Monthly Archives: December 2009

December 29th, 2009

Dropping the Ball: Places to Ring in the New Year

Posted by: Dan Weisman|1 comment

If you’re still not sure what to do at midnight on January 1, you might think that you dropped the ball on your New Years plans. Fortunately, you’re not the only one looking to have some first night fun. All across America, New Years revelers will be kicking off 2010 by carrying on the tradition of dropping objects from high places during the final seconds of 2009.

Walleye Drop

Ball drops get the most attention of New Years drops, thanks to the Times Square festivities in New York City. The New York Times has dropped the ball almost every year since 1907, and the celebration regularly draws nearly 1 million live spectators, not to mention the millions who watch the spectacle on TV. For those who prefer to avoid the crush of the Big Apple, balls are dropped in more relaxing settings nationwide. For example, Gatlinburg, TN will drop a ball, launch fireworks, and host live performances. Buffalo, NY has traditionally hosted one of the largest ball drops in the country, but the celebration is at risk of being skipped this year due to budget cuts.

Categorized as: Events To Travel For, Travel Tips, Trips, Weekend Getaways Read more →
December 17th, 2009

Dining In: Hire a Personal Chef to Prepare the Perfect Meal

Posted by: Dan Weisman|8 comments

Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast for twenty or enjoying a candle-lit dinner for two, eating well is always a key concern on vacation. Wouldn’t it be nice to go away for a week and not have to spend any time planning, shopping, or cooking? You could always eat out, but why not put your rental home’s amenities to good use by enjoying chef-prepared in-home dining without having to chop a vegetable or wash a pot yourself?

TastingOnce the exclusive luxury of the wealthy elite, personal chefs and home-catering services are now more accessible than ever. For the same cost as a restaurant meal, a professional chef will work with you to tailor a menu to your taste, do all of the shopping, and come to your kitchen to prepare a five-star meal for you to enjoy in your own dining room. Sound impossible? With companies like Simplicity Chef in Boston, it couldn’t be easier. Simplicity Chef’s Joe Letteri will create a four-course meal in your home starting at only $85 per person. Most in-home chefs cater their menus and ingredients to your preferences and budget, so don’t be afraid to set limits and hire a cook on your own terms.

If you love eating at home on vacation, but don’t want to have a cook in your house everyday, then you can also explore the option of hiring a chef to prepare multiple meals in advance. Services such as In-Home Dining by Marie design menus, do the shopping, and create a week’s worth of meals that you can store in your kitchen. To keep things free and easy, they even provide detailed instructions for heating everything on your own.

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December 16th, 2009

Brazilian Carnival: Sun, Samba and Sequins

Posted by: jess|0 comments

Ah, Carnival… one of the most fascinating, exciting festivals that happens around the globe every year.  Nearly everyone has heard tales of the festivities, but have you ever actually experienced it?  With the economy beginning to slowly recover and vacation rentals hotter than ever, now is the time to pack your bags and head south to the anything-but-sleepy city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

”Carnival_Rio

The Brazilian Carnival is widely considered the most colorful and vibrant in all of Brazil.  With the Samba schools shaking their way down the confetti colored streets and Bloco parades proudly representing the different boroughs, there’s no escaping the infectious music and costumes that toe the hazy line of gaudy and profound.  This year from February 13th to the 16th the city will be ablaze with lights, sequins and an insatiable desire for fun.

The parade in the Sambodromo is the largest attraction at Rio Carnival.  Here various samba schools dance down the 700 meter long street from 8pm until sunrise.  Each Samba school has 80 minutes to jitter, twist, shake and twirl in front of 90,000 fans to win the Championship and is truly a spectacle.

Beyond Carnival, Rio de Janeiro is a sprawling, sultry city that fuses pure South American hospitality with a blazing passion for life.  The iconic statue “Christ the Redeemer” that towers over the city is a constant icon of beauty apparent throughout the entire city.  While Capacabana beaches soak up the blissful sun gringos and locals alike sip the sweet Caipirinha (lime juice).

Grab your sequins, book your vacation rental and head south for a truly magnificent experience

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December 09th, 2009

Instilling Loyalty: One Vacation Rental Guest at a Time

Posted by: jess|3 comments

‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry… So, while you’re decking the halls and spreading cheer, don’t forget to take a moment to tend to your vacation rental business and thank the past years’ guests. With a new year comes a frenzied season of inquiries, rentals, and of course, revenue! So, be sure to start the New Year off right by sending some holiday greetings to past guests.

Holiday_card

Sending holiday greetings and warm wishes is an excellent way to make an impression while reminding potential guests that your vacation home is a great place to spend a week. With so many possibilities for travelers to choose from these days, it is the small, personal touches like a holiday card that will make you and your property stand apart, especially if they had a pleasant stay their first time around.

Websites like shutterfly.com and modernpostcard.com allow you to custom create postcards and note cards, so you can put a dazzling photo of your home on the card to remind guests how inviting it is! Take a few moments to write out simple notes like “See you soon!” or “Wish you were here!” and your guests will really appreciate the gesture.

So get writing and spread the holiday cheer!

Categorized as: Advice for Owners and Managers, VR 101 Read more →
December 03rd, 2009

Top 5 Destinations to Ring in the New Year

Posted by: jess|3 comments

With the holiday season in full swing and 2009 quickly retiring, it’s time to start planning your New Year’s celebrations.  We’ve highlighted cities around the world that greet 2010 with a bang. So get your party hat, grab your kissing partner and book your vacation rental and get ready to head to one of these most sizzling celebrations!

Sydney_NewYears
Sydney, Australia- Australians bring in the New Year like no one else. The fireworks display over Syndey Harbor is the most watched fireworks spectacle in the world with 1.5 million people gathering to see the fierce pyrotechnics that dance across the dark skies. This year’s theme is “Awaken the Spirit” with the Syndey Harbour Bridge adorned with a large S (for Sydney) and crowds showing up wearing blue to represent Sydney.

Miami, Florida- This saucy city certainly knows how to celebrate.  With clubs along Miami Beach offering fiestas that go till the early morning, the night time sizzles, especially on New Year’s Eve.  Places like Mansion Nightclub and SOBE Live offer open bars and tunes to dance your heart out to.  Or if you’re looking for a more relaxed evening, head to Ocean Drive, dig your feet in the sand and watch the fireworks show over the ocean.

NewYork_NewYearsEve

New York City, New York- The city that never sleeps shows you how it’s done.  With over a million people gathering in Times Square to watch the glittering ball drop, mark the end of one year and the beginning of another.  As the ball drops, take in the tunes of big name artists like Taylor Swift and Lionel Ritchie. With festivities like these, there’s no doubt that the next year will start off right.

Edinburgh, Scotland- Hogmanay (New Years) in Edinburgh dates back to pagan times when people celebrated mid-winter with fire and light festivals.  Today the festivities are spread across several days with a torchlight procession on the 29th that weaves through the streets of the city planting seeds of excitement and ending in the burning of aViking Long boat. On the 31st people gather in the streets with the Edinburgh Castle standing guard over the city as fireworks blaze in the background.  Stages are set up throughout the city with music and dancing and at midnight after the kisses and hugs have quieted, people join hands and sing Auld Lang Syne, a song which has been sung for centuries.

”LasVegas_NewYears

Las Vegas, Nevada- Las Vegas is dazzling 364 days out of the year, but on New Year’s Eve it is a full blown spectacle. With people dancing in the streets under the flashing lights and sparkling fireworks glimmering in the sky, there is no shortage of energy. If you’re well connected with the Hollywood type, get your tickets to one of the several parties hosted by the likes of 50 Cent, Eva Longoria, Nicole Ritchie and the Black Eyed Peas.

Categorized as: Events To Travel For, Flipkey Top 10, Travel Tips, Trips, Weekend Getaways Read more →
December 02nd, 2009

Real Reviews: Make or Break your Business

Posted by: jess|2 comments

TripAdvisor Travelers are depending more and more on reviews. In fact, reviews have become so important that not understanding the weight that reviews have on traveler purchasing decisions can prove a major disadvantage to any business.  Recently ehotelier.com interviewed the owner of an up and coming hotel in Buenos Aires, asking her how she survives in such a heavily saturated tourism market.  Her answer? Reviews on TripAdvisor.

Mariquel Waingarten of the Tailor Made Hotel recounts getting acquainted with TripAdvisor and what it has done for her business:

In the beginning, when we were on TripAdvisor I was scared, because you’re very exposed to good reviews and bad reviews. Fortunately, we’ve been able to get very good reviews, and the bad reviews that we received were actually really helpful. They tell us what to correct, and we like to take care of that. Sometimes people don’t tell you what’s wrong, and then it’s a surprise for us when they write it down on TripAdvisor.

Reviews, positive or negative, give vacationers piece of mind that they are not walking into a lion’s den.  Hearing evaluations from other travelers who have been in their situation will reassure them that yeah, maybe there’s no hairdryer but the service is unbeatable or that your property really is on the ocean…

Click here for the full article!

Categorized as: Advice for Owners and Managers, VR 101 Read more →