Fun travel ideas every day from Otalo.Tumblr (3.0; @otalo)http://blog.otalo.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/2cb4f9675a214118e55a7dd1e7a56547/tumblr_mlo37ffpJA1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><em>Greetings from Manzanita Beach!</em></h2> <p>Oregon heaven!  Manzanita Beach is a gorgeous stretch of beach that runs on the northern Oregon coast.  A quiet beach with lots of space for your dogs to run around and make friends.</p> <p>Check out the 140+ <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/Oregon/Manzanita/r.jsp" title="Manzanita Beach" target="_blank">Manzanita Beach vacation rentals</a> that Otalo found on the popular rental sites on the internets!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/50988936938http://blog.otalo.com/post/50988936938Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:13 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e14f3e98cdc2d15a10bba4642ec5b95b/tumblr_mlo2cnPeJA1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><em>Greetings from Edisto Island!</em></h2> <p>Located in South Carolina, Edisto has that laid-back beach community feel.  Lots of fishing and boat tours, great golf courses nearby, and the Edisto Island Serpentarium, where you can find the coolest snakes in the world (behind nice glass walls)!  Edisto is a heaven for naturalists, with the Edisto Bay Plantation wildlife refuge - over 3,000 acres on the Atlantic Ocean.  It’s a place to commune with nature, and just chill!</p> <p>Check out the 210+ <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/South%20Carolina/Edisto%20Island/r.jsp" title="vacation rentals in Edisto Island" target="_blank">Edisto vacation rentals</a> that Otalo found on all the popular rental sites!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/50419689409http://blog.otalo.com/post/50419689409Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:17 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8c75e4b32d9e77a8fa40ba6e20209ec9/tumblr_mlo1stziVS1qzogtmo1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><em>Greetings from Rincon!</em></h2> <p class="byline">by <a href="https://plus.google.com/111286967619750651034" rel="author" target="_blank">Baer Tierkel</a></p> <p>Some of the best sunsets in the world can be seen from the beach town of Rincon, on the west coast of Puerto Rico.  Also, some of the best Caribbean surfing!  When we visit Rincon we fly into Aguadilla, which has many direct flights from the east coast of the US.</p> <p>Check out the 270+ <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Puerto%20Rico/Rincon/r.jsp" title="Rincon Vacation Rentals" target="_blank">Rincon vacation rentals</a> that Otalo found on the internets for you!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/49854461085http://blog.otalo.com/post/49854461085Tue, 07 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/ccc5779abc6010fc9ba11d13fb2004f5/tumblr_mlo1fpeIPg1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><em>Greetings from Lake Chelan!</em></h2> <p class="byline">by <a href="https://plus.google.com/111286967619750651034" rel="author" target="_blank">Baer Tierkel</a></p> <p>Looks more like Switzerland than Washington state, eh?  Lake Chelan’s got it: wine tastings, beaches, boating, hiking, golfing, and spa’s galore!</p> <p>Check out the 31 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/Washington/Lake%20Chelan/r.jsp" title="Lake Chelan vacation rentals" target="_blank">Lake Chelan vacation rentals</a> that Otalo found on the internets!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/49258009240http://blog.otalo.com/post/49258009240Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/74d02e26c414dd870093435d9df8385f/tumblr_mlo130EY1b1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><em>Greetings from Oak Island!</em></h2> <p class="byline">by <a href="https://plus.google.com/111286967619750651034" rel="author" target="_blank">Baer Tierkel</a></p> <p>Oak Island is a barrier island on the southern coast of North Carolina that is full of awesome for the family!  Miles of sandy beaches, lots of fishing docks and piers - and great access to the Intercoastal Waterway, making it a great spot for kayaking and boating.  The town has 8 parks and a great fishing pier and even a skate park!  Everything the family needs on a beach vaca, but still a small-town feel.</p> <p>Check out the 800+ <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/North%20Carolina/Oak%20Island/r.jsp" title="Oak Island vacation rentals" target="_blank">Oak Island vacation rentals</a> that Otalo found…</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/48619776626http://blog.otalo.com/post/48619776626Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:42:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/750393de3bdf99c75356fa8347509938/tumblr_mjnxphZMMM1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103744881&ft=1&f=1004" target="_blank">Live a Longer Life on Ikaria!</a></h2> <p class="byline">by <a href="https://plus.google.com/111286967619750651034" rel="author" target="_blank">Baer Tierkel</a></p> <p>Like you need a reason to head to the Greek islands in the Med?  Well, here’s another one… the <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103744881&ft=1&f=1004" title="Ikaria" target="_blank">tiny island of Ikaria</a> has the highest percentage of people who live to 90 years old of anywhere on the planet!  They have gardens, they walk a great deal, they eat a diet high in olive oil, fruits and vegetables as well as drinking herbal tea every day.  Sounds like a nice way to spend some time to us!</p> <p>Check out the <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Greece/r.jsp?pq=c" title="Greece Vacation Homes" target="_blank">10,000 vacation homes for rent in Greece</a> that Otalo found  on all the top rental sites!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/45902731098http://blog.otalo.com/post/45902731098Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:30:00 -0400travelgreeceikariagreek islands<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/43b6ad3e58dd27a4c0b120f8f23954c2/tumblr_mjnxc75QFM1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><a href="http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2009/04/springtime_in_paris_sidewalk_c.html" title="Sidewalk Cafes in Paris" target="_blank">Top Sidewalk Cafes in Paris</a></h2> <p class="byline">by <a href="https://plus.google.com/111286967619750651034" rel="author" target="_blank">Baer Tierkel</a></p> <p>Paris is about cafe life, if nothing else.  Slow down, get a paper and a friend, hang out and argue politics until you are bleeding caffeine.  Forget Les Deux Magots, get away from the tourists and hang with the locals.  Here’s a list from the Budget Traveler Blog on their favorite offbeat Parisian cafes.  <a href="http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2009/04/springtime_in_paris_sidewalk_c.html" title="Paris Cafes" target="_blank">Check it out</a>!</p> <p>Take a look through the over 14,000 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/France/Paris/r.jsp" title="Paris vacation apartments" target="_blank">vacation rental apartments in Paris</a> that Otalo found on the best vacation sites out there!  Stay like a local, that’s what we say!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/45824694927http://blog.otalo.com/post/45824694927Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:30:00 -0400travelcafesparisfrancevacationcoffee<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/48bac6b6ed8e519c7c0243eab445787c/tumblr_mjnx0xmIXs1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>12 of the Best Free European Attractions</h2> <p class="byline">by <a href="https://plus.google.com/111286967619750651034" rel="author" target="_blank">Baer Tierkel</a></p> <p>Who needs to drop serious coin to see the cool stuff in Europe?  Not us!  Check out this <a href="http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-04/12-best-free-european-attractions.html" title="Free attractions in Europe" target="_blank">great list of free attractions</a> on the continent.  From Italy to Greece to Hungary and Austria, there’s plenty to do without breaking the bank.</p> <p>Check out the over 7,000 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Italy/Rome/r.jsp" title="Rome vacation rentals" target="_blank">vacation rentals in Rome</a> that Otalo found on the best vacation rental sites!  Then you can check out The Pantheon in person….</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/45744620180http://blog.otalo.com/post/45744620180Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:30:00 -0400travelrussiaromepantheonfreevacation rentals<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/d95384748a3f4e89f426a9d2cf74420e/tumblr_mjnwvsmFOc1qzogtmo1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>8 Great Markets in the World</h2> <p class="byline">by <a href="https://plus.google.com/111286967619750651034" rel="author" target="_blank">Baer Tierkel</a></p> <p>One of the ways we try to groove with the locals when we travel is to hit the local markets and shop for our food.  Here’s a list of <a href="http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-04/eight-worlds-best-food-markets.html" title="Great Markets in the World" target="_blank">8 of the great markets in the world</a> by the BootsNAll Blog.  We would add the Grand Marche in Montreal to this list…it’s full of foodie awesomeness.</p> <p>Check out the over 9,000 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Spain/Barcelona/r.jsp" title="Barcelona vacation rentals" target="_blank">vacation rentals in Barcelona</a> that Otalo found on the top vacation sites!  Then you can check out the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria in person!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/45662084513http://blog.otalo.com/post/45662084513Mon, 18 Mar 2013 04:30:00 -0400travelbarcelonaseattlemarakesh<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/7b762aea16f9b1edea4cda9fc5672d27/tumblr_mjntqgzsB11qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><em>Greetings from</em> Provincetown</h2> <p>All the way out in the “palm” of Massachusetts’s Cape Cod, PTown is the happening hub of the Cape.  Full of color and life, even off-season, any time we are on the Cape, we make sure we reserve a day to wander around the endless galleries and gift shops and great restaurants.  And off-season, spring or fall, we always make sure to spent a weekend in Provincetown.</p> <p>Check out the 680+ <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/Massachusetts/Provincetown/r.jsp" title="Provincetown vacation rentals" target="_blank">vacation rentals in Provincetown</a> that Otalo found on all the top vacation sites!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/45571442684http://blog.otalo.com/post/45571442684Sun, 17 Mar 2013 04:30:10 -0400travelprovincetowncape codbeachsummer<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/fa0cc47773333e2108feb709062942cc/tumblr_mjnwky6rIa1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>10 Cool Things for Kids in Yellowstone National Park</h2> <p class="byline">by <a href="https://plus.google.com/111286967619750651034" rel="author" target="_blank">Baer Tierkel</a></p> <p>UpTake Vacation Blog has a great <a href="http://www.uptake.com/blog/family_vacations/ten-cool-things-for-kids-in-yellowstone-national-park_3773.html" title="Yellowstone" target="_blank">list of cool things</a> that will capture your kids’ imagination in Yellowstone.  We’ve taken the drive to Wyoming a few times, and each time we’ve all been full of fun and wonder (and we didn’t even lose anyone down a geyser…).</p> <p>Otalo found over <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/Wyoming/Jackson%20Hole/r.jsp?pq=cst&allnear=1" title="Vacation Homes near Yellowstone" target="_blank">900 vacation homes</a> for rent near Yellowstone.</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/45485757539http://blog.otalo.com/post/45485757539Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:30:00 -0400travelyellowstonenational parkswyomingkid travelkids<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/fb15b7babca5d65042d335d12827df65/tumblr_mjnsygM1Vv1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><em>Greetings from</em> Wellfleet!</h2> <p>The sweet thing about Wellfleet is that you can choose the bliss of the National Seashore and Atlantic Ocean, or you can walk to the other side and hang on Cape Cod Bay.  Either way, you win!  Located on the “forearm” of Massachusetts’s Cape Cod, Wellfleet  truly *is* Cape Cod.  Great oysters, restaurants, and serious small town charm.  Between the two coasts you’ll find awesome Kettle Ponds - fresh water ponds that are so refreshing you’ll never want to leave!</p> <p>Check out the over 700 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/Massachusetts/Wellfleet/r.jsp" title="Wellfleet Vacation Rentals near the beach" target="_blank">Wellfleet beach vacation rentals</a> Otalo found at all the top rental sites!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/45409156476http://blog.otalo.com/post/45409156476Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:30:15 -0400travelvacation rentalscape codwellfleetbeachnational seashore<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c4b5c82e3818abc80ca56614dff32d1e/tumblr_mjnsnpZYOk1qzogtmo1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2><em>Greetings from</em> Martha’s Vineyard</h2> <p>One of the quaintest, most lovely islands in New England, Martha’s Vineyard captured our hearts here at Otalo when we first visited many years ago.  As a college student, I used to put my motorcycle in the front of the ferry (no waiting in lines for motorcycles) and head over with friends to meet at one of our buddy’s father’s beach house.  What a life!</p> <p>Now, years later, we enjoy taking the family each summer.  MV has it all, spectacular beaches, quaint seafaring towns like Edgartown and Vineyard Haven and small nooks like West Tisbury that define cute.  You’ll find 5 star restaurants without pretention, cute shops, and you can ride your bike and walk easily from town to the beach.</p> <p>Check out the <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/Massachusetts/Edgartown/r.jsp" title="Edgartown vacation rentals" target="_blank">1,000 vacation rentals in Edgartown</a> that Otalo found on all the top rental sites!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/45349732581http://blog.otalo.com/post/45349732581Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:33:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/583388f6d3a806179ac04a5aefd6e3c9/tumblr_mg23klOrUi1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>St. Lucia</h2> <p>If you dig doing things other than sitting around on a beautiful beach, St. Lucia’s landscape has something for you.  The Arawaks settled the island around the year 200, and pieces of their pottery is still found around the majestic twin peaks - The Pitons.  Warm sulfer springs and a drive-in volcano are just a few of the diversions to check out in the rain forest.</p> <p>Check out the over 400 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/St.%20Lucia/r.jsp" title="Saint Lucia" target="_blank">St. Lucia vacation rentals</a> that Otalo has found!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/41785496081http://blog.otalo.com/post/41785496081Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:00:11 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ee41cdefe257c3e4cf1b4f77ad13eee2/tumblr_mg20wcBW4c1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Martinique</h2> <p>While we’re dreaming of french-speaking beach heavens, let’s not forget Martinique!  Nestled in between St. Lucia and Dominca, it’s got the great beaches, but also cute fishing and tobacco towns, as well as the beautiful Gorges de la Falaise, a 200 foot gorge that the Falaise River flows through.</p> <p>Check out the 100+ <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Martinique/r.jsp" title="Martinique" target="_blank">Martinique beach vacation rentals</a> that Otalo found!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/41196140152http://blog.otalo.com/post/41196140152Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:00:19 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/74b6298cfe4e3af6e412657225a9a40b/tumblr_mg20cxzUKV1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Guadeloupe</h2> <p>There is nothing like a french-speaking beach paradise to instantly calm your soul and get you to begin to relish the good life.  Spectacular beaches, great hiking trails to grand waterfalls, and local rum distilleries - all with a french flavor, well, it really is the good life.  Guadeloupe is a gem.</p> <p>Otalo’s found over 200 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Guadeloupe/r.jsp" title="Guadeloupe" target="_blank">Guadeloupe beach vacation rentals</a> for you to check out!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/40602081311http://blog.otalo.com/post/40602081311Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:00:22 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/ca2facb7a6ac71a65a6d1a83070fa123/tumblr_mg1zzouZSU1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Barbados Dreaming</h2> <p>Spectacular beaches, friendly folks, and delicious local rum.  Enough said?  Well, there’s also the Mount Gay Rum Distillery for a tasting tour, which will set you up wonderfully for the Cricket Museum in Bridgetown!</p> <p>Check out the over 2,000 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Barbados/r.jsp" title="Barbados" target="_blank">Barbados vacation rentals</a> that Otalo found!  It’s a great place to  travel, and be sure to stop by the local rum shop, where most locals get their news and chat!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/40013764901http://blog.otalo.com/post/40013764901Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:00:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/45d0a57382ccf710495385d4d0457a8c/tumblr_mg1zbqC8jS1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Try Puerto Rico</h2> <p>As I write this, the temperature outside my window has dropped to about -2F…which immediately brings me around to which WARM clime we should take the family this spring!</p> <p>Puerto Rico has been listed as one of the top 10 Indie travel destinations for 2013 by the great <a href="http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/13-01/top-10-destinations-indie-travelers-2013.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bna%2Farticles+%28BootsnAll+Articles+-+Travel+stories+from+independent+travelers%29" title="Puerto Rico" target="_blank">Boots ‘n All</a> travel blog.  Puerto Rico is a great way to stay in the United States, but completely taste what the Caribbean has to offer - beautiful beaches, warm weather, exotic foods, and fantastic parks.  It’s one of the least expensive islands, and the locals are very friendly.  </p> <p>Our last two visits there, we rented a great vacation beach house in <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Puerto%20Rico/Rincon/r.jsp" title="Rincon Vacation Rentals" target="_blank">Rincon</a>, on the west coast, as our base to explore.  Some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen!  Check out over 2,400 <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/Puerto%20Rico/r.jsp" title="Puerto Rico" target="_blank">Puerto Rico vacation rentals</a> in Puerto Rico that Otalo has found!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/39565443108http://blog.otalo.com/post/39565443108Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:09:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc29aeguaa1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Mont Tremblant, Quebec</h2> <p>Our final entry in National Geographic’s Top 25 Ski Towns list is French speaking, but still only a car drive away from New York, Mont Tremblant in Quebec.  It’s the best value for a French vacation for Americans without having to get on a plane!  Open since 1939, Temblant feels like an old European village full of patisseries and bistros on narrow cobblestoned squares that are car-free (massive underground parking).  The 95 runs are very well-groomed so you can avoid the ice that you’ll find at other hills in the area.  But bring warm gear - it’s cold in Quebec!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/36952811970http://blog.otalo.com/post/36952811970Sat, 01 Dec 2012 10:00:07 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc28x89wHS1qzogtmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Bend, Oregon</h2> <p>Bend, you ask?  How could Bend, Oregon make National Geographic’s Top 25 Ski Towns list?  ’Cause it rocks.  It’s the 9,000 foot Mount Bachelor in central Oregon, an old volcano where you can ski/board down every side of the mountain, that keeps skiers and boarders in the know coming back season after season.  The great thing is that the mountain is east of the Cascades, so the snow is nice and light and fluffy - unlike the Pacific Cement that most Cascade and Sierra hills pack down.  Besides, it’s cool to board down a volcano summit crater!</p> <p>Another great reason to ski Bachelor, is all the inexpensive <a href="http://www.otalo.com/vacation-rentals/United%20States/Oregon/Bend/r.jsp" title="Bend ski house rentals" target="_blank">Bend ski house rentals</a> you can find (like we did at Otalo)!</p>http://blog.otalo.com/post/36429629998http://blog.otalo.com/post/36429629998Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:00:10 -0500