The Vacation Rental Search Engine

Sonoma Country

The Napa Valley has become a bit of a Disneyland for wine tourists.  But right next door over the ridge is a slow, wonderful way of life in Sonoma County.  From the rugged cliffs along the Pacific to the quaint square in the old town of Sonoma, you can find it all here.  The NYTimes gives us the skinny on how to spend 36 hours in Sonoma County… [Link]

The best way to see Sonoma is to rent a house for a week and then explore by walking or bicycle all the restaurants and vineyards!  Otalo has found 64 vacation rentals in Sonoma… [Link]

Alternatives to Oktoberfest

No doubt that Oktoberfest in Germany is the world’s best known beer festival as it near’s it’s 200th birthday.  But there’s no reason to limit yourself to the most popular.  Germany has a number of awesome beer festivals that are off the beaten track and only known to the appreciative locals!  The UK’s Telegraph gives us the skinny on a bunch of these great festivals… [Link]

Stay with the locals, save dough, and spread out and relax in more space.  Check out the over 5,700 vacation home rentals in Germany! [Link]

Cavern Restaurants of the Caribbean

If you (or a loved one) loves to explore down below, here’s a way to spend some time under the earth with a nice wine and great food!  Check out these restaurants located in Caverns (as opposed to just caves) in Mexico and the DR!  Spot Cool Stuff travel blog gives us the skinny…[Link]

Check out the over 700 vacation home rentals in Playa del Carmen! [Link]

Get Up and Out in New York City

Summer in New York City can be challenging.  But a great way to get some fresh air is to head up on the High Line an elevated park running a dozen blocks on the lower west side!  The High Line is a former elevated railroad that ran from the meat packing district north and out of the city, which has now been converted to a beautiful rail trail full of gardens!  [Link]

As you, our valued reader, very well know, it’s much more fun and economical to rent an apartment when you visit New York City rather that a hotel room!  Check out all the vacation apartment rentals available in Manhattan.  [Link]

Zipping Through Catalina Island

The channel islands off the coast of Los Angeles are a world away, but only take a short trip to get to.  Christoper Elliot from the Intelligent Travel Blog gives us the skinny on these excellent respites from typical southern California!  [Link]

Check out a few vacation rentals on the islands… [Link]

Girl’s Guide to Paris

You know all about the wonderful art and museums and cafes and restaurants and parks.  But the best of Paris is found in the shops.  Check out the excellent blog, Girl’s Guide to Paris for great shopping tours of the most fun shops!  [Link]

The only way to stay in Paris is to have your own apartment!  Less expensive and *much* more space than any Parisian hotel….Otalo has found over 900 vacation rentals in Paris!  [Link]

Egypt from Cairo to the Western Desert

Here is a fabulous photo essay taken in Egypt by Ian Bassingthwaighte of his travels from Cairo to the western desert.  A caravan from one of the most populous cities on earth to the lonely, empty desert over sand.

Check out the 282 vacation rentals that Otalo found in Egypt - from Cairo to the western desert! [Link]

The Most Livable Cities in the World

Mercer just announced their listing of the most livable cities in the world.  They analyzed such attributes as politics, culture, economics, recreation, public services, and housing to determine a livability index.  And on top?  Vienna, Austria and Zurich & Geneva, Switzerland are the top 3!  They are joined in the #4 and 5 spot by Vancouver, Canada and Auckland, New Zealand.  The least livable city in the world?  Baghdad!

So now’s the time to put that vacation to the most livable city in the world…check out the 260+ vacation home rentals in Vienna that Otalo found!

USA’s Top Ten Beaches

“Dr. Beach”, aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, has come out with his annual Top 10 Beaches list for the US.  Topping that list this year is Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York on Long Island.  The beach is over 7 miles long and massively wide, housing some of the most elegant homes of the Hamptons’ wealthy residents, the area was also the site of one of the earliest English Settlements in 1640.

Filling out the list at #2 is Florida’s Siesta Beach, #3 is Coronado Beach in San Deigo, and #4 Cape Hatteras in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.  

Check out the 482 vacation homes for rent in and around Southampton!

A Map to Old Guard NYC Eateries!

You can find a new restaurant on pretty much every other corner in New York City, but sometimes you’ve gotta just go Old School…The folks at Easter Blog have complied a map of historic NYC restaurants you can work your way through before they close! [Link]

Best Places For a Kiss in Paris

Whether you like ‘em wet and sloppy or slow and sensual, a kiss in Paris is always awesome.  Gadling gives us the skinny on the most romantic spots for a smooch… [Link]

Check out all the Paris vacation rentals you can stay in and save a bundle! [Link]

Columbian Literary Festival

Britain’s Hay Festival starts up it’s fifth go-round with Ian McEwan and Mario Vargas headlining…Get the skinny from AP Travel [Link]

Browse through some of the local vacation homes for rent in Cartegena… [Link]