Common Mistakes When Booking a Vacation Rental

By Kent J Thompson

Vacation rentals such as condos and villas are increasingly popular choices of holiday accommodation around the world, for many reasons including having an increased level of privacy and saving money compared to premium hotels. However, finding the right accommodation is not so easy, especially as there is an every growing range of choice to select your villa or condo from.

One of the first common mistakes that people make when investing in a vacation rental is trying to go as cheap as possible when booking their villa or their condo. This is understandable, as one of the main motivations for people choosing this type of accommodation is the appeal of the great savings that can be made when compared to staying at a hotel.

However, cheap does not always mean the best, and this is especially true seeing that there are now a growing number of agencies and vacation rental companies offering their services, some which will not be as professional as others. Therefore, it is important to look at the services provided, the cleanliness and the location of the accommodation instead of just an attractive price tag.

Instead, make a list of the qualities and services that you need in your condo or villa, and after finding several which fit your essential criteria, then have a look to see which one of your selected options is most appealing to you price-wise.

The next common error that people make when booking vacation accommodation is not taking advantage of seasonal and promotional deals offered by agencies and companies advertising their villas and condos. Certain times of the year will be harder to book for these companies, so it is not uncommon to find that there will be special deals to entice customers.

If you cannot find details of these offers on the website of the company or in their brochures, then it is advised to contact a member of the customer service or sales team to enquire, as this can result in discounts or advice on the best time of the year to book in regards to incentives offered by the agency.

The next mistake that many people make when booking is not thoroughly checking the terms of service when making their reservation. This includes whether other charges will be added to the total price, what equipment and other comforts are provided as part of the accommodation package and the responsibilities when it comes to cleaning and maintaining the property.

As many people are keen to make their booking as rapidly as possible to secure the ideal villa or condo, this is an easy mistake to make. However, this can result in costly charges or inconvenience and disappointment when the holidaymakers arrive abroad and find their accommodation is not quite what they expected.

For this reason, before you book through any website or accommodation agency, make sure that you are fully aware of what is included or not in your deal, and also make sure that you come to an agreement on the total price of your rental. This will make sure that you avoid any unpleasant surprises or major disappointments.

Lastly, a final error that is commonly made is being swayed by attractive photos of villas and condos online, without verifying whether or not these photos are recent or that the company or landlord maintains these to an excellent standard.

Many people who book a vacation rental are looking for a standard of luxury that will make sure that they enjoy an exceptional vacation, and therefore are willing spend a significant amount of money. To ensure that you get value for money, do not just rely on airbrushed website photos, instead asking for more recent images so that you know exactly what you will be getting.

Manuel Antonio Rental Properties is a Costa Rican vacation rental agency in Manuel Antonio, specializing in luxury rental homes, villas and condos with ocean views. Find out more at: http://www.ManuelAntonioRentalProperties.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kent_J_Thompson/1981797

Wonders in the Land of Oz

By M Witt

A holiday itinerary to Down Under (that's Australia, mate) that takes in the major cities will mean advanced planning on your part, especially if you are seeking budget rates at hotels.

Be it in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth or Darwin, smart budget travellers will first check out travel and tourism websites for the right information, make their bookings before flying off to the Land of Oz.

There are a number of such holiday websites on the Internet for you to consider and make price comparisons and other information you may need before your trip.

Cheaperthanhotels.com.au is one such website that have the information if you're looking for cheap accomodation in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and Darwin. They offer advance discount contract rates, so you save money and secure your hotel reservations. So how about an Australian adventure that will remain as fond memories?

The Australian continent offers a remarkable landscape. If you are travelling to see some of the great Australian tourist locations you will not be disappointed.

Queensland

The Gold Coast

The Great Barrier Reef is one location you will not want to miss. When you think of lazy holidays on sunny beaches, Queensland's regions such as the Gold Coast - a holiday spot of wonderful contrasts - and Whitsundays come to mind. Surfers' Paradise is a favourite for many who are looking for an enjoyable time on its famous beach. In these places you will find the perfect clime and seaside towns that give you the experience of relaxed Australian culture at its best.

Known as the Sunshine State, Queensland offers a rich, diverse experience for vacation trippers. From pristine beaches to lush rainforest wonderlands, you can consider it an ultimate holiday destination. The state capital Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia.

New South Wales

Sydney's Opera House


NSW is Australia’s most diverse state. The state capital, Sydney, is the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city and it boasts the world famous Opera House which is a sight to behold. It is one of five World Heritage sites. The vibrancy of Sydney with its spectacular beauty will stretch your imagination. From shopping to dining and other activities catering to all your desires will leave you breathless in Sydney.

Like the other Australian states, NSW can boast its own sparkling beaches stretching from north to south, a vast, colourful outback, Australia’s highest mountain offering every type of snow sport, and meandering waterways.

Victoria

Yarra River, Melbourne

In size Victoria is a small state but it has some of the best sightseeing and most fascinating places in the country. There are surprises everywhere. Melbourne, the state capital, is a great place for those who love food and wine - a paradise for the connoisseur. It is an exciting, multi-cultural city with a rich heritage and culture. There are great sporting, fashion and cultural events. Be the adventurous type and discover the eclectic boutiques in the city.

Discover the beauty and diversity of Victoria's regions - From towering rainforests, ski resorts and endless golden bays, to craggy ocean cliffs, rolling green hills and red sandy deserts. Victoria was the main attraction for thousands of gold prospectors in the mid-19th century because of its goldfields, and today the gold mining towns are modern cities.

South Australia

Shades of autumn - Adelaide Hills


The state is wine country. South Australia carries on the tradition of more 160 years of winemaking that began in 1841 when the first vintage was recorded in the Adelaide Hills.

From Shiraz in the Barossa, Riesling in the Clare Valley to the big reds of the Coonawarra, it's a great sparkling journey across some of the most famous wine regions in the world. Adelaide itself is a vibrant southern city with great cultural events going on and shopping buffs will not be short of places to go.

Kangaroo Island

One of the best places to be is Kangaroo Island which is just a "stone's throw away" from the coast of South Australia. The island is seven times the size of Singapore. This unique place is a microcosm of different landscapes and environments, with desert dunes, stunning beaches, forests, and farmlands.

Kangaroo Island was voted top tourism and environment island in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine for its natural attractions and sensitivity to the environment.

Western Australia

For the authentic Australian experience visit Perth, Australia's western gateway and the capital of Western Australia. It's a great place to start your holiday. Perth City has an easygoing lifestyle. Experience the beauty of Swan River and the inner-city parks and get that easy, peaceful feeling like having a cold beer on a sunny afternoon at an open-air pub.

In WA, as in all the other states, fantastic beaches abound and amazing marine adventures are just waiting for you. For entertainment and other activities, there's plenty of nightlife, bustling markets, inner-city parks and outdoor dining.

Western Australia's history is tied to the ocean. It is a land of great contrasts. The state boasts a rugged and beautiful Outback - from the vast open Nullarbor plains to the colourful marine wonderland of Ningaloo Reef. It's the best of both worlds.

Swan River with Perth's skyline in the background


Tasmania

Tasmania is a green island of wild, mountainous and beautiful landscapes, separated from mainland Australia by the 240 kilometres (150 miles) stretch of Bass Strait. Hobart, its capital, enjoys a busy arts scene, thanks to its creative arts community. The city folks are friendly displaying a relaxed lifestyle. Settled in 1804, the town grew rapidly as the clearing house for British and Irish convicts. Its place on the Derwent River became the perfect protected deepwater harbour, and now every December and January it welcomes weary and exultant contenders from the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Hobart, Tasmania 

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is a land that is full of surprises - from the lush rainforests of Kakadu and Katherine to the arid red plains of the Red Centre in Alice Springs and the great rock, Uluru (Ayers Rock). Darwin, the state capital, enjoys influences that are as much Asian as they are western with dozens of nationalities sharing an easy-going lifestyle.

The Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Northern Territory

The state is one of the most sparsely populated regions, spanning more than 1.4 million square kilometres from the centre to the northerly coast of the Australian continent. It's a place where ancient woodlands meet sandy beaches and escarpments tower above lush billabongs. If you are a photography buff, you will not want to miss some great shots while watching the sunsets and the storms that are something of a local pastime.

Cool time at the Lichfield National Park, Northern Territory

Mexico Holidays and Packages

Yucatan Peninsula, photo: Stillframe


By Maria Thomas

Mexico - a country with a turbulent history - encompasses fantastic legends and lore. Its culture with its Spanish connection has its own indigenous appeal. That appeal has infiltrated into its art, design and architecture.

From museums and opera houses to tranquil beach resorts, travellers in Mexico will definitely not ask for anything more. Over 500 festivals and holidays are celebrated annually throughout Mexico City and nearby towns showcasing deep historical ancestry.

Chichen Itza's Kukulcan Temple, photo: kyle simourd

Mexico is one of the most admired tourist spots.

The first name that comes in mind is Riviera Maya. Due to its lush jungle, landscape, shoreline and history, Riviera Maya has a variety of attractions to entice travellers. Playa del Carmen, a major town in the region and runs along the beach offering tourists prominent hotels, it also provides the shoppers an array of colourful local handicrafts to meet the latest trends in European fashions. Next comes the Yucatán Peninsula, an archeological goldmine, situated on the Gulf of Mexico's southern shore. It was the center of Mayan civilization throughout their rule.

Los Cabos at dusk, photo: jeffgunn

The beach resorts outside the capital city is one of the places that people who travel to Mexico will surely enjoy. The beach destination is also regarded as the most accepted option for a romantic honeymoon getaway.

Acapulco is one of the popular tourist spots where you can enjoy fishing as well as water sports. Acapulco is also noted for its hotels, casinos and beach resorts. Mazatlan is also an admired tourist destination, a place where pre-Lenten carnivals and fishing tournaments take place. One can also find in Mazatlan an observatory and one of the tallest lighthouses in the world.

Other beaches that travellers in Mexico should not miss are the Cancun Island, the Puerto Vallarta and the Los Cabos.

Mexico is one of the most important museum destinations in the world.

Museums that travellers in Mexico should visit are the National Museum of Anthropology, Museum of National History, Snail Museum, Technology Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. Children will also enjoy the Mexico City Zoo and the Papalote, a children's interactive museum.

Travelling to Mexico will not be complete without visiting the Basilica de Guadalupe, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Chapultepec Castle. The monuments abound in the Paseo de la Reforma are Angel of the Independence (the symbol of the country's national identity), Cuauhtemoc Memorial and the Diana Cazadora (the statue of Diana the Huntress).

The Zona Rosa or the Pink Zone is an ideal shopping paradise covering boutique squares, shops and hotels. The Alameda Park is also a shopping district, which borders the Palace of Fine Arts. Travellers can find the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon in Teotihuacan that face each other, providing a great view of the surrounding regions from the top.

Mexico is one of the most popular vacation destinations of North America. Winter is the best time for a tour to Mexico, as majority of Mexico is positioned in the tropics, making weather somewhat reliable and the months of July and August inevitably avoidable, when temperatures may not drop below 90F at night. Great waves, sea caves and the closeness of many interesting locales strengthens the lure of this western peninsula.

About the author: Maria Thomas is a owner of the Holidays with best bargain from Online travel agency Bargain Holidays with World Wise Travel, Online travel Agency an independent, online travel agency. We deal with all the major ABTA and ATOL bonded tour operators and all the major airlines

Article Source: EzineArticles