My Holiday Photo Cards

Renting a Vacation Home Is Better Than Staying At a Hotel

It never fails! No matter where I am and how great of a hotel Im staying at, I always wake up exhausted and un-rested. What is the meaning of this? Arent hotels supposed to relax and rejuvenate you while you are on the road? Why am I waking up from these places like I didnt even get any sleep the night before?

Would I have had a better nights rest in my car? To think that people actually stay in these places for their vacation is beyond me. To think that I have actually stayed in these hotels for my vacation just blows my mind. I must have had a lot of energy back then because there is no way I could do it these days.

On my next vacation, Im renting a vacation home. One that is roomy and homey nestled in a beautiful spot on the beach or in the woods. Renting a vacation home is better than staying at a cookie cutter hotel because it is personalized and you know that there have been only a few people who have stayed there as opposed to hundreds, maybe even thousands, who have stayed in the hotel room you may be sleeping in right now.

Renting a Vacation Home vs. Hotel

The best thing about a hotel could be room service, house keeping, or free breakfast but renting a vacation home could equal to total relaxation and rejuvenation, which is what you were looking for in the first place. Many vacation home owners are pretty meticulous about their homes, so you know that their accommodations will probably be clean and well kempt.

You wont have to worry about parking next door to your neighbors or screaming kids down the hall. The ice bucket wont have to be filled up at 2 oclock in the morning and that hotel smell wont linger on you all day. Renting a vacation home is a better way to stay overnight at your favorite site.

If you are tired of waking up tired at a hotel, you should consider renting a vacation home. Even if you are only in town for a night or two, renting a vacation home is well worth the money. You will wake up refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated for your meeting the next day.

Everyone else will look disheveled and tired and wonder where you got your freshness from. The best thing about it is that sometimes you will be able to find great deals off season and you will wind up saving more money by renting a vacation home instead of staying at the Holiday Inn.

Adventure Holidays: Three Adrenaline Pumping Ideas

Holiday is a time to reconnect with ourselves, relax, and get away from it all, but perhaps lounging by the beach drinking mojitos and catching rays is not your idea of a good time. You need action! Adventure! You need a trip that is going to raise your adrenaline level through the roof and get your blood pumping through your veins. Adventure holidays are a great way to go if youve had enough downtime. Read below for three adventure holidays sure to please, including mountain climbing, windsurfing, and whitewater rafting.

Mountain Climbing

Mountain climbing adventure holidays are a sure fire way to get that adrenaline flowing through your veins. One of the great things about mountain climbing, is that wherever you are traveling on your adventure, there is a chance there are mountains nearby. In the United States, for example, you could climb the Rockies or the Appalachians, two very different ranges in two very different parts of the country. Headed for India? The Himalayas provide a great challenge for the avid climber. Remember, however, to know your limitations and let them guide you despite your need for adventure.

Windsurfing

You can glide through the air with the greatest of ease if you take windsurfing adventure holidays. This is a great addition to punctuate your vacation to the coast. Windsurfing makes use of two of natures most thrilling elements: wind and water. With your sail lifted, you can bounce the board over the surface of the water. Are you a novice? There are beginner boards available to those just starting out. While you should never be afraid to try new things, it is also imperative that you respect the nature of the windsurfing sport.

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting adventure holidays are also great ways to get outdoors and find a rush in nature. Like mountain climbing, there are whitewater rafting opportunities available all over the world, you just have to know where to find them. Whitewater rafting trips can also be combined with intriguing camping adventure holidays, letting you experience the wilderness up close and personal. Whether you want to ride the rapids of the Bio Bio River in Chile or rush down the Colorado River in the United States, chances are great that you will find what you are looking for on your next adventure holiday.

Regardless of which adventure holiday you choose, remember to be safe and have fun!

A Golf Vacation Can Be for Everyone!

Who says school has to be boring and dull? Why not take a golf vacation this summer and get your nose out of the books? There are many different golf schools nestled in beautiful settings just waiting for you to join in and work on your drive. Your next golf vacation getaway could be in Arizona, sunny California, Naples, FL or beautiful British Columbia.

You can choose different golf vacation packages which include 2-14 day experiences with five star accommodations. Below are some of the best courses on some of the most beautiful settings and best of all, they all have instructions on how to play your best game.

Top Golf Vacations with Instruction

The Gold Canyon Golf Resort in Gold Canyon, Arizona is carved out of the foothills of the scenic Superstition Mountains. The resort is located 35 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and far enough away to let you experience the beauty of the high Sonoran Desert.

The Chardonnay Golf Club and The Napa River Inn in Napa, California is known for its famous vineyards and relaxed lifestyle. Their courses represent the premier golf destination in the bay area. The Napa River Inn is located one hour from Sacramento and ninety minutes from the San Francisco bay area.

The Lely Resort and Green Links Resort in Naples, FL are both designed by Gary Player, Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Lee Trevino, three of the best golf architects in the world. Both properties are about fifty-five minutes from the Southwest Florida International Airport.

The Whisper Creek Golf Club in Huntley, Illinois houses one of the best state-of-the-art private teaching area, practice ranges, and short game greens. Accommodations to this resort are based on space availability. This golf vacation is located only minutes away from Whisper Creek.

The Okanagan Golf Club and Borgata Lodge is located in Kelowna, Canada. It boasts holes designed through 384 acres of undulating terrain and Ponderosa Pines and is a golf enthusiasts paradise. This golf vacation is located only 5 minutes away from Kelowna International Airport.

These are only a few locations that offer instruction at the site. There are many resorts and clubs that offer instruction, perhaps the one around the corner from your house. So there is no excuse as to why you are not playing well. Summer vacation doesnt have to be all sun and no fun. Why not try a golf vacation this summer and when you get back everyone will want to know how you got your game up to par.

Where to go to have a Romantic Vacation

Whether youre looking to rekindle the romance in your relationship, or just wanting to get away on a romantic escapade, there are many ways you can have an amazing romantic vacation. One excellent idea for a romantic vacation is to escape to a bed and breakfast. The idea may sound a little casual at first, but you may be surprised at what some bed and breakfasts have to offer.

Crackling fires, beautiful landscapes to go for walks through, gourmet meals, and beautiful guest suites and rooms which can be fitted perfectly for you. The best thing about bed and breakfasts is that they come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges, and you can find one basically anywhere you go. This is also a great idea for a holiday gift, and a wonderful romantic vacation idea.

What are Some More Ideas for a Romantic Vacation?

Another good idea for a romantic vacation is to go to an island escape. There are even couples-only island escapes, so that the setting is made more romantic, and there arent families and small children running around. For the most part, any deal you get regarding an island escape will have everything you can possible imagine included in the deal itself, such as drinks, meals, hotel stay, etc., and the locations of these island escapes are always absolutely gorgeous.

A his and hers spa getaway is yet another wonderful idea, and not only are they romantic, but they are incredibly relaxing as well. There are many spas available which are serviced to cater directly to couples, and some of the treatments offered are: facials, massages, and simultaneous mud baths to name a few of the many available.

Even if you and your partner have already had a honeymoon, there are honeymoon escapes available if you are looking to have another one. The locations for these endeavors are always extremely beautiful and often times exotic, and even a simple weekend can be made to feel like forever with the treatments and available options you can choose to receive.

Depending on your own personality of course, there are many options available if you are looking to spend some romantic time together with your partner, or even by yourself. From hiking, to exploring, to island escapes and exotic getaways, the options are basically limitless, and you dont necessarily need much time or money for an endeavor such as these.

Decorating a Holiday Cottage

Holiday cottages are an important part of the tourist industry in nearly every country of the world. In Denmark, for instance, summer cottage tourism in 1998 generated a GDP worth $563 per head. What attracts most tourists to a holiday cottage includes a number of factors: open space, scenic view, coastal location, and many more. One thing that counts as a primary captor of the urban visitors interest is the decoration of the holiday cottage.

While taking the pains of decoration, it is important to know that most urban visitors prefer a country ambience in a holiday cottage. Different ways of adorning a cottage include giving style to windows, decorating floors, choosing attractive colors for cottage walls, setting nice furniture, and adding accessories. The overall effect of any decorative style should, however, be one of ease and simplicity. Overly decorating a cottage will give it an unwanted look of cheap showiness.

Cottage Windows

As a general rule, keep the windows of simple design with plain shutters or blinds of simple style. Light curtains go well with summer season, the prime time of holidays. At least one relatively large window should allow a fuller view of the open.

Decorating Floors

To produce a feeling of natural charm and country flair, it is advisable to lay a simple wooden floor in the holiday cottage. In fact, many cottage owners transform the new look of the wooden floor into an old one to provide the desired effect. Plain designs can be made on the floor and paints matching the color of furniture items can be used to create a harmonious unity of the place.

Painting Walls

Different colors are used for decorating the walls of a holiday cottage, more popular ones being yellow, orange, and warm-brown colors that are typical of many backgrounds. Depending on the location of the cottage and the inside furniture, other colors like white, green, or light blue can be used the latter a special case for coastal cottages. Patterns and designs on walls can be colored different from the background, though care should be exercised not to over-paint the scene.

Furniture of the Cottage

The best furniture for a holiday cottage is what most of us use in our patios wicker furniture, while lightly built wooden furniture is also a good choice. Excessively ornate styles do not match the cottage setting, and, if painted, all items should be painted the same color, preferably a light brown or as best suits the color of floor.

Accessories

Many different types of accessories can be used to supplement the beauty of a holiday cottages dcor. These include small tables, benches, candlesticks, aquariums, beads, and numerous other items. In any case, fresh plants and flowers are the desideratum for the cottages beauty.

Its the Favorite Time of the Year: Summer Vacation

Summer vacation is a popular practice all around the world. No one can tell what it is that makes us want to take a break from work during summer time the great weather or the fact that it is easier to travel and see places during the warm months.

Where to Go This Summer Vacation?

Whatever the reason, summer brings along color and joy into our lives as we plan the long awaited summer vacation. So, where can we go this summer vacation? Here are a few suggestions:

* Take a cruise it is the best way to a stress-free vacation. There are cruises available from one day to 100 days around the world trips, but the most recommended is the seven-day get away, which will take you to at least five different destination along the way. You can choose from a cruise to the Caribbean or even to one in Alaska. The possibilities are endless.
* Take a trip to the mountains instead of a beach resort this summer vacation. It will offer you great deals, as most mountain resorts are off-season in summer time and the benefits are vast. Clean air, healthy activities such as hiking and cross country walking, great views, and plenty of space just for you as the crowds head for the beach resorts. Mountain resorts are also great for relaxation where as beach resorts tend to get you even more tired than when you arrived.
* Another great choice for this summer vacation is a spa resort. This is indeed the place to rejuvenate and relax. You can get pampered everyday with a massage or facial treatment, while swimming or using the sauna alternately. Spa resorts are more and more sought after as they offer total tranquility and comfort. If you are looking to get in shape while de-stressing at the same time, a spa resort is your answer.

Conclusion

There are so many choices to pick from when looking for a summer vacation that sometimes it is quiet difficult to choose. To make thing easier on you try and plan it in advance by making a list of your priorities. Here are a few helpful tips:

* Make a list with the things you want to do and in the order you want to do them this summer.
* Plan your vacation with the budget in mind.
* Book your vacation early to save money and last-minute frustration.

The main thing to do in any vacation is to enjoy and relax, so you can be ready to face another year of work before the next vacation.

Have fun whatever you do!

Pleasures of Golf Holidays

The stereotyped view of golf as a sport has been that of a just stop-and-go game. This tends to underrate the importance of golf, which in fact has been found by medical professionals to play a major role in preventing heart diseases. In fact, people planning to spend their vacation in beneficent sports have every reason to experience golf holidays as part of their schedule.

Research Findings and Golf Holidays

Swedish Researchers reveal the potential of golf as making 40% to 70% of the maximum power any aerobic exercise demands. Their findings show golf as anything but a slack sport. The latter view has been prevalent on account of the observation that golf involves much walking and hence is good for mere pleasure. Research, however, finds that four hours of playing golf is equivalent to a fitness class exertion of forty-five minutes.

The most convincing evidence in favor of playing golf came from cardiologist Edward A. Palank who found that the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol in middle-aged golf players was significantly higher than their age-sake that did not play golf or exercise brisk walking. Each half-mile walk taken on daily basis reduces the risk of heart diseases by at least 15%, and furthermore, joints and muscles remain in excellent working condition and shape. Golf has also been found to enhance the production of endorphins, a natural analgesics produced under the brains influence that reduce pain.

What Makes Golf Holidays Special

The primary charm of golf holidays is that these welcome not only the young but also the elderly with the promise of health benefits. People of advanced age can regularly participate in golf, or at least the walking it involves, while enjoying the game. Walking, indeed, lies at the heart of golf holidays. The United States Golf Association advises golfers to walk their golf course instead of using carts for riding. Those who find it hard to walk the whole stretch of the course are instructed to walk a set of nine holes and then ride the next set. Also, on every hole walk to and from your ball to the cart for good health results. Walking not only is beneficial to health but it makes golf a more enjoyable sport.

Weight Control by Golf Holidays

While couch potatoes will put on in holidays, golfers remain trim by befriending their favorite sport on vacation. For people who are looking to burn calories and check their weight, golf is an ideal control. Every round of play helps gently burn body fat by consuming about 1000 calories.

Beach House Vacation Rentals

Stumped on where to go and what to do this summer? There are hundreds of websites that list available beach house vacation rentals. At beachhouse.com, you can search through hundreds of beach house vacation rental listings from California to Greece. The best thing about it is that they have many different styles of vacation rentals to choose from and many different price ranges.

Imagine yourself in a beautiful fifteen bedroom mansion in Emerald Isle, North Carolina or at the Casa Piazza in Manzanillo Colima, Mexico. The Compass Rose which is a professionally-decorated luxury beach house in North Captiva Island, Florida is a vacation renters dream. Best of all, you might expect these luxury accommodations to cost an arm and a leg but if you do some searching, you may find a few beach house vacation rentals that fit your budget.

What to Expect From Your Beach House Vacation Rental

You will want to get specifics before you pack up and drive over to your mansion on the sand. Before Diane LaVault packed up the van and left for her summer stay in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, she forgot to ask the property owners/managers about some minor details. When she got there, she found out that she had to pay a hefty amount of money to get in and out of town via a bridge and ferry.

Even though the beach house vacation rental was beautiful, it only housed one shower and it was located outside of the house. Some vacation rentals are so far away from cities and local towns that you wont be able to partake in any type of night life activities. If the idea of a vacation rental that is far away from the hustle and bustle of cities attracts you, you really want to consider finding something that is accommodating.

A beach house on Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, FL is something that you probably wouldnt be interested in. However, the Banana Wind in Destin/Navarre Beach, Florida could be something that attracts you. Whatever you do, remember to ask as many questions as possible and consider all your options before you decide on a destination.

Dont get stuck sitting around and wondering what you should do this summer. There are plenty of places to travel and beautiful beaches to see. There is nothing better than taking some time off next to some the most healing places on earth. Places where you can forget about the worries of everyday life and remember what really matters.

There is no reason why you cant afford to do it in style. There are thousands of listings on the web for beautiful beach house vacation rentals. The trick here is to do your homework and investigate. This may take a little while but it will be completely worth it in the end. See you in the sand!

All-Inclusive Holidays: The Pros and the Cons

What do you want out of your next holiday? Rest? Relaxation? Miles and miles of distance placed between you and your office? Chances are great you want all of the above. While you could search and plan for weeks to find the perfect hotel arrangements, the right entertainment options and the fabulous dinner reservations, you might want to put all-inclusive holidays on your list to research.

But what exactly are all-inclusive holidays? The goal behind all-inclusive holidays is to provide the travel with a one-stop shop, and they include several different aspects of the traveling experience in one, all-inclusive package. With your reservation and payment, you often purchase a package that includes your food or admission to shows that type of thing. Examples of all-inclusive holidays include Sandals Caribbean Resorts, cruises, etc.

The Pros

Convenience is perhaps the ultimate reason for purchasing an all-inclusive resort or cruise. The payment you make to all-inclusive holidays covers much more than your bed. For cruises, this payment often includes the room, use of the cruise facilities, entrance into shows, etc. Sandals resorts provide an overwhelming amount of amenities in their costs, such as exciting activities like scuba diving and other water sports.

Another exciting aspect of all inclusive is that they can be found in almost all exciting locations, especially the Caribbean. You can work with your all-inclusive company of choice to find the destination that is perfect for you. And, if one location doesnt excite you, cruises also have a wide arrays of destinations in nature and provide a great alternative to the traveler.

The Cons

One negative aspect of choosing all-inclusive holidays is that you may be spending more than you think. Just because everything is included in one, convenient price doesnt mean that you couldnt combine your own room, transportation, entertainment, and dining cheaper if you did it ala carte style.

Sometimes, all-inclusive holidays can leave the bold and spontaneous adventurer feeling a little stuck. You already paid for it, so you should go see that show right? Even if you arent remotely interested, you may find yourself taking in activities that you feel like you should do because you shelled out the money to do so. In a cruise situation, your destinations are preplanned for you, so you may not get to enjoy the spontaneous outings you may want during your holiday.

Walking Holidays for the Aging

Holidays are a perfect time for traveling, and most young people like to visit far flung areas, see a variety of cultures and living styles while enjoying the car drive, bike ride, or air cruise. The vigor and spirit of such holiday travel reassure the young folk they are in the prime of their health.

But where should the aging go for their vacation? Medical research points out that traveling to remote destinations, especially foreign lands, can put elderly people at an increased risk of illness. Older people are much more prone to be affected by changes in environment (temperature, food etc.). Various harmful effects of travel for the elderly include threat to immunity, kidneys and related organs, cardiovascular apparatus, body temperature balance, muscles, and skin. The best choice they are allowed to available is walking holidays.

Walking Holidays for Better Health

The health benefits of walking are well known, and while walking in itself is a joyful activity, some interesting pros about choosing walking for exercise are:

* Walking is the safest exercise with virtually no risk of injury or strain.
* It is the ideal means of weight control for all ages.
* Walking is a stress-free social activity compared to many sports that are stressful due to their competitive nature.
* Walking has been found to elevate self-concept and level of endurance.
* It is the least expensive activity requiring no special arrangements and can be enjoyed in solo or with family, anywhere and any time.

Walking Holidays Effectively

While walking seems just a matter of course thing, walking holidays effectively for benefit to our health requires a few points to remember.

* Unless instructed by your physician, try to practice brisk walking (or speed walking, health walking etc.). This is because the major health benefit of walking is increasing heartbeat and speeding up the bodys blood circulation. Slow walking does not accomplish this goal and hence is not so useful.
* Brisk walking requires an open, traffic-free track and fine weather. Dont practice brisk walking outdoors in wet weather (an injury by slipping can hurt) and/or noisy and dusty environment.
* Dont use shoes that are very thin at the sole or that fit too tightly in your feet, and using high heels is also a no-no. Brisk walking in such shoes can lead to foot pain.
* Do not practice brisk walking if you have any leg or muscle injuries or have recently suffered a sprained ankle, or if you have any feet abnormalities (flat footed for instance). Consult your physician before setting out.

Walking holidays, in a clean and noiseless environment, helps the elderly spend their time fruitfully and without risk to their health. And of course, one can take the friendly pet along for company.

Securing the Right Vacation Home

Deciding to purchase a vacation home can be a tough decision. Will you only be using it on the weekends? Would you be renting it out? You want to make sure your money is well spent. Will the vacation home be an investment or a financial nightmare? Purchasing a vacation home can be more complicated than purchasing a primary home. You want to choose the right location, get the tax implications straight, prepare the home for rent, and secure financing or selling for profit.

Tips for Vacation Home Owners

If you wait until off-season, you may be able to get a better price on the property. For example, you may yield a better deal on a beach property during summer. There may be fewer prospective buyers. There may be a mountain ski resort for less in the winter and after the peak selling season the owners dont want to deal with maintenance and mortgage payments.

Dont wait until you can afford to buy. The market is on the rise and if you decide to wait until you can comfortably afford a vacation home, you may find that you have fallen further behind. If you purchase a lot at a great location, you can always build on it later. You may come to find out that the lot could be anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of the vacation homes value.

Make sure you take into consideration that rental income isnt always what it is cracked up to be. When you are budgeting, remember to factor in all of the advertising, operating expenses, modern amenities that renters want, and maintenance. It could turn out to be a lucrative deal but just be on guard for anything that pops up from contracts to pets.

Purchasing a vacation home is something that most people dream about doing. If you are planning to purchase one, you could be making a great investment but dont forget to factor in all the details. The last thing you want is a vacation home headache. Once you find a location that sings to your heart, investigate and research!

Check the tax implications, make sure you secure the financing, check with your insurance company, and the neighborhood. Once youve taken everything into consideration, you could wind up with a beautiful piece of property ready to be filled with lasting memories of your loved ones.

Memoirs of a Cheap Vacation

We all know those timeshare programs. You have to sit in a room for an hour or so and watch a presentation about why purchasing land in Midland, AK is a lucrative opportunity. Sometimes you get some refreshments and other times you get to walk away with a new microwave or DVD player.

However, sometimes, you could get a wonderful cheap vacation out of the deal. I know what youre going to say, if you want to take a vacation, youll do it the right way but wouldnt it be nice to just stop everything that you are doing and check into a beautiful luxury resort down the street to rest and rejuvenate before going back to work?

These programs are everywhere and it is a great way to have a little spur-of-the-moment cheap vacation. You dont have to worry about heckling salesmen either. Im going to let you in on a few ways to avoid having to purchase anything so that you can use the rest of your time to enjoy a relaxing getaway.

Ways to Get Sales People Off Your Back

In order to really make use of your cheap vacation, you are going to have to sit in on the presentation. Unfortunately, there are no ways around it. Keep in mind that nothing comes for free but some things do come cheap. If you get too antsy, you can always bring a crossword puzzle or your Sidekick.

I like to bring my portable gaming device but it is important to make sure that it is on silent. There is nothing more embarrassing than having your anti-gravity spacecraft blow up loudly during the review of timeshare lot 43 near hole 9. After the presentation, a sales person will usually take you into a room and give you an entire rundown of pricing and financing.

This is where they really get into your personal business and work their magic. There is one easy way out of this without embarrassing yourself or the integrity of the program. Tell them you are a student and you wouldnt be lying. The learning process is a lifetime deal so that means we are all students. You have downsized your life and annual income in order to go back to school and take up a new field.

This is a sure way to let them know you are in no position to purchase any big investments. They will thank you for your time and let you enjoy the rest of the days on the resort to do as you wish.

Cheap vacations are hard to come by and even harder to put together on your own. However, if you make you of the resources that are out there you could put together one of the cheapest vacations anyone has ever been on. Sure, nothing comes for free but things can come cheaply and if you are reading this right now just stop what you are doing and call your local timeshare program. They will have you checked in and on your way to a total rest and rejuvenation. This is the best way to enjoy your cheap vacation.