Hotels Aren’t the Only Place You Can Stay on Vacation!

Today, we as travelers have a ton of options to consider. Where to go, how to get there, where to stay, what to take, how to plan, where to find deals … You get the point. Well, this article is to introduce you to options on where to stay other than a hotel.

Hotels are a great option. They can be just what you need for your trip, especially if it’s just two of you. You can go with big chains that are well trusted or small chains that may take some digging to ensure you get a nice, clean, affordable hotel room with everything you need.

However, if you travel with a number of people or as a family, a hotel room can get cramped, lack privacy, and get expensive when you upgrade to suites and add extra amenities (like a kitchenette).

Hotels though are great because it is easy to find a lot of good deals with all the viable travel sites out there.

But, you do have other options ….

** How about a condo? Condos are great, and in some destinations the main option. Condos can be small or big. They offer added space, extra amenities, prime locations, and at prices that are comparable to hotel rooms.

For example, we stayed in a quaint (small) condo in Miami. We rented it for only $ 400 for the week. It was perfect for my wife and I. The beds pulled down out of the wall, we had a very very clean room, private entrance to the place and beaches, quiet area, 2 pools, a kitchen with equipment, a nice bathroom, cable , and gorgeous view of the Atlantic. It was our “love shack” for the week and much cheaper by almost $ 200 than any hotel in the area.

** Rent a home. These are now great with the way real estate is nowadays. If you are traveling with a large group, then this may be your best choice. Get everything you need or live like luxury in a beachfront home for your vacation.

Once, 18 of our family members went to Florida and had to rent a home. It was not on the Ocean, but on a bay. It was perfect. It had 3 levels, a hot tub, pool, 4-5 bedrooms, plenty of room, amenities, and lots of fun. We had a great time together since everyone lives in different parts of the country. It was very affordable once split up 4 ways also.

** Resorts and All-inclusive. This is an excellent option for families or if you don’t want to worry about reaching into your pocket. All-inclusive seems to be diminishing in the US, but you can find it abroad and is typically the best choice.

Resorts are great for those who want to spend quality time together, get plenty of privacy and space, and enjoy various activities like golf, fishing, things for the kids, spas, etc …

** Time Shares. These are growing tremendously in the traveling world. Time-shares are great if you use them. You pay a fee upfront and once a year to utilize a time-share. There are various types, so you would want to do your research. Buying a time-share is similar to buying a home in that you don’t want to take the decision lightly.

My wife’s parents have one and love it. They can go anywhere they want as long as they stay in the designated places. We used theirs for our honeymoon in Palm Beach, Florida. It was first-class all the way.

If you and your family travel at least once a year, consider looking into a time-share.

** Camping and RV parks. With the way campgrounds and RV parks are set up nowadays, the term “rough it” doesn’t exactly come to mind. You can get almost everything at a campground that you’d get in a hotel. They are cheap, live out in nature for a week, and have a great time.

There are a few things to consider if you are a novice to camping, so you’ll want to do some homework before you decide on this as an option.

** Houseboats. Live on the water for your trip. This is, yet another option to choose from. My aunt has lived on a houseboat in Florida for years and loves it. This is something many don’t even think of, but look into it, you may not go back to staying on land for any future trips.

We hope this article has helped shed some light on where you might stay on your vacations. Villas, Cabins, and other type choices should be considered for specific destinations and vacations.

Most importantly, have fun, find great deals, and enjoy your trip !!

Where to Stay in Santorini – The Best Towns & Hotels

Spectacular Santorini shines like a glamorous jewel in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Completing the set of Cyclades islands, Santorini itself is set on the site of a submerged volcano and is home to the famously breathtaking caldera which gives the island its distinct shape.

Life on the island itself is pure luxury; secluded villas with infinity pools, private Cliffside suites and honeymoon hideaways create an upscale vibe infused with a divine decadence.

The island has a distinct culture and a depth of history, and the local settlements are made up of villages, each of which vary in architecture and development and have their own unique charm. The romance of Santorini shines through with the sublime nature of its sunsets; as the sun sinks it illuminates the ocean and lights up the caldera, a spectacle which draws thousands of visitors daily.

Santorini is a luxury destination: some of the places to stay in Santorini are fantastically opulent and cater to a glitterati of chic visitors from across the globe. Whatever the budget, traveler who come to Santorini’s shores will enjoy the evenings watching in awe as the sky changes colour and bask in extravagance of the Greek holiday haven.

Days on the island are filled with delicious dining and the chance to recline on your own private terrace among the jigsaw of quintessentially Greek white block buildings, as the sun washes over you and you indulge in the delights of life on Santorini.

Spend balmy evenings in buzzing Fira, the biggest town on the island and the lively heart of Santorini. With its abundance of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Fira is where you should stay on Santorini if you want to party until the early hours and then spend your days exploring the island, and browsing the many shops in the town in the shadow of the beautiful volcano in the distance.

Fira is the perfect place to base yourself in order to explore all that Santorini has to offer. All of the bus routes that traverse the island begin and end in the town meaning that you can travel all over the island. If you don’t fancy catching the bus then it is simple to rent a scooter or even your own car and travel at your own pace. Hotels in Fira town are more expensive than neighboring villages but there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from.

Close to Fira, quiet and placid Imerovigli is the dream spot for honeymooners. The village is one of the most expensive places to stay on the island, but with breathtaking views of the caldera lagoon and romantic luxury love nest hideaways, it offers a perfect slice of secluded Santorini.

The charming town doesn’t have a beach but does have awesome 4 and 5-star hotels to choose from, many offering beautifully designed private suites, some of which are built into the cliff and have views of the volcano. From Imerovigli it is easy to travel to nearby towns; a lot of hotels offer a free shuttle bus, although local busses also connect to busy Fira.

Kamari is considerably cheaper than villages with views of the Caldera, but what it lacks in famous views it makes up for in its beautiful beach. If you are visiting Santorini with children then staying in Kamari is a great choice of location.

The family friendly village boasts an expanse of sandy beach dotted with little local bars and restaurants, supermarkets and shops, meaning long days spent playing on the shoreline and evenings enjoying delicious meals with your family.

This is the place to stay in Santorini if your budget is a little tight, and the best priced hotel rooms are usually found outside of the peak summer season. With most of the accommodation in easy walking distance to the beach, there is no need to take a bus or taxi to reach the water as in other towns on the island.

Your Choices of Hotels in Port Douglas

Port Douglas is home to many beaches and resorts. Port Douglas is also in close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, which is the largest coral reef system in the world. Being close to the reef, accommodations in Port Douglas bring the tourist near to the reef’s marine life attractions such as the turtles that breed on it , as well as the teeming marine plant life teeming in the crystal-clear waters.

Port Douglas is perfect for the diving and marine life enthusiast, as well as for people who enjoy life on the beach and for those simply seeking to relax and enjoy the view of the wide expanse of ocean off the Australian shores.

Finding a hotel in Port Douglas is not a problem. There are many resorts that can serve as a home away from home for you as a tourist, and all of them have amazing amenities and facilities to make your stay in the resort worthwhile.

Coral Sea Villas

Coral Sea Villas Resort is located right in the middle of Port Douglas, making it accessible to the famed Four-mile Beach, as well a the Daintree Rainforest. The rainforest is only a short drive to the north, while the Four-mile Beach is just seconds away from stepping out of the resort. The resort is also merely 100 meters from the nearby retail and restaurant areas of Port Douglas.

Coral Sea Villas is remarkable for being quiet, private, and peaceful. At night, the only sounds you’ll hear is that of the surfing waves hitting against the shore.

Coral Sea Villas apartments are full-sized and self-contained, and include a private courtyard as well as a balcony. Each apartment is surrounded by tropical plant life as well as tropical birds and butterflies. The resort also has a secluded saltwater pool in the man-made jungle surrounding the villa.

Sheraton Mirage

If you’re into five-star luxury and you have the money for it, then you should give the Sheraton Mirage hotel a try. Situated similarly as the Coral Sea Villas resort, the Sheraton boasts of amenities and facilities such an 18-hole golf course and two hectares occupied by saltwater lagoons that one can swim in. Being a five-star facility, Sheraton Mirage has three restaurants offering sumptuous and award-winning meals to the hungry tourist.

Sheraton Mirage offers two accommodations for the tourist: hotel or villa. Villas are composed of 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units.

Sea Temple Resort & Spa

Sea Temple Resort and Spa features a remarkable Asian-inspired architecture in over 190 studio rooms, apartments, and bedroom villas. Located in the southern tip of the Four-mile beach, Sea Temple boasts of being able to offer the perfect privacy setting and comfort amid its 10-acre tropically designed facility.

Experience Asian and Pacific Rim dishes mixed with contemporary Australian cuisine in its restaurant. Eat inside the restaurant itself or enjoy a cocktail beside the resort’s tropical pool bar. For the weary, relax and revitalize yourself with the resort’s day spa and get all worries and problems massaged away by the resort’s experienced staff.

Facts About and Hotels in Australia

Australia is both a country and a continent. It is very famous for its wide open spaces and natural wonders as well as deserts, its beaches, the “Outback” and the “bush”. This country and continent is considered as among the most highly urbanized countries in the world.

It is also worldly renowned for numerous cosmopolitan attractions of its huge cities such as Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney. It is home to numerous cheap accommodations as well as luxury hotels.

Australia is also the smallest continent but the 6th largest country in the world. It is just a bit smaller than the United States of America. The country’s highly urbanized population is concentrated along the south-eastern and the eastern coasts.

Australia is bordered on the west, southwest and northwest by the Indian Ocean. It is then bordered on the east by the Pacific Ocean. The sea of Tasman is located along the southeastern region of Australia which separates it from New Zealand.

On the other hand, the Great Barrier Reef is located on the northeastern portion of the country-continent. East Timor, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are the northern neighbors of this country. They are separated from the city of Australia by the Timor Sea and the Arafura Sea. The total land area of the country is 7,682,300 sq. kilometers or 2,966,152 sq. miles.

A lot of travelers underestimate certain distances between towns and cities. In addition Australia has areas that have been deforested in order to convert them for agricultural purposes. Some forest areas that have survived the deforestation are now national parks and are famous around the world.

Cheap Accommodations in Australia

There are numerous hotels in Australia. You can also find budget hotels and other sort of accommodation in this country-continent. Hundreds of hotels are scattered among the country’s top tourist destinations. Hotels come in different styles and ambience which will make any traveler’s stay enjoyable, relaxing and exciting.

Camping – This is the most popular pastime of Australians. Numerous caravan parks rent camping sites by night where you and your family or friends can pitch a nice little tent. The caravan parks provide toilets and showers while some of them even offer cooking and washing facilities.

It costs about 20 US dollars for the tent site and a few extra dollars if you have company. In addition, you can find a lot of caravan parks near the beach that comes with play grounds and swimming pools that are free for the guests.

Motels – Australia has typical motel style accommodations which include a private room as well as a private toilet and shower. Many hotels in the country offer family rooms that usually feature 2 single beds or a double bed within a single room.

Hostels – Budget hostel accommodations with shared baths costs around 20 to 30 US dollars per night. The facilities of hostels in Australia include food storage areas, fully equipped kitchens and adequate refrigeration. Almost all hostels in the country have living room areas that are equipped with dining tables, televisions and couches.

Hotels – All state capitals in the world contain at least a major 5-star hotel. Majority of hotels in Australia are located within the business districts of the capital city which is Sydney.