smart travel tips, vacation rentals news


CityPass Discounts


Dec 03

Posted: under Adventure Holiday News, Destinations and Places, Lodging and Hotel News, New York, Restaurants News, Sights and Attractions, Transportation News, Useful Tips and Gadgets, Vacation Rentals News.
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Save some money by taking along the CityPass if you are traveling to:

The CityPass is a little ticket booklet that can get you VIP perks, avoid long box-office lines and upgrades at no extra charge. Skip a line or get a complimentary audio tour. The CityPass can get you up to 50% off of admission to some of the best and major attractions in North America including Chicago’s Field Museum, Statue of Liberty, Disneyland and Seattle’s Space Needle. The CityPass has no blackout dates and is available at any CityPass attraction or online at Citypass.com.

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Budget Travel Houses


Nov 12

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Vacation Rentals News.
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Attention all budget travelers looking for affordable travel housing! Check out Airbnb.com, a site offering affordable travel housing services which are much like a cross between craigslist.org and couchsurfing.org. Another affordable, world-wide vacation rentals service is that provided by EscapeRental.

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Jules Undersea Lodge a Key Largo Underwater Hotel


Oct 30

Posted: under Florida, Key Largo, Lodging and Hotel News.
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Experience this truly unique underwater hotel in Key Largo, Florida. Jules Undersea Lodge sits 21 feet beneath the mangroves of Emerald Lagoon. Jules Undersea Lodge has been featured in countless magazines and TV shows such as “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”.

jules-under-water-hotel

jul.com

Visitors enter the Key Largo underwater hotel through an opening underneath the Jules Undersea Lodge. Knowing how to scuba dive would be a great skill to have before going to the Key Largo underwater hotel. There are 42-inch round windows through which you may observe aquatic neighbors. For more information on the Key Largo underwater hotel, visit jul.com.


Vacations Rentals in Key Largo

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Florida Lodging Deals for Halloween


Oct 08

Posted: under Best of..., Florida, Lodging and Hotel News, United States.
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Some of Florida’s popular theme parks are offering discount packages for lodging and admission. The Orlando Convention and Visitor Bureau has a Free-for-Fall promotion in which you can find deals on various hotels of all different price ranges.

Universal Studios:

The Miami Gory Getaway starting at $59 per person:

* Buy 3 Halloween Horror Nights tickets and get 1 free
* One night stay at a partner hotel
* Admission to some of the CityWalk venues

You may upgrade to on on-site hotel for $101 per person

For more information, visit halloweenhorrornights.com/mia. Florida residents can save up to $40 on regular day admission. For other package deals, call 888-445-5411 or visit halloweenhorrornights.com.

Walt Disney World:

Package for two Florida resident adults, starting at $69 per night:

* Florida residents may stay at Disney’s Pop Century and All-Star resorts for $69 per night.
* This package is based on two adults for stays from October 4th through November 24th.

For more information, call 407-939-7429 or visit Disneyworld.com/fldeals.

Busch Gardens:

Overnight Fright Package starting at $238 per room:

* Two tickets to Howl-O-Scream
* 1 night at a Busch Garden’s preferred partner hotel in Tampa Bay

Thrills and Chills Weekend package starting at $350.85 per room (based on 2 nights):

* Unlimited admission to Busch Gardens Thursday through Sunday (daytime)
* Unlimited admission to Howl-O-Scream Thursday through Saturday (night)

For more information, call 888-800-5447 or visit houseofVayne.com.

SeaWorld Orlando:

Package starting at $30 per person per day based on a group of 4.

* Rent 3 nights at hotel room at one of over two dozen hotels, and get two additional nights for free
* Unlimited admission to two of the three parks (Sea World, Aquatica or Busch Gardens)

Valid for stays through August 31st, 2010. Must be booked by December 31st.

For more information, call 888-800-5447 or visit seaworldorlando.com.

Another option that you have year-round is to stay in Orlando vacation rentals or Tampa holiday rentals. You can find Orlando vacation rentals or Tampa holiday rentals with multiple rooms to accommodate your group and are more affordable than multiple hotel rooms.


Vacations Rentals in Florida

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Luxury Hotels Cutting Amenities


Oct 08

Posted: under Lodging and Hotel News.
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In the current recession, luxury hotels are experiencing the biggest loss. Vacationers and businesses are cutting their travel budgets and finding more economical ways to travel such as vacation rentals. In order to survive in this environment, some of these luxury hotels will forfeit some stars as well as amenities. It is the only way to compete in an industry that offers spacious, affordable vacation rentals. Hilton Hotels and InterContinental Hotels have already cut down on stars for some of its locations. Starwood Hotels & Resorts, owner of high-end brands such as W Hotel and St. Regis, have cut its number of stars and its level of service just until the industry goes back to how it once was. Some of the amenities that will be cut from these once five-star luxury hotels include welcome gifts, complimentary newspapers and 24-hour room service. Lewis Wolff, co-chairman of Maritz, Wolff & Co., says most people would be just as happy with a “five-star hotel downgraded to a four star.”

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Kube Hotel St.-Tropez, expanding Kube hotel


Sep 01

Posted: under France, Lodging and Hotel News, St-Tropez.
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The expanding Kube hotel in Paris opened a new location in Marrakesh (Morocco vacation rentals) and come June, will open one in St-Tropez (St-Tropez vacation rentals)

The Kube Hotel St.-Tropez will have 41 rooms, eight of which will be suites sized from S to XXL. The expanding Kube hotel will have a rooftop lounge and a restaurant that offers over 10,000 wines. Rooms start at 250 Euros (about $365). Like the original expanding Kube hotel in Paris, the Kube Hotel St.-Tropez is decorated with bright white, sharp interior. It also has attention-grabbing features such as a bar made entirely of ice (just like the expanding Kube hotel in Paris) and a reception desk within a glass cube hanging over a sparkling pool. Great Mediterranean views are yet another feature that Kube Hotel St.-Tropez has over Paris (Paris vacation rentals)

For more information, visit kubehotel.com.


Vacations Rentals in Saint Tropez

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Hotel Rates in US Cities Are Down


Aug 31

Posted: under Lodging and Hotel News.
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Hotel rates in many US cities around the nation are down to an all-time low. The strongest US hotels markets such as New York, Miami and Las Vegas are suffering immensely.

Miami hotels, which have enjoyed high occupancy rates for the past decade, has seen iconic Miami hotels such as the Delano or Shore Club record very weak results of revenues down 30% to 40% since the beginning of the year. New York hotels, which were performing the best of all US hotels, are suffering intensely, as well. Las Vegas, New York and Miami hotels dropped US hotels room rates to lure customers. August 2009 was a particularly difficult month for the hospitality industry; US hotels had to slash their prices by an average of about 25%. New York hotels experienced the biggest room rate drop of -26%.

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Six Types of Lodging to Experience True Italy


Aug 03

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Italy, Lodging and Hotel News.
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More and more people are turning to alternative accommodation options in order to get a more genuine taste of a foreign destination. Commercial lodging options, such as hotels, do not really offer the true experience of the Italian culture or atmosphere like Italy vacation villas and Italy holiday rentals.

You must get away from the touristy areas and lodging options in order to experience the true life of the locals. Below are six different Italy holiday rentals options that offer that genuine Italian experience. Immerse yourself in the Italian culture properly.

Farms in Italy

Over 18,600 farmers have begun to convert their family farms into inns, which they call agriturismi. The inns normally have up to 30 beds. You will find that a country theme is consistent throughout the farm but the bedrooms can widely vary in style. A bedroom in a Farm can be a former barn stall or a frescoed Renaissance assembly room. Many of these agriturismis are now opening on-site restaurants where home-grown ingredients are incorporated into the meals.

Bed & Breakfasts in Italy

The entire Bed & Breakfast experience is centered around its friendly owners, who take guests into their homes and share tips over breakfast. This is a fantastic way to dive head-first into Italian living.

Rental Room in Italy

Italy holiday rentals rooms, known as affittacamere, are well-hidden secrets and great deals. An Italy holiday rentals room can be anything from a bare room with a cot or a luxurious private studio.

Mountain Rentals in Italy

Italy holiday rentals on a mountain are called rifugi. They range from woodland hostels in the low hills to steeple-shaped wooden Italy holiday rentals atop Monte Rosa. Most offer great views, thick blankets, cozy beds and a common area where other outdoorsy-types hang out.

Monastery in Italy

Yes, a real monastery. You can stay with monks while you visit Italy. The rooms offer minimal furniture, narrow beds and a lot of Jesus and Virgin Mary décor. Home-style meals of grilled chicken or meatballs are shared and sometimes baths are shared too. Guests are welcomed, but not required, to attend religious services. If you are staying in a monastery, you should know that rules are a big deal here: Respect the monks, keep quiet, be punctual for meals and be back by curfew, which can be as early as 9:30PM.

Villa in Italy

Italy vacation villas are the way to go if you want to make yourself at home. Imagine an entire house to yourself while you are on vacation. A lot of space, a kitchen and total privacy can be all yours when you stay in Italy vacation villas.


Vacations Rentals in Italy

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South Beach Vacation Rentals Offer Better Stay Than Hotels


Jul 29

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Florida, Lodging and Hotel News, Miami, South Florida.
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South Beach Vacation Rentals - South Beach Holiday Rentals

Prices aside, there are many reasons why South Beach vacation rentals completely surpass hotels in regards to customer expectations. South Beach holiday rentals are more of an entire experience.

Provence Villa in Miami

Provence Villa in Miami

In South Beach vacation rentals, you can be as secluded as you wish to be or not secluded at all. South Beach vacation rentals are not just a place to go to sleep. They are designed to make you feel as comfortable as you feel at home with plenty of resources at your disposal including internet access and a full-size kitchen. In South Beach holiday rentals you:

• Will often have a bicycle included in your rental
• Have more privacy
• Have a more private pool
• Have the option to save some money when you prepare your favorite meal at home
• Have the concierge to:

  1. Make your reservations
  2. Schedule room service
  3. Schedule a massage
  4. Schedule food delivery
  5. Have a limousine pick you up
  6. Organize activities


Vacations Rentals in South Beach

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Vacation Rentals Increase In Popularity


Jul 20

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Lodging and Hotel News, Useful Tips and Gadgets, Vacation Rentals News.
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A popular travel and tourism website recently surveyed over 2,800 travelers on any recent travels they may have been on and any upcoming trips they plan on taking. A staggering 43% of participants claimed they plan on staying in a vacation rental sometime in the next year due to the abundance of great deals to be had. Another 24% said they have already stayed in or are currently staying in a vacation rental this summer.

Of all the participants, 60% said a last minute deal on a vacation rental would interest them and an amazing 87% said they would gladly choose a vacation rental over a hotel as long as the deal seemed better.

There are many reasons travelers choose vacation rentals over hotels and vice versa, but the number one reason with 78% agreeing on it was the amount of space available. Vacation rentals are much larger and usually offer a common area to gather in. They usually sleep more than a hotel as well.

77% mentioned they enjoy having access to a full kitchen which allows for family or group meals to be prepared and enjoyed together. Other popular reasons were the amount of privacy for romantic vacations.

The most popular destination in the U.S. for vacation rentals is in the South, followed by the West Coast, then the North East.

Travelers in search of hot summer deals should seriously look into vacation rentals. Many rentals offer comparable amenities to those of a hotel, but also offer much more space, privacy and the feel and comfort of home.

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