Vacation Rentals have been part of our travels for years. I have a large extended family that I like traveling with and vacation homes work perfectly for us. I also like having a kitchen to cook and have snacks available. I just feel like I have more freedom in a vacation rental and I like it a lot.
There is just something so freeing about not
being crammed into a hotel room. However, they are certainly not for
everyone. As with anything travel related, there are pros and cons when
renting a vacation home or apartment.
Here are some things to consider before giving your credit card or book that vacation rental.
1. How long will you be staying?
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First
and foremost you need to decide how long you plan to go on vacation.
This will be key because many times, the longer you stay, the less the
price per night. In fact, there are vacation rentals available for a
year or more that tend to be very reasonably priced.
2. Who will be going?
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How many people are in your party and will they all be coming at the same time?
Last year, we rented a three bedroom apartment
in Italy. Family came to stay with us at various times but never all at
the same time so it worked out well for us. We knew exactly who was
going and when.
3. What needs do you have?
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I
like a full kitchen along with a washer and dryer so that is something
that I look for in every rental. I also like to have air conditioning
especially if I am renting a place in the summer and in places like
Europe, not every vacation home comes with air conditioning.
Each
place we rent also needs to have Wifi so I can do some work while we
are traveling. This gives me the ability to travel longer.
Knowing exactly what you need makes finding a vacation home much easier.
4. Budget
How
much can you afford to spend per night? Although prices vary by
country, you can usually find something in every budget and price range.
It is best to book early though.
5. Where do you want to go?
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This
is also something to consider. Going to a place like Rome is huge and
could be harder to navigate so sometimes staying a little outside a city
is right for your trip.
Often times you will find larger homes for
lower prices plus other benefits. For instance, one home we rented in
France a little outside a major city offered a car that was included in
the price.
6. What part of the city or area do you want to stay in?
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This
is key because for my family, we always want to be in a family friendly
area of the city plus something close to public transportation is also a
requirement. I like to find parks near where we are staying, grocery
stores and other fun activities.
As long as we can navigate public transportation easily, there are many areas of any city that work for us.
Renting a vacation home can be fun and
exciting as long as you do your homework. Book as early as you can and
never be afraid to ask questions of home owners. I always have lots of
questions and I confirm everything before we begin our travels.
