June 2009

4th of July falls on a Saturday this year, so even if you didn’t score a day off, you’ve got time to pack up your things and spend the holiday out of town. We suggest you abandon the daily grind for at least seven days straight. Trust us. The founding fathers would have wanted you to do this, too.

We’ve summed up some of our very favorite Independence Day destinations, which at this moment in time, feature awesome 4th of July travel deals on rentals that still have availability for the weekend.   

San Diego, California
On 4th of July, the sight to see is in the sky, naturally. But which part of the sky? Whether you join the massive crowds at San Diego Bay for the annual “Big Bay Boom” fireworks spectacular, or celebrate America’s birthday at SeaWorld, you’re in for a magical experience. And an affordable one, at that! Check out this 4th of July travel deal:

• Stay in this 2-bdrm home for 6 nights and get the 7th night free!

Washington, DC
You better believe DC knows how to do Independence Day in style, especially following Barack Obama’s historic election. While the main attraction, the fireworks show, is at the National Mall, a mélange of parades, concerts, festivals, and activities lead up to it. Peruse these DC deals for 4th of July:

• Stay in this pet-friendly 4-bdrm duplex for at least 4 nights, and get one night free.
• Save 15% on this pet-friendly 2-bdrm condo.

Manhattan, New York
It’s probably no surprise to you that New York City throws a pretty big birthday bash for America. This year’s pyrotechnics extravaganza can be seen above the Hudson River. Plan to get a good vantage point, but don’t obsess over it, as you don't want to miss out on all the other goings on; there’s always a lot to see and do in NYC, so imagine your options on a holiday weekend. Consider these 4th of July travel deals in the Big Apple:

• Stay one week at this 2-bdrm apartment and get a free night.
• Save 50% on this chic studio apartment.

Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville hosts the South’s greatest fireworks show. Head to Riverfront Park for a day full of free music and family fun, and then a spectacular skyward spectacle at night – the city is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its annual “Let Freedom Sing” event this weekend.

• Bring the whole family to this 4-bedroom home, stay for a week, and get a free night!

Chicago, Illinois
Enjoy a whirlwind 4th of July vacation in the Windy City! The Taste of Chicago – featuring live music, food and wine tastings, and much more – will still be in progress, and fireworks displays at the lake at Grant Park (July 3rd) and the Navy Pier (July 4th) are must-sees!

• Save 20% on this 2-bdrm condo.

Skip out on the backyard BBQ this Saturday by skipping town. With these last-minute 4th of July travel deals, you and your family can make Independence Day the most memorable day of 2009.

Feeling antsy? Need something to do, somewhere to go? Well, we’ve got a nifty selection of Vegas vacation homes that will make a sweet change of scenery. We’ll let the city itself change up the pace for you. Although we suggest you dip into all the glamorous hotels during your visit, we don’t suggest you stay in them overnight. You don't have to pay an arm and a leg to wake up to a view of the Strip every morning, and treat yourself to primo amenities - like a personal bar, hot tub, pool, or HD TV. So, save your money wasting tendencies for the casinos - World Series of Poker's going on right now, by the way. When it comes to your accommodation, cash in on these last minute travel deals to Las Vegas…

• Grab a group of friends and split the cost of this 5 bedroom/3 bathroom, fully loaded Vegas house rental. Only $250 a night right now! Just make sure to book your stay before the 30th. You can plan to visit anytime until 8/30, though. Even has a pool and hot tub.

• This gorgeous 3 bedroom/3 bathroom Vegas vacation home is only a seconds from the Strip. And if you stay between 7/1 and 8/1, you’ll only pay $139 a night.

• Get $300 off a week-long stay at this huge 5 bedroom/3 bathroom Vegas rental with pool and hot tub. Stay anytime between now and 9/30.

• Relax in a stylish 1-bedroom unit at the MGM Signature for just $99 to $299 a night. Plus, get discounted Blue Man Group tickets when you stay between now and 11/28. Plenty of time to plan your trip, but only one day left for this deal!

If you’re feeling spontaneous, take advantage of the moment and these amazing last minute travel deals to Las Vegas! Need more tips for sticking to a shoestring budget in Sin City? (Besides winning big at blackjack, that is.) Then check out this handy list of things to do around town - most of it's free.

Whether you’re whisking your significant other off his or her feet with an impromptu getaway, or trying to fit a 7-day honeymoon into a rail-thin budget, you’ve got an uphill battle ahead of you… if you’re trying to book a cheap hotel room that you actually like, that is. Vacation Rentals.com, on the other hand, always has amazing honeymoon deals and special offers on breathtaking condos, villas, and homes for two.

Hurry up and cozy up to a view of the NYC skyline or the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean. Can you feel the love this summer? More importantly, can you afford it? Find out now with these dreamy deals on the world’s most enchanting destinations. Cheap romantic vacations, coming right up!

Wine Country Fairy Tale

• Get $150 off when you spend a week in this 1 bedroom Napa Valley vacation home. With views of the mountain and lake and plenty of room to relax, you may prefer to wine and dine on your own. After all, you’ve got a full kitchen and dining area.
• This 2 bedroom/2 bath Sonoma cottage rental has a hot tub, garden, and gourmet kitchen. To boot, when you book a stay between now and 10/31, you’ll get a free wine tasting pass - valued at $150.

Paris is for Thrifty Lovers

• This adorable 1 bedroom Paris studio will only cost you 100 euros a night when you book dates between 7/27 and 7/30. A deal like this one certainly inspires the impulsive jet setter in all of us. 

Bahamas on a Budget

• Book this 2 bedroom/2 bath Caribbean beach house between now and 12/1 and you’ll enjoy free kayaks and a sailboat ($1500 value) for the duration of your stay! This rental’s already super affordable, at only $199 a night. Other amenities include a hot tub and computer with high speed internet.

Fall Head Over Heels for Hawaii

• If you haven’t heard yet, Hawaii hasn’t been this cheap to visit in a long time. The deals keep coming, but eventually they'll run out. So, take advantage ASAP! Our favorite Hawaii deal of the moment: book this 2 bedroom/2 bath Kihei resort condo (in Maui) between now and 9/30 for 7 nights, and you’ll get the 8th night free. That’s a savings of $190. The beach and the pool are nearby. 

Get Mushy in Manhattan

• Ice skating hand in hand at Rockefeller Center, cuddling on a bench in Central Park, and enjoying an extravagant meal for two at a top French restaurant. Does it get any cheesier than this? If you’re worried about going way over your budget in NYC, you should be. However, this luxurious 1 bedroom Manhattan apartment rental softens the financial blow. Book a stay between now and 12/15 and you’ll get 10% off!

Not thrilled about this selection of cheap romantic vacations? Get more ideas from Vacation Rentals.com’s list of the most affordable honeymoon locations in the US.

Brimming with beach bums all summer long, the New Jersey Shore is the place to be this month. If you’re in search of some last minute vacation inspiration, we’ve got a couple Jersey Shore deals on vacation rentals that still (somehow) have availability. In just a few days or weeks, you could be waking up to the ocean at sunrise, feasting on savory seafood at dinner, strolling down the Boardwalk at sunset, and settling down in your own private, luxurious beach house at bedtime. But only if you take up one of these great offers. 

• $1,100 Off - This lovely 3 bedroom condo in Ocean City makes for a cozy escape. All guests enjoy easy access to the beach, as well as beach chairs, beach tags, beach towels, and even bikes! When you stay at this property between today and 6/27, you'll get an incredible $1,100 off the weekly rental rate. Need more convincing? Let this part of the Jersey Shore sweep you off your feet – for free – with our Ocean City travel guide.

• $400 Off - Stay at this spectacular 4 bedroom/2.5 bathroom Wildwood Crest duplex between today and 6/27 and you’ll get $400 off the weekly rate. For your trip, the complimentary bikes and beach chairs should come in handy.

• $500 Off - Book a week-long stay between today and 7/11 and you’ll get a whopping $500 off this 1 bedroom cottage in Cape May. Perfect for a solo beachgoer or couple. What can you look forward to? Wireless internet, deck, cool décor, full kitchen, and of course, the beach.

These Jersey Shore deals won’t be around all summer, though, so book now or regret it later.

It’s finally time to plan your annual summer vacay, and if you’ve got kids, you’ve got worries. Unlike last year, money’s as tight as your six-year-old’s shoelaces (she’s got the “loop de loop” down to a fine art). You have three choices, really. 1) Spend money you don’t have. 2) Stay at home. Or… drum roll, please… 3) Head to a theme park and stay in a big family-friendly house for cheap!

We’ve got an excellent selection of summer vacation deals on homes located near the country’s top theme parks. From Disney World to Dollywood, we’re here to rescue your summer break.

Schiltterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas
Save 15% on weekday reservations in June for this 2 bedroom/2 bathroom condo on the Guadalupe River. Resort-style pool and hot tub on-site! America’s #1 water park is just a half mile away.

Disney World
Want to enjoy all the luxury and pampering that comes with a Disney resort, but without going into debt? This 3 bedroom/3 bathroom Disney condo is located in the Bella Piazza resort and it’s just $105 a night all summer.

SeaWorld San Diego
Get a free night when you book a week-long stay at this chic 2 bedroom/2.5 bathroom rental house in downtown San Diego.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Slash $100 off the normal rental rate of this 2 bedroom Williamsburg, VA rental, located in a resort-style community with an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and more.

Legoland
Get a $50 gift card to a top-rated restaurant when you book this 2 bedroom/2.5 bathroom condo rental in Carlsbad. It’s also pet-friendly, so you can bring the whole family.  

Universal Studios Los Angeles
For select dates, stay in this fabulous 5 bedroom/3 bathroom home with a hot tub in Los Angeles, for a mere $285 a night. You’ll also get access to a tennis court and pool. Maybe this is a sign you should organize an impromptu family reunion.

Dollywood
Save $50 a night when you rent this 3 bedroom/5 bathroom cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  Game room, hot tub, deck overlooking the mountains, and uber-comfy furnishings… you’ll definitely feel at home here. Except for the whole "chores" part.

We hope these theme park vacation deals have given new life to your summer. Other ways to save - pair your cheap rental with cheap tickets to the park. A little online research can get you a long way. Also, traveling on a week day is always a more affordable bet than a weekend or holiday.