VacationHouse Destinations - Vacation Rentals

If you're on the Washington or Oregon Coast - please check advisories

2011-03-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

With the horrible Japan earthquake last night, warning are in place for the Washington and Oregon Coast today. Please keep watch for advisories and stay away from the Coast beaches as advised by law enforcement. A good link for the latest information can be found here:

West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov

If you want to help those in Japan, the Red Cross is organizing efforts.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday

2011-02-06T14:34:00.001-08:00

Finally the big game is here! Anyone traveling to watch it with friends?

We're growing!

2010-02-18T21:05:00.001-08:00

It's been almost 4 years since VacationHouse Destinations came to be the the little company that could. We've stayed true to our business model of finding top notch properties, providing exceptional customer service and helping our members get great value at destinations they want to go to.

For 2010, we're looking to significantly expand our property choices, while maintaining our focus on quality properties by keeping with our commitment to inspect each property before we make it available for rent.

With more requests for properties in the NW, we've found two great Territory Managers to help us build out the property portfolio and assist members with questions about NW destinations.

These Territory Managers know the top locations in Oregon, Idaho and Eastern Washington; do you want to know what the best beach is for shell collecting on the Oregon Coast - they know the answer to that. Do you want to know what a good location is to experience the wine country -they can answer that too! If we don't know, we'll find out so you don't have to spend your time researching.

We're happy to introduce Tricia McCracken and Pamela Morgan -Oregon and Eastern Washington/Idaho Territory Managers.

Pamela Morgan: Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho Territory Manager pmorgan@VacationHouseDestinations.com

Pamela wants to help members find the "just right" vacation home for people who want to visit the North Idaho and Eastern Washington area. Living in Kellogg Idaho with her family, Pamela realized she had a passion for travel and photography that she incorporates into finding great vacation experiences for members. "I'm excited to combine my skills of design and marketing with my passion for photography and genuine care of other people." Pamela is happy to help you find the perfect vacation getaway - just send her a note or give us a call!

Tricia McCracken: Oregon Territory Manager tmccracken@VacationHouseDestinations.com

Tricia loves Oregon for its beauty and its people. Living near Portland, Tricia is very familiar with the state. She knows the best locations from the Coast to the mountains -having lifelong memories of her family's mountain cabin. Tricia brings a wealth of advertising and marketing experience, as well as a love for travel and family to the mix. Having owned her own vacation home, she knows what it's like both from a renters perspective, as well as the homeowners. Tricia will help ensure that both the property owners and members have a seamless rental experience. Give Tricia a call or send her an e-mail so she can help you plan your next Oregon vacation.

We're so thrilled to have both Tricia and Pamela working to help bring you the best vacation rental experience!

Fun celebrity travel gossip

2010-02-11T14:31:00.000-08:00

I thought this article was a fun read - there's some outrageous celebrity guest requests that get made at some hotel hotspots -everything from milking cows for fresh raw milk -to shipping 21 deer for a birthday present. Lucky for us, our guests are amazing! We're more than happy to help our guests with things they need, but I think we would draw the line at shipping 21 deer! :)

Happy Thursday!

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-31269780

The Great Fruitcake Toss!

2010-01-03T18:52:00.000-08:00

15th Annual Great Fruitcake Toss – Manitou Springs, Colorado

Let it Hurl!!
You may have recycled the tree, put away the presents, and eaten the leftovers but have you dealt with the dreaded fruitcake from your Aunt Polly? If not, this is your opportunity. Head to Manitou Springs, January 9th and have fun disposing of the fruity, nutty "gift."

Manitou is immediately West of Colorado Springs and knows how to have fun and take a lighthearted look at life.

How better to cap off the holiday festivities that to join in the hurling and launching at the 15th Annual Great Fruitcake Toss? Competitors and spectators will gather at the Manitou Springs High School Track for a final holiday “send off”. Bring your own cake in one-, two-, or four-pound sizes or "rent" one for $1.00. Fruitcakes must contain glaceed fruits, nuts and flour – they cannot contain anything inedible. Don’t wrap in foil, duct tape, etc., all fruitcakes must be visible to the "Fruitcake Toss Tech Inspectors."

Just imagine how happy the squirrels are to clean up after the event. :)

Have you seen our Twitter page?

2010-01-03T18:43:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen our Twitter page yet, take a peek now at www.twitter.com/vhdest

In addition to this blog, we're utilizing that to give you heads up on special promotions, the latest travel news and rants and raves about traveling that we think you might be interested in. Check us out and as always, let us know if you have any suggestions!

Happy 2010!!

2010-01-02T22:02:00.001-08:00

We want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and thank you for your business! We look forward to providing you with exciting new properties, incredible deals, and as always - personalized service to make sure your next vacation is memorable.

www.vacationhousedestinations.com

New Guidelines for Air Travel

2010-01-02T21:57:00.000-08:00

Late last week, the TSA issued new guidelines for passengers following the Dec 25th events. The full statement from the TSA can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/yj4cbxr

TSA has worked with airline and law enforcement authorities, as well as federal, state, local, and international partners to put additional security measures in place to ensure aviation security remains strong. Passengers traveling domestically and internationally to U.S. destinations may notice additional screening measures.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: What additional security measures is TSA taking domestically?
A: TSA has a layered approach to security that allows us to surge resources as needed on a daily basis. We have the ability to quickly implement additional screening measures including explosive detection canine teams, law enforcement officers, gate screening, behavior detection and other measures both seen and unseen. Passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport.

Q: What additional security measures are being taken for international flights to U.S. destinations?
A: TSA issued a directive for additional security measures to be implemented for last point of departure international flights to the United States. Passengers flying into the United States from abroad can expect to see additional security measures at international airports such as increased gate screening including pat-downs and bag searches. During flight, passengers may be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight.

Q: Do passengers need to do anything differently to prepare for checkpoint security procedures? Has anything changed in terms of what passengers can bring in their carry-on or checked bags?
A: At this time, security checkpoint requirements for passengers departing U.S. airports remain the same. Passengers do not need to do anything differently, but they may notice additional security measures at the airport.

Q: Should passengers plan to arrive at airports earlier than normal?
A: Passengers traveling within the United States should give themselves extra time to check in and proceed through the security checkpoint before their flight, especially during the busy holiday travel season. TSA advises that passengers traveling on international flights to U.S. destinations allow extra time for security and arrive an additional hour earlier.

Q. How long will these measures remain in place?
A: TSA will continuously review these measures to ensure the highest levels of security.

Tips on how to conquer jet-lag during the holiday rush

2009-12-01T22:33:00.000-08:00

The holidays are tough enough on our bodies, so why can’t we get to where we need to go and not worry about having our body-clocks catch up to the new timezone?? Unfortunately jet-lag is unavoidable, but you can try a few simple tips to make it less of a lag on your trip:

1) A couple of days before you travel, try going to bed earlier if you are traveling East and later if you are traveling West.
2) Avoid eating a big meal before traveling. The lower air pressure in the cabin can mean you get bloated more easily. Avoid typically “gassy” foods for the same reason. Fellow passengers will thank you! :)
3) Drink lots of water during the flight. The dry air inside an aircraft causes dehydration.
4) Try to adjust your mealtimes and bedtime to the local clock immediately on arrival – even if you want pancakes when the chicken is being served.

Safe travels!

There's heavy snow in the Cascades this weekend!

2009-11-07T21:16:00.000-08:00

The Washington state Department of Transportation has temporarily shut down two highways in the Cascade Mountains due to heavy snow from a fall storm and plans to close a third.

The Washington state Department of Transportation has temporarily shut down two highways in the Cascade Mountains due to heavy snow from a fall storm and plans to close a third.
Transportation officials closed State Route 410 over Chinook Pass and State Route 123 over Cayuse Pass Saturday morning. The North Cascades Highway on State Route 20 closed around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
All three roads typically close during the winter due to heavy snow, but transportation officials say none of these are permanent closures. It is being assessed when all the roads can be reopened

Leavenworth Fall Festivals in Full Swing!

2009-10-19T21:42:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and that means the little town of Leavenworth will be gearing up for their famous Fall festivals. The mountain trees start to show off their glorious red, orange and yellow colors against the bright green evergreens. There's still room at our beautiful Leavenworth home!

Swine Flu and travel insurance QA

2009-10-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

I found a really good article about Swine flu and travel insurance...we don't offer travel insurance at this time for our homes but it's something we might consider in the future.

Is swine flu covered by travel insurance?

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-10-01-swine-flu-travel-

When CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta came down with H1N1, or swine flu, in Afghanistan last month, he blogged about being "the sickest I've ever been." And with the federal Centers for Disease Control reporting that a second wave of the flu is spreading widely across the nation, USA TODAY's Laura Bly answers questions on whether travel insurance covers H1N1.

Q: What is a typical travel insurance policy cost, and what are the major coverage areas?
A: Most travel insurance packages cost 4% to 8% of a journey's total value and encompass trip cancellation/interruption refunds plus medical care and evacuation.

Q: I'm not sick now, but I'm worried about getting the flu at my destination. If I have insurance, can I cancel before I leave and get my money back?
A: Not unless you've purchased "cancel for any reason" coverage, which is sold as an add-on to existing policies or as a stand-alone waiver by cruise lines and other travel companies. A "cancel for any reason" upgrade is more expensive (40%-50% higher than a basic policy), typically covers 70%-100% of prepaid trip costs (all of which must be insured), and requires trip cancellation at least two days before departure, says Peter Evans of the insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip.com.

Q: Does the World Health Organization's June declaration of H1N1 as an official pandemic void the terms of my travel insurance policy?
A: In most cases, no. But a few companies do have pandemic exclusions that would keep you from collecting if you get the flu before you leave or during your trip, says Chris Harvey of Squaremouth.com, another travel insurance comparison site.

Q: Assuming pandemics aren't excluded, will I be covered if I'm quarantined at my destination and have to skip part or all of my itinerary?
A: Generally, yes. But you'll have to study the fine print. Some carriers, including Travel Guard and Access America, will reimburse costs associated with a quarantine — but only if you are sick, not if you are a part of a larger group detained because of possible exposure to an infected traveler.

Q: If I catch the flu and can't travel, will insurance cover the cost of medical care, additional hotel nights and airline penalties?
A: In many cases, yes. Access America, for example, covers emergency medical costs, "reasonable" lodging and other out-of-pocket expenses, and transportation costs associated with getting you back home. But you'll need a doctor's verification of your illness, and no policies will cover you for lost work days if you're forced to extend your stay because of illness.

Q: So, do I really need insurance if my main concern is catching swine flu?
A: Perhaps not. Gupta's high-profile example notwithstanding, most cases of H1N1 flu have been mild and a vaccine is expected to be widely available by the end of the year, though it takes up to two weeks to become fully effective. Some airlines will waive change fees for passengers with a doctor's documentation that they are unable to fly.

Razor clam digs are planned for the Washington Coast

2009-10-04T11:50:00.001-07:00

If you're a fan of digging for Razor clams - get your boots and your shovel ready!

Five razor clam digs have been planned: Oct 16-19, Nov 4-7, Nov 14-17, Dec 2-5, Dec 31-Jan 3. They are all evening digs. Our Pacific Beach and Ocean Shores house is close to the action!

You can get all the details here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/razorclm/season.htm

Happy digging!

Leavenworth gets Amtrack service!

2009-09-22T01:52:00.000-07:00

Amtrak has just announced train service from Seattle to Leavenworth beginning Friday September 25th. That means you can experience the fun of train travel and the charm of Leavenworth's Bavarian Village, without having to drive through the snow.

Leavenworth's new Icicle Train station just outside town won't be done by September 25th, but the train will stop and the trolley will take you into the heart of the village. There you'll find unique shops, wineries, activities, authentic restaurants and year-round festivals.

VacationHouse Destinations beautiful vacation home in Leavenworth awaits your arrival.

Why settle for a standard hotel room?

2009-09-15T02:00:00.000-07:00

Comfortable pillows, homemade meals and bedrooms big enough to walk across without tripping over furniture. If you thought these were pleasures you had to give up when you decided to do take a vacation, guess again!

Sleeping away from home doesn't have to mean enduring uncomfortable nights in drab, cramped hotel quarters. Chances are you'll find the services and amenities you're looking for at VacationHouse Destinations properties. And you’ll pay a lot less than you would at a standard hotel.

A few of the perks:
· Comfortable rooms with individual character
· A pleasant atmosphere for relaxing, working or being active
· Locations in quiet neighborhoods, not busy commercial zones

Try staying at a vacation home – you won’t want to go back to a hotel room again. VacationHouse Destinations can help – contact us before you book your next reservation.

Summer in Mazama is in full swing!!

2009-07-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

The arrival of the very first Winthrop Artisan's Market has kicked off what promises to be a great summer in the Methow Valley filled with fun events and festivals and lots of sunshine!

Here's a quick sample of what's coming up:

•40th Anniversary of Woodstock Concert (August 21-22)

•Methow Valley Rodeo (September 5 - 6)

•Winthrop Auto Rallye (September 11-12)

For a more complete list of local events, be sure to checkout the local Events Calendar and the Arts Calendar.

Tips for Exchanging US Dollars for Canadian Dollars

2009-06-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

There's a great article in the Seattle Times Today - thought I would highhlight a few of they key tips when you head to Canada and need to exchange money.

Credit/debit-card purchases

Using a credit or debit card for most purchases makes the most sense. This is because Visa and MasterCard process the charges at the most favorable daily exchange rate, the interbank rate that's at or very close to the rate listed in newspapers.

The catch: You'll want to make sure you're not only getting the best exchange rate, but also avoiding high foreign-transaction fees.

Keep in mind a new wrinkle: As of June 1, most banks began applying these fees to purchases to any transaction made in U.S. dollars if it was made or processed outside the U.S.

Examples would be something bought online through a store in Canada, or an Olympics hotel/ticket package paid for in U.S. dollars, but processed through a Canadian vendor.

Foreign-transaction fees are twofold: Visa and MasterCard levy a standard 1 percent fee on the purchase amount after it's converted to U.S. dollars. Some banks then tack on extra fees for a total of 2-3 percent.

This means that if you spent Cdn. $200 on a hotel room and the charge came in at $184when converted to U.S. dollars, you'd pay a conversion fee of $1.84 at 1 percent and $5.52 at 3 percent. Best advice: Use a card that carries a maximum conversion fee of 1 percent or less.

Virginia-based Capital One (www.capitalone.com) offers the best deal for travelers. It waives all foreign transaction fees, including the 1 percent Visa and MasterCard charge.

Next best are smaller local and regional banks and credit unions which pass on only the 1 percent fee. Most national banks now charge 3 percent, but that could go higher in the future as banks look for new ways to raise credit-card revenue.

Tip: Avoid offers by merchants to convert your credit-card purchases to U.S. dollars. Called "dynamic currency conversion," this is sold as a convenience to consumers, but it's also a profit-making opportunity for retailers who tack a surcharge onto the base exchange rate as a fee. The main offenders: rental-car companies and shops that cater to tourists.

ATM withdrawals

Withdrawing money from a cash machine in Canada can be the easiest and least costly way to get Canadian dollars, but there are a few caveats:

• As with credit cards, watch the fees. Aim for an ATM/debit card with a maximum fee of 1 percent of the amount after conversion to U.S. dollars. Again, smaller banks and credit unions are your best bets.

• Avoid additional withdrawal fees. Bank of America, for instance, charges $5 per foreign ATM withdrawal plus a 1 percent fee on the amount, but waives all charges if you use an ATM at a Global Alliance affiliate bank — Scotiabank (www.scotiabank.ca) in Canada.

• Some Canadian banks might also charge ATM fees. Minimize these by asking your bank or credit union to raise the amount you can withdraw each time.

• Avoid non-bank cash machines such as those found in some grocery stores or gas stations. Withdrawal fees are high.

• Don't use a credit card to withdraw cash. You'll pay cash-advance fees and paying interest right away.

Tip:

Tell your bank or credit union that you'll be traveling and using your ATM and credit cards in Canada. Otherwise, they may suspect fraud and put a temporary hold on your accounts until they hear from you. Take along your bank's phone number in case of a problem.

Changing money in Canada

Exchanging U.S. dollars or travelers checks for Canadian currency in Canada is a more costly way to go, but easy to do at banks, or private "change" businesses in tourist areas and at the airport, train station, etc.

The trade-off for convenience is a worse exchange rate than you get by using a credit card or ATM and/or a service fee that reduces the amount you receive.

Hotels will sometimes exchange small amounts of cash for guests at fair rates and no commission. The Westin Hotel Resort and Spa in Whistler lets guests change up to $100a day in either cash or travelers checks at a favorable rate with no extra service charge.

Buying Canadian dollars here

There's little reason to buy Canadian dollars here before you go. AAA and banks offer this as a convenience for customers, but poor exchange rates — 3 to 5 cents below the base rate — and other fees make this an expensive way to go.

Paying in U.S. dollars in Canada

It's often possible to pay with U.S. dollars in Canada. Exchange rates vary. Some merchants offer a rate close to the daily bank rate; others offer only "par," a straight one-for-one exchange.

All shops, restaurants, ski lifts, etc., run by Whistler-Blackcomb accept U.S. dollars at a rate that's within a few cents of the official bank rate.

Tip: While many businesses will take U.S. dollars, you'll get your change in Canadian currency.

Cleanliness is a top priority for our homes

2009-02-18T11:09:00.000-08:00

I came across an article this morning written by a housekeeper who worked in Yellowstone National Park in one of the upscale resorts in the park. http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-25303242

Honestly, reading it disgusted me that what I've assumed staying in some hotels is true - no crumbs on the floor don't necessarily mean it's a clean room. While I'm not saying that all hotel rooms are dirty, there is a lot of pressure on the cleaning crew of these establishments to clean as many rooms as possible in the shortest amount of time so they can get rooms ready before the next stampede of guests arrive at check-in time.

At VacationHouse Destinations, all of our homes have top-notch cleaning teams dedicated to making sure that when you arrive, there is no question in your mind if the rooms have been vacuumed or dishes cleaned. On average, our cleaning teams take 5 hours to clean a home - sometimes longer - depending on the size of the house. Cutting cleaning corners is simply not acceptable to the cleaning team, our guests and us. Cleanliness is a top priority for our homes and I'm happy to say that we haven't received a single complaint about the cleanliness of any of the homes - which is a testament to the hard work of the cleaning teams.

Do you have any experiences good/bad that you'd like to share? Just leave us a comment!

Important note: Gondola tower collapses at Whister!

2008-12-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

Gondola tower collapses at Whistler, B.C., resort
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6600ap_canada_whistler_gondola_tower.html

WHISTLER, British Columbia -- More than 50 people were evacuated from about 30 ski gondolas after a tower supporting the cables partially collapsed Tuesday at Canada's Whistler resort.

Police said there were no serious injuries at the resort, which is to host the alpine events of the 2010 winter Olympic games. But health officials said five people had been taken to a hospital after the mid-afternoon accident.

While a crane was brought in to support the leaning tower, fire crews worked quickly to evacuate three cars that were most in danger.

One of the gondola cars hit a bus shelter, while two more were left dangling before the broken tower. In all, it took more than three hours for fire crews and the mountain's ski patrol to evacuate 53 people, Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort said. The gondola section involved is about 30 feet above the ground.

Doug Forseth, resort senior vice president, cited structural failure on a tower on Blackcomb Mountain's Excalibur gondola. An investigation into the cause of the accident will begin Wednesday, he said. "We have representatives of Dopelmayr, the lift manufacturer, coming tomorrow," Forseth said. "We will start to look at this failure in daylight and start to look at the possibilities of what might have caused this."

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Steve Wright said the passengers who were rescued were in good spirits and were met by emergency health services. Wright said frigid temperatures were not a concern because the people were wearing protective ski clothing and were in a sheltered environment.

Amber Turnau, a spokeswoman for Whistler Blackcomb, said the tower that collapsed is on the lower half of the lift. She said Tower 4, the one that went down, is not far from the gondola's start. Graeme Bell said his gondola car hit the ground."It was pretty freaky. We heard the noise of the tower collapsing and then the cabin started shaking and down it went," Bell told CTV television. "It hit the ground. It busted one of the windows and we jumped out."
Bell said those around him were complaining of sore backs and one man had a bloody head.

All of the Olympic Games events will take place on Whistler mountain, not Blackcomb where the accident occurred. It's not the first ski lift accident at the resort.
A Dec. 23, 1995, accident on the Quicksilver ski lift killed two men and injured nine other people.
The high-speed lift was ferrying skiers to the top of a run when one chair slipped on a cable and slammed into another, setting off a cascade that sent four chairs crashing into the bush and rocks below.

www.vacationhousedestinations.com

We're excited to welcome our new Park City, Utah home!

2008-12-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

We're excited to announce our latest property in the portfolio, Park City Utah http://www.vacationhousedestinations.com/dtlMbrPropPUB.cfm?propID=2020. It's a stunning townhouse in the center of it all -and only 36 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport- there's so much to do and see you'll have to experience it for yourself!

A few of the many adventures you can have include:

Park City adventures:
Amazing shopping, luxury spas and world-class skiing/snowboarding - it's a wonderful family destination.

Dining and Nightlife:
If you're looking for an evening out, you'll find nothing but a diverse dining scene -with more than 100 restaurants and more chefs per capita, than Paris!! Come hungry!!

Leisure:
Besides world-class skiing/snowboarding, you can enjoy snowshoeing, hot-air ballooning, tubing and snowmobiling. Of course, there's always the option of relaxing in your custom designed townhouse and relaxing in the hot tub, cooking a great meal or just grabbing a book to unwind by the fireplace.

Events:
The Sundance Film Festival - of course one of the greatest gathering of celebrities, movie icons and directors - the townhouse is still available, but it won't be for long. There's also tons of music acts, theater productions, galleries and lively performances. There's plenty to fill your visual senses, if the natural landscape wasn't inviting enough.

We welcome you to come visit Park City, Utah soon!!

www.vacationhousedestinations.com

Top Tricks of the Trade to Save on Your Next Flight

2008-11-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

With the tightening economy, airfare feels more painful than ever, you can avoid paying more than absolutely necessary with these seven tips...

1. Buying really far in advance usually doesn't matter
The lowest prices get released in the period 2-8 weeks beforehand. Buying earlier than eight weeks in advance won't usually won't get you any deals, and you might even miss out.

2. Buying really far in advance DOES matter for peak travel dates
Spring Break flights leaving on Friday, Sunday returns during summer months, and, of course, anything around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

3. Snatch up price drops
Fare cuts are usually bye bye in 2 days.

4. Spurn high fares
Hiked prices are often cut when airlines have to make up for all the lost business from prices being too high.

5. Day of flight is important
The cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

6. Day of ticket purchase matters
Price drops usually get rolled out earlier in the week

7. Leave earlier, stay longer
You can save during holiday rush times if you depart a day earlier and come back a day later than most people would

Get back to www.vacationhousedestinations.com

Thanks to Wired for the article here:
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/16-07/pb_airfares

Vacation Homes – Saving You Money On Your Next Vacation

2008-10-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

You’re finally ready to go on that much deserved vacation. You’ve found the perfect destination, picked the activities and got time off. Now you’re ready to spend countless hours researching every hotel in a 25 mile radius. Looking at the usual hotels that are available and taking into account you didn’t just win the lottery – you can crowd the whole gang into a small room for a few weeks and throw personal space and relaxation out the window OR you can pick the more affordable and comfortable option – vacation homes.

Believe it or not, renting vacation homes is LESS EXPENSIVE and can save you money when you compare the cost of a hotel room to renting a house. In a hotel room, you get a bed, a TV, a small bathroom and a view to the parking lot. If you want to get something to eat you have a few options; go to a restaurant; ransack the minibar fridge with $4 candy bars and $5 bottles of water or you can get room service, wait an hr for dinner and pay extra for the convenience of eating it on top of your bed.

Renting vacation homes on the other hand, offers your convenience, cost savings and space to stretch out. Each home is professionally maintained and can comfortably accommodate guests – bring your friends and family along and split the cost for even MORE SAVINGS. Vacation homes offer full kitchens (with all the utensils, dishes), private bedrooms so you can escape, a nice living room –some offering views, but most importantly a home away from home where you can relax, rejuvenate and spend time doing what you love most. Don’t settle for another overpriced, overcrowded hotel – save some money and book your next vacation at one of our vacation homes – you may never want to go home.

http://www.vacationhousedestinations.com/

Lights, Camera and Action in Mazama

2008-10-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

The lights, camera and action were trained on several locations in the Methow Valley for the filming of psychological thriller, The Absent. Producer/director/writer Sage Bannick assembled a cast and crew of 120 people from the Mazama area (including a dozen local teens wandering the halls of the high school as extras) and Los Angeles for the movie, which he co-wrote with Twisp-based Damon Abdallah and Hawaii-based Ari Bernstein. Filming is going on through next week - so you never know if you'll be lucky enough to be in a movie :)

Leavenworth Oktoberfest is just around the corner

2008-09-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

With the leaves slowly changing from green to spectacular shades of red and yellow, it makes us think about Oktoberfest in Leavenworth. Sure, we could be thinking about hot apple cider, soup and dreaming about the warm summer days again - but Oktoberfest is an event not to be missed!

It's not just for beer lovers - it's three weekends of fun entertainment for the entire family including bands, musical troops, great food, arts and crafts, bounce houses and clowns and even a parade every Saturday through the village. As you're planning your weekend getaways in October, don't forget about Oktoberfest Oct 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18. There's still openings at our Leavenworth home here: http://vacationhousedestinations.com/dtlMbrPropPUB.cfm?propID=1013 so plan your getaway soon, before all the bratwurst, beer and German chocolate cake is gone!

Travel Statistics

2008-07-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

According to the Travel Industry Association (TIA), the non-profit trade group that represents the U.S. travel industry, Americans are expected to take more than 327 million leisure trips during June, July and August this year. That’s equivalent to 109 million trips a month, 3,554,348 trips per day and a skosh over one trip for every man, woman and child in the United States.

Thought those numbers were amazing! Vacations are important to take time off and refresh. Hope you're making the time to take one of the 327 million trips that are up for grabs :)

www.vacationhousedestinations.com

Top 9 Washington Coast Attractions

2008-06-30T22:17:00.001-07:00

Every day our members discover new and exciting places on their getaways. We want to thank Bob K. and his family for sharing their favorite places along the coast!

Top 9 beachside attractions

Lake Quinault - Rent a boat, dine at the Lodge, drive around the lake, drive to mountain viewpoint (Higley Peak), several short hikes: rain forest, ancient cedar tree, historic homestead, moss-draped maple grove, giant spruce tree.

Point Grenville - Undiscovered gem of the WA coast: seastacks, wide sandy beach, hidden volcanic beach

Taholah - Wonderful beach with rocks of Cape Elizabeth, mouth of Quinault river, massive spruce driftwood piles, pretty forest, view down to Point Grenville. (Taholah and Point Grenville require a tribal beach pass: $15 per family per day.)

Copalis Rock - Isolated seastack rock reached by 4 mile walk or drive down the beach. Nearby is the Copalis State Airport, where planes land right on the beach.

Kalaloch Coastline - Spectacular Ruby Beach, massive driftwood piles, tree-lined cliffs, miles of empty beach.

Hoh Rain Forest - Astonishing moss covered trees, beautiful drive along Hoh River, bring an umbrella

Quinault Beach Resort - Casino and restaurants

Ocean Shores - Rent electric boat on Duck Lake, ride horses, rent beach buggies, drive your car on the beach, fly kites, sand castles, many summer festivals, shopping

Westport - Catch a boat tour for whale watching, ocean fishing, ocean-going seabird watching, or a harbor tour. Historic lighthouse is tallest in Washington state. Many fine beaches with hills of sand for kids to play on.

Summer time at the beach

2008-06-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

The North Beach area of the Washington Coast is about the beach!!

There’s so much to do - hiking, beachcombing, sunbathing, having a campfire, watching the sea birds and flying a kite.

Some great walks include: the Griffiths Priday bird sanctuary park at Copalis Beach, Joe Creek at Pacific Beach and Pacific Beach State Park to the Stairs at Ocean Crest Resort.

A great side trip is to Point Grenville, on the Quinault Reservation. A beautiful stretch of truly natural beach with arches, haystacks, etc.

Surf kayaking is particularly good at Pacific Beach, with easy access from the State Park day use area.

Surf fishing is good almost everywhere along the coast, but access is best at Ocean City, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.

Ocean Shores Calendar of Events

2008-06-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

There's some great events coming up at Ocean Shores. Let our Ocean Shores property be your home away from home as you're exploring Ocean Shores.

July 3, 2008 Ocean Shores Independence Day Picnic - Celebrate our Nation's Independence Day with this 4th Annual community-sponsored picnic on Thursday, the 3rd.

July 4, 2008 Fire O'er the Water - Watch as Ocean City lights up the night sky with fireworks on the 4th.

July 12-13, 2008 Big Weekend Triathlon & Footfest All "Trifreaks" welcome to participate in this 2nd annual event! Activities feature 1/2 Iron Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon, Half Marathon, 10k Run, and 5k Run.

July 25-27, 2008 Sun and Surf Run - Get your favorite Harley T-shirt and join over 2,000 motorcycles at the Convention Center. Enjoy stunt riders, a motorcycle parade, a bonfire & fireworks on the beach, and vendors. Visit www.sunandsurfevent.com

September 5-7, 2008 Arts and Crafts Festival - 40th annual event. Visit one of Western WA's largest indoor & outdoor handmade arts and crafts bazaars. 1,000's of unique items are showcased by gifted artists and talented craftspeople. Admission is free.

September 27-28, 2008 Paddle the Shores - Attention kayak, canoe, and paddling enthusiasts. Paddle Activities on the lakes and canals of Ocean Shores. Poker Paddle, races, seminars, boat demonstrations and a participant picnic on Sunday.

October 3-5, 2008 Whale of a Quilt Show - Sea-Gals Quilters show offers vendors, handmade quilts, demonstrations, and quilted items. The show is judged and prizes are awarded. Free admission.

November 7-9, 2008 Dixieland Jazz Festival - Jazz bands from around the United States and Canada join together to offer over 100 hours of live jazz at several venues throughout Ocean Shores. For more information visit http://www.users.techline.com/diggindixie/

November 28-30, 2008 Winter Fanta-Sea - Over 70 arts and crafts booths feature thousands of unique handmade items just in time for the holidays! Bring the kids, Santa will be there to listen to all of your Christmas wishes.

December 12-13, 2008 North Beach Singers Christmas Cantata - The North Beach Singers present Yuletide favorites to bring in the Holiday Season. Admission is free.

Pacific Beach Calendar of Events

2008-06-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for upcoming activities at Pacific Beach, look no farther - and of course we have one of the finest homes in Pacific Beach as your home base for all of the upcoming events.

Here's what's coming up:

August 23,24 Copalis Beach Duck Race. Copalis BeachRubber ducks are purchased and floated down the Copalis River for prizes.

August 30th and 31st Is the KELPERS WEEKEND! Featuring the Kelpers Parade on Sunday the 31st starting at 12noon from Moclips. The weekend begins with the Kiddies Parade on Saturday at 12noon on Main street from the Post Office to "The Wacky Warehouse"-After the Kiddies Parade on Saturday the Moclips VS Pacific Beach "TUG of WAR" will be on the beach. We will also have a street dance on Saturday Evening. There will be all kinds of VENDORS on Main ST. SAT.& SUN. Also the "SHAKE-RAT RENDEZVOUS"-We hope you can come to enjoy the festivities! Contact 360-276-4727 for more information.

September 5-7th, The 2008 Kite Festival The festival will be at Pacific Beach State Park.

October 27th KXPB 89.1fm hosts a Halloween party at the Pacific Beach resort and conference center.

October 31st Haunted House. Pacific Beach resort and conference center.

December to New Years Christmas Lights “Babes in Toyland”

Latest Fuel Cost Report

2008-06-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

There's an interesting gas price study out by the EPA that I read in the June 16th BusinessWeek. While it's getting more painful to fill the tank lately, the EPA says that the price we're paying now as compared to June 2007 isn't much more. The report compared the cost of driving round trip to destinations this year, vs last year at the same time. The results were very revealing - end result is that it doesn't cost much more to drive to your favorite vacation spot this year vs what it did last year.

From the report - how much more this year it costs vs last year roundtrip: (By Car/By SUV)

Los Angeles to Las Vegas: $15.04/$20.01
Denver to Grand Canyon: $42.51/$56.55
Chicago to Memphis: $29.75/$39.58
Atlanta to Orlando: $24.46/$32.54
Montreal to New York: $21.23/$28.24

New Whistler property added to the portfolio

2008-06-14T23:48:00.000-07:00

We're excited to announce the latest property in the portfolio; a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in Whistler's Village North. It's a great homebase for all the incredible activities that only Whistler can offer. Look for it on the club properties page. We look forward to welcoming you on your next Whistler getaway.

Top 10 summer hikes in Mazama

2008-06-06T21:10:00.001-07:00

We've had a few people ask us recently what the best hikes in Mazama are during the summer. We've put together our favorite list and included some tips that you've shared with us too. Let us know your favorite hike and we'll add it to the list! By far, our favorite hike is Cutthroat lake. The reward at the end is amazing, the peacefulness is incredible and the abundance of trout that are more than willing to jump on your fly rod can't be beat!

* Monument Creek/Lost River- Easy hike through woods along Lost River for 4 miles to Eureka Creek. Except for the sound of the river in the Spring, serenity is the best description for this part of the hike. The trail then climbs 4600' in 5 miles to Pistol Pass (7300") then drops 2800' to Monument Creek. The mouth of the legendary Lost River Gorge can be glimpsed. The trail past Eureka Creek is rarely hiked, and not maintained, but half dozen switch backs past the creek mountain goats have been seen.

* West Fork Methow River- The trail follows the Methow river for 6 miles then ascends to hook up with the Pacific Crest trail at 7 miles: Flowers and the sound of rushing water make this trail special.

* Goat Peak- Two plus mile hike up to Goat Peak (and fire watch tower which is manned during summer - Lightening Bill and his dog love company. Moderate climb the first mile to mountain meadow then steep last mile to top (7000'). 360 degree view of area from one of the highest points in the valley. Eleven mile drive up logging road (good condition) to trail head. Overlook at 7 miles.

* Robinson Pass- Trail follows Robinson Creek giving great views of high massive wooded ridges and rocky cliffs eventually ending 9 miles later at 6200 ft Robinson pass (you start at 2600 ft). You cross several creeks, over bridges, and though the Pasayten Wilderness on the way. From the Pass you can connect with several other trails including the Pacific Crest Trail.

* Cutthroat Lake/Pass- Easy 2 mile hike to Cutthroat Lake (1,000' gain). The lake sits at the base of a large cirque. Another 3 ½ miles climbs 2,000' to Cutthroat Pass where there are great alpine views. One of the best trails to see Mountain Goats.

* Maple Pass/Lake Ann Loop: - Spectacular 7 ½ mile loop trail starting off Hwy 20 at Rainy Pass. Starting at 4,800' its a steady climb to 5,800 Heather Pass or 6,400 Maple Pass. A side trip to Lake Ann is about 2 miles and 500' elevation gain from the trail head. Highly reco mmended hike.

* Hart's Pass- 20 miles from the Mazama Country Inn to Hart's pass. First 6 miles paved the rest is forest service road. It's in good shape. Dead Horse point is a little scary but doesn't last long and is safe. At Harts Pass vistas of the Cascades and Mt. Baker are great. This is the highest, maintained road in the State of Washington. Three more miles takes you just short of Slate Peak. A ¼ mile walk brings you to the 7,000' Slate Peak which gives you a 360 view of the Cascades and Pasayten Wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses Hart's Pass. Other trails radiate out from there also.

* Buckskin Ridge: Starts between Hart's Pass and Slate Peak. 11.5 miles rated "more difficult" by Forest Service.

* Windy Pass: Part of the Pacific Crest Trail it starts between Hart's Pass and Slate Peak and heads north to Canada. Trail head starts at about 6,500' and has less than 100' net gain to Windy Pass at about 4 miles. The trail continues on to the Canadian border approximately 30 miles. Starting above tree line one strolls through mountain meadows with unobstructed views of the Cascades, including views of Silver Star Glacier and Mt Baker.

* Grasshopper Pass: Part of the Pacific Crest Trail it starts at Hart's Pass and goes south to Rainy Pass on Hwy 20. Turn left at Hart's Pass and drive toward Meadow's campground. The trail begins where the road ends. Trail head starts at 6,300'. Net elevation gain is approximately 500' but more up and down than Windy Pass. Where Windy Pass gives you wide panoramic views of the mountains, Grasshopper Pass puts you right into them. The Pass is about 5 ½ miles one way.

Summer travel

2008-05-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

There's a really informative Wall Street Journal article about the latest airline restrictions and fees that go into affect this summer - notably new luggage charges for your First checked bag on various airlines. There's some good tips in there too.

If you have any good summer travel tips, let us know!

A few cost saving travel tips

2008-05-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

We've had a few people ask us how they can save some money when they're planning their summer vacations. Like a lot of people, the company car is an SUV, so we feel the pain when we fill it up and it makes us think differently about driving all around town. So when it comes to getting away from the hectic daily routine, is the ridiculous cost of gas going to change the way people vacation? Honestly - it probably will - for now. We think it's about vacationing smarter and getting the most value out of your hard earned dollar - you deserve that vacation! Some ideas that come to mind for cutting your travel costs:

Vacation closer to home - the savings of time and hassles, not to mention not having an expensive airline ticket is a big factor in the overall travel expense.
Find airline deals - they're out there - it just takes time to find them. One site that we like is http://www.farecast.com/ You can check to see when the rates are competitive and the likelihood of them going up and down in the future. It is interesting to see a quick aggregate of the fares and the predictions - it's saved us some money when we book flights at the right time.
Delete cookies on your browser -Say you go online and purchase an airline ticket from Seattle to Kauai. The next time you visit that site, you could be quoted a higher rate than what's actually available because of your spending history. Tricky isn't it? :)
Travel in the off-season - we're biased but we think all of our properties are great year round
Plan ahead - you know what they say about the early bird...in this case the bird gets the best deals
Clubs - the Entertainment book http://www.entertainment.com has some great rental car coupons that save a good amount of money -easily paying for the $30 book and then some on your first booking. AAA has great discounts for events and attractions. www.aaa.com
Gas saver - plan your route and make sure to include the best gas price locations utilizing a site such as www.gasbuddy.com
Consider alternate transportation - take a train to your destination -when was the last time you did that? That's an adventure in itself.
Ask your friends to join you - half the cost but twice the fun

If you have any ideas, we'd love to hear about the ways you're maximizing your travel budget and enjoying all your vacation has to offer.

Our first post

2008-05-27T22:27:00.000-07:00

We're excited to finally get our blog live as it's been waiting for us to pen some content for about 3 months since we set up the blog. The purpose of this blog is to a have a virtual guestbook of sorts for people that have stayed at any of the properties and have any comments they want to leave behind for other people that may want to travel to one of the destinations. It's also a way for us to share some company news, travel tips, and anything people have questions about. We hope to make it interactive and useful so don't hesitate to leave comments/questions. We can finally cross 'create blog' off the to-do-list - and replace it with - 'write blog post everyday' :)