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Sunday, June 24, 2007

All Inclusive Vacations

Most of the time, when an individual is planning a vacation, they have to consider all aspects of the time they will spend away from home. The lodging, the transportation, the meals and so on are all things that have to be thought of. One way to limit the expense that all of this creates, is to book an all inclusive vacation. While this will not alleviate all of the things an individual has to think about, it will help to reduce the amount of planning that is needed.

All inclusive vacations usually include accommodations, meals, tips, and taxes are included in the package. Sometimes, they can also include attractions, airfare, and transportation as well. To find an all inclusive vacation that fits the needs of an individual, several things should be taken into consideration. All inclusive vacations wrap the cost of all these expenses into one. That is not to say that an individual can not find great deals on these items individually. But, often an all inclusive vacation includes all of this at a discounted rate.

If considering an all inclusive vacation, one should check out the deals that are available. Individuals who are really looking for the best deal should take the time to find out if all inclusive vacations they have found are a better deal. But, in the end, they can find all this information and do so from their home. The Internet is a great tool in planning a vacation, including an all inclusive vacation. Most big attractions have all inclusive vacations planned for them. To find the options available to anyone, it is as simple as finding the right Internet sites. An all inclusive vacation may be just the thing to help make planning a vacation less of a struggle and more of an enjoyment. And, it may just save some money!

So before you make your next travel reservations, visit http://www.e-travelpromos.com/ and check out the all inclusive vacation deals from our partners.
Sandy Baker is staff writer at http://www.e-travelpromos.com/sbaker@e-travelpromos.com

All Inclusive Resorts - Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana

Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana is located on the north east coast of the Dominican Republic & 50 minutes from Punta Cana airport. With one of the finest oceanfront location on the Caribbean island and protected by a coral reef, the all-inclusive Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana provides the perfect escape to turquoise blue water, white sand, and a forest of palm trees. For friends, families, and couples - the place for outstanding scenery, tranquility and hospitality is right here.
This amazing new all inclusive has everything on site for your perfect holiday, from a 24hr room service with selected menu to movies shown on a full-sized screen right on the beach!
A Lazy River swimming pool meanders through the whole property - perfect for an inner-tube ride and is divided from the free-form pool by a waterfall. The spa & Fitness Center at Sunscape Beach will pamper, relax and renew providing a wonderful retreat, large sun terraces and gardens, towel-service for the pool and beach, daily entertainment with a variety of both land and water activities; fully supervised children activities at the Explorer's Kids Club with game room, television, kitchenette, live stage and nap area, children's pool; outdoor theatre with nightly entertainment including live shows and theme parties on the beach; disco, weekly Managers' cocktail party; four soft surface lighted tennis courts, tennis clinics, water sports center on the beach, diving center on the beach and Jacuzzi; bank/exchange office, tour desk and concierge service. Shuttle to casino at Secrets Excellence with drinks included. The Beach Punta Cana all inclusive resort is non-stop fun for everyone!

The resort offers a wide selection of 616 luxurious air-conditioned guest rooms in 9 connecting 3-storey buildings. A majority of the rooms provide full views of the Caribbean Sea and the most magnificent scenery in the Dominican Republic. A number of magnificent Deluxe and Honeymoon guest rooms and suites offer private Jacuzzis or swim-out pool access. All suites and guest rooms offer superior amenities including 2 queens or 1 king size bed, and fully equipped bathroom with hairdryer. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, 25" satellite TV with remote control, direct telephone, in room safety deposit box (free of charge), mini-bar, and coffee makers.

This all-inclusive resort offers wide choice of dining options for the most discerning palate which include the following restaurants: Continental, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Seafood, Tex-Mex as well as 3 buffet restaurants and 7 bars including Swim-up bar and Pool bar. All restaurants feature smoking and non-smoking sections.

More detailed information about over 400 all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico could be found at SunVacations.org and Iberostar.info websites.
Sunvacations.org directory is truly one-stop information source for Caribbean and Mexican all inclusive vacations. SunVacations.org offers discount travel packages for all-inclusive vacations.
Iberostar.info is the world's most comprehensive Mexico and Caribbean Iberostar resorts photo source on the web, containing over 1000 images.

G. Allen is webmaster for www.sunvacations.org and www.iberostar.info
More detailed information about over 400 all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico could be found at Sunvacations.org Iberostar.info is the world's most comprehensive Mexico and CaribbeanIberostar resorts photo source on the web, containing over 1000 images. Is an all inclusive resort right for you? This article offers detailed introduction toall inclusive vacation concept. www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prwebxml168758.php

Sunday, June 17, 2007

A Guide To Punta Cana Beaches

Punta Cana Beaches are among the most beautiful in the world and offer a recreation area for young and old to enjoy.

The beaches around Punta Cana and Bavaro, are full of white sand and beautifully maintained. The clear blue waters lined with tall palms, seem to go on forever. The calm waters around the Punta Cana area make for great swimming, especially for younger children, and are ideal for water sports as well. All beaches offer a wide range of excursions, water sports, and beach activities including beach volley ball, boat tours, paragliding and sailing trips. Most of the beaches offer guided instructions and classes for diving and other water sports ranging from beginner courses for children and advanced training for professionals.

There are various diving packages available ranging from $41 for one dive with your own equipment to $800 for 25 dives and equipment is also available to rent on the spot. There are also diving tours available for those who prefer them. Prices of these tours may vary from $200 to $1,200 depending on the kind of package offered. Before taking part in these activities it is advised that visitors carry a doctor's note stating your fitness level.

In Punta Cana, there are a lot of large, all-inclusive resorts along the beach that seem like small, self-contained cities. Resorts like the Bavaro Beach, Paradisus, Iberostar and others offer everything from swimming and water sports activities, different restaurant and nightlife options, casinos, golf courses, spas, tropical gardens and even mini-zoos. Some resorts have freshwater lagoons and provide facilities for visitors to snorkel among a fantastic array of sea creatures.

Some beaches are children-friendly while others have big waves, strong undertow and rocks. Visitors are advised to stick to the shore whenever in doubt. As with anywhere else in the world, the same rules apply in Punta Cana. It is best not to take a swim soon after a meal. Avoid swimming alone and leave your valuables at the hotel in order not to risk losing them.

Punta Cana Info provides detailed information about Punta Cana resorts, hotels, real estate, beaches, weather, and the Punta Cana airport. Punta Cana Info is the sister site of Cozumel Web.

A Guide To Cozumel Vacations

What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything handled for you so all you have to do is arrive at the airport on time and everything else is already arranged? Or do you like to be a hands-on manager of your vacation planning? Do you want to arrive at your luxury hotel with your time scheduled out in advance - massage at 3, dinner at 6, dancing at 8 - or do you prefer to arrive at your efficiency suite, grab the local yellow pages and let the adventure begin?
Whatever it is you want, however you like to travel, as long as you enjoy beautiful island paradises, great food, a choice of adventures to experience and friendly people, you'll find it on Cozumel. Start with a travel agent in the town or city where you live. Cozumel is such a well-traveled area that many vacation packages, from the simple to the lush, from the relaxed to the vigorous, are readily available through companies that specialize in arranging them.

By booking packages you can save time and money and be assured of getting exactly what you want out of your precious vacation time. First tier packages include airfare, transportation (either a rental car or a prepaid service to take you to your hotel and back to the airport) and a hotel room. Second tier packages include all of your food, drink and rental cars if needed - all arranged for and prepaid in advance (remember tipping is usually not included). Third tier vacation packages include the activities, if any, you would like to experience on the island while you are there. You can prepay for scuba excursions and lessons, snorkeling adventures, day trips to visit the ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula, babysitting and adventures for the kids, massages and essentially anything else you can think of for your maximum pleasure. The advantage of arranging all this in advance is that you won't have to do it when you arrive and you'll probably save some money as well.

Vacation packages deal in volume and hence they get discounts for all of the goods and services they provide. All of them mark up their costs, of course, but still, you'll end up saving money by going through them. You can even schedule free time to relax or try some new experiences you hadn't planned for. You decide. After all, it's not only your money, it's also your vacation, and you should get exactly what you want at exactly the price you would expect to pay.

Cozumel Info provides detailed information about Cozumel beaches, weather, vacations, real estate, hotels, and more. Cozumel Info is the sister site of Punta Cana Web.

A Guide To Cozumel Hotels

Cozumel has something to suit the tastes and budgets of a wide variety of travelers. From the most lavish of hotels with services that complement the prices, to the most basic of rooms, some with cooking facilities, you can find what you are looking for without looking too far. First, decide what you would like out of your vacation time. Are you longing to wake up to a beautiful sunrise pouring over the ocean, the beaches and directly into your room? Or are you a night owl, looking to party at any of many local discos and watering holes until you crawl into your bed and draw the curtains shut? Do you want beachfront and a swimming pool at your facility? Or do you prefer the small town atmosphere where you can walk over to restaurants and bars and sample the local flavor of the island? There are hotels that offer anything you could possibly want - including some who specialize in singles events for those who are unattached.

There are hotels and resorts on the island built on or near some of the best beach diving available. They offer everything from diving equipment and lessons, to snorkeling gear and swim fins for an enjoyable underwater experience merely feet from your room. Others are built to take advantage of the offshore reefs a short boat ride from the beach where the diving and snorkeling is unbeatable. Still others offer family fun with a myriad of activities for the kids while the parents can enjoy their free time on the island however they choose. And then there are the lodges built for the serious fisherman who comes to catch some of the many types of ocean fish available around the island. These places offer serious equipment, including many boat excursions around the island to some of the well-known spots for catching fish.

Some hotels offer a choice of suites with kitchenettes, or modest air conditioned rooms just steps away from the excitement of the waterfront with its many restaurants, oceanfront bars and magnificent shopping. When you stay in this type of hotel, you have the best of both worlds as the best diving beaches are minutes away and yet you have many amenities available to you just a short walk from your comfortable room. There are condos for rent on the island as well as houses priced to fit any budget. You merely have to do a little research, decide what you want from your fabulous Cozumel vacation, and then go for it!

Cozumel Info provides detailed information about Cozumel beaches, weather, vacations, real estate, hotels, and more. Cozumel Info is the sister site of Punta Cana Web.

Monday, June 11, 2007

A Fabulous Guide To Floridas Best Rentals: Condos For Rent, Rental Houses, And Rental Condos

A Fabulous Guide to Florida's Best Rentals: Condos for rent, rental houses, rental condos and townhouse rentals - how to make sense of the overwhelming mass of fabulous and not so fabulous real estate to spend your Florida Vacation in!!

Chances are, at least once in your life time, you will find yourself finding out everything there is to know about renting a place to stay while on vacation in Central Florida. It could be that the kids want to see all of the wealth of attractions and theme parks in and around Walt Disney World. Maybe your family wants to loll about in a hammock while you play some golf near Orlando, or take in some of the many dinner shows and museums. Perhaps the siren call of Florida's balmy winter climate may be your idea of a great way to take your family away from the frigid northern snow, ice and lack of sunshine. Better yet, maybe your folks have asked you to come down and enjoy a holiday or two with them, but you prefer to have a modicum of privacy and some elbow room while your kids stroll through the theme parks with their Grandparents.

Whatever your reason or reasons for paying a visit to the Central Florida area are, you will no doubt begin to wonder where on earth you will find a suitable, low cost, attractive, rental condo or how you can find out how much to pay for the condos rent. And the questions don't stop there. What type of rental house would be close to Disney yet far away from the noise of the city? What type of townhouse rentals would be a suitable environment for the kids, yet offer enough luxury amenities to pamper the older members of your family and their fine acquired tastes? This guide won't contain any hints on what to wear to the theme parks, or how to get crazy old Aunt Bertha to stop asking how to get a good supply of unicorn chow. This is more of a no nonsense, straight forward guide to doing the best vacation near all of the attractions (Including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, The Winter Haven spring baseball camps for professional baseball players, and so forth).

To start with, you will need to scour the web for the best price. Then you can begin your search in earnest after excluding some accommodations that leave little to be desired in terms of lodging features or even safe and attractive townhouse rentals. Could your family be happy in a rental house, or would your family prefer to have their down time spent in a resort near Walt Disney World featuring the safest, lowest price rental condos? Are you traveling with a large group of adults who would prefer to split the condos rent while giving the Orlando area's bars and nightspots a try? The Orlando area is a vast, sprawling region, flavored by its surrounding town in many distinct ways. The cracker settlers who came in the early days of Florida's history were quick to discover cheap lodging in the Old Town Kissimmee Florida area, and that legacy remains to this day. The area near Disney offers many cheap lodging in several cities and counties. While there are several high dollar advertising campaigns designed to lure travelers to the area around Disney's borders, the lion's share of tawdry and lowest price condo for rent belongs to the Kissimmee area, near Disney=s back entrance .No one wants to stay overnight in rental condos that are surrounded by gaudy tourist traps and three for ten dollar tee shirt shops, or worse yet stay in the midst of a poorly designed low cost accommodation that offers no amenities and poor service. Hardly the dream vacation or worse yet, honeymoon of your dreams, right?

When you choose your ideal rental condos, your location should be the first factor in your quest for booking a low cost townhouse rental reservation or rental house reservation and scoring the perfect blend of luxury, best price and proximity to the attractions that you want to visit. Ask a few pointed questions to the person answering the lodging's phone lines: What type of rental condos do you offer, and how many bedrooms are actually separated by walls from each other? Does the resort offer any last minute specials or deals for those who are traveling from places near the central Florida area? Sometimes you can get a discount or gain a cheap reservation for simply belonging to an automobile club or having a military identification card? Orlando condos should always come with the following lodging details: central air conditioning, central plumbing and hot water, linens of a decent thread count, a certain lack of wandering nearby marsupials, a clean appearance, recent construction or the addition of new modern renovations to the lodging, family amenities such as a kid's playground or a pool, and some kitchen amenities such as a working refrigerator', a good microwave and some place to store your family's spare clothing while you explore the central Florida area.

If your family or traveling party will be staying in a rental house and needs to have some room to wander, you may want to consider what type of neighborhood that you will need to book a reservation in. The area close to the route 27 and route 192 are seems to span the best of all worlds, offering low cost reservations and spacious accommodations in beautiful, usually new or renovated rental condos, rental houses, and rental townhouses. The presence of the nightly Disney fireworks in the evening skies in the Davenport area is stunning, and yet the Davenport Florida resembles the quiet May berry type of town that all of us long to bring back to life for our modern families. Close enough to be a neighbor to Walt Disney World and house many of its cast members, the Davenport Florida area seems to have escaped the rush to build monuments of gaudiness and preserved its small town feel, all while offering the traveling family a short drive to all of Florida's attractions, theme parks, dining and shopping areas. The best of all places to choose a rental house or a rental condo, Davenport features many inroads to all of the best of central Florida, and the Orlando area. The rental condos and rental condos (or rental houses)in this area near Disney and yet close to Universal and a short drive to Busch Gardens in Tampa, yet they lie a short drive away from the wealth of attractions and theme parks of the International Drive area. Luxury shopping and dining choices await those who wish to travel the I4 highway near Davenport Florida, including the Florida Mall (featuring the best in shopping with such fabulous stores as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and diverse selections such as Tommy Bahama and Sephora) and the mall of Millennia, near downtown Orlando (offering such splendid choices as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Anthropologie, Z Gallery, Coach, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and Godiva chocolates, to name a few). The vast region of central Florida is a patchwork of several choices for the family who wishes to find a great price on their condos rent, or get the best neighborhood for their vacation townhouse rental.

Art McCartyOrlando Florida Lodging Expert www.islandhideaway.net
Orlando, Florida

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Advantages Of Bahamas Packages

For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation site, inviting travelers from all over with its white sandy beaches and crystal waters. To make the vacation even more of a dream come true, many visitors opt to purchase a Bahamas vacation package, which allows them to buy all of their travel arrangements at once. Most Bahamas vacation packages include roundtrip air fare, hotel accommodations, occasionally pick-up/drop-off service, and even bike rentals. Many well-known vacation sites online, such as Expedia and Priceline offer opportunities to purchase these deals, which take care of the logistics of traveling to the Bahamas.

For travelers who wish to make their vacation run even more smoothly, some online vacation sites also offer all-inclusive Bahamas vacation packages, which take the matter of planning your complete vacation into their own hands. These deals include not only roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations, but also provide travelers with myriad of activities to choose from once they arrive on the island. Some travelers may choose to purchase snorkeling or sailing deals, while others may desire to purchase a spa treatment, either at their hotel or at an off-site salon. For those who like to gamble, two of the most impressive casinos outside of Las Vegas call the Bahamas home. Many travel agents can schedule a trip to the tables, as well. Travelers can relax with the knowledge that everything has been taken care of before they even leave their homes to ensure that they will have the vacation of their dreams.

Each of these activities can be planned out and included in a package deal, as well as various other entertainments provided by the islands. All-inclusive Bahamas vacations can be tailored to make any traveler's vacation dreams come true. Of course, there is always plenty of time for the traveler to go out and explore the islands.

Bahamas Vacations Info provides detailed information on Bahamas vacation packages, rentals, family vacations, resorts, villas, ranging from cheap vacations to upscale retreats. Bahamas Vacations Info is the sister site of Lake Havasu Web.

A Dream Vacation

What is the meaning of a "dream vacation"? What is so magic about the word "vacation"? The word itself is so exciting and is looked forward with kid like anticipation all over! Kids and children like to take time away from school for change! Adults eagerly wait for the annual vacation! Take time off the routine office work. While Americans use the word "vacation", rest use "holiday"! In the past, upper class families would move over to their summer houses for a small part of the year, while leaving the usual family home vacant at least for a while. In Toto, this precious time was used to refresh and replenish the spent energy; all for a change.

Understanding the objectives of a meaningful vacation or a holiday is the first step in having a "dream time". A vacation is not meant to be a stressful and painful ordeal! Vacations are time to rejoice. Travel and be together. Planning well ahead means a well earned and happy vacation. Packing a well planned itinerary would probably make a big difference. Vacation time is meant for leaving behind all disappointments, sadness and failures of the year! Return back with full vigor and charged up spirits. Looking forward for a brand new year. Vacations are for every one! For adults and kids. Teens and elders.

Before taking any vacations, just ponder over the action plan. Discussing with family members could make one's vacation worth remembering for many years. Just dot down what you would like to do during the vacation. What do the other family members want from this vacation? Do they need fun and relaxation? What about those kids? Arming them with constructive activities during vacation could make them more intelligent and enterprising. Try to consider the age and temperament of the children. As they tend to get tired easily, packing too many activities in a day can make them dull on the next day. Just give respect to your kid's interests and hobbies. A pet loving kid may like to be among wild animals in zoos! While a studious and art inclined one may like museum or an art gallery. A sport loving teen may like to visit a sports arena like Super Bowl! Or a quiet one may just keep himself aloof and play video games on his PS2 or X Box.

Stein Ove Stien is the webmaster of www.Travel-And-Vacation.comA portal with Travel and Vacation related online offers.

Friday, June 1, 2007

10 Tips For Selecting The Perfect Costa Rica Vacation Rental

Planning a Tropical vacation full of lush jungles, secluded beaches, and friendly people but not too expensive? Costa Rica is the place to go! But where do you stay, a resort or a private villa? Do you want long lines, crowded pools, kids running up and down the corridors? I think not.

Selecting the best Costa Rica vacation rental can be the difference between a great vacation and one where you feel like you are 'doing without'.
Many vacationers consider the Costa Rica vacation rental as 'just somewhere to stay' since most of your time will be spent in or on the water, or enjoying local attractions. Don't make that mistake. There is no reason to settle for less when, with a little planning, you can find a great Costa Rica vacation rental that you'll enjoy as much or more than the other parts of your vacation.

Remember, your vacation home is where you'll be sleeping, waking up, having many of your meals, and resting.
If it rains or is unseasonably hot outside, you may end up stretched out reading a book to while away the day or wanting to watch one of your favorite movies on the DVD - assuming there is a comfortable sofa. And when you meet new friends, you'll want someplace nice for entertaining. Shouldn't your vacation rental be a pleasant get-away with the amenities that make vacations a real treat? "A home away from home"

Here are 10 tips to for selecting the perfect Costa Rica vacation rental:
1. The single most important factor is whether or not you can "see" actual recent photos of the interior and exterior of the vacation rental. It's one thing to read a great description - and some of them are quite 'complimentary' (sometimes overly so) - but you need to see what you are getting.
With the Internet, a website is the quickest most convenient way for you to get information on prospective Costa Rica vacation rentals. If there are no pictures, you'll know right away to keep looking. Brochures, books and guides are nice, but may have out-dated information.

2. List the amenities that are important to you, the ones without which you will feel incomplete. Next, jot down those that are nice to have, but not deal-breakers if not available.
With these lists as a guide, you'll be able to quickly eliminate those rentals that won't meet your needs. Your list might include proximity to the water, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type kitchen (full versus fridge and microwave), outdoor amenities such as decks and BBQ grills, ocean views, private pools, outdoor eating areas, tennis courts and other items important to you.
On your secondary list, you might have things like a hammock for lazing about, or pool waterfall for the relaxing sounds. Exterior stereo speakers, to enjoy your favorite music around the pool. Ice makers to mix your favorite drinks, especially in the heat of the day.

3. List the activities that you want to be able to enjoy while on vacation. A morning activity like scuba diving, snorkeling or canopy tour then coming back to the villa to relax may be a high priority for you.You also need to consider how close the vacation rental is to the airport. It is very important to know how far the rental is from your arrival airport. Some rentals can take a half a day's drive and after your flight even an hour's drive can seem an eternity. Your travel time back to the airport at departure can also frustrate your entire vacation. Enjoying your last morning of your vacation by a private pool instead of traveling for hours to the airport can be very important to you. For Costa Rica vacation rentals that are only 20 minutes from the Liberia International airport visit www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com. This will help you in selecting a general location.

You also need to consider how close you want your vacation rental to be to the attractions.
Some people feel that a great vacation is being able to walk or bicycle everywhere. Others don't mind a short drive, and still others think nothing of getting on a freeway to enjoy attractions.
If you prefer a vacation without the hassles of traffic, parking problems, crowds and long lines, select a villa located in the quaint waterfront town of Playa Panama, Costa Rica. Visit www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com to learn more.

4. Identify your first, second and third choice of dates for renting the villa. With several dates, you'll save time when making arrangements.
If you find a villa that you really want and you have some flexibility in scheduling, having alternate dates ready allows you to book right then, saving yourself the time and hassle of having to re-check everyone's schedule and call back - and risking losing those dates in the interim.

5. Call the telephone numbers for the vacation rentals that seem to meet your needs and speak directly with either the owners or the person who is handling the property.
Be prepared with a list of questions. This allows you to compare apples to apples, and keeps you from forgetting something important during the conversation.
It also gives you a feel for the person who will be your contact should you rent the villa and then encounter a problem. If you don't get a warm, friendly welcome to your inquiries, don't expect anything different when you have a problem.

6. Ask what amenities are included. You may learn of something that's not on your list but is perfect for your plans. Does the rental have maid service? Last thing you want to do is make the beds or clean the dishes, even if there is a dishwasher. Does the rental have a washer and dryer? If so, you will not have to take as many cloths with you. Will the maid wash your cloths before your departure? Coming home with a suitcase full of clean cloths is certainly a benefit.

Other things to consider: Is there a welcome basket? Will the owner have essential items in the refrigerator for you, before your arrival? Can you make arrangements for tours? Are there plates, utensils, pots, pans and other essentials for eating and meal preparation - or will you have to bring your own? Does the rental have air condition or do you have to depend on the winds to comfort you?

7. Inquire about restaurants, events and activities and other forms of local entertainment that are close by. Here's where your list of preferred activities comes in handy. You should be able to find links to local attractions, calendars and restaurants on the website of your Costa Rica vacation rental.

8. Are the owners local or do they have a management team helping 24/7? Owners are a wealth of information about the area and can give you tips on great out-of-the-way places that aren't in the guidebooks. They also care about your enjoyment and comfort while at their villa.
This can make a huge difference; especially should something need immediate attention in the villa. There's nothing worse than calling the rental company about a stopped-up toilet and getting somebody's bored teenager who's manning the phones for the summer.

9. How long has the owner been renting vacation rentals? If the owner has worked with rental properties, they know what tenants expect and how to get things done.
If this is a new venture, beware. The owner may be in it for "fun" and have no idea how to prepare the villa so that you can have a great vacation.

10. And last, when you look at the pictures, can you see yourself having a great time there?
If the pictures make you want to go right now, and the answers to the questions above meet your satisfaction, you've found yourself a great Costa Rica vacation rental!

Paul has been traveling to Costa Rica since 2001. Purchased property 2001 and built a villa in 2002. Handles villa rentals for five additional villas. Two, three, four and five bedroom villa's available. www.costarica-vacation-getaway.cominfo@costarica-vacation-getaway.com

7 Tips To Avoid Costly Surprises When Travelling Abroad

> Try to buy your vacation travel package from a business you know.
If possible, deal with businesses that belong to professional associations such as the American Society of Travel Agents, the National Tour Association or the United States Tour Operators Association. If you're not familiar with a company, get its complete name, address and local telephone number.

> Be cautious if the names of the seller and travel provider differ.
You may be dealing with a telemarketer who has no responsibility to you after the sale. And be wary of ads in the newspaper, on the Internet or that you receive by unsolicited fax that offer deeply discounted vacations. These "deals" often contain hidden costs or don't tell you that you may have to attend a sales presentation to qualify for the discount or the travel. Avoid buying from a firm that wants to send a courier for your payment or asks you to send your payment by overnight delivery. The business may be trying to avoid detection and charges of mail or wire fraud.

> Verify arrangements with your travel agent before you pay.
Get the details of your vacation in writing and a copy of the cancellation and refund policies. Ask if the business has insurance and whether you should buy cancellation insurance. Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers for the lodgings, airlines and cruise ships you'll be using. Don't accept vague terms such as "major hotels" or "luxury cruise ships." Call to verify specific reservations, too.

> Use a credit card to make your purchase.
If you don't get what you paid for, you may be able to dispute the charges with your credit card company. Some telemarketers may claim they need your account information for identification or verification. They don't. Your account number should be used only to bill you for goods and services.

> Be wary of prepaying for long-term arrangements.
Timeshares, campgrounds or travel clubs may offer to sell membership vacation accommodations for five years or more, or until you resell your interest. Unless you're certain you'll stay healthy, both physically and financially, and that the company selling the memberships will stay in business, prepaid vacations may not be right for you. In addition, annual membership and maintenance fees may rise. If the seller claims the fees will stay the same, beware. Beautiful properties today may be run-down in five or 10 years without sufficient maintenance. If you decide to buy a timeshare or membership in a vacation club, be aware that resales are difficult, if not impossible, because there's no secondary market. As for timeshares as investments: they rarely appreciate in value.

> Learn the vocabulary.
"You have been specially selected to receive our SPECTACULAR LUXURY DREAM VACATION offer" doesn't mean you'll get a free vacation. It means you'll be offered an opportunity to pay for a trip that may fit your idea of luxury - or not. "Subject to availability" means you may not get the accommodations you want when you want them. "Blackout periods" are blocks of dates, usually around holidays or peak season, when no discount travel is available.

> Watch out for "instant travel agent" offers.
Companies may offer to sell you identification that will "guarantee" you discounted rates. These companies have no control over discounts. Only suppliers of travel - cruise lines, hotel companies, car rental companies, or airlines - can decide to extend professional courtesies, and to whom.
For more information and resources related to travel check out our web sites at www.Finest-Cruises.com and www.Greatest-Travel-Resources.com.

5 Tips To Spend The Most Luxurious Caribbean Vacation You Ever Dreamed Of!

Tip #1 : Buy a beach front Caribbean villa!
Buying Caribbean beach front property can range from a bargain to outrageous. This does not mean that the cheaper Caribbean beach front property is any less beautiful or luxurious than the more expensive ones, but rather means the location is different. For instance, Caribbean beach front property in the Bahamas is beautiful, over run with tourists, and incredibly expensive. However, Caribbean beach front property in the Dominican Republic is just as beautiful, has less tourists, and a considerably more affordable price tag.

Tip #2 : Rent a villa for your trip!
If you are not into real estate investment, why not rent a villa instead? Often, the price will not be a lot more expensive then an all inclusive package in a crowded hotel. And instead of having to eat buffet food for a week, you can cook your own meal, or even have someone do it for you!

Tip #3 : Rent a Caribbean island!
Did you know you can rent a whole island just for yourself? This can come with staff and everything you need to spend a luxurious vacation. It is also a very nice idea for a wedding!

Tip #4 : Charter a luxury Yacht!
If you are looking for something a little less extravagant then the huge private Yachts, and a lot more affordable then there are a variety of luxury yacht charters Caribbean providers that will also be able to meet your needs and your budget. The wonderful thing about the Caribbean is no matter what your budget, preferences, and schedule there is someone who will be able to provide exactly what you are looking for.

Tip #5 : Contact a Caribbean holiday specialist!
Certainly, you can get online and start searching and learn everything there is to do in the Caribbean, however it is certainly a lot easier to simply employ Caribbean holiday specialists to help you plan your vacation. Not only will this save you time, but it will also save you money because more often than not Caribbean holiday specialists are aware of different discounts and preferred rates. They have insight and knowledge and many years experience booking Caribbean vacations, where you will have to do some serious work and effort to plan the vacation yourself.

Luxury Caribbean Vacation offers information about luxury services available in the Caribbean : villa rental, Caribbean real estate, yacht and sailboat rental and private aircraft charter. If you want the services of a REAL, knowledgeable travel agent, this is the place to go.