Vacation Home Rentals Blog

Michelle Obama got into the spring spirit by breaking ground on a vegetable garden on the South Lawn of the White House–a practice that hadn’t been visited in decades–but I wonder if she’ll engage in that other D.C. tradition: Stopping to smell the cherry blossoms near D.C’s Tidal Basin.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival (happening through April 12) is expected to see its peak bloom period from April 1 to 4. For those living in Maryland or Virginia or even Delaware, the short trip to D.C. is worth the drive to see the dainty pale pink and white flowers burst into their subtle elegance. And I’d bet you could score a Washington D.C. vacation home on the fly, too.

Just when the Yoshino cherry blossoms gifted by Japan will sprout into beautiful buds depends on Mother Nature and the average date of blooming. In 1990, the grand reveal came as early as March 15.

If you miss D.C.’s celebration this time, consider other petal parades across America. I’m biased, of course, but my vote goes to the Windy City, where you can stay in a Chicago vacation home 10 times the size of a hotel room, and enjoy the Danish tulips dance along Michigan Avenue in shades of fuschia, white and canary.

Oh, and bring your jacket. It snowed on March 29. Mother Nature, cut us some slack–will you please?

On that top 10 places to visit before I die: Australia.

And for those of you living in Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York, there’s no time like the present. Book a Qantas flight before March 31 to take advantage of $275-$399 round-trip airfares to destinations like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Auckland.

Coupled with the hundreds of dollars you’re going to save on an Australia vacation home and the added relief of the American greenback’s value against the Australian dollar (Yes, believe it.), you do the math. You have to go. Now.

While you’re there, make sure to:

1. Explore the Great Barrier Reef.
2. Go on a cruise of Sydney Harbor to snap the obligatory picture of the Sydney Opera House.
3. Visit Ayers Rock.
4. Hang out on Bell’s Beach, Palm Beach, Surfer’s Paradise Beach and endless more stretches of sand that make Australia a surfer’s staple.
5. Learn what the heck a didgeridoo is and how to play it via a tour hosted by the Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre.

And for chrissake, mate, come back with a tan.

Having spent the boozy part of my 20s in Florida, I know from experience that Tampa knows how to have a good time, and doesn’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. It’s a town that parades its strip clubs on the same street as the local Walmart, and dive bars are as plentiful as Starbucks.

But don’t judge a city by its lucite heels and beer belly.

There’s an upscale side to the area, too, and several options for Tampa vacation homes. From Mcmansions to condo rentals, executives and families don’t have to settle for Motel 6. The condo pictured above is in the masterplanned community of Harbor Island, a tony collection of townhomes and apartments just a bridge away from downtown Tampa and within walking distance of The Convention Center, Channelside and the St. Pete Times Forum.

On a purely frivolous note, there’s one more factoid about Tampa that may even have Perez Hilton buzzing: Someday soon, it will house the future digs of Derek Jeter, who is reportedly building a 30,000-plus-square-foot palace on Davis Island. (The home at 58 Bahama Cirle is still under construction by Jeter’s company, Kered Connors LLC, according to the St. Petersburg Times, just in case you’re dying to spy.)

He may even be around. Look for the baby blue Ferrari.

The Haneys welcome visitors to their Galveston vacation home (Well technically Surfside Beach, but close enough.) with this motto: Mi casa es su casa. Check out why this cozy coastal town and their four-bedroom house makes for a great family vacation, and what–besides badminton and barbecues–keeps folks coming back year-round.

I’ve never been to Galveston. Name five things to do (attractions, theme parks, historical sites, etc.) in the area.

Other than hanging out on the beach, Galveston is a must see for any tourist coming to the Texas Gulf Coast. Many people do not know this but Galveston was the capital of Texas in the 1800s and the city was very prosperous owing to a booming sea trade. The best way to connect to Galveston’s past is by an excursion through one of its historic districts, or a tour of one of the architecturally beautiful historic homes that are open to the public.

A major tourist destination, two top spots for Galveston visitors is the 242-acre Moody Gardens and the newly-opened Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark. Part theme park, part educational and rehabilitative facility, part pleasure garden, Moody Gardens is a vacation all by itself, and Schlitterbahn is the first waterpark of its kind that is open year-round! Both are great places for adults and children alike.

Galveston is a major port of call for all the huge cruise lines and shopping is a priority for folks getting off the boats. If you like to shop, you will love to explore the enticing shops on The Strand, the waterfront district and the trendy Postoffice Arts District, where you can find just about anything–upscale, artsy, or beach trendy. With a city this historically minded and individual in its tastes, expect to find wonderful antique and curio stores; look for treasures both downtown and on Broadway.

Fishing is of course extremely popular with both the locals and the tourists and charters are plentiful as well as party boats, bay and pier fishing.

Dining is a Galveston highpoint. The specialty is fresh-cooked, fresh caught Gulf Coast cuisine–available both in traditional and nouvelle settings–but you’ll find restaurants for every mood and palate, from upscale continental, to hip fusion, to authentic Tex-Mex, to down-home barbecue.

What makes it a great place to visit, especially for families?

The beach is a wonderful place for families with kids of all ages. Who doesn’t love the ocean, building sand castles and going crabbing? Schlitterbahn Waterpark caters to people of all ages and have life jackets and special infant pools to fit the tiniest vacationers.

What are the best times of year to travel to Galveston and why?

There’s never a bad time to come to the coast. If you love the heat, come in the summer, if you’d prefer empty beaches and a bit of solitude, come in the winter when the sea shells are most plentiful and you don’t have to fight the crowds. My personal favorite is the fall. The weather is usually exceptional in October and November–warm days, warm water and cool nights.

Why is renting a Galveston vacation home a good idea in this economy?

Take it from someone who knows. A two night stay at the Hotel Galvez or San Louis will run you $600 easy and then you have to pay for all of your meals when you eat out. Why not stay at a beachfront home and have use of the entire house and kitchen? Make it even more economical by finding a home with enough rooms for two families to vacation together.

What bars and restaurants do you recommend and why?

Guidos is a tradition in Galveston, but there are many many great restaurants there. Rudy and Pacos, the Steakhouse in the San Louis Hotel, Luigis on the Strand.

What, in your humble opinion, is so special about your vacation home?

There are several things that make my home so special. For one thing, the location is perfect: We are a beachfront property located in a kind of remote area about 30 minutes outside of Galveston, in a sleepy little community called Surfside, population 700. Called the best-kept secret on the Gulf Coast, Surfside is not on the tourist radar. Therefore the beaches are quiet, the fishing is plentiful and it’s a great place to relax with friends and family. Galveston, with all of its attractions, is a quick and scenic drive up the coast. The second thing that makes our home so special is the actual house which was carefully designed by my husband and I. As I mentioned our home is beach front and the architectural details allow the guests to take advantage of the spectacular views from everywhere–inside and out. We have decks on three sides of the house, both upstairs and down and all the rooms open to decks. Inside, we have vaulted ceilings with one huge wall of windows giving you uninterrupted beach gazing from anywhere in the kitchen or living room or upstairs hallway.

What is the “secret room” that one of your previous renters referenced in a user review?

Our home was designed by my husband and I to be a wonderful home for not just the adults but for our children as well and so a lot of thought went into every detail. In the original plans for the house, there was supposed to be a “butler’s pantry” under the stairs. But we decided instead that we would tuck a small child’s room there. It has just enough room to accommodate a small bed, complete with lots of comfortable pillows and sea-themed sheets and comforter, a toy chest, and a 12-inch TV is mounted to the wall so little ones can watch TV, play video games or watch a dvd. Adults are too big for this room, so it is very much an exclusive kid’s cozy hideaway. The room is LOVED by little children, mine included and is always mentioned in the guest comments book I keep in the house.

Let’s get right to it.

1. Do a clam or lobster bake. (Duh)
2. Go on a bike ride along the Route 130 Mashpee Bikeway that snakes past the Wampanoag Museum and the Mashpee River herring run. Make sure to fill your beach cruiser’s basket with picnic goodies like artisan cheeses and carrot cake cupcakes (or whatever it is the “Barefoot Contessa” could whip up in one hour.).
3. Build sandcastles at South Cape Beach or John’s Pond.
4. Take the kids on a nature walk hosted by the Town of Mashpee. You’ll stroll through the woodlands and explore the marshes, streams, ponds and bogs in this lush landscape.
5. Rent this Mashpee vacation home. No, not all Cape Cod rentals are weathered versions as old as Eunice Kennedy. For $1,500 a week through the end of June, you’ll have this three-bedroom, three-bathroom new construction house that peeks out to John’s Pond, a large freshwater pond that beckons with its clean, sparkling waters. You may not be a Kennedy, but you can certainly live like one.

Spring has sprung, and you know what that means. America turns to its other favorite past time: fishing.

Nowadays, people have all the more reason to dust off their fishing rods and head to New England, Florida and spots like this Texas vacation home. What’s the point of forking over $30 for striped bass at a fancy pants restaurant when you can catch it yourself, grill it over charcoal and enjoy it on the stone patio?

From this five-bedroom vacation rental, hear the rush of waters from Sulfur Creek, where you’ll be able to cast your line, swim, tube and skip rocks. Four of the five rooms have french doors that lead to the pool, including a gameroom for the kiddies.

If you’ve had enough of Mother Nature, flee to the city–Austin, just 45 miles away–for 6th Street nightlife and delicious Southern Cuisine.

But back to the fishing.

For anglers who like to change up the scenery during their trips, head to nearby Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake State Park and Colorado State Park for clear skies and wide waters.

Want more options for that perfect fishing trip? Consider this Bradenton vacation home, this Wisconsin cabin or this Oregon vacation rental. Catch a big one for me.

Beverly Hills may have its mansions, India the Taj Mahal, but neither have the charm of this Galway vacation home, a stone cottage aged 300 years.

Don’t be fooled by the worn exterior. You won’t have to sacrifice the comforts of modern living, including Internet, a fax machine and a sauna. (Yes, really, a sauna.)

But we all know that you visit Ireland for the lovely scenery and the lovely scenery you will get. The two-bedroom, one-bath home sits at the foot of the The Sliabh Aughty mountains, a zig-zag land of cottage-dotted greenery as far as ye Irish eyes can see. You’ll also be able to ride horses on the property.

During your stay, don’t forget to head to Galway City to get your fill of all the other fantasies that brought you to the Emerald Isle in the first place: fiddlers, frothy pints, Aran sweaters, colorful painted pubs and those darling Irish brogues.

For more Irish vacation homes, check out the rest of our listings on VacationHomeRentals.com.

As a former bride who entertained 200-plus guests at a destination wedding, I can without reservation recommend the experience to other couples. I didn’t want mine to be just another Hilton banquet room party with rubbery chicken and a miniature steak. I wanted friends and family to mingle, dance and get drunk.

And that they did in Killaloe, Ireland.

If I could have orchestrated a second ceremony, however (Don’t get any ideas.), I would have done the beach wedding–an intimate affair at a Mexican vacation villa that could have doubled as a reception site. This Bucerias vacation home, like my husband, is the one.

Hacienda Camino al Mar, a seven-bedroom heaven of a house, doesn’t skimp on anything, from a staff to take care of cooking and cleaning to a saltwater pool. And look at the architecture. Designed by Puerto Vallarta Architect Arturo Ramos, it thrills with Spanish colonial rooms, outdoor living spaces, warm colors and arched doorways.

Exchange vows by the pool then party on the rooftop terrace.

And just so you’ll be prepared by the chorus of folks mumbling, “Why can’t you have your wedding at the Holiday Inn?,” tell them the villa is just 10 minutes away from Gustavo Diaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta, the popular resort town that sports 345 days of sunshine a year. According to the property owner, it’s about 10 pesos (or $1) to cab to the digs.

As for the cost of the rental itself ($3,300 a week from April through November), that’s where mom and dad come in. Just keep that guest list to 16 total.

Let’s just get this out of the way: When it comes to golf, I don’t know boo. My husband speaks of it being “a mental game.” I see it more as an excuse to escape home for a few hours, drink beer with the boys and conveniently be absent from diaper duty.

And I get that.

It’s like me going on a spa vacation with my girlfriends. He’d have zero interest. So he gets the golf pass, because eventually I’ll be using mine to cleanse my clogged pores and release the tension from my aching writer’s back.

I’d actually love it if he went away to a Myrtle Beach vacation home like this condo rental. The two-bedroom villa is between the 9th and 11th fairways of the Greg Norman golf course inside Barefoot Resort, along with access to three others: the Fazio, Dye and Love courses. It’s a great option for dudes who’ll know they’ll get grief at home for spending too much money–It’s only $60 a night for the remainder of the month.

For men whose golf getaways are serious business, enter this La Quinta vacation villa for $375 a night. Prestige is this property’s middle name thanks to an enviable location on the 7th hole of a Jack Nicklaus-designed course inside a gated community of PGA West. The 1,700-square-foot home is very resort-like in feel with gorgeous linens and upgraded appliances, but let’s get to the stuff you care about: The golf cart, which is waiting for you in the garage, to whisk you away to your perfect game.

Free to take a vacation, but not without the family?

Compromise on this Hilton Head vacation home. Situated on the Barony Golf Course, the three-bedroom house for $230 to $250 a night makes toting your tots easy. There’s a Pack-n-Play, high chair and tennis lessons for the kids. But back to the golf.

This house comes with a cart, too. Although before tee time, you know Junior will want to take a spin. Let him.

Britney did it. Tom, Katie and Suri were there as recently as a month ago.

Now it’s your turn to be swept up by the magic that is Disney World.

Hurting for revenue, the theme park is throwing all sorts of deals at would-be mouseketeers, from free admission on your birthday to hotel packages.

But for my money, its makes sound fiscal sense to rent an Orlando vacation rental–especially when traveling with little ones.  This executive-style vacation home shows like a model, with three master bedrooms and two twin-sized bedrooms perfectly suited for up to 12 guests. Priced between $169 a night and $189 a night in March and April, the space makes any Disney-area suite–however large–look like a sardine can.

The owner has thought of everything: A game room with a pool table, air hockey, foos ball, hoops, plus a Playstation 2, wireless Internet, portable crib and high chair. After going in dizzying circles with your stroller around Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom or Sea World, lounge by the pool or in the spa.

Oh, and parents: This upscale home within a gated community provides quick access to your two loves–golf and shopping. The courses and malls are close by.

Because even the best mommies and daddies in the world can only get so much of Mickey Mouse.