Holiday Homes Offer Great Deals for Vacation Rentals

In the Netherlands, they are called vakantiewoningen; in Germany, the word is Ferienhaus. Yet no matter where you go in the world, holiday homes are one option if you are looking for deals on vacation rentals. They are an option more American travelers are taking advantage of rather than booking traditional hotel rooms.

Vacation homes, otherwise known as holiday homes in Europe, provide travelers with all of the amenities of home in an environment that is much more personal and welcoming than a hotel. They are popular with families because they provide enough space to be comfortable as well. With the holiday home, you are not trying to cram everybody into a single room complete with cots and air mattresses.

Finding a Good Deal

Finding a good deal on vacation rentals will not be easy if you are going to the typical American city. We just do not have that many available here except in the coastal areas of the South, and along both the East and West coasts. If you travel outside the U.S. though, it's a different story.

For example, if you plan to vacation in the Caribbean later this year, holiday villas are plentiful. The key to finding a good deal is to hook up with a travel agent or a company that specializes in vacation rentals. Both types of companies work directly with owners to secure the best pricing possible.

If you want the best deal, you'll also have to plan in advance. Trying to get a holiday apartment or home at the last minute usually comes with a fairly expensive price tag. The farther in advance you can book, the better.

One last thing to remember is that prices are directly related to holidays and treat peak travel times. Using the Caribbean as an example again, the prime tourist season in that part of the world is from early December through early March. If you are planning to spend Christmas in St. Lucia, for example, you will pay top dollar no matter how hard you look.

What Are The Best Minnesota Vacation Spots?

Most of us enjoy a good vacation and although you certainly do have many choices of where you will take that vacation, you really should consider the possibility of going to Minnesota. Minnesota offers a wide variety of vacation spots that is sure to take care of the needs of anyone who needs to get away from it all. Although the different places where you can spend some time in Minnesota is almost endless, there are some that I would recommend over others. Here are a few of the best Minnesota vacation spots for you to choose from.

Before I discuss the specific spots where you will vacation in the state of Minnesota, it is important for you to determine what type of vacation you desire. For some of us, the perfect vacation is going to be found in a large city where we have plenty of things to do, including shopping and tours. For others, getting away from it all in an area that offers you peace and quiet is going to be desired. Fortunately, Minnesota offers you all of those choices.

If you are somebody who enjoys being in the presence of others and wants to take in a little bit of history, I would recommend that you try visiting St. Paul. While in St. Paul, you will have the opportunity to take in a lot of history from the state because you can tour the state capital and many of the historic homes that are in the area. There are also several museums that are considered to be among the best that are found in the state of Minnesota. Other things that you can do when you are visiting St. Paul include taking a riverboat cruise on the mighty Mississippi or perhaps taking in play or concert in the area.

If you enjoy being someplace that is a little more secluded but still want the amenities that are available in a more populous location, I would recommend that you go to Duluth. This area offers you some of the more beautiful hotels that are available in Minnesota and they often have a great view of Lake Superior. You can either sit around and enjoy some of the amenities that are available at those upscale hotels or you can take some day trips, enjoying the various attractions and state parks that are in the general area.

If you would really like to get away from it all, I would recommend you go to Eli, Minnesota. From Eli, you can enjoy quite a few different vacation areas and you can truly enjoy some peace and quiet on the boundary Waters Canoe area wilderness (BWCAW). There are several hotels and lodges that are available in the area which allow you to enjoy all of the solitude that Eli has to offer. They also have amenities that will allow you to get more out of your vacation, just in case you want to diversify in some way or another.

So as you see, Minnesota offers you many opportunities to take a vacation. In choosing the right vacation spot in Minnesota, you will be sure to come back refreshed and ready to take on the world.

The Best Vacation Spots in the US Virgin Islands

There are an endless amount of US Virgin Islands vacations that can be planned so it helps to narrow down the possibilities to a few things that you can really enjoy. First choose from one or more of the three islands that comprise the territory. These are St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St John. All US Virgin Islands will allow for a wide array of popular activities such as hiking, diving, fishing, kayaking, golfing, and snorkeling. Still, you can make things easier on yourself by choosing which island to visit first and what spots to come back for on your next vacations.

To narrow down your choices of Islands, consider that St Croix is the biggest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is located about 40 miles south of the other islands and is a great spot for people interested in the diversity of Mother Nature. On the south side is a fertile plain where sugar was the main agricultural product and this has become the signature spot on St. Croix, giving it the nickname "Garden of the Antilles". Some amazing Danish colonial architecture and a wide array of activities makes St. Croix an island that is big enough to satisfy any number of vacations.

The two smaller islands to visit on your vacation are St. John and St. Thomas. St. John is also known as the "Wild Virgin" and is the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has a National Park that encompasses two-thirds of the entire island. The steep slopes of Bordeaux Mountain and all of the beautiful flora and fauna are a big attraction on St. John. Throw in the 40 world renowned beaches and you may end up visiting here for every one of your vacations. Of course, St. Thomas often attracts visitors as well because of its mountainous terrain and the historic port town of Charlotte Amalie.

Enjoy lots of hiking, snorkeling, diving, and fishing on any of the three main islands and you will know you have planned one of the best vacations possible.