Travel Ideas

Jimmy Buffet Slept Here ? Why Caribbean Villas Are So Darn Popular

by: Bob Bouknight

You?re ready to book that trip to the Caribbean that you?ve been talking about for so long. You go online to get your airline tickets. Easy.
But here?s the hard part? where to stay? So many choices. You could book a hotel, a condo complex, or a vacation villa. How do you decide which one is right for you and your family or group?
Well, the best place to start is by asking what amenities and services you?re looking for. What are the most important options to consider before laying down your hard-earned cash on a deposit?
Space? Convenience? Privacy? Cost? Let?s look at all four features.
SPACE
Generally, hotel rooms and condos don?t afford you a lot of space unless you?ve booked the penthouse suite. Many people justify this by saying they won?t be spending much time in their rooms anyway. But unexpected bad weather can change that forecast quickly. And perhaps one of the reasons they?re not spending much time in the room is because there?s no room for the whole group to gather! Many people choose a villa vacation because of that reason alone. Typically there?s a living area or family room where everyone congregates for drinks and conversation? if they?re not outside on the pool deck. And sometimes the size of one villa bedroom can be as large as an entire hotel room. (Tip: If space is important to you, always check out the square footage of your accommodations before you book!)
CONVENIENCE
Let?s face it, there?s a lot to be said about the convenience of staying at a hotel and typically having a store, activities, concierge, and restaurants right on the premises. However, unless it?s an all-inclusive (which many find is the way to go, especially with kids), you?re paying for all those meals and it adds up after a while. Because condos and villas have kitchen facilities, they give you the option of buying food at the local grocery store and preparing meals back at your place?whether light snacks or full blown dinners. Many villas also have the advantage of providing or arranging for island chefs to be brought in so you don?t have to worry about the cooking chores. Most villas also have gas barbeque grills for the outdoor chef in your family or group.
PRIVACY
If fighting the crowds is not your idea of a vacation, then a villa rental may be the way to go. Unless you travel in the off-season, you may spend more time trying to find a lounge chair by the pool than actually relaxing in the sun. Some people don?t mind sharing their vacation with strangers, but others see this as a time to spend exclusively with family or friends. Add to that the fact that many villas are located on or next to secluded beaches, and vacation houses win at privacy hands down. One trade off may be that generally villas don?t put out lounge chairs on the sand for their guests; however many provide beach chairs to borrow.
COST
This is a hard one to calculate because there are such wide ranges of prices and services from island to island. At first blush, anyone looking at a villa rental may shy away because of the prices. But usually, once you break it down, you can rent a four bedroom villa for about the same price as two standard rooms at a hotel or condo, everything being equal. Compare apples to apples and see how the cost works out for the places you are considering? chances are you?ll actually be paying the same price but getting a lot more space and privacy by renting a villa! (Tip: Be sure and check what is included in the quoted rate. In many Caribbean countries the hotels, condos, and villas must collect a government accommodations tax. Some hotels and condos also add a service fee, which altogether could tack another 20% onto your bill. Ouch!)
So? villa, condo, or hotel? You can see that where you stay in the Caribbean requires a little bit of planning. The first step is to decide what features are most important when you?re looking for your slice of paradise. For an increasing number of groups, couples, and families, a Caribbean villa rental provides the comfort, privacy and space they desire.

About The Author

Bob Bouknight is a vacation rental owner on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. To find out more about the island and his oceanfront Caribbean house rental, go to www.SunsetPointVilla.com.
Copyright 2005 Omega Properties Ltd.
bob@SunsetPointVilla.com

by: David Leonhardt

We are planning a family trip for just a few days. That is my family, my brother’s family, and my other brother’s family. Our mother will be joining us, too. That makes four households, seven adults and six children all under three years old. Praise to my brave (foolish?) wife who has somehow volunteered to coordinate the arrangements.
Even reserving months in advance, we were unable to get four rooms adjoining at the motel, all with the right view and on the right level. If we were going for longer, we would probably rent a house as we have done before. There are vacation rentals in almost every corner of the world, but they are particularly common in high-tourist areas like Florida, California and the Mediterranean countries.
Here is my top ten list of why a family should pick a vacation rental (and specifically a vacation rental home):
1. Not toiling to find ideal, adjoining rooms.
2. Everybody gets privacy, without having to worry about where the kids are.
3. You don’t have to share the common area with strangers, but you can still lounge around together.
4. More than one bathroom. Need I say more?
5. Lots and lots and lots of more room. This is usually the main selling feature.
6. Private pool, in most cases. “Great to swim with the sound of insects….fortunately outside the ‘cage’”, wrote one visitor in the guestbook of Lesley & Gerry’s villa. http://www.lastminutevillas.net/villa/?villa_id=15&x=21&y=7
7. Usually cost less than hotels.
8. Store cold drinks, ice creams, fresh fruit or any other snacks you fancy, which is a huge cost saver, suggests villa owner Christine Creasy. And a great convenience, too. http://www.lastminutevillas.net/villa/?villa_id=65&x=26&y=7
9. Barbecue any time you want. You can still eat out, but you don’t HAVE to.
10. You don’t have to take home several weeks’ supply of dirty laundry.
There you have it. My top ten reasons to choose a vacation rental. I’ve written before on the benefits of renting private accommodations:
http://www.lastminutevillas.net/villa-hotel.html
Of course, I still prefer a tent in a wilderness park, but I might have some difficulty convincing my mother to join us there.

About The Author

David Leonhardt is a freelance writer.

Visit his happiness website at:

http://www.thehappyguy.com

Or his vitamin website at:

http://www.vitamin-supplements-store.net.

For Florida vacation villa rentals:

http://www.lastminutevillas.net .

For Orlando vacation home rentals:

http://www.orlandovillaowners.com

Info@thehappyguy.com

by: David Leonhardt

“I’m coming home. I’ve been away too long. Been away so long. I’m coming home” ? Ian Thomas, in Coming Home
I still recall my road warrior days. It seemed like every other week, I was hopping on a plane for Orlando or Vancouver or Palm Springs or Washington or Chicago or Toronto.
It might not be Rome, Paris, and Monte Carlo, but Washington, Toronto and Orlando are pretty classy places. I went to crucial meetings. I was an important person. I was a frequent flyer.
However, after a while, all the towns begin to look the same. One airport hotel looks amazingly like another. Surely the taxi driver in Washington and the taxi in Orlando were twins separated at birth. I was yearning to just stay put. I had had enough of hotels and restaurants
Traveling sounds glamorous until you have to do it over and over and over. Especially when you have a family, you want to spend some time at home between the episodes of jet lag. Comfort becomes a much bigger deal, and you want every place to feel like home.
You just can’t do that in a hotel. Not in a Marriott. Not in a Sheraton. Not in a Hilton.
I wish I knew then about two other options.
Private Vacation Homes (or rental villas)
Private vacation homes, known also as holiday homes or villas are essentially houses that rent on a weekly basis. They are not much help for fly-in meetings. For those, only an airport hotel will do.
But if you plan to be in town for the better part of the week, there is nothing like kicking back in your own private home ? a rental home, of course.
“Hotel rooms are cramped; a villa is spacious with room to walk about. Hotel rooms have a TV and desk in the bedroom; a villa has surround sound TV and stereo with comfortable couches and chairs in various parts of the home. A hotel has a public pool; a villa has a private pool,” says Florida villas rental agent Stewart Granville. “It’s private. It’s comfortable. It’s like a home away from home.”
Mr. Granville notes that a vacation home rental also serves as an office away from home, with one room dedicated to the office. “In a villa, you don’t have to sit on your bed when you type those memos. And what a great way to entertain business contacts.”
Mr. Granville specializes in villas in America’s vacation heartland: Orlando, Florida. Business travelers often bring their family along to enjoy Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and other famous theme parks. The family plays while the business traveler works. When the meetings are over, they all head for Disney together, perhaps for another week. With family in tow, a private rental home makes much more sense than a crowded hotel room.
Bed and Breakfasts
Bed and Breakfasts are also an option. Although they do not offer the same privacy and space as villas, they are warmer and more homey than a hotel. And like a hotel, they rent by the night, not by the week.
Is a bed and breakfast for you? If a relaxing atmosphere is more important to you than room service, a bed and breakfast is for you, yes. They are comfortable and relaxing, so the business traveler can walk confidently into his meeting free from stress and worries.
Bed and Breakfasts are growing more popular for weekend getaways in the country, but most major urban centers have bed and breakfasts right in the heart of the city…and these are ideal for road-weary business travelers.
So forget about room service and the mint on the pillow. For a stay of several days, the business traveler can rent a spacious, private vacation villa. And for just a night or two, it’s a warm and comfortable bed and breakfast.

About The Author

David Leonhardt is a freelance writer, and an online and offline publicity specialist. Contact him at:

mailto:info@thehappyguy.com

or visit his website at:

http://www.thehappyguy.com

For Florida vacation villa rentals:

http://www.lastminutevillas.net

For Orlando vacation home rentals:

http://www.orlandovillaowners.com

Info@thehappyguy.com

by: David Leonhardt

Two visits to Budapest. Two apartments, walking distance from downtown. I did not even set foot in the Hilton. My mother and I saw Budapest like only someone who stays away from the Americanized hotels can. We stayed with the locals. We came to feel the city, not just see it.
Several years later, I returned to Europe on my honeymoon (this time, without my mother). The first two nights in a little village near Schaffhausen, Switzerland, we stayed in the European version of a vacation villa rental: our own unit in a private home, our own balcony overlooking the scenic village, comfort, privacy and peace.
Three weeks of touring brought us to one or two hotels, several bed and breakfasts, and a couple “gasthauses” in Austria and Liechtenstein that felt more like private homes.
“There is no way to compare the comfort and privacy of a private villa with squeezing everybody into an impersonal hotel room,” says Stewart Granville, CEO of Last Minute Villas ( http://www.lastminutevillas.net ), a booking site for Florida villas and vacation rental homes. “You have your own space ? and lots of it ? and you don’t have to worry about noise of peeping eyes. Usually you have a private pool, spa, sound system and other luxuries.”
Last Minute Villas books some vacation rentals on Florida’s Gulf Coast, but mostly in the Orlando area. Typically, theme park visitors stay in the motel strip in Kissimmee. Those with deeper pockets might stay at the Disney World Hotel. Few people realize that a Vacation home near Disney World or in nearby Orlando is even an option.
Fewer still realize how cheap it is. One Florida villa owner describes how he had just checked his guests in to his own Kissimmee/Orlando area villa. Drew was heading out of town, but he missed his flight. With ten people staying in his rental home, there really was no place for him. He checked into a very basic motel, typical of the Kissimmee strip, and realized he would be paying over $200 per night for ten people ? or about $1500 per week ? for uncomfortably basic motel rooms typical of Orlando and other vacation mecas.
“They stayed in my house for $900 - and they got their own private pool, ensuite bedrooms, laundry facilities, refrigerator and all the things you now take for granted in villas,” Drew says. “It really opened my eyes to just what a sweet deal my visitors are getting ? and how little motel visitors get for their money, too.”
Two years ago, my brother and I rented a private cottage in the Laurentians. We had four bedrooms, enough to accommodate both our young families. We could see two of the neighboring houses, which would be useful in case of an emergency.
We had the television, the stereo, the fire place, fresh raspberries right off the bushes around the house (some blueberries, too!), a screened patio with a private table/bench swing, and a nice big fridge to keep juice, milk and beer cool. We had plenty of space to spread out and a table just perfect for a relaxing evening of cards.
Last summer, we rented a private villa in the Laurentians again, this time overlooking a small lake, and a canoe was supplied.
Why would anybody want to crowd their family into a hotel room? Or even two? I’ve been spoiled. From Orlando, Florida to Budapest, Hungary, travel in style by staying in a private vacation rental home, no matter where you go.

About The Author

David Leonhardt is a freelance writer, and an online and offline publicity specialist. Contact him at: mailto:info@thehappyguy.com or visit his website at: http://www.thehappyguy.com For Florida vacation villa rentals: http://www.lastminutevillas.net For Orlando vacation home rentals: http://www.orlandovillaowners.com

info@thehappyguy.com

10 Tips For Selecting The Perfect Costa Rica Vacation Rental

by: Paul Orr

Planning a Tropical vacation full of lush jungles, secluded beaches, and friendly people but not too expensive? Costa Rica is the place to go! But where do you stay, a resort or a private villa? Do you want long lines, crowded pools, kids running up and down the corridors? I think not.
Selecting the best Costa Rica vacation rental can be the difference between a great vacation and one where you feel like you are ?doing without?.
Many vacationers consider the Costa Rica vacation rental as ?just somewhere to stay? since most of your time will be spent in or on the water, or enjoying local attractions. Don?t make that mistake. There is no reason to settle for less when, with a little planning, you can find a great Costa Rica vacation rental that you?ll enjoy as much or more than the other parts of your vacation.
Remember, your vacation home is where you?ll be sleeping, waking up, having many of your meals, and resting.
If it rains or is unseasonably hot outside, you may end up stretched out reading a book to while away the day or wanting to watch one of your favorite movies on the DVD ? assuming there is a comfortable sofa. And when you meet new friends, you?ll want someplace nice for entertaining. Shouldn?t your vacation rental be a pleasant get-away with the amenities that make vacations a real treat? ?A home away from home?
Here are 10 tips for selecting the perfect Costa Rica vacation rental:
1. The single most important factor is whether or not you can ?see? actual recent photos of the interior and exterior of the vacation rental. It?s one thing to read a great description ? and some of them are quite ?complimentary? (sometimes overly so) - but you need to see what you are getting.
With the Internet, a website is the quickest most convenient way for you to get information on prospective Costa Rica vacation rentals. If there are no pictures, you?ll know right away to keep looking. Brochures, books and guides are nice, but may have out-dated information.
2. List the amenities that are important to you, the ones without which you will feel incomplete. Next, jot down those that are nice to have, but not deal-breakers if not available.
With these lists as a guide, you?ll be able to quickly eliminate those rentals that won?t meet your needs. Your list might include proximity to the water, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type kitchen (full versus fridge and microwave), outdoor amenities such as decks and BBQ grills, ocean views, private pools, outdoor eating areas, tennis courts and other items important to you.
On your secondary list, you might have things like a hammock for lazing about, or pool waterfall for the relaxing sounds. Exterior stereo speakers, to enjoy your favorite music around the pool. Ice makers to mix your favorite drinks, especially in the heat of the day.
3. List the activities that you want to be able to enjoy while on vacation. A morning activity like scuba diving, snorkeling or canopy tour then coming back to the villa to relax may be a high priority for you.
You also need to consider how close the vacation rental is to the airport. It is very important to know how far the rental is from your arrival airport. Some rentals can take a half a day?s drive and after your flight even an hour?s drive can seem an eternity. Your travel time back to the airport at departure can also frustrate your entire vacation. Enjoying your last morning of your vacation by a private pool instead of traveling for hours to the airport can be very important to you. For Costa Rica vacation rentals that are only 20 minutes from the Liberia International airport visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com. This will help you in selecting a general location.
You also need to consider how close you want your vacation rental to be to the attractions.
Some people feel that a great vacation is being able to walk or bicycle everywhere. Others don?t mind a short drive, and still others think nothing of getting on a freeway to enjoy attractions.
If you prefer a vacation without the hassles of traffic, parking problems, crowds and long lines, select a villa located in the quaint waterfront town of Playa Panama, Costa Rica. Visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com to learn more.
4. Identify your first, second and third choice of dates for renting the villa.
With several dates, you?ll save time when making arrangements.
If you find a villa that you really want and you have some flexibility in scheduling, having alternate dates ready allows you to book right then, saving yourself the time and hassle of having to re-check everyone?s schedule and call back ? and risking losing those dates in the interim.
5. Call the telephone numbers for the vacation rentals that seem to meet your needs and speak directly with either the owners or the person who is handling the property.
Be prepared with a list of questions. This allows you to compare apples to apples, and keeps you from forgetting something important during the conversation.
It also gives you a feel for the person who will be your contact should you rent the villa and then encounter a problem. If you don?t get a warm, friendly welcome to your inquiries, don?t expect anything different when you have a problem.
6. Ask what amenities are included.
You may learn of something that?s not on your list but is perfect for your plans.
Does the rental have maid service? Last thing you want to do is make the beds or clean the dishes, even if there is a dishwasher.
Does the rental have a washer and dryer? If so, you will not have to take as many cloths with you. Will the maid wash your cloths before your departure? Coming home with a suitcase full of clean cloths is certainly a benefit.
Other things to consider: Is there a welcome basket? Will the owner have essential items in the refrigerator for you, before your arrival? Can you make arrangements for tours? Are there plates, utensils, pots, pans and other essentials for eating and meal preparation ? or will you have to bring your own?
Does the rental have air condition or do you have to depend on the winds to comfort you?
7. Inquire about restaurants, events and activities and other forms of local entertainment that are close by. Here?s where your list of preferred activities comes in handy. You should be able to find links to local attractions, calendars and restaurants on the website of your Costa Rica vacation rental.
8. Are the owners local or do they have a management team helping 24/7?
Owners are a wealth of information about the area and can give you tips on great out-of-the-way places that aren?t in the guidebooks. They also care about your enjoyment and comfort while at their villa.
This can make a huge difference; especially should something need immediate attention in the villa. There?s nothing worse than calling the rental company about a stopped-up toilet and getting somebody?s bored teenager who?s manning the phones for the summer.
9. How long has the owner been renting vacation rentals?
If the owner has worked with rental properties, they know what tenants expect and how to get things done.
If this is a new venture, beware. The owner may be in it for ?fun? and have no idea how to prepare the villa so that you can have a great vacation.
10. And last, when you look at the pictures, can you see yourself having a great time there?
If the pictures make you want to go right now, and the answers to the questions above meet your satisfaction, you?ve found yourself a great Costa Rica vacation rental!

About The Author

We traveled to Costa Rica on vacation in 2001. Fell in love with the people and their country. Purchased property on the last day of our vacation and built a villa in 2002. Handles villa rentals for five additional villas. Two, three, four and five bedroom villa’s available, all of which are surrounded by Costa Rica?s biodiversity and over looking the Pacific Ocean. Find more useful information about Costa Rica by visiting our web site.
www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
info@costarica-vacation-getaway.com

Plan Your Getaway to the US Virgin Islands St Johns

by: Terry Malone

The three islands and sixty-odd cays that comprise the US Virgin Islands are proud of their magnificent seashores, terrific food and accommodation and the abundance of tourist based activities. St. John U.S. Virgin Islands itself is a natural wonder of aquatic elements, glittering bays, tropical forests and trails as well as stretches of pristine beaches.

Whether you are planning your island wedding or honeymoon, or want the thrills of adventure sports, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands? unparalleled beauty and island spirit will make your vacation here nothing short of a trip to paradise.

Located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico, holiday offers in US Virgin Islands St Johns range from stays at ritzy resorts and luxury cruise ships for the rich and famous to rental condos, apartments, guesthouses and villas for the mid-range as well as budget traveler.

Tourism is the prime industry on this island and everything from accommodation to restaurants to shopping and recreation is expensive here. Shops, restaurants, transport rental facilities, leisure facilities, luxury resorts, hotels, St Johns condo rentals and St Johns rental villas are dotted around the island to build in the best into your vacation package.

Getting to the US Virgin Islands St Johns by air is not difficult, and there are direct flights from several US destinations. Buses and taxis ferry you around to the islands’ towns and resorts. A weekend ferry plies between St John’s Cruz Bay and St Thomas’ Charlotte Amalie and Fajardo in Puerto Rico. Tons of cruise ships too dock in the US Virgin Islands.

There is plenty to do and plenty to see at US Virgin Islands St Johns. Trips to neighboring islands make magnificent excursions and yacht charter companies providing this opportunity are a dime a dozen. Attractions accessible from St Johns include Buck Island, Coki Bay, Estate Whim Plantation Museum, and trips to St Croix and St Thomas.

Based on the combination of amenities, location, activities, special programs and packages you desire, you can choose to stay at luxury hotels, top-notch resorts, St Johns condo rentals, St Johns rental villas, ‘Bed & Breakfast’ inns, eco-lodges, tents and small family-run hotels. The favorite accommodations for most visitors here are St Johns condo rentals and St Johns rental villas. From wonderful one bedroom “honeymoon cottages” to well-appointed bungalows, there are fine properties that offer the best value and amenities. St Johns condo rentals and St Johns rental villas float wonderful season and off-season schemes that offer rental facilities by the day, week or month for your comfort.

About The Author

Terry Malone is the owner and developer of www.vrul.com. VRUL.com is an established vacation rentals by owner website with over 1000 listings worldwide. Rent directly from the owner and save money.

by: Terry Malone

Whenever we think of Texas vacations, what primarily comes to our mind is the beautiful scenario of Alamo located in San Antonio. During the later part of the sixteenth century, the Spanish explorers crossed the Rio Grande River in order to give formation to one of the first missions in Texas very close to El Paso. Texas became an integral part of Mexico after the latter achieved independence from Spain.
Texas revolution gained full momentum in 1853 due to the conflagration of internal conflicts between the original settlers and those who came from outside. In 1845, Texas was proud to be declared as the 28th state of US mainly after a series of devastating battles, which include the battle of the Alamo and the battle of San Jacinto. Texas has gained immense recognition as a leading agricultural and industrial power and the state is significantly noted for its wealth and prosperity.
Texas occupies a total area of 695674 sq km with a population of over 19439337. A unique cultural combination of the Indians and the Spanish, French and other European explorers and missionaries have made Texas a colorful land of diversified cultural unifications. Some of the major attractions of Texas include the famous Johnson Space Center, which is the seat of significant space information seat. In order to enjoy the essence of Texas vacation you must surely visit the meandering banks of the San Antonio River situated in the Central or South Texas regions.
Other places worth visiting in Texas includes the official museum of the state of Texas, successfully named after the late Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock. Texas Stadium has always been an international attraction as the home of the Dallas Cowboys. If you are interested about the various secrecies of marine habitation then you are free to take a glimpse at the Corpus Christi?s Texas State Aquarium. Other eminent Texas attractions include Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, Cathedral of Junk, Forbidden Gardens, Texas Prison Museum, Cascade Caverns and Ezekiel Airship.
The Austin Airport Marriott South is a suitable Texas vacation rental from where you can enjoy the pleasure of Texas hill country. This well provided hotel is situated five miles south of downtown Austin and six miles from the University of Texas campus. Some of the other well-sufficed lodges of Texas are Camp Wood, Marathon, Water Valley, Austin, Ant Street Inn, Mariposa Ranch, Kyle, Fort Worth and MD Resort.
In order to enjoy your stay in any Texas vacation rental you can hire cars from several companies available at the airport. Some of these significant car rental companies comprise Advantage, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National.
In the whole of United States, Texas is the only destination where activities and attractions have taken wide dimensions to attract the attention of a large number of tourists internationally. Great food, golf, beaches, hunting, great accommodations and bird watching have enhanced the prestige of Texas as a foremost traveling destination.

About The Author

Terry Malone is the owner and developer of www.vrul.com. VRUL.com is an established vacation rentals by owner website with over 1000 listings worldwide. Rent directly from the owner and save money.

by: Steve Avery

The phenomenal interest in Bulgarian property shown by shrewd buyers during the last two years has been compounded by a sudden surge in golf course development.
At the present time there are only three golf courses in the whole of Bulgaria: one at Elin Pelin, near the capital, Sofia, and two owned by Air Sofia. These are located at Ihtiman, opened in 2000, 40km from Sofia, and at Sliven, opened in 2004, 90km from the Black Sea.
Because of the increasingly rapid rise in foreign interest in Bulgaria recently, several more golf courses are proposed. One of these will be located at Razgrad, in the north-east, about 90km from the Black Sea. More are scheduled to open in the next few years: two at Kavarna and one at Primorsko, near Sozopol.
Mountain and ski areas will be represented by a golf course in the ski town of Bansko this year, and a very large golf complex between Kostenets and Borovets, the country’s foremost ski resort. This is scheduled for 2007, the year of Bulgaria’s entry into the European Union, and will be located at Dolna Banya, already near Bulgaria’s first golf course at Ihtiman.
BulgariaProperties.net Ltd has purchased almost 6 acres of prime development land adjacent to the proposed golf course at Dolna Banya. The plans are to construct about 220 apartments around a comprehensive sports complex, with access to the golf course by a short footpath. The amenities on site are to include tennis, volleyball, squash, badminton, lawn bowls, boules (boccia), shooting, archery, croquet, mountain biking, and fishing nearby. Indoor facilities will include a 140-seat main restaurant and cabaret stage, a huge main bar (perhaps the largest in Bulgaria), a sports bar with projection TV, snooker, pool, table football, table tennis, a Chinese restaurant, Indian restaurant, fast food cafeteria, pizzeria, gymnasium, sauna, massage parlour, clinic, chemist, sports shop and minimarket.
Steve Avery, a Director of BulgariaProperties.net Ltd, said, ?It may sound like a clich?, but we really were in the right place at the right time! After two years in this business, I just couldn?t believe my luck to find such a gem. Anyone involved in this project should make a serious return on their investment.?
On Borovets and Bansko generally, Steve had this to say: ?Apart from having ski lifts and ski runs, these two towns are quite different from each other, and appeal to different groups of people. Bansko is an old, traditional residential town with lots of character and no fewer than 180 quaint taverns full of local people singing and dancing to a typical Bulgarian folk band. Borovets, by contrast, is purely a resort, with hotels, modern west European-style bars and night-clubs, caf?s and restaurants. Residential property and holiday homes are therefore readily available in Bansko, but not in Borovets, where the closest you can get is usually in one of the surrounding villages.
?As for property values, Bansko went mad for a period of three months at the end of 2003, with land prices doubling, and then calmed down. Many poor goatherders suddenly found that they were rich. Nothing wrong with that, I say. Since then values have been pretty steady there until now, when they?re starting to creep up again. The reason for this is that the sudden surge in foreign tourists to Bansko has left the supply of holiday accommodation woefully short of the demand. And this trend shows no sign of abating. To try to cope with it, there have sprung up many hotels and apartment projects, but it seems unlikely that even these will be able to satisfy the demand for accommodation for several years yet. As a result, the prices for such apartments range from 1,000 Euros per sq.m. for a ground-floor unit facing away from the mountains, to 1,350 Euros per sq.m. for a top-floor example with a mountain view. Yet, people buy them. I guess, because a 1 bedroom 60sq.m. apartment for ?41,000 is still a far better deal than you?d get in Spain. I?ve heard developers claim that 90% of their apartments are sold within 3 weeks! I only hope that we have such luck when ours are released in April!
?In this respect Borovets, again, is different. Although it?s Bulgaria?s first and best-known ski resort, it stagnated for years? until now. The ?Super Borovets? project, funded by EU, governmental, foreign and local business sources, is scheduled to run from 2005 to 2009, and will revitalise the whole region around the town to a radius of 10-12km. This has already started to affect property values in the surrounding areas. To give an example, in March 2004 we bought, unseen, a half-acre plot in a village 15km from Borovets. When I visited it, I discovered that it wasn?t suitable for building apartments; so, I put it on the market in August. By November it was sold at an 80% profit ? after all costs were deducted!
?I am personally of the opinion that the ?Bansko effect? could strike around Borovets at any moment. That?s the reason why BulgariaProperties.net Ltd is developing four projects here, and only two in Bansko. We can sell these apartments about 15% cheaper ? at the moment, anyway. Borovets must surely offer a better return on investment, regardless of the type of property bought: land, a shack, whatever. You won?t find new apartments easily, though. As far as we know, BulgariaProperties.net Ltd is the only developer building them. I don?t, however, expect this monopoly to last for long.
?Bulgaria?s third ski region is at Pamporovo, which, like Borovets, is purely a resort. Funding is starting to come in, but full development, if it happens at all, is likely to follow several years behind Borovets. Its distance from Sofia (a day?s drive) makes it less attractive to visitors from north and west Europe. It is, however, popular with Greeks, because of its proximity to the frontier. One of Bulgaria?s major motorway routes to Greece will pass very close to Pamporovo, and this should boost its popularity, as well as making the Mediterranean Sea more accessible.
?Property values are lower here than in Bansko and Borovets, but are creeping up gradually. I reckon that Pamporovo is a good long-term prospect; say five to ten years. The only reason why BulgariaProperties.net Ltd has no developments here is because I?ll probably have retired before the boom happens.?
How does a mountain area investment compare with coastal properties?
?Significant differences yet again. Until recently, most of the investment was flooding into the northern Black Sea coast resorts, from Varna down to Sunny Beach. The area became very popular as a result of the Bulgarian government?s ?Bulgaria the Beautiful? TV campaign back in the ?80s, and the subsequent interest of package tour operators. Now that the north is saturated with developments, the interest has begun to creep down the coast. This is causing a steep rise in property values. They are still lower than those in the north, but the gap is closing. An investment in the south should therefore offer a better ROI.
?Don?t expect, though, the ambience of the south to become like that of the north. When I discussed the subject with the Chairman of the Bulgarian Foreign Investment Agency last year ? an extremely intelligent and able young man, I must add ? he told me in no uncertain terms that he did not want the south to become like the north. His very words were: ?We don?t want another Benidorm.? So, prospective property purchasers need to bear this in mind, and balance their desire for more capital growth, or their willingness to accept less, with the different rental market appeal of the two regions, along with their own taste in holidays.
?There is one highly significant factor, however, which very often goes unnoticed until it is too late; and it applies to the whole coast. Most people don?t know that it freezes on the coast in winter. When they see the coastal resorts basking in the hot summer sunshine, it?s difficult to imagine snow on the ground. The entire coast simply shuts down in the winter, and nothing happens. It?s a dead as a doornail. Therefore, rental income can be fairly assured for 15 weeks, possibly 20, plus some odd bits in the shoulder seasons of April and October. The coast has a five-month season from May to September, compared to nine months in the ski areas. Those people buying only for rental income, therefore, would find the mountains far more lucrative.
?Rents vary greatly, and depend on many factors, most of which should be obvious: location, size, view, amenities. The standard of finish and the condition of the property can also determine your market quite radically. To appeal to west Europeans, and to command the highest rents, your property must be well finished and appointed, and be in tip-top condition. If it is not, you still have a market for east Europeans, who tolerate less salubrious surroundings because they pay much less, usually about half of the west European rates.
?Generally, summer rental rates on the coast equate to winter rates in the ski resorts, both seasons being about five months. Remember that you also have about four months? additional rent, though at lower rates, during the summer in the mountains. These rates should increase gradually, as the Government programmes to make the ski towns more popular for summer holidays make their mark.
?There are several Bulgarian agencies willing to manage your rental properties for you. Expect to pay about 20% of the rent as a fee.?
What about properties in the countryside?
?Not a serious contender in the ROI stakes, I think. Not if you consider the effort involved. You can pick up property very cheaply indeed in the inland areas, away from the resorts. Almost always it?ll need some kind of work; anything from a face-lift to demolition. There?s often no inner staircase to the bedrooms, no bathroom, and the toilet is in a shed in the garden. This kind of property is great for buyers who want to get away from their homeland, and disappear in the beauty of nature permanently. As a business, it could appeal to self-builders or DIY enthusiasts, prepared to do it for fun, and accept a low return on their financial and physical investment. As for rental income, forget it!?
And the cities?
?Again, there are differences, even between cities. The prime city is, of course, Sofia, the capital. Buy the right apartment here, in the right area, and you can expect a guaranteed rental return of about 12% per annum. The flavour of the month is gated communities, particularly in the south of the city. The diplomatic residential district of Vitosha is one of the best bets. There is a ready demand for luxury accommodation from diplomatic staff and executives seconded by foreign companies, usually on a long-term basis, and this demand should increase as 2007, the year of Bulgaria?s accession to the European Union, approaches. Although you should expect to pay high for such properties by Bulgarian standards, it?s still only the price of a tarted-up Victorian terraced flat in a UK provincial town.
?There?s virtually no market for tourist rentals in Sofia, as it?s probably the least interesting European capital city. It?s also very polluted, although they are trying to clean up their act, ready for EU entry in 2007.
?Plovdiv, the country?s second city, is much more pleasant. It has a quaint old town, as well as modern business districts. It therefore bridges the gap between business and tourism, as far as rentals are concerned. Plovdiv is connected to Sofia by an excellent motorway, on which you can keep the pedal to the metal, if you?re prepared to risk an on-the-spot fine of 50 Leva (about ?18).
?Veliko Tarnovo is probably Bulgaria?s most touristic city, with its citadel and mediaeval ramparts. Most people who buy property here do so to make it their main home. The city itself is beautiful, and it has everything a townie needs. Drive a short distance, and you?re in some wonderful countryside. You couldn?t really make a good living from rentals, but it?s the perfect place to retire to.
?There?s one more thing which is important enough to mention: Mineral baths. These exist all over Bulgaria, the most significant being at Narechen, south of Plovdiv, and Momin Prohod, near Kostenets. Scientific studies rank Bulgaria among the foremost in Europe for hydrothermal, bioclimatic and mud treatments, sea cures and other health resources. Bulgaria is a world leader with its exceptional diversity of medicinal herbs and the excellent curative properties of its apian products. Any property near a spa should attract a premium to its sales or rental value.?
Full details about the ?Super Borovets? project, price madness in Bansko, golf developments in Bulgaria, and new apartments in Bansko and Borovets can be seen at the BulgariaProperties.net Ltd web site www.BulgariaProperties.net. Or you can e-mail advice@BulgariaProperties.net, or call the company at +44 (0)871 226 2296 to order a free 28-page hand-out, or just for a chat, if you prefer. They always have time for you.

About The Author

This article is the copyright of Steve Avery, of BulgariaProperties.net Ltd. All rights reserved.

by: Jeff Palmer

There are many vacation rental options available on Hilton Head Island. Villas and condos, homes and timeshares are all available in varying price ranges.Most vacation villa rentals range from $500 per week for a one bedroom accomodation up to $3000 per week for a 3 bedroom rental. Of course location and ameneties play a part in the price of these rentals. Rentals located on the ocean with private beach acesss fetch a higher price than those without. Another factor which effects the price of Hilton Head rentals is the month that reservations are made. The tourist season on Hilton Head begins in April and continues until about August. Villa rental prices during these months are at a premium. With about a million vacationers to Hilton Head each year, it’s easy to understand why rentals during these peak months are in such high demand.
Vacation home rentals on Hilton Head can range in price from $1000 to $8000 per week for some luxury oceanfront homes and condos. The number of bedrooms,amenities,location and season affect the rental prices of these homes.
Long and short term rentals are both readily available. Weekend vacations or rental arrangements lasting several weeks are commonly found. Most vacation rentals on Hilton Head Island include the standard amenities such as air conditioning, washer and dryerand cable television. Many villa rental choices include luxury features such as jacuzzis, indoor pools, ocean views, private beach access, tennis courts and golf facilities.
The vacation rental business on Hilton Head Island is highly competitive and many bargains can be found online. To save money, try to book your reservation in the off season months.Many times a villa or vacation rental can be purchased for at least half of what is charged during the peak tourist months.
There are a large number of hotels to chose from on Hilton Head Island. In general, prices range from$50 per night for basic accomodations to $200 per night for some of the more upscale lodgings.
Hilton Head Island is divided into plantations or communities. The various plantations offer differingcharacteristics and amenities. Before choosing your Hilton Head vacation it may be wise to consider the differences in plantations.
On the South West end of the island is Seapines plantation. Seapines was theisland’s first developed area. Seapines is a mixture of residential and resort areas with 3 public golf courses,several tennis courts, beach, two marinas and the very popular Harbour Town shopping district.
Shipyard Plantation is best known for it’s beautiful beach. Shipyard is a mixture of resorts and private residences. Bicycle and walking paths wind through the plantation’s 800 acres. Several golf course call Shipyard home,including the Galleon, Brigantine and the Clipper.
Long Cove is a stricly residential area, with about 570 private homes.
Wexford Plantation is a private community of about 500 acres.
Palmetto Dunes is a mixture of resort and residential communities. Boasting over 3 miles of shoreline, Palmetto Dunes is a popluar renatl area. Shelter Cove harbour and marina is l ocated adjacent to this plantation and is host to numerous fesivals, celebrations and other island events.
Port Royal Plantation features several historical sites. The Island’s namesake Captain Willian Hilton first landed here in 1663. The Port Royal resort features a convention center, entertainment and restuarant.
Palmetto Hall Plantation, the newest of the island’s residential developments features two outstanding golf courses.
Located on the northern edge of the island is Hilton Head Plantation is home to golf course and country clubs. Miles of nature walks and bicycle trails cover the plantation which is also home to two nature preserves.
Indigo Run is a resdential plantation located in the central area of the island.
Spanish Wells is one the island’s original developments and is a private community.
Windmill Harbour is home to the South carolina Yacht Club.

About The Author

Jeff Palmer is an internet marketing consultant and search engine optimization specialist. Currently residing in Hilton Head Island, SC., Mr. Palmer is the author of numerous ebooks and articles concerning online advertising and marketing.

http://www.hiltonheadislander.com

Info@hiltonheadislander.com

by: Herman Nuncrsh

Sitting here in the Florida sun whilst the rest of the world concerns itself with Papal funerals and Royal weddings, neither event incidentally proffered an invitation to the wife and I.
I began thinking of all the people that would love to emulate this life. The ownership of a vacation rental villa in the sunshine state of Florida was never on the agenda. That is until the opportunity presented itself via the lottery to partake in the American dream.
What does it take? Capital! would be a good start, homes ranging from $125000 up to and verging one million dollars are available in the vacation rental belt, bounded by 192, 27 an 535. Those are not the numbers that won the lottery they are the main highways in and around the Disney theme parks.
Disney, Universal and Sea World are amongst the most visited theme parks in the world with thousands flocking to them annually.
Some return year after year and it is these travellers that are availing themselves of the many and varied vacation rental villas that are on offer for their stay in the sunshine state of Florida.
Where can you find such places? www.fabvillas.com is a good start with many homes on display. All privately owned and professionally managed it?s a good base to start of with to secure the type of vacation rental accommodation that you and your family deserve. What is available? There are ranges of town homes, up to the large single family homes, comprising of 2 bedrooms up to 7 bedrooms with an equal amount of bathrooms to each.
No more queuing to get ready in the morning! All within a short distance of the main theme parks.
These homes can be rented on a weekly or monthly basis and are value for money with their facilities outdoing all but the finest hotels. Motels are a thing of the past and it appears that they exist purely for the package deal travel companies.
Want to be part of the herd then that?s the way to go.
The discerning conscientious traveller has discovered the vacation rental villas and they are making a Bee line right for them utilising the web and sites such as www.fabvillas.com
Cost of renting one of these superb homes compared with the motel scenario is minimal as the villas are based on a weekly rental and not per person.
I digress, back to ownership of a vacation villa.
Many present homeowners took the plunge following two or more visits to the Disney area.
Having tasted the good life they decided to invest in a vacation rental home so that they and their family could enjoy a sojourn in the sun whenever they desired.
An added bonus would be to rent out the villa when it was not being utilised, thereby accruing an income. What could be easier?
A lot of myth is attached to the subject and its not all a bed of roses as is often portrayed by those who are ready to sell such properties to the unwary.
These are the realtors (in the UK known as estate agents) one thing they are very good at in the USA is the ability to earn exceedingly high commissions on the sale of such properties. It can be upwards of 5% and is generally around the 8% to 10%. This is what drives them to make outlandish promises to the unsuspecting tourists.
That?s pretty good when you work on the top end, the nirvana of real estate in the USA. Make two sales per year and a Lexus and 80 grand is yours. Of course every one that you speak to is having a hard time. Like bookmakers.
The rental homes need to be managed and this is the next step for the tourist, having enjoyed their holiday they go home and wonder what they can do to emulate the life.
So purchasing a vacation rental home in the Disney area is a good choice.
Mortgages are readily available to the right candidates and deposits can range from 5% up to 20% for those that qualify.
They up sticks and move over to Florida, as can be seen by the new line in disaster programs, showing potential owners of properties abroad and practically taking up all the viewing times on most British TV channels. They want to start a new life ( not exactly pioneers) and begin managing the properties in the USA and their ultimate goal is to manage up to 40 such properties.
Unfortunately greed then kicks in and the numbers are then increased, add to this the drive to earn as much for as little as possible and its not long before they are taking their realtors exams (takes about 8 weeks to qualify) then they are on the road to the pot of gold.
So when you contemplate taking the trip to the USA to visit the mouse, bear in mind that you may become so overawed with the place that you will want to stay in the vacation capital of the world and eventually to partake in the American Dream.
When you do, please think of me, the eternal optimist sitting by the pool wondering what the rest of the world is doing and quite frankly, not even caring.

About The Author

Herman Nuncrush 57 ex London cabbie. Now spending as much time as possible in Florida USA.
herman@mailstamp.co.uk