It always surprises me that so-called travel experts concentrate so heavily on hotel accommodation and frequently completely ignore self-catering accommodation for touring holidays. An apparently expert site in the US, giving its expertise to people travelling to Germany, Austria and Switzerland, devotes a lot of attention on its site and in its newsletters to getting the best deals for hotels and meals, while ignoring the advantages of self-catering.
Even the most basic of self-catering offers the advantages of more space than a hotel room and a lower price per head, as well as the possibility of making significant savings on restaurant meal costs with the option of eating in - which can involve little cooking if you buy ready prepared meals or take aways. And you just have more flexibility - you can have breakfast in your dressing gown and just a cup of coffee and a slice of toast if that is all you fancy. You can make yourself brunch mid morning if you want to sleep late and then set off sightseeing. You can make yourself a picnic lunch if you are going off walking or the budget is getting a bit strained. And of course you don't have to worry about restaurant opening hours in the evening and can have a midnight snack any time you want.
Of course, there are disadvantages - most holiday rentals don't offer a daily cleaning service - but many people are irritated by the arrival of housekeeping in hotels at inconvenient times and the feeling that you need to be out of their way while they clean. And you won't normally have a flunky to help with your luggage. The lack of 24/7 concierge service could be a nuisance, but holiday rentals with on site managers or owners may well be prepared to give tourist advice, book tickets, recommend restaurants if you ask.
Perhaps the biggest problem with booking a holiday rental is finding one which has flexible booking periods - but there are many of them out there and they are easy enough to find by typing the dates you want into the search engines on the major rental sites and seeing what comes up.
Another problem is quality - how do you know that the apartment you book will be clean and well equipped? With a hotel there are international standards - they are not foolproof but they can be a good guide. There are rating systems for holiday rentals but few owners have their property rated. You need to look carefully at their entry on the website, preferably go to the owner's own website - see how much care they have put into providing information on their website: that is a good guide as to how much care they have put into preparing the accommodation.
At our holiday apartments in Bayerisch Eisenstein in the Bavarian Forest, we have met many creative travellers using holiday rentals while touring. The 17-18 year old Inter Rail group from the UK (hugely entertaining, although we might take a damage deposit next time!). The large walking groups from the UK who book our apartments for a whole week and get more space for less money than they would in a pension, and we organise breakfast, evening meal and a coach trip to Cesky Krumlow for them. The Australian family travelling the world for 4 months with 2 teenage children and an 8 month old baby. The American family doing a stop over on their way back to Dubai. And the family who just wanted a few days stopover on the way back from their holiday in Spain. (The last 2 examples involved some unusual logistical solutions). And many more.
With a full service 5 star apartment, 3 double ensuite bedrooms, kitchen/dining room, large sitting room, 2 balconies and private garden costing just Euros 145 per night in total, wfirst day's breakfast provided, large CD and DVD collection for evening entertainment and supplies of food and drink to buy, and owners always available with advice and help if needed, is there really a comparison with staying in a hotel. Unless you want to be pampered by lots of staff, or use the hotel swimming pool, it really is no contest!
Margaret Leach http://www.bavarian-forest-holidays.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Leach
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Sunday, 9 December 2007
Self Catering Cottages - Vacation In The Executive Simplicity Of A Self Catering Cottage
How does the idea of upgrading your vacation to a self catering cottage grab you? Interesting idea? As far as the travel industry is concerned, this is not a new concept; although it has gained increasing popularity in recent years.
Vacationers are utilizing the self catering cottage in increasing numbers. This vacation trend identifies people who are desirous of getting away from the hustle and bustle of life, the noise of life, and the stressors that tend to bog them down. They beat a hasty retreat to a cottage. This refreshing type of vacation cottage is invigorating and can easily be transformed to personal tastes. Let's look at the role the Internet plays and how people's tastes have evolved toward this type of vacation trend.
The Internet places at your fingertips, the ability to plan and book a self catering cottage with consummate ease. It does not matter where you are, nor does it matter where your chosen vacation spot is. When you have compared prices and vacation destinations, and finally made your choice, a few mouse clicks will set aside your self catering cottage for the vacation dates you desire.
Nowadays, people work very hard for their money. As a result, they've become discriminating spenders. They increasingly jump at the opportunity to customize and personalize anything they spend their hard earned money on. And that includes vacation destinations. For instance, people rank personal health high on their list of priorities. For those who enjoy cooking their own meals, self catering cottages are a dream come true.
The charming Bermuda self catering cottage is set amidst enchanting natural surroundings. For your most cherished vacation memories, follow this link: http://www.wyclefinnovations.com/bermuda_vacation.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wycliffe_Williams
Vacationers are utilizing the self catering cottage in increasing numbers. This vacation trend identifies people who are desirous of getting away from the hustle and bustle of life, the noise of life, and the stressors that tend to bog them down. They beat a hasty retreat to a cottage. This refreshing type of vacation cottage is invigorating and can easily be transformed to personal tastes. Let's look at the role the Internet plays and how people's tastes have evolved toward this type of vacation trend.
The Internet places at your fingertips, the ability to plan and book a self catering cottage with consummate ease. It does not matter where you are, nor does it matter where your chosen vacation spot is. When you have compared prices and vacation destinations, and finally made your choice, a few mouse clicks will set aside your self catering cottage for the vacation dates you desire.
Nowadays, people work very hard for their money. As a result, they've become discriminating spenders. They increasingly jump at the opportunity to customize and personalize anything they spend their hard earned money on. And that includes vacation destinations. For instance, people rank personal health high on their list of priorities. For those who enjoy cooking their own meals, self catering cottages are a dream come true.
The charming Bermuda self catering cottage is set amidst enchanting natural surroundings. For your most cherished vacation memories, follow this link: http://www.wyclefinnovations.com/bermuda_vacation.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wycliffe_Williams
Saturday, 1 December 2007
10 Cheap Travel Tips
Traveling does not need to put you in the poor house, just follow these 10 cheap travel tips to save money and still enjoy your vacation.
Carry Snacks With You
Buying snacks in bulk before you go and dividing them up into zip lock bags saves the cost and hassle of purchasing snack foods while traveling.
Bring Along A Water Bottle
Cheap travel tips do not need to be time consuming and inconvenient. This one is easy and simple. Just pack a nice water bottle and refill it whenever you get the chance, so you don't have to purchase bottled water.
Look For Packages
Finding packages for services and attractions can be one of the most invaluable of all cheap travel tips. Package deals can be found on most things, from shuttle rides if you purchase round trip in advance, to hotel room rates that include free breakfast.
Walk Places
This tip can save you a lot of money and has the added benefit of allowing you to get your exercise in. It is also a great way to explore a new area.
Use Grocery Stores
Every meal does not need to be eaten at a restaurant. It can be great fun to find a grocery store and buy something from the deli and take it to a nearby park.
Bring Along Entertainment
Many people spend their time on vacation jumping from one attraction to another with no time in between. Why not bring along a book or camera and spend a day or two relaxing?
Save Extra Food
If you receive extra food on an airplane or with a meal, bring it with you so that you have a snack available and do not have to purchase one.
Go Camping
Road trips can really add up when you are staying in a hotel every night. Why not bring along a tent and spend some of the nights camping. You can alternate nights between a hotel and tent in order to avoid feeling grungy.
Plan Your Trips During Off-Times
Cheap travel tips can include staying at quality, premium places. This can be achieved through finding the times that are considered off-season and planning your trip during that time. Most hotels and attractions have times of the year when they fill up and can demand higher prices, but also times of the year when they do not get a lot of visitors and are willing to offer great deals to allure guests.
Don't Be Afraid To Request Forgotten Items
If you forget a toothbrush or razor do not hesitate to call the front desk if you are staying at a hotel and asking for one. Most hotels have extras like this available and it saves you the money of purchasing one.
Follow these ten cheap travel tips to make your vacation cost effective and stress-free.
Sarah Holt writes for Everything About Travel.com. For more about Cheap Travel, as well as the free "Travel Secrets" e-book, travel stories and tips, visit http://www.everythingabouttravel.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_J_Holt
Carry Snacks With You
Buying snacks in bulk before you go and dividing them up into zip lock bags saves the cost and hassle of purchasing snack foods while traveling.
Bring Along A Water Bottle
Cheap travel tips do not need to be time consuming and inconvenient. This one is easy and simple. Just pack a nice water bottle and refill it whenever you get the chance, so you don't have to purchase bottled water.
Look For Packages
Finding packages for services and attractions can be one of the most invaluable of all cheap travel tips. Package deals can be found on most things, from shuttle rides if you purchase round trip in advance, to hotel room rates that include free breakfast.
Walk Places
This tip can save you a lot of money and has the added benefit of allowing you to get your exercise in. It is also a great way to explore a new area.
Use Grocery Stores
Every meal does not need to be eaten at a restaurant. It can be great fun to find a grocery store and buy something from the deli and take it to a nearby park.
Bring Along Entertainment
Many people spend their time on vacation jumping from one attraction to another with no time in between. Why not bring along a book or camera and spend a day or two relaxing?
Save Extra Food
If you receive extra food on an airplane or with a meal, bring it with you so that you have a snack available and do not have to purchase one.
Go Camping
Road trips can really add up when you are staying in a hotel every night. Why not bring along a tent and spend some of the nights camping. You can alternate nights between a hotel and tent in order to avoid feeling grungy.
Plan Your Trips During Off-Times
Cheap travel tips can include staying at quality, premium places. This can be achieved through finding the times that are considered off-season and planning your trip during that time. Most hotels and attractions have times of the year when they fill up and can demand higher prices, but also times of the year when they do not get a lot of visitors and are willing to offer great deals to allure guests.
Don't Be Afraid To Request Forgotten Items
If you forget a toothbrush or razor do not hesitate to call the front desk if you are staying at a hotel and asking for one. Most hotels have extras like this available and it saves you the money of purchasing one.
Follow these ten cheap travel tips to make your vacation cost effective and stress-free.
Sarah Holt writes for Everything About Travel.com. For more about Cheap Travel, as well as the free "Travel Secrets" e-book, travel stories and tips, visit http://www.everythingabouttravel.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_J_Holt
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