Posts Tagged ‘Taking’

Bill taking a putt

Image taken on 2003-09-20 14:52:59 by AmandaB3.

Mom taking a break

Image taken on 2003-09-20 15:31:19 by AmandaB3.

Thinking of taking a vacation – Do you choose a hotel or a villa ?

Thinking of Taking a Vacation – Hotel or Villa ?

Are you thinking of taking a vacation and staying in a hotel or villa ?

Are you are looking for all the comforts of home but with all the services provided by a good standard hotel.  Have you ever stopped to think how wonderful it would be if you could have all of this ?

Well it really is possible by renting a vacation home.  Try Googling “FloridaSunTime.com” or “Florida vacation rental”.  You will find so many homes that you can stay in that will provide everything you are looking for.  A fabulous “home from home” far away from all the other holidaymakers in a hotel.

Next time you are planning a vacation, please take a look at all the wonderful homes that are available to rent.  We spent quite a few years staying in hotels, and then one year we hired a house.  We have never stayed in a hotel again.  To my family, this is the only way to have a fantastic holiday.  You really do get the best of both worlds.

There are of course several types of home in many locations in and around the Disney area.  They vary in size from 1 bedroom condo’s (sleeping 2) up to 7 bedroom villas (sleeping up to 16).  Most villas will have a private pool, some will have a spa and/or a games room.  Some also look out over open spaces or golf courses.  It really does depend on what you personally are looking for, but rest assured all will have the creature comforts that a hotel cannot hope to provide, and surprisingly at a very reasonable cost.

Like my wife and I some years ago, I am sure you will be thinking that these villas will cost an extortionate amount of money and they are only for the rich.  Not so.  Most rental homes are priced very reasonable and most families will be able to afford them.  If you look closely at the prices, you will find that they are in fact very reasonably priced compare to a good quality hotel.

They can accommodate a variety of people, not just single families but groups of friends and relatives.  They have king bedded rooms, double rooms, twin and single rooms, all just waiting for you to come along and have your dream vacation.

The best part though is actually splitting the cost down by person to arrive at what you will find is great value.  Some homes can cost as little as $10 per person per day.  For example, in low season, a four bedroom home sleeping up to 10 will cost around $700 per week including pool heating.  That is $100 per day, equaling just under $10 per person.  A good quality hotel room for 4 will cost around $60 per night, equal to $420 per week.  As there are 10 of you, you will need 3 rooms making a total of $1260 – OVER twice the price of a villa.

We have all heard of the expression “location ,location, location”.  Well, you will often find that in a hotel, that “location” will mean close to a major road or intersection as this brings in the most income for the hotel.

This is fine until it is time to “turn in” at night and then you are kept awake by all the traffic noise from outside.  A very thick pillow or ear plugs are often the best remedy.

The best part about vacation homes is that they are nearly always located in quiet suburbs with very little traffic but are still close to all the attractions (Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios etc), Our own home is located in a “dead end”  with minimal traffic and is therefore ideal for families with smaller children.  In many cases they will be in beautifully landscaped, resort style communities that may even have a view or a lake or conservation view.  If you are a family that likes these communal developments, they can range from very quiet and simple community lounges through to fully equipped lifestyle resorts with large communal swimming pools, man made beaches, fully equipped gyms, spa, cinema, children’s play areas.

Most vacation homes will have a very high level of facilities including private pool, large comfortable living areas, dining areas, fully equipped kitchen, garage, televisions, dvd player, laundry facilities, internet access etc.

One of the best parts about taking a vacation in a villa is that within a few hours, you feel just like you are a home.  You begin to unwind and then your vacation really starts.  After a tiring but enjoyable day in the parks, come home, go for a dip in your own pool, get a beer from fridge (or make a coffee), then curl up on the sofa to watch a favourite dvd.  You can really escape from it all.

If you haven’t yet tried this alternative to a hotel, then please give it a try.  We can assure that you will not be disappointed. You will have the vacation of a lifetime without having to share it with hundreds of other holidaymakers sharing the hotel.  You have vacation home all to yourself.

Phil and Sue Cornish have travelled extensively in Florida and in 2000 purchased their first home in Kissimmee – see http://www.simply-florida.com.  They also run a very successful web-sites advertising Florida vacation rentals at http://www.floridasuntime.com and http://www.DisneyvillasinFlorida.net

Sea World Orlando….I’m taking my family there in March….any insider tips? Promotion codes?

I’ve been going through the Sea World and Discovery Cove website trying to plan our trip in March. I keep seeing places to put Promotional Codes…does anyone have any they can share with me?
The Discovery Cove deal is $259 pp and gets 7 days free at Sea World plus the day there….is it worth it? How many days can a family with a 14 & 11 y/o do there and have it still be interesting?
Things to consider: We’re in the Disney Vacation Club and have done that since they were babies, and we’re scuba divers, but the kids aren’t.
Thanks for any help you can share!

Comment on Taking Justice Seriously by Mr Bean

Comment on Taking Justice Seriously by Mr Bean
Q: What’s the difference between a lawyer and a prostitute? A: A prostitute will stop screwing you when you’re dead.

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Eight Easy Tips For Taking Your Pet On Vacation

As much as we love our cats and dogs, many of us have never even considered taking them on vacation – or if we have, we don’t really know how to plan a trip that includes them.  Which is a shame, because taking your pet with you on vacation can save you a lot of money in boarding costs, not to mention the stress of worrying if your “best friend” is healthy and happy while you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Today more than ever, our pets really are part of our families.  Shouldn’t they be able to join us on our family vacations too?

In a word, yes.  These days, it’s easier than ever to plan a vacation that includes the family pet.  The secret is knowing a few simple tips to make sure your trip goes smoothly and everyone is happy.

These Eight Easy Tips will help you plan the ultimate pet-friendly family vacation – so give them a try when you’re getting ready for your next holiday.

TIP #1    DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

A pet-friendly vacation is not the kind of trip where you just throw Spot or Fluffy in the car and head off in the general direction of your destination hoping to find a motel when you get tired.  Taking a trip with a pet takes some advance thought – even if you’re a die-hard, spur-of-the-moment kind of traveler.  You’ll need to do a little research and maybe, yes, make a reservation.  But don’t worry.  The results will be worth it!

TIP #2   VISIT YOUR VET

Is your pet healthy enough to travel?  Is Mr. Whisker’s flea-prevention up to date?  Does Daisy get carsick, or have trouble sleeping in strange locations?  Before you take your pet on vacation, take a drive to your veterinarian’s office to discuss any concerns you might have and make sure your best friend is in top shape before the trip.

TIP #3   SAY “I DO” TO I.D.

Imagine losing your dog or cat in a strange city.  It can happen, which is why before taking your pet on any sort of trip, you need to make sure their I.D. tags are up to date.  Ensuring that you can be contacted immediately if your pet is lost will make for a much more relaxing holiday for the entire family.  It might also help to attach a temporary I.D. tag with contact information at your vacation accommodation.

TIP #4   PACK PROVISIONS

If you’ve ever taken a road trip with a baby or small child, you have some idea of what hitting the road with a dog or cat will be like.  Traveling light is simply not an option when pets are involved.  For the car ride itself, you’ll need plenty of water, as well as a dish to serve it in.  Depending on the length of the drive, you may also need food – or at least some treats to make the time go by faster.  Bring your dog’s leash, so you can break up the monotony of the drive with a brisk walk – and don’t forget the pooper scooper and bags to dispose of the waste!

If your pet sheds you may want to protect your upholstery with a blanket or some towels.  This is also helpful to protect leather interior from kitty’s claws.  And if you use a pet carrier, don’t forget to pack it.

Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll want to make sure you have your pet’s favorite toys, blankets, a bed if it uses one, your pet’s regular food and a food dish, grooming utensils and any medication your pet either takes regularly or might need.

TIP #5   MAKE SURE THE SKIES ARE PET- FRIENDLY

If you’ll be traveling to your destination by plane, you’ll need to contact the airline to research its pet policies.  How much will it cost to transport your pet?  Can your pet travel with you, or will he need to make the trip in the cargo hold?  Get answers to your questions well in advance so you can plan accordingly.

TIP #6  RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION

Find out where there are parks and beaches in your vacation area that welcome pets – that way you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when you get there instead of poring over maps or the internet.  If you’ll be spending the day away from your pet at an amusement park, look into local pet sitters or dog walking services to add to your pet’s comfort away form home.

TIP #7   BE A GOOD BOY (OR GIRL)

A pet is only as good as its owner – so do your part and look after your dog or cat, keep her out of harm’s way and away from things she shouldn’t touch.  Make sure to clean up all messes and leave your accommodation ready for the next family to enjoy.

TIP #8   BOOK PET-FRIENDLY LODGING

This is probably the most important tip of them all.  Because while it’s relatively easy to find accommodation that welcomes pets, finding a place to stay that is truly “pet friendly” is a different story.

There’s nothing pet-friendly about a cramped hotel or motel room that gives your entire family no room to move.  Ditto accommodation located in the middle of a busy city or town center, where there are cars everywhere and little quiet space for you to take your best friend for a walk.  Your family AND your pet deserve accommodation with room to spread out – especially if your pet likes to sleep outside – in a peaceful location.

One great choice – that you’ll find in the middle of a choice vacation spot – is to book a pet-friendly Florida Leisure Vacation Home, where you can find accommodations with all the comforts of your own home in the Orlando, Florida area.  From their layout and amenities to their great locations, these homes are specially chosen to provide the very best in pet-friendly accommodation – check them out at http://www.floridaleisure.com/flvh/pets.htm .

That’s really all there is to it.  With a little planning – and the right accommodation choice – your next family vacation can include the entire family.  Follow these simple steps and you can ensure a fun and relaxing vacation with your pet.

Follow these eight tips, and your trip with your pets will be exciting, memorable AND affordable.  For more information about vacation homes, click here or call 407 870 1600

©2008, 2009

*** The articles on this website are made freely available to all members of the media and the press. The only condition is that credit be given to Nigel G. Worrall as author of the articles.

About Nigel G. Worrall:

Nigel Worrall is President / CEO of Florida Leisure Vacation Homes & Total Real Estate Solutions. He is regularly sought by the media as a vacation home and real estate expert and has featured on NBC, ABC, Fox, CBS. He has also featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Newsweek, Chicago Sun Times, Washington Post, Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal and several other publications. Nigel is also the best selling author of “Big Ideas For Your Business” (Advantage Media)

Nigel serves many clients around the world as a Realtor®, Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Investor, Mortgage Broker and Real Estate Trainer.