Vacation Rentals : Good or Bad?

Liz Hough on

I recently had a person contact me regarding helping plan a vacation to Italy. Before wanting to work with me in planning this trip with them they had one question…”Do you book Air BnB? We want the Authentic Italian Vacation feel and we feel that staying at AirBnB places will do that for us.” 

Year after year, more and more vacation requests come in asking us if we book vacation rentals, specifically AirBnB. Even though there are many vacation rental sites, AirBnB has become synonymous with vacation rentals. With this request however, I was a bit unsure why it wouldn’t be authentic to stay in a hotel? After all, how can you get more of an authentic Italian experience then by staying in Italy itself.

I am going to be openly honest right now with spoiler alerts about vacation rentals. If you don’t want to know these spoilers because you like vacation rentals, then I recommend closing this email right now. If you are interested in finding out the truth, then let’s get started. There are many vacation rental sites out there just like AirBnB that you can book your stay for your upcoming vacation. It seems like a great deal that you can stay in a 2-bedroom apartment in New York city overlooking Time Square for $100 a night or rent out an entire Tuscan Villa for a week for just $800! 

I remember when I was little my mother always told me that if it sounded too good to be true it probably was too good to be true. Many times, these amazing deals that you find aren’t as they are advertised or marketed. Yes, you get the 2-bedroom apartment overlooking Time Square but the rooms are the size of a bathroom and over-looking means turn your head all the way to the left to see Time Square. Maybe the Tuscan Villa you rented doesn’t look like anyone has lived it in for 15 years and the beds are even older than that. If this is the type of authentic experience that you are looking for, then you won’t be disappointed. 

With so many vacation rental sites on the internet, many people will put their house, apartment, or villa up for you to rent. They go up so fast that my one concern is who is vetting these people or even going to the places. The worse part is that you won’t know for sure until you actually get to the destination if the place is going to work for you. Unfortunately, the amount of vacation rentals that go up a day is more than the company can actually verify. The best way to know if the place that you are renting is what they say it is, is by checking the verifications of the person who is renting. When someone stays at a person’s rental property they then can review the person and property on the vacation rental site. This helps give you a better understanding of who is actually legitimate and good to rent from for your stay. 

Once you have verified who you want to stay with, it is a matter of seeing availability and pricing. If the place is available then it is time to book it. This is where you need to read the fine print. Last year a friend of mine decided to rent a house at one of the Delaware beaches through one of these vacation rental sites. She picked her house, booked it, and was billed an extra $300 that was not part of the booking process. This additional $300 was “hidden fees.”  I would say they were more than “hidden,” they were really non-existent until she got her credit card statement. However, if you read the fine print it will tell you how much you will pay in additional fees to use these sites. 

Ok, now you have booked your stay and you have calmed down about the extra fees, there is still more fine print to read! Yes, there is so much paperwork involved when booking a vacation rental. Don’t forget to read what is actually included in the rental. Is Free Wi-Fi included, a cleaning fee, use of the pool if the property has one, use of anything else that the property may have you thought you could use, what time you need to be there to get the keys, and the list goes on and on. 

One of the main things in Europe when staying at a vacation rental is making sure that you are there at the exact time stated you need to be there to get the keys. The owner will only wait for a few minutes and then be gone leaving you with no place to stay for the night. Yes, this is a big compliant from vacation rental people. Many people just assume like a hotel the owner will be available for check-in when they are available to get there. This isn’t the case, so make sure to read the fine print as to what time you need to be there. 

Now that you have a bit more understanding of how vacation rentals work, and going back to my original request to book an AirBnb, Life is Better Traveling does book vacation rentals with our reputable suppliers. We do not specifically use AirBnb, which again, I know the name is synonymous with the term vacation rental. What we do for our clients however is also look to see if a nice hotel with breakfast included is cheaper than staying at a vacation rental. I have personally found for some of my clients that a 2-bedroom vacation rental is more expensive than staying at a hotel in town with breakfast included. You then also get all the amenities that a hotel provides including a check-in desk to check-in at your own convenience, a concierge, a place to store your luggage until you check-in or check-out, spa services, a gym, laundry, and the list goes on. 

If you are thinking you want to do some type of vacation rental either in Europe, the Caribbean, or here in the states make sure to contact one of our travel agents to help you find a great place with a reputable supplier. 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

Is your family vaccinated for their next vacation?

Liz Hough on

If you have decided to travel outside of the country there are many things that you need to check-off your list to get done. Get a passport, get a visa, if needed, what do I need to pack, how will I be able to translate the language, what will I eat, and the list goes on. One thing that many people forget to do is check to see what types of vaccinations they may need to enter certain countries. 

The good news is that many European and Caribbean countries do not require a vaccination to enter the country. However, some countries require a long list of vaccinations including some that you may need multiple shots over a period of time, or they recommend that you receive the vaccination a certain number of days prior to departure. 

Now there is a difference in definition as to what the CDC “requires” for vaccinations and what they “recommend” for vaccinations when traveling to certain countries. When they use the terminology “recommend”, this generally means that they are encouraging people to get the vaccinations in helping prevent them from getting sick for those diseases.  They always recommend no matter where you travel to that you should have at least a flu shot. If they say they “require” that you get these vaccinations, this means that you may be denied entry into the country if you have not had them. Many times, when a vaccination is required it is mandated by the country you are traveling to. When you get there, customs in country will require you to show proof to get out of the airport.

So how do you know what vaccinations you will need to get for the countries you are traveling to? If you are traveling by cruise line, many times the cruise line will send you multiple email reminders as to what vaccines are required. It also should be clearly noted on your cruise line’s invoice/itinerary as to what you need. If you aren’t sure, feel free to ask your travel agent. Many times, we do have knowledge as to what you will need. However, if you have any other questions make sure to check out the CDC’s website and simply put in the country you are traveling to. 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list

As always, our team of agents are here to help with any of your traveling needs.   

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

Racecation lately?

Liz Hough on

Have you ever paired your vacation with a conference or trade show you are attending?  Perhaps you take vacation before or after visiting out-of-town friends or family?  I have done both of these things.  I figure that if I am already in the area why not take advantage of it, especially when part of the trip is already paid for by your company.  This same holds true when someone is either doing a triathlon, a bike race, or really any type of endurance race.  These are called Racecations, a play on words of race and vacation.  I find it to be very catchy. 

 

With Life is Better Traveling, we do a lot of group travel and multigenerational travel.  I had a good friend of mine contact me recently because she is going to run the Disneyland Paris Half-Marathon in September 2016 and wanted to put packages together to sell to friends and those who follow her blog, Powered By Bling.  She previously ran the Princess Disney Half-Marathon in Walt Disney World and loved the energy of the people running the race and, of course, being in Disney.  She took her family with her and stayed a few extra days after the race to enjoy the parks.  She took a racecation!

 

After working with her over the last several months, I decided to talk more with her about her love for endurance races and Disney.  Her excitement and energy for both made a light bulb go off in my head, why not start a new travel company under Life is Better Traveling, called Magical Racecations.  We will just pair vacations with someone’s endurance race, triatholon, or any other race they may be competing in.  My friend loved it and couldn’t wait to be a part of this new team. 

 

 

                                               Welcome Cassandra Burke one of our new independent contractors for Magical Racecations, where we Pair Your Vacation Perfectly with Your Race. Below Cassandra has written a few tips on What to Consider When Planning a Racecation.  You can also find these tips on her website at www.PoweredByBling.com

 

 

Make sure to read more about Cassandra below…click here.

 

 

Join Magical Racecations on our social media sites for daily updates on Disney Races, and other amazing tips.

 

  Join us on Facebook

 

  Follow us on Twitter

 

  Follow us on Instagram

 

  Send us an Email

 

 

Our Team and Contact Information:

 

 

Cassandra Burke, Racecation Consultant for any endurance race including Disney – cassandra@magicalracecations.com

 

 

Kathie Murray, Racecation Consultant

for Disney races –

kathie@magicalracecations.com

 

 

Mary Yohannan, Owner

and Groups Coordinator-

mary@magicalracecations.com

 

 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

 

Find out THIS about each Greek Island…

Liz Hough on

One of my favorite places to help plan a vacation is to Greece.  Yes, it has a bit to do with me coming from a Greek family, but also my experience of personally having been to many of the islands. When I first started traveling to Europe, my husband and I picked a 12-night cruise around the Adriatic, Aegean and Mediterranean seas. It was so magical to see the various countries and islands in this area. 

One thing that stood out the most to us was how different the cuisines from one island to the other were. With the freshest ingredients to make sure any palate is completely satisfied, each island has their unique flavor, seasoning, or way of cooking.  Some islands prefer more of a sour taste to their food, and some island like to add more seasoning. I equate this to the way various states in the United States make barbecue, vinegar versus seasoned versus smoked. 

I recently came across this amazing article that helps you really understand what I am talking about. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and next time you eat some Greek cuisine you may know where the owners of the restaurant are from in Greece!

Remember, Life is Better Traveling is always here to help you plan an amazing vacation to Greek islands whether it is via cruise or island hopping. Give us a call when you are ready to plan. 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

You TOO can enjoy airport lounges!

Liz Hough on

Airport lounges are often thought of for only frequent flyers or those who have purchased large amounts of points to be granted access. These lounges are known as a place of relaxation with free food and drinks to keep you occupied until your flight. Sometimes you can even get a cat nap while resting on their comfortable chairs. But did you know that you too can access some of the best airport lounges? 

That is right. You and me who have little airline points and won’t purchase points to get into the lounge, and get VIP access. We can book ourselves into the lounge and enjoy the splendors that come with waiting for our next flight, or having a place to relax until our transfer is ready. 

One of my favorite lounges to book people is the Club Mobay Lounge at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. There are both arrival and departure lounges that give you access to not only snacks, beverages, and free Wi-Fi, but a Fast-Track service through security, customs and immigration. There are large comfortable chairs to stretch out your legs, especially after a long flight getting there. 

Another favorite of mine is the Nassau Airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport. After a long journey of getting to the Bahamas all you want to do is relax on their pristine sandy beaches, so why not get there faster! When you do Fast-Track arrival service you get your own dedicated concierge. They meet you upon arrival and whisk you through Immigration and Customs. Once your through, the personal service doesn’t stop. You will have your own baggage porter that will collect and load your bags into your ground transportation. When your departing Nassau you can enjoy the same Fast-Track service through check-in and security. Once you are through enjoy downtime in their VIP departure lounge. 

There are several airports that provide these services to you for a small fee. A much smaller fee than purchasing airline miles to get upgrades. Ask your Life is Better Traveling agent if the airports you are traveling to have one of these Fast-Track services that you can purchase. 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

Want to take your pet with you on vacation?

Liz Hough on

I have been flying a lot this fall and, on every flight, I have been on there has been a dog. Most times I didn’t even notice them as they are so quiet. I usually find out there is a dog as the owner is talking to their bag asking it if it is doing ok. At first, I was a bit scared until I realized there was a dog in their bag. It always surprises me how good the animal is on the flight. 

Many airports now also have separate animal areas in the airport terminal. This allows the animals to use a separate area for a bathroom and stretch their legs. Some areas are quite large as the one in Las Vegas, and others are quite small. Regardless, bringing your pet along with you on your vacation is now much easier and more widely accepted.  

CLICK HERE to read more about bringing your pet on vacation. 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

 

UPDATE: Attention PA Residents!

Liz Hough on

UPDATE: As of September 28, 2018, PA residents will now be able to use their current driver’s license as means of identification to board domestic flights until August 1, 2019.

 

Governor Wolf’s administration released this information…

https://www.governor.pa.gov/department-homeland-security-grants-pennsylvania-real-id-enforcement-extension/

 

As promised, Life is Better Traveling is staying on top of current events so we make sure our clients are always informed.

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

 

Are you ready for flu season?

Liz Hough on

It may be a bit too early to start thinking about Flu season but this week I took the kids to get their Flu shots. I always like to be prepared which means getting the Flu shot. But how do you protect yourself when you’re traveling during Flu season? We have some recommendation for you from the CDC, WHO, our Travel Leaders partners, and Life is Better Traveling.

  • The CDC recommends a yearly influenza vaccine for anyone over 6 months of age who has no contraindications.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) says that “Precautionary measures should be taken to limit transmission. People should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, then throw it out and wash their hands thoroughly and regularly.”

For those flying, Travel and Leisure gives the following tips:

  • “Choose a window seat over an aisle seat. Fewer people passing by means fewer opportunities to catch germs.”
  •  “Pack a small bottle of nasal spray (often available at airport convenience stores, if you forget) to stay well-lubricated.”
  •   “The tray table is one of the dirtiest places on the plane. Whereas the bathroom is subject to mandatory cleanings, no one is guaranteed to be wiping down the tray tables between services. Having a small vial of antibacterial gel or wipes will help you kill any germs in your area before you even come in contact.”
  •    “Contrary to popular belief, you should actually turn on your overhead vent. When someone sneezes, those germs can quickly spread to those in their immediate area. Turning on an air vent increases air circulation and can move germs away if you’re sitting next to someone who might be sick.

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

Take these precautions when traveling to a foreign country

Liz Hough on

Are you nervous about traveling to a foreign country or even to another state?  Are you unsure whether you would encounter a language barrier in a foreign country?  Do you wish someone would tell you what precautions you should take when traveling to a foreign country? 

 

I am here to help!  In this newsletter I am going to give you some amazing advice, as well as some great advice from other travel agents as to which precautions to take when traveling to a foreign country. 

 

  • It is highly recommended that all travelers purchase travel insurance to protect themselves if they become ill or injured, particularly in a foreign country and require medical treatment and/or evacuation.

 

  • To maximize one’s personal safety and security while traveling in international destination:
    • Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they could become dangerous.
    • Stay in the well-known tourist areas of the cities.
    • Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.
    • Visit only legitimate businesses and tourist areas, and avoid areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur.
    • Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member back home.
    • Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.
    • Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other valuable items.
    • Make sure to have a charged cellphone and fully charged power block with you at all times. 
    • Know where your exits are in case you would have to get out in an emergency. 
    • Make every attempt to travel during daylight hours and stick to main roads.

 

  • Additional precautions travelers can take, just as they would at home, include:
    • Have someone you trust with you.
    • If something seems suspicious, remove yourself from that situation.
    • Be a good citizen. If you see a fellow traveler needing assistance don’t be afraid to help.
    • If traveling with children, be sure to keep an eye on them at all times, especially near water as the resorts do not offer lifeguards.

 

  • We recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and register their travel plans at https://step.state.gov. This will help the State Department contact travelers if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or in the event an emergency transpires in the place where the individual is traveling.

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

Travel Agents Save Wintry Weather Disasters

Liz Hough on

It is only the beginning of March but believe it or not, people are planning and booking their winter vacations for next year.  Why?  Everyone loves to travel to warmer weather and the Caribbean and Mexico are usually the top places we book.  A few days relaxing on the beach and taking in some good amounts of Vitamin D makes everyone’s spirits lift up.  Unfortunately, wintry weather can disrupt travel plans.  It is a known fact that travelers who book through a trained travel agent professional have many advantages over those who “go it alone.”

 

 

Here are some of the advantages when you book with a Life is Better Traveling travel professional:

 

 

   1. Life is Better Traveling Travel agents are trained to monitor situations like winter weather that may impact their clients’ travel plans. As such, they also can work on alternative travel plans and can likely have those in place the moment the need arises.  In some cases, such as weather, airlines are not required to provide accommodations. Travel agents can proactively find accommodations for their clients in when weather disrupts travel plans.

 

 

   2. If changes in travel plans are necessary due to weather or mechanical issues for example, many times, travel agents can rebook clients for no additional charge or are able to obtain travel vouchers and/or refunds that clients may not know are due or available to them.

 

 

   3. We stand ready to assist clients who may encounter major transportation delays or cancelled flights. If necessary:

  • We will help our clients secure other flight arrangements.
  • We will work to rebook hotel and car rental reservations.
  • We will work to find alternative modes of transportation to get our clients to their destination.

 

  4. With limited airline seats available, Life is Better Traveling travel agents have the resources needed to quickly rebook clients and reserve the next available seat.

  • Travelers who book on their own either have to “roll the dice” by calling an 800 number or standing in a lengthy customer service line to try get rebooked. Using a travel agent can essentially move you to the “front of the line.”

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

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