Posted on: May 31, 2009

Vacation rentals have changed a lot in the last couple of years. With the growing use of the Internet, a larger inventory and the recession in the US vacation rental prices and availability has changed.
Nowadays people are renting for shorter periods of time and are not willing to pay as much as they used to. Furthermore most renters choose to negotiate the price before they rent.

Because of this property owners are put in the position where they are almost forced to lower the prices and offer vacation rentals for shorter periods of time.

This means great news for renters. According to HomeAway about 66 percent of US property owners have lowered their prices for rentals this year in response to the recession. Rentals are offered for as much as $1000 cheaper all across the States.

States like Florida, California and Hawaii have great rentals that start from $30 US per night. For awesome condos with everything you will need for an amazing vacation with your family, friends, alone or with that special someone.

And it is not only properties in the States where the rental prices are going down. But all around the world there are great bargains to find. Whether you like the hot weather or prefer a colder weather there is a vacation rental for you.

On sites like Vacation Rentals, Vacation Rentals By Owner and Vacation Rentals web directory you can find the resources you need to find that perfect spot for you. By looking at their current deals, searching by location, price and even read testimonials of renters just like you that stayed there.

So do not hesitate but start your search today for that perfect vacation rental just for you.

A traveler

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Posted on: May 29, 2009

"Southwest airlines now boarding pets" is what the headline reads today on the Southwest Airlines blog, with a very attractive video posted right underneath it.
This means that Southwest is finally breaking their no pets allowed policy. The P.A.W.S (Pets Are Welcome on Southwest) policy will come in effect for tickets booked after June 1st and the travel date later than June 17th of 2009. And it will only cost you $75 each way.

On the P.A.W.S website Southwest claims to have added this service because "Southwest Airlines wants to enhance the Customer Experience for pet-LUVing travelers". And that they will accept all "small cats and dogs in carriers that can be stowed under the Customer’s seat".
So basically if you are a "pet-LUVer" this is an incredible new policy for you.

The application process is easy. Just follow the instructions of Ace the dog on the video to know how to bring your pet on your next flight.

For more info:
P.A.W.S website
Southwest blog
Southwest homepage


A traveler

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Thank you all for participating in the poll. The results are in! And they show that 77% of you has traveled outside of your home country more than once.
This means that most of you have experienced at least some other country in the world. So continue to visit Travel destinations to visit before you die! Your source of information on great destinations to visit plus tips on how to get there.

A traveler

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If you like to have an adventurous time in nature, you will find something to keep you busy on the island of Tasmania. There is tons of nature to see on this island. From rivers to caves, mountains to wild coasts there must be some part of nature there that you have never seen before.
Not only is there exciting nature there, but there is adventurous activities to do in nature as well. Like abseiling, surfing, rafting, hang gliding, diving or just hiking in the bushes.

Located south-east of Australia, Tasmania is an Australian island and state. The point farthest west is said to be the edge of the world, even though this is just a nickname. The "island of inspiration" and "natural state" are other nicknames for this island. Due to the large unspoiled nature.
Government areas are situated in Hobart, which is also the capital of Tasmania. And the name Tasmania comes from Abel Tasman, the dutch explorer who is believed to have discovered the island.
The climate on Tasmania includes four seasons, but because it is located on the southern hemisphere the summer is starts in December and ends in February. Which would be the ideal months to visit if you would like to explore all the different natural landmarks.


Adventurous places that are a must visit in Tasmania are:

Cataracts Gorge - Visited by tourists from all around the world it is home of the King's Bridge-Cataract Walk. A bridge build in the 1890's that runs along the north bank of the Cataracts Gorge river. Here could also find the longest chairlift in the world.

Freycinet National Park - Famous for the secluded Wineglass bay, voted many times as one of the world's best ten beaches.

Hasting Caves - The largest tourism cave in Australia. Things to do include: relaxing in the warm waters of a thermal springs pool, hiking in the reserved forests and exploring Newdegate Cave. The latter includes chambers that began forming millions of years ago.

King Island - "It's an island of long, empty beaches and clean, fresh air, offshore reefs, rocky coasts, lighthouses and more than 70 shipwreck sites." According to discovertasmania.com

Port Arthur - Though not a nature spot, it is definitely worth seeing. Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement in Tasmania. There you could find the open air museum which is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction.

As you could see there is plenty to do in Tasmania. So visit discovertasmania.com to start planning your ultimate adventure vacation.

A traveler


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Please let me and others know what you think of this blog by commenting on this post. And don't forget to comment on what you think about the other posts.
It would also be great to hear what you would want to read about.

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It seems like all of the beautiful things to see on earth have names that feel awkward to say. Yet all of them are worth seeing.
When I first heard about the Aurora Borealis I had probably just like you no clue on what to think. Is it a country, city, place, monument? When I learned the answer to this question, it completely blew my mind away. I could not believe such thing existed here on earth. I could not believe it exists at all. But it actually does.

Lucky for me I found out after some research that it is also called the Northern polar lights. Becuase you can only view it in the Northern hempisphere sky. The aurora borealis is what could be called an all natural light color display. The are usually seen in the night and mostly in the polar regions of the earth. Nevertheless they can be seen all around the world.

The Aurora is something that many scientists are not able to explain yet. The closest they came to an explanation of it is that it is a glow of solar particles blown into the earth's magnetic field more than 60 miles above the earth's surface at speeds up to 35,000 miles per hour.
But if you are not too much into science, the Cree people had an easier explination for this phenomenon. Namely, "Dance of the Spirits".


Even though it is said that you could see this phenomenon all around the world. The best places to see it is at places closer to the North Magnetic Pole like Fairbanks, Alaska. You could find (all inclusive) tours or lodges/hotels there you could chose frome to view this phenomenon.
I would recomend the all inclusive tours. Though they might cost a little bit more, you will be sure you would not have anything to worry about. Except souvenier shopping maybe.
Prices could start as low as US$ 500 and could go up to US$ 5000 for 3 to 5 days of seeing the beauties of the earth we're living on.
The best time of the year to visit is between March to April and September to October. During this time you will find frequent displays, clear skies and generally mild weather.

So if you are trying to see something different, relaxing and beautiful a Aurora borealis viewing trip in Alaska would be it.

A traveler

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Don't forget to vote on the poll! Only 5 days left.

A traveler

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Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you haven't yet. But this extrordinary hotel is actually one of the only 7-star hotels in the world. It is the second tallest hotel in the world and is constructed on a artificial island. Burj Al Arab is located just outside of Jumeirah beach in Dubai and is connected to the mainland through a special bridge.

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While searching for the next adventurous place I would like to visit I stumbled upon a site that introduced me to Cambodia. It was not the first time I heard the name, but maybe just like you it was the first time I heard what was there.

The country of Cambodia is found in South East Asia close to Thailand and Vietnam. Phnom Penh is the largest city and also the capital of this country of 14 million.Cambodia has been closed for tourism for years. It was until recently that tourists are allowed to visit. Because of this the country is also very "raw", not much of the westernized culture can be seen in Cambodia. Yet you will be able to find two 5-star hotels in Phnom Penh: The Intercontinental and Raffles Le Royal. Where tourists can stay in style.

There is much to see in the city of Phnom Penh. Attractions like the National Museum, Wat Phnom and the Independance monument are visited by hundreds of tourists every day. Furthermore there are markets where you could get great deals on western brands.

The most stunning attraction though is found outside the capital in Angor. Where you will find the temples of Angor. You might have seen them before in the movie Tomb Raider.Angor Wat is the largest religious building in the world and has drawn visitors from all over the world. This temple was first hindu, then buddhist. It is the most well perseved temple in the area. And definetly a must see.
As you can read Cambodia is definatly the place to visit if you are looking for something out of the ordinary. So let me know of your experience there or if there is anything you would like to add.

A traveler

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