April 27, 2017
Traveling with Your Pet

By: MyGuestbook’s Travel Expert

Pets can be a major reason that some people either have a tougher time traveling, or they simply can’t. Finding a dog sitter or someone to watch your cats can be stressful. In most travel instances of the past, finding a hotel to go to with your pet were difficult. Not only is it a hassle corralling your pet up and down an elevator or stairs, there is also seldom a designated space to allow your pet to run free and feel comfortable outside of their traditional home.

Boarding a pet can be even more expensive than your vacation in some instances, making for even more unnecessary vacation stress. Booking a vacation rental can help you have a fun vacation with your pet in tow. Vacation rentals have much more space than hotels and can even provide you and your pet with a backyard to play and relax. Renting a beach home? Walk right out to the beach without having to walk through a hotel with very little space.

Often, being able to bring pets with you to vacation rentals can ease the stress of traveling on both you and your pet. Depending on how you’re traveling, taking a plane or road tripping, the approach of traveling with pets is different.

When traveling by plane, know the regulations for your airport before making the trek. There are often rules and regulations that have to be considered months in advance that can’t be forgotten. Make sure to do your research before attempting to bring your pet on a plane. Each major airline has their own page dedicated to their specific rules for each pet you can bring on board your plane.

For road trips, knowing how to keep your pet calm during an especially long trip is important. All pets need rest and space to relax regardless of how far you may be traveling. We all care about our pets, and bringing them along on a trip can be such a fun way to spend time with them, especially when traveling for a prolonged period. Check out MyGuestbook to plan your next vacation today!

 

 

April 14, 2017
How to Book A Summer Rental

By: MyGuestbook’s Travel Expert

Summer season is almost among us and with that comes the sun and fun of vacation! The peak season of summer travel begins in May and will run throughout August, which is usually when parents with children can take a much-needed break from work to relax in the sun. A lot of families enjoy renting vacation homes to minimize costs of hotel stays with a relaxing home atmosphere. Depending on the length of a vacation, rentals can be used for short and long-term stays.

With vacation rentals all over the United States, it can be daunting to know how to get one, where to go to find one, and how renting one works. There is an incredibly detailed list here, but we are here to give you some ideas on how to get started in the most simple manner.

Summer houses are popular due to the ability to stay long term at a much lower cost than a hotel stay. There are also many perks including more space, better amenities, and many more outlined in our “5 Reasons Why Vacation Rentals are Better Than Hotels” blog.

Vacation rentals are not the same as renting a house, although some of the rules can be the same. There is no long-term connection to the home unless that is something that the renter and home owner want to negotiate. These summer rental homes are great for families who need a large space to stay and come back to at the end of the day. Finding rentals is as easy as doing a search in the area of the destination.

Rental terms: Renting weekly or monthly are usually options, depending on the home owners. The prices are often more easily negotiated for monthly stays if that is in the travel plans. There are deposits that also need to be kept in the budget but most of the time these are returned at the end of the stay, just as if you were renting the home for living long term.

Make sure to book early to avoid any over-bookings or losing out on the dream summer home. Many people choose to book up to a year in advance, so having a plan in place can ensure the best summer home option remains available.

There is much more to learn in our Summer Vacation Season series, so be sure to check back for more tips and ideas for your summer travel!

April 6, 2017
How to Find Vacation Deals During Peak Season

By: MyGuestbook’s Travel Expert

Being able to go on a vacation that you can afford and enjoy is great. Even better is being able to go on vacation during the spring and summer. Peak season is during the months of May-August, when prices increase on booking vacations. The peak season is when most people have time off, kids are out of school, and the weather is great in most of the United States. Often times, we see peak season vacation prices and shudder at the thought of shelling out that much money for a vacation. However, finding deals even during the busy spring and summer season is far easier these days. With so many companies providing vacation rentals and airfare, finding inexpensive travel is simple with a little pre-planning.

Book Early, OR Late- Consider choosing a destination and checking out vacation rental options as soon as those cold winds start to roll in and you’re craving the warmth of the sun. Booking anywhere from 6 months to one year in advance can get you the best deals. Make sure to check multiple websites and travel agencies to ensure that you’re getting the best price.

If you have flexibility and don’t mind the thrill of the chase with vacations, consider waiting until last-minute cancellations cause vacation rentals to go on sale for a deep discount. These typically happen late March through June and can land you in some great spots for much less than you would have spent.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices. Sometimes the prices listed in the booking information can be negotiated
based on your communication with the vacation rental owner. Some owners are open to talking about payment options and forging communication with them early goes a long way to helping you when you choose to book with them. It never hurts to ask if there are promotions going on.

Even as peak season gets close, the options for travel are endless. Browse a long list of activities in your destination through MyGuestbook. Ask your vacation rental owner if they’re using MyGuestbook to integrate your entire trip from start to finish! With the busy season of traveling, MyGuestbook is a breath of fresh sea air. Happy Traveling!

 

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