Malibu Beach for Winter Blues

Malibu Vacation Rentals
"In Malibu may be the nicest little beach you’ve never heard about.

You can’t see this lovely cove from the road; it’s tucked off the Pacific Coast Highway, but a big sign marks the turnoff. The beach is picturesque enough to have attracted location filming of, among others, Baywatch, Rockford Files, and Gidget, and there’s a great fishing pier. Somewhat protected, the Cove generally offers calmer waters, making it ideal for families.

With or without kids, the Paradise Cove Beach Café--all dressed up in vintage photos of the California Coast--is a first-rate restaurant, with style and no attitude. The sign inside the door says it all: “Dress Code—None.” The place is famous for its crispy calamari appetizer served in a bucket-size martini glass, but a close second must be the heaping (no portion here is small) fish tacos. Tuesday and Thursday nights feature live jazz, and if you eat at the restaurant, parking is free." California Travel and Tourism

3 Easy Ways to get more Business for your Vacation Rental

I hope business has picked up? I have some suggestions to help you with your advertising.


First, Google Places is a great free map listing, that’s right FREE! They do offer additional ways to get visitors' attention with some expense, but that is optional. I highly recommend Google places, and it is easy to set up an account here: Google Places
No time to set up an account with Goolgle places? no problem, I’m here to help, just e-mail me: taylor@lodging4vacations.com
Second, do you have a Facebook account for your condo? Facebook has always been a good way to connect with friends and family, but it is also a great way to connect with guests to your rental condo or home. Make a separate account for your condo, a fan page, this way it doesn’t have to be your personal account. No time? Have me help you! I can also contribute with fascinating articles.

Third, have you thought about a short 3 minute video of your rental home’s best features? If you have a video camera I can help you download the movie to Youtube and then I can embed the code on your web page. From Youtube you can link to your page helping it rank better in the search engines. Example: Islamorada Vacation Rental
Let me know if you are interested?


Also how about an online guestbook? With so much competition, recommendations are huge! So set out that guestbook for your visitors and then e-mail me any reviews, or suggest your guests go to an online review site such as Tripadvisor or Yelp. OR we can create one for you online. Give me a call: 760 258-0779 Taylor

Looking for a Cheap Last Minute Christmas Ski Vacation?

This is the year the last minute deals are cheaper, not more expensive. Normally when you book a last minute hotel you're going to pay through the roof...not this year. For example, I just heard about a great deal in Lake Tahoe. Normally this gorgeous house would be booked well before Christmas, but not this year. The private owner has decided to cut her prices. As well as many other private owners, because they can!! They don't have the overhead like hotels. So if you have procrastinated, because of the economy, and now you are dreaming of a White Christmas, then you realize prices may never be this good for a last minute Christmas vacation again.
Last Minute Christmas Ski Home in Lake Tahoe

Time to Fly South

For those of you living in the upper northern hemisphere, it's time to start exploring the lower southern United States. How lucky to stay in Florida! At Bridgewater in Bonita Springs after you visit you may never go anywhere else. This 1,700 square foot Bonita Springs luxury condo has panoramic views of Little Hickory Bay, Wiggins Pass and Florida's multimillion dollar waterfront homes. Take in the view from the large screened-in Lanai or walk to the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, or simply fish in the Gulf. Boat slips included. Bridgewater is an exclusive gated community located 15 minutes north of world class shopping, dining, galleries, plus great golf and tennis recreation, between Naples and Fort Myers. Onsite there is a heated and lighted pool located bayfront for a refreshing dip. Whether golfing, swimming, fishing, sunning, or shopping is your pleasure, all are easily accessible from this luxurious Bonita Springs condominium.

Things to do in Panama City Beach

Our favorite things to do in PCB are the Beach (the turquoise waters are as beautiful as the Carribean), the new Pier Park is a mecca for shopping, dining and entertainment. Favorite restaurants are Salt Water Grill, Bonefish, Nunas Thai, and Lisa's. The Pirate Ship cruise is a must for families with children under 12. Kids are completely entertained for 2 hours while parents watch with no responsibilities. Well worth the money! And of course Golf. The Hombre golf course is home of the Southeast Regional Q School (qualifying competition for PGA Tour Card). Imagine our excitement to see Jack Nicholas in our backyard when his son Gary was qualifying.
Our Edgewater condos are among the nicest condos in the entire resort, consequently we have many repeat visitors. We live 5 minutes away and are available to help with any emergency, for instance, a 13 year old girl in our condo had a kidney stone attack in the middle of the night, we got out of bed, got her to the proper hospital and called our urologist in to see her.We often assist in activites and restaurant recommendations. We strive to give the personal touch to our guests, have excellent rates and often run SPECIALS.
Edgewater Beach Golf and Tennis Resort is still the only full service resort on the beach, with executive par 3 golf course, championship tennis courts, wonderful fitness center, extensive spa services, 12 pools, 3 hot tubs, Oceans restaurant and bar for inside or outside dining, Pizza Hut, Edgies and of course StarBucks.

Panama City Beach Changing?

Panama city beach is undergoing a tremendous change. Having been going there since my high school and college days, it has been interesting to watch these changes as a property owner. It is returning more and more to the family vacation place it once was. The restaurant selection has just exploded. If you are looking for great seafood, The Saltwater Grille has "become the “in” place to dine on Panama City Beach." A 25,000 gallon aquarium sits right in the middle of the room, and the seafood/steak selection fantastic! In looking for an after dinner cocktail, there is no better place than Margaritaville PCB down on front beach road. Lots of lively music and cold drinks.

I am an avid saltwater fisherman, so I usually try to take 3 or 4 trips when in town. Lots of good captains to choose from, but my friend Bubba Lang is who I go with. His boat is right over in the lagoon and he catches plenty of fish. After a hard day on the water, nothing tastes better than a cold beer and a dozen oysters. The Captains Table in St. Andrews is the only place to go for that. Mitch, the owner, is a great guy and he has great food. With the way Panama City Beach is growing, the choices for food and entertainment will grow as well. Still, there is no substitute after a great day at the beach, for a cold cocktail and watching the sunset from the beach. Shoes are optional.

While we are in Panama City we are close to everything! Our Summit vacation rental is located on the 7th floor, above the swimming pools. The condo balcony is a perfect place to relax and watch the sunset.

Fun Summers at Breckenridge Winter Resort?

Get out of the heat and into Alpine Retreat, and cool mountain breezes. Rent a bike in Frisco and ride around Lake Dillon. Across from the Lake Dillon marina is a "trailhead to miles of paved bike paths offering spectacular scenic tours. The surrounding National Forest also provides mountain-biking, rafting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and camping. Jeep tours on old mountain roads will take you to nearby historical mining towns. Be challenged at one of Summit County's four championship golf courses".

Enjoy a meal on the patio at the Arapaho Cafe, "from 1972 to 1987 many people knew the building as the Tappan House but in early 1988 under new ownership and management it was returned to its original name and reputation as a great mountain cafe, the “Arapahoe Cafe.” Today the Arapahoe Cafe is one of the historic landmark site buildings in Dillon".

It could be the Dillon Farmer's Market will be open alongside the lake. Wonderful local produce and baked items are sold there, or take a look at the event calendar for Summit County and see all the wonderful activities available during your summer visit.

Return to Frisco on the same bike path, or for the more adventurous types, ride over Swan Mountain but beware, there is no bicycle lane on the two-lane road. For the more relaxed types, put your bikes on a ferry and cruise back to the marina at Frisco.
Of course, there is a beautiful bike path that runs through Breckenridge and will take you all the way to Vail, if you have the strength to do Vail Pass1

Another idea is to vist the Visitor's Information Center in downtown Breckenridge and purchase a book of hiking trails. They are excellent guides that give great descriptions and rate the difficulty level of numerous hikes in the area. Try our favorite hike at Mohawk lakes south of Breckenridge. It is of moderate difficulty with lovely scenery along the way.
For restaurants, our favorite for fine dining in Breckenridge is Alpine Cafe. South Ridge Grill is a favorite of the locals for a varied American menu. Mi Casa is excellent for fine Mexican food and Empire Burgers serve excellent hamburgers. These are just a few of many excellent places to eat in Breckenridge.

Our Alpine Retreat is an affordable summer vacation rental home perfect for large families, sleeping 10 guests.