Vacation Planning Trends for Italy’s Top Destinations by Vacation Rentals and Lodging Directory

Hotels Versus Vacation Rentals Comparison Shopping and Vacation Planning Trends for Leisure Travelers Visiting Italy’s Top Destinations including Rome, Venice, Tuscany and Florence.

Rentalo.com, a leading lodging and vacation rental web site, recently conducted a trend analysis on its database of 7,853 opted-in travelers searching for hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals in Italy’s top vacation spots from July 2008 to January 2010. The lodging directory is making these findings available to the travel industry in order to provide better understanding of consumer’s level of interest in comparison shopping and vacation planning dynamics. The study data below confirms Rentalo’s successful business strategy to facilitate comparison shopping and vacation planning for vacation and trip planners.



Italy’s Top Agriturismo Destination: Tuscany
Sixty-seven percent of the vacation planners showed interest in comparison shopping among Tuscany vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, inns, and vacation hotels. 21 percent were also interested in receiving offers from vacation homes, inns, resorts, and hotels from other cities in Tuscany such as Anghiari, Arcidosso, Arezzo, Artimino, Asciano, Aulla, Bagni di Lucca, Bagno a Ripoli, Barberino di Mugello, Barga, Bibbona, Bientina, Bivigliano, Borgo San Lorenzo, Campi Bisenzio, Capalbio, Carrara, Casciana Terme, and Cascina.


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

With the nice views in Tuscany, you can fall in love with Italy instantly. Definitely, as a traveler, it is still my priority to check my wallet. Good thing these very nice vacation rental offers are such a treat.

read more...

Book Now for Luxury Summer Villas in Europe and Caribbean.

Spectacular properties are still available for guests seeking the ultimate 2010 summer holiday. Now, it's time to reserve as there are great early booking offers already available for 2010 villa rentals in prime locations.

In-the-know travelers are starting to book luxury villas for their 2010 summer vacations. One-stop luxury travel resource Paradizo.com has partnered with the top rental agencies offering the very best villa rentals around the world, from beachfront villas with access to a tropical beach to magnificent villas with a pool in the living room.

According to many industry insiders, the vacation rental market is on the rise. Lodging industry expert Glenn Haussman recently reported on the "explosive growth" of vacation rentals in recent years.

Spectacular properties are still available for guests seeking the ultimate 2010 summer holiday. Now, it's time to reserve as some of the most desirable villas are already fully booked. "The popular summer months are booking fast for 2010, with 25% of properties already booked-up for next summer. So those dreaming of spending their next holiday in a beautiful 400-year-old 'finca' or living the life of Riley in a newly-built, stylish mansion, need to book early!" said Paradizo's partner Mallorca Farmhouses.

Group bookings are on the rise for holiday homes large enough to share a fantastic vacation with family and friends. Many of even the most lavish vacation rental properties offer prices that, when divided among a group of 10 or 12, can cost less than or equal to a traditional hotel room. More often than not, luxury villa rentals also come with 5-star services like a private chef, concierge or guest manager. If you require additional services, the Paradizo Team can help you find the highest quality service providers, personal chefs, helicopter and jet charters or limousine services.

Reflecting the current economic setting, many luxury travel professionals commented on new bargains, noting that travelers are looking for ways to save money. It's expected that value for price will be the top priority in 2010.

"There are great early booking offers already available for 2010 villa rentals in prime locations," said Ollivier Jacq, Paradizo's founder. Many luxury villa brokers are offering early-bird "Stay for 7, Pay for 5" packages that include special extras.

Where are trendy travelers headed? Industry experts foresee Europe enjoying a rebound for the jet set crowd. It's a safe bet for the more conservative traveler but also offers new hotspots like Sardinia and Croatia. There's also renewed interest in old favorites like Ibiza, Provence, Tuscany and Mykonos in Europe and Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and St. Barts in the Caribbean.

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

For sure, these offers are traveler-friendly offers because of the existing global recession we have. Despite of these difficult times, it is still a passion to go on vacation with our loveones. I'm not so sure but I guess vacation rental options will be a sure hit. As for me, I'm going to Tuscany, Italy. I love the vacation villas there, very nice place and very peaceful.

Read more...

Italy vacation is best idea in this time of the year.

Here in the Philippines, it's getting hotter everyday. El Nino is on its way to maturity. It might be nice to look for places best for a summer getaway. Tuscany in Italy might be the best idea. After taking side trips seeing the Pope in Rome, a nice vacation awaits in Tuscany. It has the most beautiful vacation hotels, villas, vacation condos, at a price not so high. Vacation rentals had been the best way to enjoy the most beautiful vacation getaway.

VACATION RENTALS POPULAR FOR SPRING BREAK GETAWAYS

More than 65 percent of travelers who looked into the availability of vacation rentals in the past say they plan to stay in one between March and May; Florida beaches still popular for spring travel, but New York City ranks in top five Spring Break getaways.

Despite tough economy, nearly one in five travelers surveyed plan to increase their travel budget this year, while 68 percent say it will remain the same as last year.

The cold winter and record snowfall impacting several areas of the country has many travelers planning warm-weather getaways this spring, and many will be staying in a vacation home, according to HomeAway, Inc. – the world’s leading online vacation rental marketplace – which today released its quarterly “HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report.”

In fact, more than 65 percent of travelers who looked into the availability of vacation rentals in the past plan to stay in a property sometime between March and May. While most (66 percent) will use a vacation rental for a family vacation, approximately one in three travelers surveyed (30 percent) say they plan to stay in a vacation home for a getaway with friends.

“Vacation rentals are becoming a much more mainstream lodging option for travelers,” said Brian Sharples, founder and chief executive officer of HomeAway®. “Where people once used to think of motels and hotels as their only option when traveling, they’re now finding that vacation homes provide much more value because they can accommodate more people and they come with full kitchens and other amenities like private pools and barbecue grills.”

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

Part of the top getaway vacation villas is in Tuscany, Italy. Very nice place, very cool, peaceful, and surrounded with nature. Very nice idea for relaxation with loveones.

Read more

Couples Love Luxury Vacation Villas for Valentine's Day in 2010

Some people show their affection with boxes of chocolates, others with flowers. This year, more people are celebrating Valentine's Day in style by traveling with their significant others to luxury villa rentals in the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii.

Valentine's Day remains a popular excuse to rent vacation villas in 2010, according to luxury villa rental specialist Luxury Retreats (www.luxuryretreats.com). The holiday devoted to love is helped by the fact that it usually coincides with President's Week in the United States and some Spring Break weeks.

Luxury vacation rentals are preferred by many couples because they are very private - offering pools and hot tubs that the renters don't have to share. With lots of space and amenities, couples can stay in as much as they want and just relax, adding excursions where they choose.
"It's not just Valentine's Day. About 10 percent of all of our bookings annually are made by couples traveling without kids, and without any other family members or friends," said Luxury Retreats Sales Manager Jon Chiniborch. "That's actually quite high considering that most luxury vacation villas are in the 3 to 4 bedroom range."

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

Well, even if not during a Valentine's day, vacation getaways are surely the best outdoor activities. Vacation villas are surely a better option among vacation rentals. Top destinations: Europe, Hawaii, Carribean, and Oriental Asia. In Europe, Tuscany in Italy has got so many vacation activities to offer. I can't even wait to have my turn in going there.

For more of the news, just get it here.

Italy has got the best vacation villa...

I believe that it is very nice idea to visit Italy someday. Vacation villas are the best options to stay while in Italy, specially in Tuscany. I can opt to use vacation rentals to cover my expenses while I'm in Tuscany. Vacation hotels are also good bu staying in vacation villas is better. Hmmm, vacaion condos i think are similar with vacation hotels. Vacation villa is the best, it's big and very nice to stay in.

Tuscany, Italy - A tour of nature’s finest

Home to natural sites including mountains, waterways, and vineyards, Tuscany possesses an old-world charm and natural beauty that is hard to find elsewhere. Man made delights abound as well, with Tuscany being the repository of much of the finest art, food, architecture, and wine found anywhere in the world. A perfect resting point for those traversing Italy, Tuscany has sites and activities to offer for travelers of all varieties.

The Tuscany region encompasses roughly 22,990 square kilometers of natural beauty. Mineral rich soil gives life to the best olive oils and wines, while vast marble mines are responsible for much of Tuscany’s unique architecture. Across the sprawling landscape guests will see a range of natural habitats. The Apuan Alps, the only mountain range in Tuscany, runs the length of Italy’s east coast. It is home to forests rich with pine, oak, and beech woods as well as a range of birds and wildlife. Known for its lush pastures which are a favorite of Tuscan herders, the mountain range does contain wolves, which are in a constant battle with the large sheep dogs the herders employ. Snow lies on the highest peaks of the Apennines year round, which is a source of clear mineral springs. This fresh water is both drunk on the spot and sold as table water elsewhere in Italy.

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

Having a vacation in Tuscany, Italy will be much more exciting while staying at beautiful vacation villas. Tuscany also has many available vacation rentals that travelers can afford. For travel information for Tuscany, Italy, this site can help.

How To Travel Using Vacation Rentals

With a first-ever TV commercial highlighting vacation rentals having aired in Feb. 7 Super Bowl between the New Orleans Saints and the Indiana Colts, football fans are discovering why renting vacation homes, vacation condos, vacation villas and vacation cabins on trips is a favorite choice for many versus vacation hotels. Beyond the experiences families and friends build by staying in a home away from home, there are numerous benefits to choosing vacation rentals - sometimes in ways they'd least expect, says Vacation Rental Managers Association.

Many travelers will be trying vacation rentals for the first time post-game, while nearly nine in 10 who were satisfied with their first experiences plan to rent again. Industry "head coach" and expert Alex Risser, President of the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), offers the following vacation rental planning tips and insights as a postseason wrap-up:

•AVOID AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEES: Most vacation rentals come equipped with washers and dryers, and vacation rental managers often provide free laundry detergent and bath amenities. Travelers may choose to use these perks to pack less, avoiding airlines' baggage fees and restrictions.


•CHECK FOR SEALS OF APPROVAL: Look for third-party endorsements on vacation rental websites, including approval from associations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or AAA, as well as membership in professional groups like the VRMA and others both nationally and locally.


•LOOK INTO DEPOSITS: Inquire about whether or not a security deposit is required to make a reservation, when it's returned, and when it's due. Established companies will have standardized, secure phone and/or Internet reservations systems.


•USE SPACE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE: Vacation homes and condos can be from 400 to more than 10,000 sq. ft., often costing less than a single hotel room. Rates for some three-bedroom vacation rentals may start at just $69 per night, but sleep up to eight guests versus a few.


•SAVE ON DINING OUT: With full kitchens, and sometimes, outdoor grills, travelers can make and store meals and snacks for less, including football favorites like homemade nachos during postseason travels. Use local ingredients and recipes for more memorable mealtimes. This also provides healthy travel options, cutting the amount of calories typically consumed on vacation.


•ASK ABOUT AFTER-HOURS SERVICE: Check to see if there is an accessible customer service number for emergency needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and for after-hour requests.


•READ REVIEWS: Request and evaluate past guest reviews, comments and references.


•ENTERTAIN FOR FREE: Most vacation homes, villa rentals and condos include amenities not found in hotels, some with private swimming pools, whirlpool spas, game rooms, fireplaces, DVD players, Internet access and free movie and video game rentals when booking some professionally managed vacation rentals. Many are in communities with access to fitness centers, hiking trails, parks, beaches and more.


•ASK ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS: Beyond the ability to live like a local, travelers can take advantage of vacation rental business' relationships with activity providers, shops, restaurants, tour companies and more. Usually, these companies offer upgrades, coupons or other specials, including free tickets, in some cases. Some provide concierge-type services, including grocery delivery, personal chefs, in-home massages and spa treatments, to name a few.


•LOOK FOR SPECIALS: If you're a member of AAA, AARP, if you've served in the military, are a repeat guest, are looking for last-minute travel deals or more, there are offers to be found across North America. Look for vacation rental specials and deals as well as value-added travel packages throughout the year, and traveling during low season can offer more value. Layaway Vacation Plans are also an option, providing installment-based payment plans to secure future trips.


•REMEMBER BIG EVENTS: Whether it's for football championships or national Bowl games, baseball series', basketball or other events, vacation rentals can save fans from the hassle of finding multiple hotel rooms, and on the cost of several reservations. Many rentals also come equipped with big screen TVs and/or in-home movie theaters.


•ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE: Affordable travel insurance is available through companies that specialize in vacation rentals. Trip insurance is often only about five to seven percent of the trip's cost, according to the Insurance Information Institute.


•TRANSPORTATION: Other relationships to remember are those made between vacation rental companies and transportation providers, whether it's rental cars, shuttle services, golf carts, bicycles or more. In many cases, guests are provided discounts, and sometimes, free transportation.


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

These tips will surely give comfort and ease fro travellers choosing to go on vacation rentals. For more tips, questions, or inquiries, you can check it here.