cold in winter, getting down to -5 and snowing, but the pull of the big city still attracts them especially with weak pound. You could offer a discount for off peak bookings to encourage more people to rent at your holiday home. People are looking for accommodation in Italy, France and England in every season.

4) Advertise

Decide on the site to advertise your home. There are lots of different website, some are US based such as Vacation Rentals By Owner, some are UK based like holiday-rentals and others are Australian like Stayz. If you want to attract Americans, you will need to advertise it an American site, but remember the target market is very different to that of the UK.

5) Personal Touch

There is a lot of competition out there so if you want people to pick your place, you need to offer a unique selling point – USP. The ideal situation is that you live near your property and you can welcome your guests as they arrive. You could also leave a welcome basket with information on what to see and do in the area.…

Top Six Animal Attractions in Orlando

There are a lot of good reasons as to why Orlando is worth everyone’s precious visit. Among these are the many attraction sites that continue to lure visitors from across the globe, to stopover and discover further what lies behind the beauty of each site.

Among the most favorite attractions in Orlando that constantly acquire tourist visits are the animal attractions populated with various amazing creatures that are worth seeing. Below are six of Orlando’s best animal attractions, waiting for your valuable visit.

1. Blue Springs State Park – There are a lot of amazing privileges Blue Springs State Park of Orlando offers to its every visitor. One of the most favorite attribute of the site is the appearance of the West Indian Manatee. Such sighting is mostly preferred by those brave enough to try the 72 degree springs on a winter day with the inclusion of scuba divers and snorkelers. Visiting the site will give you the privilege to capture unique pictures of the amazing West Indian Manatee. The best season to visit the place is from November to March.

2. Discovery Cove – Here in Discovery Cove, you can swim with the Bottlenose Dolphins, tropical face and rays. The bottlenose dolphins are deemed as the star attraction in the place. Along with them are the fearsome sharks and barracuda, incredible collection of 10,000 brilliantly colored tropical fish and Southern cownose rays. At SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove, you too can see a free-flight aviary with over 25 exotic birds.

3. Gatorland – For those who love to see alligators that entertain people, the Gatorland in Orlando is the best place to visit. Gatorland features the amazing Jumparoo show where all trained alligators offer a unique kind of entertainment that would surely amaze everyone watching.

4. Central Florida Zoo – If you want to see the various exciting animal features, the Central Florida Zoo caters every visitor with an all-in-one zoo, education center, garden and attraction. Here you can see the amazing colorful Coqui frog and other intriguing animals from anywhere in the world. You also can avail on a great learning opportunity regarding the various animals present in the zoo with its Summer Camps and Educational Programs. The best time of visit would be on September when the interesting Coqui’ festival of good luck is held at the Zoo.

5.Animal Kingdom – One of the most renowned places in Orlando is Walt Disney’s 4th Theme Park, Animal Kingdom that features various types of animals worldwide. Here you can see face to face with two highly endangered primates, the cotton-top tamarins of South America’s tropical forests. Rides, shows, parades and themed restaurants are among the most exciting typical features of Animal Kingdom.

6. SeaWorld, Orlando – SeaWorld Orlando is considered the premier aquatic theme park in Orlando, which offers exciting rides and spectacular views. Here you can witness ocean life, carefully trained to perform and entertain people. One of the favorite areas of SeaWorld is at SeaWorld Orlando’s Shamu Stadium where you can see the two-month-old killer whale Baby Shamu, swimming alongside his mother Katina.

Every visitor can also take advantage of Florida Resident Specials including the exciting annual events.…

Make Your Holiday in Cancun Mexico

It’s a dream come true, to holiday in one of the most beautiful cities – Cancun, Mexico. During financially hard times like now, it’s always better to look further than usually expensive hotels & resorts and instead think about renting a Condo in Cancun. Here are few handy tips on how to make your Rental Vacation in Cancun filled with fun & adventure in a shoestring budget.

1. Planning early: A holiday without planning can turn in to a nightmare for you. Most of the villas and rental condos in Cancun are generally booked much in advance. So, don’t try to rent a villa if your holiday plans are for the next month. You can end up in renting something that may not be appropriate for you. All you have to do is finalize the vacation time depending on various issues, like your kids school or exams and your official holidays. Then you will have an edge as your plans have been set in advance. You will get ample time to seek and resolve minute details related to vacations, which would have disturbed your relaxing time.

2. Involve Friends it’s cheaper: It’s advisable to involve friends while you plan to rent a residential vacation villa, as it helps you to reduce cost per individual. If it’s a big group, you can also rent a larger and hence more private villa. First make a list of your friends, who can be interested in going along with you in vacation. According to your preference order them on the basis of common interests like outdoor activities, adventures sea sports or cooking etc. You can try to get at least six to twelve of your friends from the list you made. Once convinced, you all are heading for a more private and nice vacation.

3. Budget Planning: You got your friends for your sizzling Mexican holiday. Now you have to sort out how much amount each person can shell out. It’s quite possible most of you travel companions may not know have much idea about expenses. Try to know from your companions how much they are willing to bear. Check out the flight rates and cost of renting a home in Cancun. If one of your friends budget is lower or more than the whole group, then you have to discuss with them, their expectations or if they are willing to drop out. It’s not a bad idea to you collect a minimum deposit from all members of the group to ensure no one withdraws at last moment once you’ve booked flights and rental home in Cancun.

4. Holiday where your interests lie: Cancun, Mexico is not only about sea activities. So, before finalizing any vacation home in Cancun make a list of common interests between you and your companions like –

Visit the Ancient Mayan ruins

Snorkeling

Sea Diving

See some popular museums

Jungle Tours

5. Time to Contact your Travel Consultant: Now its time to consult your travel advisor or a good reputable Vacation Rental Company in Cancun Mexico to seek some expert advice. As many of you may be first timers.

Inform them about your choices, schedule, strength and budget. And depending upon your information with your advisor will provide you with some good ideas to plan your vacations if not splendid but in a better way.

Vacation Rental Company in Cancun will assist you in getting a rental home according to your preferred location and outdoor activities and where your entire group can fit comfortably.…

Lake Winnipesaukee Vacation Rentals

New Hampshire boasts an ideal year round vacation spot that is hard to spell and hard to forget. Discover Lake Winnipesaukee. Three mountain ranges and a magnificent wooded shoreline provide the picturesque surroundings for this grand vacation destination. Lake Winnipesaukee vacation rentals offers a nice choice of rental homes, cabins and condos for your stay. Choose from a cozy cabin at the foot of the mountains or a large lakefront home complete with a private dock. All rentals will come fully furnished, with complete kitchens and linen service. There are many fine communities that surround the lake from which to choose for location – Alton, Center Harbor, Gilford, Laconia, Weirs Beach and Wolfeboro. Amenities that are offered are various and tempting. You might want designer decor and a gourmet kitchen, a private hot tub and fireplace, high def television and wireless internet, or maybe a private deck offering amazing sunset views. A Lake Winnipesaukee rental home, condo or cabin will provide exactly what you need for the perfect lake and mountain vacation. Start your search on this site, and take advantage of the reputable rental management companies you will find here. They will guide you every step of the way, making the rental process easy and stress-free.

Lake Winnipesaukee is the land of castles and islands. Sounds kind of strange, but there are four castles nestled in the high ground around the lake that you can visit. Take in the breath taking view, and then remember that you are in New England, not across the pond. The largest lake in New Hampshire also boasts numerous islands. Winnipesaukee, or “Smile of the Great Spirit”, holds anywhere from 250-350 islands, many uninhabited. Take a cruise on this 28 mile body of water and discover nature at it’s finest. You can take a great cruise from Alton Bay on the M.S. Mount Washington. On land, there is plenty of golf, hiking, and cycling to enjoy. Get your quilting fix in Center Harbor, home to Keepsake Quilting, the largest quilt shop in the country. Gilford is located at the edge of the Belknap Mountain range, where you can find tons of hiking and horseback riding trails. It is also home to the largest recreation sites in the area. Laconia will provide you with new England culture and great dining. One of the most interesting and exciting activities at Lake Winnipesaukee is diving. There are great diving locations here, including areas where sunken boats lie in wait for you to examine. During chillier months, enjoy a sled dog race, or drop a fishing line through the ice, hop on a snowmobile or strap on some snowshoes. No matter what time of year you visit, you will find a Lake Winnipesaukee vacation rental home, cabin or villa is a great way to make your lake vacation even more memorable.…

Dauphin Island – Explore The Natural Beauty

Dauphin Island is home to a variety of bird species and ample tree habitats. A perfect getaway for those who love nature, this island has astounding beaches encompassing various coastal habitats. There are a few places that you must check out when you take a trip.

If you are planning a trip to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary on Dauphin Island, you will love the variety of birds flying and other wildlife in the area. Dauphin Island Campground, Cadillac Square, Fort Gains and Dauphin Island Pier are only a few of the number of attractions of this island. The beaches of Dauphin Island have the sugar white sand where you can either unwind by watching the surging waves or observing a variety of birds or engage in water sports.

Dauphin Island Fishing Pier

The fishing pier actually site a few yards back from the water, so rather than being known for its fishing it is appreciated for it natural beauty. The pier offers picnic tables and benches. You can visit the place anytime of the day and is only closed during the bad weather conditions.

Shell Mound State Park

Shell Mound State Park is one of the best attractions of the Dauphin Island. Located by the Indian Canal on the northern shore of the island, this park has dense forests various trees and plant species among which live oaks are prevalent. Others are southern magnolia, longleaf and slash pine trees. From Yucatan to Appalachian Mountains, you will find ample varieties of trees. If you are interested in different kinds of trees, the adjacent area, known as Bee Tree, to the park will take your breath away. Bee Tree has the ancient live oaks that shelter numerous migratory birds. When it comes to a variety of vegetation, Tapelo Gum Swamp and Gorgas Swamp are the places to see.

Audubon bird Sanctuary

Dauphin Island is known for the abundance of bird species it nests. It provides habitat for more than three hundred bird species such as shore flying birds, wading birds, sea birds and water fowl, to name a few. The bird sanctuary is a perfect place for the bird lovers to watch the wild birds in their natural habitat. Most of the bird species reside in the island permanently while others fly looking for shelter during the winters. Even if you visit the place in summers and miss out on the migratory birds, you still have the home birds to spot flying around the sea.

Goat Tree Reserve

Goat Tree Reserve is a place that nests small birds such as vireos and gnat – catchers. This place is close to the Shell Mound Park and has ancient oak trees with fifty feet long long limbs which are parallel to the ground. A nearby place to this reserve is Gaillard Lake where you can watch a variety of alligators. This place is surrounded by the pine woods from the northern and western side and Tapelo swamps from the southern and eastern borders. Another place you can visit is Lake Shelby where you can go water skiing, fishing and take the hike along the wood trails.

Where To Stay?

For accommodation in Dauphin Island, you can book vacation rentals that offer many amenities to make your expedition a memorable one. There are rentals that are only a short drive away from a number of tourist attractions. In these rentals, you will be provided with fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar. The number of rooms and space is provided as per your choice. Whether you opt for condos, homes or cottages, you get the best amenities to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.…

Miami Vacation Rentals

The eclectic and metropolitan city of Miami, Florida is a must-do on during your life travels. This eclectic and vibrant locale, filled with upscale high rises and high profile celebrities can also show a relaxed side when it wants to. Or you want it to. The choice of Miami rental homes, condos and villas is seemingly endless. Stay in a luxurious large home with the whole gang, or travel way up, to the top of a gorgeous high rise along the coastline. Find a smaller villa and enjoy the Florida sunshine from a quieter perspective. It’s all here. All Miami rental homes, condos and villas will come furnished, with complete kitchens and linen service. For amenities, the sky’s the limit.

Designer decor, a gourmet kitchen with a private chef to go along with it, a private pool and Jacuzzi, high speed internet and high def television, an in-home movie theater and heated bathroom floor, maybe a private masseuse. Imagine it, and it can be made into reality. If you are staying in Miami, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the United States, you need to make sure your Miami Beach vacation rentals fit’s the locale. The reputable management companies found on this site will guide you through the maze of opportunities and help you find just the right accommodation for your Miami getaway.

Don’t think you will leave Miami without doing some serious shopping and eating. The variety and quality of both is mind boggling. You can travel the world and never leave the city, with its international choice of everything you can imagine to buy or imbibe. The Cuban heritage is prominent throughout, and you will reap the rewards of great food and atmosphere. Miami is world renown for its nightlife, and you will party with the best as you see and be seen with movers and shakers from all over the globe in night clubs that are unmatched anywhere. This is still Florida, however, and the resort activities still play a large role in visitor’s vacation plans.

Boating, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing and parasailing, surfing and snorkeling, fishing and kite boarding make up some of the water fun you can experience in Miami. Stay on land and play gold on a championship course, or watch the professionals tear it up instead. Tennis is abundant, or maybe an eco-tour of the Everglades is on the agenda. The metropolitan atmosphere of Miami makes it different from most beach vacations, yet this vibrant city draws people from all walks of life. Where else can you shop until you drop and party until dawn with movers and shakers, and the next day explore a national park and appreciate a beautiful landscape filled with extraordinary flora and fauna? No where but Miami. Find that perfect Miami vacation rental home, villa or condo feel like a jet setter in a tropical paradise.…

St George Island – Unspoiled and Beautiful

See some of the most beautiful sights and places inside this 22 mile barrier island! St. George Island is a span of white coast that has been an excellent place for many interesting activities you can do here. In fact, it’s considered one of the last frontiers among the barrier islands that are in Florida. You can be assured that beach related activities make fun more worthwhile.

The Gulf is great for many water activities. Fishing is foremost in the minds of many visitors but never forget that there is still more to do besides fishing. For others, shelling and beachcombing are interesting enough for them. Aside from these you can go to the beach and take a leisurely swim or maybe snorkel for a bit.

For accommodations, visitors can rent a selection of plantation homes or other rustic beach cottages that are pet friendly. Your well behaved pets are allowed to roam the beaches of St. George Island. Island visitors can take a St. George Island vacation rental that is already a multi-story home at the beach.

It’s awesome to dip in the sea and savor the coolness of the Apalichola Bay. There is the untouched marshes that are teeming with wildlife. Visitors who want to view wildlife would head to the marshes and try their luck in spotting a rare animal. Not far from the place you are staying is a 79 foot tower called the St George Island Lighthouse. It is located at the heart of the island.

If you are to get amused on a vacation, just imagine the stretch of beach that’s very serene! But that’s not all you can see in this barrier island. There’s the St. George Island State Park that has sandy coves, marshes, forest, splendid dunes and a white span of shoreline of 9 miles! Observe that it has fantastic board walk and more hiking trails than what you’ve expected.

Indeed, this is a lovely island. Take that well-deserved break here at St. George Island!…