The Pros and Cons of Holiday Cottages
The Pros and Cons of Holiday Cottages
There is no denying that renting a holiday cottage is a fabulous way to enjoy a holiday with your family and other loved ones. Holiday cottages have a lot of advantages and also a few disadvantages and it will be helpful to know about cottages in greater detail to determine whether you should opt for a cottage next time you plan your vacation.
Pros
As almost all cottages are independent buildings, the accommodation will ensure a greater degree of freedom and privacy. There are cottages galore and you can pick the one that suits your requirements best.
You can easily identify a cottage at a location you will feel comfortable. They are located in the heart of the town or close to sightseeing spots or near shopping centers or maybe in the countryside away from all maddening crowd.
Holiday cottages will invariably be quite commodious and you will have a lot of floor space comprising of living room, kitchen, a separate dining area, bedrooms, bath etc. The children will be excited as they will have ample space to play around. Since your holiday cottage is like your second home, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with your leisure hours.
They come in all different sizes – from a small place just to accommodate two people for a romantic break to up to even 20 people. There can be greater bonding with your family members as all of you will be together and sharing the same space. At a hotel, if your group has more than four persons, then you will be constrained to avail multiple rooms making coordination difficult.
Eating out regularly during the entire holiday period can be very costly. In a cottage, you can cook your own food and that will mean heavy cost savings. The money saved can be better utilized to meet some additional holiday expenses.
Cons
Holiday cottages with a pool or deep water dock can pose safety problems for a family with young kids and toddlers. The absence of support staff in holiday cottages could be a real problem – more so, if you rent the property directly from the owner.
Some cottages may not include linens and towels and in all such cases, you have to bring these items along. This could be inconvenient if you are traveling to your holiday destination by air.
You may be constrained to hire a car, if you are renting a cottage in peripheral areas as shopping and restaurants may not be in the vicinity. You may as well be frittering away in transportation charges the amount you save in the holiday cottage rentals.
Holiday cottage rentals seldom offer maid service or cleaning staff. You will also have to make your own travel arrangements, as there will be no front desk staff or concierge services.
Conclusion
The pros of staying in a holiday cottage rental instead of hiring hotel rooms are more floor space, increased freedom of movement, greater degree of privacy, kitchen facilities, cost savings etc. But renting a holiday cottage has its shortcomings and may not be the right choice for everyone. It is wise to examine the pros and cons of holiday cottages before finally deciding.…
An Overview of Inexpensive Downtown Apartments – Save Money for Your Los Angeles Vacation
An Overview of Inexpensive Downtown Apartments – Save Money for Your Los Angeles Vacation
Are you planning to go to Los Angeles to spend your holidays this winter? If so, then plan your outing carefully? The city offers lots of vacation rental homes especially in downtown Los Angeles.
You would be able to select 1 bedroom apartment, or in case you have decided to travel with your family, then you may choose a 3 bedroom apartment.
If you are willing to pay $120 per night then you would be able to get a good vacation apartment in the downtown area. For longer stays, the owner would reduce the rent; say $800 for a week, as that would be fine.
Meirose place in Hollywood is perfect with a 1 bedroom apartment for you. The best part is you would be able to keep pets along with you.
The Hollywood area has many more vacation rental homes. You would be able to rent luxurious homes, if you are willing to spend few extra dollars.
Luxurious Meirose apartment’s penthouse is probably the best luxurious apartments in Hollywood for tourists, with prices close to an expensive $300 a day. Again, the weekly rental prices could be somewhat cheaper.
There are charming lofts in downtown Los Angeles. The vacation rental is equipped with free internet access, and the apartment is fully furnished with air-conditioning.
You would also find television sets inside the rooms. You would be able to get such lofts by paying less than $200 a day.
Similarly, luxurious charming lofts are available in the downtown area.
If you need a cheap cottage rental you would be able to rent such rental homes for as low as $125.
Mind you, cottages are not just cheap, but they are also quite comfortable.…
Find a Good Deal on an East Coast Vacation Home
Find a Good Deal on an East Coast Vacation Home
Whether you’re looking for a condominium, multi-family unit or a single-family home, you’ll find an abundance available in the housing market in almost every major city in the U.S.
Florida’s slumping home market has targeted this state for some sweet deals on real estate. You’ll even find beach front property at astounding prices. Check out Cutler Bay, Fisher Island or Homestead, all in Miami-Dade County.
Nassau County has some great offerings, too, on Amelia Island. Right now you can get a beautiful condominium on Sea Marsh Road right next to Oak Marsh Golf Course listed at $100,000. It’s in foreclosure, so you know the lender would be willing to negotiate the price.
Boca Raton hosts a steal-of-a-deal on Ocean Boulevard. You’ll find a three-bedroom, three-bath, single-family home in foreclosure for only $43,200. Beachfront property, baby, right there in Palm Beach County.
Jacksonville, North Carolina is host to a bevy of beauties when it comes to affordable, ocean-front homage. There is currently a two-bedroom, one-bath, single-family home on Shoreline Drive up for sale for a mere $76,559, and it’s in foreclosure. The lender now owns the property, so get cracking and make an offer.
North Carolina beaches are hot for retirees and those looking for a vacation home. This real estate is pricier than some, but well worth the investment. Lots of foreclosure to choose from, and there’s one on West Second Street that you won’t want to miss. It’s a two-bedroom, one-bath, single-family residence with 800 square feet of living sitting serenely on beach-front property. Submit an offer, prop your feet up, and bring on the drinks with those little umbrellas in them.
More great deals can be found on the beach in Brunswick, Georgia on London Street. With lovely lochs nearby, and a white ocean beach just a stone’s throw away, you won’t be disappointed. The $55,200 home is in foreclosure and will be auctioned off soon, so you won’t want to pass this one by. You could also check out other homes for sale in the vicinity that are just as alluring.
If mountains are what do it for you, then you won’t want to miss the lovely homes nestled into the climbing elevation of the Appalachian Mountains. Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a perfect place to lay your head with views to die for as 1,285 feet above sea level. You can find a nice two-bedroom, two-bathroom, single-family home for $106,000 on Ski View Drive. With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park out your front door, you won’t lack for things to do in your new vacation home. Pigeon Forge of Dollywood fame is just a scoche away, too.
Asheville, North Carolina also has some great mountaintop villas at rock bottom prices. Shadowlawn Drive is host to a foreclosure with three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and 1,092 square feet; although, you can find a devil of a deal on other properties there, too.
A nice three-bedroom, two-bath home is located at 686 Ada Street for a steal at only $89,000. This one is not in foreclosure. It’s got a new roof and kitchen cabinets, along with all black appliances. A steal for $89,000, this cabin won’t be on the market that long, folks.…
Andalucia Vacation Rentals
Andalucia Vacation Rentals
Holidaymakers looking for a traditional Spanish holiday with a glorious warm climate should look no further than Andalucia vacation rentals. The Costa Del Sol is one of the most popular family holiday resorts in southern Europe, with the golden Mediterranean climate and the welcoming atmosphere creating the perfect backdrop for a vacation all year round.
A combination of mountainous and charming coastal resorts awaits your arrival at your vacation rental in Andalucia. The variety of destinations cater for all sorts of holidays, however you wish to enjoy your time in Andalucia.
The breathtaking views from the vast, intimate mountainous range make it a perfect hideaway for a vacation rental villa to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Life in the mountains provides a great flavour of Andalucian lifestyle, with local cuisines and attractions within touching distance.
Alternatively you may wish to let your hair down a little and enjoy the wonderful Costa Del Sol weather that regularly greets the millions of tourists each year. With so many family-orientated resorts within walking distance of the beach you and your children can enjoy the many aspects of an Andalucia vacation.
While your children will be mesmerised by golden sandcastles, you and your partner can enjoy a whole host of activities from scuba diving to traditional Spanish Flamenco dancing. Couples and singles will also be enchanted by the glamorous, vibrant nightlife across the Costa Del Sol. Vacation rental resorts such as Marbella and Puerto Banus are some of the most cash-rich and luxurious in Europe where the towns come to life in the evening.
There is a tremendous community spirit across all Andalucian towns. Visit the old town areas to obtain a first-hand experience of Andalucian heritage – an atmosphere so quintessentially Spanish and tranquil.…
Top Art Centers In Orlando You Should Not Miss
Top Art Centers In Orlando You Should Not Miss
Although considered one of the most modern cities in North America, Orlando has a healthy number of art centers. A visit to this wonderful city in Florida cannot be called complete without taking a tour of the several excellent museums. The list below will give you a brief introduction of the museums.
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
If you are into jewelry and art glass hunt, do not miss to visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park. This place has a huge collection of famous pottery and Tiffany lamps. The interior of the chapel is a sight to behold. The design was created for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in the year 1893. Check out the free concerts during Fridays of November and December for free.
CityArts Factory
This huge gallery has five sub-galleries that feature five different forms of art. The historic Dr. Phillips building houses the extraordinary glassworks by Charles Keila. The Pound Gallery is dedicated for the music and art collections of both Jim Faherty and Gene Zimmerman. Should you want to see African sculpture, the Zulu Exclusive Gallery is a home to many such wonderful pieces.
Grand Bohemian Gallery
Associated with the Grand Bohemian Hotel, visitors of the gallery can either be guests of the hotel or not. There is no admission fee upon entry to this famed gallery. The works of art on display include local contemporary jewelries, art glasses and paintings of Europe’s painters from 19th and 20th centuries.
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
Another excellent place to visit in Winter Park, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens offers many beautiful sculptures anytime of the year. This place is usually close during summer although the sculpture gardens can still accommodate visitors without any admission fee.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
Created to cater to students, this place does not charge visiting students who can present their valid school I.D. while adults are charged $5. The main attractions in Cornell Fine Arts Museum are the Madonna and Child Enthroned of Cosimo Rosselli and The Seasons by J.B. Leprince. Both of these pieces are located in the museum’s permanent collection area.
Bach Festival Society of Winter Park
Although it is not a permanent event in Winter Park, the Bach Festival Society usually hosts concerts for free in Winter Park like the “Christmas in the Park” and the “July 4th Celebration in the Park”. The society has an organic choir and instrument ensembles that regularly perform in Annie Russell Theatre and the Knowles Memorial Chapel.
Fred Stone Theatre
Located in Rollins College, guests can witness student-produced “Second Stage Series” during the evenings of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Matinees are sometimes performed on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors are encouraged to be early since this is free admission and seats are on a first-come-first-served basis.
Art Centers are also very important in promoting the artistic side of Orlando. Although, not everybody may find these places enjoyable, they are good places to stay whenever you are bored during your vacation. For art lovers, these could be the places they can complement their taste of art.…
Where One Gets Passports
Where One Gets Passports
Before I had ever purchased a passport or had a reason to hold one, I imagined their acquisition to be something akin to what you would see in an old detective or spy movie. I knew that there were pawn shops that made passport photos, but imagined them to be (once again) like in the movies. I thought the advertisements were offering to take a photo of me and put it onto some forged document so I could get into countries I would otherwise not be able allowed into.
In September of 2001, I went with a bunch of my friends to Uganda. In preparation for that, we all had to acquire passports and hundreds of dollars of shots and malaria medicine. That’s when I found that carrying a passport is a legitimate thing to do. It is not disrespectful to own one. Until that time, I had no idea that everyone who travels outside of the country carries one – even the president of the United States.
Part of the mystery of passports was what made the task of purchasing one difficult to just begin doing. But, after I got started, I found it to be very simple, but time consuming.
When preparing to purchase a passport you will need:
Proof of citizenship.
Application for passport.
Photo identification.
Passport photos.
Travel itinerary, if you have it.
After those documents have been gathered, there is the question of, “Where to get the passport?”
After the application has been filled out, you will have to locate a Passport Acceptance Facility. It’s easy to do by putting your zip code in the space on the “Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page”: When you get there, you will pay your fee and have your documents authorized for the creation of your new passport.
These facilities are found in:
City halls.
US Postal Offices.
Elections offices.
Records management offices.
If you are at a post office, you can then turn around and have the paperwork mailed to the proper governmental agency so that your passport can begin processing. The wait time for a passport is between six weeks and a few months. The wait time depends on how busy they are and how soon your trip is going to be. That is why you want to bring your itinerary if you have one prior to going to the acceptance facility.
If you are going to want your passport expedited, on-line passport expedition services can deliver your passport to your door quicker and for less money when you consider compatible time frames. In that case, you should avoid mailing your paper work directly from the post office because, after you mail it, you can’t get it back to expedite it by other means.…
Travelling With Your Dog Or Other Pet – Essential Tips
Travelling With Your Dog Or Other Pet – Essential Tips
We know from our own experience that when preparing to travel with a dog or other pet there is a lot to think about.
We thought about our own experiences and concerns and came up with this list of tips to help your planning. We hope it might even ease your pet travel worries. These tips are not aimed at any specific form of transport so hopefully they will be of interest whether you are driving, taking a ferry or even a plane with your beloved dog or other pet.
Your dog will need to be chipped to travel under a pet passport, but get a simple tag for their collar anyway. You don’t need to put the dog’s name on it (some say this could help a dogknapper), but make sure your phone number has some kind of country indication.
Take a recent photo of your dog or pet with you. This will be invaluable should you lose them!
Take a supply of your pet’s normal food. Even if you can’t carry enough for the full trip, you can mix it with local food to slowly move your pet onto a ‘foreign’ diet.
Give your dog or pet something soft to lie on in the back of the car.
If your car has aircon, then get it working! Open windows will not cut it when you are stuck at a French tollbooth in 30 degrees centigrade.
Carry more drinking water than you think you need.
Keep the pet passport documents in easy reach. Check, check and check again that the paperwork is in order
If you are travelling with a cat, then get a proper cat carrier. Do not risk your cat jumping around the inside of the car (it will only be funny until you crash).
Carry a simple pet first aid kit (watch out for our forthcoming article).
If you have satnav or phone navigation, then try to download vet surgeries as Points of Interest along the route of your trip.
Make sure your dog or pet is acclimatised to car journeys. This is probably not the time to take a puppy or newly rescued dog on vacation!
Consider overnight journeys. The car will be cooler, the roads quieter, the ferries cheaper and your dog or pet far more likely to be asleep.
Get a set of solar shades for your car side windows.
Get a rear window car sun shade.
Get a simple car harness for your dog.
Remember that you need to see a vet 24-48 hours before you return to the UK. Don’t plan your trip so you are trying to find a vet on a Sunday!…