Blog-beg for a free vacation

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Do you like free stuff? Well, if you’re not a newlywed, there are still plenty of ways to score a trip on someone else’s dime. They guys over at HomeAway have set aside $5,000 in prizes at some top-shelf vacation rental destinations. If that doesn’t sound like a lot of cash, consider how much blogging I’d have to do to hit that (hint: a lot). And, the worst part is that all you have to do is what I do!

Just slam out a blog post; you can do it by photo, video or the old fashioned written word. It should explain why you are so deserving of a week of absolute bliss while the rest of us have to suffer. Tie your sentiment to one of HomeAway’s properties. Use the site for inspiration if you must.

There’s a catch. There’s always a catch. The contest ends today at 11:59 PM CST. That’s when the voting begins. You thought rational people would determine your fate? How foolish …

Remember: losing this contest gets you nothing except really cool trip ideas.

Carbon Monoxide hazard: Take the detector on vacation

by Jamie Rhein on

This is the time of year when carbon monoxide poisoning stories begin to circulate. I heard one story yesterday on the Today Show that caught my traveler’s ear. A family who was recently vacationing in Aspen died from carbon monoxide poisoning while slumbering. (See article.)

The family was staying in an upscale vacation rental where such tragedies are least expected. At the end of the segment, the suggestion was made that perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a carbon monoxide detector with you when you go on vacation. They are light, not particularly expensive and could save lives. Just remember to change the batteries or this safety feature is useless.

In this post at Traveling Mamas, Mountain Mama offers more details about the Aspen tradgedy and suggests that people make sure working carbon monoxide detectors are installed in vacation rentals and hotels before making a booking.

It has never occurred to me to check on such details. I can think of a few dodgy establishments where I’ve taken the bedspread off the bed and cleaned the water glasses before using them to stay healthy. This is just one more safety feature to add to the list.

Here’s a link to the Today show segment about carbon monoxide safety.

VRBO, Vacation Rentals by Owner has an easy to navigate new look

by Jamie Rhein on

The newly designed website of VRBO–Vacation Rentals by Owner is a snap to use. Clicking on a particular region of one of the maps is one way to zoom in on a specific destination. Click on a state, for example, and whoosh, there you are browsing the bounties.

In each state, rentals are divided into regions. I went to Montana and then to Butte which pointed me to four vacation home rentals, two with rave reviews from people vowing to return, and two where people haven’t left comments.

The world map gives you the option of heading to a specific continent and then narrowing down to a country search. Or you can browse the list of locations, also on the home page.

The homepage also has a section divided into two categories: Family Reunion or Group Travel, and Cabin Rentals and Beach Rentals. This is another design element that helps narrow a search.

If you have no idea what country or state will capture your fancy, start clicking away at the various options. Photos and detailed descriptions help with the yay or nay sorting. See what captures your eye.

With 110,000 vacation rentals and 21,000 worldwide locations, VRBO is great place to find that vacation spot to suit your needs. For people who are looking to post their vacation rentals, check this site out. You’ll be in good company.