Why You Should List Your Home As A Vacation Rental

Blog provided by San Juan PM

Are you the type of person that plans an annual vacation away from your home at the same time each year? Do you live in an area that is popular as a vacation spot? Is your house a comfortable, cozy property that anyone can kick back and relax in? If so, you might be able to earn some money on the side by making your house available as a vacation rental.

Hotels can be expensive, cramped, and hectic places to stay in. As a result, many tourists prefer the relaxed experience of renting a vacation home. Since many vacation homes are actual houses, they contain all the amenities a visitor could need, along with a more spacious and comfortable atmosphere that is perfect for families and larger groups. If your house isn’t being used during your vacation, why not give other families a chance to use it while you’re away?

You might have concerns about rowdy guests ruining your home. Fortunately, there are some safeguards to help protect against these unfortunate experiences. A good property management company will screen interested guests to make sure the problematic ones stay at home and can even send team members to help maintain your house and make sure everything is in perfect shape when the next guest arrives.

If you live in the San Juan Islands and are looking for a good San Juan property management company, contact San Juan PM to have your vacation property listed. They’ll go the extra mile to take care of your home and present it only to the best, most well behaved guests.

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Perfect time to visit the San Juan Islands

When you are planning your trip to the San Juan Islands, then the most important factor to be considered is the best time of year to visit the place. The weather of San Juan Islands is mild, all year long and it usually does not drop below freezing point. However, some months experience temperature fluctuations and heavy rainfall. Therefore, you must travel to San Juan Islands when the weather is just perfect for the tourists.

The best time to stay in the San Juan Islands is summer, when the majestic whales can be sighted, and the rains are rare. The summer months will also provide the warmest weather and most sunshine. A perfect place to stay on San Juan Island is the Friday Harbor, which is a great launching point for whale watching expeditions and the best place for tourists to find suitable San Juan island vacation rental.

San Juan Islands weather is quite ideal ranging between 36 and 71 degrees during an average year. This means that you can plan your visit between June and September, when the temperatures are low, reaching around 50 and the average temperatures fall within the high 60s and low 70s. These months also offer the least amount of rain, averaging right around an inch, making it an ideal time to travel to the San Juan Islands.

Article submitted by San Juan PM. Go ahead and book your stay at San Juan Islands and get ready to be mesmerized by the breath-taking beauty of the place.

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Tips for Traveling Lightly

Summary: Packing lightly is one of the things that will make your travels as smooth as possible.

If you are going on a vacation in the near future, you have multiple things you need to account for. Finding a place to go to is fun but you also need to make airline, hotel, and transportation accommodations. To make the whole travel process easier you can aim to travel lightly.

Less to Worry About

Consolidating everything you want to bring into a carry-on bag and a backpack can initially feel extremely limiting but it can also be liberating. By limiting the amount of space you have you are essentially forcing yourself to focus more on the essentials. Rather than packing a few pairs of shoes, you can likely narrow it down to a pair of workout shoes for walking around and exercising and a pair of nicer shoes for restaurants and museums. This can make putting an outfit together in the morning that much easier.

In addition to having fewer items to worry about, packing lightly can also save you time at the airport. Idle time you would have spent checking your suitcase in and waiting for it at baggage claim can be spent elsewhere.

Be Mindful of Container Sizes

If you want to be able to bring all of your bags onto the plane with you, you have to be mindful of container sizes. For security reasons, the soap and toothpaste containers you bring have to fit within size limits.

If you take vitamins and prescription pills on a regular basis you can consolidate them into a smaller pill organizer for the week. If you take prescription medication and it isn’t in the prescription bottle the pharmacy gave you, at least have the prescription documentation on you.

Blog submitted by Monte Carlo Rent A Car, LLC: If you are going to travel for business and need a cheap car rental in Amman Jordan, check out the Monte Carlo Rent A Car, LLC for the best deals on rental vehicles.

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The Basics of Renting a Car in Abu Dhabi

Article by Monte Carlo Rent A Car

Abu Dhabi is a unique mixture of history and modernity. It’s the home to the headquarters of many major international businesses and one of the richest cities in the world. Visitors come to Abu Dhabi to see the opulent shopping centers, luxury high-rises and world-class dining. But you can also find many historical sites in and around Abu Dhabi such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which is the sixth largest mosque in the world.

With so many things to do in Abu Dhabi, it’s important to find the best way to get around the city. You can take public transportation or taxis, but there are disadvantages to these options. Public transportation around Abu Dhabi can be confusing for visitors, especially if they don’t speak or read Arabic. Taking a taxi can be complicated as well and there’s the potential danger of being picked up by an illegal cab driver looking to rob you or rip you off. For many visitors, a short term car rental in Abu Dhabi is the smart choice.

Car rentals are affordable and easy to do. Many reputable car rental companies can be found at the airport or elsewhere in the city. Renting a car in Abu Dhabi is such as popular choice that many expats who are permanently living there opt for a long term car rental in Abu Dhabi rather than purchasing their own car.

Of course, there are certain requirements for renting a car in the United Arab Emirates and rules of the road that you’ll need to follow. Here are a few basics to understand before you rent a car in Abu Dhabi:

License Requirements: Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries can rent a car in Abu Dhabi with a valid license from their home country. Residents of other countries will need to have an International Driving Permit in order to complete a rental and drive a car in the UAE. For example, Americans can visit their local AAA office and complete a form for a license, which is then processed through the State Department.

Traffic Laws: It’s important to keep in mind that traffic is highly regulated in Abu Dhabi with heavy fines for some violations. For example, all speed on major roads and highways in Abu Dhabi are monitored through radar, so you could easily pick up a ticket without knowing it. However, some traffic laws can cause confusion for visitors, such as the fact that a U-turn can be performed at any intersection.

Parking: Parking has improved in Abu Dhabi over the last few years as the government has made this a priority. You can park on the street using a coin-based meter system or pay to park in a premium space at a new lot.

 

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Travelling to Portugal

In the past, Portugal, located at the southwestern tip of Europe,has remained somewhat isolated from Spain and has its own unique culture. Today, Portugal is a great value as a travel destination. The countryside is beautiful, the cities are lively, and the landscape is diverse thanks to its north to south location along the Iberian Peninsula’s western shore. One day trip takes you from the glamorous beaches near Algarve across the desert-like landscape in the Alentejo region and on to the lush green mountains in the north.

Portugal is a member of the Schengen Agreement, and no border patrols exist between them and any other European Union nations that have implemented the treaty. Be sure to check ahead, because not all EU members are a part of the treaty, and there may be spot customs checks. Non-EU citizens who are visa-exempt such as Australia and New Zealand, EEA, EU, and citizens of Switzerland only need a passport valid for their stay in Portugal. Other nationals requiring a visa must have a passport valid for three months beyond their stay.

You can get a flight from most any major airline to Portugal. Additionally, the country has its own airlines (TAP Portugal and SATA/Azores Airlines). A few no-frills airlines like Monarch and easyJet offer flights to Lisbon, Porto, and Faro at competitive prices. US residents can fly to Lisbon from Philadelphia, Boston, Oakland, and Providence with SATA International/Azores Airlines. United flies from Newark and Washington. TAP Portugal flies from Newark, New York, Miami, and Boston. All of these flights are seasonal.


Submitted by Dev Randhawa. Follow Dev Randhawa, a US born travel blogger, for tips and tricks to make full-time travel easier.

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3 Most Dangerous Airports in the World

No matter what you think, the first few hours of any trip sets the tone for the remainder. If everything goes well, then the trip might turn out that way too.

In other words, a lousy flight can spoil a trip, not unless you are game for a little adventure. Yes, there are a few airports that spell danger and that have caused travelers to postpone their trip indefinitely.

Here are 3 of the most dangerous airports in the world: (more…)

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How to Shoot Better Vacation Photos

If you understand some of the basics of photography, you can use your camera’s automated settings to capture beautiful photographs almost every time. You can play with manual settings too, but they don’t always give the results you want within the timeframe you need. You should also know how to frame your shots, and how to use lighting to your advantage. All of these tips are simple to understand, difficult to master. Still, with this advice you’ll soon have friends complimenting your photographic eye as they take a visual journey through your vacation. (more…)

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A Peek Inside the Conservatory of Flowers

Article by Pierre Zarokian

If you’ve ever been to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, you might have noticed a white building that looks like something out of an old horror movie. That building is the oldest structure in Golden Gate Park and it’s called the Conservatory of Flowers. Don’t pass it off as just another garden, it’s got some of the most unique and exotic plants available in California.

Originally, the kit that the Conservatory was based upon was supposed to be in the city of San Jose. James Lick, an eccentric businessman and real estate investor, had intended on building a mansion there. He surrounded the grounds with plants he had imported from South America, but died before he could complete his master project.

That kit went up for sale and was purchased by prominent San Franciscans.

Part of the reason it was built had to do with trends of the time. During the turn of the 19th century, industrialization was in full swing and large urban centers were springing up all across America. The old frontier was gradually disappearing, replaced with urban landscapes. Greenhouses and botanical gardens offered city dwellers the opportunity to glimpse exotic plant life that had long vanished to make way for modern society.

Today, one can find roughly 1,700 species of plants within the Conservatory. This includes a corpse flower species, which attracted roughly 16,000 visitors, and poison plants rumored to have been part of the concoction that killed Lincoln’s mother.

Admission for adults is $8, with children ranging from $2-$6 depending on their age. If you happen to be in the city during the first Tuesday of each month, this stunning exhibit of natural life is free for all.

 

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Four of the best places in the world to go kayaking

If you are new to kayaking and you are looking for beautiful kayaking vacation spots to travel to, here are four of the very best kayaking spots around the world.

Milford Sound, New Zealand – Milford Sound is located deep in the south-west of New Zealand and is a popular kayaking spot because lush green peaks surround the entire area. Authors have described Milford Sound as one of the eighth wonders of the world. Charges range from NZ $ 100-120 per person for a tour.

Na Pali coast, Hawaii – If you have never been to Hawaii and want to experience the country in its natural beauty, visit the Na Pali coast in Kauai. You can only access this coastline by hiking, helicopter or boat. Na Pali is surrounded by green cliffs and cascading waterfalls, which is the perfect landscape for kayaking.

Vancouver Island, Canada – If you are looking to spot orcas but are new to kayaking, consider visiting Johnstone Strait situated in the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park. Your kayaking experience will be enhanced by ancient forests and stunningly beautiful mountains. Look at visiting the island from June to October, to see hundreds of orcas, black bears, bald eagles, Pacific white-sided dolphins and humpback whales.

Dalmatian Coast, Croatia – Croatia is stunning and is one of the most picturesque spots for kayaking. You will be able to enjoy crystal clear water, hot summers, historic architecture and hundreds of coves. Crystal Seas recommends speaking to a reputed kayaking tour operator who will be able to arrange excursions for beginners.

 

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Tips for getting started with Kayaking

Written1 by Crystal Seas

Going Kayaking can be daunting for beginners. It is however a stress free way of relaxing, getting some exercise and getting some fresh air all at once. Sure, it can be technical, but Kayaking is as difficult as someone wants it to be. With a few basic lessons, which can be leant in a matter of minutes you can paddle around at your leisure. Here are a few tips for when getting started:

Learn

Before you go Kayaking, get lessons from a proper certified instructor. There are outfitters with such instructors wherever Kayaking is popular. If going Kayaking is part of a holiday plan then check the phone book or Google for instructors at your destination.

Sizing

When yo
u get lessons you will also learn the right types and sizes of Kayaks and what suits you. As a beginner you will probably find that sea kayaks are better than the more tippy and shorter whitewater kayaks. You can then find your foot and seat peg settings that are just right for you.

Width

For beginners wider kayaks are better as they are more stable. In addition, they also have open cockpits which are easier to get in and out of. This feels safer for beginners even when heading out for washington kayak.

Flatwater

Beginners are always better off with flatwater. Examples are lakes or ponds that have no turbulence of any sort. Once you have some confidence in a kayak, then streams and rivers are the next followed possibly by sea kayaking tour.

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The next time you want to take an adventure for your vacation like going kayaking san juan , just leave it to the team at Crystal Seas.

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