smart travel tips, vacation rentals news


Jules Undersea Lodge a Key Largo Underwater Hotel


Oct 30

Posted: under Florida, Key Largo, Lodging and Hotel News.
Tags: , , , , ,

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

     Loading

Comments (0)

Siesta Key: One spot for all Beaches- Florida Vacation Rentals


May 13

Posted: under Adventure Holiday News, Best of..., Destinations and Places, Florida, Siesta Key, United States.
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Siesta Key is 35 square miles of a variety of different kinds of beaches. For example, couples and families can enjoy the quieter beaches while young adults can enjoy a party beach. The beaches are covered in jelly-soft sand and surrounded by extraordinary Gulf and bay views. Siesta Key is low key yet high-energy and elegant yet laid back. The tree-lined residential streets run along old and new condos, mansions and cottages. There are three different beaches in Siesta Key. The public beach, the largest of all three, offers skimboarding, volleyball, concession stands, lifeguards and more. On Sundays, locals gather on the beach for sunset to watch drummers, hula hoopers and belly dancers. Siesta Key Village, just a block away from the Beach Palms beachfront bungalows, has a high-energy atmosphere. Here you can sit outside of cafes among the colorful architecture and live entertainment. Crescent Beach is the more private beach. Enjoy Sarasota’s best snorkeling around the coral and slabs at Point of Rocks. Make sure to stroll along Turtle Beach and search for sharks’ teeth.

For the best rates on vacation rentals in Siesta Key or Florida vacation rentals in Siesta Key, check Escaperental.com.



Vacations Rentals in Florida

     Loading

Comments (0)

North Captiva Island- Florida Vacation Rentals


May 13

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Florida, United States.
Tags: , , , , , ,

In the 1920s storms divided Captiva Island and separated what is now known as North Captiva Island. North Captiva Island is a four-mile crescent of the coast of southwest Florida. The island has a private, exclusive feel. Vacationers came with a week’s worth of groceries and disappear into their North Captiva Island beach house rentals. The public beach has families and honeymooners but in Cayo Costa State Park, the beach is all yours. You will see gopher tortoises burrowing into the sand and dolphins playing close to the shore. One of the unique beauties of North Captiva Island is that there are no hotels. Rent North Captiva Island beach house rentals or North Captiva Island Florida vacation rentals.

Comments (0)

Futuro House - Florida holiday homes


May 13

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Florida.
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Futuro House at 1304 Panferio Drive in Pensacola Beach resembles what was once considered futuristic architecture. Locals know the house as the “UFO house.” The house resembles a regular structure with a UFO-looking craft that landed on the roof. Finnish pop architect Matti Suuronen designed this private residence in the late 1960s using plastic and fiberglass. Reports on the number of these that were built, range from 20 to 100. The UFO house even has an airplane-hatch entrance. It is plenty sturdy, too. Since its construction in the late 1960s, the UFO house has toughed-out several storms and hurricanes.

If you happen to be visiting the area, pass by to get a glimpse of this must-see sight. Also, take a look at the Florida vacation apartments or Florida holiday homes in the area.

Comments (0)

Castle Vacation Rentals in UK


Jan 14

Posted: under Adventure Holiday News, Destinations and Places, Lodging and Hotel News.
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Many travelers in the UK make their first stop in London, a great city that has so much to offer. It is not uncommon for visitors to stay in one of the many expensive hotels. Others may decide to stay in a nice yet affordable London short term rental flat. How about a great new experience for a change? Travel like royalty. Now, travelers are able to rent a piece of history for a few days. At a surprisingly affordable rate, a family of 6 can spend three nights at the Dover Castle for less than 400 British pounds. Also, vacation apartments and short term cottages can be rented at the Walmer castle in Kent and the St. Mawes Castle in Cornwall.

Comments (0)

UK a Top Tourist Destinations - London Vacation Rentals


Jan 13

Posted: under Destinations and Places.
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

The UK is a top tourist destination for US travelers and is often the first stop they make on a European tour. As a common landing area for US travelers, London has so much to offer including great shopping, especially if you get there during the sales periods. The sales at Harrods, the famous department store, are insane. London has plenty of great museums and a very rich entertainment industry with quality shows. There are several sightseeing attractions including Big Ben and Westminster.

Lodging in England can be very expensive in spite of the recent decline of the British Pound. Affordable hotels in London do exist and can be found but affordability is directly associated to quality. Visitors on a tight budget should consider a short term rental accommodation in London as there are many and they can be booked at great prices.

Comments (0)

The Crisis and the Vacation Rental Industry


Jan 07

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Lodging and Hotel News.
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Smart travelers try to find ways to keep traveling such as changing their travel habits, downgrading from a 5 star hotel to a 4 star hotel or becoming experts in discovering the best internet travel deals.

With some time and patience to surf the internet, smart travelers can easily find some great travel deals. The vacation rental industry is a clear winner in this situation because they offer much cheaper and more competitive rates than hotels.

Renting a hotel room in Hawaii can be expensive. Securing a Hawaii vacation condo would be much cheaper. Vacation rentals can also help cut additional food expenditure as guests can comfortably cook at home rather than eating out in restaurants during their holidays.

Vacation rental agencies offer great discounts to lure customers. A Miami Beach holiday rental or a Naples vacation rental is a steal when accounted on a per person basis. Do not hesitate to negotiate to get great holiday deal.

hawaii

Hawaii Beach

Comments (0)

Accommodations Suffering - Smart Travel


Jan 07

Posted: under Lodging and Hotel News, Useful Tips and Gadgets.
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The latest hospitality statistics have shown that tourism around the world has been impacted by the current economic crisis.

Hotel occupancy rates and room rates are declining and the luxury segment of the market is being affected more than the “regular” market.

Cities which historically had top occupancy rates in the US such as New York, Orlando, Las Vegas and Miami have started to feel the heat and are reacting quickly.

Now, many hotel chains are offering free nights, free amenities or discounts. Vacation rental agencies, the cheapest alternative for travel, are also affected, albeit to a lesser degree. Nowadays, vacation home rentals are a great way to enjoy the best of smart travel.

Some websites are offering great discounts for even Paris vacation rentals or Miami Beach vacation rentals. Smart travelers should always ask for a discount. The worst that can happen is that the answer is “no.” On the other hand, they can get a cheap worldwide vacation rental rate.

Flamingo Miami Beach Vacation Rentals

Flamingo Miami Beach Vacation Rental

Comments (0)

Top Ten Waterfalls - Adventure Travel


Jan 07

Posted: under Best of..., Destinations and Places.
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A powerful waterfall is a beautiful and wondrous sight.

The natural beauty is truly inspiring and moving in all of the top ten waterfalls featured below.

Here, you  will discover a collection of the top ten waterfalls according to Realtravel Magazine.

Any of the best waterfalls mentioned will provide a top travel destination for those travelers looking forward to enjoy the best advantages of smart travel and adventure travel.

1. Jog Falls in Karnataka, India

Visit Jog Falls on the Sharavati River during or after the annual monsoon rains to witness the four gargantuan rapidly-running cascades of waters plunging 253 meters down. The four cascades are named Raja (King), Rani (Queen), Rocket and Roarer (also known as Rover). This waterfalls extreme seasonal alteration from trickles of water to powerful gusts of water is what makes it special. Find accommodations and vacation rentals in India.

2. Angel Falls in Bolivar, Venezuela

This waterfall in the Guiana Highlands of Bolivar is the world’s highest waterfall plummeting 979 meters from the top of Auyan-Tepui or Devils Mountains into a 150 meter wide chasm. It is so high that a lot of the water turns to mist before it hits the bottom. A dense jungle lines the waterfall which makes it much easier to see from an aerial perspective. Find accommodations and vacation rentals in Venezuela.

3. Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe/Zambia

The Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River are known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya. Although not the widest or the highest, the cascade is known as the world’s largest sheet of falling water. Some people bungee jump from this 108 meter waterfall.

4. Yosemite Falls in California

Although not all waterfalls have been properly measured, Yosemite Falls currently has the title for the highest waterfall in North America. The Yosemite Falls are two cascades that fall a combined total of 739 meters to the base of Yosemite Valley. Find accommodations and vacation rentals in California.

5. Havasu Falls in Arizona

The Havasu Falls stands out among several other falls that run along the Havasu Creek in Arizona. The turquoise-blue waters of the river plunge about 37 meters into the Catarct Canyon. Find accommodations and vacation rentals in Arizona.

6. San Rafael Falls in Ecuador

The San Rafael Falls is the highest in Ecuador with a plunge of 131 meters. The trail around the river introduces hikers to a variety of birds. This waterfall is just southeast of the Reventador Volcano. Find accommodations and vacation rentals in Arizona.

7. Gulfoss Falls in Iceland

This waterfall runs down a three-tier staircase before plunging 32 meters into Gullfoss or Golden Falls in southwest Iceland.

8. Niagara Falls, Canada/USA

The Niagara Falls is probably the most famous of all waterfalls. The Canada/USA waterfall is divided between Ontario and New York. Although, it is rather short, it is extremely wide and powerful. Find accommodations and vacation rentals in Canada.

9. Montmorency Falls in Quebec, Canada

The Montmorency Falls are situated on Montmorency River and fall into the Saint Lawrence River. The fall is 84 meters tall and cable car ferries carry visitors between the bottom and the top of the falls. Find accommodations and vacation rentals in Quebec, Canada.

10. Huka Falls in New Zealand

Waikato River ranges from 100 to 15 meters in width narrowing at the Huka Falls. The falls drop only six meters but the large volume of water raises it to 11 meters.

Comments (0)

A Quick Tour through Jerusalem! Tours, Hotels and Vacation Rentals


Dec 31

Posted: under Destinations and Places.
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jerusalem is packed with many important historic sites for which at least an entire week is necessary to see. Leave aside some time to walk around the bazaar, quarters and roofs of the old city. The Old City is divided into Arab, Jewish, Armenian and Christian quarters. No cars are allowed in the Old City and Museums and most other new attractions are found outside of the old walls. Religious sites can be explored for free but museums charge an entrance fee. There are a few select places that should not be missed while you are in Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem Old City:

• The Western Wall
One of Judaism’s most sacred spots where men and women slip prayers between the stones. Men and women pray separately and have separate entrances.

• Dome of the Rock
A gold dome which acts as a shrine to the rock where Mohammed rose to heaven. Non-muslims are not allowed inside but exploring the surrounding area is a powerful experience in its own. It is one of the world’s oldest Muslim structures dating back to 688.

• Stations of the Cross
Small (and easy-to-miss) bronze tablets mark the 14 noteworthy stations of Jesus’ day of trial and procession to Golgotha.

• Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The church marks the locations of Jesus’ crucifixion, death and burial.

• The Wohl Archeological Museum
Great museum of archeology

• The Upper Room
Also known as the Coenaculum or the Cenacle. This is the second-story hall where the Last Supper was said to have taken place.

Jerusalem Photo Art by Laurent Harari

Jerusalem Photo Art by Laurent Harari

Outside Jerusalem:

• Bethlehem
Passports are required to get passed the West Bank check point. This trip is one to be taken at your own risk. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges against travel to the West Bank.

• Israel Museum
Contains several fascinating displays including The Shrine of The Book – the Dead Sea Scrolls.

• Garden of Gethsemane
Caretakes say some of the olive trees here could have been saplings when Jesus prayed here during the nights following the Last Supper.

• Yad Vashem
A museum made in honor to the Holocaust victims. Exhibits include a memorial to the 1.5 million children killed in the Holocaust.

Lodging and Accommodations in Jerusalem:

Visit EscapeRental.com to book   Jerusalem Israel vacation rental.

A few top favorites Jerusalem hotels are:

• King David Hotel

• Three Arches YMCA

• Austrian Hospice

Jerusalem Tours and Guides:

• David Pelmutter

• Yael Shilo

• Susan Weinberg

Comments (0)