Monday, October 13, 2014

Breaking The Hotel Habit With Alternative Lodging

By Estelle Larsen


The cliche of traveling are staying in hotels which could offer luxurious accommodations and state of the art amenities. They empty wallets and become the majority of expenses of the common traveler, even more than the cost of transportation. But when the lure of the lush suites becomes monotonous, there are better and cheaper ways to stay during your vacation.

Not just for backpackers, bed and breakfasts charm visitors with their personal approach to their guests. Such accommodations are found throughout the country, and you can find them amidst quiet rural areas and also in big cities such as the busy Washington Coast lodging areas. The difference is that bed and breakfasts offer free internet access, water bottles, gourmet food, parking, and other services for free while hotels will charge you for every request.

Short term housing rentals are also a new trend in the traveling community. This is where you can get the chance to live in castles, penthouses, igloos, and many one of a kind real estate properties offered for rent. Good research and clear communication with your host before you rent the property can save you from all the possible vacation horror stories.

If you are on a tight budget on a summer trip, you can opt for academic housing. Most college dorms open their doors to vacationers when students go home for summer break. Skip this when you are not comfortable sharing the shower with other people.

There are also free housing options if you know where to search for them. Many religious communities offer humble accommodations with breathtaking architecture and utter peace for free. However, it might not be an option to those who deem themselves boisterous creatures of the night.

Farmstays like cattle farms and ranches offering shelter to those who have stumbled upon the green land are not just very cheap ways to stay but also a very crisp experience for the go getter. You might learn to slice that ham like a pencil being sharpened, spin wool from the baa baa black sheep, and even get treated to a healthy, sizable meal. They are popular with those who are traveling far from urban areas.

House exchange is also a lesser known practice among frequent travelers. Based on mutual trust and agreement, types vary between a simultaneous swap and a non simultaneous exchange. This is not for everyone and require careful arrangement and frequent communication. Because both parties reciprocate the hospitality, problems with this kind of accommodation is very rare.

Timeshares may sound like a very nasty industry, but when you are a regular vacationer who loves to come back to your favorite resort often, you can actually save more than booking a hotel room per night. Smart research, a deep understanding of how they function and what to expect, and opting for resellers instead of developers will make vacation ownership work for you. They are not investments but a way of vacation.

These housing choices may not be for everyone, but each person and family deserve remarkable trips. Hotels offer activities, house exchange allows you to step in the other shoe, and so forth. Every trip is personal experience, and whether you stay in a luxurious hotel suite or put up a tent in the woods, the memories are still up to you.




About the Author:



No comments: