Ramblings

First, just let me say that, when it comes to reading and books, I'm a purist. I love the feel of a book. I love holding it and turning the pages. I love everything about the physical experience of reading. But technology had to creep in. First through e-mail, then web content, blogs, book excerpts on Amazon -- and now Kindle.

I haven't done a scientific tally of the percentage of the huge amount of electronic vs. book reading I do each day. But I'm pretty sure that I spend more time (a lot more) scanning a screen than I do curled up with my latest read before bed. 

It's mostly been news, opinion and travel planning that keep me glued to the screen. Precisely why I publish my series of e-guidebooks only electronically. In practice, I buy, read and schlep print travel guidebooks with me on every trip. But less and less each time I travel. The future is electronic. There's also the environment to consider. So I stubbornly refuse to publish in print.

But fiction? Memoirs? Other books I love to savor? I won't -- well, haven't -- accept an alternative to print until Amazon's Kindle. Despite what tech gurus are saying, as reader I think it's kinda cool.

This is definitely the place to admit that I haven't yet experienced Kindle firsthand. But, to be truthful? I'm already mesmerized by the thing. Here's why:

• A high-res screen that's actually "reads like real paper?" My aching eyeballs thank you already.

• It's simple to use. Because the most avid readers may be among the most low-tech among us.

• Books are auto-delivered, within a minute! Music to the ears of anybody (me) who sometimes gets so excited about a book she has to head straight for Borders. (Premium Price Gas + Time =  ??) Plus, you can check in on your favorite blogs, have top newspaper content delivered automatically. No wireless  bills, service plans.

It all sounds too good to be true. But like that first clunky stone wheel, it's setting something new in motion. When I am actually able to purchase one (Amazon is sold out) ... I'll say more. Meanwhile? e-info is the fastest, most comprehensive and efficient resource for travelers. 

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

“I love Sonoma in the winter …” ?

During the fall harvest, Sonoma Valley is teeming with tourists. And it can be hot. Very hot. The vine-covered hillsides are parched yellow. Good restaurants have humbling-ly long waits.  

Which makes off-season trips look pretty darn good. According to Adrien Glover in “Suddenly Sonoma” (Budget Travel Online, Feb. 18, 2005): “Springtime is still considered ‘off season’ but it’s an excellent time to visit. Not only are plum trees, quince, and yellow wild mustard flowers in bloom, you're almost certain to land a good deal at an area hotel. And there’s plenty to do year-round.”

My husband and I spent a wonderful early March weekend exploring Kenwood. From our home base at a stylish yet cozy rental, aptly named Kenwood House (look for a full review of this rental right here in the coming weeks), we ventured out to explore nearly deserted tasting rooms. Winemakers aren’t busy at this time of year so you can actually spend time chatting with one.

Because it had been an unusually rainy winter (we had hail and snow during our visit), the landscape was lush green, with Spanish moss dangling from bare branches of valley oak trees. We lingered at the fascinating Bartholomew Park Winery Museum. We enjoyed a delightful hike to the remains of Wolf House in Jack London State Park. We were seated right away at some very good restaurants, including the new Doce Lunas, where there was a guitarist playing at the bar and signature sticky toffee for dessert. At night, we cozied up to the woodstove and watched movies.

Most of my review trips are planned during the off-season. I’m so spoiled, now I won’t go any other time.

HINT: Treat yourself to a trip during the “shoulder” weeks—just before some invisible bell clangs and the high season floodgates open on throngs of tourists. You may never subject yourself to that kind of madness again.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 09:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

According to a survey by TravelPost.com, the advice of friends tops that of travel agents, web sites and guidebooks. Okay, that’s pretty much a no-brainer. But what if your friends have never been where you’re going?

TravelPost.com has 200,000 reviews written by independent travelers. It’s TripAdvisor on a smaller scale – but with a twist. TravelPost has a search feature that lets you filter reviews to include only those written by people of your gender, in age range, share your travel goals and have your budget. Clever concept.

But here’s the thing: not everyone who shares my gender or age likes what I like. Sharing travel goals narrows the gap – a little. But at the heart of every personal review is perception. You can never fully understand what I like until you really know me personally. An aggregate of reviews can provide some leads. But often what means more is the consistent wisdom of an expert reviewer. 

Take movie reviews. If a movie gets a B- on Yahoo Movies (based on an aggregate of reviewers with a very broad spectrum of viewpoints), it means much less to me than one thumbs-up-or-down session with Ebert & Roeper. I don't know Roger Ebert or Richard Roeper personally. However, through experience, I've decided I can trust their opinions and seasoned judgments.

The same can be said for travel agents who know you personally. And guidebooks written from decades of personal experience by a recognized expert. With Karen Brown, Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer and Renting Paradise, you know you’re getting a seasoned view based -- not on emotion, as is often the case -- but years of experience reviewing accommodations and destinations.

My point: Surveys are all well and good. But if you trust the advice of friends, don’t place an aggregate of strangers’ reviews above a guidebooks written by someone whose opinion you’ve come to know and trust. 

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 07:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

More often than not, the best thing about renting a vacation home is the owners. Here's why.

Most I've met or spoken to are passionate about the home they rent -- and tickled pink that you'll be staying.

Like trusted friends, they'll clue you in on the best restaurants (and probably recommend what to order). Some pamper you with breakfast fixings -- freshly squeezed orange juice, rich coffee beans, homemade scones and a jar of organic jam. Some owners may leave a bottle of local wine. A phone card (if they don't already offer free long distance calling). A disposable camera.

Some invest time detailing step-by-step driving routes or walking tours. Check out this blog compiled by Mary Jane Hutchinson of At The Bay's Edge.

The thing is, I'm always surprised -- and, yes, delighted. I guarantee you won't feel that kind of love staying at a hotel (I don't care how efficient the concierge) or even at many fine B&Bs.

Vacation rental owners are a real treat ... most of the time. Like anything in life, there are exceptions. (One owner chewed me out rather rudely when I called to say the woodstove was smoking.)

My advice: just to be sure, plan to have a short chat (by phone) before you rent.   

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Always a humbling experience. My family's semi-annual get-together at a vacation rental home I chose was a disappointment. And if it had been my first experience renting a vacation home? It might also have been my last.

Here's (only part of) the laundry list. Most of the walls were scuffed up to waist-level. There were two TVs in our bedroom; neither worked. Two propane cans for the gas grill; both empty. The upstairs air-conditioning didn't work. No wireless Internet, as advertised.

I will say, the manager was very responsive, if a bit spacy.  But my technical-guru husband got the TVs working. And we all were determined to have a good time, so we did. The consensus among the rest of my laidback family is: the house was "fine". In fact, it was the worst we have visited in four years. Frankly, I spent too much of my precious vacation time dwelling on my mistake. Every time I walked the beach or drove along the coast, I kept wishing I could go back in time and chose another, better place for us.

And if it can happen to me, believe me -- it can happen to anybody.

I've visited dozens of vacation rental homes while researching my "Renting Paradise" series of e-guidebooks featuring firsthand, unbiased reviews of a select group of distinctive rentals. I even fancied that I had developed a "sixth sense" for homing in on the cream of a very large (and growing!) crop of vacation rental homes. Here's how I was fooled (so you'll be better prepared).

• Details  left out of description. Short and sweet can turn sour much faster than a long passionate treatise by a passionate owner. So take your time browsing listings and listen for heart. Some of the most interesting, dedicated, welcoming people I've ever met are vacation rental home owners. When they go on and on, it's generally not fluff, but pure love. And their greatest desire is for you to experience it too.

• Few--and/or deceiving--photos. The featured (un-captioned) photo in the listing for my recent misstep? Not taken from the house, but from the beach. Which was not a block away, as described. It is a block and a half to Highway 1. Once you reach the beach, you find it is not exactly pet-friendly. Threats of $270-plus fines are levied by park personnel! Walk-to access to a pet-friendly beach was one of the main considerations I expressed to the owner/manager. Yes, I was pissed. 

• Sloppy management. Walls scuffed. "Beautiful gardens" that are overgrown, weed-choked patches. Listed appliances missing. No propane...  You can't see this until you arrive. BUT, if you call and talk to the owner/manager you can glean a lot of information. As I've said, ours was responsive. But in all communications, she  kept saying she was "old" and "not technical". Clues. Big time.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 09:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Pristine beaches, magnificent landmarks, whitewater rivers. “Find Yourself Here” is the slogan of the California Travel & Tourism Commission. But use the state's official web site and/or guidebook to plan your trip and you may find yourself staying at a Howard Johnson motel, an RV park, a B&B....because you didn't know about all the cool vacation homes for rent. That's right, vacation rentals are not even included among the “Accommodation Options”! What’s up with that?

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

A large occupancy vacation rental home can be a great place to host special event:  a fiftieth anniversary party, a small wedding or a reunion, a corporate or creative retreat. Just a few things to keep in mind.

Ask first. Some owners have shared horror stories with me such as finding empty liquor bottles strewn around the property. For that reason, some owners simply don't allow parties of any kind. If you’re set on a blow-out bridal shower or big band reception, rent a hall.

Clarify the bottom line.  Weddings are allowed at the sprawling River Queen (occupancy 20). But plan to pay an additional rental charge of $1,600 plus an additional cleaning charge of $200. Here’s the official policy: “Guests are strictly limited to 100, including the wedding party and guests staying at the house. Parking is limited to 16 cars and additional guests must be transported by shuttle. All catering, delivery and pickup of rental items and flowers, arrangements for music, trash removal and the like must be coordinated through our event planner. Her fee will depend upon services provided and will be strictly between her and the renter. No live or loud music is permitted after 10 p.m.”

Stick to maximum occupany limits. Not only do vacation homes have noise and parking restrictions, many allow a limited number of extra “day guests”. But you may pay a fee for the privilege. This is for practical reasons (such as septic capacity). So, no slumber parties. If you exceed the maximum occupancy, you’ll pay a per person penalty ($100 per night, and that includes children) or agree to terminate your booking immediately. 

That said, some vacation rental management companies will help you coordinate rentals of homes next door or close by. Russian River Getaways has a handy list (scroll down to find it) of more than a dozen groupings of homes of various sizes within easy walking distance of each other. This arrangement gives your group maximum flexibility. Couples can have privacy; seniors or families with infants a place to retreat. The whole group can gather at a local park or beach.

Here are some more tips:

• Think low-key luxury. While you’re more on your own at a vacation rental home than at a full service resort, you’re not completely on your own. Many vacation rental management companies offer an ala carte list of concierge services and special occasion options. BeautifulPlaces.com will hire a top-drawer chef to prepare a multi-course sit-down dinner for 20 or set you up with a caterer who specializes in barbecue. Concierge services range from private wine-tastings and cooking classes to in-home spa treatments and hot air ballooning adventures. Other services include pre-stocking groceries, arranging limo rides from the airport, scheduling pet sitters -- pretty much you name it.   
  

• If children are in the equation, make sure amenities add up.  Make sure easily bored siblings or bonding cousins have plenty of safe places to let off steam. Some houses are kid palaces. River Queen has a canoe and kayaks, as well as a spacious “rec” room with a pool table and table tennis. There’s also a basketball hoop outside. Many large occupancy homes have river/beach access, a swimming pool, neighboring bike paths and state-of-the-art entertainment systems. Russian River Getaways and BeautifulPlaces can arrange for bonded childcare.

• Make sure you can get down to business. If you’re planning a business retreat, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a vacation rental home that doesn’t offer high-speed wireless Internet access, unlimited long distance and often a fax machine. Many large occupancy homes also have larger common areas (family rooms with stone fireplaces, sprawling decks and lawns) that are perfect for informal meetings.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 09:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The sticky part of finding the right vacation rental … or any type of accommodation … for a large group? Sleeping arrangements. How many beds are there? What sizes? Private or shared bathrooms? We all have our particular – sometimes peculiar – preferences when it comes to our space.

When my family rents a home, we don’t mind sharing a bathroom. And in the beach home we rented, my single brother happily slept on the futon which doubled as the sunroom couch during the day. At the other end of the spectrum, I’ve talked to sisters who love traveling together, but refuse to share a bathroom.

I can almost guarantee the configuration issue will make your search for a large occupancy rental home a challenge. Once you have a clear understanding of the preferences of each member of your group, you may need to do a little simple math.

1. Automatically round down maximum occupancy in the rental listing. Owners typically calculate maximum occupancy as every possible sleeping surface occupied -- including fold-out couches, daybeds and dual-purpose futons. I call it the “slumber party syndrome”. Few groups are going to fit that scenario, so don’t get your heart set on a place that clearly won’t work from the get-go. Read the fine print and think logistically.

The River Queen, a historic home on the banks of the Russian River, has seven bedrooms, five and a half baths and sleeps 20. Uh-huh. Who can do the math and show their work? I’m not saying this home wouldn’t be a perfectly viable option for some groups. But don't fall in love with the 47-foot-long deck of the Titanic-style sun porch before you figure out who’s taking the bunk beds.

Here’s another example. The maximum occupancy of Reflections in Russian River town of Guerneville is 11. The master suite has a king-sized bed with its own bathroom – that’s two people. The second bedroom has a queen-sized bed and separate bathroom – that’s four people. The living room has a queen sleeper. Ah. And which two people will sleep in the middle of the common living room to bring the main house occupany to six?

Moving out to the patio, one cottage has a queen-sized bed and separate shower (bringing the total to eight people). The other cottage has two bedrooms—one with twin beds and one with a daybed—that share a bathroom. One person is each bed brings the total to 11. Certainly a workable equation for a group of couples with some single friends or kids. But only you know whether this particular vacation rental provides the right configuration for your group of 11. 

2. Recognize that size DOES matter. Bed size, that is. (Call this the geometry portion of your math exercise.) I know more than a few couples who refuse to sleep in anything smaller than a king-sized bed, period. But it’s safe to assume that your gang of girlfriends would prefer twin – or at least separate – beds. See where I’m going with this?   

3. Resolve the bathroom conundrum. Some of the most charming homes I’ve visited don’t have a separate bathroom for every bedroom. Sometimes it’s just not architecturally feasible to build modern convenience into historic character! However, if “separate bathrooms” is the bottom line (so to speak) for your group, you will find homes that fit the requirements. Typically it’s easy to spot – the number of bathrooms is equal to the number of bedrooms. This information is listed prominently on each listing.

4. Fill in the common-ground variables. The beauty of renting a vacation home is that every member of your group can gather in a comfortable, private common area. But if the maximum occupancy seems stretched to its limit, you may find common area facilities don’t add up either. For example, the indoor dining room in Reflections (occupancy 11) seats eight. If you’re planning to serve Thanksgiving dinner to a full house, you’re going to cart along some TV trays or card tables.

Then again, maybe group dinners aren’t in your plan. In that case, Reflections offers plenty of room—between its main house and patio—for smaller groups to congregate casually. Again, just think it through ahead of time.    

Recommended resource: As you've no doubt guessed by now, I consider Russian River Getaways a good resource for large occupany homes (if you're planning a large gathering in the Russian River area of Northern California, of course). The management company features a dozen vacation rental homes with occupancies of 10-20. I’ve walked through about 10. Stylistically, they are a mixed bag. But Russian River Getaways listings are chock-full of really good photographs and there are detailed and relevant and you can expect the staff to be very helpful.

Again, many vacation rental listings are often written by owners, meaning some information that’s important to you may be left out. And some owners can be hard to reach or downright unresponsive. If you’re planning a gathering of particularly fussy people, I recommend listing everyone’s personal preferences down on paper and don’t reserve a home until every single one of your questions is answered to your (that is, everyone’s) satisfaction. Only then do you have a workable equation. 

Rather than try to cram a group of 10 or 20 into a block of peculiarly smelly (am I right?) hotel rooms, think mansion. Think private compound, even chateau. Because, those are just some of your choices when you choose to rent a vacation home instead.

Here's how to begin looking for a vacation home that will turn your reunion, retreat or celebration into a truly once-in-a-lifetime event.

Expert advice:  It's always easier to have someone else (hopefully knowledgeable and objective) do the leg work for you.

• Fine Living. An article in my latest issue of “Inside Fine Living,” (e-mailed by the Fine Living TV Network) proves my point.  It highlights half a dozen “family-friendly" vacation rental homes featured on the FineLiving Channel’s, “Around the World in 80 Homes”. These homes have occupancies ranging from 8 to 14 and represent a limited -- though interesting -- spectrum of styles, from a Victorian-style house with wraparound decks and porches on the Jersey Shore to a log cabin 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. (The 17,000 sq. ft. Cabo San Lucas villa that sleeps 19 at the top of the article is no longer available.)

• The Travel Channel. Samantha Brown of the Travel Channel also showcases some distinctive rentals. (But note: not all are large occupancy rentals).

• Renting Paradise. And while the vacation rentals reviewed in my own e-guidebook series, Renting Paradise, covers a range of occupancies, I can recommend Tzabaco Lodge (Renting Paradise: Sonoma County). This rambling hilltop estate has three romantic suites circling a patio with a pool, waterfall and sweeping views of the Alexander Valley wine country, plus two downstairs rooms. One is made for kids – with twin beds and a ladder to a ladder to a small loft with a trapdoor. Kid heaven. Plus a 900-square foot great room.     

Regional Focus. Obviously, I can't make a comprehensive recommendation of regional sites here.(See "Tips for Re-searching" below.) However, while in Sonoma County on a recent research trip, I did poke my head into about a dozen or so large occupancy homes along the Russian River. Here are some sure bets.

• Reflections looked like a smallish cottage from the driveway. But stepping through the main house to the back patio, I found two additional cottages set around a small in-ground pool and spa. In a third "cottage," I found a complete office set-up with high-speed Internet access, making this a perfect spot for small retreats. This is one of the sweetest set-ups I’ve seen. A B&B feel with lots of room for gathering, yet plenty of privacy. The outdoor kitchen has a gas grill and there’s a large outdoor dining area.  The indoor kitchen is no slouch either. And one cottage has its own kitchenette. Total occupancy: 11 people, plus the family dogs if you want to bring ‘em. Most rooms tend toward the romantic. (One cottage has a wood-burning firpelace!). However, one cottage has two bedrooms—one with twins and one with a single daybed. (More about bedroom configuration in Part 2.).
  

• Artisan House and Sundancing River Lodge equal Reflections in style. Others, like Grandma’s House is in a noisy neighborhood and has more of a frat house-feel to me.
  

• Beachhouse.com lists a number rambling beach homes. Searcgh by clicking first on "Vacation Rentals" (left) and then on the up or down arrow to the right of "Sleeps" under Sort Criteria.
  
• Simply Chateau. If you’re planning a special occasion in Europe -- known for its wealth of “self-catering” homes, apartments and villas -- take a gander at this site. Nothing "simple" about these digs. The site represents the widest selection of self-catered chateaux available anywhere, covering the whole of France. It’s easy to search by region and group size of your group. If you group is not so big, you may be able to rent a self-contained private wing or smaller apartments within a chateau.

Quantity Worldwide:  If you've had no luck with any of the above resources, VRBO should be the answer. (Scroll down to the Large Occupancy listings -- ranging from 14 to 30+) on the home page.) I found numerous "villas," "country homes," "estates," "mansions," (large, I assume) "cottages," "chalets," "bunkhouses"—you name it. If you have the time, dive in and enjoy the tour. But remember, the descriptions are penned by the owners. One man’s “castle” may be another’s much less sexy home. The questions you need to ask are coming up in future posts. 

Tips for re-searching. If you don’t find what you’re looking for using these resources, I’d do a search using “large occupancy vacation rentals” + the name(s) of city, state and/or region you want to visit  + the type of accommodation you prefer as your search criteria. What turns up is liable to be a mixed bag, leaving you with a lengthy search and sort process.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 06:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The weekend after our wedding my husband and I gathered our families and closest friends together for a lovely weekend in Pacific Grove, near Carmel. By planning a year in advance, we got everybody reservations at a 22-room bed & breakfast inn.  It was lovely. But if I had a do-over, I’d definitely rent a “large occupancy” vacation home.

First of all, it would have been cheaper. I estimated that the nightly total for our 11 rooms was $1,540. Scouting around on VRBO, I found an entire ranch renting for $1,335. An entire ranch!

Large occupancy rentals come in all shapes and sizes—from majestic villas to dressed-up frat houses. Some, like the ranch I found, are a cluster of private houses or cabins.

Large occupancy homes can be ideal places for easily-bored kids. Some have pools, trampolines, well stocked game rooms, and even river access with kayaks. I’ll tell you where you’re apt to find the real gems.

But, of course, every opportunity brings its own pitfalls. Renting a large occupancy home requires a sharper eye and extra attention to detail.

For one thing, there’s the issue of actual occupancy. You’ll notice in some listings that the ratio of bedrooms to people doesn’t seem to match up. “Six bedrooms, sleeps 30” is a pretty clear indication you’re looking at a bunkhouse. Which may be your dream weekend if you're a  20-something snowboarder. Anything-but for a gathering of multiple generations.

Something else to consider: configuration. Your guests may be friendly—even close family—but that doesn’t mean they’re anxious to snuggle up together in a queen-sized bed. So you can’t always take the total number guests and divide by two. More to come on that.

There’s a lot to consider, but it’s so worth the process. In fact, it would be my delight to help you sort it all out.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts – starting with RENTING LARGE OCCUPANY VACATION HOMES: PART 1-- for caveats, good questions to ask upfront and some of my own personal vacation rental recommendations.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 06:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The overwhelming array of travel web sites and guidebooks can mean more (not less!) homework when you’re planning a trip. You can simplify your research--and more or less guarantee better results--by looking for “unbiased” recommendations and reviews.

“Unbiased” simply Means the recommender has no axe to grind. No money is changing hands between hotel or restaurant and person recommending it. The recommendation—the review—is based on unvarnished personal experience.  Here are three of the best ways I know to tap into that quality content.    

1. Fellow travelers. They can be relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues. The key is that they know a little something about your preferences. My husband and I once stayed in a thatched-roof hut at a beachfront resort near Tulum on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. The first morning we awoke to an iguana poised on the wall above our bed. I’d recommend this place without reservation—except to those folks who I happen to know thrive on Five-Star (hermetically-sealed) luxury. It might be the end of the friendship.   

2. Reader-written columns and web sites.  Travelers love to talk about their trips. If they’ve had a good experience, they love to share the wealth. If not, the result can be scathing. Before every trip I take I check TripAdvisor. (There are other similar sites. This just happens to be my personal favorite.)  Here, quantity often counts as much as quality: the more resoundingly enthusiastic reviews, the better. When I find 10 glowing stories and one “worst night of my life,” I figure majority rules. The key is read closely. The honesty is often there, but disguised in someone else’ preferences or communication style. Point is: I’ve never been disappointed--and more often than not turned on to places that would never have appeared on my radar screen if I stuck to the big portals like Expedia. (Slow Travel is an especially good resource for people who want to rent a villa or apartment in Europe.)

Larger metropolitan area newspapers may have a column like “Follow the Reader” in the San Francisco Chronicle. Every week travelers wait for the latest reader-inspired recommendations.   

3. Authors who specialize in unbiased reviews.  Well-known personalities like Rick Steves and Karen Brown have developed near cult followings for their guidebooks detailing the best accommodations, restaurants, sights and itineraries in the U.S., Mexico and Europe. What I love about these experts—and try to emulate in my own Renting Paradise e-guidebook series reviewing vacation rentals in northern California—is the fact that they have visited every place they tout. You may not know them, but their personal idiosyncrasies and “attitude” shine through. Their consistency makes them almost friends.

Websites can have the same quality, though they are few and far between. I first encountered the U.K. site i-escape.com  while planning a trip to southern Spain. I was so impressed  I begged them to let me write reviewer. They did! The majority of reviews covering much of the world excluding the U.S. are five pages long with 15-20 photos.   

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 04:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

…“Send your camel to bed…”  If you adore out-of-the-ordinary accommodations as much as I do, take the Concierge tour of luxury tents and tree houses in exotic places such as Kenya, Mongolia, Tunisia and Dubai. Oh, and Santa Barbara, California, too.

Because it’s my job to point out sweet spots in Northern California that somehow miss the big lists, I’m adding Safari West in Sonoma County.   I reviewed my stay in the game keeper’s cabin for Renting Paradise: Sonoma County.

But check out the luxury tents (plush beds, polished floor, private bathrooms with hot showers) scattered across the grounds of this sprawling wildlife conservation park. It’s not a zoo or a drive-through park. It’s a wildlife preserve where the whole family can experience some of nature's most beautiful animals in a natural habitat.

Feed the giraffes on the way to breakfast. Fall asleep to the cries of lemurs. Take an authentic safari tour of the “back 400” acres, where you’ll see hundreds more exotic breeds—gazelles, ostriches, zebras, water buffalos—roaming free. 

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 04:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Like fitness, renting a vacation home is a choice you make. One that has the potential to transform your vacation from a visit to a much deeper experience.  

One site that’s been getting a lot of buzz these days promotes a lifestyle concept I love called “slow travel”.

I've never understood the 14 cities in 10 days concept. The site’s founder and webmaster Pauline Kenny recommends renters apply a “Concentric Circles" plan to day-tripping. “Think of your touring area as a series of concentric circles around your base,” she says. The first circle includes everything within a 30-minute radius of your home. The second, an hour, and so on. “See what is close to you instead of dashing about on long day trips to see the ‘highlights’ or ‘must-sees,’" Kenny says.

Kenny has authored a dozen more really helpful articles to guide renters in choosing and booking vacation rentals, planning your trip and what to bring with you when you rent.    

Slow Travel is primarily focused on Europe -- where renting a villa or self-catering cottage has been a tradition for generations. But, hello? The concept applies just as well here in the U.S., even for weekend trips to places like San Francisco and Sonoma County.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 03:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As you research your next rental, be grateful if you stumble across a link to an owner's "blog". A well-done (key distinction!) blog can be a living, breathing connection to updates, photos, personally vetted activities and seasonal events ... all the stuff you crave before you go.   

Sure, many are mind dumps. But many more are truly interesting, informative and thought-provoking. Postings are typically short, containing live links to more detail. At the end of many (not all) postings, there are links for readers to add their two-cents on that particular topic. Participating is easy and relatively anonymous. Check out the blog created by the owners of At The Bay's Edge featured in Renting Paradise.

If you find an owner who's taken the time -- and care -- to create a web site and maintain and informative blog, I can guarantee you can put your rental worries to rest. The other great thing in this info-overload age? It's easy to subscribe (an unsubscribe) to blogs, via buttons such as "My Yahoo".

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 09:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The emphasis of the flood of “summer family getaway” articles seems to be the “where in the world” and the “what to do”. But what if you’re not the typical family?

1. Our extended family (Mom and Dad who are retired in Arizona, my brother from Denver, and me, my husband and our two dogs living outside of Sacramento) get together at a different rental home every other year. The set-up is perfect for just spending time together in a beautiful setting. So far we’ve spent weeks in the forest above Lake Tahoe, on the beach in Sonoma County and facing the gorgeous red rocks in Sedona, Arizona.

2. I loved them all, but I have to say the memory etched most deeply in my heart is of walking the beach each morning (we had private stairs from the house in Sonoma!) and watching our two suburban dogs discover a whole new world. Few pet-friendly hotels offer this freedom. 

3. My friend celebrated her fiftieth birthday by gathering her Mom, sisters and three of her closest friends for a long weekend in a rented a house with a pool. Some of the best times, she says, were spent preparing dinner in the kitchen! They gabbed over margaritas as each concocted her own specialty. 

4. I’ve read a number of profoundly touching entries written by guests who appreciated the privacy and quiet, natural surroundings of a particular vacation rental to heal after the death of a loved one. 

5. And how about living vicariously? Renting a vacation home in a city besieged by tourists -- like San Francisco -- lets you step out of that madness and blend into a neighborhood. I guarantee living in a Victorian cottage or Nob Hill flat will change everything about how you experience this great city. (If you’re contemplating a move or lifestyle change, this can be a great way to try it out.)

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 02:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I love "best" lists. Sure they're subjective, but how better to slice through the monster-mass of information out there and find (when it comes to trip-planning) the activities, sights, restaurants, et. al., most worthy of your limited time? Check out these three very cool best-lists focused on San Francisco. 

San Francisco City's Best 2007. This annual list is compiled by readers of AOL® CityGuide, a Web-based network highlighting local entertainment in more than 300 cities nationwide--including directions. Once a year, the site posts bests in dozens of categories--from blues clubs to romantic restaurants.

Consumers' votes ultimately determine which venues are chosen #1 in their categories. All City's Best® establishments are nominated based on recommendations from AOL CityGuide's local correspondents who live and work in the cities they cover, the editorial insights of the CityGuide programming team and user feedback.

Winners often represent those establishments with a commitment to quality, selection or service. Often, they have a reputation for value that has been upheld and polished over many years. However, sometimes, it's simply that people in a city naturally gravitate to a place because of its character, its uniqueness or its special contribution to local culture.

Best (& Worst) San Francisco Experiences. Published by the very opionated SFTravel.com, this guide to San Francisco Underground, this list attempts to separate the tourist traps from the truly fun and unique. Forget Fisherman's Wharf (dubbed "A Vicious Tourist Trap") and head instead for Marina Green and the Presidio. Check out the cable cars (the "funnest" way to get around), the Aquarium in Golden Gate Park and the 5 most beautiful beaches. This guide pulls no punches--but it's interesting, useful and right-on from the perspective of this former SF resident. 

Yvette's Joy of Life Guides.  "Joy of Life Guides" are Joie de Vivre Hospitality's staff-authored guides to the sights and sounds of San Francisco. Designed to highlight many hidden treasures off-the-beaten path in these guides. I like whimisical category names ("I Need My Java," Hidden Cafes and Breakfast Spots) and smart and original content ("Help!!! It's Raining! Having Fun Despite the Elements"). The San Francisco guide truly is a joy, appropriately named.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You heard me. Electronic guidebooks have live links, more up-to-date information and they’re easy to carry along for on-the-spot reference. The latest entree in a smorgasbord of online trip planning resources.

I don’t know about you, but I make all my travel reservations online these days. Have for years, so I guess I was among the 63.8 million travelers using the Internet to make travel plans in 2004, according to “Travelers Use of the Internet” a study published by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). I bet that number is much higher today.

So it just makes sense that online travel/trip planning resources are becoming more diverse. Among the information hubs (such as Frommers), mammoth portals and booking sites (such as Travelocity), traveler review communities (such as TripAdvisor) travel-specific directories and the other usual suspects: e-guidebooks are carving a respectable niche.

An e-guidebook, or e-book, is an electronic document published in a digital format. Some e-books are PDF files (files that can be read by any computer operating system). Others are formatted to be read using electronic device (such as a Palm or other handheld computer). Amazon.com lists hundreds of e-books and e-docs (shorter, containing more timely information).

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 08:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We dog-people are a special breed. So stuck on our four-legged friends that we want to take them on vacation with us -- leashes, dishes, slobbery toys and all. It tickles me that the number of web sites focused on finding "room at the inn" for dogs and their people is growing.   

In fact, I'm astounded that when I apologized in advance to one vacation rental owner with a particularly lovely home that we planned to vacation with bring THREE dogs, she scoffed "I've never had any trouble with pet-owners. It's kids I worry about."

ANYway: The latest dog-friendly I like is PetVR.com. It features more than 5,400 pet-friendly vacation rentals (homes, cabins, condos and B&Bs, by their definition).

I initially checked out the site when I was searching for a destination for our upcoming family vacation. I was looking for a dog-friendly beach on the California coast. Voila! PetVR provides a link to pet-friendly beaches by state And lo, there are plenty in California. However, I must admit they do not list the beach I finally picked in Morro Bay. And, er, I did ultimately select a home from another site.

But! That that in no way diminishes what PetVR has to offer. I appreciate the reach (selections encompass all 50 states and 24 other countries ... you'll find many more options than you will on some vacation rental site that hyave been around for years!). And I lap up the site's authentically goofy spirit. Their "Top Ten" lists include the "Ten Gassiest Dogs."  (Honestly? We have a little problem in that area with our Terrier-Corgi mix. I was afraid to check.)

Resources include a handy list of things you might not think to pack. In fact, the site is compiled for and by pet owners -- a singularly gregarious group. So click in whether you're traveling by car or internationally.

"More than 67% of pet owners travel with their pets," Dow Scoggins, president and creator of PetVR.com, said. "And, according to surveys, nearly 40% more would travel with their

pets if they found it easier to do so." (Okay, even a math-idiot like me knows that adds up to more than 100%. But, hey, I'm a dog-lover -- which means over-the-top already.)

And I'm not as over-the-top as it gets! My "kids" sleep in their own beds when they travel. But if your pet is more "discriminating" than mine, check out the Restful Paws Bed & Breakfast in Massachusetts (complete with indoor, bone-shaped dog pool) or The Paw House (where dog portraits and Doggie Mystery Weekends are available).

My advice? IF YOU LOVE YOUR PETS ENOUGH TO TAKE THEM ON VACATION?  YA GOT NOTHIN' TO  LOSE BY CHECKING OUT PETVR.COM. Go fetch!

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're dipping a toe in the vacation rental waters for the first time, you may worry about sending 500 or more of your hard-earned bucks to "Joe-owner" as a deposit for a home you've selected solely on the basis of a brief description and a few photos on an Internet web site. 

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 09:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

“It could definitely ruin a vacation if a rental house was terribly unacceptable. How are we supposed to know which ones are which?”

That concerned post on a Yahoo group for vacation home owners followed another renter’s horror story: dirty sheets, bugs, flooding toilets. More often, the problem lies in different expectations. The place is not as upscale as you thought. The “ocean view” is the size of a postage stamp. The odd layout in one home we rented required my parents to walk through the bedroom my husband and I slept in to get downstairs!

You can complain. You can ask for your money back. But—poof!—there goes your vacation experience.

Vacation rentals are growing in number and popularity—and nobody could be happier about it than a vacation rental evangelist like me. But it amazes me there’s no star system, no apples-for-apples comparison, no “best of” guidebooks (ahem, aside from my own Renting Paradise series, that is).

Part of the problem is that the beauty of vacation rentals—that each one is so unique—can be a bear when it comes to establishing quality standards.

 “We get a lot calls from people asking, ‘How do I know I’ll be getting what I’ think I’m getting?’” says Bill May, executive director of Vacation Rental Owners Association.  Thanks to VROA, there’s finally a blip on the horizon: Blue Ribbon Inspections.

VROA’s process will involve an on-site physical inspection (which is so crucial!) and a series of questions as to the home's outfitting, construction, amenities, cleanliness and owner policies.

May says the inspection process will focus on disclosure and accuracy. Inspectors must clearly differentiate between cabins, homes, lodges and villas. Because each one is as unique as a thumbprint, “owners need to have a lot of information in their advertising and on their web sites.” That means detailed descriptions, quality photos, floor plans and even 360-degree panoramas. Even then it can get dicey. “At million-dollar rental homes on the Carolina coast, guests are expected to bring their own linens,” May says. Guests are welcome to provide feedback on homes they feel are undeserving of the designation. Which may, in turn, lead to adjudication between renters and owners.

Something to keep on eye on. But in the meantime, here’s a list of Renting Tips you can use to evaluate vacation rentals.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We're all busy. Just give us broad-brush description, the highlights, the "meat" and the bottom line. Until it comes to our vacation.

If you're going out of your way to search for a vacation home -- an accommodation unique from any other -- I'm betting you're can't get enough detail. Some owners and management companies get this and thier online descriptions reflect, with acres of text and a dozen photos. But, many don't and that puzzles me. It can even concern me if I've parted with cash for a deposit.

As I mentioned, I recently booked a house for a family get-together that I'm sort of nervously lukewarm about. The listing shows enough photos, but the rooms look drab -- no art on the walls. It was also light on text, which was brochure-y. "Walk to the sand. Enjoy water sports or soak in the sun at one of California's most picturesque beaches....  So much to be found!" That could describe hundreds of other homes on or near the California coast.

I think it's going to be okay. Once I'd narrowed the field based on my clan's needs, it seemed like a reasonable option. But okay is typically not my style. When I review homes for Renting Paradise or hotels for i-escape, I layer on specific detail. Just like my readers:

• I want to experience the place ahead of time. Paint me a picture. Describe the views, the sounds, the smells. The little extras the owner left behnd for my breakfast. I can't dream on a diet of brochure-speak. I want first-hand experience to fire my own sweet anticipation. If I wanted a room at a chain hotel, I'd book one.
  

• I want to be sure I'll experience what I'm already envisioning. It's nice to be surprised. But not all surprises are nice. I'm wondering, is there some little thing you're leaving out that I might care about? I'll give you an example from my own experience -- our dramatically  situated beachfront home had a driveway on a blind curve of Highway 1. My heart was in my throat every single time I ventured out. Detail prepares me.

• I want specific guidance and recommendations that will help me plan my trip. What shouldn't I miss if this is my first visit? What are your (as the owner) favorite things to do?  Places to visit? Eat? Too many descriptions gloss over this important element. Detail makes a prospective guest feel like a welcome friend.  

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 09:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Every trip has its own character and specific set of requirements that influence your Internet search. Local and regional vacation rental web sites level the field.

My goal in Renting Paradise is to spotlight the "gems" among all the tens of thousands of vacation homes available online. But because vacation homes come in all shapes and sizes, some simply aren't going to work for my semi-annual get-togethers with my parents, brother, husband and (now three!) dogs.

Just recently, I was searching for a pet-friendly home on the beach. I fell in love with a beautifully restored cottage. So much so, that I tried to ignore the reality of fitting five adults and three dogs into 1,100 square feet with one bathroom!

Luckily for us all, I was overruled. So I went back to the drawing board. HomeAway seemed my best bet, because it consolidates the most (dozens!) of homes into a single click. It was easy to search for the right number of bathrooms and sort out only pet-friendly homes. (I'd tried some of the pet-friendly accommodations sites and was disappointed by the lack of offerings.)

However, despite the buffet-style selection of vacation homes I was offered on HomeAway, it took me hours to come to a decision. Admittedly, I am picky, but it bugs me that I'm not jumping-up-and-down excited about what I finally reserved. It's not on the beach. (Very close, but no sand.) And perhaps this is troubling only to me, but it lacks character. Sort of a rather non-descript shell. (Which doing what I do, almost feels like it's against my religion.)

Here's the kick: as soon as I'd posted my deposit, I stumbled across a site serving only that particular region with -- you guessed it -- some genuine gems. It made me remember that many of my very best "finds" over the years have come from regional or local sites. I booked my very first rental in Lake Tahoe on a Coldwell Banker site featuring properties for sale and rent. After much wheel-spinning while planning a family get-together in Sedona, we finally happened upon Red Rock Realty. Spot on! I know I've talked at length before about my love for Russian River Getaways in Sonoma County, CA.

My point: don't make my mistake by checking out only HomeAway. Google regional and local websites by typing in the name of the city or town and state you're traveling to and "vacation rentals". If nothing else, you'll gain access to a ton of information about activities, restaurants, shopping, etc. that really enriches your trip planning! 

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

“I love Sonoma in the winter …” ?

During the fall harvest, Sonoma Valley is teeming with tourists. And it can be hot. Very hot. The vine-covered hillsides are parched yellow. Good restaurants have humbling-ly long waits.  

Which makes off-season trips look pretty darn good. According to Adrien Glover in “Suddenly Sonoma” (Budget Travel Online, Feb. 18, 2005): “Springtime is still considered ‘off season’ but it’s an excellent time to visit. Not only are plum trees, quince, and yellow wild mustard flowers in bloom, you're almost certain to land a good deal at an area hotel. And there’s plenty to do year-round.”

My husband and I spent a wonderful early March weekend exploring Kenwood. From our home base at a stylish yet cozy rental, aptly named Kenwood House (look for a full review of this rental right here in the coming weeks), we ventured out to explore nearly deserted tasting rooms. Winemakers aren’t busy at this time of year so you can actually spend time chatting with one.

Because it had been an unusually rainy winter (we had hail and snow during our visit), the landscape was lush green, with Spanish moss dangling from bare branches of valley oak trees. We lingered at the fascinating Bartholomew Park Winery Museum. We enjoyed a delightful hike to the remains of Wolf House in Jack London State Park. We were seated right away at some very good restaurants, including the new Doce Lunas, where there was a guitarist playing at the bar and signature sticky toffee for dessert. At night, we cozied up to the woodstove and watched movies.

Most of my review trips are planned during the off-season. I’m so spoiled, now I won’t go any other time.

HINT: Treat yourself to a trip during the “shoulder” weeks—just before some invisible bell clangs and the high season floodgates open on throngs of tourists. You may never subject yourself to that kind of madness again.

Posted by Joyce Hadley Copeland at 12:11 PM | Perm